Political Activities for Postal Employees!

In what may well be one of the most important elections of our lives it is encouraged that all members become engaged in the political process!  We are entitled to get involved with many activities in order to support our candidates.  However, due to us being Federal Employees we are restricted in when and what type of political activities we can engage in by law specifically known as the “Hatch Act.” 

We understand that in some offices management has given service talks in which the political activities of employees were discussed.  We also understand that there may have been inaccuracies in the content of these service talks and/or the way they were perceived by the intended audience.

In order to clear up any confusion on permitted and prohibited activities the APWU has published a guide to political activities (derived from the code of federal regulations) for Postal Employees.  If you are a member and want to know all the ins and outs please contact your Steward.  A copy of this guide has been made available and will be available for review in our Union Offices!  

Congratulations, you’re ALL Getting a Pay Raise!

The paycheck you receive this Friday, Sept. 19th will include a Cost-Of-Living-Adjustment totaling $1,477 per year.  This wage increase will be the largest raise ever in the history of postal bargaining, and one of the largest COLA increases in our nation's history. Under our present national agreement COLA increases have totaled $2,642 with upgrades and contractual increases worth an additional $1,324.

Raises like the one you will receive this week have made our jobs among the most sought-after in communities across America.  Our healthcare coverage, retirement benefits, vacation, sick leave and protection against layoffs provide security that is shared by very, very few workers.

These raises, and all our benefits, are the result of union activities made possible by dues paying members.  Most of you reading this know the value of union membership and became APWU members.  But many of you are enjoying these hard-won benefits without paying your fair share.

We are at a critical junction.  The Postal Service is planning "network realignments" that will challenge six-day delivery, threaten universal service, and attack the USPS's exclusive right to deliver to mailboxes.  These challenges threaten our jobs - YOUR JOB - and the future of the Postal Service as we know it.

Protecting our benefits requires an effort by ALL employees if we are to maintain our power in the marketplace. To all non-members reading this: pay your fair share!  Protect yourself, your family and your future.  Don’t sit back while others to do it for you.  Now, more than ever, you need us - and we need you.