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Local News
Local news delivered to you, the members
Magazine
June 10, 2024
Join the Virtual Contract Rally on June 24!
We are excited to announce the Contract Negotiations Virtual Kickoff Rally at 7 p.m. EST on June 24 as we begin negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Join APWU President Mark Dimondstein, Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Powell, and labor and community allies, as we rally to win a strong new union contract. As we continue building union power with the momentum of our successful national organizing drive, which runs through June 25, this is our moment to come together in solidarity and prepare for what’s ahead.
Click HERE to register for APWU’s virtual kick-off rally on June 24.
We encourage local and state organizations to hold additional events in support of a new contract.
Magazine
June 10, 2024
2024 Contract Campaign Slogan Winner Announced!
Earlier this spring, APWU National called on active and retiree members to submit slogan ideas for the upcoming 2024 contract negotiations. We asked members to submit ideas for slogans to represent our fight for a contract that strengthens wages, benefits, and rights for APWU-represented postal workers, and to ensure that our essential service is safely and adequately staffed for years to come.
APWU members answered the call: APWU received more than 3,000 slogan ideas, which highlights the enthusiasm and support for our Contract Campaign on the workroom floor. The National Executive Board is proud to announce that the winning entry and choice for our 2024 Contract Campaign slogan is “Union Proud, Say It Loud!” The entry was submitted by Ronnie McGee, of the Atlanta Metro Area Local (GA).
The second-place entry was “Unite, Organize, and Mobilize”, submitted by Emily Kim of the Mankato Area Local (MN). The third-place entry was “A Strong Union, A Strong Future” submitted by Edward Teets of the Boise Local (ID).
These slogans will now be used in Contract Campaign materials and on union gear for members to show their support of our fight for a good new contract. We will announce when these Contract Campaign materials are online for purchase on the APWU store at apwustore.org.
“Congratulations to our winners. The tremendous response to the contest shows our members’ enthusiasm for the upcoming contract negotiations,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein.
“We are proud of our members’ creativity and wit,” said APWU Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Powell. “The volume of responses shows that our members are ready to show their union spirit and solidarity when we begin negotiations on June 25.”
Meet Our Local Union's Committee Teams!
Per a request, our website now includes our executive board committee teams that are the cornerstone in making decisions that benefit our local union. We believe that these appointed or elected executives are serious in taking action on important matters. Check out the new page by going to https://apwu917.org/committees or by simply clicking the button below!
A Newly Redesigned and Accessible Footer!
We have a newly redesigned and more accessible footer that makes accessing information and helpful tools in the footer! Simply scroll down to the bottom of the page to check it out!
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Union Member Appreciation
T-Shirts and Apparels
Building a stronger and more active membership makes us powerful. Whether we are fighting for a good, fair new union contract in June, protecting our jobs during proposed consolidations due to the Postal Service’s network modernization, or defending our safety in the workroom or, working together in a union is what wins the day!
Every year, as postal workers retire and new hires join our ranks, the privatizers and corporate giants hope our union will get weaker – that new hires will fail to join the union and pay their dues, until one by one, our union shrinks, and we are too weak to fight off their attacks.
The outcome of this contract depends on our union’s power and leverage. We are the American Postal Workers Union!
With it being a new contract negotiation year, during the executive board meeting (E-Board), a motion and budget have been passed to allocate $20,000 for union member appreciation mainly for t-shirts in the year 2024. The e-board and general meeting opened up the motion and budget to also include other types of apparel such as beanies, ball caps, cycling hats, mugs, keychains, lanyards, and ID Holders. An e-board committee will come together to discuss the design and distribution of apparel.
Pre-Convention Workshop!
The Research & Education Department will sponsor 24 Pre-Convention Workshops on Friday, July 12, 2024, prior to the start of the craft conferences and national convention, at the Huntington Place Convention Center, Detroit, Michigan.
All APWU members are welcome and must register online by the Monday, July 1, 2024 deadline.
Participants are encouraged to register early, as classroom space is limited. Participants may sign up for workshops after arriving in Detroit but will have limited choices of workshops, as many will already be filled.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THESE PRE-CONVENTION WORKSHOPS ARE AT THE APWU MEMBERS OWN EXPENSE.
IF ONE PLANS TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL CONVENTION, HE OR SHE MUST BE A DELICATE!
A list of workshops and times can be found at the link below.
Here are some highlighted workshops:
Basic Shop Steward’s Training:
Dealing with a Hostile Work Environment and Handling Postal “Monsters”:
Fighting to Save Jobs Due to Closures and Consolidations:
Labor Law Fundamentals:
Leadership Development:
Safety and Health
The Industrial Relations Director is charged with responsibility for the health and safety of all divisions of the Union. Article 14 of the National Agreement requires management to provide a safe and healthy work environment for all employees covered by the agreement. To achieve this end, the contract provides for the establishment of joint safety and health committees at various levels throughout the Postal Service.
HOW TO REPORT HAZARDS, UNSAFE CONDITIONS OR PRACTICES WITH PS FORM 1767
You can use PS Form 1767 is to be used to report hazards, unsafe conditions, work practice and, in the opinion of the APWU, hostile work environments. You can use this form to report anything that you think could jeopardize your health: Dirty conditions, pests, mold, disturbed or broken building materials (tiles, insulation, etc.)
COLA and You
Rising inflation underscores the importance of our negotiated Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) within our union contract, made possible by the strength of our membership. COLAs are our best protection against inflation. Postal Workers are some of the few U.S. workers who receive COLA increases. Even in the postal world, we are the only postal union maintaining full COLA in our union contract.
“Once again, union-won COLAs prove how invaluable our contractual rights are to postal workers and our families,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “We will continue to fight to maintain full COLA provisions in our upcoming contract.”
Please be aware that neither the local nor national APWU has any legal or moral obligation to assist those wanting to opt-out or want to be non-members.
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS!
The COLA adjustments for career employees during the 2021-2024 contract cummlatively totaled $5325 every year!
Though Postal Support Employees (PSEs) do not receive cost-of-living increases, they have received several additional increases beyond the general wage increases for all employees in the APWU bargaining unit under the 2021 contract. However, when PSEs convert to career, the COLA increases are also included in their base wages going forward.
THAT'S A WIN!
Demand An End to Short Staffing
In the USPS
The United States Postal Service is an essential part of the fabric of our community and our country. We depend on reliable postal services.
Whether it’s important business, picking up a package, or checking in with family and friends, we need a post office that is open and fully staffed with the trained, dedicated postal workers we trust with our mail and packages.
It is unacceptable to us when our post offices are unexpectedly closed, hours are shortened, and lines are long due to staffing shortages.
We call on you to make every effort to keep our post office open at convenient and reasonable hours and properly staffed to provide the “prompt, reliable, and efficient” service we deserve under the law.
Stop Supervisors From Performing
Bargaining Unit Clerk Work
Supervisors are PROHIBITED from performing bargaining unit work at post offices with 100 or more bargaining unit employees, except:
1. In An Emergency (by acts of God).
SHORT STAFFING DOES NOT QUALIFY AS AN EMERGENCY!
2. For the purpose of training or instructions of employees (Instructions limited to only on how to operate/perform a function and not of a direct order from a supervisor).
3. To ensure the proper operations of equipment.
4. To protect the safety of employees.
5. To protect the property of the USPS (Such as: Building and Equipment property).
Technically, although it is for the exclusive use of the USPS, it is still, essentially, the property of the people or business.
In offices with LESS THAN 100 bargaining unit employees, supervisors are PROHIBITED from performing bargaining unit work except as enumerated in Section 6.A.1 through 5 above or when the duties are included in the supervisor's position description (mail pickup and "managing the line" are considered clerk work).
Please also follow the proper grievance process.
Fountain Valley (FV) Annual Summer Fest!
June 13-16, 2024
What is another good way to get together with members, family, and friends? Simple! Attend an already-planned event like SummerFest!
Fun awaits you at the 2024 Fountain Valley Summerfest from Thursday, June 13 through Sunday, June 16 at the Fountain Valley Sports Park.
Rock with a jam-packed line-up of live concerts on the Floor & Decor Stage. Soar to new heights as you spin around and upside-down in the Fun Zone where you can enjoy carnival rides and play games for all ages.
Taste delicious eats-sweet treats, savory bites, and fest favorites along with adult beverage options including our signature drink, Summer Smash.
Come out to support the Fountain Valley Community Foundation Stage, a dazzling array of talented performers that will feature local area dancing troupes, theater groups, and music groups such as high school and small bands.
Make sure to visit all the amazing vendors (this could be a potential opportunity to promote the union here)!
Be mesmerized by the FREE Drone Shows on Friday and Saturday night that will light up the sky of the Fountain Valley Sports Park.
Summer has never been so much fun!
Parking is free with only a $5 admission per person!
More information can be found at the link below!
APWU 27th Biennial National Convention
July 15 – 18, 2024
Detroit, MI
APWU locals and state organizations, please send your full quota of delegates and kindly join us at this year's national convention.
View Recent APWU Events
- Thu, Jul 11APWU 27th Biennial National ConventionJul 11, 2024, 8:00 AM – Jul 18, 2024, 5:00 PMAPWU 27th Biennial National Convention, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
- Sat, Apr 27Costa MesaApr 27, 2024, 4:00 PMCosta Mesa, 151 Kalmus Dr STE H7, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
- Sat, Jan 27Costa MesaJan 27, 2024, 4:00 PMCosta Mesa, E, 151 Kalmus Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
Address Change?
Has your address changed since first joining APWU?
There are a few ways in which a local union or state organization can update members’ addresses.
1) Local unions and state organizations can change member’s address at the local or state level. The President or Secretary-Treasurer may log in to the Members Only section and click on the “Change Address” tab.
2) Members can change their address themselves when accessing the Members Only section of the website.
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Visit www.apwu.org
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Click the Members Only tab
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Log In
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Username = EIN
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Password = last name (all lowercase) and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
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If you should need assistance in resetting your account and/or password, please e-mail myunioninfohelp@apwu.org
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3) Mail or e-mail the member’s new address to the Per Capita Department. Please include the following information:
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Member’s Full Name
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Local/State Organization
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New Address
E-mail to myunioninfohelp@apwu.org or mail to American Postal Workers Union, Attn: Per Capita Department, 1300 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.
