In recent VERAs the Postal Service issued FERS annuity estimates that omitted the employee’s FERS annuity supplement. The FERS annuity supplement is often nearly equal the basic annuity amount. Was that to discourage early retirements so they can justify weakening the no-layoff clause in upcoming contract negotiations? The method of calculating the FERS annuity supplement […]
This Seattle Times police blog article presents two controversial issues: Seattle police say they sometimes pose as mail carriers. How do mail carriers feel about being put at risk this way? Does the Postal Service know about this police practice and approve its use? In some undercover operations, officers pose as utility workers, mail carriers […]
by Attorney Robert R. McGill As with most things in life, attempting to secure a Federal Disability Retirement annuity under FERS or CSRS requires an extraordinary amount of time, effort, planning, and the collection, formulation and coordination of a compendium of information. Multiple questions arise at the early stages of planning: Can I live on […]
Saying that he has long been “skeptical” about whether the increased use of electronic communication is to blame for the Postal Service’s economic woes, APWU President William Burrus told lawmakers July 29 that “It is imperative that postal decision-makers correctly identify the cause of the reduction in volume and the trends that will drive future […]
It came as no surprise to me that few postal employees accepted the latest voluntary early retirement offer, especially those under the new retirement system, FERS. The annuity estimates given to FERS eligibles between minimum retirement age (MRA) and age 62 omitted their FERS Special Retirement Supplement. It was a substantial amount to leave out–$1,000 […]
According to Greg Bell, APWU Director Industrial Relations Locally Filed Osha Complaints and a National Unfair Labor Practice Charge are among the actions taken by the APWU in our ongoing battle with the Postal Service over ergonomic hazards on the Delivery Bar Code Sorter (DBCS). In a March 25, 2009, letter to local presidents [PDF], […]
The USPS is failing to follow OPM’s instructions to include the FERS annuity supplement when offering VER to employees between MRA (55-57) and age 62. (see attached documents) This is something new that didn’t exist under CSRS. HRSSC is hopelessly inept these days due to inadequate trained staff. The USPS is starting to get substantial […]
by Jim Burke, APWU Eastern Region Coordinator A problem that continues to be a plague on the Postal Service workplace is abusive supervisors. There are certain supervisors who simply cannot manage to treat employees with dignity and respect. And there are other supervisors — including many good ones — who are victims of the system: […]
By Ronald Williams, Jr., Mail Handler, United States Postal Service As a young retired military leader currently employed with the United States Postal Service working in a Processing & Distribution Center (P&DC), I get a daily panoramic view from inside the mail giant working behind the scenes in an industrial environment. I love the work […]
In an article that appeared in the March/April 2007 issue of The American Postal Worker Magazine, National President William Burrus stated that despite successes, nothing that the APWU has done has significantly reduced the unacceptable high percentage of workers who continue to receive the benefits of union efforts but refuse to join the organization. He […]