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Hurricane Relief
‘Katrina’ Evacuees Encouraged to Vote April 22
(04/05/06) Citizens from New Orleans will have a chance to vote April 22 in the first election since Hurricane Katrina devastated much of the Gulf Coast. “The APWU is encouraging displaced citizens to vote in the primary, as well as the general election next month, for offices such as mayor, city council and chief of police,” said union President William Burrus. [read more]
Agreement Reached on Displaced ‘Katrina’ Employees
(03/03/06) The APWU and the Postal Service have reached an agreement that allows Katrina-impacted employees to elect to remain in their current assignments. The agreement amends a Feb. 8 management letter to displaced postal workers that instructed, “if you are working in an installation other than your home office, you must report to your installation immediately.” [read more]
After the Aftermath
In the Wake of Katrina
(03/01/06) Over the last few days of August 2005, the lives of millions of Americans were changed throughout Florida and along the Gulf Coast. More than 6,000 postal employees were among those affected by Hurricane Katrina, including approximately 2,100 APWU-represented workers. By the time everyone was accounted for, these 2,000-plus employees were scattered across 23 different states. [read more]
Updates for ‘Katrina’ Employees
Hundreds of APWU members were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall on the Gulf Coast in late August. President William Burrus visited employees at postal facilities in Texas and Louisiana last fall and gave updates on agreements with the Postal Service on personnel actions such as voluntary and involuntary transfers.
“I spoke with the USPS almost every day about such things as transfer requests and relocation expenses,” Burrus said. “By and large, the National agreement was a good foundation for these negotiations and served the membership well.” The APWU continues to urge union members to make contributions to the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF), which benefits active and retired postal workers who have suffered significant property loss or damage from natural disasters. The union has established an electronic forum (www.apwukatrinaforum.org) through which news and comments can be exchanged by, about, and among ‘Katrina’ employees. (This report first appeared in the Jan./Feb. issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.) |
Holiday-Timed Relief
For 'Katrina' Families
(12/22/05) APWU’s “Adopt-A-Family” and the union auxiliary’s “Member-to-Member Gift Card Program” have brought the spirit of the holidays to the families of more than 140 APWU members devastated by Hurricane Katrina. [read more]
USPS to Offer Early Retirement
To Katrina-Impacted Employees
(12/15/05) The APWU has been notified that the USPS has received authorization to offer Voluntary Early Retirement to all career employees in the Louisiana and Mississippi Districts. [read more]
APWU Creates ‘Message Board’
For Katrina-Impacted Members
(11/09/05) The APWU has established a new communication feature for union members impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The APWU Katrina Forum is an electronic message board where Katrina employees can locate co-workers; tell friends where they are and how they are doing, and share news and comments about their post-hurricane work lives. [read more]
Nov. 18 Is New ‘Katrina’
Transfer-Request Deadline
(11/09/05) The APWU and USPS have agreed to extend important deadlines for employees
affected by Hurricane Katrina: The new deadline for submitting requests for
voluntary transfers is Nov. 18; personnel actions resulting from those requests
must be processed (i.e. approved or denied) no later than Nov. 26.
[read more]
Question:
(11/08/05 — Submitted to "Ask the President") If there are no residual vacancies in my installation, can a person requesting to voluntarily come to the installation under the Katrina Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) be assigned as an unencumbered employee?
Also, will there be a waiting period (180 days) for an employee who transfers to an installation under the Katrina MOU before he/she may bid on a vacant or newly established duty assignment?
Katrina Employees May Request Transfers Until November 18
(11/01/05) The union and management have agreed to postpone important deadlines for employees who were affected by Hurricane Katrina: The deadline for submitting requests for voluntary transfers has been extended to Nov. 18; personnel actions resulting from those requests must be processed no later than Nov. 26. On Oct. 26, the parties agreed to grant relocation expenses to employees who request voluntary transfer. [read more]
APWU, USPS Extend Deadlines
For Katrina-Impacted Employees
(10/28/05) The union and management have agreed to extend two important deadlines for employees who were affected by Hurricane Katrina: The deadline for submitting requests for voluntary transfers has been extended to Nov. 11; personnel actions resulting from those requests must be processed (i.e. approved or denied) no later than Nov. 26. On Oct. 26, the parties agreed to grant relocation expenses to employees who request voluntary transfer. [read more]
Union, Management Create Form
For Katrina-Related Disputes
(10/28/05) The APWU and USPS have agreed that disputes arising from Hurricane Katrina should be recorded using an Administrative Dispute Resolution form. [read more]
‘Katrina’ Employees
Who Transfer Voluntarily
To Get Relocation Expenses
(10/26/05) Employees affected by Hurricane Katrina who request voluntary transfers will be eligible to receive the same relocation expenses as those granted to employees who are involuntarily reassigned. The new policy is the result of an Oct. 26 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the APWU and USPS. [read more]
Housing Program Gets Underway
(10/11/05) The Southern Region Coordinator’s office has begun implementing the “Members Housing Members” project for APWU brothers and sisters who are victims of Hurricane Katrina. APWU members who are able to accommodate fellow union members, as well as those who are seeking housing, are asked to call 281-405-8559; 281-405-8858, or 281-405-9206. [read more]
Vacancies for Katrina-Impacted Employees Seeking Transfers
(10/07/05 - updated 11/7/05) The APWU has been provided with lists of residual vacancies that may be available to employees displaced by Hurricane Katrina. [read more]
APWU, USPS Finalize 'Q&A' Addressing Issues Raised by Hurricane Katrina
(10/07/05) The APWU and USPS have finalized a set of Questions & Answers addressing issues raised by the Sept. 27 Memorandum of Understanding on procedures for assigning employees impacted by Hurricane Katrina. [read more]
APWU, USPS, Reach Agreement On Workers Displaced by Katrina
(09/28/05) The APWU and USPS have reached an agreement on procedures for assigning employees impacted by Hurricane Katrina, union President William Burrus has announced. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Burrus and the USPS Vice President for Labor Relations on Sept. 27. It provides for:
GOP Group Seeks Cuts In Federal Retiree Benefits To Fund Hurricane Relief
(09/26/05) A group of Republican lawmakers called for cuts to federal retirees' benefits to offset the cost of recovery from Hurricane Katrina, as well as cuts in programs that serve the poor. Retiree organizations, unions, and mainstream Republicans denounced the proposals. [read more]
Katrina Update:
APWU Donates $60,000 to
Postal Employees Relief Fund
(09/21/05) The APWU National Executive Board approved a $60,000 contribution to the Postal Employees Relief Fund (PERF), union President William Burrus has announced. “We are pleased to make this donation on behalf of our members, who have responded to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation with an outpouring of offers of support.” [read more]
Red Cross Shelters Serving Katrina Victims
(09/09/05) The APWU has acquired a list of Red Cross shelters that are providing relief to Hurricane Katrina victims and that may be housing postal employees and their families — the information is by no means complete, and it is likely to change frequently. APWU members and local and state organizations eager to assist Katrina victims are encouraged to call or visit a site to volunteer or to learn of a shelter’s needs. [read more]
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APWU member Audrey Grimes, a Baton Rouge P&DC Distribution Clerk, sorts New Orleans Social Security checks destined for customer pickup in La Place, LA. |
Reaching Out to Postal Workers,
Other Hurricane Katrina Victims
(09/08/05) APWU members are joining together to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, which included thousands of postal workers and their families. The APWU is urging union members to make contributions to the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF), a charitable organization established by postal unions, management associations, and the USPS. The need will be great: Approximately 6,000 postal employees lived in areas affected by the hurricane. [read more]
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APWU member Tim Garrett, a Gulfport, MS, P&DC Priority Distribution Clerk, volunteered to help coordinate and distribute food, water and other basic necessities to employees in need of supplies. |
Hurricane Katrina News
(09/08/05) As the first postal payday following the hurricane arrives, affected employees who do not have direct deposit are advised that they can pick up their paychecks at the Baton Rouge P&DC located at 8101 BlueBonnet Boulevard. Photo identification will be required. Employees who are not in the area should telephone 225-763-3650 to make arrangements to have their checks forwarded to them. [read more]
Hurricane Katrina News
(09/02/05) Postal workers from areas affected by Hurricane Katrina are being asked to contact the USPS or APWU. Employees may contact the USPS at 1-877-477-3273 (TTY: 1-866-833-8777). APWU members may call the Southern Region office at 281-447-5103. Postal and union officials are trying to establish the whereabouts of employees and to determine the level of emergency need. [read more]
Hurricane Katrina Update
(09/01/05) Postal workers from areas affected by Hurricane Katrina are being asked to contact the USPS or APWU. Employees may contact any nearby postal personnel office or postal facility. APWU members may call the Southern Region office at 281-447-5103. Postal and union officials are trying to establish the whereabouts of employees and to determine the level of emergency need. [read more]
Hurricane Katrina: Contact Information
(08/30/05) A special phone number has been established for postal workers affected by Hurricane Katrina to find out where and when to report to work, Southern Region Coordinator Frankie Sanders has announced. There is also a special contact number for employees who are unable to work. To inquire when and where to report to work: 1-888-363-7462. (Employees will have to provide the first three digits of their office zip code.) To notify management of inability to work: 1-877-477-3273. (TTY: 1-866-833-8777.)
[read more]
