04/02/2019 - (This article first appeared in the March/April 2019 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

As was previously reported in the American Postal Worker, the Canadian government forced striking Canadian Union of Postal Workers back to work at Canada Post late last year through an act of parliament. CUPW begins 2019 in contract arbitration to resolve the ongoing dispute with Canada Post.

Heading into contract arbitration, postal workers aren’t just discussing pay and benefits – the union is using the forum to advocate for postal banking in Canada as well. The union sees postal banking as a critical step in developing a more equal society in Canada.

04/01/2019 - (This article first appeared in the March/April 2019 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Vice President Debby Szeredy

Power is in the vote. We need each and every one of our postal workers to register to vote in every state, city and town in our country. We have over 153,000 members in the APWU. We would be more powerful if everyone registers and votes for issues and candidates that can save the public Postal Service.

In 2019, APWU locals and members can mobilize other members to register to vote, and non-members to join APWU and register to vote at the same time. Multiple states around the country have purged voters from their registrars, so you should make sure you’re still on the rolls and re-register if necessary. People died for us to have the right to vote; we must use it to vote for representatives that will support our working interests. Voting can save our livelihood and can make the difference in stopping the destruction of the public Postal Service.

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.