Labor-Management Relations at the Fargo, North Dakota, Post Office

Allegations were made by employees of unfair promotion practices and employee harassment at the Fargo, North Dakota, Post Office. An investigation of the allegations about promotion practices revealed that management did not always follow proper procedures, but because of the subjective nature of judging applicants and incomplete documentation, it was difficult to determine whether the best qualified candidates were selected. Fargo employees had some success in competing for positions against employees from other installations. In response to allegations about harassment, the following were determined: practices by management for investigating sick leave were in accordance with a directive aimed at reducing sick leave use--there was one instance of imprudent action by postal supervisors; the post office complied with regulations regarding the granting of military leave, but three incidents led to the impression that employees were harassed for belonging to reserve military units; and views of postal management and employees differed about alleged harassment of five former employees which led to their early retirement.