Wilkes-Barre Area Local 175

'Modified' Consolidation Plan Is More of the Same; Union Members Must Fight Back, House Must Act Now
(05/17/12) USPS management announced on May 17 that it would begin implementing a 'modified' consolidation plan immediately, but the "new" plan employs the same essential strategy as the old plan: Impose drastic cuts to service and the mail processing network, and eliminate tens of thousands of jobs. The only difference is that the "new" plan will take a little longer to complete.

House Republicans Pass Pay Cut for Postal, Federal Employees
(05/17/12) The House of Representatives voted for a 5 percent cut in postal and federal workers'pay on May 10 by approving an increase in employees' pension contributions. Republican members of the House provided all 218 votes in favor of the measure, while 183 Democrats and 16 Republicans opposed it.

Changes of Address for Grievance Appeals
(05/17/12) The Postal Service has notified the APWU of several changes of address for grievance appeals, effective June 1, 2012, Industrial Relations Director Mike Morris has announced.

USPS Announces 'Modified Network Consolidation Plan'; Implementation to Begin This Summer, No Specifics Provided
(05/16/12) The USPS notified the APWU today, May 16, that it has developed a modified network consolidation plan and, "Now that the moratorium has expired, consolidation activities will begin this summer." However, postal managers did not provide the union with a list of which facilities would be affected and when. APWU President Cliff Guffey said, "The Postal Service's actions are the best evidence there is that union members must contact their U.S. representatives and urge them to address postal reform immediately, using the recently-approved Senate bill as a starting point for discussion."

Members of Congress Seek Extension of Moratorium
(05/11/12) More than 100 U.S. representatives have signed a letter to Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe, urging him to extend the moratorium on the closure of post offices and mail processing facilities, and asking him to refrain from cutting hours at rural offices.

APWU Statement on USPS Announcement About Rural Post Offices
(05/10/12) The APWU is continuing to analyze the Postal Service's May 9 announcement that it will allow rural post offices to remain open, but with reduced hours. "We applaud the proposal to allow greater community input on rural postal services and to keep offices open," said APWU President Cliff Guffey, "but we are disappointed by the decision to reduce hours at these offices."