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March 24, 2023
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Communication is Key

It has come to our attention that a large number of emails are being returned, inhibiting our ability to communicate with you, the members.  If you have not received an email message in the past two weeks, please do the following:

If you have used your USPS email, the system will reject the Union's email. Please use your private email. Rest assured we do not share your email with anyone, especially marketers.

If you have used a private email, make sure that our emails are not being placed in your spam folder. Mark the emails as not spam, or place in the white list.

Check the email in your profile, and make sure it is entered correctly.

Timely communication is integral to our mission, to keep you, the member informed. Please help us help you.

<< March 2023 >>
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Politifact
Action Center
Boycott Staples
Let Staples know we will not sit by while they take our jobs!! Click on the link to get a downloadable flyer!
UCOMM Radio
A radio station dedicated to union causes
NO to PULSE
The Postal Service is again urging workers to take a survey, called PULSE. Just like the VOE, the Union urges members to boycott this survey.
Contract Actions
Wear your Sticker Thursdays
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Retirement Webinar

Retirement webinar Session to be held Oct. 20 Oct. 13 at 9:15 a.m. The Oct. 20 session will cover how retirement benefits work. Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar on preparing for retirement. The session, “Retirement 101,” will be held Oct. 20 at noon EDT.

2022 Payroll Implementation Schedule

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Offer from Prudential Borrowing Corp

Dear Members, Retirees and Auxiliary Members,     As you no doubt know mortgage rates have reached  all time lows, some as low as 2.75 % As your Executive Board approved preferred mortgage lender we will waive the appraisal fee and  application fee plus we do not charge any points. If you are considering a home purchase or refinance now is the time to act.

Office short on masks? Read this and the item number

From USPS Headquarters: Topeka now has millions of surgical masks on hand.

PSE Health Plan Enrollment

For PSEs eligible to enrol in the Health Plan (over a year on the job or newly converted to career), you must send in the forms to Human Resources, not through Postal Ease at this time. For more information go to the PSE page from the menu on the left side. You must register on the website to get to that page.
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Accident Benefit Association Improvements

The ABA has announced an improvement to the program benefits. The ABA is also allowing spouses of members can enrol in the Plus Plan for benefits up to $150,000. Previous they were limited to $50,000.
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Lite Blue Issues

UPDATE from Director Industrial Relations Cash

All,

I just received the message below from the Postal Service which you may share with the field informing us the external link to PostalEase/Liteblue will be taken down today. This will require employees to make changes Postal Service devices within postal facilities.

Colleagues,

We continue to receive reports of employees clicking on fake LiteBlue websites, allowing cyber criminals to steal their usernames and passwords. A limited number of employees have reported changes to their net to bank or allotment changes due to this activity.

The USPS has taken multiple steps to combat this activity through enhanced communications, stand-up talks, working with internet providers to identify the sites as fraudulent, and proactively identifying potential victims.  Unfortunately, some employees continue to access the fake websites.

The VP, CISO has recommended disabling the external link to PostalEase today, December 29, 2022.

Taking this action will prevent any net to bank or allotment changes to occur unless employees log-in from a USPS issued device in a USPS facility to further protect employees against fraudulent websites. The Chief Information Office is working to expedite the deployment of a multi-factor solution which will prompt employees for a second identification factor, such as a one-time passcode through text or email or through an authenticator application that will be in addition to their usernames and passwords.

In the interim, please inform employees to call the helpdesk at 877-477-3273 for assistance with their urgent LiteBlue needs.

Headquarters is working diligently to resolve these security issues and enable LiteBlue to be available ASAP.

Thank you!

Tom

There are numerous scams going on with the USPS Lite Blue. It appears that hackers have developed a scam where they create fake Lite Blue sites and entice employees to attempt to log on. Your information is then stolen, and they are free to take your money. Protect yourself.  Below are two emails from our Director of Industrial Relations, Charlie Cash, on the state of the issue.

To: Charlie Cash <CCash@apwu.org>
Subject: Stand Up about Lite Blue Issues

All,

Please see the attached stand up talk and below message from the Postal Service. I apologize for the delay—things are crazy in Buffalo, and I will admit my family and home were my first priority during this disastrous storm that has taken 35 lives in Western New York.

The attached is an advisory about fake Liteblue Websites and attempts to compromise our member’s information. Please always got here LiteBlue (usps.gov) to access the real LiteBlue website.

Do not provide your EIN or password to anyone to include family, friends, or financial institutions that request it. We have reports that some advance check cashing or payday lenders (President Dimondstein and I call them legal loan sharks) are requesting member’s EINs, passwords, and LiteBlue login information in order to arrange these despicable loans—please do not give this information. Some of these institutions have been identified as the folks changing LiteBlue information and stealing member’s direct deposit.

We are in contact with the Postal Service on these issues and pushing for pay advances. However, the Postal Service as thus far taken the position that stolen direct deposit is no the fault of the USPS and not issuing advances. We are still pushing and fighting for this to happen. When I have more info, I will share.

In the meantime, if employees have issues, the need to contact their local stewards and officers who can then reach out to their NBAs if needs be.

Please share with field.

Also, below is a message from the USPS VP of Labor Relations, Tom Blum, pertaining to the direct deposit situation.

“However, I reiterate that everyone should go change their password and make sure they are using the appropriate website which is: LiteBlue (usps.gov)

All,

I have been receiving individual reports from around the country of problems with employee’s direct deposit. It seems that some are reporting that changes have been made to their direct deposits have been changed to a bank account that does not belong to them and they are not receiving their paychecks. I have received no reports from the Postal Service of a system comprise, but if I do, I will share the information with the field.

Please, everyone needs to do the following:

  1. Login into LiteBlue and change passwords—do it even if nothing has happened
  2. Check your payroll. If it is not being deposited immediately:
    1. Call HRSSC and report
    2. Call finance and report (HRSSC can provide number)
    3. Once reported, ask your immediate supervisor for a pay advance if you were comprised. If you were not comprised—do not ask for a pay advance as this will only complicate things for those who have been legitimately compromised. If an advance is denied, immediately report the denial to your local or state union. I ask that the local or state union report the denial for tracking to Lee Branca at lbranca@apwu.org.
  3. Do not give your information to anyone. There have been reports that some “loan” companies-aka check cashing advance—places asking for LiteBlue info—DO NOT GIVE THEM INFO!

The Postal Service is in the process of switching to MultiFactor Authentication for all LiteBlue Transactions. I am not disputing this change as it is important to protect everyone’s info. This will add an additional layer of security to protect our employees.

Thank you and remember—stay safe, wear your mask!

Charlie Cash

Industrial Relations Director

American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

Here is the message received from Vice-President of Labor Relations Tom Blum:

Colleagues,

VP Heather Dyer and the Inspection Service have confirmed Postal Service employees are often unknowingly providing their usernames and passwords to criminal websites, while attempting to access PostalEase.

Employees are using Google and attempting to access PostalEase; however, Google in-turn has been redirecting them to criminally run websites that mirror the look and access of PostalEase.

VP Dyer and the Corporate Information Security Office (CISO) are working with the Postal Inspection Service and drafting letters to the impacted group of approximately 119 employees, while also preparing a second letter addressed to all postal employees.  Both drafts are currently under review by the Privacy Office and Law Department.

We have received reports representations have been made at the district level confirming Postal Inspectors are contacting impacted employees, as well as employees who may have unknowingly been compromised, and requesting their EINs and passwords.

Please note . . . Postal Inspectors have not contacted postal employees and requested their EINs and/or passwords. (Emphasis added by Charlie Cash)

If you know of any financially impacted employees, please have them immediately contact the Eagan ASC Helpdesk at 866-974-2733.  Staff members are available to assist.

If you become aware of any employee experiencing access issues to PostalEase, please recommend they immediately contact 877-477-3273 to request assistance.

VP Dyer, the CISCO Team and the Postal Inspection Service continue working around-the-clock to enhance the security of PostalEase.

We will provide you with any additional information ASAP.

Tom

From the National Convention Resolution to Remove PMG DeJOy

Approved unanimously at the 2022 National Convention

REMOVE LOUIS DEJOY AS POSTMASTER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

New York Postal Workers Union * New York Metro Area Postal Union -

WHEREAS, The Postal Service had paid $286 million to XPO Logistics in seven years before Louis DeJoy was appointed Postmaster General of the United States, During that time. Mr DeJoy was employed by XPO Logistics as a top executive, and Mr. DeJoy and his family-owned tens of millions of dollars in stock in XPO Logistics,

and WHEREAS, Mr. DeJoy still retained between $30 million and $75 million in stock, in XPO Logistics once he became Postmaster General, the Postal Service increased its business to increased its business with XPO Logistics by $10 million, at the same time that the new Postmaster General was instituting policies that deliberately delayed the mail, removing mail sorting machines and mail collection boxes and reducing retail post office hours,

and WHEREAS, Postmaster DeJoy on March 23, 2021, unveiled his plan: Delivering for America-Our Vision and Ten-Year Plan to Achieve Financial Stability and Service Excellence, which institutionalized higher postage rates, slower services, and reduced post office hours as a means of saving money;

and WHEREAS, in April, 2021 the Postal Service awarded a $120 million contract to XPO Logistics to oversee operations at two “ crucial” sorting and distribution facilities in Atlanta and Washington D.C. while DeJoy’s family businesses continued to lease four North Carolina office buildings to XPO which could amount to $23,7 million in rent payments over the next ten years,

and WHEREAS, in April 2022 when the Postal Reform Act was signed into law, and it was hailed for relieving financial pressure on the Postal Service; Postmaster General Louis DeJoy warned Americans to get to use to “uncomfortable” postage rate increases in the upcoming years,

and WHEREAS, in May of 2022 Postmaster General DeJoy addressed the National Postal Forum where by exposing his plans, “ We are laser focused on our transformation. We will become much more efficient and operate at a lower cost. We will support mail innovation and add more value to each mail piece. We will grow volume and fill our trucks with mail and packages to better sustain our business. We are working hard to be the high-performing organization you need us to be, and we know we can be.” DeJoy will partially accomplish this by eliminating post offices in New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland and other locations where there are “40 locations within a tenmile radius.”,

and WHEREAS, it is now clear that if Postmaster General Louis DeJoy remains in office that postal customer will be receiving slower service while having to travel to a “centralized “ location to conduct postal business. The massive savings that DeJoy is promising can only come from elimination of union postal jobs which pay living wages and benefits including retirement,

and WHEREAS, Postmaster General DeJoy throughout his tenure has been brought before courts and Congress on multiple occasions to be investigated, and to explain his unwarranted cutbacks in service to the American people, his repeated appearances of impropriety in his financial dealing which has brought disgrace to the Postal Service and the position of Postmaster General, therefore be it Resolved, that the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO calls for immediate removal of Louis DeJoy as Postmaster General of the United States. 

HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act
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NLRB and Wearing Union shirts and buttons
 

08/29/2022 02:00 PM EDT
 
August 29, 2022

Today, the National Labor Relations Board issued a decision in Tesla, Inc., in which the Board overruled Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 368 NLRB No. 146 (2019), and reaffirmed longstanding precedent holding that employer attempts to impose any restriction on the display of union insignia, including by wearing union apparel, are presumptively unlawful, absent special circumstances that justify such a restriction. Wal-Mart Stores had previously held that the “special-circumstances” test applies only when an employer completely prohibits union insignia, and that lesser size-and-appearance restrictions on union insignia could be deemed lawful based on less compelling employer interests.

After consideration of public comment through a Notice and Invitation for Briefing, see Tesla, Inc., 370 NLRB No. 88 (2021), a Board majority consisting of Chairman McFerran and Members Wilcox and Prouty found that it was unlawful for Tesla to maintain a policy requiring employees to wear a plain black t-shirt or one imprinted with the employer’s logo, thus prohibiting employees from substituting a shirt bearing  union insignia. The Board reaffirmed that, consistent with Republic Aviation Corp. v. NLRB, 324 U.S. 793 (1945), when an employer interferes in any way with employees’ right under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act to display union insignia, that interference is presumptively unlawful, and the employer has the burden to establish special circumstances that make the rule necessary to maintain production or discipline.  The majority then found that Tesla failed to establish special circumstances in this case. 

“Wearing union insignia, whether a button or a t-shirt, is a critical form of protected communication. For many decades, employees have used insignia to advocate for their workplace interests – from supporting organizing campaigns, to protesting unfair conditions in the workplace – and the law has always protected them,” said Chairman Lauren McFerran. “With today’s decision, the Board reaffirms that any attempt to restrict the wearing of union clothing or insignia is presumptively unlawful and – consistent with Supreme Court precedent – an employer has a heightened burden to justify attempts to limit this important right.”

Members Kaplan and Ring dissented.

Q n A on Postal Reform and Medicare integration
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE POSTAL REFORM ACT OF 2022 Q 1: What are the major provisions of the Postal Reform Act of 2022? A: The bill has four primary pillars:1) ending the crippling retiree health benefit pre-funding mandate, 2) providing for prospective Medicare integration, 3) adding transparency to USPS service issues, and 4) guaranteeing six-day delivery.
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Canvas Opportunities PSE and PTF

Urgent message from National APWU President

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

For months, we’ve been sounding the alarm about the growing threats to our democratic rights. The failed coup attempt last January is a symptom of a larger movement intent on discrediting our elections and stripping the people of our right to vote. In the past year, 18 states have passed bills making it harder for working people to vote.

Federal legislation to protect voting rights is urgently needed to ensure barriers to voting are lifted across the country.

This week, the entire labor movement is mobilizing to demand the Senate pass crucial voting rights bills, namely the Freedom to Vote Act  and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

To get these bills passed, the Senate will have to ditch the undemocratic filibuster rules that prevent legislation from passing with a simple majority of senators.

In the coming days leading up to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, we are asking our members to call their Senators and urge them to do whatever it takes to pass this critical legislation.

Members should call the APWU Legislative Hotline at 844-402-1001 to be connected to their Senators.

We will have other tools available at https://apwu.org/news/urgent-action-needed-protect-voting-rights

Starting today, please make it an absolute priority to reach all APWU members and ask them to make these important calls, discuss the issue with their coworkers and continue to build a world that works for working people.

In solidarity,

Mark Dimondstein           Judy Beard

President                            Legislative & Political Director

Mark Dimondstein, President
American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO

1300 L Street, N.W.

Washington, DC  20005

Tentative Contract Summary
We have a tentative contract that will now be sent to the membership for ratification. This will be your opportunity to have your voice heard. Check APWU.org for virtual town halls to discuss the contract on December 16, 2021. @media only screen and (max-width: 730px){ .pdfview{height:500px !important} Tentative Contract Summary 2021.
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APWU Reitrement planning zoom
The APWU Retirees Department is holding a Zoom Retirement Planning seminar on November 21, 2021 at noon. This seminar is open only to APWU members and retirees who pay dues. Further information and a link to register is located on the Member Home Page, which requires our website password.
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TACS Settlement

Updated mask policy
@media only screen and (max-width: 730px){ .pdfview{height:500px !important} Mandatory Face Covering Policy Revised.pdf @media only screen and (max-width: 730px){ .pdfview{height:500px !important} COVID-19Delta Variant_SUT-XX-All-Employees_Face Coverings and-Masks_Return Update.
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National APWU Letter on Face Mask Policy
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Retail Rights and Wrongs

Postal Surveys raise their heads again
The Postal Service is again sending out a survey of employees, this time targeting Postal Support Employees. As the Union has for years, we urge our members to not participate in the surveys. The Postal Service manages to find ways to use the results against the Union in negotiations. They are not seeking to help employees, but for their advantage.
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NBA Coradi Meets with Senator Schumer
An Update from our National Business Agent Peter Coradi, a member of the NYS AFL-CIO Executive Council: Good Evening Sisters & Brothers/Union Family: Earlier today, I had the privilege to participate in a meeting with Senator Chuck Schumer, along with other members of the NY State AFL-CIO Executive Council.
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APWU Statement on George Floyd Killing
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APWU Health Plan Enhancement

APWU Health Plan COVID-19 Coverage Enhancements

The Health Plan will:
•     Cover COVID-19 testing at no cost* to the member when testing is prescribed by a clinical 
professional
•     Cover telehealth visits at no cost* to the member when visits are performed through the 
Health Plan’s telehealth providers:


o  High Option: Visits through Amwell are available at www.amwell.com at no cost* to the member
o  Consumer Driven Option: Virtual visits through AmWell, Teladoc, and Doc on Demand are available 
at www.myuhc.com at no cost* to the member

•     Cover telehealth visits to network providers at no cost* to member when related to COVID-19
•     Waive inpatient prior authorization requirements related to COVID-19
•     Reminder: Members are encouraged to use mail order for maintenance medications which provides 
a 90-day refill and the delivery is free

*All deductible, coinsurance, and copays will be waived

Covid-19 Decision Tree
Below are the steps that should be taken in certain cases of possible COVID-19 discovery. You should have the actual poster in your office. For a copy of the poster, click here.
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Important information
Immediate Action Required!   NEW APPROVED Retail Safe Guards & Actions to be taken in every office:      Social Distancing ·         Please ensure EVERY PO has lines and sign in place today.
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Statement from President Dimondstein
Statement from President Dimondstein: Postal Workers in a Time of Crisis Mark Dimondstein March 25, 2020 Since the early days of the Postal Service, we postal workers have helped stitch the fabric of the country together.
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Recent and important stand up talks
These are the most recent Stand Up talks. You should have received these talks. If you are not receiving these talks, contact your Union representatives. These are talks, do not let management leave them lying around and saying you should read them.  Enforce what is suggested. Social distancing is not an option, it is vital to protecting yourself.
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Use of Masks In the Post Office
Please note this important message from Director Zimmerman Subject: Use of Masks: Surgical and N95 There have been many questions recently about the use and wearing of masks while at work.  There is no dispute that an employee can wear a mask at work if they choose to do so. A concern was brought to me in regards to the “N95” masks.
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Coronavirus and FECA (Workers Comp)
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Renewed Optimism
Mike - As we started the New Year with the delivery of more than 400,000 petition signatures to the Postmaster General, President Dimondstein had a message for all members. "Let’s enter this year with renewed optimism and energy. I look forward to working with all of you as we continue to advance the cause of postal - and all - workers." Watch the video here.
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Greatest Grievance of All
Tom Brimm, Managing Editor, e Kentucky Labor News, June 1981 {t  would  be  the  most  famous  written IEVANCE in the history of man .
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Things a Member Should Do
Members, there are several things you should do periodically to protect yourself, and to assist your Union in protecting your rights. A very important and overlooked task a member should do is periodically review their Official Personnel File.  Know what is in your OPF, and if there is something that should not be in there, take action to have it removed.
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It's Your Job, Save It
Reprinted from the Wisconsin Postal Workers Volume 51    No.
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Urgent Safety Alert
Urgent Safety Alert Breaking news: It has just been reported that explosive devices have been sent through the mail addressed to a number of high-profile individuals and corporate entities. APWU leaders condemn such criminal acts. Our members are rightfully deeply concerned for their own well being and that of the public we serve.
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Benefits for PSEs
As if PSEs (or any employee represented by APWU) needed any additional reasons to belong to the American Postal Workers Union, these additional benefits and rights exacted for PSEs demonstrate how hard, and continuous, APWU works for their members.
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Postal Service Unilaterally Changes Safety Program
Not surprisingly, the Postal Service has once again unilaterally changed a program within the job. This time, the Postal Service has changed the safety program, essentially ridding themselves of safety captains, local safety and health committees, and the nuisance (to managers) form 1767 report of safety problems. This action seeks to circumvent the Union's and long standing practices.
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Unions Stand Together Against Postal Service Jobs Attack
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My job is safe. NOT!
So you thought you had a job, eh? A good job. Good days off, good hours.  Seniority has its privileges, eh?  You’re a senior lead clerk, level 7, do the tasks you want to do.  But do TACS? No, I do not want to do that. Station inputs? No, let them find some junior clerk to do that.  In fact, let management do that work.
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NO PULSE
03/02/2015 - The APWU and USPS are facing off over management’s latest scheme: The Postal Pulse, a new employee opinion survey. “The APWU vehemently opposes Postal Pulse – and any other employee opinion survey – despite management notices that say otherwise,” said President Mark Dimondstein.  A Feb.
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Someone Else Died

APWU Stands up for Safe Jobs


The American Postal Workers Union continually fights for safe jobs. The Postal Service, as we all know, is not the safest place to work. Learn what we can do to keep ourselves safe, and what the Union is doing to help keep us safe. For more information, click here.

Money on the table
For those Long Island NY Area Locals who have been paying attention, or have been on the receiving end, the members of this local have won thousands of dollars for various violations of our contract in their offices. Almost quarterly, many of our members receive checks for several hundred dollars to a couple of thousand dollars.
Read More...


 
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Philadelphia Labor Day

This is a Union Town

Flight Attendants against Postal Privatization

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21st Century Postal Worker

Breaking Postal news, information, and opinion.

http://www.21cpw.com/

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Women in the workforce, postal service
UNION
Weather Report
Action Center
Boycott Staples
Let Staples know we will not sit by while they take our jobs!! Click on the link to get a downloadable flyer!
UCOMM Radio
A radio station dedicated to union causes
NO to PULSE
The Postal Service is again urging workers to take a survey, called PULSE. Just like the VOE, the Union urges members to boycott this survey.
Contract Actions
Wear your Sticker Thursdays
Action Center
Boycott Staples
Let Staples know we will not sit by while they take our jobs!! Click on the link to get a downloadable flyer!
UCOMM Radio
A radio station dedicated to union causes
NO to PULSE
The Postal Service is again urging workers to take a survey, called PULSE. Just like the VOE, the Union urges members to boycott this survey.
Contract Actions
Wear your Sticker Thursdays
 
 
Long Island NY Area Local
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