AFL-CIO CHIEF TRUMKA COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

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PA AFL-CIO SCHOLARSHIP

January 12, 2010 - The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO announced its annual "Unionism In America" Essay Contest. Scholarships are awarded to students who are: (1) Graduating high school seniors; (2) Students attending an accredited, post-secondary institution; and (3) Affiliated union members attending an accredited institution. For information, contact Judy Staker at (717) 231-2873. The contest is open only to PA AFL-CIO affiliated union members and their families. The deadline is January 31, 2010.

More information

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APWU SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

1. E.C. Hallbeck Memorial Scholarship (provides $1000 for each of 4 consecutive years of college) - must be postmarked by March 1, 2010 and received no later than March 15, 2010.

2. APWU Vocational Scholarship - for students attending an accredited vocational school or community college vocational program as a full-time student (provides $1000 for each of 3 consecutive years) - must be postmarked by March 1, 2010 and received no later than March 15, 2010

3. Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union John T. Boxler Scholarship (provides $1000 for each of four consecutive years of college) - deadline: May 1, 2010.

Call the union office for information and forms - (610) 544-6415.

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ELM CHANGE - WORK UNIFORM

January 1, 2010 - The Employee Labor and Relations Manual, Section 930, is being updated to add a domestically-produced, solid, postal-blue fabric for the Types 1 and 2 uniform shirts.

USPS notice of proposed change to the ELM

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CUSTODIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT REINSTATED TO MEDIA

December 15, 2009 - The APWU reached a pre-arbitration settlement with the USPS that reinstated the fifth full time regular custodial duty assignment at the Media/Media Annex facility. The assignment will be posted for bid among the current Media/Media Annex custodial staff, and the resultant residual vacancy may be withheld pursuant to Article 12 for a potentially displaced APWU bargaining unit employee. The settlement cited the MS-47 Handbook and the Das 2001 MS-47 Award.

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ARTICLE 12 WITHHOLDING RADIUS EXPANDED

December 15, 2009 - The USPS notified the APWU that they would be expanding the Article 12 withholding radius to 500 miles for level 7 and below Clerk, Level 4 and below Custodian, Level Q1 and below Letter Carriers, and Level 5 and below Mailhandlers. The expansion is due to the inability to identify residual vacancies within 100 miles of the Philadelphia L&DC initially announced in September.

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OIG RELEASES AUDIT REPORT ON PHILA DISTRICT

October 27, 2009 - The USPS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has released an audit report assessing financial accountability compliance in the Philadelphia Metropolitan District, USPS. The OIG identified a potential loss of more than $2 million resulting from managers not effectively implementing internal controls.

OIG Audit Report

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WYNNEWOOD POST OFFICE TO CLOSE

November 13, 2009 - The USPS has notified the Tri County APWU of their intention to close the Wynnewood Post Office and relocate Wynnewood operations to the Havertown Post Office.

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APWU FIGHTS FIRING OF REASSIGNED CLERKS

The APWU has notified USPS management of our position that employees who are being reassigned via Article 12 into the letter carrier craft must pass the driving test prior to reassignment, thereby preventing the employer from firing employees for not qualifying once reassigned. The USPS has terminated a number of clerks who failed the driving test after excessing and abolishment procedures forced them to reassign into the letter carrier craft.

Letter from APWU to USPS Labor Relations

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HOURS AVAILABLE FOR PTF CLERKS

Not getting enough hours? Our union hall receives calls daily from post offices needing help. Call Vice President Carol Ann Santosusso at the Broomall Post Office, (610) 356-7152, for the latest opportunities. PTF clerks who are not getting forty hours but cannot get a release from their current Postmaster to work in other offices may need to file a grievance.

PTF Questions and Answers Memo

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"DOG BITE MONEY" BAND WINS WMGK HOUSE BAND CONTEST!

Dog Bite Money, a band formed by one of our members from the Collegeville Post Office, Fred Geller, won the 102.9 WMGK-FM 2009 house band contest. Fred started the band with a letter carrier who was bitten by a dog and then used the money he got from the injury to start a band - hence the name. Congratulations from the Tri County Local APWU to Fred and the band!

Dog Bite Money

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MEMBERS, YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED!

Gail Ganiszewski, Legislative Director for the Tri County First Area Local, APWU, is urging local members and all concerned with the future of the USPS to take action on a number of important legislative issues. Please visit our Legislative page to sign up for legislative e-alerts and see the latest information from Legislative Director Ganiszewski.

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LOOK FOR THE UNION LABEL - ONLINE SHOP

Look for the union label when you shop online! The link below takes you to the AFL-CIO online store. To find more union label shopping, visit the LIBRARY link on this site.

Union Shop Online

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BEYOND GOING POSTAL: BOOK EXPLORES USPS HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT

After thirty years in the postal service, Stephen Musacco has written a book exploring the bullying tactics employed by postal management that create a toxic work environment. In Beyond Going Postal: Shifting From Workplace Tragedies and Toxic Work Environments to a Safe and Healthy Organization, Dr. Musacco chronicles the fallout of our unhealthy organizational culture, and proposes solutions. Dr. Musacco has sent copies of the book to key members of Congress and to Hilda Solis, the new U.S. Secretary of Labor, in an effort to bring attention to the crisis faced by USPS employees.

Beyond Going Postal, by Stephen Musacco

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CALLS RENEWED FOR CONGRESS TO ADDRESS TOXIC WORKPLACE AT USPS

In an article titled "Another USPS Workplace Tragedy," retired USPS Workplace Improvement Analyst Stephen Musacco laments the suicide of a letter carrier at the Gastonia Post Office in North Carolina, and calls on Congress to address the toxic and unhealthy work environment fostered by USPS management.

Read Dr. Musacco's analysis

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UNION PLUS LAUNCHES PROGRAM FOR LAID OFF WORKERS

Union members who participate in Union Plus programs such as the Union Plus credit card or mortgage program may be eligible for assistance under the new Union SAFE program. The program provides grants to members who have been laid off, are on strike, are disabled, or who have large hospital bills not paid by their insurance.

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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR JANUARY

Wednesday, January 27
6:45 - 8:45 p.m.
Strath Haven Condominiums, 801 Yale Avenue, Suite 519
Phone: (610) 544-6415

Please park in lower level parking areas, enter on fifth floor service entrance only

AGENDA

• Complete Officer and Steward reports, Grievances and Arbitrations
• Legislation Updates
• Committee Updates
• Open floor discussion - Q & A
• Refreshments
• 2010 COPA 50/50 Raffle for APWU
• $25.00 door prize

2010 MEETING DATES

JAN	FEB	MAR	APRIL	MAY	MAY	JUNE	SEPT	SEPT	OCT	NOV Buffet	DEC Party
27	24	24	28	25	26	23	21	22	27	16	12

View template for Meeting Order of Business