Easy Article 8 Instructions
Article 8 grievances can be intimidating for new stewards and time consuming for even the most seasoned stewards. The attached Excel workbook is my attempt to build a better mousetrap. The following is a description of the workbook and instructions for its use. Should any problems be encountered in its use, please contact me so I can remedy them.
The workbook contains three pages or sheets. Tabs can be found for each at the bottom of the workbook. They are labeled, Non-ODL, PTF & TE, and ODL and closely mirror the generic ones we have been given in training over the years.
The first tab is for non-ODL carriers (including Work Assignment carriers). Fill in non-highlighted boxes. The highlighted boxes will self populate eliminating the need for any mathematical calculations. I would suggest saving the workbook after entering the names of the unit's carriers in each of the three sheets as this will save you time in the future.
The second and third tabs at the bottom are for PTF & TE and ODL respectively. Delivery unit, installation, date, and LDOV will automatically fill in after those entries are made on the first page.
Please note that should a carrier technician or T-6 be on the work assignment list, you will have additional work to do as I was unable to create a formula to calculate the numerous variables that are present in that situation since the T-6 WA carrier is available for overtime on any of the five routes on his string on any given day.
Although the entries needed are self-explanatory, the following legend will eliminate the need for any guesswork on behalf of the user.
Route:Route assigned to that day
WA or No: Enter no if the carrier is not on the WA list. If WA, leave the box blank.
NSD: Enter an x if the carrier is working his/her non-scheduled day.
BT: Begin tour time (Example: 7.00)
MV STR: Move to street time
MV OFF: Carrier’s return to office time
ET: End tour
No lunch: Enter an x if the carrier submitted for a no lunch. This is indicated by a code 093 on the Employee Everything Report.
Total hours: No entry is required on behalf of the user. The program will calculate total number of hours worked.
Total OT: This is the total amount of overtime worked by the carrier that day. Again, no entry is required.
NSD OT: No entry is required. If an x was placed in NSD, the program will consider all hours worked as overtime.
Assist on Route: Enter the route number that the carrier assisted.
MV off own route: Enter the time the carrier moved to the assisted route.
MV to own route: Enter the time the carrier returned to his/her own route after providing auxiliary assistance.
Off Assign OT: No entry required. The program will calculate how much time was spent on the assisted route by the regular carrier.
Violation OT: For WA carriers, this will be the amount of time spent providing auxiliary assistance. For non-ODL carriers, this will be the total amount of overtime worked that day. No entry is required.
3996 page #: Enter the page number of the grievance appeal that the carrier’s PS Form 3996 is on. You will probably be handwriting this page number in as one of the final chores prior to appealing to Step B.
TACS page #: Enter the page number of the grievance appeal that the carrier’s Employee Everything is on. Again, this will probably be handwritten in at the time you appeal to Step B. This may seem like a hassle but really helps those at Step B and beyond as it makes it easy for the parties to obtain the employee's identification number for payment in GATS should a resolution be reached.
Hrs to LDOV: Hours remaining to the last dispatch of value. No entry is needed.
Hours to 11.50: Hours PTF or TE carriers have remaining to the 11.50 hour daily limit. No entry is required.
Hours to 12.00: Hours ODL carriers have remaining to the 12.00 hour daily limit.
Remember, only fill in boxes that are not highlighted. When printing, change printing properties to landscape.
This spreadsheet was designed to assist stewards in their efforts to enforce the National Agreement. It was not designed to be an all inclusive product. THIS IS JUST A TOOL. Stewards are still required to review and utilize applicable sections of the JCAM. No spreadsheet can do your work for you so continue to do your homework.
Good luck!