This episode focuses on addressing the issue of management arbitrarily changing leave without pay (LWOP) requests to absent without leave (AWOL) and provides guidance on handling such situations. JB begins with a personal update, sharing his excitement about becoming a grandfather and reflecting on a successful baseball coaching season. He then expresses gratitude to those who have mentored and supported him in his union work, emphasizing the importance of paying it forward and sharing knowledge to strengthen the union.
JB systematically explains the relevant contract provisions governing leave administration. He highlights the postal officials’ responsibilities (ELM 511.2) and details the definition of AWOL from the F-21 handbook, emphasizing that AWOL requires a lack of notification or permission. He emphasizes the importance of obtaining and retaining documentation (IRM confirmations, 3971 forms, etc.) to prove proper notification and refute management’s claims of AWOL. He also discusses the critical role of employee responsibility in submitting their own 3971 forms and carefully reviewing those generated by management. He provides specific details on using provisions within the ELM (sections 512, 513, 514) to counter management’s claims and demonstrates how to argue that management acted arbitrarily and capriciously when changing LWOP requests to AWOL.
JB emphasizes the importance of obtaining interviews with management to establish their position on record and the use of various postal service reports (IRM denied leave log, IRMS leave summary) to support grievances. He concludes by encouraging members to utilize the knowledge provided to strengthen their own advocacy efforts. The episode ends with announcements regarding upcoming podcast guests and a call for increased member participation in upcoming convention activities.