PLUSS 2009—June 21-26

West Virginia University Institute for Labor Studies and Research

West Virginia University’s Stalnaker Hall, is situated above and behind the Mountain Lair.  Formerly a women’s dorm, it houses, feeds, and educates the Postal Labor Unions Summers School (PLUSS), students and staff alike, the entire week.  The PLUSS program welcomes participation from all the Postal Labor Unions, and classes are carefully designed so as not to be Craft or Union specific.  Our PLUSS Coordinator, Sarah Stevenson, Ph.D., Associate Professor for Institute for Labor Studies and Research (ILSR), works hard to ensure that the students and staff have everything they need for a great week. 

Dave Wigley, President of the New Castle PA Area Local APWU, teaches an All-Day Basic Grievance Handling class to new stewards and officers during PLUSS 2008. 

Ron Domalewski, President of the Virginia Beach Area Local APWU, teaches an afternoon Step 2/Step A Formal class during PLUSS 2008.

In addition to the Basic Grievance Handling and the Step 2/Step A Formal classes, the PLUSS program offers educational opportunities for topics useful for representatives of all postal Crafts and Unions no matter their individual levels of experience.  Some examples of classes offered are:  Handbooks and Manuals, Interviewing as Evidence, Communications, Labor Law, Labor History, National Reassessment, Our Role in Arbitration, Discipline vs. Due Process, Advanced Contract Applications, FMLA, Pre-disciplinary Interviews, Political discussions, and much, much more.  The PLUSS program also offers a host of after-hours activities designed to promote unity, solidarity, and fellowship amongst the Union brothers and sisters in attendance.  The staff is always available for discussions on the topics of your choosing, and a homework room is available in the evenings to afford students the opportunity to catch up on class work, pick an instructor’s brain, or simply hang out with the new friends they’ve made.

Instructors:

 

Sarah Stevenson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Institute for Labor Studies and Research (ILSR)

Tony Michael, Director, Institute for Labor Studies and Research (ILSR)

Dave Wigley, President, New Castle Area Local, APWU (Pennsylvania)

Jeff Kehlert, National Business Agent, Clerk Craft, APWU (New Jersey)

John Jackson, National Business Agent, Clerk Craft, APWU (Pennsylvania)

Katrina Nusbaum, President, West Virginia Postal Workers Union, APWU (WV)

Ron Domalewski, President, Virginia Beach Area Local, APWU (Virginia)

Bob Romanowski, National Business Agent, Clerk Craft, APWU (New Jersey)

Joe Szocki, President, Erie Area Local, APWU (Pennsylvania)

 

*Tuition Information as of PLUSS 2008 (subject to change for PLUSS 2009):

 

$575.00, single (1 per room, 2 per bath)

$535.00, double (2 per room, 4 per bath)

$380.00, commuter (meals, but no lodging)

$  25.00, parking (per car for the week)

 

*Tuition includes meals, lodging, class materials, and activities for the entire week.  Classes are scheduled to conclude by 2 p.m. on Friday.  For lodging arrangements on Friday night for Saturday departure, contact the ILSR in advance to determine availability.  Tuition prices are per person for indicated lodging options.  Single rooms may be limited.  Participants must pay registration fees and indicate workshop preferences by the first week in June, unless other arrangements have been made.  Cancellation:  After June 1, 75% refund.  After June 6, no refund.  Send your registration form and fee promptly—some course enrollment is limited.

 

A PLUSS 2009 registration form can be obtained by calling the ILSR at 1-800-499-0486 or 1-304-293-3323 or by writing to the

WVU—ILSR at PO Box 6031, Morgantown, WV 26506.

*Description of Classes:

 

Basic Grievance Handling—A traditional course for beginning stewards, this class provides an overview of the contract through its analytical approach to recognizing violations of the collective bargaining agreement and deciding which provisions could apply in a given circumstance.  Students also learn to investigate and process grievances, and enforce the contract.  Also addresses rights and responsibilities of shop stewards.  This is an all-day workshop, Monday through Friday.  A laptop computer that will read CDs is helpful.

 

Roadmap to Winning—the strategic step by step grievance investigation, development and presentation process through compartmentalization of facts, evidence, CBA reference & argument.  Also discussed will be newly developed grievance appeal and meeting record forms as well as Step 2 hearing strategies.  Recommended for the steward who has completed the Basic Grievance Handling course at the Postal Labor Unions Summer School.

 

Handbooks and Manuals—Analyzing the provisions of Article 19, focusing on handbook and manual strategies to grievance handling.  Learn how to find the provisions you need and how to apply regulations to support contractual enforcement.  This class also delves into contract language, application, and research techniques.  Hands-on experience with electronic versions of handbooks and manuals, to focus on quick and efficient retrieval of information the new-age way.  It is strongly suggested that you bring a laptop computer to class each day that will read CDs.  However, you may be asked to share with someone who was not able to bring their own.  Admittance to this class will not be denied solely because you don’t have a laptop.

 

Interviews as Evidence—Development of effective interviews through strategic preparation and formulation techniques.  Incorporation of the interview—arguably the greatest single, untapped investigative resource—as invaluable, irrefutable evidence into grievances.  Recommended for the steward who has completed the Basic Grievance Handling course at the Postal Labor Unions Summer School.

 

Labor Law—Labor law impacts every aspect of the workplace from wages, hours, workplace surveillance to discrimination, sexual harassment and your right to take family or medical leave.  This class helps you know your rights and how to protect them.

 

Connections: Staying in touch with your local—Participants of any skill level can learn effective uses of media and interpersonal relations to further their organization’s goals and develop a solid network for solidarity.  This class is not about filing grievances, but rather how to stay connected and foster a successful and continued relationship with your membership.

 

Step 2/Step A Formal—Grievance improvement before, during, and after.  Students should be identified as their Local’s Step 2 or Branch Step A Formal designee or simply an experienced shop steward seeking to improve the quality of the grievances they assemble.  Students will review/verify/determine completeness or the needs of a grievance packet advanced by a shop steward to the Union’s step 2/Step A Formal designee as well as tips and techniques for success in that meeting.

 

Advanced Strategies for Contract Issues—this class provides training and group discussions with in-depth analysis of specific issues, focusing on common problem areas and problem-solving techniques.  Assumes previous experience and training in grievance processing.

 

Defense vs. Discipline: The Strategies of Due Process and Just Cause—this class will examine in detail the necessary arguments and best defenses when discipline is initiated.  Particular emphasis will be placed on the pre-disciplinary interview as well as examination of arbitral history in discipline cases and utilization of the interview in formulating defenses.  The class is recommended for stewards and representatives with prior grievance investigation and processing training.

 

Our Role in Arbitration—Experienced stewards and officers will learn how grievances culminate in the arbitration process.  This course begins when the case is scheduled for hearing and follows through closing arguments, so that Union representatives are familiar with the advocate’s needs at arbitration.  This class is a hand-on, fast-paced experience that requires hard work, dedication, and maybe even some homework.  This is NOT a certification class for arbitration advocates.  Students must have taken Basic and Advanced grievance handling courses. 

 

Article 12/Function 4/Standby—Although classes are usually non-craft specific, this class has been created due to recent demand, as instigated by current USPS policies toward the clerk craft.  It is specially designed to afford strategic options when faced with these issues. 

 

National Reassessment—This class was also specifically developed to meet the additional challenges faced because of current USPS policies.

 

FMLA—Rights, rules, considerations, and applications with regard to the Family Medical Leave Act.

 

Pre-Disciplinary Interview (PDI)—Just one aspect of the requirement to afford Due Process in any disciplinary action, this topic of instruction centers solely around the PDI, what constitutes a proper PDI, and how to defend against it.

 

Lexis Nexis EKSearch—If your Union uses Lexis Nexis to search a database of arbitral decisions, this class will further define tips, research techniques, and applications to ensure better, more narrow, and more effective search results.

 

 

 

*These are but some of the topics of instruction afforded each year at the Postal Labor Unions Summer School.  A registration form can be obtained by calling the ILSR at 1-800-499-0486 or 1-304-293-3323 or by writing to the WVU ILSR at PO Box 6031, Morgantown, WV 26506.

Course Format—each morning after breakfast, students will gather for an assembly.  For variety, a different topic for the assembly is presented each day.  After the assembly, students are released for a coffee break and then to their morning classes (or their all-day workshop).  After the morning session, ample time is provided for lunch in the dorm’s cafeteria, at no additional charge.  After lunch, students are to report to their afternoon class (or all-day workshop).  An afternoon break is also provided.  Dinner is served in the dorm’s cafeteria, again at no additional charge.  A schedule of after hours activities will be provided at Orientation on Sunday evening at 6:00.  Students are asked to arrive at Stalnaker Hall on Sunday in plenty of time to register, unpack, park, and be ready for dinner at 5:00, followed by Orientation at 6:00.  Any changes or adjustments to the schedule for the week, along with other necessary announcements, will be made at the assembly.  Daily participation in the assigned classes is required in order to receive your certificate on Friday. 

 

Stalnaker Hall—Internet access from the dormitory rooms may or may not be available.  Check with the front desk at the main entrance to verify availability during your stay.  Phones in the dorm rooms have not been provided in recent years, however there is a pay phone by the front desk.  Cell phone reception at Stalnaker Hall is pretty good, however all cell phones must be turned off while in classes.  Stalnaker Hall is not a hotel.  If you have special needs for comfort, such as a portable television with DVD or VHS equipment (cable will probably not be an option), cooler, hairdryer, etc., please bring them.  Towels and sheets are provided.  If you prefer large, luxury towels, please bring your own.  In recent years, soap and shampoo samples have also been made available.  This is a non-smoking dorm.  Students and staff are required to step outside to enjoy their smoke.

Romine Scholarship—Every year, one student from each class is selected by the instructors for special merit based on their performance in the classroom.  One of the students will receive the Cecil Romine Scholarship, named for the late APWU National Business Agent who was instrumental in developing this educational opportunity.  The winner is selected by the teaching staff and is awarded at the end of the week in the form of a rebate on tuition, not to exceed the double-occupancy registration fee.  All students are eligible for this award, regardless of union affiliation.