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Better Wages and Conditions Aside,
What Else Does the Union Offer?
(This article first appeared in the January/February 2004 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
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It covers more workers than any other labor contract in the United States. But the National Agreement isn't the only thing the American Postal Workers Union "negotiates" on behalf of its members. The union also works to guarantee you benefits through the Postal Service and other organizations - benefits that can help you deal with a myriad of problems that we hope you never have to face!
Every officer and steward should know about the following programs and be prepared to direct members to them. We are not just about the grievance procedure.
Postal Employees' Relief Fund
The Postal Employees' Relief Fund (PERF) is a tax-exempt charitable organization established to provide relief assistance to qualified postal employees who are victims of major natural disasters.
The fund was created in 1990 to help postal employees affected by Hurricane Hugo along the East Coast and the October 1989 earthquake in northern California. It was set up as a temporary measure, but a permanent process was soon established. To date, the fund has provided more than $5 million in assistance to postal employees affected by hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and wildfires.
PERF is overseen by the presidents of participating unions and management associations, together with the Postmaster General. These "Grantors of the Trust" appoint the Executive Committee, which directs the operations of the fund, including the certification of disasters. The administrators determine who is eligible for assistance, review requests for assistance, and authorize the grants for approved requests.
LifeCare
LifeCare was established by APWU-USPS negotiations to advise employees about finding and financing health and family services, including education. LifeCare provides around-the-clock information and referral on adoption, caring for aging loved ones, parenting, pet care, funeral planning, diet and nutrition, safety, senior health, nursery and pre-kindergarten choices, special education, and scholarships.
It also offers financial and legal advice on credit and debt, Medicare and Medicaid, retirement planning, insurance, Social Security, and real estate.
For more about any of these services call 800-873-4636 or visit www.lifecare.com.
Accident Benefit Association
The Accident Benefit Association (ABA) is a nonprofit, 100 percent-union fraternal benefit plan that has been paying benefits to union members for 103 years! The ABA has not increased its rates in more than 16 years, and unlike other plans, your rate does not change because of age, health, or your time of retirement.
The ABA pays a $24 per day benefit in its Advantage Plan, or $12 daily in the Value Plan, for as much as a full year. It also provides dismemberment benefits and an accidental death benefit of $10,000 (Advantage Plan) and $6,000 (Value Plan).
For more information, call or write to your American Postal Workers Accident Benefit Plan, PO Box 538, Portsmouth, NH 03802 or call 603-436-2217.
Disability or Life Insurance
The APWU was one of the first unions to create a benefits program designed specifically for its members.
In 1986, the APWU created a member-only benefit program, which provided affordable Life and Disability Insurance, Pre-Paid Group Legal Services, and hospitalization benefits directly to members.
On the strength of the APWU union membership alone, benefits were extremely affordable, and many have stayed at the very low costs of nearly 20 years ago.
Many benefits have been added through the years, including dental insurance, the Nifty Fifty and Basic Care programs, and an Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy. Benefits have been added for retirees, transitional employees, local unions, and, most recently, even private-sector employees who belong to the APWU.
For more information on what's available, contact the Voluntary Benefits Plan, PO Box 1471, Waterbury, CT 06721, or call: 800-422-4492; 800-237-5536 (Connecticut callers only); or 203-754-4410 (TDD). You can also visit www.voluntarybenefitsplan.com
Union Plus (It's Just That)
The APWU is one of many unions whose members take advantage of Union Plus programs offered through Union Privilege, which was established in 1986 by the AFL-CIO.
Perhaps the most well-known of its programs is the Union Plus credit card. Among its consumer-friendly features are a competitive interest rate, no annual fee, money-saving balance transfer offers, and complete online account management.
Also offered through Union Plus is an affordable Mortgage & Real Estate program that makes refinancing and home-buying easier and more affordable for working families. The program is offered through Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation, one of the nation's largest lenders, with phone consultation always available and branch offices seemingly everywhere. (For more on this new program, see Page 33.)
Scholarships
The APWU sponsors scholarships for the children and grandchildren of APWU members who attend academic colleges or accredited vocational schools. For more information on the E.C. Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship and vocational scholarships, click here or call the APWU Secretary-Treasurer's office at 202-842-4215.
The APWU also participates in the Union Plus Scholarship program. For more information, visit www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/scholarship.
Savings, Spending and More
The union also played a critical role in the creation of two valuable programs that provide retirement and health-care savings for postal and federal employees. For more information about the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), visit www.tsp.gov. To find out more about Flexible Spending Accounts, call the FSA Customer Service Center at 800-842-2026.
Locals throughout the country contribute to many charities. If you have a favorite, urge your union to support it!
ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE
VICE PRESIDENT
C.J. "Cliff" Guffey
Telephone: 202-842-4258
The second-highest-ranking officer in the American Postal Workers Union is the executive vice president. This officer is responsible for assisting the president with the administration of the union.
