Apwu133

The Federal Government established the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program on August 29, 1954. It is the largest group life insurance program in the world, covering over 4 million Federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members. Most employees are eligible for FEGLI coverage. FEGLI provides group term life insurance. As such, it does not build up any cash value or paid-up value. It consists of Basic life insurance coverage and three options. In most cases, if you are a new Federal employee, you are automatically covered by Basic life insurance and your payroll office deducts premiums from your paycheck unless you waive the coverage. In addition to the Basic, there are three forms of Optional insurance you can elect. You must have Basic insurance in order to elect any of the options. Unlike Basic, enrollment in Optional insurance is not automatic -- you must take action to elect the options. The cost of Basic insurance is shared between you and the Government. You pay 2/3 of the total cost and the Government pays 1/3. Your age does not affect the cost of Basic insurance. You pay the full cost of Optional insurance, and the cost depends on your age. The Office of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (OFEGLI), which is a private entity that has a contract with the Federal Government, processes and pays claims under the FEGLI Program More Information on USPS Life Insurance

Your COLA is here! Today career USPS workers covered by the APWU-USPS contract are seeing a paycheck with more money today. Whether it’s your car payment, gas to get to work, or maybe extra food in the pantry - this bump is because members said “we need wages that respect our work.” We have to tell the story that this increase is thanks to members fighting at the bargaining table. By coming together in our union, we can collectively demand improvements that we wouldn’t win. We can make changes if we come together. If you're not yet an APWU member join today. If you are already a member, text 91990 to commit to ask a not-yet-union coworker to join our movement. BUILD UNION POWER!›

On September 15th, United Auto Workers (UAW) members made history when they walked off the job in targeted strikes after their contracts with the “Big Three” (Ford, General Motors and Stellantis – the parent company of Chrysler) expired without new negotiated union contracts. The American Postal Workers Union stands in full solidarity with the UAW in their struggle to win strong contracts that guarantee auto workers the better pay, better hours and the better jobs they deserve. In the past ten years, the Big Three have reported $250 billion in profits, issued billions in dividends for shareholders, and raised executive pay by more than 40 percent. Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, who has publicly criticized the UAW demands as unfair to the company, made $21 million last year! UAW members are striking to challenge corporate greed and win what they deserve. UAW President Shawn Fain in announcing the initial targeted strikes stated, “…we’ll keep fighting for justice for the working class while the Big Three keep price-gouging the American consumer, ripping off the American taxpayer, and shortchanging the American worker. Enough is enough. It’s time to Stand Up.” Harkening back to the auto workers’ Sit-Down Strikes of the 1930s that led to the creation of the UAW and helped spark a union organizing wave across the country, the unionized auto workers are standing up for all working-class people in our struggle to win lives with dignity, safe and rewarding jobs, and more time to spend with our families. Postal workers share those same goals. And we’re proud to stand in solidarity with the UAW in this important struggle. The Stand-Up strikes began in three locations – Toledo, OH, Wayne, MI and Wentzville, MO. The UAW has committed to spread their strike action as needed until the Big Three come back to the table prepared to meet their just demands. “I urge every postal worker to support this critical struggle. Their just fight to overcome years of concessionary “giveback” bargaining: to restore lost COLA, remove divisive two-tier pay and benefit scales, ensure good retirement benefits for all auto workers and a shorter work week with no loss in pay, are fair demands,” said President Mark Dimondstein. “I encourage all our members to participate in rallies in support of the auto workers, join the picket lines in your areas, and sign the “All in” petition below, and spread it through social media. When auto workers win their just demands, it will be a victory for all workers." For more information, visit https://uaw.org/standwithus/.

Join the APWU to fight for better pay, better benefits, and rights in the workplace! Today, career workers under the main APWU/USPS national agreement will see a $0.48 per hour cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in their paychecks. That increase equals $38.40 per pay period, or $998 annually for a full-time worker. Having a full COLA is a big deal that benefits us all, and maintaining it is no small feat! Our COLA comes from our union negotiated contract, but our contract is only as strong as our membership. Next year (2024) the APWU will be in negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Let’s make our union stronger! Now is a good time to remind your non-member coworkers about the benefits of being in a union, what we can achieve by standing together, and how much stronger we would be if we all stood together. Every new member of the APWU is an additional postal worker’s voice speaking up for good jobs at the USPS. By stepping up and committing to organizing for a strong APWU, you are helping build a better tomorrow for us will – with better pay, better benefits, and fighting for our rights in the workplace. What can you do to build our union? Talk to your coworkers about why they should join the union, and sign them up! Attend a union meeting - or other union events - and ask your coworkers to join you. Join a committee within your local union or consider becoming a shop steward. Join online! Our online tool has made joining the APWU easy for both non-members who want to join the union, and for existing members looking to sign-up their coworkers. The entire process takes just minutes to complete. Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to join online and save a picture of the code to your phone to show your coworkers who also want to join. Make the commitment today and ask at least one non-member coworker to stand with you.

On August 26, APWU members and officers from across the country participated in the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington in the Nation’s Capital with thousands of labor rights and civil rights activists and organizations. The event, billed “not a commemoration, but a continuation," was held in remembrance of the 250,000 people who, on Aug. 28, 1963, gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC to hear Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which advocated for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. Many of the guest speakers for Saturday’s event highlighted many of the same issues that still plague or society today, such as civil rights abuses, racism, poverty, and the rollback of voting rights protections. "We are here to liberate the soul of the nation, the soul of democracy from those forces who would have us all go backwards and perish rather than go forward as sisters and brothers," said Arndrea Waters King, the daughter-in-law of Martin Luther King, Jr., who was one of several relatives who spoke at the event, including Martin Luther King, III. The program consisted of a diverse group high-profile speakers from the media and entertainment, as well as community and faith-based organizations, who called for an end to racism, antisemitism, sexism, poverty, and gun-violence, and called for labor and civil rights, including voting rights. “I had the pleasure of organizing the APWU’s participation at the March on Washington anniversary,” said Human Relations Director Daleo Freeman. “The Human Relations Department is tasked with various matters that preserve and promote social and economic justice. The march, and the reason for it, coincides with those objectives. The march gave us an opportunity to re-center and engage the movement following a disastrous term on the Supreme Court and the continued erosion of our rights by legislators and courts across the country. The APWU affirms the need to act on these threats to our common good. We stand in unity with the AFL-CIO, the civil rights movement, and the labor movement in supporting the march. I’d like to thank our APWU family that attended and joined with us at the march to continue the fight for our rights.”

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There’s some exciting news for PSEs. Postal Support Employees are now eligible for the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). The program includes comprehensive dental and vision benefits for employees who choose self, self plus one, and self and family coverage. Enrollment is open now through September 24 – so don’t wait. After that, you’ll only be able to enroll during the annual “open season” or withing 60 days of a qualifying life event. Premiums for FEDVIP are paid by the employee with no agency contributions. Several regional and national plans are available. Participating PSEs pay premiums post-tax. You can learn more and enroll at www.benefeds.com or call 1-888-337-FEDS.

Aug. 11, 2023 Pre-career employees now eligible for dental, vision benefits The Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program is now available to Postal Service pre-career employees. The program, also known as FEDVIP, includes comprehensive dental and vision benefits for employees who choose self, self plus one, and self and family coverage. Premiums for FEDVIP are paid by the employee with no agency contributions. Several national and regional plans are available, and participating pre-career employees will pay premiums post tax. Enrollment is open now through September 24. After this date, you will only be able to enroll during the annual open season period or within 60 days of a qualifying life event. To enroll, go to www.benefeds.com (“w-w-w DOT b-e-n-e-f-e-d-s DOT com”) or call 1-877-888-FEDS. The TTY number is 1-877-889- 5680. To stay abreast of the benefits available to you, sign up for text message updates by texting “PRECAREER” to 39369. Standard rates may apply. Thanks for the great job you do every day. # # #

Jobs MOU Violation Remedy Payments Scheduled for August 4 - September 1, 2023 The Clerk Craft reached a $67 million dollar settlement with the USPS on the Jobs MOU violation. The Postal Service was required to provide 800 additional jobs, of which 362 had yet to be created and posted. These positions were the Human Resource/Training Technician jobs that were supposed to have been created in the bid clusters for the sixty-seven (67) Districts. The monetary settlement follows a ruling by Arbitrator Stephen Goldberg that the Postal Service violated Arbitrator Goldberg’s previous award. Arbitrator Goldberg determined the specific offices where the violations took place. Only those employees identified as receiving payments will have a payment listed. If your name is not found and/or there is no payment, then you were not identified as being a part of the payout remedy. There are approximately only one thousand (1000) employees in the entire country identified for payment. The zero amount is in instances where there was an end result of an overpayment, yet the Agreement states there will be no Letter of Demand issued for the overpayment to the employee. Implementation Agreement Reached for Clerk Craft Jobs MOU Remedy Summary MOU Implementation Clerk Craft Jobs Monetary Remedy Payment 071123 Lamont Brooks Director Clerk Division https://apwumembers.apwu.org/APWUMembers/MembersOnly/Payouts/GOLD/IndividualSearch.aspx

Workers from 10 Roads Express in Brandywine, MD are celebrating a win after voting 27 - 3 in favor of joining the American Postal Workers Union. The Maryland-based drivers, who perform mail transportation services for the Postal Service, are the fourth 10 Roads Express location to unionize with the APWU since 2022. They petitioned to join the union because of management disrespect, favoritism, lack of safety, and not being paid for all hours worked. During the organizing campaign, management sent union busting consultants to their job sites in an attempt to intimidate workers from joining the union. However, the workers prevailed with an overwhelming majority to unionize with the APWU. “Congratulations to the workers of [the] 10 Roads Express company for taking this monumental step to unionize. It has been a pleasure meeting with and learning from each of you, while planning your election through the APWU Outside Organizing team,” said Nations Capital Southern MD Area Local President, Dena Briscoe. “10 Roads management must get the message that we no longer want to [be] disrespected, treated as expendable, and dismissed at will” said 10 Roads Express driver and organizer, Elias White. “As a union driver protected by the union… we have an equal playing field to voice ourselves without being easily replaced… I am glad that I was part of this movement that [is] taking place around the country with 10 Roads drivers.” “I congratulate the 10 Roads Express drivers in Brandywine on this overwhelming victory and welcome these new members into our union,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “I’d like to thank lead organizer Rich Shelley and Nations Capital Southern MD Area Local President, Dena Briscoe for their efforts in supporting this campaign for dignity, respect, and protection against unfair decisions made by management. There is power for workers when they join together collectively and form a union.”

In accordance with the 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), career employees represented by the APWU will receive a $0.48 per hour cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), effective Aug. 26, 2023 (separate CBAs covering IT/AS and HRSSC provide COLAs but on a different cycle). The COLA boosts pay by $998 annually for full-time, career workers. It will appear in paychecks dated Sept. 15, 2023 (Pay Period 20-2023). The increase is the result of a rise in the July Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). Because Postal Support Employees (PSEs) do not receive cost-of-living increases, they have received several additional increases beyond the annual general wage increases that all employees receive under the 2021 contract. However, when PSEs convert to career, the COLA increases are also included in their wages going forward. Total cumulative COLAs under 2021 Contract equals $2.39 per hour, or $4,971 annually The COLAs are separate from and additional to annual general wage increases and step increases. This is the fourth cost-of-living increase under the 2021 CBA. The first COLA, effective in February 2022, amounted to $0.63 per hour or $1,310.00 annually. The second, effective in August 2022 was $1.18 per hour or $2,455.00 annually. The third, effective March 11, 2023, was $0.10 per hour, or $208.00 annually. The total cumulative amount received so far in COLAs during the 2021-2024 CBA is $2.39 per hour, or $4,971 annually. “After two years of high inflation, our union-won COLA is more valuable to postal workers and our families than ever,” said APWU President, Mark Dimondstein. “Postal Workers are some of the few U.S. workers who receive these increases and no one should take these benefits for granted. Even in the postal world, the APWU is the only postal union that has maintained full COLA in our contracts.” Now is the Time to Continue to Build our Union! Having a full COLA is a big deal that benefits us all, and maintaining it is no small feat. Our COLA comes from our union negotiated contract, but the contract is only as strong as our membership. Next year (2024) the APWU will be in negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. We All Have a Role to Play! Building union power makes us all stronger. Every new member of the APWU is a new postal worker’s voice speaking up for good jobs at the USPS, whether it be a voice for better pay, better benefits, better service or demanding a better work environment with respect. Our Strength is in our numbers! By stepping up and committing to organizing for a strong APWU you are helping build a better tomorrow for us all. What Can You Do to Build Our Union? You can talk to your non-union coworkers about why they should join the union – and sign them up! You can attend a union meeting and other union activities -- and encourage your co-workers to join with you. Join a union committee within your local/state organization, or consider becoming a shop steward.

In August 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the bipartisan Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The Act expanded VA health care and benefits coverage to the many veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits and other hazardous substances, such as Agent Orange. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) has announced that veterans or their survivors seeking backdated claims under the PACT Act have until Aug. 9 2023 to file the claim, or submit an “Intent to File.” Eligible applicants can have their claims backdated to August, 2022. After the Aug. 9, 2023 deadline, affected veterans will still be able to apply for benefits, but their claims will not be backdated. “I encourage our impacted veteran members who may have eligibility under the PACT Act to apply for these benefits. You can apply any time, but Aug. 9 is the deadline for backdated claims,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. For veterans who want to learn more, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411.

(This article first appeared in the July/August 2023 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) With the many legitimate complaints against Postal Service management’s inappropriate treatment of employees and unacceptable behaviors, there is a process in place that all our APWU sisters and brothers need to familiarize themselves with. During our Workplace Environment Committee meetings, Initial Management Inquiry Processes (IMIPs) are frequently discussed to find solutions to the recurring question of why is there so much harassment of our members? The sheer number of grievances related to the constant harassment complaints across the entire country is indicative of why this process, and others, are necessary. The IMIP requires that managers, postmasters, and supervisors gather enough information at the onset of a complaint to properly proceed. There are many determinations to be made by management, such as separating the employees, and if applicable, a recommendation to seek Employee Assistance Program counseling. This process must be completed by a higher-level supervisor or manager who has the authority to launch the inquiry. The IMIP will not replace a harassment investigation conducted by Human Resources. The IMIP requires that management react promptly to complaints associated with harassment, and mandates that management properly address the problem. It is not appropriate for management to refer the problem to any other process, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity process; they should punctually investigate concerns that are brought forth by any employee. Once the complaint is received, management must separately and thoroughly interview the harassed worker, the harasser, and all witnesses relative and specific to the complaint. This process must be acted upon promptly. Management’s failure to act promptly can result in loss of evidence and finding management did not act reasonably. Once a thorough investigation has been completed, management must evaluate the information derived from interviews with all of the parties involved in the investigation. APWU national and local officers are committed to ensuring that management follows all of the established protocols by the local manager, Human Resources, Headquarters (HQ) and HQ field units. Interviews must be confidential to the greatest extent possible, and employees should report this to their local union's leadership if this isn’t the case. Documentation related to the interviews should be provided to the manager, Human Resources, local or area offices, for HQ and HQ field units. APWU regional Safety and Health representatives throughout the country report on and address management’s lack of commitment to improve conditions. The dedicated regional Safety and Health representatives, will continue to fight for our members. We are exploring the possibility of an enhanced process to ensure IMIPs are promptly addressed. We recently received an arbitration award for a grievance pertaining to an IMIP that was not properly conducted by the USPS. Four employees were awarded $10,000, with an additional penalty of $50 per day until the award is fully paid. As per Publication 552, the USPS must always conduct IMIPs without delay, and they must follow the rules and procedures to ensure that a legitimate investigation was performed. The APWU leadership implores each of you to stand together, just as we have on many occasions, to combat the monsters in the Postal Service who will continue to bully as usual, if they are not held accountable for their actions. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Industrial Relations Department for information and assistance regarding IMIPs. ■ YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT! Any local or state can organize events and rallies to protest harassment, and to stand up for respect and dignity. Please send your photos and videos of your union-organized events and rallies to: communications@apwu.org.

The Human Relations Department held its Educational Assembly in Baltimore, MD, June 13-15, meeting in person for the first time since 2017. Human Relations Director Daleo Freeman opened the conference with greetings and remarks, explaining the purpose that gathered everyone there. “Building unity, solidarity and an efficiently equipped membership... this is the intent of the conference,” he said. Through three days, members were educated, engaged and empowered on topics such as Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Veterans’ Rights, Civil Rights, Voting Rights, Economic Justice, Social Justice and Equal Employment opportunities. The APWU-appointed Regional Resource Assistants were formally introduced. President Dimondstein gave a presentation on civil rights and justice, its history in relation to the labor movement, and the effects seen today. “In our community lies our strength,” stated President Dimondstein, “and our strength is stronger when labor and civil rights are united and in solidarity.” Attendees were enlightened on the history of The Great Postal Strike of 1970, and APWU’s involvement in the Anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa in 1994. Members were then bought head-first into the 21st century as they discussed the current struggles in the fight for social justice and equality for all, regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ethnicity or background. “Learning about the marriage between the civil rights movement and the labor movement reenergized me,” said APWU member Chiezika Nwanyanwu, Executive Treasurer of the Greater Los Angeles Area Local. “Getting caught up in the day to day, often times we forget why the labor movement exists in the first place.” At the conclusion of the Assembly, members left with a renewed sense of understanding on the role of the Human Relations Department and their part in making it happen. Attendees were encouraged to share the information learned and use it to implement or reboot human relations committees at the local level.

You can now manage your installment payments in My Account at any time by stopping existing installments and requesting new installments. To make certain changes, such as changing federal tax withholding and managing rollovers, without stopping your installments, you must call the ThriftLine. After your initial installment start date, we’ll process subsequent installments on the fifteenth (or next business day) of the month they’re due. If you stop or change your installments after noon eastern time on that date, you’ll still receive any payment already processed. Keep in mind that you must wait 30 days between withdrawal and distribution requests. If you stop your installments within 30 days of making a withdrawal or distribution request, you need to wait the full 30 days from the date of the withdrawal request before you can request installments again. Posted: July 25, 2023