The Lion’s Den: Paul Boulanger breaks down ‘welcome back’ grievances as well as management’s new local forms attempting to substituting the CA-16

Paul Boulanger welcomes Chris Gannett of NALC Branch 230 in Nashua, New Hampshire, for an educational episode addressing management’s use of “Welcome Back” and return-to-work packets following unscheduled absences. They explain how shop stewards can challenge these locally developed forms under Articles 5, 15, 16, and 19, along with the Administrative Support Manual (ASM). Their discussion covers improper letters of instruction, unauthorized employee signature requirements, and management’s attempts to use these packets as documentation supporting future discipline.

Paul and Chris walk through a comprehensive grievance template, including supporting evidence, information requests, arbitration decisions, and proposed remedies to discontinue the forms and remove them from employee records.

The episode also examines management’s attempts to substitute locally generated forms for the Department of Labor’s CA-16 following workplace injuries. They discuss the importance of timely medical authorization, employees’ workers’ compensation rights, and grievance strategies for challenging improper forms and procedures.