David was elected the Director of Safety and Health in 2010. A position he has held for 12 years and was recently re-elected in 2022. David’s Postal and Union membership began in 1984. In 2007, David was elected Shop Steward by his fellow coworkers. David’s willingness to learn and volunteer made him an easy pick for many positions within the Branch. When the branch needed someone to coordinate the Food Drive in 2008, David was right there. In 2010 David became a Formal A Representative as well as the Customer Connect Coordinator. David did not stop there. His ability to organize landed him the coordinator position of the MDA bowl-a-thon. His multitasking abilities are unmatched. During all the years of service to Branch 36 and through all the positions he held, David managed to also be a part of all the minor route adjustment teams beginning in 2008. When the need arises, we can all trust David’s sound advice and knowledge to keep us all safe. In 2022, David was re-elected to the position of Director of Safety and Health

Vehicle Maintenance

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report highlighting the high cost of vehicle maintenance and the need to begin replacing our fleet. The OIG issued an additional report concluding that management has been cutting corners and did not always conduct preventive maintenance inspections (PMI), in compliance with the established schedules as found in Handbook PO-701, Fleet Management. The purpose of this handbook is to provide the information necessary to support an aggressive, yet operationally efficient, fleet management program. The PO-701 Section 123-F emphasizes that it is management’s responsibility to ensure that preventive maintenance programs are followed. Section 341 instructs that if your vehicle is used fewer than 500 miles per month, it is to undergo servicing twice a year (26 week cycle) and if driven more than 500 miles per month, it is to undergo servicing three times a year (17 week cycle). If the routine maintenance of your postal vehicle is contracted out to a non-postal mechanic/shop, you have the right to make sure that the routine maintenance is taking place; and if not, report it to your steward; and if necessary, initiate a grievance citing Article 14 & 19 of the JCAM.
You should be conducting a daily inspection of your vehicle in accordance with Section 832 of the M-41, using the checklist found on Notice 76. When you discover defects or fluid leaks, they should be reported on Form 4565. Use Form 4565 (Vehicle Repair Tag) to report vehicle defects or vehicle repairs needed. The form provides a space for your supervisor to sign so that you have a receipt. Get the form signed and keep your receipt – don’t lose it. You will need it later when your supervisors deny knowledge of the defects that you reported. If management fails to properly service the vehicle, we should also be filling out a PS Form 1767 stating that management has failed to properly service an unsafe vehicle, and is placing our employees, and possibly the public, in harm’s way. If necessary, you might have to follow up with a safety grievance.
Postal Operations Manual (POM) Section 712.5 Vehicle appearance states: “The clean and uniform appearance of postal vehicles is essential to projecting a positive image of the Postal Service. Postal vehicles must be washed as needed; but not less than once each month. Vehicles must be constantly scrutinized by managers at all levels for paint deteriorations: missing, torn, or faded markings and corrosion or damage to the body. Managers should schedule immediate repairs, as needed”.
In the Bronx Local Memorandum of Understating (BxLMOU) Item 22.G.3 states: “In the interest of safety and health, management shall insure that postal vehicles are properly maintained. These vehicles shall be cleaned inside and outside; but no more than present regulation states”. If you do your job, the burden shifts to management to do its job. Hope everyone had a safe/healthy and Happy New Year. Remember: Safety Depends on Me.