01/01/2018 - (This article first appeared in the January-February 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
By Maintenance Craft Directors
On Oct. 17, we attended a national Tech & Mech joint committee meeting with the USPS. APWU Maintenance, Clerk and MVS Officers, as well as representatives from the Mail Handlers were present. The USPS attendees included program managers over many of the new or changed equipment systems and, of course, labor relations.
01/01/2018 - 
Des Moines BMC Local picket in front of the downtown P&DC.
(This article first appeared in the January-February 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
APWU members from coast-to-coast continue to fight against postal management’s cuts to jobs and resulting diminished service. Following the previously reported demonstrations by the Baltimore Francis “Stu” Filbey Area Local, the Charlotte Area Local (NC), and the Greater Seattle Area Local, in Massachusetts and Iowa APWU members hit the streets and spoke out to inform postal customers about how these cuts lead to slow mail processing, delayed delivery and poor customer service.
11/23/2017 - 
This year, the December period begins December 2, 2017 (Pay Period 25-17- Week 2) and ends December 29, 2017 (Pay Period 01-18 - Week 1).
11/17/2017 -
On Nov. 8, APWU Des Moines Area Local and the Des Moines BMC Local (Iowa) held an informational picket in front of the downtown processing and distribution center to send a resounding message to postal management: Postal Workers Want First-Class Service for the People!
11/13/2017 - The following is an op-ed by President Mark Dimondstein and Des Moines Area APWU Local 44 President Mike Bates that originally appeared in Des Moines' Register on Nov. 9.
The United States Postal Service belongs to all the people. Its valuable mission is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and mandated in legislation to “provide postal services to bind the Nation together” and to “provide prompt, reliable and efficient services to patrons in all areas.”
Incredibly, the USPS provides universal service six days a week to 156 million addresses and extensive Sunday package delivery. Postal services are provided no matter who we are or where we live – at reasonable rates – without the use of any taxpayer dollars.
11/01/2017 - (This article first appeared in the November-December 2017 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)
By Maintenance Craft Directors
When we punch into work, the USPS time-keeping system tracks our workhours based on the operation we badge onto. All employees are assigned to a particular Labor Distribution Code (LDC) as their “base.” Occasionally, depending on assignment, those work hours need to be recorded under a different LDC – frequently done by badging onto the proper operation number. Sometimes, a manual entry into the time-keeping system is required.
09/21/2017 - In his award dated September 13, 2017, Arbitrator Stephen Goldberg issued his decision in the MS-1 Handbook case no. Q10T-4Q-C 14171644/Q10T- 4Q- C 16481407.
08/25/2017 - The APWU and the USPS recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), RE: Peak Season Exception Periods – 2017 Date Changes, modifying the Peak Season (Holiday Season) Exception period for 2017 to “ensure adequate coverage” and “accommodate customer service.”
08/10/2017 - 
07/27/2017 - 
This Postal Heritage Day, two APWU locals celebrated the USPS’ 242nd birthday by holding informational pickets informing the public about the proposed job cuts by USPS management through reversions, abolishments and excessing – further disrupting services to the public.
