Union Members to Gather for Obama Inauguration

APWU members who plan to visit the nation’s capital for Inauguration Day festivities on Jan. 20 will be able to enjoy the event with other activists at a downtown hotel, APWU President William Burrus has announced.

The union has secured a meeting room at the Madison Hotel, which is large enough to accommodate several hundred people. The hotel is located at 1177 15 St. NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Participants will be able to watch the festivities on large-screen televisions in the hotel meeting room. Those who wish to see the inaugural parade in person will have a long walk to spots along the parade route, Burrus warned. The event concludes at the White House, more than half a mile from the Madison Hotel, and the rest of the parade route is farther away.

APWU members will be responsible for their own transportation and lodging. Inaugural events are expected to draw record-breaking crowds, so hotel rooms and transportation in the nation’s capital are scarce, and highly priced.

The national union will not provide tickets to the swearing-in ceremony or transportation to the site of the oath of office or the parade, due to traffic and security restrictions imposed by Inauguration planners. Tickets are not required for the parade; other parade details have not been announced.

“I look forward to celebrating the historic occasion with APWU activists who want to be part of this momentous event,” Burrus said. “The election of Barack Obama was a victory for working people — one that we are eager to commemorate together.”

Health Plan Open Season Ends Dec. 8
APWU Health Plan Offers Outstanding Service, Value

With Health Plan Open Season well underway, union members are encouraged to take a good look at the two plans offered by the APWU.

For 2009, both the APWU Consumer Driven Option and High Option offer new benefits, but have kept premium costs low. When you enroll this season, you’ll save money and get a top-quality plan.

Consumer Driven Option 

For active postal employees who are members of APWU, the Collective Bargaining Agreement continues to limit what APWU-represented active postal employees will pay in premium costs: As it did for 2008, the Postal Service will pay 95 percent of the premium cost in 2009. The Consumer Driven Option is the best bargain in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). It offers:

• NEW hearing benefit
• NEW maximum for prescription drugs
• No upfront deductible or co-pays

USPS employees who are APWU members pay $7.77 every pay period for the Self-Only plan, and $17.48 biweekly for Self & Family. USPS employees who are not in the APWU pay $20.98 each pay period for Self-Only and $47.20 for Self & Family. Retirees pay monthly charges of $84.17 for Self Only and $189.37 for Self & Family.

High Option 

The High Option is a top-rated plan and a great value in 2009. High Option benefits have been expanded so that you receive more coverage, service that puts members first, and an affordable price. It offers:

• NEW hearing benefit
• NEW maximum for prescription drugs
• $18 co-pay for PPO doctor visits
• More than 600,000 doctors and other providers in a national PPO network

For the High Option, USPS employees who are represented by the APWU pay $26.71 every pay period for the Self-Only plan, and $60.40 biweekly for Self & Family. Retirees pay monthly charges of $107.18 for Self Only and $242.34 for Self & Family.

Open Season Hotline: 800-PIC-APWU (800-742-2798) 800-622-2511 (TDD-Hearing Impaired), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday, through Dec. 8.