February 9, 2016- The NPMHU and the Postal Service have reached a Step 4 settlement on the important issue of the meaning of “just cause” when the Postal Service imposes discipline on Mail Handler Assistants.  The operative paragraph of the settlement agreement, quoted below, provides that discipline of MHAs must be both progressive and corrective in nature rather than punitive, and that determining whether the level of disciplinary action taken is appropriate must be based on the individual facts and circumstances of each case:

Discipline for an MHA . . . does not generally have to be issued in the same progressive manner as discipline issued to a career employee.  However, an appropriate element of just cause is that discipline should be progressive and corrective in nature rather than punitive.  When management removes or otherwise disciplines an MHA, determining whether the disciplinary action is appropriate must be based on the individual facts and circumstances of each case.

A complete copy of the settlement and February 9, 2016 memorandum to Local President's is linked below for your review:

February 9, 2016 memorandum to Local President's (PDF)

Step 4 Settlement on Progressive Discipline for MHAs (PDF)