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APWU Convention Day 3: Democracy in Action: Spirited Debate and Successful Resolutions August 18, 2022 APWU 26TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION. DAY 3 After a productive second day of convention, delegates continued on Wednesday to make significant progress on union business. Delegates continued to make progress on the important union business before the convention, considering, debating, amending and voting on several resolutions throughout the day. The Constitution Committee work led off the day’s debate, followed by the conclusion of the Labor-Management Committee report, with delegates beginning to hear from the Formal Resolutions Committee as the day’s proceedings came to a close. Resolutions before the Constitution Committee, co-chaired by Keith Combs, Detroit District Area Local, and Kim Miller, Keystone Area Local, addressed issues pertaining to retired members, the work locations of national officers, and the procedures governing the election of officers, among other issues. Changes to the APWU Constitution require a two-thirds vote to pass. Perhaps the most spirited discussion of the convention thus far was on the matter of retired members’ representation at convention. Delegates presented impassioned arguments on all sides of the issue before the final vote was called. With the support and encouragement of President Dimondstein, Retirees Director Nancy Olumekor, and other national officers, delegates settled upon a compromise resolution that both addressed the desire of retired members to be better represented at the convention, while recognizing the equity concerns raised by other delegates. Ultimately, the convention passed an amendment to Article 6 of the APWU Constitution, which entitles each local retirees chapter and each state retirees chapter one credentialed delegate to convention. Olumekor thanked the convention for the spirited debate and the recognition of retired members’ contributions to the union. “This year, the APWU Retirees Department celebrates its 30th anniversary,” she said. “We thank you for your love and support.” Another robust debate during the Constitutional Committee’s work was on the matter of restoring the second Clerk Craft National Business Agent position in the Wichita Region. The convention supported the resolution submitted by the Nebraska Postal Workers Union. Convention also made a change to the Constitution regarding the succession of the Support Services Director in the event the position falls vacant. The resolution provides that the Division’s National Business Agent shall assume the Director’s position in the case of a vacancy. The Labor-Management Committee concluded its report in the early afternoon, after delegates acted on resolutions addressing hazard pay, the USPS mystery shopper program, wage increase demands and other bargaining matters. After guest speakers from organizing Amazon and Starbucks workers addressed the convention, the Formal Resolutions Committee came to the podium and began its report in the final half hour of the day’s session. The Formal Resolutions Committee, co-chaired by David Yao, Greater Seattle Area Local, and Teresa Oller, Portland Oregon Area Local, will continue its report early Thursday morning. As they did on Tuesday, delegates engaged seriously with the resolutions before them, debated with a shared passion for improving the union and the lives of APWU members, and filled the hall with energy throughout the day’s proceedings. It was, once again, a tremendous display of trade union democracy in action! YOUNG WORKERS, UNION POWER & CLIMATE JUSTICE Young workers gathered Wednesday for a discussion on climate justice. APWU Portland Area Local and Young Worker Committee members Teresa Oller and Travis Epes sat on a panel with Labor Network for Sustainability (LNS) President Joe Uehlein and Maria Brescia-Weiler, LNS Project Manager for the Just Transition Listening Project. They discussed how to organize young workers on union power and climate justice. Teresa Oller welcomed everyone and introduced the speakers. LNS President Uehlein, former Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO’s Industrial Union Department, explained how his experience in representing mine workers, steel workers and chemical plant workers inspired him to form LNS to protect the planet and secure a sustainable future. He urged members to “take our core bedrock principle of worker solidarity, and elevate that into a principle of human solidarity.” In the townhall format, Maria Brescia-Weiler explained the concept of Just Transition, a labor plan for climate protection that moves away from fossil fuels to cleaner renewable energy, while also protecting the wellbeing of workers whose jobs may be affected. In her research, she realized that young workers’ voices weren’t being heard. Teresa Oller expressed exasperation towards politicians who blamed labor for their lack of progress on addressing climate change. “Stop talking for us,” she exclaimed. “We want to work towards something that ensures, for the rest of our lives, we have work that allows us to live and feed our families.” After providing tips on how to engage coworkers on these issues, Travis Epes opened the floor. When asked about pushback from rural areas, Oller stated, “sustainability is still a dirty word. But the young people, they want to organize.” While some older workers may feel their livelihood is threatened, younger workers want to break the stigma and provide a sustainable future for their families. Panelists passed out a climate survey for locals to identify the union’s needs on climate change. STARBUCKS ORGANIZERS DESCRIBE RUNAWAY SUCCESS TO DELEGATES On Wednesday afternoon, President Dimondstein introduced Starbucks Workers United organizers Jasmine Leli and Jaz Brisack, who spoke to delegates about their hard-fought organizing campaign, which is spreading like wildfire across the country. Since March of this year, more than 400 Starbucks locations have either petitioned for or won union elections. In what Dimondstein said has led to “one of the fastest organizing campaigns in the country right now,” workers are seeking better safety provisions, pay, and health benefits. While it hasn’t been an easy campaign, Brisack said, “We’d been going through four months of unbelievable union-busting from Starbucks corporate. The day after we filed our union petitions at the first three stores, all of Starbucks corporate got on a plane to Buffalo and stayed there for four months.” Additionally, Brisack said that “Starbucks hired countless people that they thought were going to break the union that they sent into our stores, hoping that they would vote no, that they would, you know, fall victim to the support manager’s lies.” In the case of Jasmine Leli, then a newly-hired worker at the soon-to-be second unionized Starbucks, this took the form of multiple managers descending on her store from corporate headquarters to constantly watch over partners. They offered a stream of criticism but no actual help on the work floor. “They would just sit and they would just watch us ... short-staffed, trying to keep everything together,” she said. Brisack reiterated one of the major themes of the week – the importance of solidarity among working people: “It’s going to take pickets and a lot of community support to bring Starbucks to the bargaining table. We’re counting on you all,” she said. STRIKING COAL MINERS “ONE DAY LONGER, ONE DAY STRONGER!” Dedrick Gardner, a member of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) and striking Warrior Met Coal worker, addressed delegates on Wednesday morning. Warrior Met operates two mines in Central Alabama. When the mines’ previous owners were facing bankruptcy, Gardner and his fellow workers made numerous sacrifices to their pay and working conditions. Gardner, whose father was a member of the APWU, is one of approximately 850 UMWA-represented employees who have been on strike in protest at the long hours, hostile environments, and deteriorating working conditions endured during the company’s financial woes. The now-profitable company has refused to repay the workers’ sacrifice, refusing to pay a livable, dignified wage or address the numerous threats to the miners’ safety. Gardner signaled the Warrior Met miners’ determination to hold the line until an agreement and dignified working conditions are met. “You must fight and you must stand strong,” he said. Gardner and his UMWA union family are in the 503rd day of their strike. “One day longer, one day stronger!” AMAZON WORKERS FIRE UP DELEGATES AS APWU COMMITS TO MULTI-UNION ORGANIZING CAMPAIGN The fight to organize a union at Amazon made a splash at the APWU convention, as workers from the retail giant’s plants in New York and Bessemer, AL joined the proceedings to tell their stories. Jennifer Bates, who spearheaded the organizing drive at her facility in Alabama, spoke first, flanked by her co-workers Isaiah Thomas and Ken Carter. She described her motivation for organizing as being for more than her, but for her co-workers and those beyond the walls of Amazon. “This is not just for me, we are paving the way for the ones coming behind us and we will not stop until we get it done.” Amazon workers have faced a brutal union-busting campaign from management. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) threw out the first, tainted election, after the company went so far as to have the USPS install a mailbox in front of the facility to allow bosses to conduct surveillance as people cast their mail-in union ballots. Despite similar high-pressure tactics from management in the re-run election, the outcome is so close that, five months on, the result has still not been certified. The second Amazon story came from New York’s Christian Smalls, whose upstart Amazon Labor Union in the JFK8 plant on Staten Island, NY defied the odds to organize the plant’s approximately 7,500 workers into a union, the first Amazon organizing win in the U.S. Smalls described how he worked day-by-day on the organizing campaign, flyering at the bus stop outside the plant while his fellow workers ignored him at first. “I got cursed out a couple of times,” he said, but the campaign built on the fiAPWU Convention Delegates Step into the Fightrst days of one or two signatures a day until he was gathering 200 signature a day. Workers at the plant won their fight to form a union on April 1st of this year. He recounted that the compassion that the organizing Amazon workers showed each other was what brought about a famous victory. “People want to know how we defeated Amazon. It’s simple - we loved each other, and we showed our workers.” APWU Convention Delegates Step into the Fight APWU members, local and national officers have already provided support for the Amazon organizing efforts in Alabama, New York and beyond. On concluding the Amazon worker speeches, David Yao, Greater Seattle Area Local, Formal Resolutions Committee Co-Chair, moved formal resolution 141 to commit the APWU to a “multi-union” campaign to spread the organizing efforts and victories at Amazon facilities and help provide support to the new ALU to win a first contract. Solidarity forever! Credentials Commitee As presented by Co-Chairs Cindy Foster of the Charlotte Area Local and Lorraine Sawyer of the Massachusetts Postal Workers Union, the preliminary report for the APWU Credentials Committee for Wednesday, Aug. 17, is as follows: The 26th Biennial Convention’s 2,030 delegates represent 297 locals, 33 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Also in attendance were 69 national officers and four Retiree National Convention Delegates.

APWU National Convention: Delegates Make Progress on Convention Business August 17, 2022 After a productive first day of convention, delegates continued on Tuesday to make significant progress on union business. They debated and voted on many meaningful resolutions addressing bargaining demands as the Labor-Management Committee, co-chaired by Ken Fajardo, Albuquerque Local, and Wanda Harris, Miami Area Local, continued its report. Among the adopted resolutions were several dealing with demands for additional types of paid leave. One such resolution, Resolution 30, calls on the APWU to bargain for a sick leave donation program similar to the system for donating annual leave. A pair of resolutions, 33 and 34, were adopted, calling on the union to bargain for paid maternity leave and paid parental leave for postal workers. Resolutions that dealt with postal workers’ clothing allowance, Resolutions 62 and 70, which were both adopted by the convention. Resolution 62 calls for the union to bargain for an increase in the clothing allowance for outdoor work in cold weather regions, whereas Resolution 70 calls for the APWU to bargain for a VMF cold weather clothing allowance consistent with NALC’s allowance. Another successful resolution, Resolution 43, called for the elimination of Article 12.1.A language regarding probation, and for the union to represent employees from day one in regard to separation from service. Other successful resolutions addressed bereavement leave and ensuring union notification of the reason for separation of a PSE. The Labor-Management committee’s report will continue on Wednesday with several more important resolutions on tap. If Tuesday’s deliberations are any indication, delegates should anticipate another day of spirited debate as the convention displays trade union democracy at its finest. LOUD AND CLEAR: ‘PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE!’ Delegates gathered Tuesday for a rally drawing attention to attacks on vote-by-mail and the nationwide wave of other voter suppression laws. Holding signs with messages such as “Vote by Mail Works!” and “Hands Off Voting Rights,” attendees enthusiastically listened as a number of speakers described attempts to subvert democracy through voter suppression and the critical importance of vote-by-mail. APWU Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell opened the rally saying, “There is no power like postal worker’s power…Are you ready to fight for democracy and vote-by-mail?” The Democracy Initiative’s Charly Carter called postal workers heroes, saying, “Because of you everyone had those votes counted, demonstrating that vote-by-mail works.” Throughout the rally, speakers commended postal workers for the work they perform, especially during the pandemic. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond said, “You were the glue that kept us together during the worst health crisis we’ve seen in our country.” President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement Yanira Merino talked about the forces at work who oppose democracy as well as worker rights. “We have to show we are united,” she said. “We have to show that an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.” Our Revolution’s Paco Fabian provided an antidote to voter suppression, saying we need to make sure working-class voters participate in our democracy and vote-by-mail is a key element.” APWU Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy encouraged APWU members to bring their activism back to their communities, saying “When you get home, form a committee to get out the vote so we can win in November.” Rev. Graylan Hagler pumped up the rally, saying “Democracy is about access - access to vote, access to speak, access to stand up, access to be heard, access to make demands. We don’t intend to do anything less.” Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants President, expressed her support for vote-by-mail, emphasizing how it provides everyone access to the ballot box. Marcus Batchelor from People for the American Way praised postal workers for their service. “We know that you not only help our country run, but in 2020 you demonstrated in a very real way how you help our democracy run, how you help some of the most isolated and marginalized people in our community.” “The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is disappearing,” said APWU Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard. “They’re stealing our voting rights. And we’re going to stand up and fight back!” Concluding the rally, APWU President Mark Dimondstein said “We have a message for the people of our country. Postal workers have your back. We’ve got the back of the people in the country when it comes to exercising your right to vote.” MAIL HANDLERS’ PRESIDENT SPEAKS UP FOR UNITY National Postal Mail Handlers Union President, Paul Hogrogian, addressed the convention with a message of unity. “The relationship between our organizations is stronger now than it has been for some time. I was proud to sit with your delegation at the opening of your contract negotiations some time ago. It sends a message to the postal service management that we are united.” NAACP’S RUSSELL MAKES CASE FOR PARTNERSHIP Leon Russell, Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors spoke on Tuesday about how we must deepen the partnerships that we have built through the years, including A Grand Alliance and the Save Our Public Postal Service campaigns. “That partnership, that grand alliance, is an effort joined by labor organizations and civil rights organizations. We understand that together we have the power to make a change in public policy, make the changes that we seek,” he said. That alliance is vital because our communities are in danger, a danger that comes from “policy makers who encourage us to see ourselves in an “us versus them” context. Instead, he implored, we must seek solutions that benefit society as a whole. “So I invite you to join us as we organize our communities to save this democracy,” said Russell. With a civic program active in 22 states, the NAACP is looking for 270,000 volunteers across the country. “We’re not telling anybody how to vote, but are telling them that if they recognize their power, if they use their power, if they use their vote, they can make a difference.” As he finished his remarks, the NAACP Board Chair reiterated that we are stronger together. “Power to the American Postal Workers Union. Power to the people. Thank you. And remember. Partnership. Partnership. Partnership.” POWER AWARDS OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF APWU At the Post Office Women for Equal Rights (POWER) Caucus held August 15, the following awards were presented by Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell to notable women: Elizabeth “Liz” Powell Executive Award – Tiffany Foster Joyce B. Robinson Leadership Award – Lynn Pallas-Barber Nilda Chock Pioneer Award – Bettye Maddox “I’VE GOT YOUR BACK” SAYS SARA NELSON In an impassioned speech, Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, commended APWU members, stating that “...this union gives me so much hope…this union knows how to fight the union busters.” She referenced the important role that postal workers play in maintaining a universal Postal Service to retain our democracy and standing up to those who would destroy it. She continued by highlighting the APWU’s resolve in never giving up the fight to overturn 2006 legislation designed to destroy the USPS financially and cited the wildcat strike of 1970, stating “there are no illegal strikes, only unsuccessful ones.” Nelson spoke about the billionaire-class’s attacks on freedom, equality and democracy, addressing their divisive attacks on women and people of color. Nelson went on to say that, in a time when women and people of color are under attack, we must recognize that capitalists are responsible and she emphasized that these actions have nothing to do with morality: “It has to do with whether or not we are going to recognize each other as equal so that we can bargain with the power of that equality together.” She continued by saying “until all of us are free, none of us are free… We have to love our country, love our families, love our communities, love our neighbors by loving our union.” She finished with a rallying cry: “I’ve got your back!” CREDENTIALS COMMITEE As presented by Co-Chair Cindy Foster of the Charlotte Area Local, the preliminary report for the APWU Credentials Committee for Tuesday, Aug. 16, is as follows: The 26th Biennial Convention’s 2,026 delegates represent 297 locals, 43 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Also in attendance 69 national officers and four Retiree National Convention Delegates. REP. BRENDA LAWRENCE ‘WE KEPT IT MOVING’ After a warm welcome from Legislative & Political Director and fellow Michigander Judy Beard, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence brought the convention to its feet with a stirring address. Rep. Lawrence reflected on her 30-year postal career and how it prepared her for work in Congress. “I was trained as a public servant in the United States Postal Service,” she said. “And I know how to fight.” Lawrence applauded postal workers for their service to the people of the country, particularly during the pandemic. “During COVID, the Postal Service showed the world how important and critical we were when it came to our democracy, when it came to our health, prescription drugs, the COVID test kits,” she said. “When it came to ensuring that we were moving the economy when everybody else at home, we kept it moving.” Following her address, the convention showed their appreciation of the congresswoman in a special way. A delegate from Michigan, noting that the Congresswoman began her postal career as an APWU member, moved that the convention name her an honorary member of the APWU. The hall burst into applause as the motion carried and the union gained yet another member. CLUW PRESIDENT: ELISE BRYANT SINGS OF POWER Sister Elise Bryant, President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, rounded out the day’s proceedings with an uplifting address. “There is no other force in the United States of America,” said Bryant, “that tells capital how to spend its money except the union movement.” “I don’t have to preach to you, you are the choir,” Bryant fittingly added as she, in her inimitable style, led the convention in song throughout her remarks. She sent delegates forth to the voting rights rally with a stirring rendition of our labor anthem “Solidarity Forever.” BIDEN TO POSTAL WORKERS: YOU ARE ESSENTIAL President Joe Biden sent a video greeting to delegates. The 46th US President lauded our history and our work as essential to the country. “It’s simple,” he said, “They believe in you. The American people believe in you. The congress believes in you. The women and men of our postal service are essential to our health, our economy and our democracy.” COPA NIGHT GOES WEST Tuesday, the APWU COPA (Committee on Political Action) Night party was hosted by Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard. Members who contributed $200 or more to COPA since July 2020 put on their best Western gear to celebrate their achievements. President Dimondstein, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell and Legislative Director Beard presented awards to the three highest COPA contributors during the 2020-2022 COPA cycle. They were: Shirley Taylor, NBA San Francisco (Burlingame) Ricardo Barreto, Sacramento Area Local Hector Baez, NBA Denver (Mesa) A special award, the 2022 COPA Leadership Award, was presented to Diane Erlanger (New York Metro) for signing up the most APWU members to COPA.

APWU National Convention: Dimondstein Delivers State of the Union August 16, 2022 DAY 1: CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS On Monday, APWU President Mark Dimondstein delivered the ‘State of the Union.’ He highlighted our successes and struggles and gave an outlook for a bright, while challenging, future. On Monday, APWU President Mark Dimondstein delivered the ‘State of the Union.’ He highlighted our successes and struggles and gave an outlook for a bright, while challenging, future. Reflecting on the moment, Dimondstein said, “the pandemic has made it crystal clear what we always knew – it is we, the workers, who make the world go around.” Dimondstein condemned the current wave of voter suppression and the former U.S. president’s attempt to hold onto power in a coup. He said “we must never accept as normal the rising white supremacist torrent of race hatred and bigotry that divides workers and led to the despicable racist massacres in Charleston, Pittsburgh, El Paso and Buffalo – all reflecting a dangerous drive toward fascism.” On the condition of the APWU, Dimondstein said, “together we are marching forward and building an activist, winning union. I submit to you that the state of our union is indeed ‘Union Strong, All Day Long!’” Dimondstein applauded the success of the ‘U.S. Mail, Not for Sale’ campaign and the defeat of the 2018 Presidential Task Force recommendations, which attacked collective bargaining rights. This year, members ratified a new main union contract with a 94 percent “yes” vote. “The new contract secured annual wage increases, full COLAs, new work guarantees for PTFs, new career conversion opportunities for PSEs, restored Level 8 to the high career pay scale, limits on subcontracting of existing PVS driver work, maintained and enhanced job security no lay-off provisions and generally uplifted postal workers of all crafts,” Dimondstein said. It also maintains the Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA). The new contract’s second COLA amounts to $1.18/hr; it follows the $0.63/hr COLA in January. In Congress, after 16 years of organizing, the Postal Service Reform Act was passed. Among other provisions, this law eliminates the prefunding retiree health benefit mandate of 2006. Other accomplishments included winning liberal leave and COVID safety memos; securing $10 billion in postal COVID aid; 100,000 PSE conversions; 10,000 new clerk jobs in mail processing; improved member communications; joining struggles for racial and social justice. Dimondstein also lauded the recent organizing campaign, which brought on 5,000 new members, as well as private-sector organizing wins. “Our approach to sticking to the issues and never shying away from a fight has served our members well,” Dimondstein said. “A solid new contract, historical postal legislation, improved staffing, a better path to career status and an openness to new and enhanced postal products. However, we must and will remain ever vigilant.” He stressed that, while the privatizers have been kept at bay, “Wall Street is still Wall Street” and the threat of privatization continues to rear its ugly head. “Yes, the dangers are great but so are the opportunities,” he said. “The weather will be stormy at times. But we have the good and sturdy ship called the APWU built with many hands over generations of struggle.” DOCTOR’S ORDERS: MEDICARE FOR ALL! Dr. Claudia Fegan, the Chief Medical Officer of Cook County Health and the national coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program, addressed the convention on Monday with a message about the urgent need for a single payer health care system in the U.S. Dr. Fegan debunked myths about the affordability of a national health program, noting that the United States already spends more than $4 trillion a year on health care. “The United States is the only industrialized country in the world that does not guarantee universal access to health care,” she said. “We already spend enough money to guarantee access to everyone. Yet medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy.” Introducing Dr. Fegan, Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy noted with pride that the APWU is a longtime supporter of Medicare for All. “When we start putting profits before patients, we all suffer,” Fegan noted. “When our government starts to support corporate greed over personal freedom, we all suffer. We have to fight back.” Dr. Fegan concluded, “No country has ever won universal health care without the support of labor. This is your fight! This is your fight!” DELEGATES ADOPT CONVENTION RULES, FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT PRESENTED, LABOR MANAGEMENT RESOLUTIONS Delegates to the 26th Biennial Convention went right to work on the convention’s first day. After adoption of the convention rules, the delegates moved on to other business. The Finance Committee, introduced by Secretary Treasurer Powell, presented a report on the union’s finances over the last four years, finding all relevant financial documents to be in order and the current revenues and assets of the union to be in great condition. Attendees also began work on resolutions presented by the Labor-Management Committee that primarily focused on proposals for future contract negotiations. CREDENTIALS COMMITEE, AUGUST 15, 2022 As presented by Co-Chair Lorraine Sawyer of the Massachusetts Postal Workers Union, the preliminary report for the APWU Credentials Committee for Monday, August 15, is as follows: The 26th Biennial Convention’s 2,017 delegates represent 297 locals, 43 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Also in attendance, 69 national officers and four Retiree National Convention Delegates. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ ADDRESSES APWU CONVENTION DELEGATES Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) addressed APWU delegates on Monday morning, highlighting the contribution of postal union members. “I can tell you, they are all out there, on the ground, putting in the work.” The congresswoman thanked postal workers for the many contributions during the pandemic. “You saved our elections by processing millions of mail-in ballots in 2020, through today, despite impossibly hostile conditions. You did that. You saved our elections. You saved countless lives and livelihoods during a global pandemic with your work,” she remarked. While many people, she noted, especially those in Congress, claim that progress is impossible, she pointed out that “what other people call impossible is another day on the job” for APWU members! With growing support for labor unions, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said, “What was impossible a year or two ago is now possible today, and it is important that we recognize that, because far too many people use the word impossible to signify what is really just a lack of political will and political imagination.” That is why we must continue to grow the movement. Winding up her speech, AOC urged us all to “Talk to your kids about why you’re in a union. It’s really incredibly important because there is power in a union. We all also are in the work of protecting our democracy. You all and your support for the For the People Act has been incredibly important in making sure that we build momentum in combating gerrymandering, ending the filibuster and expanding the right to vote.” DENA BRISCOE WELCOMES DELEGATES & COLOR GUARD Nation’s Capital Southern Maryland Area Local President, Dena Briscoe, opened the 26th Biennial National Convention with a welcome to APWU delegates from across the country. The morning’s ceremonies were kicked off with a presentation of colors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard, Air Force District of Washington. Fazia Deen of the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center gave the invocation and the pledge of allegiance was led by Pam Richardson, Clerk Division National Business Agent. POST OFFICE WOMEN FOR EQUAL RIGHTS (POWER) CAUCUS Research & Education Director Joyce Robinson held a caucus to highlight POWER sisters. After an inspiring speech by CLUW President Elise Bryant, defending democracy and women’s rights. An awards ceremony was held for notable POWER Delegates. Joyce Robinson received a COPA Award for POWER’s participation, presented by President Mark Dimondstein and Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard. Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell, reminding all, “you don’t have to dim another’s light for yours to shine.” SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN WELCOMES DELEGATES TO THE OLD LINE STATE Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) welcomed delegates to National Harbor, MD. In a rousing speech, he highlighted our recent wins, including preventing the privatization of the USPS, promoting vote-by-mail, and in the passage of the Postal Service Reform Act. “It really is because of all of you and your persistence and determination and advocacy over time,” Van Hollen said. “You never gave up, and you got that across the finish line.” The senator supports key legislation, such as the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which affects Social Security benefits for certain workers and the restoration of the 2012 service standards. The Maryland senator also encouraged members to hold our elected officials accountable and push for pro-postal legislation. He warned that, to get much of this passed, “We may also ultimately require getting rid of or amending the undemocratic [senate] filibuster, which has been an impediment to important progress in our country.” AFL-CIO PRESIDENT SHULER: POSTAL WORKERS ON THE FRONT LINES OF DEMOCRACY In a speech to convention delegates, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler praised the role that postal workers have played in preserving democracy and serving the American public. “You have taken on a growing role in our elections, truly serving on the front lines of democracy,” she said. “You are not only making sure that people get their ballots but also their letters, paychecks and subscription medications.” Shuler talked about the importance of continuing to elect leaders who will fight for working people. Recent examples of beneficial legislation include passage of the Postal Service Reform Act strengthening the Postal Service and the Inflation Reduction Act that will help the middle class, protect the environment and reduce the cost of prescription costs and health care premiums. The AFL-CIO president also emphasized the organizing power that unions can have when they join forces and work together, especially now with the increasing number of workers seeking union representation. To facilitate the effort of organizing, the AFL-CIO recently announced the formation of the Center for Transformational Organizing (CTO). “We need to rise up and capture the energy of this moment that is leading people to organize in all kinds of companies and in all kinds of industries,” she said. “There is so much opportunity for organizing around us.” Among the reasons fueling the desire to organize is the fact that CEO pay continues to skyrocket while worker pay remains stagnant. According to the latest AFL-CIO pay watch study, CEO pay at the top 500 S & P companies is 324 times more than that of the average worker. Concluding her remarks, Shuler said, “In this moment when we are facing so many challenges in our jobs, to our economy, to our democracy, to our freedoms, we have to face them together as a movement.”

Second COLA Increase Announced August 10, 2022 In accordance with the 2021-2024 Collective Bar­gaining Agreement, career employees represented by the APWU will receive a $1.18 per hour cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), effective August 27, 2022. The increase is the result of a rise in the Consum­er Price Index (CPI-W). It will appear in paychecks dated September 16, 2022 (Pay Period 19-2022). The value of the COLA for full-time employees in each step and grade will increase by $2,455.00 annually, and the hourly rates for part-time employ­ees will be adjusted accordingly. The COLAs are in addition to general wage increases. This is the second cost-of-living increase under the 2021 contract. The first, effective in February, amounted to $0.63 per hour or $1,310 annually. The COLAs received so far during the 2021-2024 National Agreement total $3,765.00 this year. In light of the fact that 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. Rising inflation underscores just how important the continuation of our negotiated Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is in our outstanding new union contract. The COLA is 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. “At times of high inflation, our union-won COLA is invaluable to ourselves and our families,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “It pays to be union! It’s always a struggle to keep these COLA provisions and every postal worker should be proud we fought hard and prevailed to keep full COLA in our latest contract.” Go to apwu.org/pay-information to view pay scales.

Statement of APWU President Mark Dimondstein in Response to Recent Remarks by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Future Postal Staffing August 8, 2022 In a recent presentation before the neoconservative American Enterprise Institute, Postmaster General (PMG) Louis DeJoy outlined his views of the future direction of the United States Postal Service. One remark from the Postmaster General during a discussion following his prepared speech created headlines that deeply concern postal workers and the American Postal Workers Union. The PMG said that, through attrition and retirements, the USPS “may need to get 50,000 people out of the organization” in the next 10 years to “break even.” Let me be perfectly clear with our members: Prior to the PMG’s remarks, postal management had never discussed any such proposals or plans on the future size of the postal workforce or of the APWU bargaining unit. In fact, over the last two years the APWU and postal management have reached a number of settlements that increased much-needed staffing in Function 1 mail processing, creating 10,000 new clerk craft jobs. We are currently pressing management to agree to increase staffing in Function 4 Retail. We also reached a number of agreements, including in the recently ratified contract, resulting in tens of thousands of PSEs being converted to career positions. These are welcome developments and a testament to the powerful campaigns our union has led to demand management invest in the staffing and retention policies necessary to ensure we provide the quality service the public deserves. I’ve spoken with the PMG since his remarks and made clear to him our position: without postal workers, there is no USPS. We make it work and we’re committed to fulfilling our mission of providing essential service to the country. The best way to get the Postal Service back to break even is to focus on improving service quality, expanding and enhancing service, and growing the Postal Service’s role in a fast-changing economy – including growing with long-needed staffing. If it’s management’s intent to weaken our union, attack our pay and conditions or eliminate family-sustaining union postal jobs, the PMG will get a strong fight from the APWU. But let’s also be clear about one thing – we don’t bargain with newspaper headlines. When PMG DeJoy was hired, we made clear that our union would judge the PMG based on his actions. When he degraded service in the summer of 2020, we opposed his actions and led the fight back which forced management to abandon the worst of those policy changes. When PMG DeJoy introduced management’s 10-year “Delivering For America” plan, I called it “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” There were elements of the plan we supported, like efforts to grow the USPS’s market share in the booming e-commerce business, advocating for six-day delivery and for a better path to career jobs for our non-career members. And we vowed to use every resource of our union to fight elements of the plan we opposed, like cuts to service standards and retail hours of operation. We will oppose future job reductions that affect the lives of the postal workers we represent, good living wage union jobs for future generations and diminishes the good service the people deserve. Rest assured that any such management actions will be met with unbridled opposition of the APWU – the same kind of fightback, allied with the labor movement and the people of our country, that won the “Stop Staples” campaign, defeated the privatization plans of the White House in 2018 and compelled the USPS to do right in relation to vote by mail during the 2020 election.

After Pressure, Management Sets Retroactive Pay Date! August 5, 2022 Last week we announced the APWU was preparing collective actions in response to the unacceptable delay in retroactive payments won in the 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Today, after concerted struggles with postal management, management has finally provided the union with firm dates the payments will be received by postal workers in APWU-represented crafts. The retroactive payments will be processed on October 11, 2022. They will appear as a pay adjustment on paychecks received October 28, 2022. “Those in management responsible for overseeing these payroll changes had so little respect for postal workers that they apparently thought a May 2023 date for the retroactive payments would somehow be acceptable. This was outrageous,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “Postal workers earned this pay, we deserve it, and we’re not in the business of giving management interest-free loans on the back of our labor. While we’re still unsatisfied with the delay, we sent a message and have gotten firm dates months in advance of management’s plan.” “This delay in retroactive payments was unacceptable to everyone in our union,” said APWU Director of Industrial Relations Charlie Cash. “While we’re glad to have dates to look forward to, we will still file a national-level grievance seeking an appropriate remedy for all affected postal employees.” The CBA included the following pay adjustments: Effective November 20, 2021: General wage increases of 1.3 percent Effective Nov. 20, 2021: Additional 1 percent pay raise for PSEs (who do not receive COLA) Effective September 25, 2021: New pay scale for Grade 11 Effective Feb 26, 2022: Sixty-three cents/hour COLA, for career employees Effective April 9, 2022: Fifty cents/hour increase for the PSEs effective Each of the above adjustments were programmed and included in our wages on June 4, 2022, with the exception of the 50 cents/hour due to the PSEs. That management error was corrected and included in pay from July 30, 2022. The retroactive payments due to workers consists of the above adjustments on hours worked from June 4, 2022 going back to their respective effective dates, and between April 9 and July 30 for the PSE fifty-cent increase. We will keep members updated on the grievance process regarding this unacceptable delay.

Date: July 29, 2022 at 3:41:00 PM EDT Subject: PSEs extra 50 cents per hour As you are all aware, the Postal Service had failed to program the additional 50 cents per hour for the PSEs. The Postal Service had informed me that they had found the problem and that the extra 50 cents would start being paid on July 30, 2022 (pay period 17-2022). I confirmed with the Postal Service that the additional 50 cents an hour will indeed start being paid to PSEs starting tomorrow July 30, 2022 and show in paychecks dated 8-19-2022. Feel free to share with the field. Thank you and remember—stay safe, wear your mask! Charlie Cash Industrial Relations Director American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

The Battle for Retroactive Pay is On! July 29, 2022 This is an important update on our retroactive pay from the 2021-24 contract and a call to action on securing your hard-earned pay at the earliest possible date. The terms of the new 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union were ratified by the APWU members on February 28, 2022. The new contract included a number of important changes to our wages and pay structure. The payroll changes are a two-fold process. First Stage: All the new wage and pay changes need to be programmed, calculated. These included, but were not limited to, the: November 20, 2021 wage increases of 1.3 percent Sixty-three cents/hour COLA, effective Feb 26, 2022 Additional 1 percent pay raise for PSEs (who do not receive COLA) effective Nov. 20, 2021 Fifty cents/hour increase for the PSEs effective April 9 2022 New pay scale for Grade 11 effective September 25, 2021 Second Stage: Calculate the retroactive pay back due to eligible employees and properly distribute to the employees. The large-scale payroll system changes must be made and placed into effect before the retroactive payments can be properly calculated and distributed. The above payroll changes were made effective June 4, 2022 with the exception of the extra fifty cents/hour due the PSEs. That management error has now been corrected. The implementation of these changes was approximately 90 days after the new contract was ratified. This is in line with the time it has taken in the past following effective dates of new Collective Bargaining Agreements. What is not acceptable is that management has not yet produced a firm date on when the retroactive pay will be distributed in our pay checks. “We have made it crystal clear to management that this is money that has been earned by and belongs to the workers,” shared APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “We will not accept any management excuses and delays.” “With no firm and reasonable date provided by management, every APWU member, from the national President to the newest hire, is prepared to secure what is owed to the workers,” said Industrial Relations Director Charlie Cash. “We have been in almost daily contact with management and, if this issue is not quickly resolved, the APWU is prepared to file all necessary grievances, demand interest, cash advances, explore legal remedies and invoke collective actions.” Be assured that the lack of a firm date for when you will receive your retroactive pay lies squarely on the managers and executives of the US Postal Service. It is the APWU’s position that the programming and payment of retroactive pay should be the number one programming priority -- And it must be all hands on deck until completed! The APWU will continue to update everyone on the next steps we are taking and if a date for the retroactive pay has been established.

COLA and You Mark Dimondstein July 20, 2022 (This article first appeared in the July/August 2022 issue of the American Postal Worker magazine) Soaring inflation is hurting working people worldwide with rising prices on basic necessities including gasoline, food, transportation and housing. Inflation is largely being driven by an economy concentrated in the hands of a few powerful and greedy corporate monopolies that have the power to raise prices, with little fear of competition. In 2021 consumer prices rose 6.7 percent yet corporate profits rose 25 percent - a record high. In the first quarter of 2022, the five major oil companies tripled their profits to $35 billion. Monopoly power and price gouging may be good for corporate profits and Wall Street, but they are disastrous for workers. Clearly, over the long run we have to replace corporate domination and power with more workers’ power. Rising inflation underscores just how important the continuation of our negotiated Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is in our outstanding new union contract. COLA is our best protection against inflation. We are some of the few U.S. workers who receive COLA increases. Even in the postal world, we are the only union that has maintained full COLA in our union contract. We should never take our union won gains for granted. Management puts COLA on the chopping block during every round of negotiations and we have to fight to preserve those hard-won provisions. Let’s examine the “COLA Difference:” (The APWU has negotiated a number of union contracts/collective bargaining agreements. The figures below apply to the main agreement covering 200,000 postal workers.) As inflation started to dramatically rise in 2021, the union-negotiated COLA increases for that year amounted to $1.14/hour or $2,371 annually for fulltime career employees. The first COLA (March 2022) under the newly negotiated and ratified union contract was sixty-three cents/hour or $1,310 annually. The second COLA, due this August, currently stands at a whopping eighty-seven cents/hour or $1,809 annually. With two months left until the second COLA is set, (while the final allowance may fluctuate), we believe it could top $1.00/hour. At this point in time, the first two COLAs in the new contract amount to $3,120 annually. The 2021 and 2022 COLAs combined will exceed $5,500 annually. COLA becomes part of our regular wages and thus carries over year-after-year. In addition to COLA, the annual wage increases due each November under the new union contract amount to an average of $800/year for career employees. Those not yet at the top step of the pay scale continue to receive step increases of approximately $1,000 every thirty-six weeks, in addition to COLA. If prices decrease, with fuel for example, we still keep our COLA increases. Those gains are locked in and become part of our base salary going forward. While PSEs do not receive COLA, upon conversion they are slotted into the proper pay scale that includes all these COLA increases. Over the years of contract negotiations, it has not been uncommon to lose COLA increases, either through an arbitration award or voluntarily absorbing an increase(s). For example, the 1994 interest arbitration award eliminated two COLA increases. In 2010, the APWU voluntarily gave up two COLAs. Once we skip COLA increases, they are gone forever. Just think what would have happened if we went to interest arbitration and lost the first two COLAs of the new CBA! Postal workers would have lost over $3,000 a year or approximately $100,000 over a typical postal career. I am proud that as your lead negotiator in the last three contract negotiations of 2015, 2018 and 2021, we maintained all our COLA increases. And you should be union proud as well -- every member is the strong foundation on which we build our union rights and build a better future for all postal workers and our families – including COLA!

Thomas Johnson BORN: 10/22/1955 DIED: July 10, 2022 LOCATION: Hurricane, WV Thomas Johnson Thomas Dudley Johnson, Sr., 66, of Hurricane, passed away on July 10, 2022. A service to Honor the Life of Thomas will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, July 22, 2022 at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston. Interment will follow in Donell C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar, WV. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home.

2022 National Officer Election Candidates' Online Statements Posted July 11, 2022 Statements by candidates for national union office are posted on the APWU website in accordance with Article 11.3.c.2 of the APWU Constitution. To view the statements click here and follow the log-in instructions for the Members Only section.

Candidates Nominated for APWU Election of National Officers June 17, 2022 Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth "Liz" Powell has announced that the following union members have been certified as candidates for election to national office by referendum balloting, as mandated by the APWU Constitution and Bylaws. Each candidate in this unofficial listing has secured the necessary petitions required for nomination. The official list will be announced after the drawing for ballot positions is held on June 27. Incumbent officers are listed first and identified by (I) after their names. Where more than one non-incumbent has been certified, they are listed in alphabetical order. A list of uncontested national offices appears at the bottom. Any candidate who wishes to withdraw from the ballot or whose name or local is misspelled or identified improperly, must notify APWU Secretary-Treasurer Liz Powell immediately. Corrections and notifications must be received by her office in writing by 4 p.m. ET, Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Download a printable copy of APWU News Service Bulletin with the list of nominations, here. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS President Mark Dimondstein (I), Greater Greensboro SCF Area Local (NC) John L. Marcotte, Gaylord Local (MI) Legislative/Political Director Judy Beard (I), Detroit District Area Local (MI) Thomas Benson, Lake Geauga Area Local (OH) Human Relations Director Daleo Freeman (I), William H. Burrus, Cleveland Area Local, #72 (OH) Doris Simmons, Atlanta Metro Area Local (GA) REGIONAL COORDINATORS Southern Region Yared Wonde, Dallas Area Local (TX) Sam Wood, Southwest Florida Area Local (FL) CLERK DIVISION National Business Agents, Central Region, Cincinnati Region, (A) Michael D. Schmid (I), Columbus Area Local (OH) Mark E. Graham, Springfield Local (OH) National Business Agents, Central Region, Minneapolis Region, (B) Christopher Mark Hendrickson, St. Cloud Area Local (MN) Gregory Becker, Milwaukee Area Local (WI) National Business Agents, Northeast Region, New England Region, (A) Scott Adams, Portland Area Local (ME) Bill Mazurowski, Hartford Local (CT) Thomas S. Smith, Bangor Area Local (ME) National Business Agents, Southern Region, Atlanta Region, (C) Keenan D. Anthony, Sr., Marietta Local (GA) William G. Flanagan, Jr., Atlanta Metro Area Local (GA) Sandra Munoz Hernandez, Broward County Area Local (FL) National Business Agents, Southern Region, Dallas Region, (C) Diann Scurlark (I), Houston Area Local (TX) Alejandro “Alex” Aleman, San Antonio Alamo Area Local (TX) Ben Martinez, Fort Worth Area Local (TX) National Business Agents, Western Region, San Francisco Region, (A) Sonia E. Canchola (I), California Area Local (CA) Charquita Rainey, Greater Los Angeles Area Local (CA) National Business Agents, Western Region, San Francisco Region, (B) Shirley J. Taylor (I), East Bay Area Local (CA) Mike Hetticher, Eureka Local (CA) National Business Agents, Western Region, San Francisco Region, (C) Eric A. Van Dyke (I), Greater Los Angeles Area Local (CA) Fabiola Dominguez, California Area Local (CA) Terry L. Hood, San Diego Area Local (CA) MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICE DIVISON National Business Agents, Central Region Dave Cook, St. Paul Area Local (MN) Mark Krueger, Milwaukee Area Local (WI) National Business Agents, Eastern Region Garrett C. Langley (I), Lancaster Area Local (PA) Raymond J. Scanlon, Baltimore Francis “Stu” Filbey Area Local (MD) Brian R. McLaurin, Nation’s Capital Southern MD Area Local (MD) National Business Agents, Northeast Region Michael Cinelli, Greater Hicksville Mid-Island Area Local (NY) Stephen D. Mohan, Greater Hicksville Mid-Island Area Local (NY) Rick White, Boston Metro Area Local (MA) SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION Director Arrion Brown, Nation’s Capital Southern MD Area Local (MD) Robin “Robbie” Robertson, St. Louis Gateway District Area Local (MO) Aaron T. Young, Twin Cities PDC Local (MN) RETIREES DEPARTMENT Director Nancy E. Olumekor (I), Nation’s Capital Southern MD Area Local (MD) Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr., Oakland Local (CA) Retiree National Convention Delegates Southern Region Patricia A. McGriff (I), Northeast Florida Retiree Chapter (FL) Kim H. Guy, Greater Smokey Mountain Area Local (TN) UNCONTESTED NATIONAL OFFICERS General and Administrative Officers Executive Vice President Debby Szeredy (I), Mid-Hudson New York Area Local (NY) Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth “Liz” Powell (I), Western Nassau New York Area Local (NY) Industrial Relations Director Charles “Charlie” Cash (I), Buffalo Local (NY) Organization Director Anna Smith (I), Portland Oregon Area Local (OR) Research and Education Director Joyce B. Robinson (I), Richmond Area Local (VA) Health Plan Director Sarah Jane Rodriguez (I), Phoenix Metro Area Local (AZ) Regional Coordinators Central Region Sharyn M. Stone (I), Indianapolis Area Local (IN) Eastern Region AJ Jones (I), Eastern Montgomery County PA Area Local (PA) Northeast Region Tiffany Foster (I), New York Metro Area Postal Union (NY) Western Region Omar M. Gonzalez (I), Greater Los Angeles Area Local (CA) Clerk Division Director Lamont A. Brooks (I), The Northern Virginia Area Local (VA) Assistant Director (A) Sam Lisenbe (I), Fort Worth Area Local (TX) Assistant Director, (B) Lynn Pallas-Barber (I), 498-499 Area Local (MI) National Business Agents, Central Region Chicago Region, (A) Linda Turney (I), Schaumburg Local (IL) Chicago Region, (B) Devendra Rathore “D” (I), Fox Valley Local (IL) Chicago Region, (C) James Stevenson (I), Detroit District Area Local (MI) Cincinnati Region, (B) Michael W. Funk, Jr. (I), Greater Cincinnati Ohio Area Local (OH) Minneapolis Region, (A) Todd M. Elkerton (I), Saint Paul Area Local (MN) St. Louis Region, (A) Robert D. Kessler (I), Greater Kansas City Metro Area Local (MO) St. Louis Region, (B) Daniel F. Skemp (I), Rapid Area Local (IA) Wichita Region, (A) Ashley D. Cargill (I), Norman Local (OK) National Business Agents, Eastern Region Philadelphia Region, (A) Robert Romanowski (I), New Jersey Shore Area Local (NJ) Philadelphia Region, (B) John Louis Jackson, Jr. (I), Philadelphia BMC Local (PA) Philadelphia Region, (C) Vincent A. Tarducci (I), Philadelphia BMC Local (PA) Washington DC Region, (A) Rachel A. Walthall (I), Baltimore Francis "Stu" Filbey Area Local (MD) Washington DC Region, (B) Pamela R. Richardson (I), Lynchburg Area Local (VA) National Business Agents, Northeast Region New England Region, (B) Scott M. Hoffman, Boston Metro Area Local (MA) New England Region, (C) Thomas “Tom” O'Brien (I), South Shore Area Local (MA) New York Region, (A) Peter “Pete” Coradi (I), Brooklyn Local (NY) New York Region, (B) Elizabeth “Liz” Swigert (I), Queens Area Local (NY) New York Region, (C) Bernard “Bernie” C. Timmerman (I), Central New York Area Local (NY) National Business Agents, Southern Region Atlanta Region, (A) James “Jim” DeMauro (I), Tampa Area Local (FL) Atlanta Region, (B) Doris Orr-Richardson, Northeast Florida Area Local (FL) Dallas Region, (A) Jack Crawford (I), Houston Area Local (TX) Dallas Region, (B) Charles Tillman (I), Dallas Area Local (TX) Memphis Region, (A) Joe H. Jolley, Jr. (I), Nashville Area Local (TN) Memphis Region, (B) Pamela Smith (I), Birmingham Area Local (AL) National Business Agents, Western Region Denver Region, (A) Lamont Green, Phoenix Metro Area Local (AZ) Denver Region, (B) Joseph M. Zamenick, Phoenix Metro Area Local (AZ) Northwest Region, (A) Brian Dunsmore (I), Portland Oregon Area Local (OR) Northwest Region, (B) Brian Dunn (I), Portland Oregon Area Local (OR) San Francisco Region, (D) Chuck Locke (I), Sacramento Area Local (CA) Maintenance Division Director Idowu Balogun (I), Greater Los Angeles Area Local (CA) Assistant Director, (A) Terry B. Martinez (I), Dallas Area Local (TX) Assistant Director, (B) Jason Treier (I), Lancaster Area Local (PA) National Business Agents, Maintenance Division Central Region, (A) Craig Fisher (I), Tri-County Ohio Area Local (OH) Central Region, (B) Jeffrey Scott Beaton (I), Greater Kansas City Area Local (MO) Central Region, (C) Curtis Walker (I), Flint Michigan Area Local (MI) Eastern Region Kenneth Lester (I), Philadelphia PA Local (PA) Northeast Region Dave Sarnacki (I), Springfield Mass Area Local (MA) Southern Region, (A) John Gearhard (I), Jacksonville BMC Local (FL) Southern Region, (B) Carlos Paz (I), Dallas Area Local (TX) Western Region, (A) Hector Baez (I), San Diego Area Local (CA) Western Region, (B) Louis M. Kingsley (I), California Area Local (CA) Motor Vehicle Service Division Director Michael O. Foster (I), Detroit District Area Local (MI) Assistant Director Kenneth (Ken) Prinz (I), Philadelphia PA Area Local (PA) National Business Agents, Motor Vehicle Service Division Southern Region, Southeast Sub-Region Bruce E. Amey (I), Atlanta Metro Area Local (GA) Southern Region, Southwest Sub-Region Dyrike Shaw (I), Dallas Area Local (TX) Western Region Jerome A. Pittman (I), San Francisco Local (CA) All-Craft National Business Agents Alaskan Area James M. Patarini (I), Midnight Sun Area Local (AK) Caribbean Area Samuel A. Hernandez Algarin, Puerto Rico Area Local (PR) Pacific Area Rufina J. Pagaduan (I), Honolulu Local (HI) Support Services Division Support Services Division, National Business Agent Orlando L. Anderson, St. Louis Gateway District Area Local (MO) Retiree National Convention Delegates Central Region Paul Browning (I), Traverse City Area Local (MI) Eastern Region Cynthia Nesmith, Philadelphia Area Local Retiree Chapter (PA) Northeast Region Leona Draper (I), New York Metro Area Postal Union (NY) Western Region Patricia Ann Williams (I), Greater Los Angeles Area Local 64 Retiree Chapter (CA)

Don't Let the Postal Service check Your "Pulse!" Starting June 14 through July 15 2022, the USPS is pushing its annual Postal Pulse Survey. The APWU leadership urges you to not let the Postal Service take your Pulse! Management surveys have been used as a weapon against the APWU during contract negotiations while not producing any real positive change for employees at the Postal Service. Through notification from the Postal Service, APWU has learned the 2022 version of the survey removes the comment section and also asks the employee to recommend the Postal Service as an employer and rate its products/services. Nowhere in this survey is there a disclaimer that it is voluntary. Regardless of pressure from supervisors or managers, letter correspondence, excessive emails, or other tactics, employees are not required to participate in this survey. APWU urges you to not participate. The USPS Postal Pulse Survey of 2021 showed us nothing that we didn’t already know. Management continues to ignore your most pressing concerns: worker morale, lack of positive recognition, health and safety concerns, and lack of career growth. Our right to collectively bargain, fight for better wages and safer workplaces begins postal workers standing together in their union. Stay united, and don’t be fooled by management’s tricks created to divide us. Over years of struggle, we’ve won a negotiated grievance process, a labor-management cooperation process and national negotiations to address workplace issues. These are the proper channels for management to seek input from postal workers, not a management survey put together without any input from the APWU or the other postal unions. Don’t let them take your “Pulse!”

IT-AS Tentative Agreement Announcement May 24, 2022 The American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO and the U.S. Postal Service have reached a tentative agreement for the Information Technology/Accounting Services (IT/AS) collective bargaining agreement, announced Support Services Director, and lead negotiator, Steve Brooks. The agreement will be a 36- month agreement which will end May 2025. It has been a while since this group has achieved a full-term contract so we will not have to turn around quickly and negotiate again. “The parties negotiated diligently over the past couple of months and worked well together to make changes to several areas of the CBA which will open opportunities for our members. The changes agreed to will provide our members the opportunity to advance their careers in higher level positions.” stated Director Brooks. The parties came to an agreement on the work rules on Thursday May 19, 2022, but economic issues were still being discussed. Discussions on the economic issues intensified but were verbally finalized late in the evening. “The economic discussions bogged down, and it did not look like we were going to get this done by May 20th. The negotiations got a little heated, but we knew that the proposals we put across were necessary to preserve and grow our bargaining unit.” Director Brooks said. He went on to say, “We knew that the offers we made were fair, reasonable, and actually would benefit the Postal Service as much as our membership.” This agreement would not have been reached without the efforts of Industrial Relations Director, Charlie Cash. As a result of his patience, and tenacity we achieved much of what we had desired. The senior staff of the Industrial Relations Department also provided invaluable advice, support, and input throughout the negotiations process—especially in the final hours of discussions. The new terms will be put together into contract format and sent to the membership for review and a ratification vote. Closer to the time the ratification packets are sent out, Virtual Town Hall meetings will be scheduled where members can participate, hear the details of the agreement, and ask questions. Here is a summary of the terms. There will be changes to the Functional Areas. Although the various work sections will remain as they are currently under both the IT and Accounting units the employees that perform those duties will not have to physically be in the Center that those duties are assigned. In other words, you can bid on a promotional opportunity in another facility and not have to physically move as a condition of accepting the position. The same will be true for lateral reassignments. Implementation of this new process will require changes to Article 30 Local implementation, 37 Seniority, 38 Postings, 39 Transfers, and 40 Reassignments. TACS duties will now be assigned to the bargaining unit on the IT side instead of management performing those duties. Career Development/reimbursement will remain in place with the dollar limitations increasing to $5000 on the IT side and $3000 on the Accounting side. We will retain our 10/4 work schedule opportunities. With Telework being possibly the most important item to IT/AS employees, there will be a pilot hybrid telework provision: Employees will be able to telework 3 days per week for employees on an 8/5 schedule, and 2 days per week for employees on a 10/4 work schedule. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was reached to allow employees to continue teleworking under the COVID-19 Telework agreements during the ratification process. There will be 3 General increases over this contract period. 1.3% January 2023 1.3% January 2024 1% January 2025. There is a caveat that if the main APWU receives a GI higher than 1% our unit will receive the 1% plus the additional over 1%. Retain the “full” COLA with a March 2022 index base. The APWU is the only union still to receive “full” COLA. This is especially important during these times of high inflation. Our Health Benefits percentage will remain as is. The Postal Service will be required to post/fill 50 additional Programmer positions. There will be 5 additional Level 18 IT Service Desk positions. As the ratification process moves forward, dates and times of the Virtual Town Hall Meetings will be posted on the website for members to register and attend. At these meetings members will be able hear further details of the terms of the tentative agreement and ask questions. tentative agreement

APWU & USPS Reach Verbal Tentative Agreement on IT/AS May 20, 2022 The APWU and the Postal Service verbally reached a tenative agremeent for the IT/AS bargaining unit on May 20, 2022. Further details of the tentative agreement will be released on Monday, May 23, 2022. With the agreement having been reached, the COVID-19 telework arrangements currently in place will continue while the tentative agreement goes through the APWU ratification process.

Bulk Mail and Mailing Requirements Clerk Qualification Position MOU Extended May 6, 2022 On May 6, 2022, Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks and the Postal Service agreed to extend the MOU, Re: Bulk Mail and Mailing Requirement Clerk Position Qualification. The extension will continue through November 4, 2022. The parties had originally agreed to the MOU on April 3, 2020 in order to provide a virtual learning and OJT program for Bulk Mail Techs and Mailing Requirement Clerks (MRCs) “at the location where the Bulk Mail Tech or MRC position is located”. The MOU further states, “The parties at the National Level will review the in-person training program offered at the National Center for Employee Development (NCED), including the material content and schedule”. Both parties will not only be able to review the training program but will also compare the training with the actual duties performed in these jobs to ensure Bulk Mail Techs and MRCs are receiving the appropriate training commensurate with their position descriptions. The MOU also states, “This agreement is without prejudice to the positions of the parties on any issue and shall not be cited in any dispute resolution proceedings, except for the purpose of enforcing its terms”. Clerk Craft Director Brooks stated, “I want to thank Assistant Directors Lynn Pallas-Barber and Sam Lisenbe for their hard work on these important issues”. The extension of the MOU is linked with this article for easier access. 2022 Bulk Mail Tech and Mailing Requirement Clerk Position Qualification

Telework MOU Extended Until June 17, 2022 May 6, 2022 On May 6, 2022, APWU Clerk Craft Director Lamont Brooks agreed to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding Telework for Clerk Craft Employees at Customer Care Centers, Customer Retention Teams, and the Mailing Shipping Solution Center (MSSC, i.e., Mailing Requirements Clerks) until June 17, 2022. However, the Postal Service would not agree to extend Consumer Affairs employees (Claims & Inquiry Clerks and Complaints & Inquiry Clerks) for inclusion in this MOU. Their duties while working from home could not be tracked accurately by the USPS. Therefore, employees in these two categories will return to their duty stations, effective May 7, 2022. During this approximate month and a half extension, the APWU and Postal Service will discuss and attempt to finalize a Telework Program Pilot Agreement for employees at Customer Care Centers, Customer Retention Teams, and Mailing Requirements Clerks. The MOU states, “Once the Telework Program Pilot Agreement is finalized, or no later than June 17, 2022, this MOU will expire, unless the parties at the national level agree to extend. If agreement on a teleworking pilot cannot be reached, the parties will work together on a transition plan to return the employees to their official duty stations as soon as reasonably possible”. “It is the Clerk Division’s intention, long term, to protect our work from contracting out while also protecting the rights and benefits of all employees,” Director Brooks explained, “while taking into consideration many employees’ desire to voluntarily work from home”. The extension of the MOU is linked with this article for easier access. Telework MOU

Implementation of CBA Moves Ahead April 28, 2022 The implementation of the 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement is moving forward. With ratification of the agreement on February 28, the provisions of the agreement went into effect. The membership of the union has already seen the effect of some of those provisions. For example, work or pay guarantees the for Part-time Flexible (PTF) employees to include the four (4) hour daily work or pay guarantee and the 24-hour per pay period work or pay guarantee are in effect. The guaranteed one day off per week for PTFs is also in effect along with many other provisions of the agreement. As previously announced, the pay provisions of the agreement are being programmed and will begin to be paid in pay period 13 which starts on June 4, 2022 and show on the paychecks received on June 24, 2022. This would include the 1.3% due to career employees from November 2021, the 2.3% due to Postal Support Employees (PSEs) from November 2021, the $1310 per annum COLA due to career employees on February 26, 2022, extra pay for PTFs due to the Juneteenth holiday, and the additional 50 cents per hour for PSEs. Beginning pay period 14, starting on June 18, 2022, the slotting of the additional steps and elimination of steps for Grade 8 employees will begin as well. Of course, once that is all in place the Postal Service will be able to provide the date of the retro-active pay that will be owed the employees. It is important to note that the retroactive pay will take time to calculate and will be paid later in the year. One significant provision of the agreement goes into effect on April 23, 2022. PSEs who have reached 24 months of relative standing within their installation (Level 4 RMPOs excluded) will be converted to career employees. They will be converted to a PTF in Level 20 and below offices or to Full-time Flexible (FTF) in Level 21 and above offices. This is a significant step forward for the non-career workforce. Guaranteed Conversion! The Postal Service has provided approximately 1,200 names of PSEs who will be converted on April 23, 2022. During negotiations, it was estimated that the conversions under this provision would be closer to 2000, however, through the other conversion mechanisms of the Clerk Craft Residual MOU, conversion agreed to through national MOUs, and through the hard work of dedicated representatives in the grievance process, many of the PSEs estimated to be converted were converted prior to April 23, 2022. This proves that the contract is working well to get conversions prior to the 24-month provision that is a stop-gap to ensure PSEs are converted. The APWU believes more than the 1,200 conversions should be taking place and we have provided a list of names to the Postal Service that have been identified in the data we have that should be converted. We are seeking clarification on those names and making sure that no one who should be converted is missed. Data review and conversations with the Postal Service are continuing to take place to make sure everyone due to be converted is converted. The 2021-2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement took a big step forward for the wages, hours, and working conditions for hundreds of thousands APWU members. It is a contract that can be built upon in the future and a contract that protect rights and benefits fought for over decades of collective bargaining.

Statement by APWU President Mark Dimondstein on the Amazon Workers Union Victory in Staten Island and the Ongoing union election in Alabama April 11, 2022 The Union victory today of Amazon workers in the Staten Island, NY warehouse is exciting and great news. In addition, the too-close-to-call election results at the Bessemer, Alabama Amazon warehouse is also encouraging news The 8,000 workers at the Amazon Warehouse in Staten Island NY voted “union yes” by joining a new independent union, the Amazon Labor Union (ALU). In an outstanding example of independent self-organization, workers prevailed against a massive, multi-millionaire dollar anti-union campaign of coercion, threats and intimidation. The Amazon workers, led by Christian Smalls, who was fired for leading a walk out over lack of COVID safety protocols two years ago, were not to be denied. They drew important lessons from the pandemic – workers must organize to have dignity, respect and safe working conditions. They were undoubtedly encouraged by the wave of new worker militancy around the country as well as growing public support for unions. And they were rightfully fed up with a company raking in billions in profits while refusing to share the wealth created by the workers’ labor. The APWU welcomes this news - the first union beachhead in the battle for workers’ rights against a massive, anti-union company and their greedy billionaire executives. It is a powerful first step which will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration to the one million U.S. Amazon workers who need a union to win better wages, benefits, workplace safety and a true voice at work. The organized labor movement should unite and build a multi-union crusade to help organize Amazon workers throughout the country. We should help propel the movement forward, whether Amazon workers choose to join an established union such as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) in Alabama, or others, or if they organize new independent initiatives such as the ALU in Staten Island. We salute the determination of the Amazon workers in Staten Island and Bessemer, AL in standing up to their bosses. Unionization at Amazon holds a special significance for postal workers who work in the same mail/package/delivery industry. When one group of workers rises, we all rise. The APWU stands ready to assist the newly organized workers in Staten Island in any way we can in the coming and challenging battle to win a good first union contract and stands ready to work with all Amazon workers and all unions in building Amazon workers’ power at Amazon.

Results of Tentative Agreement Incentive Announced April 8, 2022 APWU President Mark Dimondstein has announced the winners of the union’s tentative agreement ratification participation contest. The challenge, intended to encourage participation in the ratification process, offered rewards to locals that were most successful in mobilizing APWU members to vote. The contest provided that the top three locals in several categories would be rewarded, with the categories based on the size of the local. The program stipulated that any local that achieved 100 percent participation would be rewarded, and to be eligible, locals must have reached voting levels of at least 50 percent. In the category of 1-49 members, four (4) active locals had 100% percent participation, and each will be awarded $200. They are: LOCAL Percent Voting Liberal Local 100% Worthington Local 100% West Bend Local 100% Twin Cities Area Local 100% In the 500–999-member category, there was only one (1) local eligible for the $2,000 award: Trenton Metropolitan Area Local 51.1% Unfortunately, no other category qualifies for an incentive award. Results can be found at this link in the Member’s Only section, and were provided by the American Arbitration Association, which conducted the balloting under the supervision of the Rank-and-File Bargaining Advisory Committee.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS POSTAL REFORM INTO LAW Prefunding Mandate Scrapped, Landmark Bill Provides Billions in Relief to USPS April 6, 2022 On Wednesday, April 6, President Joe Biden signed the Postal Service Reform Act into law at a White House ceremony. President Mark Dimondstein and Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard were invited to witness the signing ceremony and represent the APWU. “This is a historic achievement for our union,” said President Dimondstein. “Congratulations to every postal worker who has organized for over a decade to ensure this long-needed postal reform legislation became law. The Postal Service Reform Act marks a tremendous victory for our union, for all postal workers, our families, and for the people of the country who depend on robust, reliable and sustainable universal postal services.” The Postal Service Reform Act (PSRA) contains many key elements that have long been a priority for the APWU. First is the elimination of the congressional mandate that USPS prefund future retiree health benefits. This mandate required the Postal Service to set billions of dollars aside each year to prefund retiree health benefits 75 years into the future. The prefunding mandate alone is responsible for 84% of USPS’s losses since 2007. Lifting of the mandate is expected to save the USPS roughly $27 billion over the next 10 years and immediately eliminates $53 billion of past due prepayments on the USPS books. Three important service-related features are included in the new law. The PSRA increases transparency of USPS management, allowing the public, Congress and regulators better insight into USPS service issues. It also mandates that USPS continue to provide a six-day-per-week, integrated delivery network – packages and letter mail moving together – long into the future. Finally, the PSRA allows USPS to enter into agreements with State, local and tribal governments to provide a whole range of new products and services. Another major element of the bill is in the integration of future postal retirees into the Medicare system. While USPS and postal employees have contributed to Medicare for decades, roughly a quarter of retirees do not fully enroll in Medicare. Starting in 2025, all postal retirees will have Medicare as their primary payer and a postal-only FEHBP plan as a secondary payer. These changes are expected to save postal retirees money by eliminating out-of-pocket medical expenses and by mitigating future premium increases, while saving USPS $22 billion over the next ten years. The PSRA passed both chambers of Congress earlier this year after more than a decade of debate and consensus-building among the postal unions, congressional leaders, mailers and postal management. It garnered broad, bipartisan support, passing the House in February by a vote of 342-92 and passing the Senate in March with a vote of 79-19. “APWU applauds every member of Congress who has worked alongside our union to achieve this critical legislation,” said Legislative and Political Director Beard. “We especially recognize the leadership of Chairwoman Maloney and Ranking Member Comer in the House and Chairman Peters and Ranking Member Portman in the Senate for their steadfast, bipartisan resolve in crafting this bill. Postal workers fought hard for this bill and Congress heard our voices loud and clear.” “The path to winning this legislation was long and hard-fought,” said Dimondstein. “We should all take heart in this tremendous victory and remember that together, our union is a force to be reckoned with. Now, the struggle continues to defend the public Postal Service, to protect good jobs, and to win improved and expanded postal services and justice for all workers.”

What...did you not vote on the CBA? Omar M. Gonzalez March 24, 2022 By now the fate of the contract is decided. You either exercised the power of your membership or let it go to waste. If you voted, thanks, because for over 180 years postal workers had very little, if any, say in their employment. The Post Office Department was all powerful. Now the PO’s power is subject not just to the law (such as it is), but also to the contract. Our years of struggle to get and pursue collective bargaining is rich with lessons learned. Modest start & struggles President Kennedy’s 1962 Executive Order gave us limited negotiation rights over promotions, transfers, RIFs and some working conditions. A government- imposed union election in 1962 determined postal unions recognition. It took another eight years and a nationwide wildcat strike to produce real negotiations. The 1971 contract was negotiated (by 7 unions no less) before the law establishing USPS was signed. Nixon’s promised pay increase was blocked by his wage freeze. But the AFL-CIO’s helped force that first pay increase and APWU was born! Real Bargaining, more struggles Postmaster General DeJoy is not the first corporate boss we’ve negotiated with. In 1975 PMG Benjamin Franklin (kid you not) Bailar and the Unions, negotiating together, settled for a 12% pay increase with the strike fresh on everyone’s mind. The 1978 negotiations were bitter! Management called us overpaid and underworked. Facing debt and volume de- creases, wage cuts were demanded. Negotiations stalled. no contract-no Work was the call of the day. The PMG’s threats to fire all strikers didn’t stop Bulk Centers in New Jersey & California from walking out. A deal was struck for a 2% pay increase and capped COLA. The Rank & File Committee rejected the pact which was sent out for a vote anyway. The National Convention and 94,400 members voted to reject the CBA. The PMG refused to reopen negotiations ending with an arbitrated 9% pay increase but weakened lay-off protections. The struggles continued In 1981, the PMG, trying to force a government election to recognize only one union, refused to negotiate. A media blitz threatened another postal strike. A deal was reached only to have the bosses re-write what had been agreed to. Eventually we went from a $1,850 pay boost to a $300 annual increase, and some “cash” payments. Even so the CBA was ratified. In 1984, the Board of Governors openly meddled in negotiations calling us overpaid. Talks stalled with bosses unilaterally imposing a 23% lower entry wage resulting in court and congressional action. The battle over postal economics resulted in an arbitrated 2.7% pay increase and lower starting pay with longer step increase periods. Three PMGs came and went but in 1987 PMG Tish promised to negotiate an agreement resulting in a 2% pay increase, followed by $300 and $200 increases. We’ve negotiated through wars, oil embargos, wage controls, the PATCO strike and other seemingly insurmountable hysteria. We have had contract extensions, more arbitrations, and rejected CBAs. Space doesn’t permit more history. My point is to express how much goes into getting a contract that makes your career and living standards worthwhile. Now through a worldwide pestilence altering our lives, economy, education and prices, a negotiated contract was produced and your precious right to vote on your destiny was preserved. More Power in Your hands Exercising your Union vote wields real power. As bromidic as it sounds, YOU ARE THE UNION! Two upcoming critical events, the national convention and the national Union elections, will let you flex your union power again. Your vote determines Convention delegates who set union policy. Your vote elects officers that administer that policy and representation. Again, destiny is in your hands. Coordinators Stone, Beasley, Foster, Jones and I urge you – DON’T WASTE YOUR POWER!

President's Column: Team APWU - Bringing home the Gold! Mark Dimondstein March 23, 2022 Wow! Just months into 2022 and great news on two fronts: First: Our Collective Bargaining Agreement covering the wages, benefits, and working conditions of 200,000 postal workers has been overwhelmingly ratified with a 94% “Yes” vote by those who cast ballots. The success of this round of bargaining reflects the power of unity and solidarity, beginning with you the member, the very foundation of our union. Second: The Postal Service Reform Act passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The vote in the House was a strong bi-partisan vote of 342-92! It passed the Senate with 79 votes, enough bi-partisan support to overcome the undemocratic 60 vote filibuster rules. You, along with many friends and allies, made thousands of calls to your Senators urging support and bringing this vital legislation over the finish line! Congratulations to one and all on these outstanding accomplishments! Of course, many more challenges and opportunities lie ahead. These include: Implementation of the new union contract: Dates must be determined for when the new pay scales will be reflected in your paychecks, the dates of the retroactive pay raise from November 20, 2021, and the March COLA; and other timing issues related to PSE conversions and PTF transfer opportunities. Health & safety: The COVID pandemic is ongoing and still lethal. We have negotiated with management the continuation of the COVID safety memoranda and liberal leave policy until April 8th. It is also a major goal to force management to address the harassment and hos- tile work environment inflicted on far too many postal workers. The struggle for the safest possible workplace will aggressively continue. Expanded services: Our future largely depends on ex- panded Postal Services. The COVID test kits packaged and sent through the mail are a good example. It is likely that the paycheck cashing “pilot” will soon be expanded. The APWU will be working to make this pilot a success. Postal reform will open up new opportunities to provide local and state government services. Organizing the Unorganized: About 20% of the work- force represented by the APWU are non-members – far too many. With the solid new contract, it a great time to organize. In the Spring, the APWU will launch a nation- wide organizing campaign. The key to success will be members signing up non-members. Furthermore, the APWU is expanding our organizing efforts in the private sector mail industry, whether Amazon, fulfillment cen- ters, transportation or pre-sort houses. National convention: The 2022 National Convention is scheduled for mid-August. The convention, as the highest authority of the union, acts on many resolutions and sets the overall direction for the union. Every member cannot be one of the 2,000 expected delegates, but everyone can have a voice by promoting local and state resolutions to be considered by the convention. National officer elections: In September the national officer election will be conducted. Unlike most unions, we elect with a “one-person, one vote” mail ballot. This union democracy is part of what makes us union strong! Legislation & Mid-term elections: More legislative issues on the horizon include improving service standards and securing funding for an electric postal fleet and charging stations. The November elections provide opportunity for political involvement in relation to electing pro-union, pro-postal candidates but also for organizing on issues that affect workers such as living wages, health care for all, a clean environment and voting rights. Voting rights/Vote-By-Mail: The “Big Lie” that the 2020 election was stolen has become the basis for a rash of voter suppression laws largely aimed at limiting mail ballots, which are a proven, secure way for tens of millions of people to vote. No matter our individual political views, we should be unified in defending and expanding voting rights. Let’s take the same spirit of unity and solidarity that led to the achievement of our new contract and Postal Reform into the battles of 2022 and beyond!

Implementation Dates for Pay Increases in New Contract Confirmed March 17, 2022 On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, the Postal Service confirmed to the APWU important dates for implementation of the pay provisions of the 2021-2024 National Agreement. There were significant changes to the pay and leave provisions for this national agreement. Below you will see “effective” and “scheduled implementation” dates for the various pay provisions of the agreement. The effective date is the date the pay changes will be paid from. The “scheduled implementation” date is the date the Postal Service has informed the APWU that the payrate will actual begin being paid. We have also included the pay check date the pay changes are scheduled to show up in pay checks/direct deposits. 1.3% General Increases for all employees o Effective: November 20, 2021 o Scheduled Implementation: June 4, 2022 (Pay Period 13-2022) o Pay Check Date June 24, 2022 1.0% Additional for Postal Support Employees (PSEs) o Effective: November 20, 2021 o Scheduled Implementation: June 4, 2022 (Pay Period 13-2022) o Pay Check Date June 24, 2022 $1310 Cost of Living Allowance (Career Employees) o Effective: February 26, 2022 o Scheduled Implementation: June 4, 2022 (Pay Period 13-2022) o Pay Check Date June 24, 2022 PSEs’ Additional 50 cents per hour o Effective: April 9, 2022 o Scheduled Implementation: June 4, 2022 (Pay Period 13-2022) o Pay Check Date June 24, 2022 New pay rates for Grade 11 Employees o Effective: September 21, 2021 o Scheduled Implementation: June 4, 2022 (Pay Period 13-2022) o Pay Check Date June 24, 2022 Changes to the Grade 8 steps and slotting into new steps o Effective: June 18, 2022 o Scheduled Implementation: June 18, 2022 (Pay Period 14-2022) o Pay Check Date July 8, 2022 Additional Pay for PTFs due to the Juneteenth Holiday o Effective: January 1, 2022 o Scheduled Implementation: June 4, 2022 (Pay Period 13-2022) o Pay Check Date June 24, 2022 Employees will receive retroactive payments for the difference in pay for the period between the “effective” date and the “scheduled implementation” date. The date of the retroactive payments has not been finalized and cannot be finalized until the programming is complete. Once programming is completed, we will meet with the Postal Service and get a definitive date for the retroactive payments. Once the definitive date is known, it will then be released Significant programming of the payroll systems is needed to implement these pay changes. Upon ratification of the agreement, our Union Family members who work in the Information Technology/Accounting Services units began working on the changes. We want to recognize and thank the IT/AS employees for their hard work on these important provisions and doing all they can to get the programming changes completed so that all those affected receive the pay rates required by the National Agreement. As a reminder, other provisions that do not have specific effective dates listed (e.g., the “repromotion rule”) went into effect on February 28, 2022, per Article 43 of the 2021-2024 National Agreement.

List of Residual Vacancies Made Available for PTF Clerks’ One-Time Reassignment Opportunity March 16, 2022 In accordance with the MOU, Re: PTF One-Time Voluntary Reassignment Opportunity, the Postal Service provided a list of available residual duty assignments for PTF clerks to choose from, within their own district. Attached is the list of 594 residual duty assignments which are available to the eligible PTF clerks to select from in the regular March 2022 eReassign posting. These assignments are from installations with 100 or more Clerk Craft employees. The attached residual duty assignment(s) are listed by District. These residual duty assignments are currently posted in eReassign and this list should be used as a cross reference to assist PTFs within the listed Districts to make their selections. PTFs need to understand that Districts may have increased greatly in geographical size due to the USPS reorganization. The APWU Clerk Craft has filed a national dispute on the reorganization. If PTFs do not want to relocate, they need to make their selections carefully. Any relocation costs are the responsibility of the PTF. MapQuest is a good tool to assist them if they are not familiar with their entire District and the amount of driving miles as it relates to relocation. The MOU contains certain requirements: PTFs must work in installations with less than 100 career Clerk Craft employees, must have been on the rolls on September 21, 2021, and they must have completed their probationary period. In addition, the MOU states: “A PTF Clerk Craft employee seeking to voluntarily reassign pursuant to this Agreement must have an acceptable work, attendance, and safety record and meet the minimum qualifications for all Clerk Craft residual vacancies to which they request voluntary reassignment. A PTF Clerk Craft employee must qualify in his/her current installation prior to being reassigned pursuant to this Agreement. A PTF Clerk Craft employee who fails to qualify will remain in his/her current installation as a PTF Clerk Craft employee.” The MOU concludes by stating, “District Human Resources will complete the placement no later than the first day of the third pay period following selection of the employee”. PTFs who wish to take advantage of this opportunity must do so no later than March 21, 2022 by submitting their preference(s) from among the residual vacancies within their district through eReassign. Any PTF without computer access has the right to use the computer at their post office to submit their reassignment requests. Any changes or corrections to the PTF selection should be done by the close of the posting – March 21, 2022 – 11:00 p.m. CST.