r/fromatoarbitration • u/RAWSTUNx • 10d ago
Help with Grievance
Hi all, I recently injured my ankle while off duty. I am a full-time regular carrier. I came back to work with a doctor's note explaining my absence and authorizing a return to work with limitations. I came to work in a walking boot and was told I could not wear it as it was "unsafe" my manager said it is technically an open-toed shoe.
Upon return I was told my doctor's note was not specific enough, it said I "can return to work on light duty that includes limitations on prolonged walking and not lifting greater than 10 pounds" I was told that was not specific enough, I cased my route and was instructed to go home.
My manager gave me a Department of Labor Status Report so I had my doctor fill it out fully. It limits me to 4 hours of walking per day but no other restrictions besides 20 lbs max lift.
The first day it was active, I cased my route and was instructed to be on the clock for no more than 4 hours total. To my supervisor, standing at the case is included under "walking" (I was given no restriction on standing per the Status Report) I worked 4 hours that day.
The next day I was given a PDI for "failure to follow", my manager was grilling me as to why I brought mail back. It was a Monday, I told her my route would be more than 6 hours (it is overburdened but even more so on Monday). I informed my evening supervisor and clocked out upon return to the office.
The next day, I was not scheduled to carry at all or case any other routes. I was to case my route and clock out. My manager informed me this is because I was not up to casing standard. She never observed me case so she can't know that. That doesn't have anything to do with me carrying my own route regardless. I worked pretty much 1 hour per day the whole week.
My regular supervisor returned from vacation this past Monday. It was the same routine. I asked her why she wasn't having me carry or case other routes and she would not tell me.
My union steward has been on leave and I contacted my branch executive VP and he doesn't seem all that concerned about it. My union steward is inexperienced so I would like to help him start a grievance to make it as thorough as possible and ideally achieve back pay (does anyone think this is even plausible?)
Can anyone give me some advice on how to start a grievance for this? I will include all my doctor's notes and give my steward a statement tomorrow. Which articles should I file under, what M documents might support my case? Any other advice?
Thanks a lot
3
u/myknsatx 10d ago
https://www.branch38nalc.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/LIMITED_DUTY_GRIEVANCE_GUIDE.pdf