Flash Bulletins are paid for by members of the APWU.  Information contained in these bulletins is intended for APWU members.    Member questions and/or comments regarding any flash bulletin content are always encouraged.  Reading of publications prepared for and financed by dues paying members by those who do not is yet one more example of non-members accepting benefits that have been paid for by others! 

Legislative/Organization Committee News

Our first Legislative/Organization Committee (L/OC) meeting was held at 9:00 AM on Thursday January, 19 2006.  In this meeting we discussed organization, COPA, goals, and rewards.  Additionally, Bill Usher (Clerk at Fridley Annex) was appointed as the Committee Chairman.  The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM Thursday, February 23, 2006.  Our meetings are held at our NE Minneapolis Office on 1234 - 4^th Street.  If you might be interested in joining our L/OC or just want to see what goes on at an L/OC meeting talk with Bill Usher, John Goodman, or call 612-623-0677 and ask for Jerry!  PS – COPA rewards for 2006 will be phenomenal, don’t miss out on all your chances to win!  Contribute now and you may have over 60 chances to win cash, along with all the other benefits.  All for signing up through PostalEASE, EFT, or a cash contribution!

Report(s) of Tuberculosis Concern in Minneapolis P&DC

On January 19, 2006, the union was notified by management that the Hennepin County Community Health Department (HCCHD) Program Manager had notified them that an employee who works in the plant was diagnosed and treated for active tuberculosis.  We immediately met with management and the postal Occupational Health Administrator for the Northland District.

Although we were told and understand that there are legal restrictions as to what information can be divulged in a case like this, we were briefed on the characteristics of the disease and what course of action management and health authorities were taking to abate the situation.  We had many questions in our effort to determine if management was doing everything possible to protect the safety of all employees.  This will be an ongoing situation in that health authorities will be directing any additional precautions as deemed medically necessary. 

Since this is a situation that will warrant our continued attention we want to inform our members of what we understand to be situational facts at this time:

1) The subject employee has been treated and was no longer contagious as of November 4, 2005.  2) Family members and close associates of the employee were tested and tests were negative.  3) The USPS has ensured us that they will reveal all information possible on a timely basis in order to minimize the risk to postal employees.  4) Health officials will perform voluntary testing on a targeted group of postal employees sometime after January 27, 2006. 5) That the USPS is cooperating with, and working at the direction of, independent health authorities in order to abate associated safety risks ASAP.

In addition, the union has also made independent contact with the HCCHD Program Manager in order to further determine that all necessary action and information is currently being provided to the appropriate employees.  We were told that the USPS is fully cooperating with them at this time and has given every indication that they will continue to do so!  If you have any questions, concerns, or specific information that may be helpful, please contact us at 612-623-0677.  Questions for health authorities can be directed to HCCHD Program Manager, Maureen Murphy at 612-348-9840.

IF YOU ARE A COLLEGE STUDENT, HAVE A COLLEGE STUDENT, OR HAVE A GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR -NOW IS THE TIME TO WORK ON YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS!

Every year at this time the Minneapolis Area Local has a number of scholarship opportunities that become available to our members or the children of our members.   If you have a high school senior graduating this June or you are interested in scholarships for continuing education for yourself or a family member, you may wish to consider the following opportunities:

Minnesota AFL-CIO Scholarships

These Minnesota AFL-CIO  applications are  available on line, however,  since the Minneapolis Area Local must certify your APWU membership,  please request your application by calling the Union Office at 623-0677.  Also, you will want to be cautious to apply only one time --duplicates will invalidate the applicant.

Minnesota AFL-CIO Scholarships with May 1 2006 Deadline:

• Two David K Roe College or University $1,000 Scholarships
• Two Hubert H. Humphrey College or University $1,000 Scholarships
• One Donald Pilla Vocational $1,000 Scholarship

Applicants must be a graduating high school senior with a straight “B” or better average and the dependent of a Minneapolis APWU dues paying member, and must attend a post-secondary institution or trade school within the State of Minnesota.  The winners of the above are chosen by lot.

And

Minnesota AFL-CIO Bill Peterson Scholarship with an April 1, 2006 Deadline:

• Ten Bill Peterson Post-Secondary $1,000 Scholarships available to High School Seniors,

 College Students OR Adult Learners that are Members or a dependent of a member of the Minneapolis Area Local, APWU (Local #125).

The Nellie Stone Scholarship for Racial Minorities

Scholarships ranging from $500-$2500, as determined by Committee, are available for the racial minority Union member or the child, grandchild or spouse of a Union member.  Deadline is April 1.  Please call the APWU Union Office at 623-0677 for this application as we must certify Union Membership..

Minneapolis Area Local, APWU Scholarships

The Minneapolis Area Local, APWU offers four $2000 scholarships to graduating High School Seniors of our members.  The rules and application appear in the February and March issues of THE NORTHERN LIGHT.  Drawing at the April GMM will choose the winners.

National APWU Scholarship

The National APWU offers 1 Vocational and 1 College Scholarship to graduating high school senior students of APWU Members.  Winners are chosen on the basis of academic achievement.   These are lengthy applications and require a number of enclosures to be provided by the applicant.  Please request the forms soon to allow adequate time to apply.   Please Call the Union Office at 612-623-0677 for these applications.  All documentation with these applications must be received by the National APWU in Washington DC by March 15.

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