01/17/2019 - (This article first appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

01/16/2019 - (This article first appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

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. 

10/04/2018 - (This article first appeared in the September/October 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Legislative & Political Department Director Judy Beard 

The 2018 Midterm elections are quickly approaching! On Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, one-third of the U.S. Senate, every U.S. House Representative, dozens of governorships, and countless local and state positions are in play. These candidates want our vote. Before you head to the polls, find out where these candidates stand on preventing the privatization, in part or in full, of the United States Postal Service.

Privatization means ending our publicly owned and operated Postal Service to be replaced by private corporate interests. It means ending our jobs that pay a living wage and jeopardizing our hard-earned retirement and healthcare.

To see if your representative supports House Resolution 993, (which calls for Congress to ensure that the USPS is “not subject to privatization,” go to tiny.cc/993. We have more than 190 sponsors so far, both Democrats and Republicans.

**Editors Note: Click Here to Pledge to Fight for the People’s Post Office!**