Who Has Your Back?

I am glad and thankful I have always been a Union member. Every day I am grateful that the APWU has my back. I know it is taking what seems like forever for the arbitration of our contract. I am glad we have someone nego-tiating for our wages. If it was up to management, we would have another wage freeze. Manage-ment wants to change annual pay raises and COLA's to lump sum payments. Lump sum payments will not change your pay rate for the future. This would not reflect in overtime hours. This would not have any effect on your retire-ment as your base pay would not change. Management wants to increase the percentage of non-career employees in every craft. Management wants to eliminate all the existing LMOU's. They want to eliminate on the clock union steward time. I ask that every member take a look at what Management would give us if the Union wasn't here.

After our Contract is arbi-trated, we negotiate our Local MOU's. If you have suggestions or ideas to make working condi-tions better for the membership, call the Union Hall and let us know. Don't sit around and com-plain about what the Local is or isn't doing, get involved.

Our Union is lucky with the wealth of knowledge it has. I

know if I need information, I have numerous resources to go to. Our National Business Agents, Mike Schmid and Mike Funk, along with OPWU President Steve Charles have always been there with answers to questions and re-solves to grievances. At the Local level we have hit the lotto with officers like Vice President Frank Payne and Clerk Craft Director Sherry Pickens.

Take advantage of the re-sources we have. We have a FEFA seminar scheduled at the Union Hall in April. Come out and get the answers to your questions about retirement.

Spr ing i s a lmos t here. I am ready for some warm weather, green grass and spring flowers. We had our monthly Labor Manage-ment Meeting with Plant M a n a g e m e n t J a m e s Shaffer. The Union brought up that some of the units were not getting service talks, an ice machine in the back break area at City Gate and speed bumps in the parking lot. There was discussion on the bids in Maintenance. The overhaul of maintenance bids have been pushed back to June. The em-ployees will be given a 30-day notice.

Speaking of service talks, all units are sup-posed to get a manda-tory talk about the Flu and respiratory disease prevention tips. The tips to be followed are: avoid close contact with people who are sick, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

with unwashed hands, STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 sec-onds after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneez-ing. For more information visit the CDC website, at http://www.cdc.gov.

The National Executive Board has voted to endorse Bernie Sand-

ers for President of the United States. Whether or not you agree with this decision, this election is important to postal workers. It's up to us to get informed and vote for a candidate that is going to back the Postal Service.

Remember, without a Union, you leave all of your rights outside when you walk through the door to work. But you and the people you work with can change this.

Jennifer SigmonAPWU PresidentColumbus OH Area Local 232

by Jennifer Sigmon

The President's Message . . .

Columbus ohio AreA loCAlServing ColumbuS and Central ohio

Volume #48, Issue #3 March, 2020

AreA Offices Union furnaceAmlin Brice circleville frazeysburg Grove city Johnstown Magnetic springs New Albany Pleasantville reynoldsburg stoutsville Unionville ctr.Alexandria canal Winchester coshocton fredericktown Harrisburg Kilbourne Marysville Newark Powell rockbridge sugar Grove Wash. ct. Hse.Baltimore canesville Delaware fresno Haydenville Lancaster Milledgeville Pataskala Prospect rushville summit station WestervilleBloomingburg carbon Hill Dublin Gambier Hilliard Logan Mt. Vernon Pickerington radnor sedalia thornville West JeffersonBremen carroll etna Groveport Jeffersonville London Murray city Plain city raymond south solon thurston West Lafayette

2 THE VINDICATOR March, 2020

EdItorIal PolIcy The Vindicator is published monthly and is the official publication of the Columbus AreA loCAl/APWu, 610 lancaster Ave., reynoldsburg, oH 43068, 614-501-1900. opinions expressed in the Vindicator are those of the individual workers and not necessarily those of the c.o.a.l. the editor reserves the right to approve material submitted for publica-tion. the deadline for all articles is the 16th or at our regular union meeting, whichever is first. If for any reason the editor is not present at month-ly meeting, the article is to be given to the presi-dent. articles are to be typed, double-spaced and in duplicate. article should not exceed approxi-mately 11/2 pages typed.

recording secretary

by Sherry Pickens

Hopefully everyone is enjoy-ing an early spring now that day-light savings time has arrived.

In case anyone is new to bid-ding at the City Gate installation bids are posted by the cafeteria in the enclosed container on the wall. If you work at a city station your manager should be posting the bids. I am going to list the time frame on the posting dates that I have been given. If the bids have not been posted at your station request a union steward immediately; please, so we can check and see why they have not

been posted. Also ask your sta-tion manager did you forget to post the vacancy notice for the bids.Opening and close dates are as Follows:Open 3/03/20 close 3/12/20Open 4/07/20 close 4/16/20Open 5/05/20 close 5/14/20Open 6/02/20 close 6/11/20Open 7/07/20 close 7/16/20Open 8/04/20 close 8/13/20Open 9/01/20 close 9/10/20Open 10/06/20 close 10/15/20Open 11/03/20 close 11/12/20Open 12/01/20 close 12/10/20

Within ten days after the closing date for the posting (excluding December) the no-tice should be posted listing the senior or successful bidder and their seniority date. The senior or successful bidder must be placed in the position within 15 days except in the month of December.

I’ve been informed that when newly converted em-

ployees try to bid it is showing up as ineligible; Newly converted em-ployees can bid, however their bid will show as ineligible. The JBM Specialists have been tasked with reviewing the ineligible bidders and changing them to eligible for these employees. HRSSC will make the necessary corrections when process-ing the pre-award I’m told. Make a copy of what you’ve bid on.

If you are an unassigned regular you can be assigned to a residual position by seniority. The assign-ments are made in the following order (1) currently qualified (2) partially qualified (3) employees not currently or partially qualified.

When there is more than one re-sidual vacancy, the employees will be given an option and be awarded their choice based on seniority. If there are residual positions left you will be assigned by seniority so please bid.

In Union SolidaritySherry Pickens

retirees corner

Kim Harrington-ferguson

Spring is almost here! It won’t be long, and the flowers

will be popping up and we can forget all about the cold and snow.

The Retirees’ meetings start up in March. Our next meet-ing date is Monday, March 16, 2020. Lunch will be served at noon and the meeting begins at 1pm. I hope to see you there. We will be discussing our plans for the upcoming year.

The Chapter has really started to grow. We doubled our membership last year and we

would like to do the same this year. If you know anyone who is retired APWU and would be interested in being a member, bring them to the meeting.

Thanks to everyone for making 2019 a great year for the Chapter and I hope that 2020 is even better.

Kim Harrington-Ferguson PresidentAPWU Local 232 Retiree Chapter

WelcomeWelcome

Lionel Coleman

To theAmericAn PosTAlWorkers Union

Rita Harrington

Annetta Thacker

Richard Sammons

Diane “Rece” Alexander

In SympathyThe members of Local 232 wish to express our condolences for your loss.

Dan Glodenis – His husband passed away.John Winling, MVS member – He passed away.

APWU Monthly MeetingWhen: Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Where: Union Hall610 Lancaster Ave.,

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Time: 7:00 pm

Please Plan to Attend!

Officers AND stAffat Your service:

execUtiVe BOArDJennifer Sigmon ...............................................PresidentFrank Payne .............................................Vice PresidentAngie Lyshe .................................... Secretary/TreasurerRick Farrell ....................................Recording SecretarySherry Pickens ............................... Clerk Craft DirectorDave Collins ................................... MVS Craft DirectorLarry Butts ......................... Maintenance Craft Director

citYGAte cLerK cUBicALPhone: 614-472-0595 .....................fax: 614-473-0690

tOUr iNorma Quijas ...........................................Chief StewardJacob Wayt .........................................................StewardMelissa Rubadue ................................................Steward

tOUr iiCheryl Diltz ........................................................StewardSherry Pickens .................................. Clerk Craft Director and StewardFrank Payne .............................................Vice President

tOUr iiiLarry Canady ...........................................Chief StewardRick Farrell ........................................................StewardKevonia Black ....................................................StewardTreniece Thompson ............................................StewardKhristin Johnson ................................................Steward

citYGAte MAiNteNANce cUBicALPhone: 614-472-0596 fax: 614-473-0690

tOUr iLarry Butts ........................................................ Citygate Maintenance Craft DirectorKen Hamrick ............................................... Twin Rivers StewardDerrick Corne CitygateWalt Jones ................................................... Twin Rivers

tOUr iiJames E. Miller ................................................. Citygate Assistant Maintenance Craft DirectorShannon Coburn................................................ CitygateXaviare Reed ............................................... Twin Rivers

tOUr iiiSue Eppard ........................................................ CitygateChris Griswold .................................................. Citygate

twin rivers cubiclePhone: 614-469-4290 fax: 614-469-4293

MVS CRAFT STeWARDSDave Collins ................................... MVS Craft DirectorKen Bradley .......................................................Steward

stAtiONs AND BrANcHes steWArDsKen Bradley .............................................Chief StewardDave Collins .......................................................StewardAngie Lyshe .......................................................StewardCandace Radcliff ................................................StewardDevyon Shelton ..................................................Steward

AreA OfficesJennifer sigmon...................................... 614-501-1900ALt: Jennifer staten ............................. 740-622-4821Baltimore, Brice, Carroll, Etna, Groveport, Johnstown, Lancaster, New Albany, Newark, Pataskala, Pleasantville, Summit Station, Thornville

Kelly Bell ................................................. 614-882-2243Westerville

Jennifer staten........................................ 740-622-4821ALt: Jennifer sigmon ............................ 614-501-1900Bremen, Carbon Hill, Conesville, Coshocton, Frazey-sburg, Fresno, Haydenville, Logan, Murray City, Rock Bridge, Rushville, Sugar Grove, Thurston, Union Furnace, West Lafayette

Velekia March ......................................... 614-889-0531ALt: cheryl Horton ............................. 740-986-3665Alexandria, Amlin, Canal Winchester, Delaware, Dublin, Fredericktown, Gambier, Grove City, Hilliard, Kilbourne, Magnetic Springs, Marysville, Mt. Vernon, Pickerington, Plain City, Powell, Prospect, Radnor, Raymond, Reyn-oldsburg. Unionville Center, West Jefferson

cheryl Horton ........................................ 740-986-3665ALt: Velekia March .............................. 614-889-0531Bloomingburg, Circleville, Harrisburg, Jeffersonville, London, Midgeville, Sedalia, South Solon, Stoutsville, Washington Court House

Use designated steward first, then the designated alternate. Supervisors must call the designated steward’s Supervisor to ensure their release.

Sherry Pickens Craft Director .................. 614-472-0595Renie Nelson, Veteran’s Affairs Officer ... 614-501-1900Bruce Pargeon, Chief Steward AOs ......... 740-345-4021

Union Hall – 614-501-1900610 Lancaster Avenue

Reynoldsburg, Ohio 430687:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. MON. - FRI.Union Hall Fax – 614-501-1917

Office stAff Kim Ference - Secretary

ViNDicAtOre-mail: Vindicator – apwulocal232@yahoo.com

Website: vindicator232.wordpress.com

March, 2020 THE VINDICATOR 3

APWU Adult Partyat the Audubon Center

APWu2020

APWu2020

4 THE VINDICATOR March, 2020

APWU Adult PartyAPWU2020

APWU2020

APWU2020

APWU2020

March, 2020 THE VINDICATOR 5

APWU2020

APWU2020

Live Music! 50/50

Drawing!Dancin

g!Great F

ood!

6 THE VINDICATOR March, 2020

Ohio Postal Workers Union AFL - CIO

King/Valliere Scholarship Application Name:________________________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Telephone:___________________________Email:____________________________________ I will graduate from_____________________________________High School, located in __________________________________________(City) on____________________________. I will attend or currently attend__________________________________________(College, University or Technical School in______________________________________(City & State). I will be enrolled for the_______________________(term) of ___________________(year). My mother, father or legal guardian is a member in good standing in a local of the OPWU or is a member - at - large Name of parent:________________________________________________________________ Name of Local Union:____________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Applicant’s Signature * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This is certification that__________________________________________________________ is a member in good standing in the________________________________________________ (OPWU Local) For members - at - large the certification will be completed by the state president. Date:________________________ Signed:________________________________________

President or Secretary/Treasurer of Local

Application Deadline – April 1, 2020 Return Application to: Steve Charles, President OPWU, 1026 Doherty Rd., Galloway, Ohio 43119

King/Valliere Scholarship2020

Ohio Postal Workers UnionAfL-ciO

“Proud & Positive”steve charles

President

Winners from theAdult Holiday Party 2020 APWU

2020

APWU2020

APWU2020

APWU2020

fefA Door Prize Winnersi-Pad WinnerJackie Brookins – Guest of Stan Brookins

OsU vs. Michigan football ticketsJanese Brown-Latham

Door Prize Winners - $50 eachMichelle Glover – Guest of Tim GloverKeith MitchellSteven GeeMarilou Hodgkin

$50 Visa Gift card WinnerMark Riggs

50/50 Raffle DrawingBritney Daniels

FEFA Putting Federal Employees First

www.fefa.orgmore info: (202) 858 - 3031email: seminars@fefa.org

FERS STRATEGY WORKSHOPSHosted By: APWU Local 232

Sunday, April 5th 10AM & 4PMTuesday, April 7th 10AM & 6PM

APWU Local 232610 Lancaster Ave

Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068RSVP: (614) 908 - 2777

FEFA WiLL COvER: PLEASE NOTE: Retirement Eligibility TSP Modernization Act BestDatetoRetire ChangestoFEGLI/BEDB • BringPaystubandTSPStatement PensionCalculation FEHBandMedicare • SpousalAttendanceEncouraged SupplementCalculation Sick/AnnualStrategy • CSRSEmployeesWelcome 10%PensionKicker InterimPeriod • ASLInterpreterAvailableUpon SocialSecurity Mortgage/DebtStrategy Request(5+DaysPrior SurvivorBenefit FinancialStrategy

Congratulations! to Joe Clark for his 65 years of service, at the US Postal Service.

March, 2020 THE VINDICATOR 7

MeetiNG cALLeD tO OrDer.

rOLL cALL Of Officers:Jennifer Sigmon - President present Frank Payne - Vice President presentAngie Lyshe - Secretary Treasurer presentRick Farrell - Recording Secretary present

AMericAN POstAL WOrKers UNiONcOLUMBUs OHiO AreA LOcAL 232

Monthly Membership Meeting 2/19/2020

Sherry Pickens - Clerk Craft Director presentLarry Butts - Maint. Craft Director presentDave Collins - MVS Craft Director present

Motion by Rick Farrell to dispense with the reading of the minutes as they are printed in the Vindicator. Second by Sherry Pickens. ~ Motion passed.

President's report: The Holiday party went off without a hitch. If anyone has any comments or criticisms, please let us know.

There have been comments that people prefer the band over the D.J.

Annual Picnic - We have voted to have the annual picnic again at Jackson Lake on July 26th so save the date. We will be using the same caterer. We need volunteers to help setup tear down and other duties. We are looking to get a bounce house for the smaller children to play in.

We just had a Labor/Management meeting. Not much was brought up about City Stations so if you have any concerns bring them to the unions at-tention. Management is going to start having quarterly meetings with the T-7’s to impart information.

Safety- The forklifts are going to have blue lights installed in able for employees to be more alerted by them. The steps on the SPBS were widened to be safer.

We are inquiring as to how many people are CPR trained on each tour.

The Labor/Management meeting at Citygate was attended by the plant manager, Maintenance manager, 2 Labor reps and an MDO as well as Jennifer Sigmon, Sherry Pickens and James Miller. There was discussion about there being no service talks on Tour 1 regarding footwear policy, hoodie policy cell phone policy. There was discussion about putting in an ice machine in the back break area. There was a suggestion by Norma to put speed bumps in the parking lot. James Miller stated that they are going to overhaul maintenance bids probably in June. Larry Canady recently won a grievance about a Mailhandler working in the Clerk craft. If you see any mailhandlers or carriers working in our craft notify the union.

If you have any complaints, please bring them to the unions attention and we will address them in a Labor/Management meeting.

FEFA will be holding a couple of retirement seminars at the union hall in March and April. You don’t have to be ready to retire to attend.

treasurer's report: Motion: by Rick Farrell to accept the treasurers report as read. Second by Ed Lyshe. ~ Motion passed.

clerk craft report: If the vacation schedule in your location has not been posted yet let the union know. It should have been posted by Feb. 15th. You can now apply for incidental annual. Elections are coming soon. Please get out and vote. There are many attacks currently that affect the Postal Service and your job. Vote for who you think will best protect your job.

MVs report: John Winling passed away as the result of a tragic auto accident two weeks ago. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Maintenance craft report: Nothing at this time.

Old Business: None

New Business: Motion by Steve Waitzman to send a delegate from the A.O.’s to the National convention. The motion was deemed out of order as all delegates attending will be selected by their vote count per our Constitution. Ed Lyshe who represents A.O.’s will be attending the convention so the A.O.’s will be represented.

Good of the Order: Frank Payne stated that we settled a couple of grievances for several thousand dollars for people working out of schedule without prior approval. Management cannot change your hours or days off on your bid without paying you out of schedule pay. If this is happening, please contact the union.

If injured carriers or managers and supervisors are doing our work, let the union know as that is a violation. Managers and supervisors do our work stating that they are trying to help out because we are understaffed. If they are continuing to do our work this shows the need for a bid.

Be careful with your cell phone use. Recently an employee was disciplined for being caught a couple of times for using his cell phone after he was warned to put it away. Unfortunately, he was already on a 14-day suspen-sion when this happened and now as his next step he is out on a removal and we have to fight to try to get him back.

Motion by Bob Springsteen to hold the drawings and adjourn the meeting. Second by Rick Farrell. ~ Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned.

Monthly Drawing Winners: Xavier Reed and Larry Butts

Gas card Winners: Kristen Johnson and Steve Waitzman

Rick Farrell

Recording Secretary

American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

SaveTheDate

2020 APWU/COALAnnual Picnic

To be held Sunday, July 26, 2020At: Jackson Lake

3715 Cedar Hill Rd. NW Canal Winchester, OH 43110

Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

More information to follow.APWUFighTing Todayfor abeTTer ToMorrow!

Wednesdaymarch 18, 2020April 15, 2020

at our new location 610 lancaster ave., reynoldsburg

at 7:00 p.m.

Quotes of the Month

CLOVERDANCEHOLIDAYFOUR GOLD

GREENIRISHLEAFLEPRECHAUNLUCK

MARCHPARADEPATRICKPOTRAINBOW

SAINTSEVENTEENSHAMROCK

ST. PATRICKWORD

SEARCH

This, then, is the test we must set for ourselves; not to march alone but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us.~ Hubert H. Humphrey

“Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reserva-tion that he is in error.” ~ Andrew Jackson

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. In this life, we get nothing save by effort.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

“Let us resolve to be masters, not the victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions.”~ John F. Kennedy

“For this is what America is all about: It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground.” ~ Lyndon B. Johnson:

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serVicesfax: Free at Union Hall. For emergency use only. Not to take the place of the postal service.copying: Limited Copying available at the Union Hall at no charge.Website: vindicator232@wordpress.com

iteMs Of iNterestAprons: Male Denim $11.00 - Male Twill $12.00 - Female Denim $12.00t-shirts: Charcoal Gray and Navy Blue – New - $10.00event Hall: Hall Rental available at a discounted rate for APWU Members. Available at Union Hall, 610 Lancaster Ave., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 • (614) 501-1900

tIckEts–these discounts are better than aaa's andare exclusively for Members only–It Pays to Belong

AMc Movie tickets–$10.25 each member

All other tickets will be available online through the Tickets At Work website. Go to www.ticketsat-Work.com, then click “Become a Member” to fill out your information. When asked to enter a Company Code you will type in KiAPWU.

"It Pays to Belong"

APWu Working for you

Union Yes 3