Article 33 Promotions

Article 33 Promotions

Section 33.1 General Principles

The Employer agrees to place particular emphasis upon career advancement opportunities. First opportunity for promotions will be given to qualified career employees. The Employer will assist employees to improve their own skills through training and self-help programs, and will continue to expand the Postal Employee Development Center concept.

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This section provides that the Postal Service will seek to fill career positions by making them available to qualified career employees prior to hiring new employees. Further, this section obligates the postal Service to assist employees seeking advancement through training and self-help programs.

The Postal Service is committed to the principle of promotions from within, with emphasis upon career advancement opportunities.

Source: Step 4 Grievance M-NAT-17, dated February 27, 1974.

Postal Employee Development Centers (PEDC) are field units located in Districts that provide area-wide training and development support services for all postal personnel on a continuing basis. The primary mission of the PEDC is to contribute to and foster improved employee job performance. The PEDC also provides counseling to help employees pursue career and self-development goals.

Source: Employee and Labor Relations Manual Chapter 7, Section 722.1

Self-development training is training that is taken to attain self-determined goals or career objectives that are not directly related to the employee’s current job.

Source: Employee and Labor Relations Manual Chapter 7, Section 711.421.

Section 33.2 Bargaining Unit Promotions

1. When an opportunity for promotion to a bargaining unit position exists in an installation, an announcement shall be posted on official bulletin boards soliciting applications from employees in the bargaining unit. Bargaining unit employees meeting the qualifications for the position shall be given first consideration. Qualifications shall include, but not be limited to, ability to perform the job, merit, experience, knowledge, and physical ability. Where there are qualified applicants, the best qualified applicant shall be selected; however, if there is no appreciable difference in the qualifications of the best of the qualified applicants and the Employer selects from among such applicants, seniority shall be the determining factor. Written examinations shall not be controlling in determining qualifications. If no bargaining unit employee is selected for the promotion, the Employer will solicit applications from all other qualified employees within the installation.
2. Promotions to positions enumerated in Article 12 of this Agreement shall be made in accordance with such Article by selection of the senior qualified employee bidding for the position.

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Question: Are promotions to higher level positions in the mail handler craft filled by senior employees or by best qualified employees?

Answer: Promotions to higher level positions in the mail handler craft, enumerated in Article 12, shall be made by selection of the senior qualified employee bidding for the position.

Mail handlers are eligible to apply for the best qualified positions of Examination Specialist, as outlined in Article 12 (Section 12.2H3), and Console Operator. These positions, however, are assigned to the craft of the successful applicant and are not exclusive to any one particular craft. When a mail handler is the successful applicant, these positions are designated to the mail handler craft. Where more than one applicant is qualified, the best qualified of the applicants is selected. Where there is no appreciable difference in the qualifications of the best of the qualified applicants, and the Postal Service selects from among those applicants, seniority shall be the determining factor.

In addition, Mail handler craft employees may apply, also on a best-qualified basis, for Office Machine Operator, MH-5.

They may also apply on a best-qualified basis for the positions of Accounting Technician, PS-6, and Training Technician, PEDC, PS-6; however, the successful applicants for these positions will be assigned to the clerk craft.

Section 33.3 Examinations

When an examination is given, there shall be no unreasonable limitation on the number of examinations that may be taken by an applicant.

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Question: Are examinations given on or off the clock?

Answer: In-service examinations are to be conducted on a no-gain no-loss basis. Management will not intentionally schedule in-service examinations in order to avoid any payment applicable under the no-gain no-loss principle.

Source: Pre-arbitration Settlement H8C-4B-C 29625, dated November 21, 1983.

Question: Are job interviews given on or off the clock?

Answer: Job interviews are to be conducted on a no-gain, no-loss basis. Management will not intentionally schedule job interviews in order to avoid any payment applicable under the no-gain, no-loss principle.

Source: Step 4 Grievance H4C-1M-C 5833, dated March 7, 1986.

Question: How many times can an employee take an examination?

Answer: When an examination is given, there shall be no unreasonable limitation on the number of examinations that may be taken by an applicant.