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“Taken' care of business”
I would like to thank all my friends, co-workers & members who supported me throughout the campaign and all the members who took the time to vote. I really do appreciate it. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to live up to our theme song and start “taken' care of business”. I look forward to the challenge that awaits us and you can already feel the energy.
I wanted to follow up on my previous article because these “Non-Revenue” transactions are becoming a serious problem in stations and branches.
Today’s so-called staffing package (budget by Operations Support) is generated electronically, based on volume measurements of clock rings, moves, and keystrokes that have been entered into the POS system. They’re currently “penalizing” stations because clerks are forgetting to hit these keys (Non-revenue) by abolishing positions because they “were not earned” in the POS System reports.
To make matters worse, there’s never any Relief & Pool Clerks available to cover a vacancy anymore. Once again, they’ve abolished too many positions in that “buffer zone” so stations are simply forced to work with even less clerks. Management refuses to listen to reason, when they’re abolishing these positions and we’re now paying the price -- once again.
Now that they’ve cut these positions and the pressure of the dreaded “Mystery Shopper” mounts from Retail management. (This manager has been instructing managers and supervisors to be in the lobby to reduce the wait-in-line times.) For some strange reason, management believes their “Mystery Shopper” scores are more important than our Collective Bargaining Agreement.
So, now we have management (managers & supervisors) backfilling lost clerical positions by being the lobby director/APC hosts. They’re running around these days with scanners in hand delivering the “notice lefts” (Peach puppies - “Delivery Confirmations”, Un-numbered parcels, “Certified Mail”, etc.) and the station (POS) is not receiving the proper time credits with the WOS System.
We need to and should be allowed to “EARN” this time back, within this foolish WOS system. As clerks, we have to remember to hit these keys so we actually get credit for the work we’re actually doing during the course of the day. Management thinks, this so called “down time” (when we don’t hit these keys) means we’re sitting there waiting for a customer to come in when the line is actually out the door.
Below are the “New WOS Time Factors” recently released identifying this as a clerical/SSA function. This is the time credit received by the station when the clerk remembers to hit the proper key on the POS screen.
Description NCR Time Factor
COD Pickup 4.77 mins.
Express Mail Pickup 1.19
Hold Mail 1.19
Non-revenue Pickup 1.19
Other Mail Pickup 1.19
PO Overflow 1.19
Un-num Parcels 1.19
Upper management knew of the problems with these Function 4s but they’re using these distorted statistics anyway to justify cutting positions. They know there are problems with this data but they simply don’t care because it supports their agenda of continuing to abolish clerical positions. Again manipulating statistics!
This is getting out of control (supervisors doing bargaining unit work) and down right insulting as we continue to lose positions. We need some definitive and quick response to these Managers just superseding our C.B.A.
The SSA/Window clerks should be allowed to “earn” those hours back and if management is so concerned about their wait-in-line time, then reestablish a position. Would management ever acknowledge the fact they had problems with this “earned system” to begin with?
In the mean time, I would suggest calling for a steward and filing a grievance anytime you witness anyone other than a clerk doing “our” work.
Thanks again,
Bob Dempsey
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| From the Office of the previous
Vice President/Treasurer |
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HATCH ACT
Permitted Activity
Register and vote in any election.
May solicit, accept, and receive political contributions for COPA from an employee who is an APWU member, and who is not supervised by you.
Take an active part as a candidate or in support of a candidate, in a nonpartisan election.
Take an active part in managing the political campaign of a partisan political candidate or a candidate for political party office.
Serve as an election judge or clerk, or in a similar position, to perform nonpartisan duties as prescribed by State or local law.
Be a member of a political party or other political group and participate in its activities.
Serve as an officer of a political party or other political group, a member of a national, State, or local committee of a political party, an officer or member of a committee of a political group, or be a candidate for any of these positions.
Attend and participate fully in the business of nominating caucuses of political parties.
Participate in a political convention, rally, or other political gathering.
Drive voters to polling places for a partisan political candidate, partisan political group, or political party.
May contribute money to political organizations.
May attend political fundraising functions.
May anonymously stuff envelopes with campaign literature which includes an appeal for political contributions.
May give a speech at a fundraiser, as long as the speech does not include an appeal for political contributions.
May be identified as a guest speaker on an invitation to a fundraiser as long as the reference in no way suggests that the employee is soliciting or encouraging contributions.
May serve as Treasurer of a campaign or political organization if the duties are limited to preparing financial disclosure forms, giving advice, etc.
May serve as an officer or chairperson of a political fundraising organization or committee, as long as he or she does not personally solicit, accept, or receive political contributions.
May help organize a fundraiser as long as he or she does not personally solicit, accept, or receive political contributions.
May solicit, accept, and receive political contributions on behalf of a candidate for public office in a local nonpartisan election.
May solicit, accept, and receive political contributions for his or her own campaign for public office in a local nonpartisan election.
May solicit, accept, and receive political contributions on behalf of a nonpartisan group.
Prohibited Activity
May not be a candidate in a partisan election.
May not participate in political activities:
(1.) While he or she is on duty;
(2.) While he or she is wearing a uniform, badge, insignia, or other similar item that identifies the employing agency or instrumentality or the position of the employee;
(3.) While he or she is in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by an individual employed or holding office in the Government of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof; or
(4.) While using a Government-owned or leased vehicle, or while using a privately-owned vehicle in the discharge of official duties.
May not solicit, accept, or receive political contributions from the general public, except under specifically defined circumstances.
May not coerce another employee to make a political contribution.
May not become personally identified with partisan fundraising activities.
May not solicit personal services, paid or unpaid, from a business or corporation.
May not sign campaign letters which include a solicitation for political contributions.
May not participate, even anonymously, in phone bank solicitations for political contributions.
May not solicit political contributions in speeches given at fundraisers.
May not otherwise allow the use of his or her name on an invitation to a fundraiser, as a sponsor of a fundraiser, or as a point of contact for the fundraiser.
May not serve as Treasurer if the duties include solicitation, acceptance or receipt of political contributions.
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COPA DONATIONS (Jan. 2008)
A salary allotment to APWU COPA - the Committee on Political Action - - can be set up easily and efficiently. Just follow the guidelines below and call PostalEase to begin your COPA salary allotment.
The APWU has made it possible for you to support the union’s COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL ACTION by giving an amount you choose through a payroll allotment with PostalEase.
By creating a COPA allotment, you can help our union make a stronger effort to support the political candidates who will fight fo us. It is an easy way to give, and - - just like your other deductions - - it will go to work for you immediately.
1. Before you dial, write down the following account number: 29320001, followed by your Social Security number. This 17-digit number (no hyphens) will enable the APWU to identify this contribution as having come from you. You will use this number in #11 below.
2. Dial 1-877-477-3273 (1-877-4PS-EASE).
3. Press #1 for PostalEase.
4. When prompted, enter your Employee Identification Number (EIN).
5. When prompted again, enter your USPS PIN number. (This is the same number you use for telephone bidding and / or other payroll allotments.)
If you do not have a USPS PIN number, or cannot remember your PIN number, follow the instructions at the bottom of this page, under (Don’t have your USPS PIN?).
6. When prompted, choose option #2 (to select payroll allotments).
7. When prompted, choose option #1 (to select type of allotment).
8. When prompted, press #2 to continue.
9. When prompted, press #3 to "add" the allotment.
10. When prompted, enter ROUTING NUMBER: 054001220.
11. When prompted, enter the COPA ACCOUNT NUMBER: 29320001, followed by your Social Security number (No hyphens, 17 digits total). Press #1 if correct.
12. When prompted, press #1 for checking.
13. When prompted for the dollar amount of the allotment, enter your choice for a biweekly allotment. Press #1 if correct.
14. When prompted, press #1 to process. At this point, you’ll be provided with a confirmation number and the start date of the allotment. Record the confirmation number and start date.
Press #1 to repeat, or press #9 to end the call. Retain this form for your records.
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Don’t have your USPS PIN
? To obtain your PIN:
1.) Call PostalEase at 1-877-477-3273.
2.) Press #1 for PostalEase.
3.) When prompted, enter your Social Security #.
4.) When prompted for your PIN, pause, then press #2.
5.) Your PIN will be mailed to your address of record the next business day.
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The following was taken from the National Union’s Retirement Counselors Training Guide.
THE MILITARY CATCH 62 NIGHTMARE
If you have military time and you are a CSRS employee, do you understand you may lose thousands of dollars in retirement annuity payments if you make the wrong decision? The most common mistake is not considering your Social Security quarters earned and those that may be earned after retirement from federal service.
This mistake can be easily researched by requesting a personal earnings benefit from the Social Security Administration. If you were in a covered position before October 1, 1992, and you had creditable military service after January 1, 1957, your Civil Service Retirement may be reduced because of the "Catch 62" penalty. The problem arises because the military time is included in the service computation date, but can be removed at age 62 because of your being fully insured for Social Security. Those hired on or after October 1, 1982, must make a deposit to have their military time included for retirement annuity calculations.
The Catch 62 is to keep federal retirees from receiving double credit; CSRS retirement and Social Security, without making proper deposits for both. To receive credit for the CSRS annuity, the deposit must be made before retirement. This small detail, if overlooked, can cause a major reduction in your retirement annuity. Many employees, CSRS and FERS, fail to plan for their military service deposit. In addition, the small amount of deposit originally owed often has grown substantially because of interest.
MILITARY CREDIT - CSRS / CSRS OFFSET
The difference in the annuity if deposit is made:
55 years with $45,000. High-3 average with 30 years -
$25,312 annual annuity, or: $2,109 monthly annuity
Two (2) years of military, total service time: 32 years
$27,112 annual annuity, or $2,259 monthly annuity
Difference of $1,800 annually, or $150 monthly
Three (3) years of military, total service time: 33 years
$28,012 annual annuity, or $2,334 monthly annuity
Difference of $2,700 annually, or $225 monthly
Four (4) years of military, total service time: 34 years
$28,913 annual annuity, or $2,409 monthly annuity
Difference of $3,601 annually, or $300 monthly
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MILITARY CREDIT - - FERS
The difference in the annuity if deposit is made.
55 years with $45,000. High-3 average with 30 years -
$13,500 annual annuity, or: $1,125 monthly annuity
Two (2) years of military, total service time: 32 years
$14,400 annual annuity, or $1,200 monthly annuity
Difference of $900 annually, or $75 monthly
Three (3) years of military, total service time: 33 years
$14,850 annual annuity, or $1,237 monthly annuity
Difference of $1,190 annually, or $112 monthly
Four (4) years of military, total service time: 34 years
$15,300 annual annuity, or $1,275 monthly annuity
Difference of $1,800 annually, or $150 monthly
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Refunded Service Terminated Before October 1, 1990
Retirees whose annuities begin after December 1, 1990, who owe a redeposit for a period of refunded service that terminated before October 1, 1990, are not required to make a redeposit to receive credit for this service in calculating the annuity. But, if no deposit is paid, the annuity is actuarially reduced. The formula for calculating this reduction takes into consideration the employee’s age at retirement and the amount of unpaid redeposit.
Refunded Service Terminated on or After October 1, 1990
Retirees whose annuities begin after December 1, 1990, who retire and owe a redeposit for a period of refunded service that terminated on or after October 1, 1990, are required to make a redeposit for the service in order to receive credit in the computation of the annuity. The amount of the redeposit is the exact amount refunded plus interest.
Voluntary Contributions
CSRS / CSRS Offset
CSRS/CSRS OFFSET: You may increase your annuity by making contributions to the retirement fund. Voluntary contributions earn a variable interest rate compounded annually. You may withdraw them at any time before you retire. Each $100 of voluntary contribution increases your annuity $7.00 to $10.00 per year, depending on your age at the time of retirement.
Military Service Credit
CSRS/CSRS Offset
All honorable active military service performed before January 1957 is included in the computation of the annuity unless you are receiving military retired pay. Employees who are receiving military retired pay must elect to waive the retired pay in order for their military service to be added to their civilian service for purposes of computing their federal annuity.
If employees do not waive their military retired pay, their retirement rights will be based on their civilian service only, and the period of military service will not be included in computing their annuity.
Post - 1956 Military Service
The rules for crediting post-1956 military service for retirement eligibility and for the annuity calculation vary depending on the date of your initial period of CSRS employment.
Before October 1, 1982
If you were ever employed before October 1, 1982, you receive credit for all military service in the computation of your annuity, provided you meet the eligibility requirement for an annuity. If at age 62 you are eligible for Social Security benefits, your annuity is recomputed eliminating the years of post-1956 military service. (However, the service may be creditable for purposes of determining entitlement to an annuity.)
Your options:
Making a deposit for post-1956 military service, thereby avoiding a reduction at age of 62, or
Not making the deposit and, if eligible for Social Security benefits, having their annuities reduced at age 62
You should be aware that the re-computation of annuity at age 62 occurs only if you are eligible for Social Security benefits at age 62. If you do not become eligible for Social Security benefits until after age 62, then the CSRS annuity will not be recomputed and full credit will continue for post-1956 military service in annuity, even though a deposit has not been made. AND, any survivor annuity payable to your spouse after your death would also be recomputed when your spouse attains age 60 and becomes eligible for Social Security.
On or After October 1, 1982
If first employed on or after October 1, 1982, you must make a deposit or receive no credit at all for military service, including eligibility to retire.
The deposit for the military service is 7% of your military basic pay. If you made this deposit before October 1, 1986 (or within 3 years of being hired if that date was later than October 1, 1986), no interest will be charged. Payments must be made to the Postal Service before you separate.
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Retired Military Annuity
In deciding to waive or not to waive, consider:
Is military time needed to be eligible to retire?
How much will the required deposit be?
What is the difference between separate vs. combined pensions?
What is the effect on survivor benefits?
What is the effect on health coverage?
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Request for Estimate Earnings During Military Service
ARMY: DFAS - Indianapolis Center
Attention: DFAS in JFJC-A
8899 East 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-0875
Tele: (317)-510-2813
_______________________________________________
NAVY: DFAS - Cleveland Center & FMCS
1240 East 9th Street
Cleveland, OH 44199-2055
Tele: (216)-522-6545
1-888-332-7411
__________________________________________
AIR FORCE: DFAS -DE-FJY
6760 East Irvington Place
Denver, CO 80279-7408
Tele: (303)-676-7408
_______________________________________________
MARINE CORPS:
DFAS - Kansas City Center FBL
1500 East 95th Center
Kansas City, MO 64197-0001
Tele: (816)-926-7652
FAX: (816)-926-7648
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COAST GUARD:
Commanding Officer (SIR)
Settlement and Records
Military Pay & Personnel Center
444 S.E. Quincy Street
Topeka, KS 66683-3591
Phone: (785)-339-2200
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GO TO THE "LINKS" PAGE IN THIS WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON A.B.A., VOLUNTARY BENEFIT PLANS, LIFECARE, AND VARIOUS TOPICS THAT COULD BE HELPFUL.
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