News

2025 Human Relations Conference

Human Relations Conference: Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every Voice.  Register for the upcoming Human Relations Education Assembly. This will be a comprehensive training designed to equip stewards and APWU members with knowledge specifically focusing on: OWCP and ECOMP filing, EEOC and the steward’s role in the alternative dispute process, Veterans Rights and Benefits, and EAP and the local Advisory Committee.  The assembly will also offer a variety of workshops designed to engage participants and address the APWU’s role in advocating for human rights and community civil engagement in this changing political landscape.  June 12, 2025 - 5:00PM to June 15, 2025 - 8:00PMHilton Americas, Houston TX1600 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010 NationalNoNo2025-06-12 00:00:00https://apwumembers.apwu.org/APWUMembers/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HREL25Registration is now closed.  Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every VoiceGeneral sessions will include lecture and panel discussions on: OWCP Veteran's rights and benefits EAP EEOC  Civil Rights and Engagement the Postal Employees Relief Fund Workshops options to look forward to: Incorporating EAP into the workplace and the fabric of the local; How to get members engaged in education; Recognizing forms of discrimination in a toxic workplace; OWCP policy changes; How to Hazzard map; Freedoms we strive for; Project 2025 and implications towards Organizing and Union Activity. When registering, you will select one (1) workshop during each timeframe below: Sat., June 14      *1:00 pm - 2:00 pm           1. OWCP           2. Local/State Veteran's Councils           3. Civil Freedoms            *2:30 pm - 3:30 pm           1. OWCP           2. Local/State Veteran's Councils           3. Civil Freedoms Sun., June 15      *1:00 pm - 2:00 pm           1. EEOC           2. EAP           3. Project 2025      *2:30 pm - 3:30 pm           1. EEOC           2. EAP           3. Project 2025 Please note that the above agenda is subject to change. 00Continue reading→

2025 Human Relations Assembly

Human Relations Conference: Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every Voice.  Click to see the flyer.    | Click here for details about the baseball game. Register for the upcoming Human Relations Education Assembly. This will be a comprehensive training designed to equip stewards and APWU members with knowledge specifically focusing on: OWCP and ECOMP filing, EEOC and the steward’s role in the alternative dispute process, Veterans Rights and Benefits, and EAP and the local Advisory Committee.  The assembly will also offer a variety of workshops designed to engage participants and address the APWU’s role in advocating for human rights and community civil engagement in this changing political landscape.  Human Relations Conference Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every Voice Below are details regarding the upcoming Human Relations Conference, as well as helpful travel information. Register and make your hotel reservations early in order to ensure your placement in the conference. Please click here for a link to the conference’s agenda. *For travel purposes, please count on classes going until 5:00 pm on Sunday, June 15, 2025. If you have any questions concerning the conferences, please contact Daleo Freeman, Human Relations Director, at dfreeman@apwu.org. Houston, TX Dates: · Arrival: Thursday, June 12, 2025 · Conference: Friday, June 13 – Sunday, June 15, 2025 · Departure: Monday, June 16, 2025 Registration Early Registration: Before May 16, 2025 - $125 Late Registration: May 17, 2025 or after - $150 Location: Hilton Americas Houston 1600 Lamar St Houston, TX 7701 Hotel Rate: $199.00/night plus $ plus taxes *Cut-off date to make reservations is Thursday, May 22, 2025. Reservations can be made online at https://book.passkey.com/go/APWU2025 Baseball Game: The Houston Astros will host the Minnesota Twins on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 7:10 pm CT. Tickets can be purchased for $57 each and will be in Section 332. To purchase tickets, please use this link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Americanpostal26 Additional Hotel Information: All reservations are guaranteed with a major credit card number and one night’s deposit. Guaranteed reservations will be held for the first night. In the event of a no-show, all consecutive room nights under the same reservation will be cancelled. The hotel allows individuals to cancel their room reservation without penalty up to seventy-two (72) hours prior to their scheduled arrival date. If a guest who has requested a room within the room block checks out prior to the guest’s reserved checkout date, the hotel will add an early checkout fee (not to exceed 50% of the group rate) to that guest’s individual account. Guests wishing to avoid an early checkout fee should advise the hotel at or before check-in of any change in planned length of stay. Paying by Check: · Contact Hannah Decker via email at hdecker@apwu.org for additional information. The following topics will be covered during the Human Relations Conference. OWCP Veteran’s Rights & Benefits Runaway Inequality Local/State Veteran’s Councils Civil Freedoms EEOC EAP Project 2025 Airports George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – 18 miles William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – 10 miles Agenda & Registration Information: *Information above is subject to change. Please check the marquee in the hotel for the most up to date information. Please note breakfast and lunch will provided for registered members on Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15. There will also be a dinner for registered members on Sunday, June 15. June 12, 2025 - 5:00PM to June 15, 2025 - 8:00PMHilton Americas, Houston TX1600 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010   Reservations can be made online at https://book.passkey.com/go/APWU2025   Please click here for a link to the conference’s agenda. NationalNoNo2025-06-12 00:00:00https://apwumembers.apwu.org/APWUMembers/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=HREL25Registration is now closed.  Strength in Diversity, Empowering Every Voice00Continue reading→

Great Plains Summer School

Intense training for stewards/officers on preparing grievances that are 100% arbitration ready. This will involve live case files and APWU Search. All attendees must have access to APWU Search. Only Union activists that have been approved by their local/state presidents AND NBAs will be able to attend this training. July 20, 2025 - 3:30PM to July 25, 2025 - 3:00PMUniversity of Nebraska Omaha 6510 Pine Street Omaha, NE 68106 NationalNoNo2025-05-09 00:00:00https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/great_plains_flyer2025.pdfThe registration for this event has closed. Basic and Intermediate Steward TrainingNon-refundable registration of $800 includes Lodging, Materials, and Meals. Check in begins at 3:30pm on July 20, 2025. Late regristration fee is $850, space permitting.  For More Information Contact NBA Ashley Cargill Phone: (405) 378-0391   Email: acargill@apwu.org 00Continue reading→

Women’s History Month Profiles: Sandra Parker-Murray

Women's History Month Profiles: Sandra Parker-Murray For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Sandra Parker-Murray of the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Sandra Parker-Murray is the secretary-treasurer for CWA Local 7777 in Denver. She is a fierce organizer and political advocate. She brings her years of experience as a front-line telecommunications worker and delivery driver into her work, ensuring that workers’ voices do not get lost. She is active in Colorado Independent Drivers United, part of CWA Local 7777 focused on building power for drivers in rideshare, delivery, taxi and limousine services. She can often be found advocating at the Colorado State Capitol.  Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/17/2025 - 10:01 Tags: Women's History MonthContinue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Pushkin Industries Secure First Union Contract

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: Workers at Pushkin Industries Secure First Union Contract 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. The 12 Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) members have secured their first collective bargaining agreement with podcast company Pushkin Industries. The contract was approved unanimously and establishes a minimum salary of $73,000, guaranteed raises, and guaranteed IP negotiation for shows where unit members write, research and host their own ideas; provides artificial intelligence protections; enshrines Quiet Weeks in August and December; provides 16 weeks fully paid parental leave, a minimum 12 weeks of severance, and a laptop; establishes protections for remote and hybrid employees; reports on the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion work; and establishes Just Cause among other provisions.“We’re proud of this contract, and we think it reflects the strength of the community we’ve built at Pushkin and is an essential part of the movement to build better standards across the industry,” the union said. “We’re grateful to leadership for working with us throughout this process and for investing in our future together. The unit is looking forward to it!”Pushkin was co-founded by Jacob Weisberg and Malcolm Gladwell and produces podcasts like "Revisionist History," "Deep Cover," "Broken Record," "Against the Rules with Michael Lewis," and "Where’s Dia?" Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/17/2025 - 10:01Continue reading→

IAM District 98 Plant Hosts Pennsylvania Governor for Clean, Affordable Energy Initiative Roll-Out

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently announced his “Lightning Plan” at an IAM-represented facility in York, Pa., calling for tax incentives and regulation streamlining to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of electrical production in North America. Using an “all of the above” approach to energy production, from fossil fuels, fracking, solar, wind, and hydro electric, the The post IAM District 98 Plant Hosts Pennsylvania Governor for Clean, Affordable Energy Initiative Roll-Out appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Get to Know AFL-CIO’s Affiliates: American Guild of Musical Artists

Get to Know AFL-CIO's Affiliates: American Guild of Musical Artists This is the first post in our series that will take a deeper look at each of our affiliates again. The series will run weekly until we’ve covered all 63 of our affiliates. First up is the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Mission: AGMA is committed to protecting and advancing the employment and artistic rights of its members. Through the negotiation and enforcement of approximately 70 collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) nationwide, AGMA ensures fair wages, safe working conditions and a higher quality of life for the artists who bring the performing arts to life. Current Leadership of Union: Ned Hanlon serves as president. The other officers are J Austin Bitner (secretary-treasurer), Brian August (staging staff vice president [VP]), Helena Brown (choristers, actors and staff performers VP), Antuan Byers (dancers VP), Andrew Stenson (soloists VP), Andres Garcia (Eastern and Southern Region VP), Katharine Goeldner (New York Region VP), Cameo Humes (Midwestern Region VP) and Jennifer Wallace (Western Region VP).Current Number of Members: More than 6,500.Members Work as: Singers; dancers; staging staff; and faculty, staff and instructors in opera, ballet/contemporary dance and choral performance across the United States. Industries Represented: Opera, ballet and contemporary dance, and concert choral performance.History: AGMA formed in 1936 as an organization of solo musical artists. In August 1937, the union was granted a charter from the Actors and Artistes (4As) to cover the fields of grand opera, concert and recital. AGMA pursued a campaign to organize artists throughout the country, and the first CBA that the union successfully negotiated that fall was with the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. Today, the union, led by the AGMA Board of Governors and supported by AGMA’s professional staff, negotiates and enforces more than 70 CBAs throughout the country and continues to set industry standards, even for nonunionized companies.Current Campaigns and Community Efforts: AGMA actively supports its members through a variety of initiatives and resources. The union maintains an up-to-date list of auditions relevant to members, provides visa consultation services and offers contract enforcement and negotiation support. AGMA runs several member-led caucuses, including the AGMA Black Caucus, Opera and Concert Choristers Caucus, and Staging Staff Caucus, fostering community and advocacy within the union. The AGMA Relief Fund provides critical financial assistance to members in need. The union also offers educational webinars and a monthly newsletter and enables access to Union Plus and the Entertainment Community Fund resources. Additionally, the union now sells union-branded merchandise to promote solidarity and awareness. AGMA continues to mobilize around key labor issues, including fair wages, arts funding, workplace protections and organizing efforts in the performing arts.Learn more: Website, Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, X. Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 03/17/2025 - 09:40Continue reading→

District 19 Wins Restoration of Shift Breaks for CPKC Members in Minnesota

When IAM Local 112 (District 19) members suddenly lost their long-standing shift breaks, they knew they needed to get their union involved. Members at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) diesel maintenance shop in St. Paul, Minn., had for decades received a 20-minute shift break, in addition to their lunch break. Suddenly, management ended The post District 19 Wins Restoration of Shift Breaks for CPKC Members in Minnesota appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

Women’s History Month Profiles: Julie Stein

Women's History Month Profiles: Julie Stein For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Julie Stein of the United Steelworkers (USW). Julie Stein began her career in 1984 as a laborer at the Appleton Coated paper mill in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. As a member of USW Local 2-144, she served in various elected positions. In 2006, Stein came to work for the USW and was actively involved in the Women of Steel and political programs. Today, Stein serves as director of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) program, helping USW members engage in lifelong activism. Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 03/16/2025 - 09:44 Tags: Women's History MonthContinue reading→

Women’s History Month Profiles: Michelle Christen

Women's History Month Profiles: Michelle Christen For Women's History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making women's history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Michelle Christen of the Utility Workers (UWUA). Michelle Christen serves as the second vice president of UWUA Local 601, which represents approximately 1,200 customer service workers at Public Service Electric & Gas in New Jersey. She has been instrumental in negotiating labor contracts, including an agreement ratified in April 2023 that secured a 13.64% wage increase over four years and recognized a bilingual call center position with additional compensation. In 2022, she collaborated with Local 601 members to organize fundraisers for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, contributing to cancer research and support. Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 03/15/2025 - 09:46 Tags: Women's History MonthContinue reading→

Q10C-4Q-C 10670819 Global Settlement Remedy Overpayment Award 3-14-2025

From: Charlie Cash Industrial Relations Director Date: March 14, 2025 Re: Arbitrator’s Award in Case Q10C-4Q-C 10670819Global Settlement Remedy Agreement Overpayments Arbitrator Daniel Brent ruled on the Global Settlement Remedy Agreement (GSRA) Overpayments case. The case surrounded the money to be paid to affected employees in a settlement dated December 5, 2014. The Postal Service agreed to pay Clerk Craft employees $56,000,000 as part of the settlement addressing Article 1.6.b grievances where postmasters and supervisors were performing more bargaining unit work than the fifteen hours allowed under the Global Settlement incorporated into the 2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The APWU painstakingly identified the employees who were to be paid, how much they were to be paid, and then provided the list to the Postal Service. When the payments occurred starting in January 2016, approximately 1,400 employees were overpaid. The Postal Service soon began issuing Letters of Demand to recover the overpayments. Local grievances and a national dispute were filed over these Letters of Demand to recover the overpayments. Arbitrator Brent recognized that the letters of demand were defective, and that the Postal Service did not stay collection efforts even after the national dispute was filed. Arbitrator Brent writes, “The Employer’s Demand Letters did not accurately describe the full range of options to submit repayment or protest repayment that were available to the employees under the Employee and Labor Relations Manual and the contract grievance procedure. Consequently, these letters cannot be construed as valid compliance with applicable governing provisions of the parties’ collective bargaining agreement or the Joint Contract Interpretation Manual.” 1 Regarding the collection efforts Arbitrator Brent states “Moreover, the collection efforts were not stayed after the instant grievance was filed, as explicitly required by Article 28, Section 4(A) of the collective bargaining agreement….”2 Recognizing the letters of demand to be defective, the Postal Service did not stop their collection efforts, and that the employees’ rights to due process were violated, just prior to laying out the remedy he writes, “Although all payees were entitled to their Global Settlement payments and to contractual due process, they were not necessarily entitled to keep the full amount of the overpayments they received. Therefore, granting waivers for all overpayments is not justified.”3 Beginning on page 34 of the award, Arbitrator Brent outlines the remedy. He ordered that the Postal Service issue a “written explanatory statement” to all current employees, retirees, and former employees whom the Postal Service took collection action against. The APWU will have the opportunity to review and provide input on the notification prior to it being sent out. The notice is to include an explanation of the cause of overpayment, the original amount the employee was entitled to receive under the GSRA, the amount the employee was overpaid, and any remaining balance owed by the employee. Arbitrator Brent further ordered the repayment of any surcharges, penalties, interest, and fees any employee, retiree, or former employee paid to a collection entity beyond the amount owed will be forgiven and shall be repaid by the Postal Service. Additionally, the Postal Service must contact the collection entities to take “…whatever action is necessary to cause such agencies or entities to purge from their records any adverse information concerning any payee against whom the Employer previously initiated any debt collection action to recoup any Global Settlement overpayment.” Regarding the overpayment debts, Arbitrator Brent ordered two different remedies. For retirees and former employees he writes, “Amounts overpaid to retirees and former employees are hereby waived.”4 For current employees, he ordered “…the Employer may commence recoupment of such overpayments by deducting not more than $20 per week from the gross amount that is earned each pay period until (1) the debt is paid in full if the overpayment was less than $800 or (2) if the overpayment was $800 or more until fifty-percent of the overpayment has been recovered, with a minimum recovery of $800.”5 The award provides strong language on what must be included in a letter of demand, that collection efforts must be stayed when a grievance is filed on a letter of demand, and employees must be given their full gamut of repayment and appeal rights in a letter of demand.   Charlie Cash Industrial Relations Director ---- 1 Award at p. 17 2 Award at p.15 3 Award at p. 33 4 Award at p. 35 5 Award at p. 36 Q10C-4Q-C 10670819 Global Settlement Remedy Overpayment Award 3-14-2025Friday, March 14, 2025DanielBrentNo Arbitration Decision , 1.6 Global Settlement Remedy Agreement 1.6b https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/q10c-4q-c_10670819_global_settlement_remedy_overpayment_award_3-14-2025.pdf Craft:  Clerk Document Type:  Memorandum0Continue reading→

Updates on Maintenance Division Part-Time Regular Settlement Payments

March 14, 2025By this time, most eligible recipients of the Maintenance Craft Part-Time Regular (PTR) settlement distribution have received their first payments, totaling over $10 million. Arbitration Awards & SettlementsMaintenance Division By this time, most eligible recipients of the Maintenance Craft Part-Time Regular (PTR) settlement distribution have received their first payments, totaling over $10 million. However, some Employee Identification Numbers (EINs) were rejected because they were unable to match them to Social Security numbers. Therefore, the payments for about 600 PTRs workers bounced back. A common issue we noticed from the workers whose EINs were rejected is that they have either multiple names on file, have changed their last name, or are no longer a postal employee. The Postal Service is currently working on a resolution. In addition, the Maintenance Division is working to identify approximately 50 conversions to full-time positions per the PTR agreement. The goal is to find PTRs who are already working at least 25-30 hours per week, and all PTRs who can pick up additional hours doing other duties, like lock changes. We have received inquiries about the second and final distribution. We are not releasing the second round of payments until all the first round has been completed. We anticipate that the second payment distribution will take place around June 2025 and the payments will range from $100 to $400. Thank you for your continued patience. Updates on Maintenance Division Part-Time Regular Settlement Payments0Continue reading→

Statement by APWU Executive Board on DOGE and the USPS

March 14, 2025Members likely heard the recent news of an agreement between the Postmaster General and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by the un-elected billionaire Elon Musk, and not established by Congress. It is no surprise that DOGE has set its sights on the people’s Postal Service. Members likely heard the recent news of an agreement between the Postmaster General and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by the un-elected billionaire Elon Musk, and not established by Congress. It is no surprise that DOGE has set its sights on the people’s Postal Service. It is not clear exactly what the agreement spells out, but the PMG’s letter to Congressional leaders gave management’s perspective. The APWU position is clear: There is no legitimate role for DOGE in the USPS or any other Federal agency. The public Postal Service was created by Congress as an independent government agency with robust oversight from the Office of Inspector General, the Postal Regulatory Commission and the Board of Governors as well as Congressional Committees. The National Executive Board, in a meeting of March 14, discussed the developments and confirmed that the union remains on full alert and will continue to monitor the situation. The moment there is any indication that DOGE is seeking access to personal and private information regarding employees, the APWU is prepared to take immediate legal action. Our collective bargaining agreement is between the APWU and the Postal Service. Any effort by DOGE, or any other entity, to weaken our union rights or target our contractual protections and working conditions, will be met with immediate and sustained resistance by postal workers. Members likely heard the recent news of an agreement between the Postmaster General and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by the un-elected billionaire Elon Musk, and not established by Congress. It is no surprise that DOGE has set its sights on the people’s Postal Service.0Continue reading→

Statement by APWU National Executive Board on DOGE and the USPS

March 14, 2025Members likely heard the recent news of an agreement between the Postmaster General and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by the un-elected billionaire Elon Musk, and not established by Congress. It is no surprise that DOGE has set its sights on the people’s Postal Service. Members likely heard the recent news of an agreement between the Postmaster General and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by the un-elected billionaire Elon Musk, and not established by Congress. It is no surprise that DOGE has set its sights on the people’s Postal Service. It is not clear exactly what the agreement spells out, but the PMG’s letter to Congressional leaders gave management’s perspective. The APWU position is clear: There is no legitimate role for DOGE in the USPS or any other Federal agency. The public Postal Service was created by Congress as an independent government agency with robust oversight from the Office of Inspector General, the Postal Regulatory Commission, and the Board of Governors, as well as Congressional Committees. The National Executive Board, in a meeting on March 14, discussed the developments and confirmed that the union remains on full alert and will continue to monitor the situation. The moment there is any indication that DOGE is seeking access to personal and private information regarding employees, the APWU is prepared to take immediate legal action. Our collective bargaining agreement is between the APWU and the Postal Service. Any effort by DOGE, or any other entity, to weaken our union rights or target our contractual protections and working conditions, will be met with immediate and sustained resistance by postal workers. Members likely heard the recent news of an agreement between the Postmaster General and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by the un-elected billionaire Elon Musk, and not established by Congress. It is no surprise that DOGE has set its sights on the people’s Postal Service.0Continue reading→