Wrongful discharge. Postmaster discharging me a couple days before she retired.

SWedgeworth · Dec 14, 2018

btdtret said:
Swedgeworth -- " I was discharged after being out on EAP."

-- How long were you back on the job before getting removed?

-- How were you informed of the removal?

-- Discipline is supposed to be progressive. What is / was the reason for removal?

-- Did you see any official documentation regarding the removal. Per Article 17.4. In the case of discharge, any employee SHALL BE ENTITLED to an advance WRITTEN NOTICE of the charges against the employee and shall remain either on the job or on the clock at the option of the Employer for a period of thirty ( 30 ) days. Any advance notification?

-- Any previous / remaining discipline in your service record?

-- ELM's Section 871.31 -- Job Security. Participation in EAP is voluntary and WILL NOT JEOPARDIZE the employee's job security or promotional opportunities.

-- Is / was the removal in retaliation for something?

" Union misrepresented me. And ex union president agrees."

-- Did the ex-union president offer any suggestions?

-- A couple of options:

- Have the Assistant District Representative and or District Representative been made aware of your situation? If not get them involved.

- Any lawyer(s) in your area who deal in labor matters?

- Go straight to Susan Knapp -- the new Director of Steward Operations.

- Misrepresentation by the union may be grounds to contact the National Labor Relations Board. Something you might mention if you are in touch with Ms Knapp.

Shafted said:
99% of the time someone calls EAP and spills their guts about the violent harassing office workplace. In rolls the “crisis team”, and conducts an “investigation”. They bring in additional mgt buddies from neighboring offices to conduct interviews interrogating the workers, and attempt to create opinions they want. I got called in once to get grilled by some jackass trying to assign blame to a city carrier that management had harassed. I said I wasn’t about to answer the questions she wanted that pointed in that direction unless she was going to include my statements about the violent PM that threatened that city carrier. She said it was my DUTY to cooperate in an investigation. I got up and walked out on her. A week later they report that management is not hostile, blame all of the craft employees, start assigning blame to individuals other than mgt., and then two seconds after they are gone the retaliation starts on whoever called the “anonymous EAP,making it ten times worse. This is textbook every time it happens. How many times have we all seen this garbage?

if someone would’ve stepped in I would still be working. This pm had 28 grievance filed on her at previous PO.

SWedgeworth · Dec 14, 2018

DB.Cooper said:
I know of a couple of mental health facilities around here... and I'm wondering if EAP wouldn't just get peeps referrals to those kind of places... I also wonder tho, what sort of feedback loop there is to the USPS... I'd have to believe there is something...

When I first started with the USPS... they used to sort of joke around the PO about who had been sent in to what they called "dry dock" for drinking problems... I never heard anybody call it EAP then, but now I'm thinking that may have been what it was.... there was one old carrier they rumored had been in *several* times...

I’m not sure how to take your comments. I’m not a drinker. I’m just looking for some advice as this is my career, my life.

SWedgeworth · Dec 14, 2018

Ok look I was just hoping to get some advice from some fellow workers that have been in my shoes. I don’t need your judgement. I have little faith in the system but had that little flicker of hope that justice would be served. I posted my statement and it is what it is. Can’t change the past. I loved my job my customers loved me. I even bought a brand new right hand drive Jeep, hell I flew to Texas and drove it back. You would think that would make them happy yet they envied me and called me a spoiled bitch. Anyways I just want to save my name and to hell with the rest. May Carma get them.

DB.Cooper · Dec 14, 2018

Wow, you made quite a bit of $$$ investments in this job, with the flying to pickup a new RHD Jeep and all... just curious, were you a long-time employee, or recently hired... Reg or RCA... it's okay if you don't wanna share, but at this point does anonymity still matter a lot???

My previous comments were just about my limited knowledge of EAP, and trying to learn more about it... they weren't really about you, or judging you...

I hope you get any and all assistance you're seeking... as some have suggested, a lawyer might be your best bet... jmho...

I've survived a couple of decades at the good ole USPS... so, I know by now, sometimes it ain't easy...

Good luck to ya!!!

notdeadyet · Dec 14, 2018

The EAP providers claim that nothing is shared with USPS.I read a book a few years ago about"Going Postal" it was written by a former provider. It was interesting,but boring.

DB.Cooper · Dec 14, 2018

My office has been stressing me lately with a boatload of petty BS... not sure I feel it's to the level that I'd want to go to EAP yet... but listening to Morty saying it's a day off work makes it sound a little more tempting...

If you get the day off to go to EAP, what kind of day is it... SL???

btdtret · Dec 14, 2018

SWedgeworth -- " I was just hoping to get some advice from some fellow workers that have been in my shoes."

-- Safe to say that your particular situation has not been seen by many, let alone anyone at this site.

-- You asked for some advice and you were given some.

-- As far as I can see, you did not provide any additional information to help the members here better understand your terrible experience.

" justice would be served."

-- Justice in the Postal Service moves very s-l-o-w-l-y. Grievances can take years to be settles. You will need something of a "Christmas miracle" to save your job by 1 January. But there is always that possibility.

"May Karma get them."

-- Possibly that may be the one Christmas wish that gets granted.

DB.Cooper · Dec 14, 2018

They say Karma is a B!+C# ... what goes around, comes around, etc., etc...

SWedgeworth · Dec 14, 2018

Thanks. You all so I don’t need to save my job by the 1st just to need to appeal by the 1st. I am ok with being patient, if justice is served. I have been with the post office for 5yrs. Turned regular about 3 urs ago. If you look at my 1st post today I added my statement to the union. I will warn its 13 pages but I wanted it to be detailed. Again thanks I have contacted a couple lawyers will know more Monday. Have a great weekend. Keep a smile on your face and be careful.

gotstamps · Dec 15, 2018

DB.Cooper said:
My office has been stressing me lately with a boatload of petty BS... not sure I feel it's to the level that I'd want to go to EAP yet... but listening to Morty saying it's a day off work makes it sound a little more tempting...

If you get the day off to go to EAP, what kind of day is it... SL???

The first appointment is Admin Leave paid for by the post office. After that is SL or AL for those appointments.

DB.Cooper · Dec 15, 2018

I knew a carrier with a grievance for dismissal, and they got to the same point you were at, and by then they had become frustrated, and just quit fighting.... they got the Step 4 letter asking for additional justification, and just never replied... so they basically said bye-bye...

I had urged them to write the letter and contact a lawyer, but they didn't... if you want your job back, you'll have to fight for it... write the letter to the union, and start looking for a good employment lawyer...

If you fight for your job, there's a decent chance you can keep it... good luck...

mwellis32 · Dec 15, 2018

A classic program disguised to help employees. Do you really believe managers and the union care how you feel about them when they are doing everything they can to ruin your job ? Please. It's more like an obstacle course. No one is suppose to finish.

BeatsAll-IEverSeen · Dec 15, 2018

SWedgeworth said:
Anyone know of a lawyer. I was discharged after being out on EAP. Found out I was discharged and filed grievance. Grievance is at a step 4 but got letter today they aren’t taking it to arbitration. Have so much info. Harassment, hostile environment etc. but union won’t bring that up only discharge. If you want more info I can explain. Just really not sure about where to take this anymore. Need help ASAP. Have til Jan 1st to dispute. Union misrepresented me. And ex union president agrees.

Summer, I read your statement. Was the grievance timely filed? Did you have prior discipline? You don’t mention a PDI or investigative interview prior to the removal being issued. Did Sandy try to schedule a PDI?
Your statement mentions that you tried to reach the PM to set up a Step 1 discussion and that you arrived in town shortly thereafter. What happened after that?
It sounds like you’ve been through a lot and I’m sorry for your troubles. Everyone is trying to negotiate life the best way he/she knows but sometimes it can be overwhelming. I hope things turn around for you.

SWedgeworth · Dec 16, 2018

when I orginally called the union to find out if I was fired they claimed I wasn’t. Then about 30 days later they called me and told me I was fired and that I had two weeks from the time I was released. No discipline ever. No warning. I was out of state in Texas and tried to transfer down to a RCA she Sandy said no. I never received anything. She had tried to do this when my dad was in his accident and called and emailed me. But nothing ever came of it. I was here for the step 1. I have had no contact since I filled out paperwork to file a grievance. I tried to contact each rep at each step but only got a response when I contacted upper committee men Don Maston and Pete. So no one has been informing me of anything. I was told at step 3 when I wanted to contact rep that all my info was to go thru Monty and I couldn’t have her info. I’ve called labor relations last Thursday to find out what is being presented on my side but haven’t heard anything back.