THE BULLETIN BOARD
November 2005
[November 14th]Mailng List Error
2006 Membership Cards were mailed to all members on November 7, 2005. Unfortunately, a missorting error occurred with the mailing list. This resulted in the mailing being sent to a proper address with an improper name.
Members should open the mailing and use the membership card for 2006.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
[November 14th]Penalty Overtime Exclusion Period Set
The annual time period during which the penalty overtime regulations will not be applicable begins Dec. 3 (Pay Period 25-2005, Week 2) and ends Dec. 30 (Pay Period 01-2006, Week 1).
There are four consecutive service weeks each year during which penalty overtime regulations do not apply. This four-week period is referenced in Article 8 (Sections 4 and 5) of the Collective BargainingAgreement.
[November 13th]VERA Update
Employees who were improperly denied Voluntary Early Retirement in 2003 and/or 2004 will be granted opportunities for early outs, with retirements taking effect Dec. 31. This is NOT a new opportunity for early retirement, but the resolution of a dispute regarding eligibility for the early-outs offers made previously.
For more information, visit the national website's "Voluntary Early Retirement" pages.
[November 1st]Health Benefits Open Season
This year's Open Season for making changes to your Health Plan is November 14th through December 12th.
The APWU is pleased to present two great options: High Option and Consumer-Driven Option.
The Consumer-Driven Option is a lower cost plan that combines affordability with flexibility and more control over healthcare decisions. The highly rated High Option has been providing comprehensive benefits, a comparative price and outstanding service for forty-five years.
The premium costs of the APWU Health Plan's Consumer-Driven Options and High Option are substantially below the average increase in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. Take a look at the Health Plan's premiums for 2006:
2006 Consumer Driven Option Premiums (Bi-weekly):
Self Only (474)— You pay $18.40.
Self and Family (475)— You pay $41.40.
2006 High Option Premiums (Bi-weekly):
Self Only (471)— You pay $24.59.
Self and Family (472)— You pay $53.96.
Postal Employees in a non-APWU bargaining units may enroll as Associate Members for only a $35/year fee.
Further information can be found at www.apwuhp.com or call toll-free 1-800-PIC-APWU.
[November 1st]New "Leave Year" Information
The new leave year begins January 7, 2006 with pay period 02-2006, and ends January 5, 2007 with pay period 01-2007.
You can use your new leave— if you are a full-time regular employee— during this time. Your leave will begin showing up on the paycheck for pay period 02-2006 (dated January 27, 2006.)
Employees who have to use their annual leave or lose it must do so by January 06, 2006. Craft employees are able to carry over 440 hours of annual leave.
Past Issues of the Bulletin Board
[October 2005]
[September 2005] [August 2005]
Use our Search function to look up further back-issues of the Bulletin Board.
