Why is it Reps don't call back?

[llvroute]

As I read through post after post after post many state that they've contacted their rep but haven't heard back from them. I, too, contacted my district rep during a recent count. Just a general question regarding the count. Nothing. No email reply. So, I sent several more emails. Nothing. A couple days before the count was to start I fired off one last email stating that I was all set and my question to him/her was more or less answered. Ok, I was satisfied with the answer. After sending off the email that I was all set . . . . . boom! . . . the rep replied. Gave me some BS story. I'm pretty sure that this is a recurring way of which the reps do things once they're in.

 

[Rt2mailman]

Believe it or not, some reps are very busy. I've heard of one in the West that covers 2 and 1/2 states. Stewards also usually don't cross territories, so questions outside of their "jurisdiction" are referred to a steward from that area/locality. That sometimes takes awhile. My Steward's message says call again if you don't hear back within 12 hours.

 

[Windindaface]

Our office REP answers calls from others routinely while casing in the AM. Not sure about out on route. This only REP covers at least 600 sq miles of offices here.

It comes to total of REPS for your area and the amount/severity of violations submitted over what where 1 falls in line for next call back or email.

 

[Punkie5]

Why’s the post office so full of incompetent ass clowns? We are held accountable for our actions, why isn’t the Union holding managelment accountable up front when there is clearly citeablle violations....many violations
I truly believe because of the ongoing, unresolved violations, all of our similar complaints, the union is being paid off in one way or another.
I’ve read that the Union is sleeping with the enemy. I truly believe it. Don’t you?

 

[Punkie5]

How do we stop the disease? Really.....how? Who’s gonna listen and help......

 

[DB.Cooper]

You're on your own... there is no help coming to your rescue...

 

[Surprise!]

How do we stop the disease? Really.....how? Who’s gonna listen and help......

The Board is infected with the disease also.

 

[EthelAnne]

There aren't enough reps and they are all over burdened. Run for local steward.

FWIW, I'm a rep, we're directed to return calls within 24 hours.

 

[12345]

Response time has slowed with the National Steward System at least in my state. When we had the state steward usually the response was immediate or at least the same day. If I have a situation I need a response for now; such as," Can I be required to do this?" An answer tomorrow does not have much value.

Part of the reason for the steward shortage is the attitude of the ADR, DR, and David Heather. If as a local or area steward I call the next level in the food chain looking for assistance and am told "I should already know how to do; whatever" I will not remain a steward. Give me assistance; not attitude. When we had a state steward we worked together on how we wanted a grievance worded in case it would go up the food chain.

 

[gotstamps]

Response time has slowed with the National Steward System at least in my state. When we had the state steward usually the response was immediate or at least the same day. If I have a situation I need a response for now; such as," Can I be required to do this?" An answer tomorrow does not have much value.

Part of the reason for the steward shortage is the attitude of the ADR, DR, and David Heather. If as a local or area steward I call the next level in the food chain looking for assistance and am told "I should already know how to do; whatever" I will not remain a steward. Give me assistance; not attitude. When we had a state steward we worked together on how we wanted a grievance worded in case it would go up the food chain.

Well, Heather is out so hopefully there’ll be some change. I don’t usually catch attitude but a Stew I know does.

 

[12345]

Well, Heather is out so hopefully there’ll be some change. I don’t usually catch attitude but a Stew I know does.

Heather is still at HQ. Knapp is numero uno steward but I look at Director of Steward Operations and Labor Relations in the same light. I am sure things go better when they agree than when they disagree.

 

[EthelAnne]

If as a local or area steward I call the next level in the food chain looking for assistance and am told "I should already know how to do; whatever" I will not remain a steward. Give me assistance; not attitude. When we had a state steward we worked together on how we wanted a grievance worded in case it would go up the food chain.

I agree with you. My ADR is super; DR less so. Before I became a steward, both conversations I had with him left me wanting to quit the union. His attitude toward me and my issues changed dramatically when I became a steward, but he's still a pretty big jerk. I don't know if he's treating me better because I became a steward or if I just happened to become a steward at the same time there was a directive for DRs to stop being such jerks.

I think there really is an effort on the national level to make the union representatives more accessible and to communicate better. How those efforts are being implemented by the various District Reps, who knows?

 

[llvroute]

Unfortunately, my experience wasn't good. I made two inquiries and both times negative results. One, I was given an attitude by the union president of this district. He assumed that I wasn't a union member. When I nicely informed him that I was in fact a "paying union dues" member his attitude changed. And, to boot, I still didn't get an answer. The other is noted above. Soooo, with that, I'm not one to jump on the bandwagon and make excuses for them while they're off on their junkets as pictured in Postal Times, etc.

 

[Morty]

I refuse to answer a call from the rep. Email/mail only.

They will avoid a paper trail just as much as management. Accountability is something both the NRLCA and mngt lack. Phone=no accountability. They can say, i forgot...which ive heard now more times than i care to. Oh, i forgot you already had 5 settlements. Here's #6.

I file the grievance, mail it. They can talk to me on the office speaker phone on 8127 time and or do a JOINT interview to get the facts on 8127 time.

Forget calling to ask a question. Just grieve it and do an in person interview. The rules are BOTH parties need to get the facts which is best done in a JOINT interview on 8127 time.

 

[Surprise!]

I refuse to answer a call from the rep. Email/mail only.

They will avoid a paper trail just as much as management. Accountability is something both the NRLCA and mngt lack. Phone=no accountability. They can say, i forgot...which ive heard now more times than i care to. Oh, i forgot you already had 5 settlements. Here's #6.

I file the grievance, mail it. They can talk to me on the office speaker phone on 8127 time and or do a JOINT interview to get the facts on 8127 time.

Forget calling to ask a question. Just grieve it and do an in person interview. The rules are BOTH parties need to get the facts which is best done in a JOINT interview on 8127 time.

I have also found the reps avoid email.

From my point of view it is the best way to do business.

It is fast. It can be used any time day or night and answered when time is available. It can be used to show procedures and time lines more effectively than the round date mantra we keep reading about.

As for legal accountability, it would probably have to be pretty serious for the rep to suffer any consequences even if proven guilty of wrong doing.

 

[DB.Cooper]

100% agree with Surprise... both the USPS & NRLCA need to get in to this century with technology...

Paper copies and "round-dating"... that tech is so OLD... wanna take leave, send a PDF 3971 to your stupe via email and request a "read receipt" so you know they read it and at what time... these things all have date and time assigned down to the second, and can provide a record if any questions later arise... if they wanna deny leave, they should have to reply as to why, and then there is a record of that...

Same deal for Grievances... why can't this all be done electronically, via web pages or emails??? Really it would save time and $$$ money and be MUCH more efficient...

Save a tree... do it electronically... wow, that rhymes... I'm a poet, and didn't even know it...

 

[BeatsAll-IEverSeen]

I have also found the reps avoid email.

From my point of view it is the best way to do business.

It is fast. It can be used any time day or night and answered when time is available. It can be used to show procedures and time lines more effectively than the round date mantra we keep reading about.

As for legal accountability, it would probably have to be pretty serious for the rep to suffer any consequences even if proven guilty of wrong doing.

Carrier who has a complex situation and/or poor written communication skills would require 40 email exchanges. It would be like using a Sharpie to paint an entire room. Or 10 minutes on the phone gives the steward a clear picture.
Also, a lot of carriers don't call to have a question answered but simply need to vent and want a sympathetic ear to their concerns. How are you going to accomplish that via email?????? Of course the steward would get blamed for "avoiding" the carrier if the NRLCA adopted your advice.

Email is great for sending/receiving documentation to/from a carrier but would be a very cumbersome way to do business and would often NOT be more efficient than talking on the phone. Honestly, many on here view the stewards as the enemy so they're going to get criticized no matter what they do.

 

[Punkie5]

When you file a grievance, shouldn’t there be a “pAcket of information” contain therein?
I filed one, my statement isnt referenced or attachments...only the stewards/union contentions, no manamgnet contentions.......a half ass job for sure.....
What all should a grievance contain?

 

[Morty]

My wife makes digital forms among other things.

I was going to ask her to make up a streamlined grievance packet. Something you could fill out on your phone or tablet.

As a steward, there is alot of repeat paperwork. A digital packet would autoload and save hours of work. When you grieve, if you had this packet on your phone, you could send it with many fields filled in.

As far as communication; phone calls suck. Email garuntees your statement in writing. I will preface; send the ADR the email and cc the DR. I had an ADR get upset with me a while back. They said they called x amount of times, and i never called back! My reply was a screenshot of my call log for their #, showed they only called once. No text was needed. The ADR lied, and i sent my proof. Phone calls can't be trusted or given accountability.

 

[Morty]

When you file a grievance, shouldn’t there be a “pAcket of information” contain therein?
I filed one, my statement isnt referenced or attachments...only the stewards/union contentions, no manamgnet contentions.......a half ass job for sure.....
What all should a grievance contain?

Ive seen alot were the steward only filled in a settlement. I think it's a poor job b/c you go to grieve it again, and nothing is in the file! What happened last time? Idk, there isn't anything here! Oh well, 6th settlement it is without any penalties.