The Public Deserves Faster Mail, Not Degraded Services
January 14, 2025“You all proved once again that, when given the proper resources, you can sort and deliver mail promptly and efficiently – just as the law requires.” Industrial Relations Director Charlie Cash calls on members to oppose any degradation of service.
magazineIndustrial RelationsCharlie Cash
Happy New Year, union family! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I, along with millions of others across the country, thank you for all the hard work you did to deliver smiles to people around the world. I used the Postal Service to send gifts to my children in Utah and the work you did made sure those gifts were delivered to them. It is the work of the members of the APWU that ensures gifts, cards, joy, and love are delivered to mailboxes everywhere. You are the invisible force that accepts the mail, sorts it, maintains the equipment, maintains our fl eet, programs the Postal Service’s computers, takes the customers’ calls, and makes sure everyone is paid for that work. You may not be seen, but not a single piece of mail is delivered anywhere in this country without you!
But it wasn’t only during the holiday season that you showed up, worked, and dedicated yourselves to making sure the mail was delivered. You did it during the election as well! During the 2024 General Election period (starting Sept. 1, 2024) you processed 99.22 million ballots. Because of your work, it only took 1.95 days for ballots to be delivered to voters from election boards. The average day to return ballots to local election boards was even better – one day. None of this could have been accomplished without you.1
You all proved once again that, when given the proper resources, you can sort and deliver mail promptly and efficiently – just as the law requires. But why is it only during election time that the leaders of the Postal Service are committed and dedicated to ensuring mail is delivered to the public at this pace? I remember the times when one-day delivery of First-Class Mail at the local level was the standard, not the exception. I remember two or three-day delivery across the country was also the norm. But now what we see is the continuing slowing of mail. It seems it doesn’t matter who oversees the Postal Service, the slowing of the mail is no longer an abomination that the public once viewed it as – it is now becoming the norm.
The Postal Service claims that mail will still be delivered within its standards of two to five days, but that it could now take longer. It could be four now instead of three days. What was four could be five. No matter how you spin it and claim the standards haven’t changed, the mail is slower. Especially where it is needed most – rural America. This is all in the name of saving $3 billion a year. The public deserves better. They deserve faster mail. They demand the focus and attention to getting the mail delivered, like we focus on getting ballots delivered within one day. If we can do that, for a couple months each election cycle, we can do it every day. Maybe a more prompt and efficient delivery of mail would encourage increased usage of the Postal Service. Isn’t that what the goal of the Delivering for American plan was supposed to be?
Keep an eye out for APWU efforts to continue to oppose any degradation of service. We will need your help. We will need you to educate the public, contact your legislators, and continue to raise your voices to protect the Postal Service.
We don’t know what is to come under President-elect Trump for the Postal Service. I know this union will oppose any continued degradation of service or the dismantling of the only agency mentioned in the U.S. Constitution – the Post Office.
Solidarity! ■
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1 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report: Delivering the Nation’s Election Mail Securely and Effectively, page 5. usps-post-election-report-2024-12-02.pdf
The Public Deserves Faster Mail, Not Degraded Services0
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Iowa Northern Railway Workers Join Teamsters
(NOVI, Mich.) – Workers from the Iowa Northern Railway have voted unanimously to join the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the Teamsters Rail Conference. “We welcome our newest brothers on the Iowa Northern and are enthusiastic to help make their railroad a better place to work,” said Thomas Kirby, Director of […]
Read More....2025 California State Convention
Room rateL $179/night plus taxes. Call (1-800-222-8733) Group Code: 904 or go to Link https://group.doubletree.com/tn4vcw | Registration: $100 before April 11, after $125.
May 17, 2025 – 9:15AM to May 18, 2025 – 8:15AMDoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport Hotel222 North Vineyard Avenue
Ontario. California 91764
LocalNoYes2025-01-14 00:00:002025 California State ConventionHotel
Doubletree by Hilton Ontario Airport Hotel
222 North Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, California 91764
When booking, call (1-800-222-8733) Group Code: 904 or go to Link https://group.doubletree.com/tn4vcw
Room rate of $179.00 plus taxes per night.
Parking Per Car is $18.00 per room per night.
There is a shuttle from Ontario Airport.
Registration
Click here for CA State Convention registration form.
Registration is $100.00 until April 11, 2025, after $125.00. All checks are paid to:
CALIFORNIA AREA LOCAL 4635
129 EAST “A” STREET UPLAND, CA 91786
ATTN: RAFAEL PEREZ SECRETARY-TREASURER
CONTACT
CALIFORNIA STATE PRESIDENT GAARE DAVIS for more details: CALSTATEGD@ATT.NET 626-487-4366 OR President RICK RUIZ at RRUIZ@CAL4635.ORG 909-981-2260.
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Standing with Every Worker and Family Impacted By the Los Angeles Fires: In the States Roundup
Standing with Every Worker and Family Impacted By the Los Angeles Fires: In the States Roundup
It’s time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on X (formerly Twitter).
Alaska AFL-CIO:Labor Bleeds for the Cause is happening this weekend!Pre-register for the event by signing up at: https://t.co/9ccml6RKF0Have questions about donating blood? Check out this FAQ from the Blood Bank of Alaska: https://t.co/SsGgIxWkMY pic.twitter.com/99MwrCA7qX— Alaska AFL-CIO (@AKAFLCIO) January 14, 2025Arizona AFL-CIO:Today is the opening day of the 57th Legislature, tune in to watch Governor Hobbs’ State of the State Address: https://t.co/najxHz6aYm— Arizona AFL-CIO (@ArizonaAFLCIO) January 13, 2025California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO:Our @CaliforniaLabor family is standing with every worker and family impacted by the #lafires. Check out housing assistance, food assistance, and more emergency resources and union relief funds HERE➡️@LALabor @AFLCIO https://t.co/k9obY4rfrD pic.twitter.com/jJFurq5j9S— California Federation of Labor Unions (@CaliforniaLabor) January 11, 2025Colorado AFL-CIO:In the Free State of Colorado, it only makes sense that the state government stays out of union-employer collective bargaining negotiations. Pass SB 5- the Worker Protection Act! @GovofCO @jaredpolis #coleg #copolitics— Colorado AFL-CIO (@AFLCIOCO) January 9, 2025Connecticut AFL-CIO:Proudly representing CT at this year’s #MLK2025 Civil & Human Rights Conference, CT AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer @ShellyeDavis & Political Director Joelyn Leon join with AFL-CIO @STRedmond to declare there is #PowerInUnity! pic.twitter.com/o4qYLuD7BE— Connecticut AFL-CIO (@ConnAFLCIO) January 10, 2025Illinois AFL-CIO:“CEOs and billionaires want nothing more than to see workers divided, but we’re standing here today with greater solidarity than ever,” said AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler.https://t.co/Jmps63g6X7 pic.twitter.com/mKaFifWbnP— Illinois AFL-CIO (@ILAFLCIO) January 14, 2025Maine AFL-CIO:The signing of the Social Security Fairness Act repealing offset penalties for public workers was the product of a true bipartisan grass roots movement of workers & unions. Thank you @SenatorCollins for taking the ball & running with it!https://t.co/27kjoMcbyx— Maine AFL-CIO (@MEAFLCIO) January 10, 2025Massachusetts AFL-CIO:Please join @BTU66 and the labor community for informational pickets this Thursday, January 16th, before the school day.Pick a Boston school near you or join one of these :◦Charlestown High School: 7:00–7:20 a.m.◦Curley K-8: 7:55–8:20 a.m.◦Tobin K-8: 8:50–9:10 a.m.— Massachusetts AFL-CIO (@massaflcio) January 14, 2025Minnesota AFL-CIO:We’re accepting scholarship applications for high school seniors! Applicants must be a union member or dependent of a member, have a straight “B” average, and plan to attend a post-secondary institution within Minnesota. Apply at https://t.co/yRQRBExcIP #BetterInAUnion pic.twitter.com/D2XJ8UPbPx— Minnesota AFL-CIO (@MNAFLCIO) January 13, 2025Missouri AFL-CIO:Enjoy a bowl of #UnionMade soup this month! #BuyUnion #Solidarity pic.twitter.com/cf0XSxflri— Missouri AFL-CIO (@MOAFLCIO) January 13, 2025Nevada State AFL-CIO:The Nevada State AFL-CIO held a labor legislative meeting on Thursday and Friday evening where affiliates had the opportunity to discuss labor’s legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. We thank all of the attendees and elected officials for joining! pic.twitter.com/Tt0Pk1WMd7— Nevada State AFL-CIO // Pass the #PROAct (@NVAFLCIO) January 11, 2025New Hampshire AFL-CIO:“Right-to-Work” (HB238-FN) is back. The first public hearing is on 1/22 @ 10:00 AM. Please stand in #Solidarity with NH working families and sign in to register your opposition by using this link: https://t.co/1XUMH2yEEm#NHPolitics #1u #RTW pic.twitter.com/eyduSvUSEk— New Hampshire AFL-CIO (@NHAFLCIO) January 10, 2025New York State AFL-CIO:Scenes from our State of the State Breakfast this morning. Thanks to all who attended! #UnionStrong pic.twitter.com/aR5VEGChYF— NYS AFL-CIO // #UnionStrong (@NYSAFLCIO) January 14, 2025North Carolina State AFL-CIO:NC Republicans are trying to steal this election, period. It’s past time for Jefferson Griffin to concede that Allison Riggs won! N.C. Supreme Court blocks certification of Democrat as winner of close high court race https://t.co/Splemkpyzu via @nbcnews #ncpol— NC State AFL-CIO // #CountMeIn (@NCStateAFLCIO) January 8, 2025Ohio AFL-CIO:This morning, #Ohio @AFLCIO President Tim Burga visited the @Oapse4 @AFSCME members on strike at the @EFCTS for dignity and respect. Please call Superintendent Shelly Groves (614-836-4530 ext. 1332) and let her know these dedicated workers deserve a fair contract. pic.twitter.com/sdXMGEWPp3— Ohio AFL-CIO (@ohioaflcio) January 14, 2025Oregon AFL-CIO:It’s about safely caring for patients, dignity, and respect. And we’re with @OregonNurses members every step of the way. https://t.co/B8NQKBNZXt— Oregon AFL-CIO (@OregonAFLCIO) January 13, 2025Pennsylvania AFL-CIO:The trades are calling! Earn a livable wage, health insurance and retirement benefits – all while working on a job site and learning your craft. pic.twitter.com/7lBuRPGdFW— PA AFL-CIO (@PaAFL_CIO) January 10, 2025Texas AFL-CIO:Working Texans deserve a legislature that works for THEM, not billionaires and corporations.With our Fair Shot Legislative Agenda, we’re demanding lawmakers deliver on 10 pro-worker priorities.Stand with Texas workers and add your name TODAY! #txlege https://t.co/iraMEr4694— Texas AFL-CIO (@TexasAFLCIO) January 14, 2025Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:Aaaand we’re off. The 2025 Legislative session kicks off today and here is our fearless President, April Sims, with our top 6 Bills for raising wages and improving jobs for workers in Washington State. pic.twitter.com/JYy3BD47Ce— Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO (@WAAFLCIO) January 13, 2025Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:Workers say Amazon is now deploying its union-busting “science” at Whole Foods https://t.co/QZGZueNpoR— WI AFL-CIO (@wisaflcio) January 14, 2025
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 01/14/2025 – 10:15
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Union Heroes: Firefighters Battle Southern California Wildfires
Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Union Heroes: Firefighters Battle Southern California Wildfires
Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
As devastating wildfires rage in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, dedicated members of the California Professional Firefighters are working tirelessly to help battle the disaster and protect residents. Fire Fighters (IAFF) General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma (second from left) was on the ground with elected officials in California this week to meet with first responders and support relief efforts.If you want to donate to help out or have been impacted by the destruction and need resources, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and its community service arm, Labor Community Services, have information and a relief fund set up online.LA Fed Wildfire ResourcesLos Angeles Fire Relief Fund
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 01/14/2025 – 09:59
28th Biennial Hawaii State Convention
Room rates: $199.00/night + 17.962% taxes. RSVP Deadline: March 31, 2025. More details coming soon.
May 16, 2025 – 8:15AM to May 18, 2025 – 5:15PMAla Moana Hotel410 Atkinson Dr,
Honolulu, HI 96814
LocalNoYes2025-01-14 00:00:0028th Biennial Hawaii State Convention10
USPS Report: PSE Compliance Report Pay Period 01 – December 27, 2024
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/apwu_pse_compliance_report_fy25_pp01_v03_0.xlsUSPS Report: PSE Compliance Report Pay Period 01 – December 27, 2024
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APWU and USPS Agree to One-Time Retirement Incentive, ‘Early Out’ for Postal Workers
January 13, 2025On January 13, 2025, the United States Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union have mutually agreed to a One-time Retirement Incentive, including an “early out” option for eligible employees.
Voluntary Early Retirement / Incentives
On January 13, 2025, the United States Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union have mutually agreed to a One-time Retirement Incentive, including an “early out” option for eligible employees.
The parties agree that the Postal Service will make lump sum incentive payments totaling $15,000 (less applicable taxes and deductions) to eligible full-time career employees who choose optional retirement or retire pursuant to a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER). Part-time employees will be eligible for a prorated amount, as provided in the attached MOU.
You can read the full MOU below. Questions and Answers regarding this MOU will be posted soon.
2025-01-13 MOU Re: One-Time Retirement Incentive
APWU and USPS Agree to One-Time Retirement Incentive, ‘Early Out’ for Postal Workers0
Read More....2025-01-13 MOU Re: One-Time Retirement Incentive
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2025.01.13_mou_1-time_retirement_incentive_between_usps_and_apwu_signed_3.pdf2025-01-13 MOU Re: One-Time Retirement Incentive between USPS and APWU
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Cannabis Workers Unite in Dwight to Join Teamsters Local 777
(DWIGHT, Ill.) – Cannabis workers at the PharmaCann cultivation facility in Dwight, Illinois, have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 777. “We already represent over 100 PharmaCann Teamsters throughout Illinois,” said Jim Glimco, President of Local 777. “We look forward to getting these workers a great union contract, just like we’ve already done for PharmaCann […]
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