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House Set to Vote on Postal Reform July 26
Union Urges Opposition to Amendment
To Limit Rights of Injured Workers

APWU Web News Article #32-05, July 25, 2005

With the House of Representatives expected to consider a postal reform bill on July 26, key congressmen anticipate that an amendment will be offered that would substantially reduce the benefits of injured postal workers. The APWU is asking its members to contact their representatives and urge them to vote against the amendment. “An amendment is being offered that would seriously impact employees who, through no fault of their own, are injured while performing their postal jobs,” said a union message.

When the House Government Reform Committee voted unanimously in April to submit the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (H.R. 22) to the full House for consideration, the bill contained no changes regarding injured workers. Key House sponsors of the legislation oppose the amendment.

If approved, the amendment would:

• Impose a three-day waiting period on injured postal workers before they would be eligible for Workers’ Compensation;
• Reduce the benefit for married employees from 75 percent to 66 and 2/3 percent of their pay, and
• Force injured workers from the rolls of the Office of Workers Compensation (OWCP) upon their eligibility for retirement.

If the amendment is adopted, postal workers would be the only federal employees subject to such regulations. The amendment is modeled on a recommendation of the President’s Commission on the U.S. Postal Service.

“Imposing these limitations on postal workers is unfair and inhumane — especially in light of the risks postal workers continue to face as they process and deliver America’s mail,” said APWU President William Burrus.

The Senate is not expected to consider its version of the bill (S. 662) until after Congress’ August recess. The Senate bill contains similar provisions restricting the rights of injured postal workers.

To phone your representative, call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

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