SIMI VALLEY : Letter Carriers to Picket Post Office

Retired Simi Valley postal workers as well as family and friends of current employees will participate in a demonstration today to protest what union officials said are unfair labor practices at the post office.

Jon Gaunce, president of the National Assn. of Letter Carriers local, said the union has filed about 600 grievances against the management of the post office during the past 18 months. Many of the complaints, he said, center around harassment and unfair disciplinary actions against employees. About half of the office’s 185 employees belong to the union.

“We’re trying to stop harassment and abuse,” Gaunce said. “There’s a major problem in Simi Valley . . . and we’re trying to bring it to the public’s attention.”

Gaunce accused Postmaster Steven Gerstl of being anti-union and of singling out for discipline workers who file grievances against his office.

Gerstl denied Gaunce’s accusations. He said the union is upset primarily because of disciplinary action taken against some employees.

Gaunce said that an informational picket, organized by the union, will take place between 9 a.m. and noon today in front of the post office on the 2500 block of Galena Avenue.

Gaunce said only postal employees who have the day off will participate, because a clause in the union’s contract prohibits workers from holding a strike. He said retired postal workers, along with friends and family members of employees, will also participate.