APWU
APWU President Mark Dimondstein Appears on PBS News Hour
October 2, 2024
Postal workers are warning of what they call ‘substandard performance’ by the U.S. Postal Service. The American Postal Workers Union is calling for the public’s help in demanding improved staffing, better customer service and more opportunity for public input. It comes ahead of an election where millions will vote by mail. Geoff Bennett discussed more with union president Mark Dimondstein.
vote by mailBetter Postal StaffingA Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal ServiceLegislative and PoliticalPresidentyCpS6H7S0qUPostal workers are warning of what they call ‘substandard performance’ by the U.S. Postal Service. The American Postal Workers Union is calling for the public’s help in demanding improved staffing, better customer service and more opportunity for public input. It comes ahead of an election where millions will vote by mail. Geoff Bennett discussed more with union president Mark Dimondstein.0
Postal workers union sounds alarm about USPS staffing, service and election preparedness
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/postal-workers-union-sounds-alarm-about-usps-staffing-service-and-election-preparednessTuesday, October 8, 2024StaffingBetter Postal StaffingPostal workers are warning of what they call ‘substandard performance’ by the U.S. Postal Service. The American Postal Workers Union is calling for the public’s help in demanding improved staffing, better customer service and more opportunity for public input. It comes ahead of an election where millions will vote by mail. Geoff Bennett discussed more with union president Mark Dimondstein.
Read More....
APWU Members Loud and Proud for Oct. 1 National Day of Action
October 8, 2024Thousands of dedicated postal workers took to the streets for our “October 1 National Day of Action” to let the public know just how well we can move the mail when given the proper tools.
Fighting Today for A Better TomorrowBetter Postal Staffing
Thousands of dedicated postal workers took to the streets for our “October 1 National Day of Action” to let the public know just how well we can move the mail when given the proper tools.
Rallying in over 90 cities from the East Coast to the West – and beyond – thousands of postal workers from hundreds of APWU locals and states, with the support of community allies, came out in full force on Oct. 1 to promote Vote-by-Mail, advocate for a strong new contract with language to guarantee better staffing, and demand that postal management treat all mail, all year long, with the same care and attention that election mail and ballots receive during election season. This means increasing staffing at post offices, and providing better service, which the public deserves! The APWU also demands that the public have a voice in how the Postal Service runs by allowing public comments and making them available and accessible in the face of the network changes that affect us all.
Postal workers know just how well the public postal service can work. In 2020, postal workers delivered 97.9 percent of ballots to election officials within three days. In 2022, postal workers delivered 99 percent of ballots to election officials within three days. With signs that read “VOTE BY MAIL, WE WON’T FAIL” our message rang loud and clear. We want every piece of mail to be handled as well as election mail and ballots.
“Postal workers and the Postal Service are prepared to do an excellent job to ensure that ballots and election-related mail are delivered in a timely manner. But efficient and timely service also should apply all year to the delivery of prescription drugs, Social Security checks, financial documents, personal correspondence, and other mail and packages,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “With the chaotic implementation of ‘network modernization’ combined with new management plans to slow down more mail, particularly as it relates to rural America, mail service is heading in the wrong direction. This must be reversed and fixed. Postal workers know what it takes to get back on track, and I hope management heard us loud and clear today!”
“We are proud to be able to show up for the people in every community to deliver their vital and sometimes life-saving mail,” said APWU Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth “Liz” Powell. “By rallying on the streets of over 90 cities, we showed that we are ready to take care of election mail and ballots this fall, and to do what it takes to provide high-quality, dependable mail service to every household in America.”
Hundreds of local news stations and newspapers covered the rally, and social media was flooded with photos and videos coming from workers on the ground at actions, ultimately reaching millions of everyday voters and postal customers. Those who could not get off work to participate sent in selfies with stickers and buttons on to show solidarity. At the end of the day, we sent the message to the public about the trustworthiness of election mail, and a message to management about the need to provide that same great service year-round with improved staffing and a good contract for APWU members.
Find our petitions, photos, and more from our National Day of Action at apwu.org/rally
Photos from our rallies:
Washington, DC
Dallas, TX
Hillcrest Post Office
Niagara Falls, NY
Maine Local 458
Washington, DC
Dallas, TX
Hillcrest Post Office
Niagara Falls, NY
Maine Local 458
Thousands of dedicated postal workers took to the streets for our “October 1 National Day of Action” to let the public know just how well we can move the mail when given the proper tools. 0
Read More....
We Won’t Be Silenced: APWU Members Loud and Proud for October 1 National Day of Action
October 8, 2024Thousands of dedicated postal workers took to the streets for our “October 1 National Day of Action” to let the public know just how well we can move the mail when given the proper tools.
Fighting Today for A Better TomorrowBetter Postal Staffing
Thousands of dedicated postal workers took to the streets for our “October 1 National Day of Action” to let the public know just how well we can move the mail when given the proper tools.
Rallying in over 90 cities from the East Coast to the West – and beyond – thousands of postal workers from hundreds of APWU locals and states, with the support of community allies, came out in full force on Oct. 1 to promote Vote-by-Mail, advocate for a strong new contract with language to guarantee better staffing, and demand that postal management treat all mail, all year long, with the same care and attention that election mail and ballots receive during election season. This means increasing staffing at post offices, and providing better service, which the public deserves! The APWU also demands that the public have a voice in how the Postal Service runs by allowing public comments and making them available and accessible in the face of the network changes that affect us all.
Postal workers know just how well the public postal service can work. In 2020, postal workers delivered 97.9 percent of ballots to election officials within three days. In 2022, postal workers delivered 99 percent of ballots to election officials within three days. With signs that read “VOTE BY MAIL, WE WON’T FAIL” our message rang loud and clear. We want every piece of mail to be handled as well as election mail and ballots.
“Postal workers and the Postal Service are prepared to do an excellent job to ensure that ballots and election-related mail are delivered in a timely manner. But efficient and timely service also should apply all year to the delivery of prescription drugs, Social Security checks, financial documents, personal correspondence, and other mail and packages,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “With the chaotic implementation of ‘network modernization’ combined with new management plans to slow down more mail, particularly as it relates to rural America, mail service is heading in the wrong direction. This must be reversed and fixed. Postal workers know what it takes to get back on track, and I hope management heard us loud and clear today!”
“We are proud to be able to show up for the people in every community to deliver their vital and sometimes life-saving mail,” said APWU Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth “Liz” Powell. “By rallying on the streets of over 90 cities, we showed that we are ready to take care of election mail and ballots this fall, and to do what it takes to provide high-quality, dependable mail service to every household in America, while ensuring the public’s right to comment.”
Hundreds of local news stations and newspapers covered the rally, and social media was flooded with photos and videos coming from workers on the ground at actions, ultimately reaching millions of everyday voters and postal customers. Those who could not get off work to participate sent in selfies with stickers and buttons on to show solidarity. At the end of the day, we sent the message to the public about the trustworthiness of election mail, and a message to management about the need to provide that same great service year-round with improved staffing and a good contract for APWU members.
Find our petitions, photos, and more from our National Day of Action at apwu.org/rally
Photos from our rallies:
Washington, DC
Dallas, TX
Hillcrest Post Office
Niagara Falls, NY
Maine Local 458
Washington, DC
Dallas, TX
Hillcrest Post Office
Niagara Falls, NY
Maine Local 458
Thousands of dedicated postal workers took to the streets for our “October 1 National Day of Action” to let the public know just how well we can move the mail when given the proper tools. 0
Read More....PICO RIVERA ARTICLE 12 AREA REGIONAL MEETING SUMMARY
Wednesday, September 25, 2024Western AreaWestern pico_rivera_article_12_area_regional_meeting_summary.pdfPICO RIVERA ARTICLE 12 AREA REGIONAL MEETING SUMMARY
Read More....Postal workers protest in downtown Milwaukee; ‘No closures, no cuts, no ifs, no buts!’
https://www.cbs58.com/news/postal-workers-protest-in-downtown-milwaukee-no-closures-no-cuts-no-ifs-no-butsTuesday, October 1, 2024Day of ActionBetter Postal StaffingPostal workers protest in downtown Milwaukee; ‘No closures, no cuts, no ifs, no buts!’
Read More....Postal Workers Hold Nationwide “Day of Action” Oct. 1 in 90 Cities to Promote Vote-by-Mail, Demand First-Class Service Year-Round
October 1, 2024WASHINGTON – On Tues., Oct. 1 postal workers who are members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) will be rallying with the public in front of postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about the United States Postal Service’s substandard performance and service to communities. Rallies are planned in 90 cities including Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Denver, Seattle, and Honolulu.
A Grand AllianceBetter Postal Staffing
WASHINGTON – On Tues., Oct. 1 postal workers who are members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) will be rallying with the public in front of postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about the United States Postal Service’s substandard performance and service to communities. Rallies are planned in 90 cities including Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Denver, Seattle, and Honolulu.
“The postal service is doing an excellent job ensuring that ballots and election related mail are delivered in a timely manner. But efficient and timely service also should apply all year to the delivery of prescription drugs, Social Security checks, financial documents, personal correspondence, and other mail and packages,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein.
With the exception of the special provisions being applied to election mail, mail service has been noticeably slower for millions of customers due to postal management’s poor implementation of its plan to modernize mail facilities and its move to ship much of the nation’s mail and packages to distant processing centers. Pressure from members of Congress and the collective efforts of postal workers has caused a rethinking of elements of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan. But it isn’t just postal management that is at fault; the Postal Board of Governors has limited public comments in its meetings and has made many of its decisions that slow service behind closed doors, including a recent decision that will further slow rural mail beginning in 2025 if allowed to take effect. The APWU is demanding greater transparency.
This week, APWU members, joined by community and labor allies, are calling for the public’s help in demanding improved staffing for postal workers and improved customer service along with more opportunity for public input. While some elements of the Delivering for America plan are necessary for the postal service to modernize, it makes little sense to take mail being sent within the same city, county or Zip Code to locations sometimes hundreds of miles away by truck and then transported back.
The APWU is advocating for the USPS to invest more in its workforce. Recruiting and retaining a dedicated workforce is key to reliable service. While the USPS has converted thousands of temporary, non-career positions to career track over the past couple years, it has not proven sufficient to address turnover problems and short staffing.
“Staffing is an issue that needs to be addressed. It’s not just new hires and retention. We need more staff. The public sees the long lines at postal counters, where we handle more packages today than ever before, but while the number of packages handled has dramatically increased, the number of clerks has declined over the past two decades by over 10,000,” said Dimondstein.
In 2006 the USPS handled 1.2 billion packages. In 2024 that number of packages processed has risen to more than 8.5 billion annually, 23.5 million packages every day.
The public is not blind to the problems. While a majority of Americans maintain a favorable impression of the USPS, according to polling released by the Pew Research Center in March 2023, the number of Americans viewing the USPS favorably dropped from 91 percent in 2020 to 77 percent in the latest poll.
This decline in confidence has likely dropped further this year due to false claims made by former President Trump and others about the reliability of election mail. Postmaster General DeJoy in a recent news conference debunked those claims. The USPS is taking “extraordinary measures” to deliver mail-in ballots. In postal facilities, election monitors are working to ensure election mail has been sorted and moved out for transportation or delivery. Ballots and other election mail is moved ahead of other mail. The USPS also authorized extra deliveries, collections, transportation, and overtime for this purpose.
USPS took a similar approach to election mail in the 2020 and 2022 elections and in the state primaries earlier this year, it worked extraordinarily well. In 2020, 97.9 percent of ballots were delivered to election officials within three days. In 2022, 99 percent of ballots were delivered to election officials within three days.
The American Postal Workers Union represents 200,000 employees of the United States Postal Service and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. For more information on APWU, visit www.apwu.org
# # #
WASHINGTON – On Tues., Oct. 1 postal workers who are members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) will be rallying with the public in front of postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about the United States Postal Service’s substandard performance and service to communities. Rallies are planned in 90 cities including Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Denver, Seattle, and Honolulu.The public has a right to the prompt, reliable service that ballots and election mail receive, says the American Postal Workers Union0
Read More....Postal Workers Hold Nationwide ‘Day of Action’ Oct. 1 in 90 Cities to Promote Vote-by-Mail, Demand First-Class Service Year-Round
October 1, 2024WASHINGTON – On Tues., Oct. 1 postal workers who are members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) will be rallying with the public in front of postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about the United States Postal Service’s substandard performance and service to communities. Rallies are planned in 90 cities including Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Denver, Seattle, and Honolulu.
A Grand AllianceBetter Postal Staffing
WASHINGTON – On Tues., Oct. 1 postal workers who are members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) will be rallying with the public in front of postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about the United States Postal Service’s substandard performance and service to communities. Rallies are planned in 90 cities including Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Denver, Seattle, and Honolulu.
“The postal service is doing an excellent job ensuring that ballots and election related mail are delivered in a timely manner. But efficient and timely service also should apply all year to the delivery of prescription drugs, Social Security checks, financial documents, personal correspondence, and other mail and packages,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein.
With the exception of the special provisions being applied to election mail, mail service has been noticeably slower for millions of customers due to postal management’s poor implementation of its plan to modernize mail facilities and its move to ship much of the nation’s mail and packages to distant processing centers. Pressure from members of Congress and the collective efforts of postal workers has caused a rethinking of elements of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan. But it isn’t just postal management that is at fault; the Postal Board of Governors has limited public comments in its meetings and has made many of its decisions that slow service behind closed doors, including a recent decision that will further slow rural mail beginning in 2025 if allowed to take effect. The APWU is demanding greater transparency.
This week, APWU members, joined by community and labor allies, are calling for the public’s help in demanding improved staffing for postal workers and improved customer service along with more opportunity for public input. While some elements of the Delivering for America plan are necessary for the postal service to modernize, it makes little sense to take mail being sent within the same city, county or Zip Code to locations sometimes hundreds of miles away by truck and then transported back.
The APWU is advocating for the USPS to invest more in its workforce. Recruiting and retaining a dedicated workforce is key to reliable service. While the USPS has converted thousands of temporary, non-career positions to career track over the past couple years, it has not proven sufficient to address turnover problems and short staffing.
“Staffing is an issue that needs to be addressed. It’s not just new hires and retention. We need more staff. The public sees the long lines at postal counters, where we handle more packages today than ever before, but while the number of packages handled has dramatically increased, the number of clerks has declined over the past two decades by over 10,000,” said Dimondstein.
In 2006 the USPS handled 1.2 billion packages. In 2024 that number of packages processed has risen to more than 8.5 billion annually, 23.5 million packages every day.
The public is not blind to the problems. While a majority of Americans maintain a favorable impression of the USPS, according to polling released by the Pew Research Center in March 2023, the number of Americans viewing the USPS favorably dropped from 91 percent in 2020 to 77 percent in the latest poll.
This decline in confidence has likely dropped further this year due to false claims made by former President Trump and others about the reliability of election mail. Postmaster General DeJoy in a recent news conference debunked those claims. The USPS is taking “extraordinary measures” to deliver mail-in ballots. In postal facilities, election monitors are working to ensure election mail has been sorted and moved out for transportation or delivery. Ballots and other election mail is moved ahead of other mail. The USPS also authorized extra deliveries, collections, transportation, and overtime for this purpose.
USPS took a similar approach to election mail in the 2020 and 2022 elections and in the state primaries earlier this year, it worked extraordinarily well. In 2020, 97.9 percent of ballots were delivered to election officials within three days. In 2022, 99 percent of ballots were delivered to election officials within three days.
The American Postal Workers Union represents 200,000 employees of the United States Postal Service and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. For more information on APWU, visit www.apwu.org
# # #
WASHINGTON – On Tues., Oct. 1 postal workers who are members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) will be rallying with the public in front of postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about the United States Postal Service’s substandard performance and service to communities. Rallies are planned in 90 cities including Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Denver, Seattle, and Honolulu.The public has a right to the prompt, reliable service that ballots and election mail receive, says the American Postal Workers Union0
Read More....Memo to the Field: Liteblue-Direct Deposit Theft Case
Arbitrator Dennis Nolan issued an award on the NALC’s national dispute over the Postal Service’s liability for lost wages when its direct deposit system was compromised in 2022. The APWU and the Mail Handlers intervened in the case. Although crediting the unions’ description of events and noting the hardship to individuals who lost money through the criminal direct deposit scam, Arbitrator Nolan found that the collective bargaining agreements did not clearly protect employees in this specific situation.
Memo from Industrial Relations Director Charlie Cash to the field on the Nolan Award on the Direct Deposit Theft case numbers APWU No. HQTG20230019; USPS No. 6X21C6XC23088825Wednesday, September 25, 2024
GATS Number:
6X21C6XC23088825
APWU National Grievance Number:
HQTG20230019DennisNolanNo LiteBlue
, Direct Deposit
9
https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/092524_memo_to_field_re_nalc_national_award_-_direct_deposit_theft_case.pdf
Craft:
All Craft
Document Type:
Other0
Read More....Why do you love Postal Workers?
Whether you’re a postal employee or a community ally of the USPS, record a quick video to share your support for Postal Workers! Why do you love Postal Workers?
The United States Postal Service is an essential part of the fabric of our community and our country. We depend on the “prompt, reliable, and efficient” service promised by law. Postal workers are proud to provide these essential services to you.
By making our voices heard, we can all build a better Postal Service. Community allies, postal supporters, and post office customers, why do you love Postal Workers?
*Please note that this is not a method for members to submit a workplace grievance, report toxic workplace issues, or report an illegal form of harassment/discrimination. To do so you must contact your local union representatives to discuss the issue and see what action can be taken. Please request union time through your supervisor or manager to meet with and discuss your issue with your local union official(s).
Record your storyTell us about yourselfEnter your information and confirm that you agree for APWU, our campaigns and allies to share and edit your video. See below for the full disclaimer information.
*Please note that this is not a method for members to submit a workplace grievance, report toxic workplace issues, or report an illegal form of harassment/discrimination. To do so, you must contact your local union representatives to discuss the issue and see what action can be taken. Please request union time through your supervisor or manager to meet with and discuss your issue with your local union official(s).
Keep your message short. Keep your face in the middle of the picture and click “send your video” when you’re done.
Tell us your name, craft, and local if applicable
Are you an APWU member or ally?
Share a story: Why do you love Postal Workers?
Speak Up and Record Your Story!I agree that APWU may use photographs or video footage of me. I authorize APWU to use my name, likeness, photograph, image, voice, or video footage of me for any purpose in print, electronic, video, or other communications. I understand and agree that APWU will own all rights, including copyrights, of any kind in the photograph or video footage submitted. I grant APWU the unrestricted right and permission to edit, modify, use, re-use, publish, and republish, in whole or in part, the photograph or video footage of me without restriction, made through any and all media now or later known. I waive and release any claims that I may have against APWU, and any of its respective licensees, successors, assigns, heirs or representatives: (i) Based upon or arising from any use of my photograph or video footage by APWU, including without limitation, any right to inspect the communications or to pre-approve the use of my image, (ii) Any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement, or (iii) For any payment(s) for such use.
Video submissions are subject to internal review. Submission confirms your consent for possible sharing across APWU platforms. This is not a tool to submit a grievance. To do so, please contact your steward, local representative or national business agent if you need to file a grievance.
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