http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/ The latest news from the APWU Industrial Relations Department en Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:03 GMT Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:03 GMT (11/18/09) In October, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) rose to 630.140, still well below the July 2008 index of 644.303 (upon which the last COLA increase was based). The CPI-W must rise above 644.303 before another COLA is due. After the third month of the six-month measuring period, and assuming the next COLA were based on the October CPI-W, the 7th COLA under the 2006 National Agreement and the Operating Services Agreement would be zero. However, the 7th COLA will be based on the Janary 2010 CPI-W index and will be effective March 13, 2010 (pay period 07-10, pay date April 2, 2010). http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/irpayinfo.htm Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/irpayinfo.htm (11/18/09) In a recent National Association of Letter Carriers' (NALC) national arbitration award, Arbitrator Shyam Das ruled that "[t]he provision in Article 12.5.C.5.a (2) for 'separation of all casuals' applies to casuals in the affected or losing craft, and not to casuals in other crafts." (USPS # Q94N-4Q-C 99052344, 11/11/2009) This case arose after the NALC initiated a grievance regarding the meaning of the term "all casuals" in Article 12.5.C.5.a.(2) of the 1994-1998 National Agreement. The APWU and the Mail Handlers Union intervened in this case since our contracts contain the same provision. http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/index.htm#125C5 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT http://www.apwu.org/dept/ind-rel/index.htm#125C5