(07/01/09) At a meeting at USPS Headquarters on June 23, the Postal Service briefed APWU Clerk Craft officers about plans to consolidate operations in large stations and branches. Managers also provided the union with an updated list of 3,243 stations and branches in Level-24-and-above installations that are being reviewed. At the briefing, postal officials said that 740 already had been identified as candidates for consolidation and/or closing.

In light of the reduction in the number of postal workers, I am requesting your staff to "explore the option" of offering a dues payment to start a union pension plan. -- Stephen, Houston Area Local

(06/26/09) The drive to win sick-leave credit for postal and federal workers covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) was revived June 25, when the House of Representatives included the benefit in the 2010 Defense Authorization measure. The bill was approved in the House by a vote of 389-22, and now goes to the Senate for consideration. The measure would grant FERS employees credit for unused sick leave when calculating their retirement annuity.

(06/25/09) APWU officers, staff and activists from as far away as Philadelphia and Florida joined thousands of other union members and healthcare advocates at a rally June 25 to demand that Congress pass legislation that provides quality care for all.

(06/24/09) A House subcommittee has approved an amended version of H.R. 22, legislation that would provide temporary relief from a provision of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act that requires the Postal Service to prefund the healthcare benefits of future retirees. The funding obligation -- combined with the nation's sharp economic downturn -- has brought the USPS to the brink of insolvency.