News From Other Unions | Maintenance Division Wins Arbitration Award Protecting Employees in ‘Pending Qualification’ Status

  Maintenance Division Wins Arbitration Award Protecting Employees in ‘Pending Qualification’ Status

"...The APWU has won a major national arbitration decision protecting the rights of Maintenance Craft employees. On August 13, Arbitrator Margo R. Newman ruled that positions awarded to promoted employees who are in “pending qualification” (PQ) status to receive additional training are not vacant duty assignments and therefore cannot be unilaterally reverted by the Postal Service. The decision strengthens the contractual protections of Maintenance Division workers, as it requires management to follow Article 12 procedures, including saved grade and retreat rights, rather than cancelling promotions to avoid negotiated safeguards.

“This decision is a major victory for the Maintenance Division and the APWU crafts as a whole. ..."

Reference: apwu.org




 

News From Other Unions | House Passes Bill to Eliminate the FERS Supplemental “Bridge” Payment

  House Passes Bill to Eliminate the FERS Supplemental “Bridge” Payment

"...H.R. 1 would eliminate the FERS annuity supplement for certain employees, which would begin to apply on January 1, 2028. The FERS annuity supplement is an earned benefit that makes it financially possible for postal workers to retire before age 62, which is when Social Security benefits begin. Essentially, this supplement is a monthly payment that helps bridge the gap between an employee’s retirement and Social Security eligibility.

For example, a postal employee age 57 who has met their years of service requirement and is eligible can retire knowing they will receive a monthly payment until their Social Security benefits begin at age 62. If the FERS annuity supplement is eliminated, many postal workers aged 57 to 62 who are eligible to retire will have a choice — take less in retirement without this supplement or continue working years longer until they can collect Social Security.

Thanks to the pressure that postal workers, labor unions, and other allies placed on members of Congress through phone calls, letters, and even trips to Washington, DC, we were able to remove two other harmful provisions in the original version of this tax-cut bill. One provision would’ve increased the FERS employee contribution rate to 4.4% for all active employees, and the other would’ve replaced the high-3 FERS annuity calculation with a high-5 calculation, which would result in a reduction in annuity payments.

The APWU stands firm against the elimination of the FERS annuity supplement..."

Reference: APWU






 

APWU | Upcoming Proposed Flexible Spending Account Changes

  Upcoming Proposed Flexible Spending Account Changes

"...the current administrator (FSAFEDs) and the Postal Service are notifying current FSA enrollees that their funds must be used by December 31st, 2024, or they will be forfeited. This is completely unacceptable. Employees who put money in their FSA expecting to roll over any remaining money should not lose out in this switch in administrators. ..."

Reference: apwu.org




 

News From Other Unions | Maintenance Division Secures $15 Million Part-Time Regular Settlement Agreement

  News From Other Unions | Maintenance Division Secures $15 Million Part-Time Regular Settlement Agreement

"...In 2021, the APWU Maintenance Division filed a National Dispute (USPS # 6X 18T-6X-C 21354335) regarding the Postal Service's violation of Article 7 section 3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), specifically concerning the 2.5 percent cap on the total number of Part-Time Regular employees in the Maintenance Division. According to the CBA, the total number of part-time employees who “may be hired” should not exceed 2.5 percent of the total number of Maintenance Craft employees covered by the agreement...."

Reference: apwu.org




 

APWU has a new arbitrated contract

  APWU has a new arbitrated contract

"...Increased Compensation – General Wage plus COLA Increases, Step Increases, PSE Wage Increases, Click here to read the full award..."

Reference: apwu.org  

PP 21-2018 Payroll Issue Impacts Mostly APWU Employess and Some Others

 

ALERT: The following notice was posted and found on ePayroll at USPS Liteblue on 10/16/2018:

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"An issue has been identified with the processing of the PP 21-2018 Payroll that prevented some employees from not being paid correctly. The largest percentage impacted were APWU employees but other bargaining and non-bargaining employees were also impacted. Impacted employees may not have been paid fully for overtime, penalty overtime & night work, and may have had their leave hours paid reduced. Employees should review their earnings statement to ensure they were paid correctly for PP 21-2018. A recovery is being planned to correct impacted employees' pay."

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The APWU site has posted a the following article relating to the issue:

Significant Payroll Issue Identified

"... the APWU became aware that the Postal Service identified a computer glitch with the payroll system that will affect nearly 90,000 APWU represented bargaining unit employees. The APWU immediately contacted the USPS about the issue and will continue to monitor the situation..."

Reference: www.apwu.org  

Hard Economic Times for All

 
www.apwu.org
Reference: www.apwu.org