News

2025 Missouri State Convention

Room rate: $155/night. Group code: MPWU0625 Reservation deadline: May 26, 2025.  June 22, 2025 - 9:45AM to June 25, 2025 - 5:45PMCamden on the Lake Resort2359 Bittersweet Road Lake Ozark, MO LocalNoYes2025-02-18 00:00:002025 Missouri State ConventionHotel Camden on the Lake Resort 2359 Bittersweet Road Lake Ozark, MO Room rate: $155/night. Group code: MPWU0625 Reservation deadline: May 26, 2025.    Registration The registration fee is being waived. Registration includes lunch on June 25. If you are a Missouri State delgate, please include your registration alon/ with your credentials signed by your Local President and Secretary.Treasruer. Local dues must be current.  Mail your registration and credentials to: Catrina Dawson, Sec/Treasurer MPWU PO Box 2 Sikeston, MO 633801-0002   10Continue reading→

Black History Month Profiles: Glenda Armstrong

Black History Month Profiles: Glenda Armstrong For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Glenda Armstrong of the General Association of Miramar Employees/OPEIU (GAME/OPEIU). Glenda Armstrong is a member of GAME/OPEIU Local 101, working as a supervisor in the property and evidence unit of the city’s police department. A former president of the local, Armstrong’s career has spanned nearly three decades with the city of Miramar, Florida, and two decades with Local 101.  Kenneth Quinnell Mon, 02/17/2025 - 10:25Continue reading→

Black History Month Profiles: Toni Burns

Black History Month Profiles: Toni Burns For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Toni Burns of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Toni Burns has been a stagehand for IATSE Local 27 in Cleveland since 1994. He is a second-generation stagehand. He started his career as a high rigger, downrigger, head flyman and rose to a union steward. Burns was elected business manager for Local B27 from 2007 to the present. He is serving as an IATSE DEI member at large and a board member for Local 27 stagehands. In January 2024, Burns was elected as the 9th international vice president, becoming the first African American man to be elected to the IATSE General Executive Board.  Kenneth Quinnell Sun, 02/16/2025 - 10:25Continue reading→

Black History Month Profiles: Aziza Miller

Black History Month Profiles: Aziza Miller For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Aziza Miller of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). Aziza Miller is a longtime member of AFM Local 802 in NYC, where she currently appears on stage as a keyboardist in Alicia Keys’ Broadway musical “Hell’s Kitchen.” The show was inspired in part by Miller herself and just won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. “My musical career is always growing and evolving,” she said. Her advice to up-and-coming musicians? "Stay focused. Remain open to learning. Don’t let perfection replace your heart and soul. Always stay humble and grateful. As for me, music is important because it’s life, my voice and my passion’s purpose!" Kenneth Quinnell Sat, 02/15/2025 - 10:25Continue reading→

UAW Statement on the NLRB Member Firings

President Trump’s firing of Jennifer Abruzzo and illegal firing of Gwynne Wilcox is a bad start to a Presidential administration that says it wants to stand with the American worker. The so-called “radical” policies that Abruzzo and Wilcox pursued under the National Labor Relations Act weren’t radical at all. They stood for the principle of […] The post UAW Statement on the NLRB Member Firings appeared first on UAW | United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America.Continue reading→

Maintenance Webinar: PTR Settlement Payment Distribution and Full Time Conversion Update

The Maintenance Craft is presenting a webinar to discuss the $15 million distribution of funds. Over 75 percent of eligible Part-Time Regulars (PTRs) have already been paid up-to-date. In addition, we will discuss the conversion to Full-Time Regular and when to expect the second payment and how much to expect. See event details to register. February 19, 2025 - 2:00PMVirtual Via ZoomNationalNoNo2025-02-19 00:00:00https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81955044839?pwd=ytupqrj7nl6SztbsorEOO8mFQmxtu5.1Maintenance Webinar: PTR Payment Distribution and FT Conversion UpdateBrothers and Sisters, You are cordially invited to a scheduled Zoom meeting on Wednesday February 19, at 2pm ESThttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/81955044839?pwd=ytupqrj7nl6SztbsorEOO8mFQmxtu5.1 Meeting ID: 819 5504 4839 Passcode: 152013 One tap mobile +13052241968,,81955044839#,,,,*152013# US +13092053325,,81955044839#,,,,*152013# US Dial by your location • +1 305 224 1968 US • +1 309 205 3325 US • +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) • +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)) 00Continue reading→

IAM Union Urges Reinstatement of Illegally Fired Labor Board Member

IAM Union is calling on President Trump to immediately reverse his decision and reinstate Gwynne Wilcox to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). IAM Union believes this action is critical for ensuring that working Americans receive the full protections they are entitled to under U.S. labor law. On Jan. 27, President Trump unlawfully dismissed Wilcox, The post IAM Union Urges Reinstatement of Illegally Fired Labor Board Member appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

‘Stand with Grocery Workers Who Are Overworked, Understaffed and Underpaid’: The Working People Weekly List

‘Stand with Grocery Workers Who Are Overworked, Understaffed and Underpaid’: The Working People Weekly List Every week, we bring you a roundup of the top news and commentary about issues and events important to working families. Here’s the latest edition of the Working People Weekly List. Wells Fargo Faces Labor Board Complaint Over Union Vote: “The National Labor Relations Board has accused Wells Fargo of illegally threatening and retaliating against employees and coercing workers to prevent fair unionization votes at a California branch. Most employees of an Atwater, California, branch who signed cards supporting unionization in December 2023 voted against unionization the following month, a regional director of the NLRB alleged, in a complaint filed Tuesday and seen by Bloomberg, The NLRB claims Wells Fargo coerced workers to vote against unionization. Wells Fargo has denied that allegation.”Chicago History Museum Workers Want to Join an Arts Industry Unionization Wave: “About two dozen workers at the Chicago History Museum have signed a letter saying they plan to unionize. In the letter, issued Wednesday morning, the employees said they are seeking clear communication from management and competitive wages. The move is one in a wave of similar organizing efforts at other Chicago cultural institutions. The workers are organizing with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME Council 31. Workers from the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum and Newberry Library, among others, have joined that same union in recent years.”‘Stand with Grocery Workers Who Are Overworked, Understaffed and Underpaid’: “For too long, the hardworking union grocery workers of Southern California have been overworked, understaffed, and underpaid. These essential workers, who showed up day in and day out during the pandemic to keep our communities fed, now find themselves struggling to make ends meet. With inflation driving up the cost of living at an alarming rate, it’s time for major grocery corporations—Kroger/Ralphs, Albertsons/Vons, Stater Bros., and Gelson’s—to step up and provide the fair wages and benefits that these workers have earned. Southern California UFCW Locals are gearing up for what will likely be the toughest round of negotiations in decades. Bargaining with Kroger/Ralphs and Albertsons/Vons kicks off on February 13, with Stater Bros. negotiations beginning on March 6. Dates with Gelson’s have yet to be scheduled, but our message to all these companies is the same: Grocery workers are rising for our futures, our families, and our communities.”How Teachers Union Leaders Are Gearing Up for the ‘Resistance’: “Sure. So, ‘Resistance Committee’ is pretty much shorthand for ‘Committee to Help Everyone Have a Better Life.” I know that sounds very general, but AFT represents not just public education but also health care professionals and nurses. Particularly in this moment, where—you know, it began with hospitals and places of worship and schools being removed as sensitive sites—we really had to think about how we protect our students, families and patients.”SEIU Hospital Workers Ratify Contract, Avert Possible Strike: “SEIU workers at UPMC Washington Hospital and UPMC have agreed to a new contract. According to a press release, the contract includes average raises of 12% over three years, with some workers getting as much as 19% raises over the life of the contract. The union said the new contract ‘is major progress from UPMC’s original proposal of a 1% raise per year.’ ‘Our new contract will help us support ourselves and our families with the increased cost of living. This proves that when health care workers unite and take action—even at a small community hospital—we can create concrete positive change,’ said Melissa Duran, the chapter president of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania at Washington Hospital, where she works as an EKG technician.”Federal Workers, Lawmakers to Rally at Capitol Hill to Protect Civil Service: “Hundreds of federal workers are expected to gather on Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) ‘Rally to Save the Civil Service.’ The event, part of AFGE’s annual legislative conference, aims to push back against efforts to politicize federal jobs.”Retail Unions Are Gaining Ground as Employee Dissatisfaction Grows: “Americans are increasingly taking the side of workers as public opinion has turned overwhelmingly pro-union in recent years. Fifteen years ago, only about half of Americans approved of unions. Last year, it rose to 70%, just one percentage point below the 71% hit in 2022. That was a historic high since 1972 when Gallup began tracking union approval ratings annually.”Union Leaders to Try Again on Rail Safety; Corporate Greed Sidetracked It: “Titus and Cassidy joined AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan, who organized the session, along with co-sponsoring Reps. Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, and Chris Deluzio, D-Pa. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, sent a short video. All but Nehls discussed the massive Norfolk Southern derailment and venting of toxic chemicals into the. air and water precisely two years before, on Feb. 3, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. ‘The people of eastern Ohio have suffered so much from corporate greed,’ Sykes said. ‘Our greatest fear is a train derailment can become a mass casualty event. But we have yet to see meaningful reform out of Congress’ to force railroads to put safety and people over profits, said Regan.”As Off Broadway Crews Unionize, Workers See Hope, Producers Peril: “A unionization wave sweeping across Off Broadway is poised to reshape the economics of theater-making in New York—for workers as well as producers. Striking stage crews have idled the nonprofit Atlantic Theater Company—the birthplace of the musicals ‘Spring Awakening,’ ‘The Band’s Visit’ and ‘Kimberly Akimbo,’ which all transferred to Broadway and won Tonys. The strike, which began last month, comes amid a drive to unionize stage hands and crews at Off Broadway theaters. The drive is being spearheaded by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, or IATSE, which represents workers on Broadway and in Hollywood. It has won union contracts at two long-running commercial Off Broadway shows: The crew of ‘Titaníque,’ a musical that spoofs the film ‘Titanic’ and the pop star Celine Dion, approved a contract last October, and the crew at ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ a revival of the sci-fi musical comedy, did so in January.”First Labor Official Ousted from NLRB in 90 Years Is Now Suing Trump. Hear Why: “Former National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox speaks to CNN’s Victor Blackwell after being fired by President Donald Trump, making her the first member of the board to be removed in 90 years. Wilcox called her firing “unprecedented” and has since filed a federal lawsuit.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 02/14/2025 - 11:16Continue reading→

Black History Month Profiles: Dominique Drew

Black History Month Profiles: Dominique Drew For Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently actively making Black 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 Dominique Drew of the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).  Dominique Drew started in the union on her 18th birthday. And 22 years later, she’s built a rewarding career as an architectural metal and glass worker. When she discovered IUPAT’s Black CORE Committee, she had finally found a platform to make an impact within her union as a woman of color. She has flourished in her journey, becoming the co-chair of the Black CORE Committee, chairperson of CBTU's Under 40 Leaders and co-chair of Leaders Under 40 NYC Chapter. Currently, she serves as a member engagement specialist for IUPAT.   Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 02/14/2025 - 10:09Continue reading→

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFT and NEA Rally to Protect Students and Public Education

Service & Solidarity Spotlight: AFT and NEA Rally to Protect Students and Public Education 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. On Wednesday afternoon, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) rallied in Washington, D.C., to protect students and our public schools.Educators, parents, lawmakers and community leaders gathered to stand up for our schools in the face of funding attacks and policies that put politics before students. This demonstration came after the AFT held a press conference in the morning calling for Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to be barred from accessing sensitive Department of Education data. “Inside the Education Department, the world’s richest man and his minions have been rifling through 45 million people’s private student loan accounts and feeding the data into artificial intelligence in one of the biggest data hacks in U.S. history,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “That’s why this week, we sued the Education Department, [Office of Personnel Management] and Treasury for violating the Privacy Act by improperly disclosing the sensitive records of millions of Americans to DOGE staff.” Kenneth Quinnell Fri, 02/14/2025 - 10:09Continue reading→

Protecting our Members’ Jobs: IAM, NFFE-IAM Join Labor Coalition in New Lawsuit Over Illegal Gutting of Federal Workforce

The IAM Union and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) joined a coalition of labor unions in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s orders to gut the federal workforce. The complaint challenges the firing of probationary employees, the deferred resignation ploy to pressure employees to voluntarily resign, and large-scale reductions-in-force (RIFs) that violate The post Protecting our Members’ Jobs: IAM, NFFE-IAM Join Labor Coalition in New Lawsuit Over Illegal Gutting of Federal Workforce appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→

2-11-25 PVO Pilot MOU – Lansing MI

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE AND THE AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION, AFL-CIO Re: Pilot - Tractor Trailer Operator and Postal Vehicle Operator Position - Expansion - Lansing, Michigan The parties agree to expand piloting the establishment of the career bargaining unit position titled, Postal Vehicle Operator (PVO), Level 6. The parties have agreed to the job description and qualification standards for the PVO position that will be in effect during the pilot and any additional sites where this concept is determined to be feasible for expansion. The parties have also agreed to include Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) Level 8 assignments into this Pilot. The PVO position is intended to assign the Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) Craft to perform the transportation of bulk quantities of mail without driving a vehicle that requires a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). All other work rules remain in effect, including the prohibitions of supervisors performing bargaining unit work consistent with Article 1.6.b. except where explicitly changed by this agreement. The following provisions will apply to the pilot: 1. The positions will be established in the Lansing, Michigan area, which is currently designated as a non-Postal Vehicle Service (PVS) site. 2. The Postal Service will establish and fill a minimum of 12 Tractor Trailor Operator (TTO) positions; and I PVO positions, consisting of 600/o Full Time Regular (FTR) and 40o/o Part Time Flexible (PTF) in the Lansing, Michigan area. For the FTR positions, the rounding up rule of .5 will apply After six (6) months, the parties will review the FTR/PTF ratio to ensure those ratios are proper for the work being performed. 3. The PVO positions will be posted internally According to Article 39 for non-CDL APWU career employees to bid. The senior internal bidders will be placed in a "pending qualification" status until the employees have been certified by the Driver Safety Instructor. These career PVO positions will also be posted externally, during which noncareer employees may apply. 4. Employees holding fulltime TTO and PVO positions will initially be considered unassigned regular employees and will be assigned schedules in accordance with Article 39. Full time unassigned regular employees assume, as their regular work schedule, the hours worked in the first week of the pay period in which the change to unassigned regular occurred. The posting of the TTO and PVO bid duty assignments will occur 90 days from implementation of PVS services. 5. The PTF to FTR ratios will be maintained throughout the Pilot, additional conversions to Full Time Flexible (FTF) will be according to the Maximization/Full Time Flexible MOU. 6. Full-time TTO and PVO duty assignments will be as follows: Normally eight (8) hours within nine (9) hours; and, A workday of eight (8) hours within ten (10) hours may be appropriate when eight-hour schedules contain report to a dispatcher time or idle time or where an additional trip is not possible due to time restraints in the middle or nearing the end of tour. 7. Employees holding a PTF TTO and PVO positions will be guaranteed a minimum work schedule of 24 hours per service week. 8. Within 30 days of the initiation the Pilot, the Postal Service will solicit volunteers, and will make available the required training to obtain a CDL for interested PVO employees who volunteer to be trained. A copy of the solicitation, and the PVO training records will be maintained for the Union to review. 9. Following successful completion of the CDL training and receipt of a CDL, employees holding PVO positions will be considered qualified to bid for available Motor Vehicle Operator (MVO) and/or Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) positions. The assignments shall be posted and awarded in accordance with the provisions of Article 39 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 10. During the pilot, there will be a one (1) year lock-in period for PVOs who were provided CDL training by the Postal Service, for placement in the MVO or TTO position, during which the following restrictions will apply: employee must remain in the MVS Craft; employee must remain in the Lansing, Michigan, installation, and; employee is restricted from bidding to a lower-level position. The Pilot expansion associated with this agreement will run for six months after the pilot is fully implemented, unless it is mutually agreed to extend. The national parties will meet monthly and exchange data and review results of the Pilot, to include the possibility of the percentages of PTF employees where it is economically and operationally feasible. The national parties agree to review the effectiveness of the training program including the retention of MVOs trained as TTOs and make adjustments, if necessary. Modifications made to work rules as stated in this MOU will not be citable in any future proceedings. An Alternative Dispute Resolution Process will be established at the National Level for the handling of any alleged violations of this Pilot MOU. Shannon Richardson                                                                    Michael Foster Director, Contract Administration (APWU)                                    Director, Motor Vehicle Service Division Labor Relations                                                                             American Postal Workers Union United States Postal Service                                                         AFL-CIO The parties agree to expand piloting the establishment of the career bargaining unit position titled, Postal Vehicle Operator (PVO), Level 6. The parties have agreed to the job description and qualification standards for the PVO position that will be in effect during the pilot and any additional sites where this concept is determined to be feasible for expansion. The parties have also agreed to include Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) Level I assignments into this Pilot.Tuesday, February 11, 2025No Pilot MOU https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2-11-25_pvo_pilot_mou_-_lansing-_mi.pdf Craft:  Motor Vehicle Service Document Type:  Memorandum of Understanding0Continue reading→

2-11-25 PVO Pilot MOU – Mid Florida FL

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE AND THE AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION, AFL-CIO Re: Pilot - Tractor Trailer Operator and Postal Vehicle Operator Position - Expansion - Santa Barbara, California The parties agree to expand piloting the establishment of the career bargaining unit position titled, Postal Vehicle Operator (PVO), Level 6. The parties have agreed to the job description and qualification standards for the PVO position that will be in effect during the pilot and any additional sites where this concept is determined to be feasible for expansion. The parties have also agreed to include Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) Level 8 assignments into this Pilot. The PVO position is intended to assign the Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) Craft to perform the transportation of bulk quantities of mail without driving a vehicle that requires a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). All other work rules remain in effect, including the prohibitions of supervisors performing bargaining unit work consistent with Article 1.6.b. except where explicitly changed by this agreement. The following provisions will apply to the pilot: 1. The positions will be established in the Mid Florida, Florida area, which is currently designated as a non-Postal Vehicle Service (PVS) site. 2. The Postal Service will establish and fill a minimum of 25 Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) positions; and 30 PVO positlons, consisting of 60% Full Time Regular (FTR) and 40% Part Time Flexible (PTF) in the Mid Florida, Florida area. For the FTR positions, the rounding up rule of .5 shall apply. After six (6) months, the parties will review the FTR/PTF ratio to ensure they accurately reflect the efficiency of the work being performed. 3. The PVO positions will be posted internally according to Article 39 for non-CDL APWU career employees to bid. The senior internal bidders will be placed in a "pending qualification" status until the employees have been certified by the Driver Safety lnstructor. These career PVO positions willalso be posted externally, during which noncareer employees may apply. 4. Employees holding fulltime TTO and PVO positions will initially be considered unassigned regular employees and will be assigned schedules in accordance with Article 39. Full time unassigned regular employees assume, as their regular work schedule, the hours worked in the first week of the pay period in which the change to unassigned regular occurred. The posting of the TTO and PVO bid duty assignments will occur 90 days from implementation of PVS services. 5. The PTF to FTR ratios will be maintained throughout the Pilot, additional conversions to Full Time Flexible (FTF) will be according to the Maximization/Full Time Flexible MOU. 6. Full-time TTO and PVO duty assignments will be as follows: Normally eight (8) hours within nine (9) hours; and, A workday of eight (8) hours within ten (10) hours may be appropriate when eight-hour schedules contain report to a dispatcher time or idle time or where an additional trip is not possible due to time restraints in the middle or nearing the end of tour. 7. Employees holding a PTF TTO and PVO positions will be guaranteed a minimum work schedule of 24 hours per service week. 8. Within 30 days of the initiation the Pilot, the Postal Service will solicit volunteers, and will make available the required training to obtain a CDL for interested PVO employees who volunteer to be trained. A copy of the solicitation, and the PVO training records will be maintained for the Union to review. 9. Following successful completion of the CDL training and receipt of a CDL, employees holding PVO positions will be considered qualified to bid for available Motor Vehicle Operator (MVO) and/or Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) positions. The assignments shall be posted and awarded in accordance with the provisions of Article 39 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 10. During the pilot, there will be a one (1) year lock-in period for PVOs who were provided CDL training by the Postal Service, for placement in the MVO or TTO position, during which the following restrictions will apply: employee must remain in the MVS Craft; employee must remain in the Santa Barbara, California, installation, and; employee is restricted from bidding to a lower-level position. The Pilot expansion associated with this agreement will run for six months after the pilot is fully implemented, unless it is mutually agreed to extend. The national parties will meet monthly and exchange data and review results of the Pilot, to include the possibility of the percentages of PTF employees where it is economically and operationally feasible. The national parties agree to review the effectiveness of the training program including the retention of MVOs trained as TTOs and make adjustments, if necessary. Modifications made to work rules as stated in this MOU will not be citable in any future proceedings. An Alternative Dispute Resolution Process will be established at the National Level for the handling of any alleged violations of this Pilot MOU. Shannon Richardson                                                                    Michael Foster Director, Contract Administration (APWU)                                    Director, Motor Vehicle Service Division Labor Relations                                                                             American Postal Workers Union United States Postal Service                                                         AFL-CIO The parties agree to expand piloting the establishment of the career bargaining unit position titled, Postal Vehicle Operator (PVO), Level 6. The parties have agreed to the job description and qualification standards for the PVO position that will be in effect during the pilot and any additional sites where this concept is determined to be feasible for expansion. The parties have also agreed to include Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) Level 8 assignments into this Pilot.Tuesday, February 11, 2025No Pilot MOU https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2-11-25_pvo_pilot_mou_-_mid_florida-_fl.pdf Craft:  Motor Vehicle Service Document Type:  Memorandum of Understanding0Continue reading→

2-11-25 PVO Pilot MOU – Santa Barbara CA

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE AND THE AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION, AFL-CIO Re: Pilot - Tractor Trailer Operator and Postal Vehicle Operator Position - Expansion - Santa Barbara, California The parties agree to expand piloting the establishment of the career bargaining unit position titled, Postal Vehicle Operator (PVO), Level 6. The parties have agreed to the job description and qualification standards for the PVO position that will be in effect during the pilot and any additional sites where this concept is determined to be feasible for expansion. The parties have also agreed to include Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) Level 8 assignments into this Pilot. The PVO position is intended to assign the Motor Vehicle Service (MVS) Craft to perform the transportation of bulk quantities of mail without driving a vehicle that requires a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). All other work rules remain in effect, including the prohibitions of supervisors performing bargaining unit work consistent with Article 1.6.b. except where explicitly changed by this agreement. The following provisions will apply to the pilot: 1. The positions will be established in the Santa Barbara, California area, which is currently designated as a non-Postal Vehicle Service (PVS) site. 2. The Postal Service will establish and fill a minimum of 15 Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) positions; and 10 PVO positions, consisting of 65% Full Time Regular (FTR) and 35% Part Time Flexible (PTF) in the Santa Barbara area. For the FTR positions, the rounding up rule of .5 shall apply. After six (6) months, the parties will review the FTR/PTF ratio to ensure they accurately reflect the efficiency of the work being performed. 3. The PVO positions will be posted internally According to Article 39 for non-CDL APWU career employees to bid. The senior internal bidders will be placed in a "pending qualification" status until the employees have been certified by the Driver Safety Instructor. These career PVO positions will also be posted externally, during which noncareer employees may apply. 4. Employees holding fulltime TTO and PVO positions will initially be considered unassigned regular employees and will be assigned schedules in accordance with Article 39. Full time unassigned regular employees assume, as their regular work schedule, the hours worked in the first week of the pay period in which the change to unassigned regular occurred. The posting of the TTO and PVO bid duty assignments will occur 90 days from implementation of PVS services. 5. The PTF to FTR ratios will be maintained throughout the Pilot, additional conversions to Full Time Flexible (FTF) will be according to the Maximization/Full Time Flexible MOU. 6. Full-time TTO and PVO duty assignments will be as follows: Normally eight (8) hours within nine (9) hours; and, A workday of eight (8) hours within ten (10) hours may be appropriate when eight-hour schedules contain report to a dispatcher time or idle time or where an additional trip is not possible due to time restraints in the middle or nearing the end of tour. 7. Employees holding a PTF TTO and PVO positions will be guaranteed a minimum work schedule of 24 hours per service week. 8. Within 30 days of the initiation the Pilot, the Postal Service will solicit volunteers, and will make available the required training to obtain a CDL for interested PVO employees who volunteer to be trained. A copy of the solicitation, and the PVO training records will be maintained for the Union to review. 9. Following successful completion of the CDL training and receipt of a CDL, employees holding PVO positions will be considered qualified to bid for available Motor Vehicle Operator (MVO) and/or Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) positions. The assignments shall be posted and awarded in accordance with the provisions of Article 39 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 10. During the pilot, there will be a one (1) year lock-in period for PVOs who were provided CDL training by the Postal Service, for placement in the MVO or TTO position, during which the following restrictions will apply: employee must remain in the MVS Craft; employee must remain in the Santa Barbara, California, installation, and; employee is restricted from bidding to a lower-level position. The Pilot expansion associated with this agreement will run for six months after the pilot is fully implemented, unless it is mutually agreed to extend. The national parties will meet monthly and exchange data and review results of the Pilot, to include the possibility of the percentages of PTF employees where it is economically and operationally feasible. The national parties agree to review the effectiveness of the training program including the retention of MVOs trained as TTOs and make adjustments, if necessary. Modifications made to work rules as stated in this MOU will not be citable in any future proceedings. An Alternative Dispute Resolution Process will be established at the National Level for the handling of any alleged violations of this Pilot MOU. Shannon Richardson                                                                    Michael Foster Director, Contract Administration (APWU)                                    Director, Motor Vehicle Service Division Labor Relations                                                                             American Postal Workers Union United States Postal Service                                                         AFL-CIO The parties agree to expand piloting the establishment of the career bargaining unit position titled, Postal Vehicle Operator (PVO), Level 6. The parties have agreed to the job description and qualification standards for the PVO position that will be in effect during the pilot and any additional sites where this concept is determined to be feasible for expansion. The parties have also agreed to include Tractor Trailer Operator (TTO) Level 8 assignments into this Pilot.Wednesday, February 12, 2025No Pilot MOU https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/2-11-25_pvo_pilot_mou_-_santa_barbara-_ca.pdf Craft:  Motor Vehicle Service Document Type:  Memorandum of Understanding0Continue reading→

United to Defend Our Rights Against Financial Abuse

February 13, 2025On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, Donald Trump’s newly appointed head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought announced that he had shuttered the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC. He instructed employees by email to not come into the office Monday and to cease work, bringing their efforts to protect consumers from fraud, scams, and financial abuse in the banking industry to a standstill. The announcements follow a Feb. 7 post by Elon Musk on his social media platform X, which stated “CFPB RIP.” public servicesPostal Banking On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, Donald Trump’s newly appointed head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought announced that he had shuttered the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC. He instructed employees by email to not come into the office Monday and to cease work, bringing their efforts to protect consumers from fraud, scams, and financial abuse in the banking industry to a standstill. The announcements follow a Feb. 7 post by Elon Musk on his social media platform X, which stated “CFPB RIP.” The CFPB was created by Congress in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, which the banking industry caused, and is the latest target of Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that is working to eliminate oversight by federal agencies. The CFPB regulates mortgages, student loans, credit cards, payday lenders, and other financial instruments that are central to household finances. “Vought is giving big banks and giant corporations the green light to scam families,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in a social media post over the weekend. “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has returned over $21 billion to families cheated by Wall Street." DOGE representatives have already accessed internal systems and data at the CFPB. The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents nearly 2,000 workers at the CFPB, filed several lawsuits on Sunday in response to Vought and Musk’s actions. The first lawsuit seeks to block the agency’s shutdown so that it can continue its work to protect consumers, while a second suit aims to stop DOGE from accessing its members’ employee records and information, alleging the administration is violating the Privacy Act. On Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, APWU representatives and staff attended a rally at CFPB headquarters to demonstrate against this hostile takeover of yet another government agency, and to keep the CFPB working for working people, not billionaires. Effects of Killing off the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Eliminating the CFPB is a key commitment in Project 2025. Since its creation, the big banks and lenders on Wall Street have bristled against increased regulation and oversight brought on by the CFPB. In 2024, opponents of the CFPB brought a lawsuit to the Supreme Court, hoping to overturn the funding mechanism for the Bureau. While their lawsuit failed, the new Trump Administration could present their best chance yet to kill the CFPB. Currently, the architects of Project 2025 are attempting to abolish the CFPB and in DOGE’s latest actions, hope to overturn many of the regulations that emerged after the 2008 financial crisis. Doing so would make everyone more vulnerable to predatory practices of banks, credit card companies, and other lenders. There are a number of lawsuits the CFPB brought against some of the country’s biggest financial institutions in 2024, such as Capital One, Walmart, JP Morgan, Bank of America, among others, that are now in doubt, as the new Administration has overhauled the Bureau’s leadership and halted its operations. Project 2025 also has proposals that would affect the way the Federal Reserve functions. While some of these would reduce compliance issues for banks – a gift to Wall Street – others would make it more difficult and expensive for banks to access funding. In turn, consumer borrowing could be more expensive, despite commitments from the authors to use the tools of government to drive down prices. In this moment, we must stay united in our fight to defend our rights to be protected from financial abuse and keep building the movement to bring public options like postal banking to the world of finance. United to Defend Our Rights Against Financial AbuseConsumer Financial Protection Bureau Latest Federal Agency Under Attack0Continue reading→

New I.A.M. C.R.E.S.T. Associate Instructors Complete Train-the-Trainer Program

Fifteen new I.A.M. C.R.E.S.T. Associate Instructors from District 19, Local S6, District FD1, and other Norfolk Southern Railroad representatives recently completed the Train-the-Trainer program. This comprehensive training is specifically designed to equip workers with the skills needed to educate their peers on the hazards associated with the storage, shipment, loading, and unloading of dangerous goods The post New I.A.M. C.R.E.S.T. Associate Instructors Complete Train-the-Trainer Program appeared first on IAMAW.Continue reading→