For 37 days, members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) engaged in militant rotating strikes in the struggle for a new union contract. Canadian postal workers were forced into strike action by the refusal of Canada Post to address the just and urgent demands of the workers, including addressing dangerous work conditions and high injury rates, unequal pay for rural workers, and massive hours of forced overtime. Yesterday, Nov. 27, the Canadian government, through legislative action, forced Canadian postal workers back to work and into binding mediation and arbitration.

As the struggle continues, the CUPW is keeping all options open, including switching to a campaign of non-violent civil disobedience and other tactics to press their contract demands. “‘An Injury to One is an Injury to All.’ Their fight is our fight,” said President Mark Dimondstein. “The APWU salutes the unity and determination of our Canadian sisters and brothers and we have full confidence that the workers, led by the CUPW, will overcome these new obstacles and prevail in their just struggle. We stand in unbreakable union solidarity with Canada’s postal workers.” 

Our current Collective Bargaining Agreement (union contract) initially expired on September 20, 2018. The APWU and the U.S. Postal Service agreed to extend negotiations until October 20^th after which the parties again extended negotiations until November 20^th. During that period the APWU and the Postal Service engaged in a series of negotiating sessions.

The APWU believes recent negotiations have been fruitful and we have made progress towards a framework of an agreement.

In that light, the APWU and the USPS have agreed to continue our negotiating efforts until December 7^th.

This opinion editorial (op-ed) by President Mark Dimondstein was published in the Miami-Herald on November 20th. 

"We are all postal customers and undoubtedly appreciate the outstanding efforts of dedicated postal workers in the face of these recent crimes. But our appreciation is not enough to defeat the efforts of those who would destroy the Postal Service and loot the public good for private gain. Join the effort to guarantee that the postal service remains owned by, and in the service of, the people."

We’re ramping up our campaign to stop the White House’s proposal to sell the USPS to private corporations — and we’re asking every APWU member to join the fight. We partnered with the National Association of Letter Carriers to produce a new ad to spread the word about the consequences of a postal corporate takeover.

Will you watch it and share it with your friends to help us tell the White House that the U.S. Mail is Not For Sale?

Click here to watch the ad!

Watch the new advertisement below produced by the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers against the White House's proposal to sell the postal service to private corporations. 

An official transcript of the proceedings from the APWU’s 24th Biennial National Convention is now available to union members on www.apwu.org. The convention is the highest governing body of the APWU. The 1,520-page document provides a full transcript of the business undertaken during the assembly, which took place Aug. 20-23 in Pittsburgh.

Union members can click here to log in and view or download the convention proceedings. 

Reminder, in accordance with Article 8, sections 4 and 5, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, penalty overtime rules are not applicable for a consecutive four-week period each year during December. 

This year, the December period begins December 1, 2018 (Pay Period 25-18- Week 2) and ends December 28, 2018 (Pay Period 01-19- Week 1).

Today we join in honoring our veterans, including the tens of thousands of APWU members, both active and retired, who are currently or have proudly served. One important way to honor our them is to ensure they have access to the good jobs, opportunities and services they need

On Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. EST and 7 p.m. EST the Legislative & Political Department will host a call updating the membership on the US Mail Not for Sale campaign.

Register today to join the call! Click here for a downloadable flyer to spread the word! 

As we move into the Congressional Lame Duck Session - the period after the mid-term elections, but before newly-elected representatives take office for the 116th Congress - our fight to stop postal privatization cannot not slow down.

We must continue to advocate for a public Postal Ser­vice and keep it from being sold off to the highest bidder. Click here to join the call, hear what’s next and take action.

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine) 

Wave of Hotel Strikes

Hotel workers represented by Unite Here locals across the country rose up in September in a wave of worker militancy that led to work stoppages in eight major cities.

More than 11,000 hotel workers in Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and in Hawaii were on strike in September. The strikes in Chicago affected hotels across the city. As of press time, all but one hotel strike in Chicago has been resolved, but strikes in Marriott hotels continue in the other cities.

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Industrial Relations Director Vance Zimmerman

Recently our sisters and brothers who work for other federal agencies had their collective bargaining rights attacked. In a series of Executive Orders, President Trump forced agencies to re-write collective bargaining agreements under new guidelines. 

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Health Plan Director John Marcotte

This year’s Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season is Nov. 12–Dec. 10. Now is the time to take advantage of a union-owned health plan, staffed by union employees, whose singular focus is serving you, the member.

At the APWU Health Plan we are driven to provide comprehensive health insurance at an affordable price. Now is the time to compare your current yearly out of pocket costs and the coverage your family needs with what the APWU Health Plan has to offer. Whether you desire proactive wellness coverage, are managing current heath care conditions, or looking for peace of mind and financial security if an illness or injury strikes, the APWU Health Plan (APWUHP) is here for you.

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Retirees Department Director Nancy Olumekor

There is still work we must do to protect our federal pension, benefits and the Postal Service on behalf of retirees. The Social Security Fairness Act (HR.1205 and S.915), along with the Social Security Expansion Act (S.427) are needed legislation. There are still millions of Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuitants watching and waiting for Congress to pass legislation to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WPO) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) in order to provide us with a fair return on our investment in the Social Security system.

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine) 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans recently ruled that pain alone, without an underlying disability, may entitle veterans to compensation benefits. This decision could affect both veterans seeking service connection and those seeking increased ratings for conditions that are already considered service connected. Prior to this decision, the federal circuit held veterans had to have a diagnosed disability that rationalized the source of their pain in order to receive Veterans Administration (VA) disability benefits.

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Organization Director Anna Smith

Having a conversation with a non-member coworker can be downright intimidating. It is because of this intimidation some find it frightening and daunting to ask them to stand with us. It is important to move past our concerns and approach them.

The fact is these non-members are working against our best interest. Some non-members are loud and confrontational with anti-union rhetoric. They let everyone know why they are not a member. While we all realize the harm done by the boisterous one, understand that the silent non-member is as destructive, if not more. They are silently working against everything we fight to achieve. They are not on the same side.

(This article first appeared in the November/Decmber 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Research & Education Department Director Joyce B. Robinson

As the cost of a college education continues to escalate, many parents do not have the funds or resources needed to assure their children receive a college education. However, there are numerous student aid programs available at the state and federal levels. For assistance contact the financial aid offices of colleges for information on the types of aid offered, the procedures, deadlines, and how and when the student will receive the aid. Inquire about each school’s satisfactory academic progress policy. Keep copies of the enrollment agreement, the school’s catalog, and all financial aid documents.

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

By Western Regional Coordinator Omar Gonzalez

33,400+ employees are absent daily claims management, triggering their Attendance Control Employee Availability (AC/EA) crackdown while they impose so-called “Dynamic Scheduling.”

Leave rules in CBA Article 10 and the Employee & Labor Relations Manual (ELM) Chapter 510 have existed for 40 years. ACEA can’t change those rules. ELM 665.11 requires you to be regular in attendance. However, ELM 511.1 requires management to administer leave on an equitable basis for all employees considering a) the needs of the service b) the welfare of the individual employee.

Too often management imposes discipline using select rules and dictates, such as, three (3) absences in 90 days requires discipline. This dictate violates the contract. “It is the supervisor’s review of the attendance record in light of all relevant evidence, NOT any set number of absences that determines whether corrective action is warranted.” [Article 10.1; 10.2 JCIM].

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Support Services Division Director Steve Brooks 

I hope everyone had a good time at the 24th Annual National Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. I think it was a very good convention. As usual, the delegates came prepared to demonstrate why they felt their resolutions had merit, and articulated their arguments appropriately. Our conventions and the process of passing resolutions is a true illustration of how the democratic process should work. As is probably true for most of the delegates to the National Convention, you hit the ground running when returning home.

The same can be said for your national officers. The convention took place smack dab in the middle of contract negotiations. With the contract expiring on Sept. 20, 2018, we went into a lock-down period with the Postal Service from Sept. 14-20, where the parties met around-the-clock in attempts to come to an agreement. In the end, we did come closer together on many issues, but were unable to complete the agreement. Because the parties were making headway and still talking, they agreed to extend the negotiation period by 30 days. 

Our fight to stop postal privatization will continue well after the election! We must continue to advocate for a public Postal Service and keep it from being sold off to the highest bidder. On Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. EST and 7 p.m. EST the Legislative & Political Department will host a call updating the membership on the US Mail Not for Sale campaign. President Mark Dimondstein and Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard will discuss:

• The current status of the White House’s plan to sell the Postal Service to private corporations (privatize the Postal Service).
• The status of House Resolution 993 and Senate Resolution 633, and what to expect from Congress in the lame duck session.
• Building public support after the successful National Day of Action on Oct. 8.
• How members can get involved in upcoming campaign actions.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn more about what is being done to protect your job and how you can help! Click here to sign up.

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell

One of the overwhelming responsibilities of all officers, shop stewards and representatives of the union is to ensure it holds its money and property solely for the benefit of the union and its members. When union officials express an interest in leadership positions, they inherit the responsibilities entrusted to them, which includes maintaining a financially sound local...Make sure you mark your calendar for any of the 2019 national training seminars the Secretary-Treasurer's department will be scheduling. In addition to the scheduled training opportunities, local unions can also schedule training webinars. Please contact Annette August-Taylor, Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer, at 202-842-4215 or via email to aaugust@apwu.org.

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By Vice President  Debby Szeredy

Going forward there are more battles ahead: the fight against privatizing the Postal Service, against consolidations and closures of plants and post offices, and the fight to expand services like postal banking and community services that help take care of our neighbors across this country.

Our battles need mobilized members from all our locals to participate in building alliances with congressional members and local politicians, as well as community organizations and our sister unions. We must mobilize. 

(This article first appeared in the November/December 2018 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) 

By President Mark Dimondstein 

“We won’t let the postal eagle be replaced by the vulture.” What a great response by Legislative Grassroots Coordinator Janice Kelble to the White House of Office Management and Budget (OMB) proposal to sell-off the Postal Service to corporations for private profit. The eagle symbolizes that the public Postal Service belongs to, and serves, all the people. The vulture represents those who want to pick the public good apart and devour it for private Wall Street greed.

In a strong show of solidarity, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA produced a video to educate flight attendants about the importance of public services and the role of solidarity in winning our fights. “The U.S. Postal Service mail and packages fly on our planes. The routes we fly to communities across the country depend on a strong United States Postal Service. We’re standing with our sisters and brothers from [the four postal unions] to stop privatization!”