11/05/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
By Retirees Department Director Nancy Olumekor
There is still work we must do to protect our federal pension, benefits and the Postal Service on behalf of retirees. The Social Security Fairness Act (HR.1205 and S.915), along with the Social Security Expansion Act (S.427) are needed legislation. There are still millions of Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuitants watching and waiting for Congress to pass legislation to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WPO) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) in order to provide us with a fair return on our investment in the Social Security system.
11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
By Western Regional Coordinator Omar Gonzalez
33,400+ employees are absent daily claims management, triggering their Attendance Control Employee Availability (AC/EA) crackdown while they impose so-called “Dynamic Scheduling.”
Leave rules in CBA Article 10 and the Employee & Labor Relations Manual (ELM) Chapter 510 have existed for 40 years. ACEA can’t change those rules. ELM 665.11 requires you to be regular in attendance. However, ELM 511.1 requires management to administer leave on an equitable basis for all employees considering a) the needs of the service b) the welfare of the individual employee.
Too often management imposes discipline using select rules and dictates, such as, three (3) absences in 90 days requires discipline. This dictate violates the contract. “It is the supervisor’s review of the attendance record in light of all relevant evidence, NOT any set number of absences that determines whether corrective action is warranted.” [Article 10.1; 10.2 JCIM].
11/02/2018 - (This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
By Legislative & Political Department Director Judy Beard
With a new congressional session coming up, our fight is not over. We must continue to be aware of postal issues and have discussions with coworkers, community leaders, family and friends to support a progressive, working class agenda during the lame duck session.
06/21/2018 - The White House proposal on restructuring the federal government released today, “Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century,” delivered nothing but misinformation and, if implemented, would end regular mail and package services at an affordable cost to 157 million addresses every day. Furthermore, the White House plan is an attack on many federal agencies and the public services they provide.
Eliminating the universal service obligation, as the plan suggests, would hurt business and individuals alike, and would be a dagger aimed at the heart of rural America and undermine e-commerce.
06/08/2018 - APWU met with the White House Task Force on the Postal Service on Tuesday, June 6 and presented a series of recommendations and supporting materials on how the USPS could improve services, become more financially stable, and continue to remain a treasured public institution offering universal service to all citizens, regardless of where they live or work.
05/01/2018 - (This article first appeared in the May-June 2018 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)
By Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard
The AFL-CIO Convention last October called for a break with the politics of the “lesser of two evils” that currently dominate U.S. elections. The 2018 mid-term election is an opportunity to implement these words and focus around important issues, directed by APWU National Convention actions and principles of our APWU Constitution.
03/28/2018 - Past APWU President Moe Biller and Steve Lord
The following is a reprint of a column by APWU of Wisconsin President Steve Lord that ran in the November-December 2017 issue of The Badger Bulletin. So, I haven’t changed my mind about retiring. I only have 50 days left at the USPS and a few months as State President but, I have changed my mind about a few other things. One of the things I have changed my mind about is term limits for our elected U.S. representatives.
03/28/2018 - Nina Turner speaking at the 23rd Biennial National
Convention on Aug. 22, 2016 in Orlando, FL
Our Revolution formed in the wake of Senator Bernie Sanders’ ground-breaking presidential campaign. The American Postal Worker spoke with its President, former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner about the organization’s future goals. Q: What is Our Revolution?
A: “Our Revolution is an organization that is building progressive, grassroots movements all across the country, in a way that reminds people that the political power is in our hands. In order to create a strong democracy, people have to be engaged.
03/01/2018 - (This article first appeared in the March-April 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
By Retirees Director Nancy Olumekor
Changes in physical and mental abilities that may occur with age can be difficult to detect. Any one of the following behaviors may indicate the need to take action. It is also important to inform their physician of these physical or psychological behavior changes.*
03/01/2018 - (This article first appeared in the March-April 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
By Human Relations Director Sue Carney
Working together from now until Election Day is a must if we are going to advance and protect our voting rights. Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy – and democracy is diminished every time we cannot get to the polls. It is weakened when we cannot afford or obtain documents required by the state to prove citizenship in order to be issued an acceptable form of identification needed to vote.
