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Cliff 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:
Has the APWU considered trying to negotiate the “drop” program? I know a lot of state workers are doing this, and it saves that state a lot of money. I think it would help the Postal Service also.
Eligible employees would retire and continue to work for five years at the present rate of pay, less the benefits they collect from retirement.
Because our workforce requires so much training, this arrangement would benefit management. It also would allow workers to put their retirement money into savings, to build a nest egg for when they really retire five years later.
Dave, Palm Beach Area Local
President Burrus:
Thank you for your inquiry to Ask the President on the subject of re-employing retired employees. This is a subject I have been pursuing for several years.
In prior discussions, postal officials took the position that retired employees returning to employment would be required to suspend their annuity.
The union disagreed with management’s analysis, and recent legislation signed by President Obama clearly permits former employees to return to employment while receiving their annuity.
I have not pursued this issue since the legislation was signed, however, because of the drop in mail volume. Until volume stabilizes, I will not pursue returning former employees to work. When the workload rebounds, I will resume discussions about returning retired employees for part-time work.
In the meantime, I suggest that retired APWU members stay abreast of our activities on this issue by joining the APWU Retirees Department. Dues are only $3 per month or $36 per year, and members receive important information about a host of issues of importance to retired postal workers.
Nov. 5, 2009
