APWU

Updated Exam 427 and Waiver Requirement

Posted in: APWU

https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/updated_exam_427_and_waiver_requirement.pdfUpdated Exam 427 and Waiver Requirement

Exam 427 Information Update

Posted in: APWU

December 23, 2024The Postal Service recently provided an explanation of the requirements concerning Exam 427, which is taken by clerks who bid for Mailing Requirements Clerk (MRC) and Bulk Mail Technician (BMT) duty assignments.
Clerk Division

The Postal Service recently provided an explanation of the requirements concerning Exam 427, which is taken by clerks who bid for Mailing Requirements Clerk (MRC) and Bulk Mail Technician (BMT) duty assignments. In July of this year, the Postal Service had notified the APWU of revisions to the training program for MRC and BMT assignments.
These changes in the training course had previously been reviewed and approved by APWU and USPS members of a joint committee. The APWU committee members were locally recommended and had extensive experience as a Bulk Mail Tech or Mailing Requirements Clerk. At that point, the Postal Service piloted the training and an updated 427 exam, with no pass or fail grades, to gather data on both the revised training and exam.
The subsequent notification to APWU explained that Exam 427 would be reinstated as a required qualification for employees who were awarded MRC or BMT bids on or after October 1, 2024. Employees who were awarded either of these assignments on or before September 30, 2024, would continue to have the 427 exam qualification waived.
The training program for Bulk Mail Techs and Mailing Requirements Clerks will return to its former two-week process at the National Center for Employee Development (NCED) in Norman, OK at the beginning of the new year. This part of the training was streamlined during the COVID-19 pandemic and as the parties reviewed the changes needed to update the course. A copy of the most recent Postal Service notification regarding Exam 427 qualification is linked to this article.

Updated Exam 427 and Waiver Requirement

Exam 427 Information Update0

Clerk Craft Fills Two Vacant NBA Positions

Posted in: APWU

January 7, 2025Recently, two National Business Agent (NBA) positions became vacant in the Clerk Division. Robert “Bob” Romanowski left his NBA job in the Philadelphia Region when he was promoted to the newly established Assistant Director “C”, Clerk Division, at APWU headquarters and Robert “Bob” Kessler retired, after over 44 years, from his position as NBA for the St. Louis Region.
Clerk CraftClerk Division Lamont Brooks

Recently, two National Business Agent (NBA) positions became vacant in the Clerk Division. Robert “Bob” Romanowski left his NBA job in the Philadelphia Region when he was promoted to the newly established Assistant Director “C”, Clerk Division, at APWU headquarters and Robert “Bob” Kessler retired, after over 44 years, from his position as NBA for the St. Louis Region.
In accordance with the APWU Constitution & By-Laws, Clerk Division Director Lamont Brooks was tasked with filling these NBA vacancies, with approval of the Clerk Division Executive Council. By unanimous vote from the Clerk Division NBAs, Kim Miller, Keystone, PA Area Local, was appointed to National Business Agent, Philadelphia Region. Sharon Curtis, Greater Kansas City, MO Area Local, was named to the position of National Business Agent, St. Louis Region by another unanimous vote from the NBAs.
Miller attended Mansfield University and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, in addition to serving honorably in the United States Army from 1996-2000. She began her postal career in Harrisburg, PA on August 12, 2000, joining the APWU on the same day. In 2005, she began her union career as a steward. Shortly thereafter, she was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the Keystone, PA Area Local. She also served as a state officer for the Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union, first as Business Agent and then as President.
Miller was also local president for the Keystone Area Local from 2014-2024. She attended arbitration advocacy training in 2015, served on the Constitution Committee twice, and was Co-Chair of the current APWU Rank and File Committee.
Curtis began her postal career as a PTF clerk in Cameron, MO while attending night school to earn her bachelor’s degree in accounting. She also worked in the Saint Joseph, MO Post Office and Stamp Fulfillment Services in Kansas City, during which time she became active in her local union. She has held several positions in the APWU, including steward, editor, and secretary-treasurer. She was also an area vice-president for the Missouri Postal Workers Union.
She has attended APWU’s well-known National Advocacy school organized and prepared by Research and Education Director Joyce Robinson. For the past seven years, she has successfully served as an arbitration advocate in her area.
Both Miller and Curtis officially took office as National Business Agents on January 6, 2025. The Clerk Division officers and the entire APWU congratulate both new officers and wish them the best during their term of office.

Clerk Division Fills Two Vacant NBA Positions

Posted in: APWU

January 7, 2025Recently, two National Business Agent (NBA) positions became vacant in the Clerk Division. Robert “Bob” Romanowski left his NBA job in the Philadelphia Region when he was promoted to the newly established Assistant Director “C”, Clerk Division position at APWU headquarters. Additionally. Robert “Bob” Kessler retired from his position as NBA for the St. Louis Region after over 44 years.
Clerk CraftClerk Division Lamont Brooks

Recently, two National Business Agent (NBA) positions became vacant in the Clerk Division. Robert “Bob” Romanowski left his NBA job in the Philadelphia Region when he was promoted to the newly established Assistant Director “C”, Clerk Division position at APWU headquarters. Additionally, Robert “Bob” Kessler retired from his position as NBA for the St. Louis Region after over 44 years.
In accordance with the APWU Constitution & By-Laws, Clerk Division Director Lamont Brooks was tasked with filling these NBA vacancies, with approval of the Clerk Division Executive Council. By unanimous vote from the Clerk Division NBAs, Keystone Area Local President Kim Miller was appointed to National Business Agent, Philadelphia Region and Greater Kansas City Metro Area Local Secretary-Treasurer Sharon Curtis was appointed National Business Agent, St. Louis Region by another unanimous vote from the NBAs.
Miller attended Mansfield University and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, in addition to serving honorably in the U.S. Army from 1996-2000. She began her postal career in Harrisburg, PA on August 12, 2000, joining the APWU on the same day. In 2005, she began her union career as a steward. Shortly thereafter, she was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the Keystone Area Local. She also served as a state officer for the Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union, first as business agent and then as president.
Miller was also local president of the Keystone Area Local from 2014-2024. She attended arbitration advocacy training in 2015, served on the Constitution Committee twice, and was co-chair of the current APWU Rank and File Committee.
Curtis began her postal career as a PTF clerk in Cameron, MO while attending night school to earn her bachelor’s degree in accounting. She also worked in the Saint Joseph, MO Post Office and Stamp Fulfillment Services in Kansas City, during which time she became active in her local union. She has held several positions in the APWU, including steward, editor, and secretary-treasurer. She was also an area vice-president for the Missouri Postal Workers Union.
She has attended the APWU’s well-known National Advocacy School organized and prepared by Research and Education Director Joyce Robinson. For the past seven years, she has successfully served as an arbitration advocate in her area.
Both Miller and Curtis officially took office as NBAs on Jan. 6, 2025. The Clerk Division officers and the entire APWU congratulate both new officers and wish them the best during their terms of office.

Arizona Postal Workers Union State Assembly

Posted in: APWU

APWU Arizona State Assembly is on Saturday May 10th – Sunday May 11th at the Double Tree Reid Park Hotel.
The Hospitality is on Friday May 9th.
Room rates are $145.82 which includes taxes and fees.
The phone number is 520-881-4200. Please reference: Booking ID Arizona Postal Workers Union for room reservations.
The registration fee is $50.00.
May 10, 2025 – 8:00AM to May 11, 2025 – 3:00PMDouble Tree Reid Park, Tucson, AZ445 S Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711
LocalNoYes2025-01-06 00:00:00This event is closed. Thank you for your interest.
Join the Arizona Postal Workers Union State Assembly Saturday May 10th – Sunday May 11th at the Double Tree Reid Park Hotel.00

Social Security Fairness Act Signed into Law!

Posted in: APWU

January 6, 2025On January 5, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, stating, “this victory is a culmination of a 40-year fight to provide security for workers who dedicate their lives to their communities.”
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/frame_6.pnghttps://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/frame_7_0.pngSocial SecurityLegislationLegislative & PoliticalRetireesLegislative and Political

On January 5, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, stating, “this victory is a culmination of a 40-year fight to provide security for workers who dedicate their lives to their communities.”
For years, APWU members have been fighting to repeal these decades old Social Security laws that unfairly penalized Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) postal retirees, and many federal and state employees, by severely reducing their earned Social Security Benefits for recipients and surviving spouses despite meeting the requirements for Social Security benefits and paying their fair share into the program.
APWU President Mark Dimondstein, Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard, and Retiree Director Nancy Olumekor were present at the signing to witness this historic achievement and the result of decades-long advocacy by the APWU to end the injustice faced by so many of our retirees and their families.
“The passage of this legislation is a testament to what we can achieve when we fight together,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “As a coalition of unions, affected individuals, and community organizations, we have shown that when we join together on a cause for the common good, we win.”
While many in Congress have championed Social Security Fairness throughout the years, the APWU would like to give special thanks to Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), as well as Representatives Garret Graves (R-LA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA).
In 2003, Senator Collins held the first-ever Senate hearing to address the unfair WEP and GPO provisions that impact so many postal workers. As one of his first acts after becoming a Senator in 2007, Senator Brown co-sponsored the legislation to repeal WEP and GPO. Together, they never faltered in achieving justice for millions of retirees.In the House, Representatives Spanberger and Graves achieved a historic, bipartisan coalition that overcame the many obstacles to passage.
“Thank you to every member of Congress who advocated for, and voted in favor of, the Social Security Fairness Act,” said Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard. “And thank you to all of our APWU members who made phone calls, sent emails, wrote letters, and visited with their elected leaders to educate them on the critical impact this legislation will have.”
Now that the bill has been signed into law, the Social Security Administration is tasked with implementation. While details are still being worked out, the APWU is committed to updating our members with information as we receive it. Please click here to read updates.

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Observance of National Day of Remembrance for Former President Jimmy Carter

Posted in: APWU

January 6, 2025As the nation mourns the passing of Former President Jimmy Carter, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will observe the National Day of Remembrance with a Day of Observance.

As the nation mourns the passing of Former President Jimmy Carter, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will observe the National Day of Remembrance with a Day of Observance.
Here’s what members need to know:
Eligibility and Administrative Leave
Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees not directed to work on the National Day of Observance will receive administrative leave for the day.
Those required to work will be granted administrative leave on a future date.

Part-Time Regular Employees
Scheduled to work and not directed to report: Granted administrative leave for the number of hours scheduled to work.
Scheduled to work and directed to report: Granted a day of administrative leave at a future date for the number of hours scheduled to work.
Nonscheduled (relief) workday and not directed to report: Granted administrative leave at a future date, equal to the average number of daily paid hours in their schedule for the prior service week, up to 8 hours.
Nonscheduled (relief) workday and directed to report: Will receive straight time pay (or overtime if appropriate), plus administrative leave at a future date for the number of hours worked, up to 8 hours.

Part-Time Flexible Employees
Directed to report: Granted administrative leave at a future date for the number of hours worked, up to 8 hours.
Not directed to report: Granted administrative leave at a future date, equal to the average number of daily hours during the prior service week, up to 8 hours.

Additional Guidelines
Administrative leave must be used within six months or by the end of the Fiscal Year, whichever is greater.
Leave must be taken at one time and can be substituted for previously scheduled but unused annual leave.
Employees should apply for leave using the same procedures as annual leave.
For more details, review the full Memorandum of Agreement below.

Memo of Understanding for National Days of Mourning

APWU Day of Mourning MOU

USPS will rECOGNIZE Jan. 9, 2025 with a Day of Observance for President Jimmy Carter’s FuneralUSPS will Recognize Jan. 9, 2025 with a Day of Observance for President Jimmy Carter’s FuneralAs the nation mourns the passing of Former President Jimmy Carter, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will observe the National Day of Remembrance with a Day of Observance.As the nation mourns the passing of Former President Jimmy Carter, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will observe the National Day of Remembrance with a Day of Observance.0

APWU Day of Mourning MOU

Posted in: APWU

https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/day_of_mourning_mou_may_2000.pdfday_ of_ mourning_mou_May_ 2000

Senate Passes Social Security Fairness Act, Securing Economic Justice for Postal, Federal, and Public-Sector Retirees

Posted in: APWU

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

2025 Biennial Conference of the APWU National Postal Press Association

Posted in: APWU

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