Q&A with the U.S. Postal Service

(WPRI) - The Target 12 Investigators requested information from the United States Postal Service in light of the drug raid on postal property and allegations of drug use at the distribution center on West River Street in Providence.

The following are the questions from Target 12 and answers provided by Christine Duga, Communications Programs Specialist with the USPS.

Target 12: What is the job description for Mail Handlers?

USPS: Mailhandlers load, unload and move large quantities of mail and perform other duties incidental to the movement and processing of mail.

Target 12: Do Mail Handlers operate equipment (if so, what kind) or postal vehicles?

USPS: They unload mail from trucks and conveyors, dump mail from sacks, operate cancelling machines (apply postmarks), and operate forklifts and jitneys.

Target 12: What are the shift schedules for Mail Handlers at the Providence Postal Facility?

USPS: They vary according to the needs of the Postal Service.

Target 12: According to collective bargaining, are Mail Handlers subject to drug testing?

USPS: Generally, drug testing is neither required nor allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Drug testing is currently required at the time of hiring. After hiring, there are very few circumstances that require or authorize drug or alcohol testing.

Target 12: What kind of disciplinary action can the Postal Service take on unionized employees? What is the process for taking disciplinary action?

USPS: The process for discipline of bargaining unit employees is set out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The process is progressive in nature but can also depend on the severity of the infraction.

Target 12: Is there specific policy to employees who are arrested on-the-job and if so, what is it?

USPS: There is a specific policy and it is addressed in the Collection Bargaining Agreement with the National Postal Mailhandlers Union. (see below)

Target 12: Is the Postal Facility on Corliss Street considered the main postal facility for the state of Rhode Island?

USPS: The building at 24 Corliss Street encompasses several postal operations including administrative offices, the Providence Main Post Office window and the processing plant, which processes and distributes mail for RI and parts of MA.

Target 12: How many Mail Handlers are employed at the Providence Postal Facility on Corliss Street?

USPS: 237 mailhandlers work at the Providence Plant

Target 12: Were these men on the clock when arrested Friday 5/21/10 by special agents for the OIG and the RI State Police?

USPS: This information is protected from release by the Privacy Act.

Target 12: What is the job status of the following employees: Robert Reiner, William Butler, Stephen Darigan, Kevin O’Reilly.

USPS:
-Robert Reiner - Mailhandler -  23 years of service
-William Butler - Mailhandler -  25 years of service
-Stephen Darigan - Mailhandler - 25 years of service
-Kevin O’Reilly - Mailhandler (Ret) - retired 12/31/09 w/25 years of service

Target 12: What is the US Postal Service’s reaction to their arrests?

USPS: It would be inappropriate to provide a reaction to an ongoing investigation.
Postal employees in the Southeast New England District are hardworking tremendous employees who are committed to providing the best possible service to our customers, ranking us third out of 74 districts in the nation for customer satisfaction.

 

Section 16.6 Indefinite Suspension Crime Situation

A The Employer may indefinitely suspend an employee in those cases where the Employer has reasonable cause to believe an employee is guilty of a crime for which a sentence of imprisonment can be imposed. In such cases, the Employer is not required to give the employee the full thirty (30) days advance notice of indefinite suspension, but shall give such lesser number of days of advance written notice as under the circumstances is reasonable and can be justified. The employee is immediately removed from a pay status at the end of the notice period.

B The just cause of an indefinite suspension is grievable. The arbitrator shall have the authority to reinstate and make the employee whole for the entire period of the indefinite suspension.

C If after further investigation or after resolution of the criminal charges against the employee, the Employer determines to return the employee to a pay status, the employee shall be entitled to back pay for the period that the indefinite suspension exceeded seventy (70) days, if the employee was otherwise available for duty, and without prejudice to any grievance filed under 6B above.

D The Employer may take action to discharge an employee during the period of an indefinite suspension whether or not the criminal charges have been resolved, and whether or not such charges have been resolved in favor of the employee. Such action must be for just cause, and is subject to the requirements of Section 16.5 of this Article.

Section 16.7 Emergency Procedure

An employee may be immediately