Costco Teamsters Practice Picket in California and Washington
(WASHINGTON) – Costco workers represented by Teamsters Local 150, Local 174, and Local 853 organized practice picket lines today in Hayward, Calif., and Sumner, Wash., as the January 31 expiration of the Costco Teamsters National Master Agreement draws near. Teamsters are demanding a contract that reflects the company’s record-breaking profits and are ready to strike […]
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Teamsters at US Foods Vote Overwhelmingly to Authorize Strike
(LIVERMORE, Calif.) – Drivers at US Foods in Livermore, Calif., represented by Teamsters Local 853, have overwhelmingly authorized a strike. The more than 170 workers are demanding US Foods bargain in good faith and deliver a fair collective bargaining agreement. “We’re fighting for fair wages, quality health care, and a strong first union contract that […]
Read More....Maitenance PTR Payment Distribution Is on the Way
January 14, 2025BREAKING NEWS: Your share of the PTR payment distribution is on the way
Awards and SettlementsMaintenance DivisionIdowu Balogun
The Maintenance Division received information that some PTR employee received their share of the settlement in the latest pay period. The USPS informed APWU that as of January 13, 2025, the rest of the settlement recipients will be receiving their payout within the next two pay periods. Recipients will get their payment via their current method of receiving payment.
If retired or resigned from postal employment, it will likely be a check in the mail (possibly sent to your last office of employment). Be aware that higher amount expected distribution must be manually verified before releasing the payment, which could lead to above mentioned delays.
In the meantime, you can check the amount owed to you at https://apwu.org/news/awards-and-settlements/maintenance-ptr-settlement-payout-2024-2025.
BREAKING NEWS: Your share of the PTR payment distribution is on the way
The Maintenance Division received information that some PTR employee received their share of the settlement in the latest pay period. The USPS informed us as of today (1/13/2025) that the rest of the recipients will be receiving their payout within the next two pay periods. Recipients will get their payment via their current method of receiving payment. If retired or resigned from postal employment, it will likely be a check in the mail. (possibly sent to your last office of employment). Be aware that higher amount expected distribution must be manually verified before releasing the payment, which could lead to above mentioned delays.
In the meantime, you can check the amount owed to you at https://apwu.org/news/awards-and-settlements/maintenance-ptr-settlement-payout-2024-2025. 0
Read More....Maintenance PTR Payment Distribution Is on the Way
January 14, 2025BREAKING NEWS: Your share of the PTR payment distribution is on the way
Awards and SettlementsMaintenance DivisionIdowu Balogun
The Maintenance Division received information that some part-time regular (PTR) employees received their share of the settlement in the latest pay period. The USPS informed APWU that as of Jan. 13, 2025, the rest of the settlement recipients will be receiving their payout within the next two pay periods. Recipients will get their payment via their current method of receiving payment.
If retired or resigned from postal employment, it will likely be a check in the mail (possibly sent to your last office of employment). Be aware that higher amount expected distribution must be manually verified before releasing the payment, which could lead to above mentioned delays.
In the meantime, you can check the amount owed to you at https://apwu.org/news/awards-and-settlements/maintenance-ptr-settlement-payout-2024-2025.
BREAKING NEWS: Your share of the PTR payment distribution is on the way
The Maintenance Division received information that some PTR employees received their share of the settlement in the latest pay period. The USPS informed us as of today (1/13/2025) that the rest of the recipients will be receiving their payout within the next two pay periods. Recipients will get their payment via their current method of receiving payment. If retired or resigned from postal employment, it will likely be a check in the mail. (possibly sent to your last office of employment). Be aware that higher amount expected distribution must be manually verified before releasing the payment, which could lead to above mentioned delays.
In the meantime, you can check the amount owed to you at https://apwu.org/news/awards-and-settlements/maintenance-ptr-settlement-payout-2024-2025. 0
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Illinois Teamsters Call on Gov. Pritzker to Sign Warehouse Worker Protection Bill
(CHICAGO) – Teamsters are calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker to sign House Bill 2547, the Illinois Warehouse Worker Protection Act (WWPA), into law. “There’s no reason that companies like Amazon should be able to endanger its workforce with grievous bodily harm through predatory and reckless behavior,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Gov. Pritzker […]
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IP Bryant, GVP Bennett Walk Picket Line with Striking Culinary Union Members
IAM International President Brian Bryant, IAM Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett, and several IAM International Representatives recently walked a picket line in front of the Virgin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to support fellow UNITE HERE workers. The workers have been on strike since November, and their resolve is stronger than ever. The
The post IP Bryant, GVP Bennett Walk Picket Line with Striking Culinary Union Members appeared first on IAMAW.
Iqaluit fire fighters celebrate employer’s agreement on PFAS-free gear
Iqaluit fire fighters secured a groundbreaking contract that includes a 19 per-cent wage increase, additional staffing, and a commitment to transition to PFAS-free firefighting gear, making them one of the first departments in Canada to do so, setting a new standard for others.
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Cancer survivor story: Sheryl Rodgers
Sheryl Rodgers – a Jacksonville, FL Local 122 member and breast cancer survivor – turned her battle with aggressive cancer into a mission to raise awareness and improve fire fighter health and safety, dedicating her life to preventing others from suffering the same fate.
Read More....The Union Should Be Involved in Politics
January 14, 2025“We can never let our differences of opinion on political issues prevent us from working together to secure and save the things we have in common, which are protecting our jobs, benefits, and the Postal Service.” – Northeast Regional Coordinator Tiffany Foster
magazineNortheast RegionTiffany Foster
On behalf of the Northeast Region, we hope you and your family had a joyous holiday season and that the new year brings you more love, peace, joy, and happiness.
The 2024 General Election was contentious and touchy, and everyone had an opinion. Some guarded their thoughts on the election for fear of arguments and insults. I witnessed the damage it caused to relationships between family and friends. I saw the same within our union.
Family members don’t think alike or believe the same things. This is also true in our union. We all have the right to believe and think what we want; that’s the beauty of our rights in this country, but we must remember that this principle goes both ways.
Author Roy T. Bennett said, “We are all different. Don’t judge, understand instead.”
I hear union members say, “The union should stay out of politics, do their job, and represent us.” Politics touches everything in this world. Our union not getting involved in politics would be a failure to represent its members.
I believe postal unions have a constitutional right and responsibility to be involved in politics on every level of government. The U.S. Constitution mandated the creation of the Postal Service.
For example, Congress passed the 1970 Postal Reorganization Act, which President Nixon signed into law. The first paragraph of the act reads:
The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by Act of Congress, and supported by the people.
This law gave postal unions the right to collective bargaining, among other rights. These rights were a demand by the postal unions to Congress. We enjoy the benefits of this law today.
In 2011, Postmaster General (PMG) Patrick Donahoe tried to renege on the collective bargaining agreement he had just signed by requesting that Congress introduce legislation to let him lay off 120,000 employees and remove employees from federal benefits programs. His request failed because members of Congress supported our union and postal employees.
When PMG Donahoe tried to outsource postal work to the Staples office retail company, local, state, and national unions lobbied members of Congress to support the Stop Staples campaign, and they did. They wrote letters to PMG Donahoe to eliminate the program, conducted investigations, and rallied with their constituents. The collective work of everyone involved forced the program to end. Congress was important in this fight.
Across the country, APWU members contacted their elected representatives to help fight the Delivering for America plan. Many members of Congress got involved and demanded answers and transparency. In some cases, the implementation was either stopped or delayed due to the push from the unions and Congress.
These are just some reasons why we should be involved in politics. The Constitution grants Congress power over the Postal Service; they can create laws that can harm or help us. We must build relationships with the elected officials who support us and work to gain the support of those who don’t, regardless of party affiliation. We need their voice in our struggle. It’s that simple. The union is not just a grievance machine. It can’t be in order to exist and represent its membership.
We can never let our differences of opinion on political issues prevent us from working together to secure and save the things we have in common, which are protecting our jobs, benefits, and the Postal Service.
My fellow Regional Coordinators (Omar Gonzalez, AJ Jones, Yared Wonde, and Amy Puhalski) and I thank everyone in the APWU for building those political relationships for the greater good. We’re going to really need it now. ■
The Union Should Be Involved in Politics0
Read More....Preventing Injuries While Lifting Objects on the Workroom Floor
January 14, 2025The Industrial Relations Department shares proper lifting techniques to avoid injury when moving heavy parcels and sacks:
magazineSpeak Up for Safe Jobs
As postal workers, we sometimes forget just how much lifting we perform daily, as well as how important it is to remember to lift every object in a safe and correct manner. Bending down can cause the discs between your spinal vertebrae to pinch. These discs may slip or rupture during improper lifting, causing severe pain or disability, and your muscles or ligaments may also stretch or tear. Improper lifting practices can also compress the stomach, which may cause a hernia. To prevent injuries while lifting objects, you should always use proper lifting techniques.
Safe Lifting Techniques
To improve stability, straddle the load by comfortably spreading your feet (normally shoulder width apart), putting one foot by the front of the parcel (the side facing you) and one foot to the left or right of the parcel.
Keep your back straight by using a squatting position. Remember that “straight” does not mean “vertical.” A straight back keeps the spine, back muscles, and organs in correct alignment. Draw the load close to your body while completing the lift, pushing the weight through your heels as you stand upright. When carrying the load, keep it close to your body, tucking your arms and elbows into your sides.
When arms are held away from the body, they lose much of their strength, placing more stress on back and shoulder muscles. Keeping your arms tucked in helps keep body weight centered.
Grasp the parcel near the top of the farthest corner and wrap your palm around the edge. Hold the opposite bottom in the palm of your other hand. Use the full palm because fingers alone have little strength.
Keep your head upright when lifting and permit it to move freely. This helps maintain balance because the center of gravity changes with load acquisition.
Position your body so that its weight is centered over the feet. This provides a more powerful line of thrust and ensures better balance.
Start the lift with the thrust of the rear foot. Begin to lift straight up, smoothly and without stopping, by pushing your legs and keeping your back straight.
Complete the lift to a standing position. Be sure that your hold on the parcel is secure before moving. If you must pivot or turn, use your feet. Do not twist the body trunk.
When raising a parcel above shoulder height, follow the procedures just described, pausing at waist height. Before resuming the lift, rest the edge of the parcel on a ledge, a stand, or your hip. Shift your hand position to support the bottom of the parcel, and after bending your knees for a boost, straighten them as you lift the parcel to your shoulder.
When lifting sacks, use the same general lifting procedures used for lifting parcels, and observe the following precautions:
The position of the hands varies somewhat, grasp opposite diagonal corners.
If you are carrying a sack for any distance, rest it against your hip and stomach once it is waist high. Shift your hand position so you can boost the sack after you bend your knees.
Lift the sack to one shoulder, stoop lightly with your hand on your hip, and rest the sack partly on your shoulder, arm, and back. Hold the sack at the front corner.
When putting the sack down, swing it against your hip and stomach. If you place it on the floor or ground, bend your legs and lower the sack, keeping your back straight.
By following these simple, yet practical, techniques at work and home, you can prevent injuries and enjoy a healthy work and after-work life. ■
Preventing Injuries While Lifting Objects on the Workroom Floor0
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