[December 22nd]

APWU, USPS Reach Agreement on VERA

By Stephen Losey
Federal Times
December 22, 2003

About 2,500 more postal workers will be able to retire early under a new agreement between the U.S. Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union. The Postal Service had restricted early retirements to clerks, maintenance workers and drivers under Level 5. The APWU said that the contract extension signed in December 2002 was meant to allow all postal workers to retire early.

"I expected [the Postal Service] would do the right thing," said APWU President William Burrus.

Postal workers who were eligible to retire Oct. 31, but were not allowed to leave because they were above Level 5, will be able to retire under the agreement announced Dec. 19. The new agreement will allow all maintenance workers, drivers and workers who fill mail bags to retire early if they wish, APWU said.

Anyone who wishes to retire must submit information to the APWU by Jan. 9. Those who already submitted information will not need to do so again.

The APWU plans to drop a lawsuit it had filed in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia challenging the early-out restrictions.

About 4,000 postal workers retired early on Oct. 31. Burrus said about 2,000 eligible postal workers had their early-retirement requests rejected. He expects the decision will result in another 500 postal workers taking early retirement. A retirement date has not been set for those workers.

**********NOTE*************

Employees who fail to provide their names to the APWU prior to the deadline will not be permitted to retire early.

APWU-represented employees who met the eligibility requirements for Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) as of Oct. 31, 2003, but were denied the opportunity to retire for any of the reasons listed in the form, should complete the form and submit it to the union immediately if they still wish to retire early.

If you have already submitted your name in response to previous requests from the APWU, please do not submit your name again. Lists of employees who have submitted their names as of Dec. 19 are posted on the APWU home page.

Eligible Operating Services employees should not submit their names. The Postal Service will identify such employees and offer them VER.

APWU-represented employees who were eligible for VER by Oct. 31, 2003, but were denied for any reason, should complete the form and send it to the APWU at:

Industrial Relations, APWU VER-Form
1300 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20005.

You may fax the form to: 202-842-8587.

Please note that completing the form does not constitute an application for retirement.

        [December 14th]

President Burrus Denounces MadTV Skit
(From his letter dated December 10, 2003)

Mr. Sandy Grushow
Chairman, FOX Entertainment Group
Building 100, Room 5110
10201 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035


Dear Mr. Grushow:

I was dismayed and outraged by the promotions for a skit scheduled to air on Mad TV.

The promotional spot shows postal workers "getting into the holiday spirit" by brandishing assault weapons and arguing about taking credit for a killing spree, while customers cower in a post office lobby.

At a time when postal employees are working long hours to ensure that America's holiday cards and packages arrive at their destinations on time, such a depiction is truly offensive.

The sentiments also desecrate the memories of Postal Service employees injured and killed in the line of duty. Just two years ago, postal workers were being hailed as heroes. The reality is that they were on the front lines in the war on terrorism - delivering mail despite very real concerns for their own safety. Postal workers are dedicated to serving their country, and they do so with pride and dignity, one piece of mail at a time.

I urge you to take the promotional ad— and the skit— off the air.

Sincerely,

William Burrus,
President
American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

        [December 10th]

COLA Update

A decrease in the Consumer Price Index in October means that if the adjustment were made based on the third month of the six-month measuring period, the fifth Cost-Of-Living Adjustment period under the National Agreement would give employees an annual raise of $166.

The adjustment, which is subject to fluctuation in the next three months of accounting, would amount to an 8 cents per hour increase, which works out to $6.40 per pay period. The fifth COLA will be based on the January 2004 index point and will take effect in March 2004.

The three most recent COLA increases took effect Sept. 6 ($291) and March 8, 2003, ($250), and Sept. 7, 2002 ($312).

APWU-represented postal workers received a 1.3 percent increase in their annual salaries Nov. 15, based on their wage rates as of Sept. 13, 2003. Effective with Pay Period 25-03, this pay hike was be reflected in paychecks issued Dec. 5.

Updated pay scales can be found in the November/December edition of The American Postal Worker. Pay scales also can be seen at www.apwu.org.

        [December 10th]

Employees Fighting Terrorism Granted Five Days of Uncharged Leave

The Postal Service has informed the APWU that it will provide five days of uncharged leave to USPS employees called to active duty in the war on terrorism.

In a directive issued to the heads of executive departments and agencies on Nov. 14, President Bush ordered that the leave be provided to "Federal civil servants," without specifically mentioning postal employees.

"This is notification that Postmaster General John E. Potter has determined that postal employees should be included in this benefit," APWU President William Burrus was told in a letter Nov. 25.

"The Postal Service recognizes the service and sacrifice of members of the Reserve Forces and the Air and Army National Guard, and wishes to ensure that Postal Service employees, who are not covered by the President's Memorandum, are included in this directive."

        [December 10th]

Private Healthcare Systems Selected by the APWU Health Plan

Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), the nation's leading health care cost management company, announced its network is now available to the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Health Plan. Members who choose the PHCS Network will be able to access convenient, cost-effective health care through an extensive network of providers and facilities.

The PHCS Network is available to union members in eleven states through APWU Health Plan's well-regarded High Option, a fee-for-service plan. The program is open to employees or retirees covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. The High Option plan offers APWU's 250,000 members and their families the flexibility to choose their own hospitals, primary care doctors or specialists. The PHCS Network will be available in Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.

Read more here: PHCS Network Adds APWU Healthplan.