Local Officers and Representatives
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The Postal Service’s financial difficulties are a frequent topic of discussion among union members, and recently I have received several suggestions about ways employees can help the USPS remain solvent. Most of the ideas involve efforts to increase mail volume by promoting letter-writing campaigns or other activities. A submission by Todd Manganello (of the Baton Rouge Local) to Ask the President on the union’s Web site suggested a stamp-buying lottery aimed at increasing use of the Postal Service by individuals. Unions oppose 5-day delivery, other proposals to cut USPS costs All four major postal unions will renegotiate their contracts in 2010 or 2011, and the Postal Service — which spends 80 percent of its operating budget on labor costs — will certainly push for concessions... the Postal Service might find it easier to demand concessions. Guffey: Fighting Contract Postal Units, Protecting Retail Jobs Retail employees are understandably fearful that their jobs will be eliminated, and many union activists are convinced that management plans to replace the stations and branches with Contract Postal Units (CPUs), which are owned and run by non-postal employees. Opinion: Postal Service remains vital in digital age For the last four decades, letter carriers and other postal employees have had no more loyal friends than Lacy Clay and his father, former Rep. Bill Clay, two St. Louis Democrats who have represented Missouri's First Congressional District since 1969. So when the time comes that a Clay says the Postal Service must "transform itself to survive as a viable entity," things must be serious, indeed. But as policymakers weigh their options, they should realize that people, while they spend a lot of time online, still live in the real world. Business may be down, but 180 billions of pieces of mail a year are vitally important. ...Even in the digital age, the Postal Service's mission of "binding the nation together" with universal service, at fair and reasonable rates, must be preserved. |
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 Scholarship Programs About APWU Scholarships The APWU awards 10 scholarships each year — five academic scholarships and five vocational scholarships — to the children and grandchildren of APWU members. Please note that the APWU scholarship rules and the application form have been changed for 2007. The new application form must be used to apply for both the Hallbeck and Vocational scholarships. Old application forms will not be accepted. The deadline for submission of applications remains The E.C. Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship awards recipients $4,000 to apply towards their four-year college tuition. Vocational Scholarship winners receive up to $3,000 for specialized training in such fields as culinary arts, medical or dental assistant, electrician, real estate, auto mechanic, certified IT/computer education, cosmetology or massage therapy, etc. The program awards $1,000 scholarships annually for up to three years to at least one recipient from each of the five postal areas. Eligible programs can be of a nine-month to three-year duration. The scholarships are open only to high school seniors. http://www.apwu.org/dept/sec-treas/stscholarships.htm March 15 each year is the standing deadline for the APWU to receive completed applications. http://www.apwu.org/dept/sec-treas/stscholarships.htm For more information or to receive an application by mail, call the APWU Secretary-Treasurer's office at 202-842-4215. Additional Scholarship Opportunities In addition to the APWU Scholarship Program, you may wish to consider scholarship programs sponsored by Union Plus. Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship Program, created by the AFL-CIO, has awarded nearly $2 million to union members and their families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education at colleges or trade and technical schools. Their awards range from $500 to $4,000. Visit www.unionplus.org/scholarships for more information. Union Plus applications must be postmarked by Jan. 31, 2007. In addition, Union Plus sponsors the National Labor College Scholarship, which grants awards to union members who attend the National Labor College at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Silver Spring, MD. Union Plus also offers a free Scholarship Search, with a database of more than 3,700 scholarships worth over $3.1 billion. |
APWU Accident Benefit Association Formed by postal railway clerks in 1898, the Accident Benefit Association (ABA) today is a non-profit organization operated by the union to provide benefits to APWU members and their beneficiaries in case of temporary disability, dismemberment, or death resulting directly from a covered accident. Whether you are injured on the job or off, both the ABA's Advantage and Value plans offer financial benefits even if you are also eligible for OWCP or other compensation. To learn more about ABA's benefits, contact your local president or visit the ABA's Web site, www.apw-aba.org. |
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 Pay Information Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Update For Employees Covered by the National Agreement and the Operating Services Agreement: (Updated 12/14/07) In November, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) rose to 613.287. After the fourth month of the six-month measuring period, and assuming the adjustment was made based on the November index point, the next COLA would be $354 per year, which works out to $13.60 per pay period or 17 cents per hour. However, the next COLA (the 3rd under the 2006-2010 National Agreement and Operating Services Agreement) will be based on the January 2008 index point, and will be effective March 1, 2008 (pay period 06-2008, pay date March 21, 2008). The 2nd COLA under the 2006-2010 National Agreement was $686 and was effective Sept. 1, 2007. Under the 2006 National Agreement and Operating Services Agreement, employees have so far received the following adjustments totaling $686: $686 (effective Sept. 1, 2007, pay period 19-2007, pay date Sept. 21, 2007). |
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