APWU Ask The President Question: What is the true cost of labor? I often hear that labor costs account for 80 percent of postal expenses. Years ago you wrote an article pointing out that the costs for the bargaining unit were only 9 cents out of a 29-cent stamp. Thank you. Thomas, Rockford (IL) Area […]
APWU President William Burrus is encouraging union members to join thousands of activists for a rally in the heart of New York City’s financial district on April 29. The rally will demand “Good Jobs Now” and call for new regulations to hold Wall Street bankers accountable for the mess they have made of the economy […]
The postal service is currently considering several changes that will impact Clerk Craft employees and customers. The USPS intends to test a new Retail Network prototype at the L’Enfant Plaza office in Washington, DC. The pilot will include a complete renovation of the unit, with plans to add split counters to make interaction between retail […]
APWU News With contract negotiations set to begin later this year, APWU President William Burrus has announced the names of union members who will serve on the Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee. In accordance with the APWU Constitution [PDF], each member of the National Executive Board names one person to the committee; a 13th […]
Denying an employee’s request for advance sick leave based solely on the grievant’s low sick leave balance doesn’t make sense. Why else would a person need advanced sick leave? http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/elm/html/elmc5_003.htm#ep444505 Article 10 – Advance Sick Leave Denial This is a summary of Regular Panel Arbitrator Timothy Buckalew’s decision in case B06T-1B-C-08264489 regarding the Postal […]
Burrus Update Rumors about Voluntary Early Retirement offers are once again circulating throughout the Postal Service, and employees are evaluating the possibilities. Let me state plainly: * There have been no discussions with postal management about offering new monetary incentives as an enticement for retiring. * If incentives are contemplated at some future date, the […]
The union recently appealed to national arbitration an issue concerning the employer’s obligation to meet with the union at the regional level no less than 90 days prior to involuntarily reassigning bargaining unit employees outside their craft or installation. The dispute arose when the APWU learned that management at the regional level was taking the […]
APWU News Confirming charges the APWU has made for more than a decade, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) concluded on March 29 that the Postal Service grants excessive postage discounts to large mailers. The USPS suffered a loss of $3.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2009. The PRC’s Annual Compliance Determination (ACD) [PDF] identified 30 types of […]
Omar Gonzalez, APWU Western Coordinator Attached please find the Area/Regional Settlement. It provides for a one time opportunity to be offered to former clerk/maintenance employees involuntarily reassigned to the carrier craft and forced to take an exam resulting in separation. This is an optional offer. It is recommended that you make contact with the employee […]
The Postmaster General won the public relations battle on March 2 in regard to five day delivery when he announced proposed changes to the postal service over the coming decade, changes that appeared as the main story on all major news networks that evening. He continues to enjoy the advantage of a well planned orchestrated […]