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UPDATE NATIONAL
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NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: 1101 Connecticut Avenue,
John F. Hegarty John F. Hegarty National National President President
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A F A N L I U N.W. • Suite 500
UNION
• Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 833-9095
INTEREST ARBITRATION BEGINS
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he interest arbitration proceedings to determine the terms of the 2011 National Agreement between the NPMHU and the Postal Service have begun, with hearing dates already scheduled through January 2013. The three-member arbitration panel held its first planning and process meeting on October 15, 2012. The neutral member and chair of the panel is Herbert Fishgold, a nationally known arbitrator with more than thirty years of experience. As previously announced, Fishgold – who was appointed through a striking process run by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service – is an arbitrator of nationwide reputation and professional stature, who is also a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators. He has
served as a third-party neutral for more than thirty years, during which time he has mediated and arbitrated bargaining disputes in a wide range of industries at the national, state, and local levels. Arbitrator Fishgold is familiar with many of the basic facts and issues presented by the Postal Service, the mailing industry, and postal employees generally – based on, among other things, his service as an interest arbitrator in the 2006 dispute between the National Rural Letter Carriers Association and the Postal Service. Joining Fishgold on the panel as the USPS-appointed arbitrator is Robert Dufek, a Manager of Labor Relations at the Postal Service and long-time management attorney
Mark A. Gardner Mark A. Gardner Secretary-Treasurer Secretary-Treasurer
and representative. The third member of the panel has been appointed by the NPMHU, and he is union lawyer Robert Weinberg, a senior member of the law firm of Bredhoff & Kaiser, PLLC in Washington, DC. That firm, which has operated as General Counsel to the NPMHU since 1992, also is the home of Bruce Lerner and Matt Clash-Drexler, the lawyers representing Mail Handlers both in last year’s national negotiations and in the current arbitration proceedings. Hearings are slated to begin on November 9, with as many as twelve dates scheduled in November, December, and January. As the testimony and evidence are presented, more details will be distributed.
2012 NATIONAL UNION ELECTIONS COMPLETED LAWRENCE SAPP AND KEVIN FLETCHER ELECTED AS NEW REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS OTHER NATIONAL OFFICERS RE-ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION
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he NPMHU’s 2012 election of National Officers is now complete: National President John Hegarty and National Secretary-Treasurer Mark Gardner, as well as Regional Vice Presidents Paul Hogrogian (Northeastern), Jefferson C. Peppers III (Central), and Rudy Santos (Western), were all re-elected without opposition, while Kevin Fletcher (Eastern) and Lawrence Sapp (Southern) were victorious in contested mail ballot elections that were certified on October 22, 2012. All seven National Officers were installed into their respective offices on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. As noted, Kevin Fletcher prevailed in the contested election for Eastern Regional Vice President over James Bell of Local 304, by a final vote tally of 838 to 436. Fletcher has been a mail handler since 1988, and currently serves as the President of NPMHU Local 305, which represents more than 2,700 mail handlers in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. He previously has served as his Local’s manager for contract administration, as Local Vice President, as Branch President and steward, and as a member of the National Union’s RI-399 SWAT Team. In these capacities, Fletcher has
arbitrated scores of cases for mail handlers on virtually all contractual issues. The Union’s new Southern Regional Vice President is Lawrence Sapp, who prevailed in a close election against Local 310 President Pervous “Andy B” Badilishamwalimu by a vote of 588 to 481. Sapp currently serves as a dual officer for Local 318, both Branch President of the Jacksonville, FL Network Distribution Center (formerly Bulk Mail Center) and State Executive Board Member. He has extensive experience in representing mail handlers in arbitration, in EEO, before the MSPB, and on matters involving OWCP, OSHA, and the FMLA. At the 2012 National Convention, there also was a contested race for Western Regional Vice President. Since then, however, current Vice President (and Local 320 President) Rudy Santos was declared the winner by the Election Committee, without the need for an election, when the other candidate, Kimberly Rojas of Local 302, decided to retire from the Postal Service at the end of August. On behalf of the entire National Executive Board (NEB), Hegarty and Gardner expressed their deep appreciation for the continuing confidence of the membership. “The entire NEB,” said Hegarty, “is extremely grateful to all Mail Handlers, who once again have placed their
trust and confidence in the continuing work of the National Officers.” Added Gardner: “The overwhelming support from the membership will strengthen our resolve to do battle against the NPMHU’s adversaries, as we enter crucial interest arbitration proceedings against the Postal Service and important legislative battles on Capitol Hill.” The voting for the two contested offices was supervised by the 2012 Election Committee, whose members were Kevin Tabarus (chair) of Local 300 in New York, NY; Susanna Paniagua of Local 320 in Phoenix, AZ; and Mike Rembelinsky of Local 308 in Philadelphia, PA. Detailed results of these elections – including the votes cast for the candidates in each Region and in each Local Union – have been circulated to all Local Unions by the Election Committee.
Kevin Fletcher
Vice President Eastern Region
Lawrence Sapp
Vice President Southern Region
PLEASE VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6th Please Post!!
October 2012