Postal Service "fundamentally dishonest"

In my column in the most recent issue of ShopTalk, it was mentioned that Postal management is too cowardly to simply admit what they are trying to do in attacking Tour 2 under the guise of "tour compression," which was effective locally on November 22.

An item on the National APWU website attests to this:

APWU President William Burrus wrote to the Postal Service on Oct. 17, noting that the union had not been informed of the program and asserting that such a program would therefore violate the Collective Bargaining Agreement. He asked the USPS to provide documentation detailing the specifics of the program, and requested a meeting with postal managers who were knowledgeable about the plan.

In a response dated Nov. 14, the Postal Service denied that it is “considering or is in the process of implementing a nationwide program establishing a two-tour operation, which is intended to eliminate or greatly reduce Tour 2 assignments, operations, and staffing.”

Management wrote, “While the Postal Service is reviewing various options designed to improve operational efficiencies in light of decreased mail volume, the Postal Service has not implemented the nationwide program you suggest. Rather, operations will be reviewed on a site-by-site basis and any action taken to improve operational efficiencies will be based on local circumstances.”

The letter also said, “Regarding your request to produce documentation regarding ‘any nationwide or region- or district-wide program, plans or initiatives to eliminate or reduce Tour 2 operations and/or Tour 2 staffing,’” no such documentation exists.”

Burrus called the Postal Service’s response “fundamentally dishonest.”