http://www.apwu.org/index2.htm The latest news from the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO en Wed, 16 May 2012 17:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2012/12-059-consolidation-120516.htm (05/16/12) The USPS notified the APWU today, May 16, that it has developed a modified network consolidation plan and, "Now that the moratorium has expired, consolidation activities will begin this summer." However, postal managers did not provide the union with a list of which facilities would be affected and when. APWU President Cliff Guffey said, "The Postal Service's actions are the best evidence there is that union members must contact their U.S. representatives and urge them to address postal reform immediately, using the recently-approved Senate bill as a starting point for discussion." Wed, 16 May 2012 17:30:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2012/12-059-consolidation-120516.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2012/12-058-gopbudget-120511.htm (05/11/12) The House of Representatives voted for a 5 percent cut in postal and federal workers' pay on May 10 by approving an increase in employees' pension contributions. Republican members of the House provided all 218 votes in favor of the measure, while 183 Democrats and 16 Republicans opposed it. Fri, 11 May 2012 17:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2012/12-058-gopbudget-120511.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2012/12-057-moratoriumextension-120511.htm (05/11/12) More than 100 U.S. representatives have signed a letter to Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe, urging him to extend the moratorium on the closure of post offices and mail processing facilities, and asking him to refrain from cutting hours at rural offices. Fri, 11 May 2012 15:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2012/12-052-pmg_closures-120504.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/nsb/2012/nsb13-120510-s1789_house.htm (05/10/12) As the May 15 expiration of a moratorium on the closure of post offices and mail processing facilities approaches, the APWU is urging the House of Representatives to address postal reform immediately, and to use the Senate bill as a starting point. The USPS' May 9 announcement about keeping rural offices open isn't binding and won't solve the USPS financial crisis, so we must keep fighting, the union says. Thu, 10 May 2012 18:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/nsb/2012/nsb13-120510-s1789_house.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/forthepress/pressrel120510-rurlapostoffices.htm (05/10/12) The APWU is continuing to analyze the Postal Service's May 9 announcement that it will allow rural post offices to remain open, but with reduced hours. "We applaud the proposal to allow greater community input on rural postal services and to keep offices open," said APWU President Cliff Guffey, "but we are disappointed by the decision to reduce hours at these offices." Thu, 10 May 2012 15:00:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/forthepress/pressrel120510-rurlapostoffices.htm http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2012/12-056-foxnews-wrong_again-120509.htm (05/09/12) Fox News may have set a new record for inaccurate reporting this week in a story about the Postal Service. The story, which was broadcast on May 8 and posted on Fox's Web site, frantically warns viewers and visitors that because of a bill approved by the Senate, "taxpayers may be on the hook for Postal Service losses." The Web posting even has a handy "taxpayer calculator" that shows visitors "how much the bailout will cost you." There's just one problem: As Fox admits, taxpayers don't pay a dime to support the Postal Service. And nothing in the Senate bill would require them to start. Wed, 09 May 2012 19:31:00 EDT http://www.apwu.org/news/webart/2012/12-056-foxnews-wrong_again-120509.htm