Teamsters at KSBD Air Hub Join Largest-Ever U.S. Strike Against Amazon
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – On Saturday at 12 p.m. PST, Amazon Teamsters at the KSBD air hub in San Bernardino joined their co-workers on strike against the corporation’s relentless greed. Thousands of Teamsters are striking at DBK4 and JFK8 in New York City; DGT8 in Atlanta; DFX4, DAX5, and DAX8 in Southern California; DCK6 in […]
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Senate Passes Social Security Fairness Act, Securing Economic Justice for Postal, Federal, and Public-Sector Retirees
December 21, 2024The Senate voted 76-20 to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, righting a decades-old wrong, and winning economic justice for postal, federal, and public-sector retirees by repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Social SecurityRetireesLegislative & PoliticalLegislative and Political
Last night, the Senate voted 76-20 to pass the Social Security Fairness Act, righting a decades-old wrong, and winning economic justice for postal, federal, and public-sector retirees by repealing the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). “No longer will public retirees see their hard-earned Social Security benefits robbed from them thanks to this bill,” said Senate Majority Leader Schumer. “It’s a very good thing that one of the final acts of the 118th Congress is delivering a huge win for working Americans.”
For years, APWU members have been fighting to repeal these decades old Social Security laws that unfairly penalized postal and federal Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees despite meeting the requirements for Social Security benefits and paying their fair share into the program.
Getting the bill to final passage was no easy feat. To move the bill forward in the House, cosponsors of the bill, Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA-06) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) held a press conference on Sept. 19 with several public-sector union leaders, including APWU President Mark Dimondstein, to rally support for a discharge petition that could force a vote on the House floor. APWU members around the country jumped into action and contacted their representatives urging them to sign the petition. Our efforts were successful, and the bill moved to the House floor for a vote.
When the date of vote was announced, APWU members mobilized once again to call their representatives to urge them to vote “yes!” A coalition of public-sector retirees from the National WEP/GPO Repeal Task Force, including Retirees Department Director Nancy Olumekor and APWU retiree members, made their way to Capitol Hill to speak to congressional staffers, hand out informational fliers, and ask representatives for their support. It passed the House that night by an overwhelming majority of 327-75.
On December 11, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stood alongside labor leaders and union members in the pouring rain, rallying outside the Capitol, and pledged to bring the bill to the floor for a vote, a commitment he saw through.
Thanks to the hard work of the APWU leadership, members, and our coalition, the legislation passed in both the House and Senate. The Social Security Fairness Act will become law once signed by the president.
“I, along with many other retirees, have been cheated out of our hard-earned social security benefits for decades,” said APWU retiree Joyce Debnam. “Congress has finally repealed the unjust WEP/GPO provisions! Social Security Fairness would not have been possible without the work of a dedicated coalition of APWU retirees and active members who worked hand in hand with members of Congress and other affected labor unions. I want to sincerely thank the tireless advocacy of the APWU leadership – President Dimondstein, Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard, and Retiree Director Nancy Olumekor who made this issue a legislative priority for so many years and never wavered in their support.”
“This bipartisan effort shows that we can right the wrongs of the past when we stand together as working people,” stated APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “I’m proud of the actions our members took to encourage legislators to move this bill forward.”
“We simply could not have achieved this level of bipartisan support without the continued activism of our members,” said APWU Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard. “Your stories made national headlines and allowed us to put pressure on Congressional leaders to finally correct this decades-long injustice. When we fight together, we win!”
Senate Passes Social Security Fairness Act, Securing Economic Justice for Postal, Federal, and Public-Sector Retirees0
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Michigan fire fighter inspires others to embrace creative outlets for mental health
Romulus Local 4126 President John Thiede uses his love of acting to raise awareness about behavioral health in the fire service.
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Senate passes Social Security Fairness Act, sends WEP/GPO repeal to the White House
In a historic moment for retired public employees, the U.S. Congress has voted to restore dignity in retirement for those who serve our communities.
Read More....UAW Calls Out Missed Opportunities in Lansing Lame Duck, Applauds Key Working-Class Wins
Today, the UAW applauds key legislative victories passed this lame duck session in Lansing affecting thousands of working-class Michiganders.
The post UAW Calls Out Missed Opportunities in Lansing Lame Duck, Applauds Key Working-Class Wins appeared first on UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.
Amazon Teamsters at JFK8 Join Historic Strike
(STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.) – At midnight tonight, Amazon Teamsters at the JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island will join the historic strike against the corporate giant. They join thousands of Teamsters striking at DBK4 in New York City; DGT8 in Atlanta; DFX4, DAX5, and DAX8 in Southern California; DCK6 in San Francisco; and DIL7 in Skokie, […]
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IAM District 54/Local 439 Issues Statement on Informational Picketing at Village of Northfield
Northfield, OH, December 20, 2024 – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), District Lodge 54, Local 439, issued a statement about their informational picketing regarding Northfield Mayor Jennifer Domzalski’s actions against IAM Union members working for the Village of Northfield’s service department: “Our members have proudly served the residents of Northfield with excellence
The post IAM District 54/Local 439 Issues Statement on Informational Picketing at Village of Northfield appeared first on IAMAW.
2025 Biennial Conference of the APWU National Postal Press Association
The 2025 Biennial Conference of the APWU National Postal Press Association will take place from July 29 to August 1 in Altoona, Iowa. A full day of workshops will precede the conference on July 29. This event, established in 1967, aligns with the PPA’s mission to help communicators enhance their roles in informing and energizing our union membership. The four-day program will include diverse communication-related topics, general sessions, networking opportunities, and a dinner with plans to host an awards banquet. The venue is The Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, and Hotel, located at 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, IA, with a guestroom rate of $149.00 per night plus taxes (currently 12%) available in the conference block. Reservations must be made by midnight (12:00:00 AM CST) on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, or before the reserved rooms are sold out. Post-cutoff date, the hotel will assess total reservations and release rooms accordingly.
Below is your hotel link information:
https://book.rguest.com/wbe/group/1609/PrairieMeadowsRacetrackandCasino/auth
Group Code: APWU0725
Attendee Password: 863002485
July 29, 2025 – 8:00AM to August 1, 2025 – 5:00PMPrairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack, and Hotel1 Prairie Meadows Drive
Altoona, IA 50009
NationalNoYeshttps://book.rguest.com/wbe/group/1609/PrairieMeadowsRacetrackandCasino/auth
Group Code: APWU0725
Attendee Password: 863002485
00
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Sending You Happy Holiday Wishes from IAM Air Transport Territory
Dear IAM Air Transport Family, As we approach the holidays, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to each and every member of the IAM Air Transport family in this season of gratitude and unity. The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for travel, and many of you will be working
The post Sending You Happy Holiday Wishes from IAM Air Transport Territory appeared first on IAMAW.
Teamsters Conclude Second Week of Bargaining with Costco
(WASHINGTON) – The Costco Teamsters National Negotiating Committee has concluded its second week of contract negotiations with Costco, but progress remains stalled. The $420-billion-dollar company outright rejected the Teamsters’ comprehensive economic proposal and failed to provide a counterproposal. “It’s time for Costco to get serious in negotiations and respect the workers who fuel their billions […]
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