QWL/EI is Discontinued

In a letter dated November 17, 2008, to the Vice Presidents, Area Operations, Doug A. Tulino, Vice President, Labor Relations, stated the following:

Don Cantriel, President, National Rural Letter Carriers' Association (NRLCA) informed me on Friday, November 14, 2008, that the NRLCA is withdrawing from the Quality of Work Life/Employee Involvement (QWL/EI) process effective January 1,2009.

Effective immediately, all QWL/EI training will be discontinued. Any on-going project or activity will have to be completed no later than December 31, 2008 as a result of the NRLCA's decision to terminate their participation in the QWL/EI process.

There are a few activities that currently require District Joint Steering Committee involvement (e.g. selection of rural carrier academy instructors and monitoring implementation of DPS letters). We are discussing the transition of these responsibilities and will be providing information in the near future.

While I am disappointed in the NRLCA's decision, I hope the experience of QWL/EI for the past 26 years has created a positive working environment among managers and rural carriers that will continue in the future.

QWL/EI has been an important part of my postal career. I have participated in district training, Rural Carrier Academy as well as a facilitator.

In Kansas, the QWL problem-solving techniques of bringing all parties together, applying sequential steps to a solution, and finally reaching a consensus were never fully utilized as far as workplace disagreements between management and craft. Work teams concentrated on "projects" that rarely were approved and most rural carriers did not know about nor cared. The DJSC published a bulletin that was informative and widely read. It will be missed.

I learned a great deal from my participation. It benefitted me personally even if deemed not to be helpful to rural carriers as a whole.

Quality of Work Life/Employee Involvement

Hopefully, rural carriers reading this post are familiar with the concept. Having participated in QWL/EI for over 14 years, I think the principle is valid.

I am currently a trainer at the Rural Carrier Academy after previously serving five years in the late 90s before there was a time limit. Between the training stints, I was a member of a facilitator team.

Why did I decide to participation in the QWL/EI process?

First, and most importantly, as it turns out, the facilitator and academy instructor training is comprehensive and informative. No one should feel intimidated, as the point of the time spent in the classes is to help alleviate anxiety. The area trainers do it well.

At all times, QWL/EI involves participation by management and craft working together. This concept appeals to me.

Facilitator training is about identifying problems, listing possible solutions and agreeing on the best answer, which is helpful in my life outside the work place.

Finally, I cannot say enough about the people I have met while involved in QWL/EI. Probably the most rewarding is getting to know new RCAs and TRCs while they spend three days in the training academy. Their enthusiasm is contagious.

If you feel you would like to expand your postal experience beyond the route, seek out QWL/EI. Contact a state union officer for opportunities in your area.