Vol. XXV, No. 29 / Jerry Sirois, President / November 23, 2004.

LOCAL REACHES $20,000 COPA BENCHMARK!

Another $250 winner is drawn!

Effective November 22, 2004, the local has reached and surpassed the 25/25 COPA club $20,000 benchmark! As in keeping with the 25/25 club rules, we have drawn from our donors of $10.00 or more and will be awarding a check for $250 to the winner of this drawing!

The winner of this drawing has requested to remain anonymous so in keeping with their request we will not divulge their name!! Our current COPA goal was to reach $25,000 dollars by the end of the year. While it does not appear we will reach that goal, we want to express our gratitude to all who have contributed as we have collected more for COPA during the inception of our 25/25 club, than during any comparable time frame in the local’s history!

At our November 22, 2004, General Membership Meeting a motion was approved for the local to once again sponsor a 25/25 COPA Club and President’s club incentive for the upcoming year! Our 2005 COPA goal will be $23,000 so please look for details in an upcoming mailing, and get in on the drawing opportunities right off the bat by donating $10 or more towards our 2005 COPA goal! Additionally, we will continue to monitor our progress in these flash bulletins with our 25/25 COPA thermometer. Make your New Years resolution now---help protect your wages and benefits by donation(s) to COPA in 2005!

HEALTH PLAN OPEN SEASON INFORMATION

This is a reminder that the health plan open season runs from November 8 – December 13, 2004. Make it a point to check out all the various plans and premiums. The APWU health plan stacks up very nicely, has an innovative consumer driven option and is very highly rated for consumer satisfaction among all the FEHB plans!

Call today if you have questions about the APWU plan, on how to switch plans, or any other information you would like to know! Call Sheila at 612-623-0677. Additional health plan representatives are Alice Crosbie who is a tour 3 Steward at the Minneapolis P&DC, Dick Greenberg who is an officer on tour 2 at the BMC and Don Sevre, who is available by calling 612-990-6294.

Because of added interest in the APWU Plan, and In addition to the Open season Health Fairs the APWU has already conducted. Don Sevre, APWU Health Plan Representative will be visiting several Associate Offices during the morning hours to answer questions and provide information on the plan:

November 30th – Hopkins and Minnetonka Annex

December 1st - Eden Prairie and Burnsville

December 2nd – Chanhassen Annex

Please call 612-623-0677 with any questions

STATION & ASSOCIATE OFFICE VISITS

During the week of December 6, 2004, your APWU Union Representatives will be visiting the Minneapolis Stations and various Associate Offices. We will be visiting between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

We will be available in the break room at each Station for any questions, comments, requests, or concerns you may want to address with us. Comment/suggestion forms will be available in the event anyone would like to make suggestions to us of how we may be able to improve any work related situation you may want to address. All comments and/or suggestions will be given serious consideration and feedback.

ARE YOU DELIVERING MAIL?

For whatever the reason, it seems like this is the time of the year that management attempts to find new ways to deliver the mail! The following information was recently put out to our Brothers and Sisters in St. Paul so we thought it was a good time to reprint the following language in the event these delivery methods are repeated here in Minneapolis.

It has come to our attention that clerks, as well as management, are delivering mail on their way home from work. First of all, this work belongs to motor vehicle, and second, if you are using your own vehicle for the purpose of work you are subjecting yourself to a series of problems. You need to have had defensive driving as part of your postal duties. If you don't have an insurance rider for business use on your vehicle and get in an accident, you will not be covered by your own insurance, nor will the postal service cover you. . Third, if you inadvertently leave mail in your vehicle you could be accused of theft and removed. Fourth, you should be on the clock, this would entitle you to overtime pay and mileage. If you are delivering mail or asked to deliver mail, request a steward.

REAGAN DAY OF MOURNING REMINDER!

Please be advised that for those eligible employees time is running out in the event they have still not used leave for the Reagan Day of mourning that was granted in June of this year. The agreement provides this leave must be taken within 6 months of the National Day of observance which was on June 11, 2004.

ADDRESS CORRECTIONS

When members move, we ask that you call Sheila in our Union Office at 612 623-0677 with your new address so we can keep our records up to date. Thanks

DECEMBER UNION ACTIVITIES

As has been a long standing practice due the increased work demands for our members during the month of December, we will suspend the publication of our paper THE NORTHERN LIGHT and there will be no General Membership Meeting in December. We wish all our members the best during the upcoming Holiday Season.

PENALTY OVERTIME EXCLUSION

As per Article 8 of the National Agreement, employees are reminded that the period of Penalty Overtime Exclusion this year will be from December 4, 2004 to December 31, 2004. Penalty Overtime regulations will not be applicable during this period.