http://www.apwu.org/index2.htm The latest news from the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO en Thu, 16 May 2013 11:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-062-retincentivepymnt-130516.htm (05/16/13) APWU President Cliff Guffey is congratulating APWU retirees and other former employees who will soon receive the first installment of the $15,000 incentive the APWU negotiated last year. The first payment of $10,000 (minus applicable taxes and withholdings) will be available on May 24, 2013. The second installment of $5,000 will be paid on May 23, 2014. "We hope our newest retirees are enjoying their new lives," Guffey said. "We're sure they will enjoy the incentive." Thu, 16 May 2013 11:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-062-retincentivepymnt-130516.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-061-ricin-spokanel-130515.htm ((05/15/13) Preliminary lab tests indicated the presence of ricin on two suspicious letters in Spokane WA, the Postal Service told the APWU on May 15. The letters are being analyzed and tested further for hazardous material, according to a Mandatory Stand-Up Talk management presented to workers. Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-061-ricin-spokanel-130515.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-060-oam-stl-130515.htm (05/15/13) Approximately 250 APWU retirees celebrated Older Americans Month in St. Louis on May 10. "Our retirees were not only happy to begin a new chapter of their lives, they were also fired up and ready to stop post office closings, protect service standards, and support legislation that would stop cuts to seniors' benefits," said Retirees Director Judy Beard. Wed, 15 May 2013 11:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-060-oam-stl-130515.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-059-ara-130513.htm (05/14/13) APWU President Cliff Guffey asked leaders of the Alliance for Retired Americans to encourage members of Congress to support the Postal Service Protection Act (S. 316 in the Senate and H.R. 630 in the House) when they met with U.S. senators and representatives on May 10. Tue, 14 May 2013 11:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-059-ara-130513.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-058-mykereidretires-130513.htm (05/13/13) Myke Reid retired effective May 13, ending an illustrious career as the APWU's Legislative and Political Director. "Postal reform remains an unfinished agenda item," Reid said. "I will continue to do whatever I can to help the APWU achieve postal reform that makes sense." The union's National Executive Board unanimously approved Maintenance Craft Assistant Director "A" Gary Kloepfer to replace Reid. "Gary has been a very effective advocate for the Maintenance Craft," said APWU President Cliff Guffey. "I am pleased that he has accepted this important assignment." Mon, 13 May 2013 16:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-058-mykereidretires-130513.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/nsb/2013/nsb05-130506-petition.htm (05/06/13) The APWU is asking union members and supporters to sign an online petition urging the White House to Save the Postal Service and Save American Jobs by supporting the Postal Service Protection Act (H.R. 630 in the House and S. 316 in the Senate). The We the People petition must garner 100,000 signers by May 24 to generate a response from the White House. We still need more than 80,000 additional signatures! Tue, 07 May 2013 12:10:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/nsb/2013/nsb05-130506-petition.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-057-afghanistan-nishizuka-130507.htm (05/07/13) The War in Afghanistan touched the APWU family on April 27, when Capt. Reid K. Nishizuka, 30, was killed in a plane crash near the Kandahar Airfield. Capt. Nishizuka, of Kailua, HI, was the son of Norene Nishizuka, who is a Clerk in Henderson, NV. She is a member of the Las Vegas Area Local. Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-057-afghanistan-nishizuka-130507.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-056-psps-cosponsors-130502.htm (05/02/13) In the past week, eight more members of the U.S. House of Representatives became co-sponsors of the Postal Service Protection Act (H.R. 630), a bill that would help solve the USPS financial crisis without hurting workers or mail service. Thu, 02 May 2013 16:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2013/13-056-psps-cosponsors-130502.htm