New Year, New Beginnings!

(This article first appeared in the January/February 2021 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

As we begin anew from an unprecedented year, it has not been easy. However, we do so filled with varied emotions. Sadness for the loss of family, friends and fellow members while navigating each month with apprehension and hope. Challenging times will always test your resilience to maintain unified and strong throughout the most egregious times as postal employees and labor leaders. To assist new and current local and state officers in complying with the Department of Labor (DOL) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) legal requirements, the Secretary-Treasurer’s department will continue to provide various fiduciary zoom training opportunities for officers to attend.

Save the Dates! March 31, 2021 is the deadline to electronically file Department of Labor LM reports and May 15, 2021 is the deadline to electrically file IRS 990 reports if your fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The Secretary-Treasurer’s Department will continue to verify locals are in compliance with Article 16 of the National Constitution. APWU locals who fail to abide by the regulations may have their DCO dues withheld until they comply or provide an explanation for non-compliance. Locals are required to provide verification that they have complied with DOL and IRS filings and the APWU Constitution by providing a copy of their DOL reports and IRS Forms 990 to the Secretary-Treasurer’s Department after they have been electronically submitted.

Maintaining sufficient bonding coverage in addition to the $5,000 bond provided to all APWU locals by the national union is also required. Lastly, locals must provide the results of local elections and amendments to local constitutions to the Secretary-Treasurer’s Department. APWU locals who fail to meet the requirements of federal law and/or the APWU National Constitution are subject to having their charter revoked.

New Year Brings Additional Benefits

The New Year is a good time to remind and inform our members of additional benefits APWU members can take advantage of:

APWU Scholarships – for the children or grandchildren of current, retired or deceased APWU members. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2021.

Mortgage Program – Home buying options through the Union Plus mortgage program. For more information, contact 1-800-848-6466.

Voluntary Benefits Plan – Provides voluntary insurance benefits designed especially for PSE, Retiree and Associate dues-paying APWU members. Short and Long- Term Disability, Life, Dental, Group Legal Plan, Hospital Indemnity and several additional plans to choose from. Contact 1-800-422-4492 for additional information. Accident Benefits Association – Makes provision for the payment of benefits to its members and their beneficiaries in case of temporary disability, dismemberment or death resulting directly from a covered accident; independent of exclusive other causes. Contact 1-800-526-2890.

APWU Disaster/Hardship Fund – APWU Disaster/ Hardship Fund coordinates with the Postal Employee’s Relief Fund (PERF). After you receive a decision from the Postal Employee Relief Fund (PERF), you would be required to submit that decision to the APWU Disaster/ Hardship Fund to complete your application for aid. Applications for PERF and APWU Disaster/Hardship Fund can be obtained on apwu.org.

AFLAC – APWU members can protect their future against catastrophic illnesses, with Cancer Personal Indemnity and other Specified Health Event insurance coverage. Both plans will pay cash benefits directly to policy holders, regardless of any other insurance they may have.

2021 will no doubt be just as eventful, complicated and filled with uncertainty as 2020. Together we will navigate the months to come with the same vigor and determination, whether it be COVID-19, vote-by-mail or legislative efforts designed to sell our public Postal Service to private corporations.