APWU

Time is Running Out!

Posted in: APWU

August 27, 2024Enrollment Period (SEP), which waives the late-fee penalty for current Medicare Part A USPS annuitants to also enroll in Medicare Part B. The deadline to apply during the SEP is September 30, 2024.
magazineRetireesNancy Olumekor

Postal Service Health Benefits Program Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period
As a result of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, a Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP) began on April 1, 2024, and ends Sept. 30, 2024. This SEP gives USPS annuitants and their covered family members who are entitled to Medicare Part A, but are not currently enrolled in Medicare Part B, a one-time opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part B without incurring the Late Enroll Penalty (LEP).
Eligible annuitants and their covered family members should have received a special mailing from the USPS that includes an Eligibility Notice for Medicare Part B SEP, an Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B, and a special Business Reply Envelope to return the required forms to a special PO Box. Enrollment in Medicare Part B during this SEP is optional. If you enroll in Medicare during this SEP, your Medicare Part B coverage effective date will be Jan. 1, 2025.
lf you are enrolled in Medicare Part B as of Jan. 1, 2025, you and any Medicare-eligible family members covered by your Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) enrollment must remain enrolled in Part B to remain eligible for PSHB coverage.
Medicare Part B has a monthly income-based premium for all who enroll. The 2024 Medicare Part B premium is $174.90 per eligible family member, based on an income of less than or equal to $103,000 filing single tax return ($206,000 joint filing).
If you enroll in Medicare Part B, you will need to pay monthly Medicare Part B premiums. The premiums are usually taken out of your monthly Social Security or Office of Personnel Management annuity payment. lf you do not receive any of these payments, Medicare will send you a quarterly bill for your Medicare Part B premiums. Go to medicare.gov/basics/costs for more information on Medicare Part B premiums. Certain Medicare Part B enrollees will pay higher premiums based on higher income.
If you did not receive the SEP packet in the mail and you believe you are eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B during this SEP; or you have questions about Medicare Part B or the PSHB program, call the Postal Service at 1-833-712-7742 or send an email to retirementbenefits@usps.gov.
Requests to Terminate Part B Coverage
If you enroll in Part B during this SEP and later decide that you do not want or need the Medicare Part B coverage, you can request a termination from the Social Security Administration prior to the effective date, Jan. 1, 2025.
lf your termination request is made before Jan. 1, 2025, you will not owe any Part B premiums and you will maintain your eligibility for PSHB coverage. lf your request is made after Jan. 1, 2025, you will no longer be eligible for the PSHB Program unless a Medicare Part B exception applies. You will also be responsible for any Part B and PSHB premiums due through the month of termination. If you have questions regarding termination of Part B or if you would like to terminate your Part B enrollment, call Social Security at 1-800- 772-1213. TTY users call 1-800-325-0778.
Election Matters
APWU Family – our way of life, our families, our communities, our health, and our future are under attack. As union and community activists, as people of goodwill who have worked long and hard to build this country, we must do everything within our powers to make sure our families, our neighbors, our friends, and our coworkers participate in Vote-by-Mail or vote in person in November 2024 to make sure that Kamala Harris is elected President of the United States. We can’t just stop with Kamala; we must also elect officials up and down the ballot who will support our issues! ■

Time is Running Out!0

After a Successful Convention, the Support Services Division Continues Negotiations

Posted in: APWU

August 27, 2024“Your contract campaign actions, in concert with the negotiations, will show postal management that our union negotiators truly express the will of the workers.” – Support Services Director Arrion Brown
magazineSupport Services DivisionArrion Brown

We recently completed the APWU’s 27th Biennial National Convention in Detroit, MI. The convention was a productive gathering of union spirit and solidarity that will allow us to energize, mobilize, and organize the APWU and the labor movement. Our National Convention is the highest-ranking authority of our union, and the decisions made by our convention delegates will guide our future and define our union’s identity.
The APWU is, has been, and always will be, a union that fights for better conditions for postal workers and all working people. From the 1970 postal strike, when our forebearers’ work stoppage against poor wages and working conditions resulted in a victory that created our union, until modern times when the APWU demanded that the Postal Service prioritize election mail during the pandemic to ensure that we preserve our democracy, the APWU has always stood for what is right and just. The delegates of our convention used these powerful examples of union strength from our history as a guide to make resolution decisions for our future.
Although the Convention was held in July, the process for locals and state affiliates to submit resolutions for consideration began much earlier. The resolutions are submitted to National for review by a screening committee. The screening committee consists of APWU members appointed by the APWU President. They decide which committee the submitted resolutions will be referred to for consideration.
The additional committees are Labor-Management, Constitution, Formal, Health and Safety, Clerk Division, Maintenance Division, Motor Vehicle Division, Support Services Division and Legislative. Each of these committees’ members are selected from the membership. The committees’ job is to review each resolution from the screening committee and make a recommendation to the convention delegates to either adopt, reject, or refer the resolution.
The convention delegates are decided by each local and state APWU affiliate. The delegates vote on the resolutions after the respective committee presentation, and delegates have an opportunity to speak on the resolution from a microphone in favor of or against resolutions. Delegates may also make changes called amendments to the resolution if the convention delegates vote in favor of amending the resolution. The resolutions can cause spirited and passionate debate prior to the final vote, but once the vote is complete, a decision has been made and we move to the next resolution. The APWU Convention is one of the finest examples of union democracy in the labor movement. We should all be proud that we have a process for our voices to be heard by our delegate representatives.
Now that the convention has concluded, the National Negotiating Committee will continue contract negotiations for the main collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that covers the majority of APWU members. The membership will play a key role in determining how much strength we have at the bargaining table. Your contract campaign actions, in concert with the negotiations, will show postal management that our union negotiators truly express the will of the workers. Contract campaigns are influential at the bargaining table and are great ways to build union solidarity among members.
In addition to negotiating the main contract, the Support Services Division is also currently negotiating several supplemental agreements for private-sector bargaining units. We will also begin to negotiate for the second Human Resources Shared Service Center (HRSSC) Contract on Aug. 29 in Greensboro, NC. As with all contract negotiations, the members have and will be a key force in achieving our goals to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions. The communication between the bargaining unit and the negotiators drives our bargaining goals, while the actions our members take gives us the leverage to make our goals achievable. ■

After a Successful Convention, the Support Services Division Continues Negotiations0

17,000 AT&T Workers Strike Across Southeastern US

Posted in: APWU

August 23, 2024More than 17,000 AT&T workers across nine southeastern states walked off their jobs on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. The workers, represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA), filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against AT&T management’s bad faith bargaining during stalled contract negotiations. The APWU stands in solidarity with the brave union members in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee standing strong through their union and going on strike.

More than 17,000 AT&T workers across nine southeastern states walked off their jobs on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. The workers, represented by Communications Workers of America (CWA), filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against AT&T management’s bad faith bargaining during stalled contract negotiations. The APWU stands in solidarity with the brave union members in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee standing strong through their union and going on strike.
CWA District 3 representatives have been in negotiations with AT&T since June, but management has refused to send representatives to the table with the authority to sign off on many of the mandatory subjects and backed out of agreements made throughout the bargaining process.
Now, according to the CWA, management has resorted to using unqualified subcontractors and undertrained managers during the strike to perform work as customer service representatives and for installation and maintenance roles. “Our members have seen them at work in their communities and documented unsafe practices, including failure to wear proper safety equipment, failure to secure ladders and other equipment, putting the worker and nearby vehicles and pedestrians at risk, and failure to mark work areas with safety cones,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “We are encouraging members of the public to use extra caution when encountering these worksites.”
“I encourage our members to sign the petition and if you are near an action, join the striking workers on the picket line at AT&T,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “Workers across all industries deserve the dignity and respect of good faith bargaining during negotiations and I hope and expect that AT&T takes the workers’ demands for a fair contract seriously.”
The workers have set up a petition for supporters to sign at: cwa.org/attse-support.

17,000 AT&T Workers Strike Across Southeastern US0

Statement from APWU President Mark Dimondstein on the Postal Service’s Proposal to Further Slow Mail Processing and Delivery

Posted in: APWU

August 23, 2024The American Postal Workers Union is deeply concerned regarding the August 22nd announcement from postal management, with the support of the Postal Board of Governors, that they are once again planning to slow down much of the country’s mail.
The APWU understands that change is needed to address the profound and permanent changes that the internet and social media have caused in the way people communicate. Letters continue to significantly decline, and the Postal Service must gain more of the growing package market. While we remain open to change for the long run viability of the public postal service and our job security, we refuse to accept that a winning strategy includes further slowing first class mail and providing overall worse service to the people of the country.
Mark Dimondstein

The American Postal Workers Union is deeply concerned regarding the August 22nd announcement from postal management, with the support of the Postal Board of Governors, that they are once again planning to slow down much of the country’s mail.
The APWU understands that change is needed to address the profound and permanent changes that the internet and social media have caused in the way people communicate. Letters continue to significantly decline, and the Postal Service must gain more of the growing package market. While we remain open to change for the long run viability of the public postal service and our job security, we refuse to accept that a winning strategy includes further slowing first class mail and providing overall worse service to the people of the country.
Management is already failing to meet the current first-class mail service standards even after lowering delivery targets in 2021. Rather than fix the service delays and problems, these new management proposals are to simply “move the goalposts.”
The proposed service standard changes announced on August 22nd will be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC.) As we saw in 2021, the Commission issues only an Advisory Opinion on the proposals and ultimately lacks the power to stop them outright. We urge the Commission to do a thorough analysis of the impacts of the proposed changes, and for the Postal Service to seriously consider the Commission’s views before it proceeds in further degrading service. But make no mistake: our union and postal workers across the country will join with the public, leaders in Congress, and others, in rejecting this proposal and instead favor plans to bring mail service back to the high standard the public deserves and is promised under the law.
We demand a solution from the Postmaster General and the Board of Governors that fixes service delays, rather than further slowing the service standards for delivery. Management has the tools to improve service while at the same time improve the Postal Service’s finances. In addition to the growing package market, they need to focus on new and expanded services. Management can improve staffing and retention by working with the postal unions to ensure every postal job is a good job – with fair pay, decent benefits, and career opportunities. Instead of slowing service standards and accepting bad performance, management needs to put every effort behind improving all forms of mail service and regaining the public’s confidence that the Postal Service is in fact “Delivering for America.” The people of the country deserve nothing less.

The APWU understands that change is needed to address the profound and permanent changes that the internet and social media have caused in the way people communicate. Letters continue to significantly decline, and the Postal Service must gain more of the growing package market. While we remain open to change for the long run viability of the public postal service and our job security, we refuse to accept that a winning strategy includes further slowing first class mail and providing overall worse service to the people of the country.0

ATTENTION APWU RETIRED MEMBERS the APWU Retirees Department Presents: PSHB and Medicare Webinar

Posted in: APWU

ATTENTION APWU RETIRED MEMBERS: The APWU Retirees Department is proud to announce a virtual presentation about the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program & Medicare Part B Special Enrollment Period (SEP). RETIRED APWU members, join APWU National Officers and the USPS PSHB Representatives for one of two sessions: Thursday, Aug 29 at 4:00pm EST or Friday, Aug 30 at 12:00pm EST.
August 29, 2024 – 4:00PM to August 30, 2024 – 12:00PMVirtual NationalNoYes2024-08-30 00:00:00Postal Service Health Benefits and Medicare WebinarJoin APWU National Officers and the USPS Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Representatives for one of two sessions:
Thursday, Aug 29 at 4:00pm EST or
Friday, Aug 30 at 12:00pm EST.

To register, please select one of the links below for the date you plan to attend.
Aug. 29 Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TY7P-fIpThG5bltlvVAp0A
Aug. 30 Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ctMjHPAuQ5yXwDQGBKMlqw

After registering, you will receive a link to join the webinar.
00

PSHB Booklet

Posted in: APWU

https://d1ocufyfjsc14h.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/pshb_booklet.pdfPSHB Booklet

Maintenance Division Appoints Josh Montgomery as Southern Region NBA

Posted in: APWU

August 22, 2024In accordance with Article 21 of the APWU Constitution and Bylaws, Maintenance Division Director Idowu Balogun has appointed Josh Montgomery to serve as Maintenance Division, Southern Region National Business Agent “C”, with an effective date of Sept. 09, 2024.
APWU National OfficersMaintenance Division

In accordance with Article 21 of the APWU Constitution and Bylaws, Maintenance Division Director Idowu Balogun has appointed Josh Montgomery to serve as Maintenance Division, Southern Region National Business Agent “C”, with an effective date of Sept. 09, 2024.
Brother Montgomery received unanimous consensus in a vote by the Maintenance Council on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.
In 2010, The Postal Service promoted him into the Maintenance Craft as a Mail Processing Equipment (MPE) Mechanic at the Lafayette Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) where he was quickly promoted to an Electronic Technician position.
Montgomery became a union steward in 2012 and has been the Lafayette Local President since 2014 and Louisiana state president since 2019.
Brother Montgomery attended APWU Arbitration Advocacy Training in 2017 and has been actively handling regional arbitrations for the Maintenance Craft for his local and the entire Southern Region since then.
He received a bachelor’s degree in general studies at the University of Louisiana while working as a full-time Electronic Technician on the workroom floor at night and running the local and state organizations during the day.
“Brother Josh is a very seasoned arbitration advocate,” said Director Balogun. “I am greatly confident that he will be more than ready on day one.”

Maintenance Division Appoints Josh Montgomery as Southern Region NBA0