Is The OIG Issuing "Tickets"?

It is apparent the OIG is issuing "tickets" in some parts of the country to postal employees. The clerk craft is aware of three instances of tickets being issued as follows:

After the APWU won a removal case at Palatine, IL, the OIG issued a $125 ticket to the union steward for allegedly lying at the hearing. The APWU law firm represented the steward in the matter and before she was scheduled to appear before the Federal Magistrate Judge, the U.S. Attorney dismissed the charges.

Also at Palatine, IL, a clerk was alleged to have been selling bootleg DVDs and CDs at work. The OIG gave the employee a $50 ticket, which he paid. I understand a removal is now in the works. The local was advised against filing an Article 28 case as this is not a demand for money. It is a citation and an associated fine.

An employee in Hawthorne, CA was issued a ticket for allegedly selling bootleg DVDs. 

We wanted to make you aware of this since it looks like it may be spreading. Obviously the union should intervene to represent our employees in cases similar to the first one. The grievance procedure; however, is not the appropriate venue in the APWU's opinion. Since these "tickets" would have to go in front of a Federal Magistrate, there is serious doubt that an arbitrator would consider them substantively arbitrable.

Please advise the NBA Office if you are aware of any of these tickets being issued in our area. 

Russ Bugary, NBA, Clerk Craft, APWU

NOTE: PEN cannot confirm the validity of the above information at this time.