Printer-Friendly Page
President
Home
Departments & Divisions
President Ask
the President Rehiring Postal Retirees Part-Time
Home
Departments & Divisions
President Ask
the President Rehiring Postal Retirees Part-Time
Departments & Divisions
President Ask
the President Rehiring Postal Retirees Part-TimeCliff Guffey,
President |
Below is a response by former APWU President William Burrus to a question posed online by a union member. Other questions cover a wide range of topics, from contract enforcement to union governance.
Question:
Please give us an update on rehiring postal retirees on a part-time basis. Is this a dead issue?
Arthur, Retiree, New York Postal Workers Union
President Burrus:
Thank you for your inquiry about the union’s efforts to re-employ retirees.
There have not been any recent discussions on this subject. The problem is that USPS attorneys interpret federal law as requiring the suspension of annuities during the period a retiree is re-employed. The union attorneys have offered a means of avoiding this requirement, but we have been unable to convince management of our position.
Legislation has been introduced to permit government annuitants to return to work on a limited basis without forfeiting their annuities, but other government unions object because they do not have the contractual protections against the use of supplemental employees.
I intend to continue to pursue this issue, but have been consumed recently by other pressing issues, including retirement incentives, legislation that will permit the Postal Service to remain financially solvent, and other important matters.
When I am able to take a breath and turn my attention to other topics, including the 10-4 work week and the re-employment of retirees, I intend to engage in further discussions on these issues.
Thank you for your membership in the APWU Retirees Department.
Sept. 28, 2009
