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2018 Convention Transcript Now Available

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
108-2018

11/15/2018 - An official transcript of the proceedings from the APWU’s 24th Biennial National Convention is now available to union members on www.apwu.org. The convention is the highest governing body of the APWU.

The 1,520-page document provides a full transcript of the business undertaken during the assembly, which took place Aug. 20-23 in Pittsburgh.

Union members can click here to log in and view or download the convention proceedings. The document can also be accessed from the Secretary-Treasurer’s pages.

The convention was attended by 2,119 delegates representing 314 locals, 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; and by 77 national officers and five Retirees convention delegates.

 

New Ad Against The Sale of the Public Postal Service

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
109-2018

11/15/2018 - Watch the new advertisement below produced by the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers against the White House's proposal to sell the postal service to private corporations. 

 

The U.S. Mail is NOT FOR SALE! Register Today to Join the Call on Nov. 14!

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
106-2018

11/07/2018 - On Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. EST and 7 p.m. EST the Legislative & Political Department will host a call updating the membership on the US Mail Not for Sale campaign.

Register today to join the call!

As we move into the Congressional Lame Duck Session - the period after the mid-term elections, but before newly-elected representatives take office for the 116th Congress - our fight to stop postal privatization cannot not slow down.

We must continue to advocate for a public Postal Ser­vice and keep it from being sold off to the highest bidder. Click here to join the call, hear what’s next and take action.

President Mark Dimondstein and Legis­lative & Political Director Judy Beard will discuss:

  • The current status of the White House’s plan to sell the Postal Service to private cor­porations (privatize the Postal Service).
  • The status of House Resolution 993 and Senate Resolution 633, and what to expect from Congress in the lame duck ses­sion.
  • How members can get involved in upcom­ing campaign actions.
  • Building public support after the successful National Day of Action on Oct. 8.

Some locals will also be sharing various actions they have taken to engage members and the public during the fight against postal privatization.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn more about what is be­ing done to protect your job and how you can help! Click here to sign up.

 

Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Produces Video Against Postal Privatization!

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
105-2018

10/29/2018 - In a strong show of solidarity, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA produced a video to educate flight attendants about the importance of public services and the role of solidarity in winning our fights.

“The U.S. Postal Service mail and packages fly on our planes. The routes we fly to communities across the country depend on a strong United States Postal Service. We’re standing with our sisters and brothers from [the four postal unions] to stop privatization!” 

The video features APWU convention delegates speaking about the importance of a public Postal Service and the need to stand in solidarity. Courtney Agee from Birmingham, Alabama is ready for the fight against privatization: “We can prevent this. We can. We can band together. We can not be scared. We can get in the face of Congress and say, ‘Hey, you can’t take this from the public like you want to.’ I can’t even imagine America without the Postal Service.”

“Look to your left, look to your right, look behind you, and tell everyone around you, ‘I’ve got your back!,’” proclaimed Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA at the August APWU convention in Pittsburgh.

Nelson’s call for solidarity inspired APWU member Stephanie McGee from Kansas City. “To see that you have other unions that support you and that have your back 100 percent,” said McGee, “it’s a wonderful thing.”

 

Update on Explosive Devices in Mail

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
103-2018

10/26/2018 - Federal authorities announced that an arrest was made in connection with the explosive devices being sent through the mail.

However, an arrest does not mean the danger is over. There is still a possibility that additional pieces remain in the mail stream. APWU leadership again reminds you to be vigilant and continue to be on the lookout for any suspicious devices. Alert and observant postal employees have already helped to intercept some of the devices in the mail stream.

The suspicious and anonymous mail protocols are in place to protect you and the American public from dangerous items. Please follow these protocols and always err on the side of caution when a piece of mail appears suspicious.

The Postal Service recently released an additional Stand-up Talk in regards to both the arrest and suspicious packages.

 

Attachments
 Suspicious Packages Safety Talk #3 (46.05 KB)

 

Urgent Safety Alert

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
101-2018

10/24/2018 - Breaking news: It has just been reported that explosive devices have been sent through the mail addressed to a number of high-profile individuals and corporate entities.

APWU leaders condemn such criminal acts.

Our members are rightfully deeply concerned for their own well being and that of the public we serve.

In response to this urgent crisis, the Postal Service is in the process of scheduling nationwide “Stand Up” safety talks regarding procedures for recognizing suspicious packages and protocols to follow. We will share the safety talk as soon as we receive a copy.

We urge all our members to be alert and vigilant to protect your safety and well-being and that of your co-workers and the public.

The APWU leadership is in constant touch with top postal management as these disturbing events unfold. As more information comes to light we will keep you updated.

 

New Yorkers Petition for Postal Banking

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
100-2018

10/22/2018 - On October 16, APWU members and retirees, our sister postal unions, community leaders and allies filled the Hunts Point Post Office in the Bronx, NY to deliver a petition of more than 5,300 signatures to Bronx Postmaster Scott Farrar, calling for expanded financial services at the Bronx post office and nationwide.

“Postal Banking brings a service to the people that’s not only important to the community of the Bronx,” said Jonathan Smith, New York Metro Postal Union President, “but it’s important to this nation”.

An astounding 52.3 percent of Bronx households are underserved by traditional Wall Street banks. These residents either have no bank account or have an account and use “alternative” financial services including paycheck cashing and pawn shops.

“Residents of the Bronx need affordable banking services – and the women and men of the U.S. Postal Service are ready to deliver,” President Smith continued, “Consumers without access to banking services are paying thousands of dollars a year to alternative financial institutions. The U.S. Postal Service has the legal authority, and the capacity, to provide a range of financial services at a much more affordable cost.”

“This is a better, more secure, more respectful place to go to,” said Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY). Rep. Serrano and Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY)  who both represent the Bronx, participated in the event. Serrano and Crowley delivered a letter to support the Campaign for Postal Banking. All four Congressional representatives of the Bronx signed the letter, including Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13) and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY-17).

The Campaign for Postal Banking invited Postmaster Farrar to accept the petitions. He declined to attend the event. Rep. Serrano agreed to deliver the petitions and the letter of Congressional support to Postmaster Megan Brennan.

Click here to sign the petition! 

 

APWU and USPS Agree to an Additional 30 Days of Negotiations

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
99-2018

10/20/2018 - APWU President Mark Dimondstein has announced that the union and the Postal Service again agreed to extend negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement for an additional 30 days until November 20, 2018.

The union contract between the American Postal Workers Union and the United States Postal Service covers the wages, hours, and working conditions of 193,000 postal workers and expired September 20, 2018. At that time, the parties agreed to an initial 30 day extension on negotiations until October 20, 2018.

The APWU and postal management have been negotiating for a new contract since June 26, 2018.  After four months of frequent negotiations, the parties believe that additional time to discuss and explore the issues is appropriate and useful before declaring an impasse.

“We are still working towards our goal of reaching a negotiated settlement that can be voted on by the members. Multiple meetings have already been scheduled with the Postal Service in the upcoming weeks,” declared President and lead negotiator Mark Dimondstein. “Our goals remain consistent and we are still demanding fair wage increases, COLA, job security, bridging the gaps of the divisive three-tier wage structure, addressing concerns of hostile work environments, seeking better career and full-time opportunities for both PSEs and PTFs, and expanded postal services.”

“The battle continues for a decent union contract you deserve,” shared chief spokesperson and Industrial Relations Director Vance Zimmerman. “Your negotiating team thanks you, the members, for all that you have done to support the contract campaign. Keep it going and show management that we remain united in demanding a good union contract.”

All the rights, benefits and provisions of our existing union contract remain in place, and are fully enforceable during the new 30-day extension of negotiations.

 

UPDATE: Significant Payroll Issue Identified

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
97-2018

10/18/2018 - The previously announced payroll issue caused by a faulty computer program and affected 88,782 APWU represented bargaining unit employees in the Clerk, Maintenance, Motor Vehicle Service and Support Services crafts.

The Postal Service has informed the APWU that management will begin to do manual pay adjustments beginning October 18, 2018, starting with the employees who are missing the most pay. Management’s goal is to have the majority of the pay adjustments done in time to be included on the next pay check – dated November 2, 2018 – with the remainder being completed by the November 16, 2018 pay date. However, there is no guarantee that will be accomplished.

We are asking that all employees examine their paystubs and verify that they were paid correctly for both regular, leave and overtime pay. Previously, management had told the APWU that they would not be doing emergency salary advances for employees who were shorted pay. After multiple discussions and insistence from the APWU leadership, the USPS announced that they will be giving salary advances to any employee shorted pay who requests an advance.

Employees must request the advance from their immediate supervisor. The APWU was notified of the following stand-up talk informing the employees of this option.

If you seek a pay advance and are denied this option, please immediately contact your local or state union representative.

 

Significant Payroll Issue Identified

WEB NEWS ARTICLE #: 
96-2018

10/16/2018 - This morning the APWU became aware that the Postal Service identified a computer glitch with the payroll system that will affect nearly 90,000 APWU represented bargaining unit employees. The APWU immediately contacted the USPS about the issue and will continue to monitor the situation until it is corrected. The discrepancies in pay for employees is for pay period 21 2018 (September 29-October 12, 2018, pay date October 19, 2018). Employees should review their pay stubs for pay period 21 and verify if there is any missing pay. 

Additional information will be reported when it is available.

 

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