HOW THE NEW NALC – USPS CONTRACT AFFECTS YOUR UNIFORM ALLOWANCE

As the “Most Trusted Government Agency” for the last seven years, the USPS feels very strongly about its brand and how the American public views its employees. One of the most important aspects of the USPS brand is the uniformed employee. Who else do we open our doors for or welcome onto our yards as we do  the mailman? Since 1868, when the Congress passed legislation authorizing uniforms for letter carriers, the US public has put its trust in the uniformed carrier.

The uniform allowance is a negotiated benefit, and the amount of uniform allowance is negotiated along with the pay and other benefits between the NALC and the USPS. The most recent contract negotiations concluded this past January 2013 and brought about some changes to the uniform program and postal uniform allowance. 

In the Board of Arbitration’s written decision, the emphasis on “uniformed” letter carriers is apparent. There are many mentions of “uniformed city letter carriers” as opposed to just calling them “city letter carriers”, thus further cementing the importance of postal uniforms as a part of the brand of the USPS. “Secure and trustworthy delivery is the Postal Service’s signature brand and it is, in the opinion of the Board, reasonable for the Postal Service as an institution to utilize its uniformed delivery workforce to provide the city delivery service” (page 11). The board felt the importance of uniforms to be so great that they not only provided postal uniform allowance raises and the continuation of the uniform program per se for career employees, but also provided a uniform allowance for the new non-career delivery workforce, the City Carrier Assistants (CCA).

Let’s begin with the career City Letter Carriers. Prior to this contract, these employees were receiving $371 to purchase their uniforms  from 2011-2013. This amount was determined under the last contract negotiated back in 2006, with the allowance increasing from $328 up to the current $371. Under the new contract, the allowance for those whose uniform anniversary dates were on or after November 21, 2012, was increased to $390, with an additional 2.5% increase yearly through the contract. So on 11/21/13, for those eligible, the increase will go to $399, and on 11/21/14, for those eligible, the increase will make the new amount $409, and on 11/21/15, for those entitled, the new allowance amount will be $420. There were also commensurate raises for “new hire” career city carriers as well. So what does this mean to you?

If you have already spent your $371, but your last uniform allowance anniversary was on or after November 21 of last year, you should have another $19 added to your allowance to spend. The USPS just started to add these increases as of Monday May 6^th. They are not all being added at one time, and it appears some employees are getting them as of this date while most others have not yet received them. Here at Postal Uniform Discounters, we are trying to figure out a pattern; is the USPS adding it first to the employees with older anniversary dates, are they doing it by region of the country, are they doing it alphabetically? We haven’t been able to figure out the methodology yet, so just keep checking your allowance to see if your increase has been added by calling the card issuer, Citibank, at 1-800-287-5003. But if your anniversary was on or after 11/21/12, you are entitled to $390, so if you have already spent part or all or your $371 allowance you should be receiving the additional increase shortly. If that money has not been added and you would now like to spend it, call USPS Human Resources and ask them about the increase, and if you run into a dead end with the USPS, this might be an issue you want to discuss with your NALC representative. And if you have not spent any of your allowance yet, you should have $390 to spend now. Many uniform companies will fill your order for $390 if you are eligible for the raise, even if the USPS has not yet added the $19 increase. The uniform companies will ship the order, get the $371 allowance that is currently on your account with Citibank, and then go back and get the extra $19 when the USPS eventually adds it to your account. Just ask your uniform vendor if they will do this for you.

As mentioned before, the Board of Arbitration felt so strongly about the USPS having its employees in uniform that they stipulated in the contract for the new classification of non career employees, the City Carrier Assistant (CCA), to receive an allowance equal to the career city letter carriers. Previously non career contract carriers received no allowance, and would sometimes be issued a USPS cap or a t-shirt. We have heard a lot of complaints about poorly or sloppily dressed “mailman” delivering mail. This was not a good way to continue the trust that the American public has had with our letter carriers, and I believe that the Board recognized this when stipulating, along with the elimination of these contract carriers, that their replacements have a full uniform allowance. Also, for the past several years, the USPS has been utilizing Transitional Employees (TE’s) in place of city carriers. Some were in uniform while others were not. The reason for this is that the USPS allowed the decision of whether to put these employees in uniforms or not was left to the station manager or local postmaster. As one of the few companies willing to deal with the paperwork and cumbersome system of getting paid by the USPS for issuing the uniforms, we at Postal Uniform Discounters found that some areas were offering the allowance while other areas, including whole states such as Minnesota, were not offering these employees any allowance at all.  So what will you receive for a postal uniform allowance if you are a CCA?

Under this contract, “the CCA will be provided with an annual uniform allowance equal to the amount provided to career employees” (page 17). “When the CCA has completed ninety (90) work days, or has been employed for 120 calendar days, whichever comes first”, the allowance will be provided. Additionally, “time served as a Transitional Employee will count toward the 90/120 day requirement” (page 17). In other words, CCA’s are to receive $390 for 2012-2013, with postal uniform allowance raises that match the career employee’s raises in succeeding years. If, after their first year of working for the USPS, the CCA is not rehired for a second year appointment, these employees are supposed to return their uniforms to the USPS for disposal. The date in the contract when the postal uniform allowance for CCA’s was supposed to take effect was April 15, 2013, but implementation has not yet happened. According to our USPS and NALC contacts, the discussion continues as to how this allowance will be issued. The USPS has been adamant, we are told, that the CCA’s will not be issued the allowance Citibank Purchase card that the career employees have to use to buy their uniforms. Supposedly, the cost involved with Citibank issuing and maintaining the cards is too high for the USPS to entertain. So talk continues about a voucher program. We are hearing that the “how’s, why’s, what’s, and when’s” are still being worked out. One of the stumbling blocks, we are told, is that the USPS wants a system in place to insure that if a CCA recently received a postal uniform allowance as a TE that the amount is deducted from their first CCA allowance. We are hoping that these issues are resolved soon, so that these employees can start to purchase their postal uniforms and, more important for the USPS, be in uniform while out on the street delivering mail.

So, in short, the good news is that there is still a uniform program where the employee has the choice of what to buy and from what company, there are raises in the amounts of the allowance retroactive to 2012, and the USPS will continue to put their delivering-employees in uniform. The bad news is that you might not yet have received the $19 increase to which you are entitled, and that, if you are a CCA, you have still not been provided with your negotiated benefit of a postal uniform allowance. As the situation is changing daily, feel free to call us at 1-800-733-1243 or check out our postal uniform website for the latest updates. We will do our best to update you with current information.

Michele the Uniform Girl

Who cares about Postal Socks? Your aching feet do...

In a previous entry I wrote about postal shoes, including the care, history and styles. Now it is time to address another component of the postal uniforms that are important to your aching feet: the postal socks.

The USPS employee labor manual section on authorized uniform items does not offer too many clues on which socks can or can not be worn as part of the official uniform; it states “Calf-length, crew style, or quarter-length uniform blue-gray, black, or white with blue stripes” are approved socks. Each sock manufacturer must submit samples to the Natick Testing Facility of socks that they want approved to be sold on the postal allowance. I would imagine that they do some type of wear-test up there before certifying – I have a vision of a hamster running the wheel in blue striped postal socks but somehow think this might not be the method of testing! After contacting Natick, I have been told that socks are approved for the USPS based essentially on color and sizing, that they must be made domestically, and that they must be of commercial quality (any commercial type fiber is allowed). In recent years we have seen many new fabrics come into play for the comfort of your feet!

Traditionally, most of the postal approved socks are made of a mixture of cotton, nylon, and lycra, with cotton accounting for about 75% of fiber content. Breathable and comfortable due to the high cotton content, these “standard” socks are still the largest selling type of socks for postal workers.

Manufacturers have been coming out with an extra padded sock for years as well. Thorlo has been the market leader. Thorlo not only makes postal uniform socks but are also well known in the sporting goods, outdoor, and backpacking industries. The padded socks tend to concentrate extra cushioning, usually at the ball and heel of the foot. But unlike the “standard” postal sock, the extra cushioning socks are primarily made of acrylic, for its added durability and breathability. Most also have added nylon for increased wear.

Our newest offering is the X-static sock, which combines the comfort of mostly cotton with the addition of silver fiber. Naturally antimicrobial and anti static, the addition of the silver fiber helps these socks eliminate odor and move the moisture off of your feet and out through the fibers. And if you have handled as many returned worn postal shoes as I have, you would agree that many postal workers can benefit from these as they have stinky feet!

Another innovative sock is the Wright anti-blister socks. These double layered socks provide superior moisture management and protection from bacterial growth. The two layers of material move slightly to absorb friction, offering better comfort and helping to eliminate blisters. We have seen sales of these socks increase each year since we added them to our catalog, and we keep hearing good things about them. So I assume that they work, and work well!

About ten years ago a breathable waterprooof sock was added to the product mix. When I first heard about the Sealskinz socks I didn’t believe that a waterproof sock would be breathable so I asked to wear-test a pair. I wore them while camping and hiking for about a week. Sure enough my feet stayed dry, cool, and blister free. After the wear test we at Postal Uniform Discounters (www.postaluniformdiscounters.com) started stocking this sock. It seems like we were onto something good, as nearly every postal uniform company copied us and started to sell this product as well. Sealskinz also now makes a water breathable glove, and their products are used by various US military personnel here and overseas.

Up until a few years ago, postal approved socks only came in crew and over the calf lengths. The crew length comes up to the lower calf area, and the over the calf go up close to the knee. These two lengths did not incorporate what has been happening with sock wear in general, ankle and quarter lengths. So in 2005 the USPS added quarter length socks, which pull up to about the ankle. This has been a huge help to those who wanted to even out the tan on their legs down to their ankles!

So as you can see there are many new choices and options for socks that you can purchase with your USPS uniform allowance. We have even more choices on the sock page of our website. So come for a visit and do your aching, tired (and sometimes smelly) feet a favor!

To view all of the newest items please visit our website www.postaluniformdiscounters.com.

Here at Postal Uniform Discounters we sell all of the newest items at very reasonable pricing with great service.

Michele Ward

The Uniform Girl

How do you like the new shirts for city carriers and for clerks?

As many of you know, the USPS came out with new solid light blue shirts for letter carriers and for retail clerks last October 2010. We have been hearing a lot of good and a lot of bad from our customers. Before I share some of the comments from our readers, if you are one of those that do NOT like the new shirts, we still have some of the old style shirts in stock. For letter carriers check out this page for remaining stock:old letter carrier shirts. We still have a fair selection on hand.

For retail clerks check out: old Retail Clerk shirts. We have a full stock of sizes at the low clearance price of $15.99!

And of course we have a complete stock of all the new style shirts for both letter carriers and for retail clerks.

Now here are some of the comments we have received:

I am loving these new solid blue shirts. Thank you very much. The old ones look liked pajamas.

Who thought of this shirt? Once again a light color that will show every stain and dirt.

these stoopid shirts wrinkle and need to be ironed. i dont have time.

Much softer feel than the old shirt. Thank you.

I’ve been a letter carrier for thirty two years. This is the most ridiculous of all the different shirts we have been subjected to. Why didn’t anyone ask for our input?

Where’s the cotton? another polyester mess.

Who cares? I only wear the polo shirt.

I am liking these new shirts. They are very professional and crisp. Finally the USPS has put us in a uniform that we can wear.

As you can see the reaction has been very mixed. I guess like anything new there will be those who jump onboard and those who will complain.

Feel free to let us know what you think!

To view the newest items please visit our websitewww.postaluniformdiscounters.com.

Here at Postal Uniform Discounters we sell all of the newest items at very reasonable pricing with great service.

Michele Ward

The Uniform Girl

POSTAL SHOES, POSTAL SHOES, AND MORE POSTAL SHOES

We understand… you have to wear them every day! Perhaps the item that we hear the most complaints about is the postal approved shoes. The complaints are usually about the high prices and limited styling. I will try to explain and make a few suggestions about how to make your shoes last longer.

Postal approved shoes must be USA made. I believe that this rule dates to the ‘50’s or ‘60’s. Back then foreign-made mass-produced shoes were of poor quality and the USPS didn’t want their employees wearing bad shoes, probably for safety reasons. Today, shoe manufacturers use the same dies, molds, materials, and machinery whether producing in the US or offshore, so there is often little quality difference. Over 96% of the shoes sold in the US these days are from offshore, so those few remaining companies manufacturing footwear in the US are fighting an uphill battle.Postal shoes also must be 100% leather (besides the sole) which adds to the cost. The USPS uniform people “took a look” a couple of years ago and were open to allowing some synthetics, like Cordura or Denier nylon, in the postal shoes. These are materials found in other “work” shoes and are lighter and more breathable than leather, along with being less expensive than leather. They also present the opportunity for more updated styling. Use of fabric besides leather was finally rejected as the USPS wanted the shoes to remain having a more formal style that all leather look now gives them.

Here are some tips on how to make your shoes last longer:

1. Waxes and oils will help keep your shoes protected from the elements, such as snow, water, and ice. Salt is particularly bad for shoe leather, so those walking in salted ice or snow need extra protection. Most shoe and boot oils will help keep your leather moist and crack resistant, but with waxes, you might have to condition your shoes first. The oils can also help waterproof some of the leathers. I personally like mink oil for my leather boots. Some creams will help moisturize your leather, while most polishes will only cover any imperfections or scratches and will make your shoes look nicer but without any real protection except on the surface.

2. If you have two pairs, rotate your shoes. After a hard day your shoes also need a rest (and a chance to dry out from both exterior moisture and from sweat). Make sure that your shoes are open and well ventilated when resting, and don’t use any heat sources to dry them. Heat can crack and dry out the leather.

3. Don’t let a new pair sit in your closet for years. This will result in the sole crumbling to pieces. I don’t know the exact reason why, but I think a component in the sole also dries up if not “activated” (used). We often see shoes being returned to us years later that look new but have a sole that disintegrated.

4. Your shoes may sometimes become uncomfortable due to wearing out the insole while the rest of the shoe still has some play left in them. Now you can purchase replacement insoles on your USPS uniform allowance for many of the different brands offered.

Here are some of the current players in the postal shoe market, and where they make their shoes:

Thorogood shoes: Our personal favorites. These shoes are made by Weinbrenner of Merrill, Wisconsin. I believe they are the only union made postal shoes, with employees represented by local UFCW chapters. One of these days I will visit their plant in Wisconsin, but rest assured it will be in the summer!

New Balance: They have five factories in Maine and Massachusetts, and besides their postal shoes they also make 25% of their other shoes sold in America right here in the good ole USA.

Converse: Made in Puerto Rico.

Timberland: Made in Puerto Rico.

Rocky: Made in Puerto Rico.

Rockport: Made in Puerto Rico.

Perhaps you have noticed on the side of your postal approved shoes a little black tag with the letters sr/usa in green. All postal approved shoes have this label sewn on, indicating that the shoes meet the strict “slip resistant/usa made” requirements. Don’t let anyone sell you a pair as postal approved if it doesn’t have that tag on it as you may not be able to claim workman’s comp if you are hurt while working. The USPS will on occasion allow an employee to get an exception to purchasing and wearing apostal approved shoe (I would suppose for mainly medical issues). The protocol for exceptions can be found in section 939.12 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/elm/elmc9.pdf).

Try on your shoes when you first buy them. Do so on a soft carpet indoors. The postal uniform companies don’t like taking back new shoes that look worn in any way, including wrinkling of the leather. But make sure that they are comfortable as postal shoes are way to expensive to have to throw away without getting much wear out to them. Luckily, there are a few styles that offer an unconditional thirty day guarantee so you don’t have to suffer postal shoe buyers remorse!

To view all of the approved postal uniform items, please visit our websitewww.postaluniformdiscounters.com.

Here at Postal Uniform Discounters we sell all of the approved USPS uniform items, including the brand name shoes listed above, at very reasonable pricing with great service.

Michele Ward

The Uniform Girl