A class action complaint for injured on duty postal employees was certified by an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ) on May 30,2008.
In the case of (Read article from February 17, 2009) Sandra McConnell, et al. v. United States Postal Service an AJ decision certified the following class:
All permanent rehabilitation employees and limited duty employees at the U.S. Postal Service who have been subjected to the National Reassessment Process (NRP) from May 5, 2006 to present, allegedly in violation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The EEO class action charges:
- The NRP fails to provide class members with reasonable accommodations
- The NRP wrongfully discloses the medical information of class members
- The NRP creates a hostile workplace environment for class members
- The NRP has an adverse impact on class members.
The attorneys for Sandra McConnell ..et.al created a website to answer all questions postal employees may have regarding this case. At this website you can find the following:
Background
NRP Class Action: Representing Workers Affected by the USPS National Reassessment Process
McConnell v. U.S. Postal Service, EEOC Case No. 520-2008-00053X
Fill Out the NRP Class Action Questionnaire
The U.S. Postal Service is rolling out the National Reassessment Process (NRP) in USPS districts across nation. The NRP reviews all injured-on-duty employees serving in limited duty and/or rehabilitation positions.
In 2006, Sandra McConnell was reviewed under the NRP in the USPS Western New York District. Ms. McConnell had been working in a rehabilitation modified carrier position for over eight years. However, after the NRP review, Ms. McConnell was stripped of her modified position and ordered to go home with “no work available.”
Ms. McConnell filed a class action discrimination complaint under the Rehabilitation Act on behalf of all USPS workers affected by the NRP. The disability discrimination class action was certified by the EEOC Administrative Judge in 2008. After the USPS appealed that decision, the EEOC again granted certification of the class action in 2010. To view the class certification
notice click here.
What You Should Do
If you are affected by the NRP, you should do the following:
Fill out the NRP Class Action Questionnaire by clicking here
With respect to the claims covered in the class definition, you do not need to do anything now to preserve your right to make a claim later. If you have any claims that may not be covered by the class definition, these claims must be processed by you with an EEO Counselor within 45 days of the action complained of.
Current Status of the Case
The class action was remanded to the EEOC Administrative Judge. The parties are engaging in discovery. After the discovery process is completed, the Administrative Judge will set a date for trial.
Check for updates on the case status here.
Fill Out the NRP Class Action Questionnaire
I saw what is still my favorite bumber sticker a few years back. It read “PAY ATTENTION, YOU SHOULD BE OUTRAGED!!”. You combine this with ‘THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN A CONTRADICTING AUTHORITY, FOR A CONTRADICTING AUTHORITY IS NO AUTHORITY AT ALL’, an ‘age-old’ cliche’, and this, well, I’M afraid to say. The totally corrupt ‘powers that be’ would probably find some corrupt excuse to have me locked up or even executed for being ‘bottom-line’ TRUTHFULL/HONEST.
The people in this country seriously need a ‘reality-check’. Can’t ‘see’ the forest for the trees. Whole lotta ‘smoke-blowin’ goin’ on with these ‘slags’ so-called-‘in charge’ of the USPS. Bunch of LIARS and THEIVES, stealing of honest workers livelyhoods earned thru years of REAL hard work and sweat, while they sit on their can in an air conditioned office all day, ‘gouging’ evaluation sheets, etc. I’ve wittnessed, ’cause they don’t want to actually ‘do’ the evaluation(s) for ‘real’/proper. (i.e. example). If you only ‘knew’ the corrupt crap I’ve wittnessed USPS management do, you WOULD be declaring a THEM the terrorists, not the terrorist(s) we have ‘come to know’ as same.
What happened here?? Someone ‘erased’ my input here??? Can’t handle the TRUTH about all this ?? USPS Management is CORRUPT. The Congress AND the Senate has been notified repetatively for years about their ongoing CRIMINAL activity(s) and yet it continues. The MEDIEVAL working conditions in the USPS has been very well VERY clear to the ‘upper-crust’ in this country for ages, yet the corruption continues. Keep ‘voting’ for these corrupt ‘slags’ and see what it gets the workers of america. Then they ‘wonder’/can not figure out, why the economy is so ‘stagnet’ and won’t ‘get off the ground’ in this country. Thousands, more like millions, of people are sick and tired of the corruption going on, not only in the USPS. When is it going to stop??? The so-called ‘law-makers’ forgot to make more laws to make sure the laws they made/make do not get broken?? Must be a scam in itself, expecting a common laborer to have to higher law firms to keep their jobs, at the lower level pay, while the higher level paid so-called ‘managers’ make the big money and can afford one much more ‘easily. Why not ‘order’ them to ‘manage’ more and more offices without help until they ‘fail’/’crack’ under the pressure(badgering/harassment) and have to be placed on limited duty and/or this or ‘similar’ NRP program and then ultimately ‘fire’ them unlawfully. Makes much more ‘sense’ since they do not do any ‘real’ work and get paid much more than those that do. The USPS IS rediculous. I never seen so much WASTE, FRAUD and ABUSE. For such a simple task of delivering mail/parcels, where in Gods creation did all the ‘red tape’ NONSENSE come from that justifies all of the DEAD BEAT manager jobs/so-called ‘positions’ at such highlevel pay???? It’s FRAUDULENT, CORRUPT INSANITY especially ‘combined’ with the rest of the FACTS involved/mentioned. I am amazed that there is not more ‘home grown’ terrorism in this country, and not surprised ‘at all’ at what there is. The USPS management is just a ‘prime example’ of the corruption thru-out the government and the private sector. And the Congress and the Senate just ‘sit back’ and watch??? Know it’s there and do NOTHING. That is corruption in itself. Where is the EXCUSE??? The overwhelming FACTUAL evidence is literally SLAPPING them in the face, and they do NOTHING!!?!! This IS FACTUALLY CORRUPT. Make sure and vote for them/the same ones again, and be just as CORRUPT as they are.
I HAVE HEARD MANY TIMES THE COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE ABLE BODIED BALLYHOOING THE INJURED WORKERS. THEY SEE US AS A DRAG ON THE ORGANIZATION AND AFFECTING THEM IN A BAD WAY AS FAR AS EXPENSES AND SUCH. THEY CANNOT SEE FURTHER THAN THEIR OWN SELF INTEREST AND FOLKS THE POSTAL SERVICE IS SOMETHING OF A QUASI MILITARY ORGANIZATION. A RESULT OF THE MANY MILITARY FOLKS THAT FILLED THE RANKS OF MANAGEMENT FOR DECADES. NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MILITARY BUT IT MADE THE MANAGEMENT TO GRUNT ATMOSPHERE ADVERSARIAL AND SOMEWHAT ELITE VERSUS INFERIOR. MANAGEMENT AT THE POST OFFICE IS VERY ABUSIVE BECAUSE OF THE POWER THESE PEOPLE FEEL IN THEIR JOBS AND JOB SECURITY. THE POST OFFICE TEACHES A LESSON IN ALL OF LIFE AND ESPECIALLY THE GOVERNMENT. NO ONE SHOULD HAVE AS MUCH POWER AS IS WIELDED BY THESE PEOPLE. WHEN YOU HAVE SO MANY CHEIFS AND TOO FEW INDIANS YOU GET THIS TROUBLE. THE MILITARY TREATS INJURED PERSONNNEL ASIDE FROM COMBAT INJURED PERSONNEL THE SAME WAY. IF YOU ARE INJURED YOU ARE A GOLD BRICK. WORTHLESS. A DRAG ON THE PLATOON OR DIVISION. SOMEONE ELSE IS CARRYING YOUR LOAD. YOU ARE UNDEPENDABLE. YOU ARE MALINGERING. I WAS ACCUSED OF THIS EVEN AFTER I HAD HAD KNEE SURGERY AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR OF PAIN AND TREATMENT. NEVER A PROBLEM AGAIN AFTER THE SURGERY. AND AFTER THIS MY NEW CAPTAIN INFORMED ME AT THE WELCOME ABOARD INTERVIEW THAT HE WOULD NOT TOLERATE MALINGERING. WHAT A TOTAL ASS. HE FOUND OUT THE NEXT TWO YEARS I WAS NOT ONE AND I SHOWED HIM. BUT THIS IS THE LOW BROWED WAY THE MANAGEMENT IN GOVERNMENT LOOKS DOWN ON PEOPLE. YOU ARE SUSPECT OF UNLAWFUL COMPLAINTS OF INJURY AND IN MY CASE I WAS INVESTIGATED EVEN THOUGH I HAD A BONAFIDE MD INJURY DOCTOR THAT HAD THOUSANDS OF POSTAL EMPLOYEE PATIENTS AND THE X-RAY TO PROVE IT. ROTATOR CUFF ONLY THE MOST COMMON INJURY IN THE POSTAL SERVICE. DUUUHH””” THEN A DENIAL OF A MRI AS THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THE X=RAY. PAID FOR MY OWN MRI. PROVED IT AND THEN THEY CUT OFF MY PAY FOR OVER A MONTH AND DENIED ME UNTIL I TOLD THEM I WAS GOING TO FILE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT AND GO TO THE VA DOCTORS AND LET THE CALL DOL AND FIND OUT WHY I WAS AT A VA HOSPITAL WHEN THIS WAS A WORKERS COMP CASE. THEY APPROVED ME IN A WEEK. THEN THEY TRIED TO SAY I WAS WORKING WHILE ON RESTRICTIONS AND THE DOCTOR TOLD THEM I WAS DELIVERING PIZZA WHICH WAS WELL BELOW MY RESTRICTIONS. A BUNCH OF CREEPS AND THESE FOLKS ARE DOING THIS TO KEEP THEIR JOBS. WE ARE LIKE SPEEDERS TO LOCAL COPS. UNLESS THEY FIND WRONG DOERS OR SOMEONE TO ACCUSE THEY DO NOT EXIST. THIS IS WHY GOVERNMENTS ARE CORRUPT AND INEFFICIENT! THANK ABOUT HOW THESE PEOPLE WILL ADMINSITER HEALTH CARE! I AM SCARED SH_T__SS! DID OF THEM EVER COME TO YOUR HOUSE AND ARMED WITH A GUN AND INTIMIDATE AND INTERROGATE YOU AND DEMAND YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS? IT HAPPENED TO ME. AND BELIEVE ME FOLKS YOU AINT HEARD NOTHIN! YET!
Consider also that the equipment, like the “ergo-carts”, “insulated mats” “step ladders and stools”, etc…, as well as retro-fitting machines to enable the handicapped to work on the machines – which the postal officials ignore and refuse to do.
No one takes into account the height, physical statue or condition of the persons required to operate these machines and/or equipment. There is no testing of people to see if their physical bodies can do the work required or to adapt the work to fit the person.
Remember, as we grow older, our bodies change and we humans go through physical changes just being male and being female.
Not to mention is the terror, harassment, and intimidation that is often used by management as well as the backbiting and lying often done by fellow-employees on those who are ligitimately injured.
Finally, what about management who are injured. They are often offered comfortable “desk” jobs and many times out of sight of the main workroom floor or area.
How’s that for double standard!!!!!
Until you have walked a while in my mocassins, don’t judge me…
Granted the USPS is one of the few companies offering light (which I don’t totally understand) and limited duty (for the on-the-job injuries – that I do understand and whole heartedly agree should be offered).
But considered many positions are displaced/abolished and the jobs that many people did manually are now done by automation. According to the USPS Occupational Staff, the machines nor the equipment are not ergonomically corrected, neither are they user, age, gender or people friendly. Trying working in a sit down job for 5-35/40 years and then work on a machine like the APPS or DBCS….
And also consider that most often times the job given traps you into furthering your injuries (using repetitive motions on many rehab positions)…
As with anything, there are those who abuse the privilege, but the USPS does the most abuse and instead of using good business sense, works injured employees all hours of the day and night and will force an injured employee to accept it or quit.
Man the post office did me a favor with the reassessment..I have been injured for years..I worked in pain like most of you..and mostly because they always called me back well or not.. They would not allow me to stay on workers comp.. and the other reason was I had to pay bills..Man it is cruel the way they did it..walking people out like they stole something..Yea that was crap..But they could keep me on workers comp for awhile I need the break..And I hope to get all my injuries taken care of now..one after the other.. That will keep them paying me and owcp awhile..No matter what, I will not sweat this break I will enjoy it..and as for ven-da-gor and all the other employees who are happy we are gone..Don’t break your back doing all that extra hard work they took from the injured workers and gave to you..
Postal Management invented the NRP as a means to punish its injured employees. This is another in the many strategies to de-humanize the postal workforce. Supposedly intelligent people head Management positions that have them with their faces in computer screens, in officers without windows so that they don’t have to put blinders on, reducing people to mere numbers. The Management officials that continue to reduce people to Employee ID numbers and statistical data don’t even have a clue that when and if the USPS is privatized, they who have internally ruined the dedicated people that kept this business afloat for all these years, will be thrown out with the bath water.
Hi L_ assvergador it won’t be to long before the USPS open a can of kick ass on you .
You may not be hurt now but just wait until the postal go private. Oh by the way they already have you have no union. Anything can happen you may be cleaning floor loading trucks running a machine . Because sooner than later you will be a universal clerk you will be doing it all. So just wait the injuries will be coming your soon you jack ass. Good Luck with USPS
Hi L_ assvergador it won’t to long before the USPS open a can of kick ass on you .
You may not be hurt now but just wait until the postal go private. Oh by the way they already have you have no union. Anything can happen you may be cleaning floor loading trucks running a machine . Because sooner than later you will be a universal clerk you will be doing it all. So just wait the injuries will be coming your soon you jack ass. Good Luck with USPS
Hey L_vergador,
Hope you get hurt and become disabled with constant crippling pain also.
How can we have pain when you dont fill a thing? Am I correct, jerk.
My comment is based on L_vergador’s comment – I would strongly urge you to stay out of the kool-aid if you don’t know the flavor. I am a injured postal employee. I worked many 80 hour weeks and was very dedicated to the USPS before my injuries. Most postal employees have a will unlike many other people. I had used very little sick days before my injury . The postal service generally treates the labor force of the postal service like CRAP ( carriers, clerks, mail handlers) I was made to carry my route with a broken leg, 2 busted up knees, hips, ribs, back and elbow ! Not many OTHER company’s do that either.
Perhap’s L_vergador – If you actually knew anything about the USPS employees – you would know that if we are injured, we CANNOT sue the government.
My injuries changed my life for good. I was an active happy employee that actually smiled everyday upon entrance to the building. I played softball 3 times a week, and was a licensed cosmetologist that worked . I bowled 2 times a week, had an active part in raising 3 children that were not mine..I was also a union representative for my office ( in my spare time) Hey L_vergador IS THAT LAZY OR USELESS ? Sure would like to know what you do for a living ?
In further – L_vergador , I would suggest you learn more about subjects before making accusations.
I totally disagree with how the usps treat the employess. I worked as a casual for 4 yrs as a carrier. I was very dependable, hard worker and was determined to do my very best every day. I was always given the toughest routes and 2-3 splits daily all for $12 hr, no benefits. Not to mention my only off day was Sunday. I was injuried on the job & pulled a muscle in my pelvic area. I notified a supervisor & was told in so many words that I would be let go if I’m injuried. Needing my job to take care of my household I continued to work in pain.. my last year there I was sexually attacked when a coworker grabbed my breast while I was casing mail. This to was swept under the rug. I told my supervisor & they transferred out of the station & shortly after let me go. I was crushed. All of my hard work in vain. Usps pays the regular workers well to do nothing. Some of the regulars are just lazy. Its sad how they do ppl. I will never forget how I was treated.
L_vengador on Thu, 8th, thank you for affirming our contentions about coworker maltreatment, by sharing your feelings of indignant displeasure and persistent ill will toward our particular group of classified injured workers. Thanks again for your input.
need to know what happens after 2 years. dont want to loose job. triing hard to get better. I never thought it would happened to me. I was that tuff stuff and I could handle anything. So I thought. was very independant and never had to ask for help. I always thought neck and back injuries would be easy to overcome. Now I know what other with those injuries feel. please comment if you could.
I just hope you never get hurt. Us injured people do more work than you lazy regs that aren’t hurt!
They should fire all of them. There’s no other company in the country that has such program. Many of them are useless and are lazy good for nothing.