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RMD CALL-OFF # |
877-477-3273 |
TTY: 866-833-8777 |
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SENATE HOLDS HEARING ON POSTAL FINANCES
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CNBC HOST PUSHES THE ANTI-USPS AGENDA
USPS
Postmaster General Pat Donahoe was
interviewed on CNBC show The Kudlow
Report with Larry Kudlow. It was
clear from the outset of the interview
that Mr. Kudlow had an agenda. . . that
agenda was to trash the USPS and praise
his "favorite CEO" Fred Smith, of FedEx.
Kudlow bases his postions on the dearth
of misinformation about the USPS that is
being bandied about in the media.
At one point, PMG Donahoe tries to educate Mr. Kudlow by sharing some relevant and accurate information about the USPS. Mr. Kudlow snidely dismisses these claims saying, "I don't know where you got those numbers from." See the Video (sorry about the commercial!) |
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FOX NEWS IGNORES THE FACTS. . . AGAIN! On May 17, 2011, Fox & Friends hosts Gretchen Carlsson and Brian Kilmeade, along with Business Analyst Stuart Varney, aired an attack piece of the USPS, the APWU and postal workers. It seems that these fine journalists got the USPS prefunding of the Future Retirees Health Care confused with the overfunding of the Civil Service retirement fund. The USPS is seeking a return of the CSRS overfunding and the folks at Fox were quick to demonize this as a request for a taxpayer bailout. Nothing the trio reports in the segment is accurate, but that does not stop them from being mortified over a bailout (that never was!) See the video |
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CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES - ASK THEM TO COSPONSOR HR 1351 TO CORRECT CSRS & FERS OVERPAYMENTS APWU Legislative Dept. Grassroots Coordinator Ian Stublarec is urging local members to contact their representative asking for their support of bill H.R. 1351. This bill will correct the current overpayments made to both the CSRS and FERS funds. HR 1351 is a good bill that would totally fix both the CSRS and FERS overfunding problem. Unlike other bills that attempt to fix both CSRS and FERS overpayments HR 1351 is clear from having any negative aspects attached to it. To learn more about HR 1351 click HERE The APWU has set-up a website you can use to easily contact the House Representative for your disctrict. They have even prepared a form letter asking the congressman to co-sponsor bill 1351. All you have to do is fill in your name. To send a message to your representative go to the APWU Congressional Information Center click on the link for HR 1351 and complete the short form. |
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FLASHBACK: EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PTF WORKHOURS In 2003, the APWU saw an opportunity to secure additional workhours for PTFs in small post offices. Rather than hiring casuals, or having postmasters do clerks work the APWU negotiated with the USPS the ability to "loan" PTFs from one office to another. This agreement, known as the HUB Clerk Agreement, provides many PTFs with additional hours during this time of shrinking workloads. The HUB Clerk Agreement has been in place for over 7 years, yet there are still many who have questions, or do not fully understand its application. Along with the agreement, the USPS and APWU signed off on a series of questions and answers that deal with the day to day application of the HUB clerk Agreement. Those Q&A can be read HERE |
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CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE HEARING WAS MORE FIZZLE THAN FIRE
The April 5th Congressional Committee hearing on the APWU / USPS tentative agreement was billed as a grilling session where angry Republican Congressmen were going to get to the bottom of this "sweetheart" deal the USPS cut with the APWU. Many felt the USPS gave up too easily and did not get enough concessions. Some, including Committee Chairman Daniel Issa (R-CA) had the facts all wrong and was angry about stuff that was never agreed to.
In the end, the hearing turned out to be a boring affair. Very few Republicans even bothered to show up for the hearing. Committee Democrats applauded PMG Donahoe and APWU President Guffey for proving that collective bargaining does work. They praised the APWU and USPS for being able to negotiate an agreement that protects workers rights while also saving the USPS billions of dollars.
Tthe only fireworks came during an exchange between APWU President Cliff Guffey and Representative Ross (R-FL). Ross demanded that Guffey be honest with his answers and Guffey replied, "Are we both going to be honest?" A murmur of "ooooh!"s could be heard coming from the audience. Finally, referring to the APWU contest to encourage voter participation, Ross accused President Guffey of buying votes. When Guffey tried to explain the contest, Re. Ross continually cut him off. After repeatedly accusing the APWU President of buying votes, Guffey responded to Rep. Ross stating that buying votes, "is common on your side of the table, not ours." |
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LOCAL MEMORANDUMS AVAILABLE ONLINE Members are reminded that many of the Local Memorandums of Understanding (LMOU) for offices within the Lehigh Valley Area Local are available online. To access your offices LMOU, click the "LMOU" link in the menu (above). Not all LMOUs are currently online. Within the next few weeks we hope to have all LMOUs available. |
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UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT FILING TIPS Sandy Vito, Acting Secretary for the Department has provided us with valuable information and tips for members who, due to reductions in workhours, might find themselves applying for unemployment benefits. The fastest way to apply for benefits, according to Ms. Vito is on-line at www.dli.state.pa.us. In addition to this information, Ms. Vito has provided links and resources that will provide members with the most up to date information available. The Dept. of Labor & Industry has developed a "tip card" that you can print and carry with you. To learn more, visit the Unemployment Resources page on the PPWU website. |