Automation Impacts Update

source: APWU 

Automation Impacts Update (PDF) 1.2mb

 PARS Proposed Implementation Schedule (PDF) 1mb

posted Sept. 7, 2004
 
APPS Deployment Delayed- From PR Reader: "Have you heard anything about the APPS deployments being delayed? It seems that a tech from Denver has told our Management that due to flaws in the software, they could be at least three months delayed in the Western Area. I heard this tonight from our MDO after hearing rumors for a few days. Apparently, the trouble is its only reading about at a 55% accuracy rate." "Also, USPS notified  APWU at a meeting Sept. 14, 2004, that APPS deployment had been delayed up to five weeks due to software integration problems. Management provided a new deployment schedule [pdf] . In addition, Sioux Falls SD has been removed from the list of cities to receive an APPS machine, while Phoenix AZ is scheduled to receive an additional piece of equipment. The USPS also notified the APWU that 32 of the 137 SPBS machines will be redeployed." (9/23/04)

Article 12 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement requires the USPS to prepare Impact Statements when operational changes are expected to lead to the involuntary reassignment of APWU-represented employees. These reports must notify the union of the anticipated impact; the number of employees affected by craft; the locations to which employees will be reassigned; and, in the case of a new installation, the anticipated complement by tour and craft. Article 12 requires management to periodically update APWU regional coordinators of any changes to the information provided

Region: Central || Eastern || Northeast || Southern || Western

 

Enclosed please find a memorandum entitled, "Automation Impacts Update - Capturing Savings Through Downsizing Utilizing the Collective Bargaining Agreement." This internal memorandum is an update to current and planned changes to mail processing previously addressed in meetings with the clerk craft. It is being shared as a matter of information in order to keep the American Postal Workers Union informed of future changes to mail processing.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Patricia Heath at

(202) 268-3813.

This letter is written to update information on current and planned changes to mail processing, last addressed in our comprehensive latter of May 2001. The information should be used in projecting impacts to staffing levels and in developing and revising comprehensive complement management strategies for your area and installations.

As you know, successful investment in automation deployment depends upon -capturing automation savings through work hour and/or position reductions. We must be in a position to effect decreases in direct labor hours when automation is deployed using the processes provided by the National Agreement, Article 7 use of Transitional Employees (TE). Article 12, and various Memorandums Of Understanding (MOUs). Continued attention is required to address newly identified programs and to modify existing plans as appropriate. Field operations managers should take the lead role in identifying site specific complement impacts and potential savings.

Field labor relations should assist operations in utilizing the provisions of the collective bargaining agreements for position withholding, TE usage, and in advance union notification of impending impacts.

Attached is a list of major program initiatives for coming years with a brief description of each. The program list includes new employee impact programs as well as those that are on-going from prior years. Associated program FY2005 budget savings allotments by area also are attached.

Impact details for out years can be found by program at

htp://blue.usps.gov/opplanning/reports/opsbudget.htm. The attachments should be used to develop Impact statements and regional/local union notifications. Use of allocated TEs is an important and valuable complement planning tool; TE use is appropriate through December 31, 2005. The following MOUs provide additional tools for specified equipment and unencumbered employee situations:

We hope this information is beneficial and allows a better understanding of the impending changes. If you have questions about the program impacts or application of the impact related contract provisions, please contact Operations or Contract Administration respectively.

FIELD PROGRAM IMPACTS

NEW PROGRAMS

Advanced Facer Canceller System Optical Character Reader Enhancement (AFCSOCR) Multi-Line Optical Character Reader (MLOCR) Replacement

Impact: Reduction of clerk and mail handler positions related to manual distribution operations due to reduction in manual mail volumes. Also reductions to clerk positions in automated operations due to reduced subsequent handlings and increased depth of sort. A reduction of approximately 1,896 Full Time Equivalent positions is projected in the clerk and mail handler crafts.

Contractual Provisions: Article 7C4, Article 12

Projected Deployment: January 2005 — December 2007

** The USPS provided an update [pdf] on the project to the APWU on July 9, 2004.

Automated Package Processing System (APPS)

Impact: Elimination of Parcel Post Distribution Machine Clerk positions at sites receiving this next generation Small Parcel and Bundle Sorter (SPBS) machine. Also, impact to manual clerk positions related to centralization of machine-able volume at APPS sites from current manual operation sites will occur. Automated Package Processing System will replace two to four SPBS machines. Minimum position savings average 21.5 Full Time Equivalent positions per APPS machine. The current equipment configuration and related craft staffing mix of replaced SPBS equipment will determine the level of craft impact. Some SPBSs replaced by APPS will be relocated to other installations resulting in impact to current manual operation positions and net position reductions at the gaining sites.

Contractual Provisions: Article 7C4, Article 12

Deployment: July 2004 — October 2005

** APPS Deployment schedule as of June 2004[pdf]

Flats Remote Encoding System (FRES)

Impact: Reduction of keyer hours required to key reject flat images at Remote Encoding Centers.

Contractual Provisions: RBCS MOU (11/02(93)

Projected Deployment: November 2004 — January 2005

Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS), Phase I

Impact: Automates processing of Undeliverable As Addressed (UAA) letter mail and change of address recording for 53 plants. The program eliminates mechanized letter terminal use at 40 Central Forwarding Sites and impacts UAA processing at stations, post offices and for letter carriers. Position impacts are affected in mail processing, delivery, customer service, and CFS for a total of 2.8 million work hours.

Contractual Provisions: Article 7C4, Article 12, CFS Clerk Reassignment MOU (12/19/02)

Deployment: July 2004 — November 2004

(note:  PARS Proposed Implementation Schedule (PDF) 1mb )

PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED PROGRAMS

Flat Sorting Machine Automation — AFSM 100

Automated Tray Handling System

Impact: Elimination of the tray sweeping task and related clerk positions.

The system will automatically sweep full trays from the stackers of the AFSM 100 onto a conveyor belt. This functionality will allow elimination of one to two of the clerk sweeper positions-on approximately 350 of the 575 AFSMS.

Contractual Provisions: Article 7C4, Article 12

Projected Deployment: March 2005 —April 2006

Remote Bar Code Read Improvement and Remote Encoding Center (REC)

Consolidations

Impact: Elimination of REC clerk and maintenance positions in multiple sites due to REC closings. Increases in OCR/BCR mail piece finalization rates will drive reduced system staffing needs, resulting in consolidation of REC operations and closing of some current REC sites.

Reductions of approximately 1600 clerk and maintenance REC positions are projected in 2005, including Flat ID Code Sort for AFSM 1OOs (FICS) impact. Note that the final network workload changes resulting from LRIP, FRIP, FICS, APPS, PARS and other new image work load has not yet been determined.

Contractual Provision: Article 12, Closure of RECs MOU (12/19/03), RBCS MOU (11/02/93)

Note: The following are new programs under consideration but not addressed in this document pending pilot testing and staffing impact analysis:

Automated Flat Sorting Machine 100 Automatic Induction (AFSM 100 Al)

Flats Facer Canceller

Flats Forwarding System (FFS)

Integrated Dispatch and Receipt (ID&R)

LDC 17 Reviews

Universal Coding System (UCS)

 

(note: Final Field FY 2005 Operational Programs as of June 2004 included in the complete pdf file)

 

Clerk Technician Changes

A July 20, 2004, letter from the USPS updates the APWU about plans to consolidate Facility Service Centers and the impact the changes will have on contact technician duty assignments.

Automated Postal Centers

The USPS and APWU agree that a window clerk or sales and service associate will perform the routine duties associated with this equipment. These duties may include restocking paper, PVI tape, and stamp books. The clerk may also clear minor paper jams.

The APWU Maintenance Division has filed a national-level grievance over the maintenance work on the machine which is currently performed by the company that designed and installed the APCs. Because this piece of equipment is automated rather than mechanical, it is clear the work is not exclusive to the Self-Service Postal Clerk. We have been informed that the maintenance on the APC is “plug and play,” and will not need the level of service that traditional vending machines that accept coins and cash tend to require.

During initial testing, the Lead Sales and Services Associates were assigned the restocking duties. In the absence of an LSSA, the duties may be assigned to another window clerk who has stamp stock . This clerk will also be responsible for replacing paper and strip rolls.

The Postal Service may designate APC Customer Advisors to educate customers on various aspects of the equipment during the first 90 days following deployment. The USPS APC Customer Service Advisor Guide is also attached. Management maintains the right to select any employee to perform this simple task. However, it is advisable to select Lobby Directors or window clerks, so that APC Customer Advisors do not cross over and perform the duties of Lobby Directors or window clerks.

The Lobby Director Program Guide will help locals ensure that the employees who serve as APC Customer Advisors during the 90 days following installation do not perform bargaining unit work unless they are in the bargaining unit.

A USPS letter dated July 16, 2004, responds to questions raised by the APWU concerning safety issues and site selection.

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