Robert L. Stephens v. Postmaster General, United States of America and American Postal Workers Union, Afl-Cio

Plaintiff Robert Stephens was removed from his position in the Postal Service. 1 As a veterans’ preference eligible employee, Stephens could appeal his discharge to the Civil Service Commission (“CSC”) or through the grievance procedures provided him as a bargaining unit employee. Stephens initially appealed his removal through the grievance and arbitration procedures. Before the case was arbitrated, however, and more than seven weeks after he received notice of his removal, he appealed to the CSC. This appeal was rejected as not timely filed. The CSC noted that Stephens had received notice…