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An Introduction to Postal 650
Mediation Compliments of NAPS Central Region
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Postal 650

• Employee and Labor Relations Manual 650
• Non-Bargaining Unit Cases
• Proposed letters of warning
  in lieu of time-off
• Proposed Adverse Action

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What is 650?

• Part 650 of the Employee and Labor Relations
  Manual (ELM) includes mediation for letters of
  warning in lieu of time-off, suspensions and
  adverse actions.
• Mediation can only be selected by the employee.
• Supervisors and managers who issue or propose
  disciplinary action against a non-bargaining unit
  employee are required to participate in mediation.

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Types of Cases

• Notice of discharge for improper conduct AWOL,
  harassment, fighting, credit card abuse, internet
  abuse, etc.
• Letters of discipline may arise from conduct or
  from failure to carry out postal responsibilities
  (e.g. leaving mail on the dock, not arriving on
  time).

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Once a mediation is scheduled

• Postal coordinator provides information packet to
  mediator.
• Packet includes letter on mediation, copy of
  discipline, mediator checklist all necessary
  forms.
• Mediator may contact parties if he/she so
  determines in advance or at the meeting.
• The parties determine who, if anyone, will
  accompany them to the mediation.

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At the Mediation Session

• Both parties must sign Agreement to Mediate at
  start of session.
• If resolved, agreement completed and signed by
  parties.
• If no resolution mediator signs and dates no
  agreement letter.
• If no agreement appellant has 10 days to file
  response to USPS mediator must give this form
  to appellant at end of session.
• There is an evaluation form to be filled out by
  parties and sent back to the coordinator by the
  mediator.

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At the conclusion of the Mediation

• Mediators must submit Agreement to Mediate,
  disposition form, and invoice to USPS
  coordinator.
• Copies of invoice retained by mediator and
  submitted to Regional or National Office (NOTE
  475 per mediation, 250 for cancellation less
  than 72 hours).
• Mediators - relate to their FMCS Directors of
  Mediation Services any observations to root
  causes of problems or abuses of mediation process
  or failure to participate in good faith for
  possible additional actions.
• All other mediator notes and records destroyed by
  mediator.

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FMCS Expectations

• Strong effort by mediators to resolve cases.
• Make best effort to accommodate scheduling.
  (try to schedule mediation within 14 days, and no
  later than 21 days if at all possible).
• Keep Directors of Mediation Services at FMCS
  informed.
• In many ways, these cases are like grievance
  mediation, with the same expectations.

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Common Problems Observed

• Late cancellations or no shows by USPS and/or
  complainant.
• Authority to settle not always in evidence.
• Understanding of process by participants may not
  always sufficient.
• No flexibility in time frame USPS expects
  mediation session to be completed in one meeting.
• Preconceived settlements set in stone.
• USPS coordinator may not be available if problems
  occur.

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PEOPLE

• Acknowledge Emotions without Blaming.
• Distinguish Perceptions from Truth.
• Look at how they see it Put yourself in their
  shoes.
• Speak for yourself Use I, AVOID YOU
• Listen Actively.

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FIVE BARRIERS TO COOPERATION

• Your Reaction.
• Their Emotion.
• Their Position.
• Their Dissatisfaction.
• Their Power.

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FOCUS DONT REACT

• Step back, collect your wits, and see the
  situation objectively.
• Dont try to control the other persons behavior,
  control your own.
• Dont get mad, Dont get even, Get what you need.

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STEP TO THEIR SIDEDONT ARGUE

• Listen Actively.
• Acknowledge Their Point.
• Acknowledge Their Feelings.
• Acknowledge Their Authority Competence.
• Acknowledge Your Differences with Optimism.

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REFRAMEDONT REJECT

• Ask problem solving questions.
• Ask Why? Ask Why Not?
• Ask for their Advise.
• Change the game from Positional Bargaining to
  Joint Problem solving.

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BUILD A GOLDEN BRIDGEDONT PUSH

• Actively involve them in devising the solution.
• Help them save face.
• Help them write their victory speech.

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USE POWER TO EDUCATE

• Let them know the consequences.
• Keep implementation in mind.
• Aim for mutual satisfaction, not victory.

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ALTERNATIVES

• Know your alternatives.
• Improve your alternatives.
• Consider the other sides alternatives.
• Educate the other side of your alternatives.

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CLOSURE

• Begins before you sit down at the table.
• Dont commit until the end.
• Create emotional commitment.

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TOP 10 TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A MEDIATOR

• 10. Work with the mediator, dont compromise the
  mediators credibility or acceptability.
• 9. Dont renege on agreements.
• 8. Come willing to reach an
  agreement.

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TOP 10 TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A MEDIATOR

• 7. Be open to persuasion or correction by facts
  or principles.
• 6. Dont withhold critical information from the
  mediator.

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TOP 10 TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A MEDIATOR

• 5. Dont misuse mediation as a means to get
  something else, e.g. hidden agendas, delay,
  information gathering.
• 4. Negotiate in good faith.

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TOP 10 TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A MEDIATOR

• 3. Come to a mediation with authority to settle
  the issues.
• 2. Have the right players at the table who can
  provide information.
• 1. Come to mediation prepared do your homework.

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• Thank You!
• Questions?