(05/13/08) APWU efforts to build support in Congress for the Mail Network Protection Act got a big boost in the last two weeks, as 12 more members of the U.S. House of Representatives became co-sponsors. The bill (H.R. 4236) would require the Postal Service to bargain with postal unions before it engages in significant contracting-out.

(05/08/08) The passage of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act in December 2006 did not change the fundamental mission of the Postal Service, an APWU leader testified on Capitol Hill, and should not be perceived as justification for privatizing the nation's mail system or eliminating its obligation to provide service to all Americans.

(05/07/08) For the first time, APWU locals and state organizations will register delegates to the APWU National Convention online, through the union's Web site. "This is another important step on the road to modernization," said APWU Secretary-Treasurer Terry R. Stapleton. "Submitting paper credentials is a thing of the past."

(05/05/08) The Postal Service has informed the APWU that postal records will be updated May 16, 2008, to reflect the Feb. 16 pay upgrade of all APWU-represented employees, APWU President William Burrus reported in an update for union members. The 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement included provisions for a one-level upgrade for all APWU-represented employees, effective Feb. 16. Although employees' wages were increased on schedule, changes to Forms 50 and other postal records were not implemented in a timely fashion.

(05/05/08) A federal appeals court has upheld an unfair labor practice charge against the Postal Service in a case involving a supervisor who threatened to retaliate against an employee who had filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

(04/29/08) APWU member John Windle has been hard at work, boosting Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign as the important May 6 Indiana primary approaches.

(04/28/08) Six more members of the U.S. House of Representatives have become co-sponsors of the Mail Network Protection Act (H.R. 4236) in support of the union's efforts to reduce wasteful, inefficient, and detrimental subcontracting by requiring the U.S. Postal Service. The legislation would help preserve inexpensive, trustworthy mail service for the American public as well as USPS jobs by requiring the USPS to bargain with postal unions before it engages in significant contracting-out.

(04/22/08) On April 28 each year, the labor movement observes Workers Memorial Day to commemorate workers who have been killed or injured on the job, and to renew the fight for safety-and-health protections. This year's theme is, "Good Jobs, Safe Jobs. For All." More than three decades ago, with union backing, Congress passed legislation to establish safety and health standards to protect workers in every industry. In recent years, however, many of the safeguards have been eroded by lax enforcement.

(04/17/08) Eight more members of the U.S. House of Representatives have become co-sponsors of the Mail Network Protection Act (H.R. 4236) in the past two weeks, thanks to continuing outreach efforts by APWU locals. The legislation would help reduce wasteful, inefficient, and detrimental subcontracting by requiring the USPS to bargain with postal unions before it engages in significant contracting-out.

(04/16/08) The APWU has given a one-of-a-kind gift to the people of McCausland, Iowa: a donation of $30,000 to help save their post office. The contribution will pay for renovations to a building the small town purchased in order to stave off threats by the USPS to discontinue regular postal service for its 300 residents.

(04/14/08) APWU members rose to an important challenge in recent weeks: Postal workers submitted more than half of the postings to a Department of Labor Web site that features comments regarding proposed revisions to the Family and Medical Leave Act that would weaken the law.

(04/02/08) APWU President William Burrus has asked President Bush to appoint a Postal Service Advisory Council as required by Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. Under the law, the Postal Service must "consult with and receive the advice of" panel members representing postal unions and consumers as well as major mail users about important policy and operational decisions.

(04/09/08 - APWU press pelease with accompanying news and magazine articles.) The APWU National Executive Board has voted unanimously to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president. "Sen. Obama's message is one of hope and change," said union President William Burrus. "We are most impressed by Sen. Obama's commitment to eradicating the undue influence of special interests in the political process," he said.

(04/08/08) Time is running out for union members to voice objections to new regulations proposed by the Department of Labor that would undermine employees' medical privacy protections and make it more difficult for workers to exercise their rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

(04/03/08) Since Congress returned from its Easter recess on March 31, 10 additional members of the House of Representatives have taken a stand against wasteful, inefficient, and detrimental subcontracting by signing on to the Mail Network Protection Act (H.R. 4236).

(04/02/08) A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit by the APWU and the Consumer Alliance for Postal Services (CAPS), which sought access to the meetings and records of the Postal Service's Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC).

(04/02/08) The APWU National Executive Board has adopted a resolution criticizing Sen. John McCain for crossing a picket line of striking members of the Writers Guild to appear on the Tonight Show at the end of January. "This callous act by Sen. McCain showed an utter disregard for the efforts of ordinary workers to exact just and fair results in collective bargaining," the resolution said.

(03/28/08) The headlines last July seemed to say it all: "Labor Department Study Affirms That FMLA Is Working as Intended." So union activists were dismayed when seven months later the Department of Labor proposed sweeping new regulations for the FMLA. "Business as usual, that's the only reasonable explanation," said APWU Legislative Department Director Myke Reid of the more-recent news stories. "It seems like corporate America just won't give up in its quest to strip workers of their rights."

(03/25/08) A recent ruling Postal Regulatory Commission has concluded that a postage rate increase proposed the USPS includes an excessive "workshare" discount, APWU President William Burrus said in a recent update for union members. "The 2008 PRC ruling is Exhibit #1 in exposing the unhealthy relationship between postal management and influential large mailers," he added.

(03/25/08) Although a review by the Postal Regulatory Commission of proposed USPS postage increases found that the rate hikes are within the price cap permitted by 2006 postal reform legislation, there was another less publicized -- but highly significant -- conclusion: The proposed rates include a worksharing discount that exceeds the limits allowed under the law and amounts to an astounding 557.8 percent of postal savings.