Medical Separations. What you need to know.

Recently, Management has been going after carriers who are on the rolls of OWCP, for over a year. Management is claiming that these carriers have reached Maximum Medical Improvement. (MMI) This means that the carrier has reached the point that they will no longer be able to improve their condition enough to come back to work and perform any of their duties. First you need to know that you have the right to grieve this action from management. You have to understand that when you are separated under this process, you are no longer on the rolls of the USPS. Management does not explain this to you properly. They tell you, “don’t worry, if you improve in the future we will take you back.”  Just understand, there is nothing that contractually requires them to take you back. This is where a carrier can get hurt. There are carriers who can take advantage of the option to retire on disability separation. However, some carriers are not at the age/years of service to benefit from this option. Before separating an employee, management must perform several steps. This includes sending you for a fitness duty, and working with the district manager to ensure the employee is truly incapable of ever returning. If you receive this letter, the USPS will request you attend retirement counseling. You should take the counseling. It doesn’t mean you agree with anything. If anything, it will explain to you your full benefits when choosing disability retirement. Finally, when you do get separated from the USPS, you have the option of staying in the union. You must stay in the union to get the support you need to help you with your OWCP case. That will require you to contact the branch so we can get the National Union to add you back in as a Union member. Any further help you need with this call us at Branch office. You will need help sorting through all this.