Voting on the Tentative Agreement for the 2010-2015 APWU-USPS contract 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.

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

In addition to a ballot, the ratification mailing includes 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 [PDF – members only] and a summary of contractual provisions also can be found at 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 www.apwu.org.

Locals: Get Out the Vote!

Number of Members

Prize

1-49
50-99
100-499
500-999
1,000 and above

$200
$200
$1,000
$2,000
$4,000

To encourage participation in the contract ratification process, APWU President Cliff Guffey is encouraging locals to get out the vote.

The national union will reward the locals that are most successful in mobilizing members to vote, with the top three locals in each of several categories receiving monetary compensation to be used on behalf of local members.

To be eligible, locals must reach a voter participation level of at least 50 percent.

If more than three locals in any category generate 100 percent participation, all “100 percent” locals will receive awards.

Briefings on the Tentative Agreement
Members of the union’s negotiating team will conduct briefings on the Tentative Agreement in the locations below. APWU members who wish to attend a meeting in their area or participate via telephone should contact their National Business Agent or Regional Coordinator for specific information.

March 23
March 25
March 26
March 30
April 1
April 3
April 4
April 6
April 8

Birmingham, AL
Minneapolis, MN
Tulsa, OK
Denver, CO
Portland, OR
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
San Antonio, TX
Tampa, FL

Mailing to Non-Members

As part of the union’s organizing campaign, the APWU will send a ratification packet to workers represented by the union who are not members, inviting them to cast a ballot – provided they complete union sign-up cards, which will be enclosed in the mailing.

If You Don’t Receive a Ballot…

The referendum mailing will be sent to eligible APWU members April 8-11. If you have not received a ballot by April 18, contact the American Arbitration Association at 800-529-5218 to request a duplicate, or by e-mail to apwu@adr.org.

Provide your name, the last four digits of your social security number, your craft, and your mailing address.