All APWU represented employees who are retirement eligible should consider delaying their retirement until the Postal Reform efforts have been concluded. Each of the legislative initiatives (Issa – Carper – Obama) includes the return of the $7 billion overpayment with authorization to use it for retirement incentives. Retroactivity is probably unachievable so to secure eligibility, […]
Questions and Answers defining the 2011 national agreement will be invaluable in the enforcement of the newly negotiated provisions; however they omit a number of important subjects such as those referenced below. Perhaps the language is sufficiently clear that clarification is not required to explain the agreement that: * Reduces wages up to 60% for […]
One of the web sites that focuses on postal issues recently suggests that I favor “throwing in the towel” on 5 day delivery by supporting the Obama plan for postal reform. This analysis misinterprets my suggested course for addressing the USPS’ dilemma. The choices offered in this political struggle are: 1. Issa/Ross – Carper/McCain a. […]
The Issa/Ross Bill has now been voted out of Committee but it is a long way from finalization. It is a disappointment that the progressive forces were unable to substitute HR 1351 for the regressive legislation intended to break postal unions and continue the long standing practice of using USPS’ revenues as the piggy bank of […]
My opposition to the new national agreement is well chronicled as I voiced my opinions about the significant changes that would be made to postal employment but the ratification process is now history and focus must be centered on its application and to the issues of the day. Contrary to the opinions of nonunion members, […]
Former APWU President William Burrus sent the following letter to Rep. Darrell Issa: Congressman Darrell Issa Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 2157 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20015-6143 Mr. Chairman, I am William Burrus, President Emeritus of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO and I take strong exception to your letter of July […]
“Senators, Carper, Collins and Coburn hold the future of the United States Postal Service in their hands” Part 4 – Will The Post Office Survive? I have written this series to address the uncertainties of thousands of APWU members who are concerned about the long term survival of the Postal Service as a continuing place […]
Perhaps it is time for the Postal Service to consider offering a healthy incentive for APWU represented employees to retire. The wage difference between a Grade 6 Step 0 employee and a newly hired replacement is $18,000 per year ($53,102 vs. $35,182) so for every 1000 employees replaced, the Postal Service saves 18 million dollars […]
Former APWU President Bill Burrus’ perspective on the survival of USPS Over the past 50 years pundits and politicians have speculated about the imminent demise of the United States Postal Service and to date they have been proven wrong. Despite the outstanding record of existing for 30 years without government subsidy, a cottage industry emerged […]
My disagreements with the tentative agreement have been chronicled on this site and repeated on occasion by others. The source of my criticisms have been centered on the severe reduction of pay for new employees without providing them a voice; the significant increase in non-career employees who will be fully integrated in the work force […]