The BmcLog

Clearing Up Confusion About the Tentative Agreement

2011-04-15T11:48:00.000-04:00

Clearing Up Confusion About the Tentative Agreement

Support Needed; States Battle for Workers' Rights

2011-03-24T11:05:00.004-04:00

In more than a dozen states, working families are coming together to face down attacks on good jobs and the right to bargain for a middle-class life. You’ve seen it in Wisconsin, where more than 100,000 people flooded the Capitol in Madison multiple times. You’ve seen it in Indiana, where protests against anti-worker legislation have continued for a month—and as a result we’re winning on many issues in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and plenty of other places.

Whether you were directly involved in worker uprisings or not, you are a part of our movement. These huge efforts were made possible because of the solidarity of people like you, acting together.

We need your help to keep the movement going and growing. We’ll keep giving you opportunities to do it—we hope you’ll take us up on those opportunities as much as you can, and also find ways to get involved in your own way. One way you can show your friends and neighbors that you’re part of the nationwide movement for good jobs and workers’ rights is by purchasing a We Are One lapel pin or button.

You’ll be able to wear your support with pride, and it will help us grow our movement—all but the actual cost of your pin or button will be a donation to support massive mobilization efforts by workers who are fighting for their freedom to bargain for a better life.

As you know, the right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a middle-class life are under attack as never before. So we’re combating these new threats with unprecedented solidarity. April 4th is the anniversary of the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, (April 4, 1968) in Memphis, Tenn., where he was helping sanitation workers gain a voice at work and the right to bargain to realize their dream of a better life. On that day and the days surrounding it, working families across the country will be organizing numerous solidarity actions. Together, we’ll stand with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio and dozens of other states where corporate-bought politicians are trying to take away the rights for which Dr. King gave his life.

Act now: Your purchase of a union-made pin or button will support ongoing worker-led mobilizations for good jobs and workers’ rights. Click Here

All but the actual cost of your “We Are One” button or pin will be a donation to support massive mobilization efforts workers are leading around the country. For just $15 (plus shipping and handling), you can receive a classy union-made-in-America 1" x 1¼" We Are One lapel pin—and $12.95 of that will be used to support mobilization efforts for workers who are fighting against attacks on working families in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and other states. Or for just $10 (plus shipping and handling), you can receive a bold 2" x 3" lapel button and contribute $9.43. Of course, the more buttons and pins you buy, the more you’ll help. Order by midnight Friday; You’ll be supporting worker-led mobilizations across the country and you’ll receive your lapel pin or button in time to wear it with pride on April 4th.

So far, we’ve seen the most inspiring series of uprisings among working people in our lifetimes—let’s keep that energy going. Your continued support today, on or around April 4, and in the days and months to come will help keep this movement strong.

APWU Members to Vote on Tentative Agreement

2011-03-23T10:45:00.000-04:00

APWU Members to Vote on Tentative Agreement

Mailing Starts April 8; Ballots Due Back May 10

Voting on the Tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement for the period 2010-2015 between the American Postal Workers Union and the United States Postal Service will start with a mailing set to begin on April 8. The single-question ballot will allow members to vote 'Yes' or 'No' on a contract, which, if ratified, would expire on May 20, 2015.

The vote count will take place on May 11. Ballots for the referendum must be received in the designated post office box by May 10, 2011.

In addition to a ballot, the ratification mailing will include a copy of the Tentative Agreement, a summary of highlights of the proposed agreement, the official statement of the Rank-and-File Bargaining Advisory Committee, a letter from APWU President Cliff Guffey and a postage-paid return envelope.

The Tentative Agreement (available to members only) and a summary of contractual provisions also can be found at http://www.apwu.org/

In accordance with the APWU Constitution, the Rank-and-File Committee must approve a Tentative Agreement before members are given the opportunity to vote on ratification. The committee voted unanimously to endorse the proposed agreement on March 16. The union's National Executive Board also voted unanimously to approve the Tentative Agreement.

The Rank-and-File Committee will supervise the vote count, which will take place on May 11. Results will be posted as soon as they become available at http://www.apwu.org/

National Officers to Meet in February; Guffey Seeks to Unify Leaders on New Direction

2011-01-23T08:57:00.000-05:00

National Officers to Meet in February; Guffey Seeks to Unify Leaders on New Direction

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG | Ohio Gov. Candidate John Kasich Hates Unions

2010-10-08T13:51:00.000-04:00

John Kasich, Republican candidate for Ohio Governor hates unions! In a recently posted YouTube video Kasich is heard bragging about his Wall Steet dealings and ranting against unions and public employees. Read more here or Click Here to watch the video

OSHA Fines USPS For Safety Violations at Cincinnati BMC

2010-09-17T16:40:00.000-04:00

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the Postal Service $210,000 for willfully exposing employees to electrical safety hazards at the Cincinnati Bulk Mail Center (BMC).

OSHA issued the USPS three citations after inspectors found that the Postal Service failed to provide employees working on electrically energized equipment with adequate training and protective equipment, exposing them to the risk of electric shock.

The latest citations in Ohio bring the Postal Service’s total OSHA fines to more than $4.6 million.

Union Vows to Fight to Save Postal Service From Itself

2010-08-27T16:37:00.005-04:00

Reverend Jesse Jackson addresses the delegates on Wednesday

Click here to view news, highlights and video from the 2010 APWU National Convention

APWU -- Cosponsor HR 5746

2010-08-04T07:48:00.000-04:00

APWU -- Cosponsor HR 5746

Crucial Postal Bill Clears First Hurdle

2010-07-30T16:21:00.000-04:00

Crucial Postal Bill Clears First Hurdle

APWU Praises House Bill To Restore USPS Financial Stability

2010-07-20T15:46:00.000-04:00

APWU Web News Article 069-2010, July 19, 2010

The APWU is praising a bill introduced by Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), which is designed to restore financial stability to the Postal Service. The legislation (H.R. 5746) would modify the formula for funding the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), and would rectify overpayments to the CSRS by the Postal Service ranging from $50 billion to $75 billion.

“I urge APWU members to contact their U.S. representatives immediately and ask them to co-sponsor this important legislation,” said union President William Burrus.

The bill (The United States Postal Service’s CSRS Obligation Modification Act of 2010) would alter the methodology used to determine the allocation of costs for retirement benefits between the federal government and USPS. Under current law, the costs are disproportionately split between the two, to the disadvantage of the Postal Service.

The USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded in a January 2010 review that the Postal Service had overpaid approximately $75 billion for employees who spent part of their career working for the old Post Office Department before the USPS was established. An independent study performed by the Segal Group, which was commissioned by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), likewise found that the current methodology was not “fair and equitable,” but concluded that the disparity was between $50 billion and $55 billion.

H.R. 5746 would require the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to conduct a review to determine whether the USPS has overpaid CSRS; if OPM determines that the USPS has overpaid, the surplus would be transferred into the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits fund. This provision could lessen the severe burden imposed on the USPS by the requirement in the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) to “pre-fund” future retiree health benefits, and could eliminate the need for future payments.

The pre-funding requirement, combined with the economic downturn, has prompted the Postal Service to propose severe cutbacks in service, such as closing stations and branches, consolidating installations, and eliminating Saturday mail delivery.

“This bill could go a long way to alleviating the Postal Service’s financial difficulties,” said Legislative and Political Director Myke Reid. “We urge union members to get active right away in support of this legislation.”

The House subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and District of Columbia, which Lynch chairs, may vote on the bill as early as July 21.

Department of Labor Safety Complaint Underscores Widespread, Systemic Violations

2010-07-09T12:34:00.000-04:00

Department of Labor Safety Complaint Underscores Widespread, Systemic Violations

Speak Out in Favor of Maintaining 6 Day Mail Delivery

2010-06-30T11:01:00.002-04:00

Click Here to go to the Postal Regulatory Commission website and express your opinion regarding the Postal Service's proposal to eliminate Saturday residential delivery.

The Commission is inviting public feedback on a Postal Service proposal to end carrier street address delivery, collection at blue collection boxes and most originating mail processing on Saturdays in the United States. This is one of the most significant changes the Postal Service has ever presented to the Commission. The Postal Service is required to ask the Commission for an Advisory Opinion on any change in nationwide service that it proposes.

Among key questions to be answered are: “Will the savings the Postal Service anticipates be as significant as they estimate? Will mail volume decline more than the Postal Service anticipates? Will businesses and citizens have service that remains adequate to meet their needs? And will the national economic impact of service reductions offset or add to the savings that are proposed?

Postal employees need to speak out against this proposal. Eliminating Saturday delivery is an ill conceived plan that would be a disservice to Americans and destroy the USPS; an icon of American public service. Consumers rely on the USPS to deliver everything from medical supplies and documents to parts and supplies for farms and small businesses; especially in rural areas. Necessities that may have been delivered Saturday will now wait until Monday and with the growing number of PO closings across the country, it will be more difficult than ever for working citizens to take delivery of items requiring a signature. For many, Saturday is the only day they are home to receive such items and the nearest PO may be miles away or closed before they can get there on a weekday after work.

In testimony before a Congressional panel, PMG Potter admitted that projected losses of $238 billion by year 2010 were a “theoretical” worst case scenario based on the ridiculous assumption that the USPS and Congress would “do nothing” to reduce costs or increase revenue over the next 10 years.

Protect your job, protect the sanctity of the mail and protect the Postal Service from the wreckless privateering vultures who would like nothing more than to see the USPS fail so they could swoop in and snatch up the most profitable bits of the scattered remains leaving the rest to rot on the carcass like carrion in the sun.

KEEP 6 DAY MAIL DELIVERY!

Is Your New Car "Born in the U.S.A."?

2010-04-06T13:22:00.000-04:00

A 2009 article published in the NY Times details the confusion that consumers encounter when trying to discern which vehicles are actually made in the USA. See the link below. The second link offers a listing of all the vehicles built in North America, with the origins of their engines and transmissions and whether the factory is unionized, in an interactive graphic posted online.

Read the entire article here

"Born in the U.S.A." interactive link

Bill’s Author Can’t Change the Facts: Postal ‘Reform’ Created the USPS’ Financial Plight

2010-03-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

APWU President Bill Burrus takes aim at the author of the Postal Accountability Enhancement Act (PAEA), Republican Senator Susan Collins (ME), for her most recent masterpiece; a letter to the editor of the Washington Post defending the 2006 legislation.

Bill’s Author Can’t Change the Facts: Postal ‘Reform’ Created the USPS’ Financial Plight

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Senator Sherrod Brown Calls For OIG Investigative Review of Lima AMP Study

2010-03-06T11:10:00.002-05:00

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18 — The office of Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has issued the following news release:
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown called for an investigation on the effects of a proposed consolidation of U.S. Postal Service facilities in Lima, Ohio. In a letter sent this week to David C. Williams, the Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Brown requested more information on the Area Mail Processing (AMP) Study that is being conducted in the Lima area.

“I remain concerned that USPS simply cannot maintain an adequate level of service if the consolidations occur, which would only serve to reduce the use of USPS in Ohio,” Brown wrote in a letter to Williams. “In addition to a degraded level of service, this consolidation could displace many workers and their families. Not only could many Postal Workers be forced to move great distances to preserve their jobs, but they would leave a social and economic void in the communities from which they have been uprooted.”

AMP studies investigate the potential to streamline USPS services by consolidating service locations. Brown previously requested data on the effect of an AMP decision. He wrote to the Inspector General to formally request that data, and express concern over the effect of an AMP decision on Lima families.

Full text of the letter appears below:
February 16, 2010

Inspector General David C. Williams
United States Postal Service
1735 N. Lynn St.
Arlington, VA 22209-2020

Dear Inspector General Williams:

I am writing in regard to the ongoing Area Mail Processing (AMP) Study in Lima, Ohio.

Over the past four months, I have raised a number of issues with the United States Postal Service (USPS) in Ohio about the proposed consolidation of USPS facilities in Lima. I remain concerned that USPS simply cannot maintain an adequate level of service if the consolidations occur, which would only serve to reduce the use of USPS in Ohio. In addition to a degraded level of service, this consolidation could displace many workers and their families. Not only could many Postal Workers be forced to move great distances to preserve their jobs, but they would leave a social and economic void in the communities from which they have been uprooted.

I have asked the Ohio USPS for data and analysis that would shed light on the impact of the consolidations, and have received neither. I am therefore formally requesting the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General conduct an audit of the AMP study in Lima, Ohio.

Please review this request and provide me with your comments. If you wish to discuss this request, please contact me or Patrick Jackson from my staff at (202) 224-2315.

Thank you for your attention to this request.

Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
United States Senator

Interesting reading: Senators Want "Buy American" Rule in Stimulus

Union Veterans Information Day

2010-03-06T06:38:00.003-05:00

On April 14, 2010 the Ohio AFL-CIO and the Union Veterans Council will hold a "Union Veterans Information Day" at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Hall in Columbus. All active and retired union military veterans are encouraged to attend.
The event kicks off the State Federation's efforts to have an active union veterans program and will provide information on benefits and services that may be available to military veterans and their families.
The OPWU is involved with establishing the union veterans program within the Ohio AFL-CIO. It is important that locals send someone to this event so you can learn what is available for your local union veterans.
If you know a union veteran, please provide them with this information.
The Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Hall is located at 1250 Kinnear Road, Columbus, Ohio 43212. Lunch will be provided. The event runs from 10:00-3:00 PM.
If you have any questions, please contact Jeanette Mauk, Field Director, Ohio AFL-CIO at 614-224-8271, ext. 7144.

A Letter Of Rebuttal from OPWU President Terry Grant

2010-03-06T06:16:00.010-05:00

Ohio Postal Workers Union President Terry Grant issued this letter to members shortly after PMG Potter's message to Postal Employees was posted on The USPS website. A link to Potter's message is provided below.

Dear Sister/Brother:

Today PMG Potter delivered a message to postal employees and the public envisioning America's future postal service. His message can be viewed on the USPS/news/link. Every postal employee should watch this message. Mr. Potter talks about how much he appreciates the work of postal employees and how much that work means to our customers. But then he outlines the "plan for the future" and it contains:

Asking Congress to restructure payments required for retiree health care benefits and changing the law to keep from overpaying into Postal Service Civil Service Retirement
Change the delivery frequency to five days
Want more flexibility to managing our traditional retail network so that they can expand access and help customers to more business through existing and new channels & retail partners
New pricing flexibility
Increased employee flexibility
Assure that legal and regulatory processes enable these changes

So, what does all this mean? Well, we certainly support changing the required amount of payment for retiree health care benefits and the lowering of payment for Civil Service Retirement . But, five day delivery means changes in work hours, jobs, and days off. Flexibility in managing the retail network means more contracting out and less window service work. Increased employee flexibility means more part-time less full-time and more lower wage workers (like casuals). We cannot agree with those things.We have never negotiated for a new contract under such postal service & economic frailty. This will be the most difficult bargaining situation ever faced.

Terry Grant, President OPWU

PMG Potter's message to Postal Employees

2010-02-20T14:08:00.007-05:00

The Ohio Postal Workers Union (OPWU) is hosting a website for APWU members. The site which has been up and running for just over a year recently celebrated its 10,000th visitor. OPWU.org is a great resource for all sorts of useful information including links to top Postal News websites and where to purchase American Made and Union Made products. The member resources section offers information on:

Family Medical Leave

OWCP

Training and information resources for Stewards

Retirement Planning

Veterans Issues and Affairs

Current Legislative Issues and much, much more

The site is free to everyone. Registration is required to access "Member Only" areas and/or receive e-mail notices. Check it out!

The Straight Story About Bankers' Pay

2010-01-29T14:07:00.003-05:00

A recent e-mail from the Service Employees International Union:

Hi - Today, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that big banks are breaking their own rules, easing pay restrictions and offering "forgivable loans" to bankers who need a little extra cash. This news comes just two weeks from when the bank CEOs sat on Capitol Hill and said - under oath - that they had placed new, tough restrictions on executive compensation.I just wrote a letter to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC) asking them to investigate - you can, too: http://action.seiu.org/thestraightstoryA few weeks ago, in front of the newly-formed FCIC, the banks assured the American people that they'd written tough new rules for executive pay. But this week, it appears that banks have been adding the fine print: Bank of America is letting employees cash in on their stock holdings after just a few weeks instead of years, and Citigroup is offering some employees loans that they may never have to pay back.These same banks are kicking families out of their homes because they can't afford their mortgages, but they're offering their own executives loans they don't have to pay back? The American people deserve to know what's going on.Join me in asking the FCIC to investigate: http://action.seiu.org/thestraightstoryThanks!

Congress Finally Approves FERS Sick-Leave Credit!

2009-10-24T12:49:00.005-04:00

Finally a victory for FERS employees! In an end to a long and hard fought battle, FERS employees (postal and federal workers who fall under the Federal Employees Retirement System) will now receive credit for unused sick leave when they retire. By a 68-29 vote margin Thursday, the Senate approved a compromise version of the 2010 Defense Authorization bill which includes the new benefit. The measure, which includes a number of pay and retirement provisions (see below) was previously approved in a House-Senate conference on Oct. 7 and adopted in full by the House the following day. Click here to see how your senators voted.

Mirroring a benefit already enjoyed by Civil Service Retirement System employees (CSRS), the new provision allows FERS-covered workers to receive a 50 percent credit for unused sick leave until Dec. 31, 2013 then beginning Jan. 1, 2014, they will begin receiving full credit.

President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law although there is some concern over the fact that the legislation contains an additional $130 billion in funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan including $7.5 billion earmarked for training of Afghan security forces.

The bill also includes:

A provision that would allow employees who choose to work part-time toward the end of their careers to use a higher salary figure in calculations for how the reduced work factors into their retirement benefits.

A provision that would move workers in Hawaii, Alaska, the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories from cost-of-living adjustments to a locality-pay system; Territorial COLAs would be applied differently to postal employees than to other federal workers. The T-COLAs would not be taxed and would not be credited towards retirement; for other federal employees these earnings would be taxed and would be credited toward retirement.

A provision that would allow FERS employees who left and then returned to government service to redeposit savings in the retirement system and earn credit for years they had previously worked.

CLICK HERE

To read the full story at APWU.Org

Dispelling the Myths

2009-10-05T08:49:00.004-04:00

The APWU has published a flyer challenging some of the fallacies and false assumptions being reported as fact by news agencies regarding the cause(s) of the financial crisis in which the Postal Service now finds itself. The flyer, titled [Fact & Fiction ] rebuts claims and assertions recently put forth by a variety of news outlets.

President Burrus Announces Retirement in 2010

2009-10-01T14:22:00.005-04:00

Bringing his 53-year career to a close, APWU President William Burrus announced he would not seek re-election in November 2010; he plans to retire at the end of this term. Burrus made the emotional announcement Sept. 30th, during his closing remarks at the union’s All-Craft Conference. Throughout his celebrated career he has fought for and won better wages, working conditions and benefits for hundreds of thousands of postal workers.

“I am in good health and I love what I do,” he said. “But I want to move on to another part of my life. He introduced his wife to the assembly saying, “I want to spend more time with my wonderful wife, Ethelda. She has been by my side throughout my 37 years as an executive officer of this union.”

“I have looked forward to every day that I have served our members, and I look forward to the next 13 months. This is not the end, but effective November 2010 it will be time for me to turn the page and move on to the rest of my life. “In the interim, I intend to continue my commitment to the membership, every hour, every day.” Conference participants responded with two standing ovations. More than 2,000 members were in attendance.

Burrus’ retirement coincides with the expiration of the current contract (November 20, 2010) and the wrapping up of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Finally! A Little Breathing Room

2009-10-01T07:43:00.001-04:00

Senate Approves Short-Term Relief for USPS
The Senate approved an appropriations bill Sept. 30 that includes emergency financial relief for the Postal Service. The Fiscal Year 2010 funding measure (H.R. 2918) passed by a vote of 62-38. The postal provision gives the USPS one year of financial relief, allowing it to make a reduced payment to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund for future-retiree health benefits. President Obama signed the legislation that evening. [full story]

House - Senate Panel Includes H.R. 22 in Stopgap Spending Bill

2009-09-29T18:17:00.005-04:00

Short-term relief for the Postal Service may finally be in sight. On Sept. 25th, The House, which approved H.R. 22 on Sept. 15th, voted in favor of combining the independent measure with stop-gap spending legislation (H. Con. Res. 191) by a vote of 217 to 190. The Senate is expected to take action on the measure early next week. A House-Senate panel included the provisions of H.R. 22, which would provide temporary financial relief to the Postal Service, in a stopgap funding bill that would keep the federal government afloat for a month after the new fiscal year starts next week. The provisions of H.R. 22 provide short term relief to the Postal Service by permitting it to reduce its payment to the retiree healthcare fund by $4 billion for Fiscal Year 2009.

APWU President William Burrus praised unionists for their efforts saying, “APWU members can be proud of the role they played in helping to advance this important legislation, I commend our union activists for their hard work.”

New Info on VER for MPE's and ET's

2009-09-12T15:10:00.003-04:00

There has been much discussion and speculation over whether or not MPE's and ET's would be "allowed" to participate in the $15,000 retirement incentive or "Early Out". I spoke personally today with Carol Walden on the subject. She has been informed that MPE's will be eligible but ET's will not. She asked for clarification from her superiors (District/Area Level) earlier in the week at our request and this is the response she received. It is not all that we had hoped for but I'm sure it is welcome news to those who have been considering the offer. We will continue to seek further clarification regarding ET's. This is all we currently have on this subject, but I wanted to let everyone know as soon as possible. Please, if you are submitting paperwork to accept this offer, be sure you understand the requirements. There is a fair amount of information available here on ==> LiteBlue and here's a link to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Postal Service and the Union regarding the ==> One Time Voluntary Retirement Incentive.

Congressman to Attend APWU Picnic

2009-09-12T14:47:00.003-04:00

We have received confirmation that Congressman Steve Driehaus will attend our annual picnic to be held September 19th at Vorhees Park in Reading, OH. Also invited were Senator Sherrod Brown and Ohio Lieutenant Governor, recently turned Senatorial candidate, Lee Fisher. Senator Brown is unable to attend due to prior committments and sends his regards. We have not yet received a response from the Lieutenant Governor's office.

Be sure to attend the picnic if you can. There will be games for the kids and lots of food and fun for everyone! Raffle tickets are still available for some really great prizes including a huge Gas Grill, a Wii, 2 Flip video cameras, an Acer Netbook computer and more! See your steward!

Come on out and enjoy our annual end of summer get together. Have some fun and support your APWU Local!

President Obama Speaks at AFL-CIO Labor Day Picnic

2009-09-12T14:30:00.004-04:00

President Barack Obama was in town for the AFL-CIO Labor Day Picnic held at Old Coney. Our own President and Mrs. Fisher were on hand to hear his remarks. The President was here to fire up grass roots support for his Health Care Insurance Reform Legislation.

Long Awaited Impact Statement Is Finally Out

2009-08-24T15:11:00.000-04:00

On Friday, August 21, 2009 Plant Manager Dave Caproni informed the APWU and Mail Handlers unions that he had received the impact statement from Area concerning NDC activation. The impact statement determines the number of jobs that will be eliminated. For the Cincinnati NDC, a total of 89 employees will be impacted. This means Area has determined that after we become a tier 1 NDC we will no longer need 89 employees. The majority of these will be casual positions. The number that may be excessed outside the facility may be reduced or eliminated through attrition in the other crafts.

At this time, management has not “officially” notified the Unions of the need to excess any employees. The sole intent of the information shared on Friday was to allow the Unions to hear it directly from management instead of through rumors. No APWU represented employee in this building has been notified that they will be excessed. Management is still required to give the Union 6 months notice prior to excessing.

Based on other NDC conversions around the country we expected Motor Vehicle to be the APWU craft impacted the most. Regrettably, the impact for our facility is a reduction of 14 TTO’s. Again, management is still required to give the Union 6 months notice prior to excessing and as of today’s date, no such notice has been given While no other APWU employees are impacted at this time, a secondary impact statement normally occurs approximately 3 months after the conversion. This secondary statement will be based on mail volume.

NDC activation is scheduled to begin October 19th and be completed by November 20th, 2009. In fact all 21 NDC’s are slated to be online by the November 20th deadline. The APWU will continue to vigorously enforce the contract during this conversion.

Union Calls for Campaign To Defeat Anti-Postal Worker Senate Bill

2009-07-31T15:48:00.005-04:00

The Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Funding Reform Act of 2009 (S. 1507), just introduced last week by Senator Carper of DE, would have provided much needed financial relief to the Postal Service. It is, or was, the Senate’s version of HR 22; intended to provide temporary financial relief to the cash-strapped Postal Service, it has now been rendered unacceptable to the APWU due to a last minute amendment to the bill.

National APWU President William Burrus has called on APWU locals and state organizations to organize opposition to the Senate bill which now contains a provision that would be devastating to postal workers.In all, 11 amendments were submitted just under the deadline for submissions although additional amendments could still be offered. The most troubling amendment was the one offered by Sen. Coburn of OK and Susan Collins of ME. This amendment would create a huge disadvantage for the APWU at the bargaining table by requiring any binding arbitration in the negotiation of postal contracts to take the financial health of the Postal Service into account.

“Given the severity of Postal Service’s financial crisis, if this bill passes, we can anticipate that in the next round of negotiations, many of the things our members take for granted — such as cost-of-living increases, raises, and protection against layoffs — will be at risk.” Under current law, arbitrators must consider the “comparability” of postal wages to employees in the private sector who perform similar work.

“In fact, arbitrators routinely consider the Postal Service’s financial status as part of the context of negotiations,” Burrus said. “However, to attach this specific requirement to the law leaves workers at a severe disadvantage.

“By singling out this one factor, the amended bill would give the Postal Service’s short-term financial conditions supremacy over all other relevant considerations. It will make the bargaining process subject to all-out manipulation.

Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), chairman of the subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government information, Federal Services and International Security, supported the amendment, and voted with committee Republicans for its adoption.

"We are deeply disappointed that lawmakers we have supported voted for this reactionary amendment," Burrus said. "We will do everything we can to defeat it."

Another amendment submitted by Sen. Coburn would repeal the requirement in appropriations law that requires the USPS to deliver mail six days per week.

And our old buddy Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) you remember, the guy who wanted to tax your health care benefits, submitted an amendment that would increase the share postal employees pay for healthcare coverage!

APWU Legislative and Political Director Myke Reid said: Amendments to this bill would weaken the legislation, harm the Postal Service, and hurt postal workers. He urged union members to contact their senators.

Once the committee acts on the amendments, it is expected to vote on the main bill, the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Funding Reform Act of 2009 (S. 1507), which the APWU supports in its original form.

It is imperative that you contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to reject these amendments and approve S. 1507 as originally proposed by Senator Carper. The following link will take you to a sample email message. Use the sample or compose your own it only takes a couple of minutes. Click Here to E-mail your Senator

House Committee Approves HR 22!

2009-07-11T13:46:00.003-04:00

Big news yesterday for the Postal Service and the APWU. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform unanimously approved H.R. 22. The bill will now go before the full House for consideration. H.R. 22 , if passed into law, would provide immediate albeit, short-term relief to an already financially strained Postal Service. It would amend a provision of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) that requires the Postal Service to prefund the healthcare benefits of retirees from its current operating budget. This unfair burden combined with the nation's economic collapse has created an unprecedented financial crisis so severe that it threatens the continued existence of one of our nation's most valued institutions.

By allowing the Postal Service to pay a portion of these benefits from the Postal Service Retirees Health Benefits Fund (through Fiscal Year 2011), it is estimated that the USPS would save more than $6 billion ($2 billion per year over the next three years). The relief provided by H.R. 22 is not a bailout and comes “without a single dollar of taxpayer money,” as noted by APWU Legislative and Political Director Myke Reid.
Although a companion bill has not yet been introduced in the Senate, the House bill with 338 co-sponsors, is expected to pass easily when it comes under consideration of the full House which is anticipated to be sometime before Congress’ August recess.

With cautious optism APWU President William Burrus praised the vote. “We are pleased by the vote and eager for H.R. 22 to become law,” he said, “But we are mindful of the long-term financial challenges facing the Postal Service.”

Al Franken Joins Senate... Finally!

2009-07-09T09:55:00.011-04:00

Photo by Joe Kekeris

Yesterday, after a long, hard fought campaign and nearly eight months of litigation and squabblimg over vote counting, Al Franken was finally sworn in as the newest U.S. senator representing Minnesota. Then in his very first official act,he signed on as co-sponsor of The Employee Free Choice Act!

Franken announces his co-sponsorship at a reception held in his honor last night at the AFL-CIO. Minnesota leaders like former Vice President Walter Mondale, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Minnesota AFL-CIO President Ray Waldron are on hand to join union members and leaders in welcoming him to Washington, D.C.

Congratulations Kathy Sexton and Dan Dornacher!

2009-06-22T13:54:00.002-04:00

Our June 18th Membership Meeting proved to be quite profitable for two of our members. Kathy Sexton, Clerk won the Membership Appreciation prize of $300 and Dan Dornacher, Maintenance Mechanic won the Acer Aspire One Netbook Computer raffle.

The computer raffle was a great success and raised $878 for COPA! This will go a long way toward helping the Local achieve its yearly COPA goal of $8 per member. Thanks to everyone who participated.

If you really had your heart set on that computer, we have another one! It will be just one of many great prizes in our annual 2009 Picnic Raffle so watch for those tickets to go on sale soon!

The Membership Appreciation prize will start over again at $50 with each member receiving one entry automatically. Then, as before, each time a member attends a membership meeting they have the opportunity to complete another entry. Entries continue to accumulate and the prize money continues to grow* until we have a winner, at which time the entire process is repeated. The only catch is you must be present at the time of the drawing to win (usually near the end of the New Business portion of the meeting).

* The Executive Board is considering "capping" the prize amount at somewhere between $300 and $500. If you have thoughts, opinions, etc. on this please let us know.

Congressman Driehaus Tours BMC

2009-06-06T12:43:00.002-04:00

Congressman Driehaus visited the Bulk Mail Center this past Monday (June 1st). After a brief introduction and meeting with A/Plant Manager Dave Caproni, he toured the facility walking through Secondary and viewing the SSIU (Singulator), then on to the West end of the building to observe the APPS, High Speed Tray Sorter and De-Palletizer. His visit also included a brief stop in the APWU office where President Craig Fisher presented him with an official APWU Picnic T-shirt and a renewed invitation to attend this year's picnic. We will follow up with his staff as the date approaches. Overall, the visit went very well. Representative Driehaus was thoughtful and interested in all aspects of operations at the Bulk Mail Center. He asked questions about the varying classes of mail and mail volumes and seemed to genuinely share our concern over declining revenues. He commented to Craig and I that he particularly enjoys visits like this; allowing him to see first hand how decisions made in Washington DC might impact the people in his district. He is very personable and made every effort to greet and introduce himself to anyone who came within handshake range. If you missed the opportunity to meet him, be sure to attend the Picnic!

Burrus Calls on Labor DepartmentTo Reverse Bush FMLA Rules

2009-06-06T11:01:00.002-04:00

APWU President William Burrus has called on U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to rescind the new regulations governing the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that were imposed by the Bush Administration just days before the former president left office. The Bush FMLA rules “weakened the law and made it more difficult for workers to exercise the rights the legislation was designed to protect,” Burrus said in his June 3 letter to Solis. Click here for the full story or read the letter here: June 3 letter [PDF]

Below is a recent letter written to Philadelphia APWU members from the office of Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy

2009-05-29T15:41:00.006-04:00

Dear APWU Member:

Last year, I stood with over 100 postal workers and their families outside the Philadelphia Bulk Mail Center to protest plans to privatize operations at our nation's 21 BMCs. We stood our ground, and it seems, at least for the moment, that we won the battle to protect the mail service and good union jobs from outsourcing. Unfortunately, workers now face a new threat from a plan to consolidate these centers and eliminate the processing of originating parcel mail at the Philadelphia BMC.

In a letter to Mr. John Potter, the U.S. Postmaster General, I voiced my deep concerns regarding the potential ramifications the plan could have on the quality of mail service, delivery delays, and the livelihoods of the postal employees and their families. As I wrote to Mr. Potter, at a time when hardworking Americans are already struggling with the financial crisis, it is unfair that they must face the prospect of being "excessed" and uprooted to a different facility, or being laid off from their job. The Philadelphia BMC has provided dependable mail processing services and high-paying jobs to hundreds of employees for decades.

In a response letter, the Postmaster General's office acknowledged our concerns but expressed the need to "enhance operations" at BMC facilities in light of the U.S. Postal Service's current financial challenges. We all understand the financial strain the USPS is under, but I believe we can work together to find other ways of maintaining its viability without abandoning our workers. As a result, I am requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct an impact study of the Network Distribution Centers (NDC) to ensure that the consequences of consolidation on mail service and the postal workforce are fully understood before further action is taken.

As the son of a 30-year union member, please know that I will continue to fight everyday to protect the interests of hardworking families around the country.

Sincerely,

Patrick Murphy

MEMBER OF CONGRESS

HR 2161: A Bill to Restore the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993

2009-05-24T00:39:00.002-04:00

A new bill has been introduced to the house. HR 2161 is a bill intended to reverse changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act that were implemented just before President Obama took office. The FMLA Restoration Act, introduced on April 29 by Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), would "nullify" certain regulations put in place by the Bush administration that adversely impacted the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and restore prior regulations.

Click here to Contact Your Legislators and ask them to support this bill. The email is already written, all you do is type in your information and the software does the rest. It takes about 3 minutes.

Memorial Day Reminders - Contributed by Pete Lewis

2009-05-23T10:47:00.001-04:00

2009-05-23T10:43:00.000-04:00

On The Lighter Side, Here Are A Few "You Tube" Links To Some Of Our Favorite Music

2009-05-23T10:35:00.000-04:00

This Place Is A Prison - The Postal Service

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mubzusUYxY

We Will Rock You - Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlFZ2w0RV-8

Return To Sender - Elvis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z54-QHEZN6E

Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nuEY6fQgzk

Both Sides Gearing Up For The Fight Over The Employee Free Choice Act

2009-05-19T10:05:00.000-04:00

Corporate lobbyists and executives are gearing up for their next round of attacks on the Employee Free Choice Act. But the next battle is bound to show them for who they are: greedy people who will do anything to hold onto their power.

Corporate groups have waged war to prevent workers from enjoying what CEOs take for granted: a contract.

Anti-worker groups are now attacking the "first contract arbitration" portion of the Employee Free Choice Act, which seeks to stop employers from using endless foot-dragging against workers who have voted for a union, but have yet to secure a contract.

Their new line of attack is entirely hypocritical. Corporations use arbitration all the time, because for years, they've said it's a fast, inexpensive way to settle disputes.

It doesn't have to be a battle, but CEOs are doing all they can to stop the Employee Free Choice Act. To them, this is the demise of civilization. It's an epic battle that must be fought to preserve the status quo, and of course, their lavish lifestyles.

Tell your members of Congress that they need to support the Employee Free Choice Act. Tell them that they need to choose their constituents over the corrosive power of greed. We're counting on them to help level the playing field and improve the lives of the American people that they represent.

Watch this video and write to your members of Congress here:
http://action.seiu.org/epicbattle

P.S. Check out this video too. It's a collection of artists, actors and performers who have come together in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/CprGwDS1yqC9/

Congressman Driehaus Postpones Visit

2009-05-18T15:02:00.000-04:00

Congressman Driehaus' office notified me on Friday that something had come up and the Congressman would be unable to visit the BMC on the 11th as originally planned. We have tentatively rescheduled the visit for Monday June 1st at 11:00 am.

APWU Legislative Priorities Brochure

2009-05-11T14:18:00.001-04:00

The APWU has published a brochure of Legislative Priorities outlining the APWU's position in detail on issues that are important to Postal Workers, Retirees and their families. It is available for download in PDF format at WWW.APWU.Org or by clicking the link below.

http://www.apwu.org/dept/legis/leg-prioritiesbrochure_feb2009.pdf

2009-05-11T13:46:00.003-04:00

CONGRESSMAN STEVE DRIEHAUS TO VISIT BMC

In response to our invitation, Ohio 1st District Congressman Steve Driehaus will tour the BMC on Monday, May 18th at 9:00. The Congressman expressed an interest in touring our facility when Craig and I met with him recently in Washington, DC. He has proven himself to be a true friend of Postal Workers and their families by co-sponsoring The Employee Free Choice Act as well as HR 22 - a bill to allow the United States Postal Service to pay its share of contributions for annuitants health benefits out of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. We are confident that he will also cosponsor the Mail Network Protection Act, HR 1686, which would restrict the postal service's ability to contract out the work of postal employees. A strong relationship with our local Congressional Representatives can be a valuable asset as we begin to navigate the uncertain path that lies ahead. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Congressman Steve Driehaus while he is here. Driehaus Bio

BUY UNION MADE AUTOMOBILES!

2009-04-27T19:03:00.000-04:00