In accordance with the 2021-2024 Collective Bar­gaining Agreement, career employees represented by the APWU will receive a $0.17 per hour cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), effective March 9, 2024.

The increase is the result of a rise in the Consum­er Price Index (CPI-W), and will appear in paychecks dated March 29, 2024 (Pay Period 07-2024). The COLA for full-time employees in each step and grade will amount to $354.00 annually, and the hourly rates for part-time employ­ees will be adjusted accordingly.

COLAs are separate and in addition to general wage increases. This is the fifth cost-of-living increase under the 2021 contract. The first increase, 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 in March 2023, was $0.10 per hour, or $208.00 annually. The fourth, effective August 26, 2023, was 0.48 per hour, or $998.00 annually. The total cumulative COLAs received so far during the 2021-2024 National Agreement is $2.56 per hour, or $5,325.00 annually.

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.

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 that has maintained 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.”

We will update this article with pay chart information as it becomes available.

"President Brown, myself and APWU 133 Members, want to take the time to thank our customers and the representatives of our elected officials that came to the Public Meeting last night.  We are overwhelmed with the support our community has shown regarding their disapproval of the proposed plan the Postal Service has initiated.  Throughout last nights meeting, the Postal Service either did not have, or would not share the pertinent information to answer YOUR questions.  This failure has shown the complete lack of "transparency" the service has proclaimed, resulting in a customer that is kept in the dark.  This is your mail, and you deserve your voice to be heard.  Please continue to speak up by contacting your Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen, in opposition of Postmaster Dejoys plan here at the Charleston WV P&DC, as well as the nation."   

 

Tim Holstein

Vice President

APWU Local 133

Charleston, WV 

“The Postal Service recently decided to change the Public Meeting date to February 14, at 6:30 pm at the Charleston Civic Center.   APWU Local 133 has been inundated with support from local businesses and customers.  We have received numerous calls with questions asking why the Postal Service chose this day, when Feb 12 and 13 were available to have the meeting in the same location.  The only answer we have is THEY DONT WANT YOU THERE!  The union has said from the very beginning, the publics voice is strong, and the postal service does not want to hear it!  Please join us at the informational picket at 5pm Tuesday Feb 13 at the Charleston Main Post Office and AGAIN on Valentines Day at the public meeting!  We will have over $500 in gift cards to give out in a drawing for all that sign up and attend the meeting.  Please feel free to share the above flyer with as many people as you can, and once again, Thank You for helping us fight to keep YOUR mail in West Virginia!”

Tim Holstein

Vice President

APWU Local 133

Charleston, WV 

Initial Findings Document
Mail Processing Facility Review

Charleston P&DC in South Charleston, WV

1/30/2024

As part of a $40 billion investment strategy to upgrade and improve the Postal processing, transportation, and delivery networks, the U.S. Postal Service announced that it is conducting an evaluation of current operations and potential future uses of its Charleston Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) facility in South Charleston, WV.

The USPS ten-year Delivering for America (DFA) plan includes initiatives to improve organizational and operational processes and actively make the Postal Service an efficient, high-performing, world class logistics and delivery provider. Improvements to Postal operations will enhance the level of service provided to the public; drive innovation and enable a broader array of postal products and services; enhance organizational competitiveness; improve efficiency and lower the cost to operate; and provide better workplaces and careers for Postal Service employees.

This specific facility review will inform the best allocation of resources and strategies to improve customer service and to achieve significant cost savings through operational precision and efficiency. Business mail entry, Post Office, station, and branch retail services are not expected to change, and delivery services will be unaffected throughout this review. The evaluation is a first step in the Postal Service review and investment process in this facility and will not result in this facility’s closure or career employee layoffs.

This ongoing review was initiated to evaluate what role the facility will take in the redesigned postal network and to assess potentially moving some of the mail processing operations from the Charleston P&DC to the Pittsburgh P&DC in Pittsburgh, PA and Pennwood Place P&DC in Warrendale, PA.

Below are initial findings from the study:

Facility Future
The initial results of the facility review support the business case for keeping the Charleston P&DC open and modernizing the facility as a Local Processing Center (LPC) with simplified processes and standardized layouts. The South Charleston LPC will be a critical node to the unified movement of mail and packages across the regional processing and transportation ecosystem in a logically sequenced manner and will benefit from the expanding services the Postal Service plans to deploy to increase its revenue and enhance its role in this community. The facility will offer expanded and streamlined package processing and distribution capabilities in the local market and new workplace amenities for USPS employees. 

It is anticipated that the facility will maintain the following destinating operations once converted to the LPC:
·    Destinating Packages
·    Destinating Letters and Flats
·    Manual Letters and Flats
·    Express
·    Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU)
The LPC will also be fitted with state-of-the-art sorting equipment that will improve delivery services. We plan to operate the following sorting equipment in this facility:

·    10 Delivery Bar Code Sorter (DBCS)
·    2 DBCS Input Output Subsystem (DIOSS)
·    1 Automated Flat Sorting Machine 100 (AFSM 100)
·    1 High Speed Tray Sorter (HSTS)
·    1 Low-Cost Reject Encoding Machine (LCREM)
·    1 Single Induction Package Sorter (SIPS)
·    1 Flex Rover Sorter (FRS)

The improvements for this facility will result in up to $11 million in investments for modernization efforts and deferred maintenance investments. 

On the workroom floor, lighting will be upgraded with LEDs, flooring will be repaired and refinished, impediments to open process flow will be removed, and dock areas will be generally rehabilitated.  Employee amenities will be refreshed with renovation to restrooms, lockers, and break areas. Parking lots will be repaired and renovated in preparation of both Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDVs), as well as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). Where BEVs will be deployed, we will be upgrading and developing the electrical infrastructure necessary to power the rollout of BEVs into our delivery fleet.

New mail and processing equipment investments totaling $7M:

·    1 Flex Rover Sorter (FRS)
·    1 High Speed Tray Sorter (HSTS)
·    1 Single Induction Package Sorter (SIPS)

Additionally, the business case supports transferring mail processing outgoing operations to the Pittsburgh P&DC and Pennwood Place P&DC. Currently, a majority of mail and packages are destined outside of the Charleston area to the rest of the world.

Finally, the consolidation of plant operations will allow the South Charleston LPC to be collocated with a Sorting and Delivery Center (S&DC). These new facilities are comprised of repurposed facilities and will provide faster and more reliable mail and package delivery over a greater geographic area. 

S&DCs will be fitted with new package sorting equipment and enable customer service and local commerce opportunities for Same Day or Next Day delivery. They will also have renovated bathrooms and breakrooms for Postal Service employees. 
 
In addition, S&DCs will have the infrastructure needed to support the deployment of the Postal Service’s new electric delivery trucks and the charging stations needed to power them. Replacing the Postal Service’s more than thirty-year-old vehicles will allow the organization to significantly reduce carbon emissions, increase safety and reliability, and provide more comfortable delivery vehicles to letter carriers. The S&DC that will be collocated with the South Charleston LPC will have 138 delivery routes that are eligible to be serviced by BEVs. Based on the average deployment numbers at S&DCs, new vehicle investment in BEVs and infrastructure is approximately $5M per site.

The Postal Service plans to invest between $20M and $30M into the South Charleston LPC as we prepare the facility to serve as an important contributor to operations in today’s economy and far into the future.

Postal Employees
NOTE: There will be no career employee layoffs as part of this initiative. The numbers presented here reflect data available as of October 6, 2023, and are subject to change until the completion of the facility review. Our ongoing analysis will include quantifying the time it will take to refurbish the facility and prepare it for the services and functions as an LPC and quantifying the appropriate workforce necessary to efficiently staff the LPC. We expect that the increase in these services and functions may require additional employment positions which could mitigate some of the reductions identified below.

Due to the transfer of outgoing operations, an estimated net decrease of 24 craft and 1 management positions are projected once the initiative is completed. All bargaining employee reassignments will be made in accordance with the respective collective bargaining agreements.

The Postal Service has made a commitment to ensuring there is a clear path for our pre career employees to obtain fulltime positions, as evidenced by our newly negotiated contract provisions and making automatic conversions to stabilize our workforce. This has culminated in 165,798 pre career employees being converted to career over the past three years. Our pre career workforce is a valuable employee category that provides us necessary operational flexibility leading to efficiencies. Like all employers who have a flexible employee category, there is a higher turnover rate with these employees, providing us the opportunity to both capture savings by rightsizing our workforce when making long overdue operational changes and avoiding any career layoffs.

Estimated Cost Savings 
Proposed savings in the draft MPFR analysis are ultimately projected to be $6.5M - $8.9M annually once the initiative is completed. Below is a breakdown of this savings estimate:

·    Annual Transportation Savings    $4.9M - $6.6M
·    Annual Maintenance Savings    $1.0M - $1.4M
·    Annual Mail Processing Savings    $590K - $790K
·    Annual Management Savings    $90K - $120K

Local Customer Considerations
·    Retail and other services currently available will not change 
·    Business mail acceptance will remain the same 
·    A local postmark will continue to be available at retail post offices
·    Delivery times of mail to residences and businesses should not change because of the review

Commercial Mailers
·    Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive appropriate postage discounts 
·    Mailers who drop ship to a Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) can expect no changes, if the MPFR is approved

Please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-charleston-wv to submit written comments. All written comments must be received by February 29, 2024. 
 

LettertoPostMAsterDeJoy.pdf

The rally scheduled for Monday the 29th will be cancelled. Rescheduling once the new public meeting is announced.

Stand-Up Talk
January 26, 2024

Mail Processing Facility Review 
Postponement of Public Meeting to be held re: Charleston WV P&DC

On January 12, 2024, we announced that a Public Input Meeting for the Mail Processing Facility Review (MPFR) of Charleston P&DC was scheduled for January 30, 2024, to share the initial results of the study and to allow members of the local community to provide their feedback and perspectives on the Initial Findings of the MPFR.

We are postponing the posting of our initial findings as further time is needed to finalize any specific improvements, we may undertake at the Charleston P&DC. This will result in the rescheduling of the Public Input Meeting within the next several weeks. 

Once the Public Input Meeting has been rescheduled, a subsequent announcement will be made.

Comments on the proposal from employees and the public will be considered before any decision is made. Comments may continue to be submitted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-charleston-wv.

Thank you for your attention. We will keep you updated as we move through the facility review process and additional initiatives to modernize our postal network. 

 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
408 PUBLIC MEETING POSTPONEMENT
1/26/24

Q: Why are you postponing this public meeting?
We are postponing the posting of our initial findings as further time is needed to finalize any specific improvements, we may undertake at Charleston WV P&DC. This will result in the rescheduling of the Public Input Meeting. 
Q: When will the public meeting be rescheduled?
The Public Input Meeting will be rescheduled within the next several weeks. Once the Public Input Meeting has been rescheduled, a subsequent announcement of date, time and location will be made.
Q: What additional information are you including in your review process?
We are finalizing proposed investments and improvements for the specific site. 
Q: Are you postponing this meeting due to negative feedback/pressure from the local community?
No. We are postponing the posting of our initial findings as further time is needed to finalize any specific improvements, we may undertake at Charleston WV P&DC. Public feedback is considered throughout the review process.
Q: You’ve held public meetings and issued initial findings in a number of local communities. Will you be revisiting those findings as well based on the new criteria you are evaluating here?
This announcement is relevant only to this site.
Q: How do you pick the times and locations for these public meetings?
We look for publicly accessible locations within the local community.
Q: If people can’t attend the public meeting, how can they submit their feedback?                            Members of the local community may continue to submit comments at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-charleston-wv.

"APWU Local 133 was notified today of the current MPFR Public Meeting time and place, as well as the Postal Services plans for the future of the facility.  The union does not agree with the Postal Services initial plan to reduce the P&DC to an LPC and we encourage all members to attend this public meeting.  The fight is not over!  We will continue to update you with information as soon as we get it."  

Mail Processing Facility Review Notice of Public Input Meeting

Charleston P&DC in South Charleston WV to Pittsburgh P&DC in Pittsburgh, PA, and

Pennwood Place P&DC in Warrendale, PA

January 12, 2024

As part of a $40 billion investment strategy to upgrade and improve the Postal processing, transportation, and delivery networks, the U.S. Postal Service announced that it is conducting an evaluation of current operations and potential future uses of its Charleston Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) facility in South Charleston, WV. 

The USPS ten-year Delivering for America (DFA) plan includes initiatives to improve organizational and operational processes and actively make the Postal Service an efficient, high-performing, world class logistics and delivery provider.  Improvements to Postal operations will enhance the level of service provided to the public; drive innovation and enable a broader array of postal products and services; enhance organizational competitiveness; improve efficiency and lower the cost to operate; and provide better workplaces and careers for Postal Service employees.

This specific facility review will inform the best allocation of resources and strategies to improve customer service and to achieve significant cost savings through operational precision and efficiency.  Business mail entry, Post Office, station, and branch retail services are not expected to change, and delivery services will be unaffected throughout this review. The evaluation is a first step in the Postal Service review and investment process in this facility and will not result in this facility’s closure or career employee layoffs.

Public input will be considered as part of the review. A public meeting will be held to share the initial results of the study and to allow members of the local community to provide their additional feedback and perspectives on the Initial Findings of the MPFR. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2:30 PM at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Dr, Charleston WV 25301. A summary of the MPFR will be posted on about.usps.com at least one week prior to the public input meeting. 

Members of the local community may submit comments at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfrcharleston-wv.  

Below are some preliminary highlights from the study:

Business Case

The Postal Service is investing heavily in operations as it moves to modernize in nation’s postal network, improve customer service and achieve the organization’s goal of 95% on-time delivery across all mail products.

The initial results of the facility review support the business case for keeping the Charleston WV P&DC open and modernizing the facility as a Local Processing Center (LPC) with simplified processes and standardized layouts. The Charleston WV LPC will be a critical node to the unified movement of mail and packages across the regional processing and transportation ecosystem. The facility will offer expanded and streamlined package processing capabilities in the local market and new workplace amenities for USPS employees. Additionally, the business case supports transferring some mail processing operations to the Pittsburgh P&DC and Pennwood Place P&DC. 

Future of Facility

The Charleston P&DC will remain open and will be modernized. It will be repositioned as a Local

Processing Center for destinating mail processing. It is expected that this facility will be a critical node to

the unified movement of mail and packages across the regional processing and transportation ecosystem.   

Local Customers  

§  Retail and other services currently available at the Charleston P&DC will not change. §          Business mail acceptance will remain the same. 

§  A local postmark will continue to be available at retail post offices.

§  Delivery times of mail to residence and businesses should not change throughout this review.

Commercial Mailers

§  Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive appropriate postage discounts. 

§  Mailers who drop ship to Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) can expect no changes if the MPFR is approved.

Please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-charleston-wv to submit written comments. All written comments must be received by February 14, 2024.  

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-charleston-wv

https://wvmetronews.com/2023/12/05/postal-workers-union-still-believes-its-fighting-to-keep-jobs-at-charleston-processing-facility/

https://www.facebook.com/100066665841581/posts/689900756575446/?mibextid=WC7FNe

https://www.facebook.com/100066665841581/posts/689900563242132/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Contact your legislators to oppose the proposed changes at the USPS Charleston P&DC

The Honorable Jim Justice, Governor

Office of the Governor

State Capitol State Building One

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, WV  25305

(304) 558-2000

https://appengine.egov.com/apps/wv/governor/contactus

The Honorable Joe Manchin, Senator

900 Pennsylvania Avenue, Ste. 629
Charleston, WV 25302

(304) 342-5855

(202) 202-224-3954

https://www.manchin.senate.gov/contact-joe/email-joe

The Honorable Shelley Moore Capito, Senator

500 Virginia Street East, Suite 950

Charleston, WV  25301

(304) 347-5372

(202) 224-6472

https://www.capito.senate.gov/contact/contact-my-office

The Honorable Carol Miller, Congresswoman

33 Tennessee Avenue

Charleston, WV  25302

(681) 945-6556

(202) 225-3452

https://millerforms.house.gov/contact/

Amy Shuler Goodwin, Mayor Charleston

501 Virginia Street East

Charleston, WV  25301

(304) 348-8174

mayorsoffice@cityofcharleston.org

Frank Mullens, Mayor South Charleston

401 D Street

South Charleston, WV  25303

(304) 744-5301

scmayor@cityofsouthcharleston.com

The Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 5995) was reintroduced on October 19 by Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), and David Valadao (R-CA-22).

The Federal Retirement Fairness Act (FRFA) would allow eligible employees who converted from temporary to career positions to “buy back” time towards their retirement.

Prior to 1989, postal workers who began as non-career employees were able to make additional contributions to their retirement benefits to make up for time lost when they were not eligible for these benefits. This allowed eligible employees to retire on time and with full benefits. This also created parity between temporary and career employees, ensuring they had equal access to retirement benefits. Unfortunately, this authority expired and was never reinstituted.

“The APWU is in strong support of the Federal Retirement Fairness Act and applauds the bipartisan leadership on this critical issue,” said Mark Dimondstein, President, APWU. “This legislation would allow more than 100,000 postal workers who converted from temporary to career positions to retire on time with their full benefits. Regardless of an employee’s initial hiring status, all postal and federal employees should have access to the benefits they have earned for their dedicated work.”

LINK HERE TO THE STATUS OF THE BILL 

H.R.5995 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Federal Retirement Fairness Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-charleston-wv