A P W U Local 147
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
BY PAULINE DEAN
Brothers and Sisters,
Approximately 22,000 postal workers have opted in or expressed interest in the early out/incentive offer. There were less than 3,000 non-members that took the early out. All eligible employees who have applied or expressed interest and who end their employment should receive the incentive. The Postal Service has notified me that approximately 60 AWPU represented employees in Hartford have expressed interest in separation. There have been only 8 people that have been notified that they must remain employed until Dec. 31, 2009. Those 8 people may be released at an earlier date in the event that their bid position is filled immediately.
Management is continuing to downsize in the stations and branches, including Bradley AMF. As we speak, the new bid positions are posted. There were an equal number of bids posted as there were job abolishments/reposting, therefore an excessing situation did not take place. I am hoping to see the light at the end of the tunnel some time soon, resulting in management easing up on reduction and realignment of bid positions.
We were successful in the removal of all stations and branches from the list of possible closures. The community was ready to rally and picket the Blue Hill Office the following week after the announcement that Blue Hills was removed from the list of closures. Since there were over 2,000 flyers released, the event was turned into a celebration. I would like to send out a special thanks to all the community leaders, politicians and our very own Jan White, Jason Semmler, Laurinda Tuthill, Norine Moore and Mike Berghuis for all their efforts in fighting the closures.
The Postal Service has been opening more and more CPU's (Contract Postal Units). They recently just opened one directly behind the Blue Hills Post Office. They have been cutting window service hours and services to give them an excuse to open more CPU's. Contact your Congressman and Senator, objecting to the use of CPU’s. Ask them to preserve our work and keep these good Civil Service jobs for future generations. If this continues, there may no longer be any Sales and Service positions.
President Bill Burrus announced that he would not seek reelection next year ending a 53-year career with the Postal Service, 37 as an Executive Officer of the Union. He will be around to help negotiate the next contract with the Postal Service, if it is not extended. I believe President Burrus has done a fine job and should be applauded for his efforts in improving the working conditions of APWU represented employees. The race for national officers is heating up and updates will be given once official notifications are received.
The campaign to win sick-leave credit for workers who retire under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) got a big boost this month when it was included in a compromise version of the 2010 Defense Authorization bill. Employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) already enjoy the benefit. The bill was approved in a House-Senate conference on Oct. 7, and approved by the House on Oct. 8. The Senate is expected to follow suit soon. The legislation includes a provision long-sought by the APWU and other organizations representing federal employees. Under the Defense bill, the provision would allow FERS-covered workers to receive a 50 percent credit for unused sick leave until Dec. 31, 2013. Starting on Jan. 1, 2014, they would receive full credit. The compromise legislation also includes a provision that would make it easier for federal agencies, including the Postal Service, to rehire retirees (for a limited time) without forcing them to take a cut in their annuity checks. “This provision will help eliminate the USPS objections to APWU’s efforts to return postal retirees to employment,” Burrus said. “If the bill is passed, the union will renew our discussion with management on this issue.”
The bill also includes:
· A provision that would allow employees who choose to work part-time toward the end of their careers to use a higher salary figure in calculations for how the reduced work factors into their retirement benefits.
· A provision that would move workers in Hawaii, Alaska, the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories from cost-of-living adjustments to a locality-pay system. [The territorial COLAs, as they are known, would be applied differently to postal employees than to other federal workers. The T-COLAs would not be taxed and would not be credited towards retirement; for other federal employees these earnings would be taxed and would be credited toward retirement.]
· A provision that would allow FERS employees who left and then returned to government service to redeposit savings in the retirement system and earn credit for years they had previously worked.
I wish you all a happy and healthy winter and enjoy the holidays!!!
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