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January 13, 2015
Service Cuts Disrupt Workers’ Lives
When postal officials lowered “service standards” on Jan. 5, they didn’t just slow down America’s mail: They set in motion a process that is causing serious disruption in the lives of thousands of hard-working postal emp...
January 12, 2015
New MOU to Create Hundreds of Career Jobs in Level 4 POStPlan Offices
An addendum to the Sept. 22, 2013, POStPLAN Memorandum of Understanding will place a number of career jobs into Level 4 post offices, which otherwise would have been staffed exclusively with Postal Support Employees (PSE...
January 12, 2015
Mitch McConnell Raises the Possibility of a Grand Bargain with President Obama
In his first major speech since becoming the new Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) challenged President Obama to work with him, hinting that he is interested in a “Grand Bargain.” McConnell outlined an ambit...
January 12, 2015
e-Team Report, Jan. 12, 2015
New Congress Convenes The 114th Congress convened last week, with Republicans assuming full control of the body for the first time in 8 years. Republicans captured control of the Senate and Senate Majority Leader Mitch M...
January 10, 2015
Who Qualifies as a ‘Medical Officer’ with Authority to Sign CDL Health Cards?
The APWU has received clarification from the Postal Service regarding who qualifies as a “medical officer” with authority to sign Department of Transportation health cards for postal employees with Commercial Driver’s Li...
January 9, 2015
Contract Campaign Training Sparks Great Enthusiasm
Training for the union’s campaign to win a good contract got underway for locals in the APWU’s Western Region on Jan. 6, and participants left the two-day session downright excited about the possibilities.
January 9, 2015
2015 Dues Disbursement Schedule
The table below indicates the date and corresponding pay period in which locals and state organizations can expect headquarters to deposit the Dues Check Off (DCO) rebate monies via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).
January 9, 2015
Dimondstein on Joe Madison’s Radio Show
APWU President Mark Dimondstein was interviewed on Joe Madison’s Urban View radio show on Jan. 9.
January 8, 2015
OIG: Postal Service, Customers Would Suffer if Mail Processing Were Eliminated
A little-noticed OIG report bolsters the union’s position that mail processing plants are crucial to Postal Service operations and should not be privatized.
January 5, 2015
Gearing Up and Gettin’ Down (to Business)
Negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA) are scheduled to begin in mid-February, and the Industrial Relations Department has been busy researching material and developing strategies for contract ta...
December 31, 2014
A Look Back: The Charleston Five
Soon after dockworkers formed a picket line at the Port of Charleston, SC, in January 2000, five among them became the focus of worldwide protests and international solidarity – symbols of the fight for justice. And afte...
December 23, 2014
Privatization, Walmart and Goin’ Postal
An agreement between Walmart and the private shipping company Goin’ Postal threatens to further privatize postal services. Under the arrangement, announced on Sept. 29, 2014, Goin’ Postal is lining up franchisees to esta...
December 23, 2014
Is Sub-Contracting Cheaper? Really?
As we prepare to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement, one of the most important issues to resolve is what constitutes a “fair cost comparison of all reasonable costs.” It’s fair to say that this is a key issu...
December 23, 2014
Winning ‘Automatic’ Remedies for Staffing Violations
Hopefully, every local applied the procedures outlined in the July 9, 2014, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding implementation of the MS-47 - TL-5 Handbook at the conclusion of fiscal year 2014. The agreement inc...
December 23, 2014
APWU Payroll Experts Issue a Warning
When management declared an Information Technology (IT) emergency due to a breach of USPS data systems recently, more than 150 systems that USPS programmers develop and administer were taken offline so they could be patc...
December 23, 2014
We Must Make Our ‘Cause’ the People’s Cause!
The APWU is gearing up for a major battle: The fight to win a good contract for our members, while we fight for a vibrant, public Postal Service for the people of the country.
December 23, 2014
Standing Up and Fighting Back
On behalf of the union officers of the Northeast region, I wish you a happy New Year, filled with peace and fulfillment. Our current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on May 20, 2015, and in recent months we have b...
December 23, 2014
Our Plans for 2015
As a difficult year ends and a new year begins, it is a good time to think about areas we need to concentrate on in the new year. Our work to coordinate relationship-building between members of Congress, our local and st...
December 23, 2014
A Step-by-Step Guide to Signing-Up New Members
Happy New Year! In 2015 the Organization Department will expand our training efforts by reaching out to locals and conducting regional training seminars on how to sign-up non-members. “The union” isn’t a third party. It’...
December 23, 2014
The 411 on 211
Every hour, thousands of Americans require some type of essential human service. However, trying to determine what service is available or how to qualify for a service can be a challenge even for the most resourceful and...
December 23, 2014
Medicare Enrollment
This article appeared in the January-February 2015 edition of The American Postal Worker. General enrollment in Medicare is open from Jan. 1 through March 31, but don’t confuse the general enrollment period with your eli...
December 23, 2014
We Must Make Our ‘Cause’ the People’s Cause!
The APWU is gearing up for a major battle: The fight to win a good contract for our members, while we fight for a vibrant, public Postal Service for the people of the country. Negotiations are set to begin on Feb. 19, th...
December 23, 2014
Stop Delaying America’s Mail
APWU members held more than 150 protests on Nov. 14, with events in all 50 states, to send a message to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and the USPS Board of Governors: Stop Delaying America’s Mail! The protests recei...
December 23, 2014
Unstable Hours Are Killing Workers
On Aug. 25, 2014, Maria Fernandes was found dead inside her automobile. The 32-year old worked at three different Dunkin Donuts stores in New Jersey and frequently napped in her car between shifts. She also carried a g...
December 23, 2014
Recognizing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that affects nearly 8 million Americans each year. In fact, 10 percent of our country’s women and 4 percent of its men will develop PTSD in their lifet...
December 22, 2014
Season’s Greetings!
December 22, 2014
Much is at Stake, Much is Possible
New Year's Greeting to One and All! Your membership in the American Postal Workers Union is the foundation of our strength as we fight for workplace and social justice. I salute you, the thousands of union members and ac...
December 22, 2014
The Impact of Plant Closures: Beyond the Postal Sphere
How can we stop the USPS from lowering service standards and closing or consolidating mail processing plants? How can we reach our communities? How can we motivate our legislators and neighborhood organizations? How can...
December 22, 2014
Despite Huge Earnings, Walmart is Notorious for Low Pay
According to the Fortune Global 500 list, based on revenue, Walmart is the world’s biggest company. With more than 2 million workers, it is also the largest employer. But despite its...
December 21, 2014
USPS Tells Customers: Get Postal Discounts at Staples
Postal management has launched a new offensive – one that clearly reveals the sinister goals of its no-bid deal with Staples. The Postal Service has sent a mass mailing to “postal customers” advertising 20 percent discou...