July 4 Independence Day with New Holiday Leave Provisions

All across America people will be celebrating this country's birthday in many different ways. What ever you are doing on this day whether it's just relaxing and enjoying the day off or back yard barbecuing, lets all give some thought to the brave men that fought for our freedom many years ago, hang that flag that you have tucked away, watch it fly and rejoice that we really are "Land of the Free".

I'm not sure what my plans will be this 4th. Maybe spend it with some old high school friends, or maybe just grab a bucket of fried chicken from Earl Abels and watch the fireworks at nearby Fort Sam. What ever it is you do I hope you have a glorious day doing it.

The Other Big Day

July 4,1776! That's the big American day...the date that a Declaration of Independence was adopted, and because of it, names like Jefferson and Hancock are easily remembered.

But what about farmer Caesar Rodney and July 2, 1776, you ask?

That was the day when the Continental Congress met to try to break a deadlock in voting. The day before, July 1st, a preliminary vote to break with the mother country showed nine colonies in favor, two opposed, one abstaining, and one deadlocked.

By July 2nd, the two opponents had come over for independence, as had the abstainer. That left one remaining questionable state, Delaware...a very important vote, if you will. For, the members of congress believed that unanimous approval was essential to break something as important as a 169-year-old political tie.

Thus, on July 2nd, Delaware's third delegate, Caesar Rodney, after an all-night ride, entered the State House on Walnut Street in Philadelphia.

"The thunder and rain delayed me" he explained, matter-of-factly. Then he reported Delaware's support for independence.

Though it was years in coming, independence was settled that day. Thirteen states declared they ought to be free and independent.

July 4th was then inevitable. And, it had to happen, just as it did, because of July 2nd and a farmer named Caesar Rodney.

in Effect for Independence Day

In accordance with the Goldberg Interest Arbitration Award, effective Feb. 2, 2002, eligible full-time and part-time regular employees may elect to receive up to eight hours of annual leave in lieu of holiday leave pay. Employees can exercise this option starting with the Presidents’ Day holiday, Feb. 18, 2002.

The new Article 11 contract provisions give eligible APWU full-time and part-time regular employees an option to receive holiday leave pay or annual leave if the employee works any part of their holiday or designated holiday. This option applies whether the employee is required to work or volunteers to work the holiday or designated holiday.

To be eligible for holiday pay, an employee must be in a pay status the last hour of the employee’s scheduled workday prior to the holiday or the first hour of the employee’s scheduled workday after the holiday. Management is not permitted to disapprove properly submitted requests to receive annual leave in lieu of holiday leave pay.

The option to elect annual leave in lieu of holiday leave is available only to employees who work at least some part of their holiday or designated holiday.

If an employee elects to be credited with annual leave in lieu of holiday leave pay and requests to work only part of the holiday or designated holiday, the employee must request some type of leave (i.e., annual, sick, LWOP) for the remainder of that day, as with any other workday. If the employee works a partial holiday because management requires it, the employee is to be paid guaranteed time for the remainder of the day.

Part-time regulars (PTRs) who elect annual leave in lieu of holiday leave pay are entitled to an amount of annual leave equal to their regular work schedule, not to exceed eight hours. For example, a PTR who is normally scheduled six hours per day would be entitled to six hours of holiday leave pay. Therefore, if otherwise eligible, the employee may elect to convert that holiday leave pay to six hours of annual leave.

Administration

Employees must use the current Form 3971 to notify management of their intent to elect annual leave in lieu of holiday leave pay, pending modification of the PS Form 3971. Employees should check the block labeled “Other” under “Type of Absence” and write, “Elect Annual Leave in lieu of Holiday Leave (holiday name, i.e. President’s Day)” in the “Remarks” section. The Form 3971 must be submitted to the supervisor no later than the end of the employee’s holiday or designated holiday.

The employee’s request (Form 3971) must be signed and dated by the supervisor, who will keep the original for record-keeping purposes. The employee must be provided with a copy. Until payroll system changes are completed, the annual leave hours will not appear on employees’ annual leave balances. However, the leave is available for use the pay period following the holiday, subject to normal leave approval procedures.

Employees annual leave balances will be updated as soon as the payroll systems have been modified. Once payroll system changes are completed, annual leave in lieu of holiday leave pay will show up in employees’ annual leave balances the pay period following the holiday. Because deferred holiday leave is combined with other annual leave, it becomes subject to loss if the employee has more than the maximum leave carryover at the end of the leave year.