between The United States Postal Service and N.A.L.C. BRANCH 736 (The Frank McClenny Branch) February , 1996 Walla Walla, Washington

This Memoranda of Understanding entered into on February , 1996 at Walla Walla, Washington between the representatives of the United States Postal Service and the designated agent of the Union signatory to the National Agreement, National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 736, pursuant to the Local Implementation Provisions of the 1995 National Agreement. This Memoranda of Understanding constitutes the entire agreement on matters relating to local conditions of employment. This agreement is subordinate to the National Agreement between the United States Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers and is not intended to alter that agreement in any way.

IN WITNESS Thereof:

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS

/s/ Sandra J. Cook /s/ Lee Maroon, Postmaster, Walla Walla, Presdent, Branch #736 N. A. L. C.

----------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- Hours of Work - Article VIII .................. Page 3 Annual Leave - Article X ...................... Page 4 Holidays - Article XI ......................... Page 9 Light Duty Assignments - Article XIII ......... Page 10 Safety and Health - Article XIV ............... Page 11 Discipline Procedure - Article XVI ............ Page 13 Representation - Article XVII ................. Page 14 Schedule for Wearing Uniforms - Article XXIX .. Page 15 Seniority - Article XLI ....................... Page 15

ARTICLE VIII HOURS OF WORK

Section 1.

All regular carriers served by a utility carrier shall operate on a rotating schedule. When assignments not currently served by a utility carrier are vacated by the present carrier and posted for bidding, the successful bidder shall have the option of accepting the fixed day off or making a mutual trade with any carrier within the rotation schedule. If no mutual trade is available, management shall assign the successful bidder to a rotation schedule. This option will only be available at the time of bidding. The bid notice shall indicate this available option.

Section 2.

Schedules for full time regulars shall be posted not later than Wednesday of the previous week. Schedules for part-time flexibles shall be posted by 11:00 a.m. of the previous day.

Section 3.

In the event a regular carrier is requested to work on his non- scheduled work day, he shall be assigned to work his own route or one on which he has the necessary skills. A utility carrier who works on his non-work day shall perform carrier work on his five assigned routes. If no work is available on his five routes, and it is necessary for him to be called in for work, he may be used to perform work on other routes for which he has the necessary skills.

Section 4.

Form 3996, "Carrier Auxiliary Control" shall be completed promptly following the final withdrawal signal and turned in to the supervisor. After Forms 3996 have been received, the supervisor shall determine if the carriers are to curtail non-preferential mail or receive assistance or be authorized overtime.

Section 5.

Whenever possible, part-time flexibles will not be scheduled for a Sunday tour that interrupts a three day weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) or a two day weekend (Saturday & Sunday) or (Sunday & Monday).

Section 6.

Management will make every reasonable effort to rotate available three-day weekends among part-time flexible carriers.

Section 7.

Article 8, Section 9 provides reasonable wash-up time for a letter carrier who performs dirty work. It is the position of the U. S. Postal Service that any letter carrier should be granted such time as is reasonable and necessary for washing up after performing dirty work or incident to personal needs as currently established.

ARTICLE X LEAVE

Section 1.

A. Management shall notify all carriers by Nov. 1 of the beginning and ending dates for making selections during the choice vacation period. B. Carriers who become ill during their chosen leave period shall be allowed another selection in the choice period, provided an open slot is available. If no choice slot is available, a carrier who was ill during his choice vacation period shall have another selection outside the choice period, should one be available. C. Cancellations of Days or Weeks in the choice vacation period shall be posted by management before the close of the business day.

Section 2.

The Choice Vacation Period shall begin the first day of the leave year and continue for 52 weeks, or until the leave year is over.

Section 3.

A. Unless otherwise specified in the schedule below, management shall allow three carriers off in any vacation week during the choice period or the non-choice period. B. During the first eight weeks of the year management shall allow three carriers off per day or per week. C. During the Public School Spring vacation week, management shall allow five carriers off per day or per week. D. From and including the ninth week until Memorial Day Weekend, 4 carriers shall be allowed off per day or per week. E. From and including the week of Memorial Day through the Week following Labor Day 14.8% of the carriers in the office shall be allowed off. This period shall be known as "prime" within the context of this agreement. In those instances where computing the 14.8% does not result in a whole number and the fractional number is .2 or higher, the next whole number shall be considered the correct figure (e.g., 4.2 and above would become five employees: 5.2 would become 6 employees; see attached schedule A). F. From the week after Labor Day week through the 44th week of the year, four carriers shall be allowed off. G.. During the 45th through the 48th week of the year three carriers shall be allowed off.  H. During the four-week December holiday period, as defined in the National Agreement, two carriers shall be allowed off. I. In the computation of any vacation percentages, the number of full-time regulars, full-time flexibles, part-time regulars, part-time flexibles, transitional employees, and carriers detailed to higher level assignments shall be considered. Said Vacation formula shall remain in existence until a new formula is negotiated. Changes in the carrier complement shall not negate any vacation slots approved at the start of the leave year. Additions to the carrier complement of non-career employees after April 30 shall not require additional vacation spots. Additions to the carrier complement of career employees prior to and including April 30 may require additional vacation weeks.

Section 4.

Management will meet with the Union representative between November 1 and the start of the leave year to determine the requirements of leave under the provisions of the percentile figures in Section 3, paragraph E.

Section 5.

A. Should any vacation week outside the choice period, or inside the choice period remain, or become available after completion of bidding, management shall grant annual leave on a first-come-first-serve basis when form 3971 is properly submitted before 3 p.m. on the Wednesday of posting of the following week's schedule, or Tuesday prior to a Holiday week. Furthermore, management shall grant annual leave for unused vacation slots when notice is given one week (seven days) or more in advance when form 3971 is properly submitted. Said requests may be for less than one week. B. Management shall adhere to the provisions of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual, Section 512.61a: For all regular employees, both full and part time, leave is granted when requested - to the extent practicable. C. Acceptable reasons for denying leave under paragraph B may include any of the following advance commitments for: family medical leave; dependent care leave; military leave; court leave; leave for Union business; and when and if the granting of "incidental leave" would result in excessive overtime or penalty overtime. It is recognized that in most situations, because a leave week has been previously granted, any and all de minimus overtime has already been anticipated. D. Management may grant annual leave on an "as available" basis when mail volume and workload indicate that such leave is unexpectedly available. Management shall make every reasonable effort to see that such leave is offered. In case of multiple requests after a morning announcement of leave availability, seniority shall be the tie breaker on a rotating basis.

Section 6.

A. Delegates attending National Conventions shall be included in the total number of members allowed leave during the choice time. B. All leave periods shall be bid according to seniority. Branch 736 will be responsible for accepting and scheduling all city carrier regular leave requests for first and second choices in accordance with allowable numbers of carriers on leave as stated in Section 1. Branch 736 will not schedule carriers in a manner that will leave routes without a qualified available carrier on duty to cover the route, and will as nearly as possible fill all choice periods to capacity. C. Bidding for first choice vacation shall commence by January 10 and be completed by February 15th. Branch 736 will notify each carrier with Form 1547. Upon notification each carrier will have up to 24 hours to make a selection. One copy of approved Form 1547 will be furnished employee and one copy to Branch 736 Leave Representative. D. Bidder's first choice shall fulfill management's responsibility for offering each carrier maximum allowed prime time leave according to Article X Section 2D, 1 and 2.

Section 7.

A carrier may request his first choice vacation divided in two (2) selections of either five (5) or ten (10) days. Carriers may make any part of their first choice either in or out of prime vacation period. If a carrier's first choice is entirely out of the prime vacation period, he may choose up to five (5) consecutive available weeks subject to the needs of the postal service. Any requested leave that is used between January 1st and February 15th will not be charged as the carrier's first choice.

Section 8.

Each vacation period will begin on Monday and end on Saturday. It is agreed that all part-time employees shall not be scheduled to work on the Sunday at the beginning and end of their vacations, as long as there are other part-time employees available for these Sunday assignments.

Section 9.

After all employees have indicated their first choice for vacation periods and results are posted, exchanges between carriers of annual leave shall be permitted in units of one (1) week, provided qualified carriers are available to cover effected routes. When possible employees will give management and Branch 736 at least one week notice of intent to vacate or exchange any leave period. Approved vacated leave periods will be offered first to all carriers that are JUNIOR to the carrier relinquishing the leave in order seniority, by use of a sign-up sheet showing vacated leave time, which shall be posted for one week only. Branch 736 shall be responsible for attempt- ing to contact carriers on annual leave after the Branch has been notified by Management that vacated leave time is available.

Section 10.

Branch 736 will withhold from leave charts the time periods needed for N.A.L.C. State and National Convention (Assembly) delegates on or before January 10. Management will make every reasonable effort, consistent with service needs, to allow as many delegates as possible to attend the State Convention (Assembly).

Section 11.

Second choice vacation bidding will commence on or before February 20th. Same bidding procedures as prescribed in Article X Section 3 above. Bids must be requested in weekly units, and may be consecutive or split according to individual carrier's needs. Carriers shall not bid for more vacation time than they have earned or will earn prior to the commencement of their vacation units. After the second choice bidding, all other leave requests will be handled by management, by use of form 3971, based on "First come first served". Management will respond within seven calendar days after receipt of form 3971.

Section 12.

If possible, requests for Blood Donor Leave (Administrative Leave) should be made 5 days before blood donation days. When possible, carriers will be allowed three (3) hours of Blood Donor Leave (Administrative Leave) for donating blood, provided that they are in an active pay status on that day.

ARTICLE XI HOLIDAYS

Section 1.

After the required number of assignments have been determined under Article XI Section 6 of the National Agreement, the method of selecting full time regular employees to work on holidays or designated holidays shall be on a voluntary basis, in order of seniority on a rotating basis by use of a sign-up sheet, which shall be posted at least three weeks prior to the holiday, and removed Tuesday prior to the holiday. When there are insufficient volunteers, assignments shall be made by inverse seniority.

Section 2.

After the required number of assignments have been determined under Article 11, Sec. 6a, and after compliance with Article 11, Sec. 6b, of the National Agreement, management shall select carriers to work on holidays or designated holidays in the following order: 1) Casuals. 2) Transitional Employees 3). Part-time flexible career employees 4) Part-time regulars. 5.) Full-time regulars who volunteer by seniority. 6) Full-time regulars who did not volunteer on what would otherwise be their non-scheduled day, by inverse seniority. 7) All other non-volunteer full-time regulars by inverse seniority.

Section 3.

Part time flexible employees shall be assigned to the maximum extent possible to cover all holiday assignments.

ARTICLE XIII ASSIGNMENT OF ILL OR INJURED REGULAR WORK FORCE EMPLOYEES

Section 1.

Management shall make every effor to assign injured or ill employees to tasks that they are capable and qualified to perform.

Section 2.

A. Management shall make every effort to find light duty work in the carrier craft which conforms to the carrier's medical limitations. B. Management shall make every effort to find light duty work for injured or ill letter carriers.

Section 3.

No carrier doing light duty work shall be bumped from that assignment by another carrier.

ARTICLE XIV SAFETY AND HEALTH

Section 1.

A joint Labor-Management Safety and Health Committee, as provided for in Article XIV Sec. 4 of the 1984 National Agreement, shall be established. The President of Branch 736, or his designee, shall serve as a member of the committee when it conforms with the provisions of Article XIV Section 6. Branch 736 and the employer endorse and actively support the rules and regulations for promoting safety and health. Meetings shall be held quarterly with members on official time. Special meetings may be called by the chairman to meet emergency situations.

Section 2.

No vehicle shall be placed in service or be permitted to be operated unless it is in safe condition. Carriers are required to report on the appropriate form an unsafe condition or defects on their vehicle. Prompt repair shall be made and all deficient parts repaired or replaced. No vehicle declared unsafe for one carrier shall be assigned to another carrier until the unsafe condition is corrected. No employee will lose time if management fails to provide a safe vehicle for his use.

Section 3.

Regular scheduled safety meetings shall be held weekly by unit supervisors for all carriers on official time.

Section 4.

Management shall be responsible for the maintenance and cleanliness of the workroom floors, drinking fountains, swingrooms, lavatories, carrier cases and to insure adequate light, heat and ventilation in the building. Members of the carrier craft pledge their cooperation in assisting in the program in the areas where they have any control.

Section 5.

No employee shall be required to work with unsafe equipment or in unhealthy conditions.

Section 6.

When patrons fail to remove ice from their porches and steps and the carrier feels that it is a safety hazard, he shall upon his return contact his supervisor who, in turn, will contact the patron and request their cooperation in correcting this safety hazard.

Section 7.

A. A letter carrier's first consideration shall be the delivery of the mail. However, every consideration shall be given to the carrier's safety. B. Letter carriers are not expected to finger mail when it would create a safety hazard.

Section 8.

The paramount factor in making any decision about providing, continuing or curtailing mail service will be the safety of the postal personnel involved. Normal postal services during emergency and hazardous conditions, civil disorders and natural disasters will be carried on only as long as it is safe and practicable to do so under the general guidelines of safety of the personnel involved. The decision as to curtailing or continuing local mail service will be made by the installation head.

Section 9.

Building temperatures shall be maintained at the required levels as mandated by the Postal Service on Sundays and Holidays when employees are scheduled to work.

ARTICLE XVI DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE Section 1.

Supervisors should use the utmost discretion in handling anonymous complaints to insure that no carrier is unjustly accused.

Section 2.

No records of conversations during a discussion session shall be placed in an employee's personnel folder.

ARTICLE XVII REPRESENTATION Section 1.

Upon request from the craft, copies of letters, posted notices or communications issued by the employer relating to policy or matters which effect the employees of the Letter Carrier Craft, shall be furnished to the Branch President.

Section 2.

The President or his designee, including stewards, shall be afforded prompt, proper and due recognition by all supervisory personnel and management officials in carrying out their duties, responsibilities and obligations. Their actions shall conform to the requirements outlined in ARTICLE XVII Section 3 of the National Agreement.

Section 3.

A. Local Labor-Management meetings shall be held quarterly at a time mutually agreeable to both parties. There may be two representatives for both Labor and Management. During quarterly labor-management meetings, two craft representatives shall attend at the applicable straight-time rate. The duration of Labor-Management meeting shall be for one hour. Duration of said meetings may be extended by mutual agreement. B. It is agreed that the agenda items for discussion at the meetings shall be exchanged between the Postmaster and the President of Branch 736 at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Items not placed on the agenda shall be discussed only by mutual consent. C. Within ten (10) days after the installation head has attended his annual Christmas meeting, there shall be a meeting with the local Labor-Management committee covering this agenda. The Christmas meeting can be combined with the regular December quarter Labor-Management meeting.

Section 4.

Minutes of Labor-Management meetings shall be kept by both parties and copies exchanged and initialed by both parties for verification. Any agreement reached at such meetings shall be reduced to writing and signed by both parties upon request of either party.

Section 5.

Branch 736 will be consulted prior to the designation of employees to all local committees by the Postmaster or his staff. Meetings will be held on official time unless prohibited by the National Agreement.

ARTICLE XXIX SCHEDULE FOR WEARING UNIFORMS

Section 1.

Winter Apparel - Items of uniform dress appropriate for the winter season shall be worn from approximately November 15th through March 31st, subject to weather conditions.

Section 2.

Summer Apparel - Items of uniform dress appropriate for the summer season shall be worn from approximately April 1st through November 14th, subject to weather conditions.

ARTICLE XLI SENIORITY Section 1.

A. The successful bidder for a vacant assignment shall be placed in his new assignment within fourteen (14) days from the time that the bids are opened and the results posted. If possible, he will be placed in the assignment sooner. However, a vacant assignment due to be filled in the month of December as a result of regular bidding procedures will not be filled with the successful applicant until the beginning of the first pay period in January. B. The successful bidder shall be placed in his new assignment at least five (5) days prior to the closing of bids on his former assignment.

Section 2.

In instances where several vacant assignments are posted at one time, an employee may bid in writing and give it to the head of the installation. All bids shall be opened in the presence of a craft representative.

Section 3.

A carrier applying for a vacant or newly established assignment shall prepare a sealed bid in writing and give it to the head of the installation. All bids shall be opened in the presence of a craft representative.

Section 4.

The successful bidder for a posted vacant position shall accept the non-work days that accompany the new assignment.

Section 5.

No assignment shall be reposted due to any change in starting time. An assignment shall be reposted when the territory is changed at one time by sixty (60) per cent or when a multiple trip route is changed to a one-trip route or vice versa.

Section 6.

A current list of employees in order of seniority shall be posted every six (6) months in January and July.

Section 7.

When a letter carrier route or full-time duty assignment, other than the letter carrier route(s) or full-time duty assignment(s) of the junior employee(s) is abolished at a delivery unit as a result of, but not limited to route adjustments, highways, housing projects, all routes and full-time duty assignments at that unit held by letter carriers who are junior to the carrier(s) whose route(s) was abolished shall be posted for bid in accordance with the posting procedures in this Article.

Section 8.