169 Comments on Postal Retiree Not Happy About New Retirement Incentive

Cry me a river on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 8:49 am


Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

muleman on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 12:00 pm


you wont get a serious answer on this site. 99% morons

Life is short on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 12:51 pm


you retired voluntarily, get over it. Life is too short to worry about 10K.

Hlaktoong on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 1:05 pm


Didn’t you read the info that was offered secretly by some management people awhile back stating not to get suckered into these early offers? Why in gods name would ever believe these honorless sneaky drones? They lie the moment they wake up and just laugh at the people who salute when they run this garbage up the flagpole to see who salutes and then goes for it,then they just turn away with a big smile on their faces. The PO is just filled with socio-pathic hostile lazy know nothings that are there just to think they have been touched by the LAWD and now it gives them the right to act & behave in what normally a civilized person would be appalled at. So you are now learning essence of the monster?………H

me on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 1:26 pm


The Unions asked the employees NOT to take the initial early out. The unions said to hold out for monetary compensation. That’s what you get for not listening to your union.

Carolyn on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 1:29 pm


Fredric, I also retired on July 31………Not even long enough to get my 1st retirement check…I can’t believe that for a year I checked all the appropriate websites, even with the retirement board, and the answer was always NO INCENTIVE! and then this…wow, there sure have been a lot of people screwed..Can this be a CLASS ACTION suit? Someone on one of the other blogs said, that we all need to contact all the news media Fox News, ABC News, NBC News, and CBS News. and bring it to the attention of the public. After all the PO has been screaming, “no money” They don’t do anything this big without prior knowledge of it…We were all lied to. Class Action!!
25 days of retirement, then this, what a stab in the back!

Jas on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 2:40 pm


yeah it sucks that they now are offering 15k to take the early out, but we all had the same choice.
Can’t cry over what could have or should have been.

richie on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 2:49 pm


How about all of us ver takers from 12/31/08 to 7/31/09 hiring a law firm for a class action suit? Let me know how you feel about this.

duped too on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 3:47 pm


I too took the early out thinking there was no incentives coming. I know our union said not to take it, but they sure were fighting that hard to save our bid jobs, so I took it to keep my sanity. From what I heard, back in past when they had offered an early out with no incentives then later gave one to scale back more employees, the ones that didn’t get the incentive filed a law suit and later received the incentive.

magot shorts on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 4:04 pm


Too late now, but, why don’t you try to land a state or city job in your area. You have enough age left to work on another pension, and maybe a second health plan.

AdHoc on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 4:07 pm


Do not be mad only with management look to your unions also, Especially William Buruss. He promised that they were going to work to get incentives for everyone even those who took the VERA. I do not see any explanation from union why was only offered to current employees.

What on earth is this offering to people to quit also. I think all need to read between the lines what may be on horizon. After all this is a company union who needs dues check-off to stay viable.

southtxapwu on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 4:24 pm


dispute what! that you’re ignorant. That’s not in dispute. dumbasses!

Garcia on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 6:17 pm


You people that took the early out, knew what your financial status was, and still made the decision to go. Maybe the stress played a crucial factor in your decision, but it was your choice, and hopefully you all had something better lined up. I for one, didn’t want the 18% penalty, not in today’s economics.
I feel your frustration, as I must agonize for 5 or so more years, while you get to relax and enjoy yourselves. Hey, maybe it’s time to finish getting that degree or join a red hat society.

Best wishes, Friends

rc on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 7:44 pm


I certainly did not see this coming. Although I am not eligible to retire, alot of my co-workers who are were waiting and waiting on something like this. Maybe they wont go at this offer, but they are certainly considering it. We’ve all kept up with the news and the National APWU. EVERYONE agreed, the USPS is in dire straights, however they(USPS) could not afford to NOT offer something! It made perfect sense to eliminate payroll of these long timers by making an offer. However, the USPS was restructuring and excessing, closing offices. It had alot of people worried, I am in a P&DC, at least 10 people from our plant have already left. This may get 15 or so more.

Tim on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 7:47 pm


Then just come back…door slams shut after you walk out….

95% not 99%

DM on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 7:56 pm


Fredric, After 26 yrs you should have known that Potter only lies if his lips are moving.

gman on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 10:47 pm


If any of you had read read the article on the APWU website, Burass states that this has been in negotiations for TWO MONTHS…I missed this early out by 9 days (25 years as of 11-9) not 10-31…I really think you have a case here even if burass said dont go
it sounds like he knew ther was going to be some incentive and I think you should fight this because you will prob win…good luck…G-Man

Danny D on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 11:11 pm


Fredic, why would you retire with 26 yrs of service at age 49? If you knew you were going to lose a 12% penalty why retire? You should have know since in the early start of your postal career that the only good thing that management do is LIE to their employees, and you being so naive you fell for it. Didn’t you read what Burrus wrote about not taking the early out because they were working on getting incentives? I don’t feel sorry for anyone who took the early out. They didn’t have faith in their union….or is it that your NOT in the union.

Theresa on Thu, 27th Aug 2009 7:01 am


I took the early-out too. Believing the Postal Service saying they had no $$$$$. I should have realized, like any other circumstance in 25 years, that it would be the opposite. Not even a retirement plaque or watch because there was no $$$$$. Whose wearing the watch now. What a joke!

Sandra Hope on Thu, 27th Aug 2009 7:31 am


Sorry Fredrick, you’ll get no sympathy from your fellow postal employees, you know how it is after 26 years. Read POSTAL BLUES by fellow postal employee NIKKI COE, since you have extra time on your hands. She writes about the USPS and it’s employees. What happened to sympathic co-workers? Has the P.O. numbed all of our feelings? all our our sensitivities? http://WWW.NIKKICOE.COM READ THE BOOK!

Laura on Thu, 27th Aug 2009 7:33 am


I worked 29 years as a part timer. I’m over 60. Paid union dues all of those years. NEVER received information from union saying don’t retire. Believed what I heard about no $$$. Believed the promises of no incentives. I guess nobody is honest anymore. And I didn’t get a watch or a plaque either!

george stevens on Thu, 27th Aug 2009 10:18 am


“life is short” is correct. I took the Vera in May. I considered the possibility of future incentives and made the decision at that time not to look back. I have seen the flip-side where fully eligible pals continued to work and the cash never materialized. Incentives were offered only one other time in my 30 years of bondage. Quality of life must be factored in after your financial situation is considered. I have not regretted my decision one minute! Good luck to all of you that have to endure the coming years.

Bigsy on Thu, 27th Aug 2009 5:13 pm


49 and retired. You should consider yourself lucky. i di 20 years military 11 years postal ,I’m 53 and still got 9 years to go. Who made the choice for you to retire ? If it was you, look in the mirror and start yelling at yourself. First sentence should be “how stupid could you be ? ” grab a towel and wipe those tears. while you’re at it, let me have a Number 3 supersized.

Carolyn on Thu, 27th Aug 2009 6:30 pm


richie,
I hope someone does file a class action.
I’m in if they do…have you actually talked to a lawyer? or just thinking of it?
I saw on the front page of postal reporter, there was advertising from different lawyers that work for Post Office people.
I think anyone that retired in the last year would be entitled to something, but me and Fredric’s(both at 25 days) along with thousands of others had paperwork actually sitting on the desk of the retirement board, while this was being decided…….why weren’t we notified?

pops on Thu, 27th Aug 2009 8:04 pm


Fredric
retired at the age of 49 with 26 years of service. I had to incur a 12% penalty (2%for every year under 55).

Lets just face it, You really wanted out to take a 12% cut in retirement pay, the 15k is nothing conpared to the 12%, but look at the bright side, at 49 you still have 13 years you can work somewhere you are happy to build SS credits to age 62, (don’t think that will make up for the 12% but…..

WTF on Thu, 27th Aug 2009 11:52 pm


Retired at 49 !!! knowing that a 2% penalty a year would be imposed (12%) Not smart at all. YOU screwed yourself.

APWU Steward on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 4:30 am


Not sure where “Laura” is from or where she worked but APWU President Bill Burrus said last September:

Employees Should Reject VER

Burrus has repeatedly urged workers to reject the early-retirement offer. “The opportunity to retire early may be tempting,” he told delegates to the union’s convention in August, but it is not being offered for the employee’s benefit. “Our advice is: Don’t Go!”

“Early-outs are not new, having been offered in many industries,” he said. “But they are called ‘buyouts,’ and employees have been offered healthy cash incentives. Every APWU-represented employee who leaves early will save the USPS hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Postal workers who retire early will face a life-long reduced annuity, he noted, “And with the economy nearing a recession, the opportunity to replace postal employment with another job after retirement has diminished.”
————————————-

The fact he (Pres Burrus) has worked out a deal for the APWU and NPMHU is not something to be complained about or to file a law suit about, no one should ever give back anything to the employer that was secured for you through collective bargaining.

Everyone made their decision – and as we all learn as we move through life: timing is everything.

Barb Lookenott on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 7:38 am


I also retired on July 31st. But, I had read that anyone that took the ver without monetary incentive, the Union would fight to get you what ever is offered. So, I somewhat felt that if one became available my union would fight for me to secure the same deal. Guess not. I have had the best 29 days of stress free living ever!!! It is what it is and if there should be a class action suit count me in. But, I will not let this eat at me. I made the decision to get out and I won’t look back. Good luck to everyone.

Dan on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 8:37 am


I’ll join a class action! They told me I would be transferred to another tour to a job I couldn’t physically do OR transerred to another facility to a job I couldn’t do. Turns out, after I left, nothing happened to anybody.

APWU-Member on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 8:47 am


I read the statements that (Mr. Bill Burrus) posted on the APWU website. I just don’t understand why he would not let paying members know that he was in negotiation with the Postal Service for the long awaited incentives. I’m sure he had to know this would impact some employee’s choice to take the VER. Mr. Burrus cried FOUL when the Postal Service did not make the APWU aware of the details offered in the VER for 2008/2009. Is it really unreasonable for recent retiree’s to have wanted that information from their Union President, especially when he was aware of it! Mr. Burrus, scarificed 2,505 employees for the benefit of the Union and the Postal Service. Yes, there should be a CLass Action Law Suit. It should be based on un-fair labor practices between the Postal Service and the APWU.

Danny D on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 3:18 pm


You must of missed this one http://www.apwu.org/news/nsb/2008/nsb03-080715-ver.htm

All those that took the VER, should have waited and Mr Burrus stated this on the APWU News Bulletin

TRAY on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 6:27 pm


The Postal Service Would get more people to retired if they ask for tarp money and offer the same amt of money they offer in 1992, they wouldn’t have to worry about getting more people to retired. They do not want to open the FLOOD GATES.
TRAY

sam on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 9:00 pm


Mr. Burrus should have insisted that everyone who left on vera withing one year get the 15,000. He sold us down the river again. Many people had 29-30 years, and we deserve this money due to the constant abuse from supervisors and managers. Equal incentive pay for all vera retirees.

There should be a class action lawsuit for everyone who left in the latter part of 2008, and also May, June, and July 2009.

There has been a new development that no EAS employees will be forced into RIF, and lose their jobs. Now, how is the po supposed to save money when all eas employees will keep their positions, but they sacrifice clerk employees.

Also, since 2006, there was something in the apwu contract which stated before a rif or any excessing is done, severence pay must be offered to full time employees. Why is this still in arbitration for 2 years, and still on the books, when this new 15,000 incentive was finalized in a record time of two months.

I retired because I was sick and tired of bleeding from being stabbed in the back from the HQ managers.

There should be a class action law suit. Shame on you Mr. Burrus for not insisting that all post office employees are to be created equal.

Vee-Chee on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 10:07 pm


Curious, no one listed the PO facility they were working at before retirement. Were any of you limited duty employee who were threatened with removal by the Reassessment Process, is that why you took early out? Very surprised at the incentive offering, but that also is not enough money to go out on, don’t forget the tax you will have to pay. At Bay Valley District, the MDO named Balvinder Chada (sp?) managed to swindle a cool $6.9 million (could be more) out of the PO before he was finally caught. None of the employees would be in a financially strapped PO if they didn’t promote deceitful, sleazy people for supervisors and MDO’s in the first place. Imagine, a stupid MDO that managed to steal that kind of money under their noses. Probably funded the taliban with it.

Theresa on Mon, 31st Aug 2009 9:41 pm


So Where Do We Actuall Go To File A Class Action Lawsuit. How Can We All Get Together. Any Suggestions. Let’s Get Involved & Not Get Screwed Again.

Jim on Tue, 1st Sep 2009 7:14 pm


Too many crybabies. The union advised you not to take the VER. If more members had taken their advice, maybe the USPS would have considered a larger incentive award to get enough people to leave.

bob alexander on Wed, 2nd Sep 2009 7:21 am


hey fredric you did the right move by getting out do not worry about the 15k. they are going to tax it not once but for 3years. i’m sure you porked the p.o. for more than 15k during your career. god knows i did retired in june 09 and loving life at 51 years young.

Apwu-member on Wed, 2nd Sep 2009 7:36 pm


For those of you who stated that the UNION – Mr. Burrus said “Don’t Go”… If you look at the date he made that announcement you may notice it was on July 15, 2009. Those that took the VERA for July 31, 2009 had to have their paper work in by JUNE 19, 2009. It’s easy to say
“Don’t Go” AFTER the fact. As a paying member of the Union, I would think that Mr. Burrus would address why the recent retiree’s were overlooked. If they are now entitled to severance pay, because of the incentive that is being given. Yes, a class-action suit should be filed. For unfair labor practices between the APWU and the Postal Service.

APWU dog on Fri, 4th Sep 2009 5:22 pm


Why are all you postal workers calling each other names? Don’t you read the contract? It says we are supposted to get severance pay on an early out. Why would we wait for an incentive when we are supposed to get it anyway? Most of you people are in hock up to your you know what and are jealous of those of us that can afford to go. Save your money and get out!

Scott on Mon, 7th Sep 2009 3:27 pm


You made your own decision. 49, get to retire after 26 years of making a great wage. Try being only 5 years in at age 43 and looking at 20 more years to go. Sometimes we make decisions we regret. Live with it, move on, and enjoy your new found freedom to do what you want when you want. As I learned in the US Army. Adapt and Overcome!!

Rick on Thu, 10th Sep 2009 11:57 am


I’m not eligible to retire for another 3 years, however, I agree with the person. The post office shouldn’t have stated one thing and did another, regardless of his or her circumstances. It makes me leery about the info I’ll be receiving in the next couple of years. You guys have a right to challenge this unfortunate situation thrushed upon you. I wish you luck, however, you’re truly the lucky ones as you are away from this organization. Hope it don’t get too crazy in the next couple of years but its probably wishful thinking on my part.

just me on Thu, 10th Sep 2009 12:46 pm


WHY are you upset about this $$?? the idiots who take it will take a tax hit because it will be added on to your income for this year–MGMT did’nt defer it or waive to age penalty with OPM like other FEDs have. and the $5K you “get” next year you will probably end up using to pay taxes for prior year. c’mon, people.
if it were a real $$ incentive, PMG would have deferred the pymt till after the first of next year and gotten the age waiver from OPM. This is just mor MGMT posturing BS.

texie on Thu, 10th Sep 2009 12:48 pm


good luck going to the MSPB with your class action–they’re all left-over Bush appointees and anti-worker, to put it mildly…

jasjeet kaur on Sat, 12th Sep 2009 4:26 pm


i took early out july 31. i am mad if there is class
action let me know i would like to join.

retired after 35 years at 56 on Sun, 13th Sep 2009 7:53 pm


all the unions spoke loud and clear, DO NOT TAKE THE VER OFFER, WAIT FOR INCENTIVE. All that took it VER didn’t listen and voluntarily sign on the dooted line. Now they want to waste there money on a frivolous lawsuit. What a bunch of idiots!

retired after 35 years at 56 on Sun, 13th Sep 2009 7:55 pm


all the unions spoke loud and clear, DO NOT TAKE THE VER OFFER, WAIT FOR INCENTIVE. All that took the VER didn’t listen and voluntarily signed on the doted line. Now they want to waste there money on a frivolous lawsuit. What a bunch of idiots!

APWU-Member on Wed, 16th Sep 2009 7:51 am


That does not take away from the fact that Mr. Burrus DID NOT ALERT HIS PAYING MEMBERS THAT HE WAS IN NEGOTIATIONS FOR AN INCENTIVE. I guess what retiree’s are really UPSET about is that we paid to be lied to. Mr. Burrus did not look after our best interest. By saying “Don’t Go!” he alluded to the fact that the Unions were hoping for an incentive. However, once negotiations secretly started, he said nothing. As paying members were we not entitled to that information? This could have altered some employees decision to retire. (WHICH MR. BURRUS and THE POST OFFICE WAS AWARE OF). By not alerting his members Mr. Burrus betrayed his members. If he did it once, he will do it again. BEWARE!!!

THE MAN on Wed, 16th Sep 2009 8:40 pm


WHAT IS UP WITH ALL YOU PEOPLE WITH THE NEGATIVE WAVES. SO WHAT THE F#$K IF THESE PEOPLE WANT TO FILE A LAWSUIT. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE ALL YOU TRASH TALKERS OUT THERE ARE JUST A BUNCH OF YOUNG JELIOUS ASSH#@#S, WITH A LIFE TIME LEFT AT THE PO. OH AND BY THE WAY, I WAS A LETTER CARRIER(22 YEARS) THAT TOOK VER LAST YEAR 12/31/09, AND YOU CAN BET YOUR A##, IF VER IS OFFERED TO CARRIERS THIS YEAR WITH INCENTIVE, I WILL BE THE FIRST TO SIGN UP FOR A LAWSUIT TO GET RETRO. SO PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT.

Laura on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 7:58 am


Good for you APWU member! I also paid for 30 years thinking the union would be there for us when we needed them. WRONG. It was dishonest, underhanded and deceitful. I feel they need to make it right for those who actually believed them, but what are the chances? The only good thing is that we are out of the cut throat environment that it has turned in to.

union stewart on Thu, 17th Sep 2009 9:23 am


APWU did make a statment for those that the Post Office were offering an early to not go without an incentive….if you were aware of that and made the decision to leave, well it is a blow below the belt. I would suggest that if you can find it in writing that the USPS said that there would be no near future incentives and 30 days later they were offering one; file a class action to get the money. God Bless

Laura on Fri, 18th Sep 2009 5:41 am


Who said 30 days? And where would I find the statement made that said to wait for an incentive. All I saw was a letter that said there would be NO incentives given because of our financial crisis.

big bob on Fri, 18th Sep 2009 3:10 pm


Its a small price to pay for being freed from the hole. I wish I could afford to go, but I can’t. Move on but keep your eyes and ears open, maybe if you all bitch enuff the LIARS from management will here about it.

VP of Common Sense on Sat, 19th Sep 2009 1:58 am


Fredric,
You could come back as a Casual. You can make $9 with no benefits or insurance, instead of the $20+ with benefits and insurance you were making. The USPS needs more dedicated employees like you, you saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars. Besides if you get stressed you can just quit, what do you have to loose, besides your sanity?

lavenderladyinpurple on Sat, 19th Sep 2009 9:11 am


The $15,000 incentive that the service is offering is a bad deal. First, of all the actual amount you will be given is approximately $10,000, with $5,000 going for taxes. Secondly, what is not being told is that if the service does not get enough people to accept this offer, they still have to pay your salary. The union made a bad deal. If the service really wanted to have 30,000 employees to accept this offer they would have made the offer of one-half year salary, no penalty on early retirement, and the half year salary would be tax free. Burris is a lousy negotiator, he did not know how to respond to the postal service’s stance “we do not have the money”. His response should of been “if you want to achieve the goal of the said amount of employees to retire you have got to make it worthwhile, otherwise you will continue to pay them their salaries, which will be way more than the amount for the incentive.” Remember, it was Burris who allowed management to siphoned off our jobs as clerks, and give them to themselves and “so called light and limited duty carriers.” This was the deal when the carriers’ union decided to negotiate their contracts separate from the clerks’ union. Burris has never raised a hand to actively defend the lost of the clerks’ technical jobs. do not trust him.

Screwed Over... on Sat, 19th Sep 2009 5:25 pm


To lavenderlady purple. Very well written, and I thank you for posting. I would not trust Burris AT ALL! I truly believe that all the people that took the July 31st, 2009 VER need to band together to file a class action lawsuit agains’t William Burris and Postmaster John Potter. They LIED to us! Burris states that he repeatedly told union memebers over and over to wait for an incentive. SHOW that to me Burris, that is a BLATANT LIE! He told us that last September. After that he said very little about it. He spoke about the Postal Service being in dire straits financially and that retirement was a personal thing. He needs to show union members documents where he advised us OVER and OVER again, NOT to leave. I need to see the DATES on these documents. John Potter lied that the Postal Service may not even be able to make payroll by Oct. If that were the truth, where is this money coming from to pay $30,000 people an incentive of $15,000? Burris and Potter have been scheming about this for months! Way before I even left my job! This
TRULY needs to be investigated.

Theresa on Sun, 20th Sep 2009 9:44 pm


I guess all us early out July31,2009 victims were duped

Theresa on Sun, 20th Sep 2009 9:45 pm


Why don’t we all get together a file our own class action or get a lawyer????????????????

Screwed Over... on Mon, 21st Sep 2009 5:35 am


Theresa……Yes, we all got duped! First of all, in order to file a class action lawsuit, we need to get the names and addresses, or emails of all the people that took the recent VER. That’s not going to be easy to do. Who wants to list their personal information on the internet? If any one can come up with any ideas on this, please let me know. I think that we have a good case again’st Burris and Potter.

Rick on Mon, 21st Sep 2009 5:52 am


Theresa, Screwed Over,
You can get an attorney to file a class action suit on a contingency plan. What that constitutes is that if you win the lawsuit then the attorney’s would be paid a percentage of your winning. For instance, they could be paid 20% of the $15,000 which would be $3,000 per person who signs on. If you can find 100 people nationwide then the firm would receive $300,000. I think its an open record policy for apwu to release the names of the July 31st early retiree’s. Maybe you can solicit someone from different facilities to get those names. Someone would have to use their personal e-mail address to collect those names so that confidentiality could be kept. I’m willing to help.

Screwed Over... on Mon, 21st Sep 2009 6:35 pm


Thank you Rick…..WHERE DO WE START? Anyone that took the July 31,2009 VER Please post your first name, city and state. We are going to file a class action suit against the President of the APWU, William Burris and Postmaster General John Potter. Total lies from both of them!
I will start this. Please add your name, city and state, if you want to fight this.

Janice, Phoenix Arizona

Fred on Tue, 22nd Sep 2009 9:50 am


Janice,
Pls. add me to this list. E-mail me at fpj77489@aol.com and I’ll help with anything you would like. That way we can discuss what procedure we need to follow first.

Rick on Tue, 22nd Sep 2009 10:11 am


I’ve gotten a couple of responses from retiree’s interested in joining the possible lawsuit. We need a plan of action to proceed. Please e-mail me at rickytx20@aol.com if you would like your name added or contact Theresa above. We have nothing to lose.

Jean on Tue, 22nd Sep 2009 11:39 am


you should have listened to your union. they told us don’t go.

Carolyn on Wed, 23rd Sep 2009 11:00 am


Everyone interested in a class action suit…….
email the info to Rick (above)
There is power in numbers!!
Rick, how many names do you have so far?

Carolyn on Wed, 23rd Sep 2009 11:10 am


Rick, do you realize that all of our paperwork was sitting there on someones desk, while and after this decision was made? They didn’t just wake up 25 days later and decide this………
I spent the last year checking this out before I decided to leave. The answer was always “NO,nothing”
Even when I talked to the retirement counselor, I asked him and he said “No” I have seen some low things over the years at the PO, but this takes the cake..Everyone of us that retired, should have gotten a certified letter, as soon as our name hit the list, that said “you may want to reconsider….”

Rick on Thu, 24th Sep 2009 6:19 am


Theresa,
As of this time I have 8-10 names. If anyone knows an attorney who will work on a contingency plan for a group of employees pls. let me know.

Rick on Thu, 24th Sep 2009 6:25 am


Carolyn,
It takes numerous discussions and signing off on documents before another early out with incentives is approved. OF COURSE they knew! That’s what makes the whole situation discriminating. Its not about the money but the way the process was handled. And now Potter is asking Congress for help when he turned his back on us. I hope Congress is aware of how this postmaster has failed his employees.

Captain on Thu, 24th Sep 2009 6:38 am


I also retired on July 31st and I also believed the mumbo jumbo about no incentives. However; i look at this way, I retired with 34 yrs service at 54 yrs old, got a lump sum check for my 480 hrs annual leave and with no regrets. I never had the $15,000 in my hand, so I didnt loose anything. Heed the advice of all those stand up talks…SAVE YOUR ANNUAL…SAVE YOUR SICK LEAVE. Believe me it comes in handy.

Janice. on Thu, 24th Sep 2009 8:10 am


Rick,
I sent you an email. I hope that you got it. It’s going to be very interesting to see how they are going to pay the $15,000 to 30,000 people that want to leave. What if $35,000 want to leave? ALSO, I know a girl that submitted her retirement papers months ago to leave on Sept. 25th. She planned on leaving before the incentive was even offered. Now she will get the incentive money. Email me if you need more information. I’m still with you people if we go for a class action lawsuit. Rick, I also agree with you. It’s not all about the money, it was the way that it was handled. Very fast and very poorly done.

Laura on Thu, 24th Sep 2009 8:16 am


I retired June 30 with every confidence I made the right decision. My retirement specialist (North Carolina) assured me there was no reason to wait because there would be no incentives offered. The letter from Potter only sounded more positive that there would be NO incentives offered. Where was the union letter advising me to wait? I paid union dues all thirty years of my career, and I honestly never heard a word from them. I realize I lost out on a $15,000 cushion to my retirement years, but I feel worse knowing this whole incentive offer was done behind our backs. Hope all those union dues helped fund this underhanded offer.

Carolyn on Thu, 24th Sep 2009 1:17 pm


Rick,
Discrimination is the right word. I’m sure that most of us that left were senior citizens and paid union dues the longest of all employees. I think age discrimination pretty much sums it up.
Somone on another blog suggested that we take it to all the media outlets. Make it public. Do you think that would do anything?

Carolyn on Thu, 24th Sep 2009 1:20 pm


On the main page of Postal Reporter, down the right side of the page, is a list of several attorneys that fight for Postal Workers..Has anyone called any of them?

Janice. on Thu, 24th Sep 2009 5:37 pm


I called one of the attorneys listed on this Postal Reporter. I was told that he does individual cases only. We need to find an attorney that will do a class action suit. We may have to dig in to our own yellow pages for an attorney that will take this on a continuancy contract. Rick, what are your feelings on this?

Rick on Fri, 25th Sep 2009 5:51 am


Janice,
I agree that we have to locate an attorney on a contingency contract. It will get rather expensive but what do we have to lose. The more employees we locate the more attractive it will look for the attorney(s).

Becky on Sat, 26th Sep 2009 8:37 pm


Janice or Rick,

Do you think it would help to notify our Congressmen?

I mean in addition to the class action lawsuit.

Becky

Janice. on Sun, 27th Sep 2009 9:10 am


Becky,
I don’t think it would hurt to notify our congressmen.
This message is also for Rick. I have no doubt we could find an attorney to take this case. The biggest problem we face is locating the other thousands of people that could be, and I am sure would WANT to be involved in this case. I’m up for suggestions.

cj on Sun, 27th Sep 2009 7:40 pm


The more letters to Senators and Congressmen the better to show interest in seeing this matter resolved, they may hold the best key to solving this injustice, especially the Senators who heard the Postmaster General state no incentives! Someone on this site might be able to give attys phone # when they have signed onto this action. Thank you for caring about this matter.

Carolyn on Mon, 28th Sep 2009 8:27 pm


You know if all the major news networks ABC,CBS, NBC
had it as a news story, and then added a contact number or website, they could contact us.

Rick on Tue, 29th Sep 2009 6:28 am


Good Morning Everyone,
We need to locate more individuals who took the ver offer. Presently I have a list of 13 names. There are power in numbers.

Early Out on Wed, 30th Sep 2009 9:38 pm


I accepted the early retirement in December, 2008. I was employed for 22 years. Due to the economic climate, all Ver employees should receive the $15,000
incentive. I support the Class Action Law Suit.
Savannah, GA.

duped too on Thu, 1st Oct 2009 8:03 am


Everyone,
Please email Rick, rickytx20@aol.com to give your name and location. Please spread the word as we are in the process of talking with a lawyer

Carolyn on Thu, 1st Oct 2009 6:45 pm


Rick,
Maybe your sentence above should be posted on the main page of Postal Reporter..

Janice. on Fri, 2nd Oct 2009 4:30 pm


Rick,
I think that is a GREAT idea that Carolyn has! Start your own NEW link on Postal Reporter and ask all the VER people to respond to your email address. I’m sure that we could get alot more names that way.

Becky on Fri, 2nd Oct 2009 5:02 pm


The numbers are in and only 23,000 (at the most) took the latest early-out offer with the monetary incentive. Since the Post Office planned and had the money for 30,000, they should be willing to give the 2,505 of us that went last time the same money.

At least in our lawsuit, Management shouldn’t be able to argue that they can’t afford it.

Carolyn on Fri, 2nd Oct 2009 7:17 pm


I also emailed the people I knew, that worked in 5 other offices and ask them to email there friends in other offices and gave them Rick’s email.. Maybe other people could do the same. It would be like a snowball effect.
Rick keep us updated on how many names we are getting.

Rick on Sat, 3rd Oct 2009 4:41 pm


I will keep everyone updated through our personal emails.

Rick on Sat, 3rd Oct 2009 4:48 pm


I see where President Burrus is retiring at the end of his term. I guess he doesn’t want to be apart of the postal service demise or maybe he’s advoiding the inquiries that may come his way. President Burrus you left out 2.505 employees in the cold when you knew another ver was being negotiated. Happy Retirement.

cj on Sat, 3rd Oct 2009 7:26 pm


A lady went on u-tube to protest her 30% credit card rate, Bank of America then lowered her rate! Would someone volunteer to u-tube this postal story? The media will catch on then!

B.P.S. on Mon, 5th Oct 2009 11:19 am


An attorney who knows postal rules and regulations can find out and contact all VERA clerks who took earlyout in july or before.A few years ago,employees on limited duty or light duty filed a case for discrimination in promotions and all the employees who were on limited duty or light duty,even they were not aware of the law suit,got the letters from the attorney.

cj on Mon, 5th Oct 2009 2:01 pm


please include all who retired July 31st, as incentive was for old timers too who based their decisions on the vera offers.

Janice. on Wed, 7th Oct 2009 6:45 am


We need to find an Attorney that can subpeona the APWU for names and addresses of people that took the July 31st. VER. But HOW do we find one?

Screwed Over on Wed, 7th Oct 2009 4:08 pm


I say forget about contacting the APWU about anything. After all, they can NOT be trusted any more than POTTER himself. I think the Attorney (once selected) should subpoena HR Shared Service Center for ALL the names of VER retirees from Dec 31, 2008 to the present. The entire VER retirement process was handled deceptively by both POTTER and the union. The money for incentives did not just suddenly surface! In actuality the USPS was in much better financial shape back in the DEC 2008 than it is presently yet POTTER repeatedly cried “no money”

cj on Fri, 9th Oct 2009 8:26 pm


Check the YouTube video, we need to put this story on, who can handle it, must have web cam.

cj on Fri, 9th Oct 2009 8:33 pm


on youtube, the video Hitler goes postal

Janice. on Mon, 12th Oct 2009 11:43 am


Haven’t heard from Rick in awhile. Rick, are you still with us?

Rick on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 5:55 am


Janice,
Yes, I’m still here. Still gathering names and information. We have good news on the horizon.

Janice. on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 8:13 am


Rick,
Happy to hear that you are still with us. GOOD NEWS?
When will you be able to share that with us? I’m excited!

Rick on Tue, 13th Oct 2009 3:17 pm


Hi! Rick:

How are you! my name is Hsiu Hsiu Yeh, I am retiree on 6/30/2009, I Was working in the Oakland PEDC, 1675 7th St. Oakland Ca 94615, please put my name on the list, thank you so much!!

My e-mail : hsiuyeh66@gmail.com

Hsiu Hsiu Yeh

Barbara Read on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 3:26 pm


Hi Rick I retired 212/31/2008. I would like to be added to your list.

Steve C on Wed, 14th Oct 2009 6:43 pm


Were you independently wealthy? My calculations have you retiring at 38%. I’m assuming you’re working full time to be able to survive. The unions all said, “Don’t do it!”

B.P.S. on Sat, 17th Oct 2009 9:44 pm


Every time I write to Burruss to do something to include those too, who took VERA earlier,for incentive.He mails me a package to be a retired member of union for $3/month. How can he help those retired union members when he can not get justice for incentive,to all the active union members at that time.I did not took VERA by choice but was forced to accept it,as I was excessed from my fecility.When you are excessed and you are told that there is no money to pay the salaries of employees in sept.,every rational person will choose to retire than to be a carrier at this old age or to go to a distant place. There was a very cheap game played by union and mgmt.together to deprive of some employees from incentive in a deceiptive manner to save money.

Janice. on Sun, 18th Oct 2009 2:40 pm


To B.P.S.
I felt like you, I was afraid to stay and I had planned on staying one more year. With all the doom and gloom reports from Potter and Burrus I figured I better get out on the July 31, 2009 VER because I would be able to collect the special social security supplement. I had NO idea they would be offering another VER and no idea they would be offering an incentive SO SOON after the last VER. We were told by both Potter and Burrus, there is NO MONEY! Did they suddenly just pull it out of a hat? I will never forget, reading about the incentive on my 25th day of retirement. I felt like some one kicked me in the stomach. Burrus HAS NOT been there to tell us not to go since September of 2008. So, you people that want to say to us, “the union told you not to go” You show me this in print AND the date and where was it published? William Burrus and John Potter worked out their own deal to save money. Burrus was not on our side at all. He negotiated in bad faith. We can’t just sit back and give up on this.

senor ploppie on Sun, 18th Oct 2009 3:38 pm


If you were able to retire at age 49 and take a 12% penalty, then you don’t need the $15,000.

Janice. on Sun, 18th Oct 2009 5:04 pm


I didn’t retire at the age of 49, nor did I take a 12% penalty. Senor ploppie, go someplace else to plop and post. This site is for honest and sincere, and mature people. You don’t even make any sense at all.

Carolyn on Mon, 19th Oct 2009 9:35 pm


I can’t believe, I just read on the union web page. They union just negotiated a raise for the employees.
No money for us, but they have enough money for raises?

Janice. on Tue, 20th Oct 2009 7:38 am


Carolyn,
The Union doesn’t care about us. We are no longer paying Union dues. They didn’t even care about us when we WERE paying dues. Burrus proved that when we got screwed over for the incentive.

Screwed Over on Wed, 21st Oct 2009 6:19 am


Only 18,000 people have accepted the VER incentive cash offer. Far less than the 30,000 that they had expected. THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!!
Now they will have plenty of money available to pay the cash incentive to ALL those who accepted earlier VER OFFERS when they were crying they had “NO MONEY”
Bring on the CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT! It is an EASY WIN!

B.P.S. on Wed, 21st Oct 2009 8:28 am


P.O. has lot of money from somewhere that is why it offered pay raise recently. And p.o. offering these VERA’s to match with the low volume of mail and at the same time hiring equal no. of casuals.

Janice. on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 8:12 am


OK Folks.  Yesterday I received our APWU Local newsletter.  This is what the Vice President of our local had to say.  APWU was able to negotiate retirement incentive.  He stated that many employees who recently retired under the last two VERAs were visibly upset that they were not aware that a buy out was in the making.  President Burrus stated to the  membership as far back as December that he was working on an incentive for those wishing to retire and suggested that those considering the VERA that was on the table not to take it. I believe that he stated something to the effect of making the Postal Service pay if you are contemplating early retirement. You are worth alot of money, and the Postal Service should pay for you to leave.  True to his word, President Burrus was able to negotiate a buy out for $15,000 to those who waited.The article makes me want to barf!  He’s trying to make a hero out of Burrus!  Burrus was NEVER around to tell us to hold out for a buy out when the VERAS of May, June and July of 2009 were offered.  All I heard him say, was that the PO was in dire straits financially and that retirement is a personal decision. I would like to hear comments from all of you on this article.

Laura on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 9:21 am


Did anybody receive a letter in the mail or anything that remotely resembled a message to “wait for an incentive”? The only thing I read was from Mr.Potter himself letting us know there was NOTHING coming down the road. Mr Burris should have let the union paying members know personally there was an incentive planned. There couldn’t have been that many of us in June, July and August. Just include us in the incentive. We have all paid in to the union all of those years. (30 for me). Reward us for that.

Becky on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 10:20 am


Janice,

That article is disgusting. I remember Burrus saying that the APWU had filed a grievance on the first VERA, because severance pay should have been offered. However, he distinctly said that he expected it to go all the way to arbitration. To my knowledge, he never said he was working on an incentive deal.

Becky

Janice. on Thu, 22nd Oct 2009 6:34 pm


Where is Rick? What is Rick’s opinion of this?

Rick on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 6:03 am


The reason that the union had decided to publish the article at this time is because of the negative press that they’re receiving from this “INTENTIONAL” oversight. Continue to write to your congressmen(women), media outlets,etc., and let them know that we won’t accept being treated unfairly. Please continue to locate employees who recently retired and ask them to send me an e-mail at rickytx20@aol.com. We will not go down without a fight.

Hagan V on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 7:40 am


add my name to the list. My e-mail address is vlhagan at yahoo.com
I was happy to retire with 26 years at age 54, I was so tired of the BS from Mangement and APWU. I will support what ever is done.

Thanks,
Ve Etta Hagan
Madison, FL 32340

Rick on Thu, 29th Oct 2009 5:57 am


I hope everyone is well. Please keep locating retirees in your district and ask them to e-mail me at rickytx20@aol.com with their name, e-mail address, and the facility where they worked. Thanks.

Janice. on Thu, 29th Oct 2009 6:19 am


Rick,
Do you really feel that we have a chance to go any where with this? I am starting to feel disillusioned because it’s just too difficult to get the names of all the people involved. I went to a luncheon a few days ago. There were about 35 retired Postal employess. Many retired last year or two years ago. A few retired at the end of Sept. and a few at the end of Oct. 2009. The Sept. and Oct. people got the incentive money. There was no one there that retired at the end of May, June or July of 2009. I had hoped to get more names there to add to our list. It would have been so very easy to work the extra 2 or three months, had we known that they were going to pay out that incentive. That’s what I can’t get over!!!

cj on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 5:53 pm


2505 employees retired July 31, dont be discouraged, write your senators and congressmen and remind them negotiations began 2 months before Aug 25! they publically testified before Congress they were not paying incentives! We are not going to accept this injustice!

Lee on Fri, 30th Oct 2009 7:43 pm


I too will sign the class action law suit. Also, I just read where the president signed the FERS sick leave credit into law. I was one of those employees who worked diligently only using maybe one day of sick leave a year. It was always disturbing to me working for co-workers who called after holidays, Mondays,Fridays,etc. and some who rarely worked a 40 hours work week. Mngment could not discipline them (supposedly)and let this pattern continue. Guess there are no rewards for doing a good job other than piece of mind.

Becky on Sun, 1st Nov 2009 10:11 am


Rick,

Do you just want names that retired under the VERA that ended 7/31/09 or names that retired under the VERA that ended 12/31/08, too?

Becky

Rick on Tue, 3rd Nov 2009 6:23 am


Becky,
As of now I’m accepting names of ALL vera retiree’s, however, its up to the attorney’s to decide which segment that they will represent. Janice, don’t be discouraged! What do we have to lose? Only positives can come from this or at worst status quo.

Carolyn on Tue, 3rd Nov 2009 4:41 pm


Rick, Thanks for handling this for all of us and for getting back to us in a timely matter with answers to all our questions.

Rick on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 10:19 am


The process is still on-going as I stated to many of you through personal e-mails. It will probably be a slow process. I’ll e-mail you personally if I need any additional information from you. Take care.

Steve C on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 12:02 pm


Cry me a River!

SteveC on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 5:56 pm


How did Burrus negotiate a buy-out. And if so then why was it offerred to Mail Handlers, also. I don’t hear Haggerty saying the Union(s) negotiated a buy-out. I think what Burrus suggested was that if noone takes the VERS then management would have to take other measures such as incentives to decrease the work force. And guess what? They did to the tune of a measly $15,000. They offerred the VERS because the majority of employees who were eligible to retire aren’t leaving. The economy sucks!! So they offerred it to the poor downtrodden, overworked Postal employees who hate the tyrannical Post Office but weren’t yet old enough to retire. At a penalty!! I don’t hear you bitchin about the varying penalty that you took to get out and actually WORK for another employer paying you approx. 50% of what you made for the USPS. At 34 years I was not willing to take even a 5% penalty. It ’s not Burrus’s fault, or the USPS fault. It was your own stupidity, numb nuts! Get over it!

Pat R. on Tue, 10th Nov 2009 6:15 am


I’m in the same Boat. But I retired a year earlier. We both should have known better. Management/Unions both lied during my Career. This only puts Icing on the Cake. I should have known better to believe anything both of these outfits spue!

Pat R. on Tue, 10th Nov 2009 6:17 am


The only thing we can do now is stand on a corner with a protest sign and get beat up by the public as they drive by! I gave 20 hard, and all I ever got was a shaft up my pie hole after a running start! It Hurts!

B.P.S. on Tue, 10th Nov 2009 8:23 am


Hey SteveC and PatR. Is retirement is not on auction put by the p.o.? What is the meaning of discrimination? Is it not that a set of people treated unfairly for the same cause? In my city,we have two plants and both have different standards of seniority for excessing for the same craft.In one plant more people excessed and forced to accept the early VERA’s than other.If p.o. is one company and APWU is one then why there are different rules applied in the same city and in same craft. In the early VERA’s many were forced to accept those by excessing them and some were forced to believe that there is no money for incentive as told by Potter again and again.

APWU-Member on Wed, 11th Nov 2009 3:19 pm


To Steve C:

You are missing the point! It isn’t the $15,000 that angers the former employees that took the VERA. Personally, If the incentive was $1,000 I think they still would be angry. Why, because Burras and the Postal Service conspired behind closed doors! They plotted on how they could exploit employees/members. Potter went on record of saying, there would be “…NO INCENTIVE…” and Burras went along, by not alerting his PAYING MEMBERS that he was in negotiations for the long awaited incentives. Instead, he let his PAYING members retire, without the benefit of knowing his little “secret”. To add insult to injury, he( Burras ) went on record of saying that, “It was BECAUSE of the Employee’s that left, that negotiations were held up!” All the while he as a President, of the APWU, purposely WITH-HELD information, to save the Postal Service Millions, at the expense of his Brother’s and Sister’s in solidarity!

You really, can call us anything you want, it doesn’t matter. If we are successful or if we fail, is not dependent upon what you think. It is our time to spend, and we choose to spend it letting ALL KNOW…THAT THE POSTAL SERVICE AND THE APWU UNION ARE CORRUPT. THEY HAVE ENGAGED IN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES, AND CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES, AS YOU WILL SEE IN THE 2010 CONTRACT.

Since, you are so smart, to STILL be working after 34 years. I hope you are clever enough handle the plans they have in store for you. YOU MAY JUST GET TO CRY THAT RIVER!

Janice. on Wed, 11th Nov 2009 4:57 pm


TO APWU Member, RIGHT ON! I couldn’t have said it better! I have very little patience with people like Steve C. They don’t look at the FULL picture which has been explained many times on this site. READ others comments before you decide to judge. Steve C. You have been at the Postal Service for 34 years and still can’t leave? You really need to get a life, before it’s too late.

SteveC on Fri, 13th Nov 2009 6:54 am


I’ve handled it for 34 and I’ll handle it for 3 more (56) or 8 more (61) if I choose. I’ve watched management destroy the USPS for all those years! Is this new to you? And like lemmings we fall right off the cliff with them. The postal service, in most instances, has lied to you your whole career. Over the last two checks I have received over $1600 (net) in Overtime. That has nothing to do with any recovery or postal boon times. Next payday there may be no OT, oh well. But until the end of 2011 I’m guaranteed a job, if there is such a guarantee that we’ll even be open for business. Where else could you be employed that mgmt requires no accountability. Conscientious workers get treated the same as FMLA and OWCP scammers. You can use 40 hours sick leave in a year and be disciplined while a scammer uses 10X that amount and gets an award. Let’s not even talk about all the bogus EEO complaints! The list could go on and on. The question is,” If the USPS waited until 7-31-2010 to offer an incentive would you still say you were lied to?” Some would, if not all! Honestly though, I would probably be just as upset as you all. Good luck!

APWU-Member on Sun, 15th Nov 2009 3:25 pm


To Steve C:

You asked: “If the USPS waited until 7/31/09 to offer an incentive would you still say you were lied to?”

Yes!!!

When Mr. Burras announced the incentive on August 25, 2009. He stated that he was in negotiations for two months. If we believe him, that means as early as June 2009, he should have made that information known to his paying members. Many have said, “Oh well, he told everyone, DON’T GO!” Along, with his advice not to go, he alluded to the fact that Potter was correct, the Postal Service was in dire financial straits. This could be debated for years to come, but the facts are that Mr. Burras did not look out for his paying members. During his negotiations, he had to have known that the incentive would not sit well with employees who had just retired on the recent VERA’s. He made no provisions for them, and walked away benefiting the Postal Service instead of the employees who paid dues, for him and other union officials to enjoy conferences in sunny Las Vegas. The thank-you I received as a paying member was to be BLAMED for his deficit as a Union President. Yes, I have been lied to during my career at the Postal Service and I Know the Postal Service pays very well. However, the Postal Service is a hotbed of corruption and so are the Unions that represent it’s employees.

Laura on Mon, 30th Nov 2009 4:31 am


Anything new on a possible class action lawsuit?

Kathy Root on Thu, 3rd Dec 2009 7:15 pm


There will be no class action, just get over it! The people who got $15,000 really didn’t get crap! I would not go because i don’t even trust the PO to deliver on the $10,000 this year, then good luck next year….what are we gonna do? Sue em? What a joke. Too bad this crap happens, but i think it would be better to get over it, and quit letting it eat ya up inside. To Frederick..you are just plain not playing with a full deck retiring at 49 yrs of age, knowing of the penalty? That is just freaking crazy!

Glad to be GONE! on Fri, 4th Dec 2009 7:10 am


Kathy Root:
For your information the CLASS ACTION lawsuit is in the works. You might want to stick to selling stamps or pitching mail….rather than giving out legal advice!!!!!! Try not to let the idea of reporting to work each day “EAT YA UP INSIDE”. Especially when the next contract rolls around and your salary/benefits are reduced!

Laura on Fri, 4th Dec 2009 10:49 am


Glad to be GONE: Thanks for the update.

You told HER on Fri, 4th Dec 2009 2:30 pm


Glad to be GONE: You told her! I’m so sick of these people and their opinions. They should just mind their own business. When the union sells them out next contract, are they going to just lay down and let their salary/benefits get reduced? Or are you going to fight for your rights?! When that happens, maybe we should tell them, “to bad, just deal with it!”

grievance filed on Sat, 5th Dec 2009 3:25 am


Message to Recent Retirees

(11/30/09)
The union has also filed a grievance seeking severance pay for workers who opted for voluntary early retirement. The grievance could result in an extra week of pay for each year up to 10 years and two weeks of pay for each year over 10 years up to a total of 52 weeks.

Laura on Sat, 5th Dec 2009 6:13 am


How do we know if we are included in the grievance?

Carolyn on Sat, 5th Dec 2009 8:23 pm


I don’t believe it.

Janice. on Sun, 6th Dec 2009 5:01 am


Neither do I.

B.P.S. on Sun, 6th Dec 2009 11:53 am


The union filed a grievance for severance pay for retirees who accepted VERA. It will be an extra week of pay for each year upto 10 years of service and two weeks of pay for each year over 10 years up to a total of 52 weeks. What about the extra 10% for each year above 40 years of age,as mentioned by apwu in its previous publications?

Laura on Sun, 6th Dec 2009 2:13 pm


Is there a way to look up the grievance filed?

grievance filed on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 2:46 am


Message to Recent Retirees

(11/30/09) Congratulations on your retirement from the U.S. Postal Service! Throughout your career, you provided a great service to our country.

As a retiree, keeping abreast of union news will help you — and the APWU — protect your annuity, health insurance, and other benefits that will affect the quality of your new life.

The best way to stay informed is to join the APWU Retirees Department. As a member of the APWU Retirees Department, you will continue to receive vital information from the union.

For example, you will soon receive the first portion of the $15,000 incentive that was negotiated by APWU. The union has also filed a grievance seeking severance pay for workers who opted for voluntary early retirement. The grievance could result in an extra week of pay for each year up to 10 years and two weeks of pay for each year over 10 years up to a total of 52 weeks. In another grievance, APWU is protesting USPS efforts to collect debts from retirees’ annuities before they have exhausted their appeals. We will keep our members informed of the status of these cases. (If you experience problems in this regard, please contact us.)

And remember, union membership is required in order to participate in the APWU Health Plan, Accident Benefit Association, Voluntary Benefits Plan, and to receive Union Plus services and discounts. As a union member, you also will receive the union’s bi-monthly magazine, which contains important news and information.

Click here for an application [PDF] to become a member of the APWU Retirees Department for just $3 a month. Please complete the form and return it to Retirees Department Director Judy Beard using the postage-paid envelope. Be sure to check the box to contribute to COPA, the union’s Committee on Political Action, which helps us support legislators who will stand up for postal retirees and the benefits we treasure.

The sooner you sign-up, the sooner you will become part of an exciting, informative and active department of the American Postal Workers Union!

In union solidarity,

William Burrus
President

Janice. on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 6:03 am


Rick, where are you? Do you believe that was really William Burrus that wrote the above letter?

Glad to be GONE! on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 7:08 am


If this was authentic I would think something would be posted on the APWU website (which it is not).
That being said, I still hope someone, somewhere is investigating the DECEPTIVE manner in which the ENTIRE VER PROCESS was handled by both Potter AND the UNION!!!

Carolyn on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 7:33 am


I think the union dues I paid my entire career would have AT LEAST entitled me to a “you may want to delay your retirement for 25 days” letter, because we are working for you.
If the union didn’t protect my interest as an employee, WHY would they do it now?
If nothing else happens, they ought to refund all the union dues we’ve all paid for years, but, NO, they are asking for more.
They have lied throughout the entire VER offer, and now we are suppose to believe they are telling the truth?

Laura on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 9:20 am


You guys are absolutely right. I would like to have a 30 year refund of Union dues for the crappy way they let us retire “in the dark”. I did find that letter from Burrus on the APWU site. Click on “retirees” and that letter from ‘grievance filed’ is shown.

I agree with you, Carolyn, that a letter warning us of the upcoming incentive should have been sent out to all union PAYING employees. That is the least they could have done.

DARRYL on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 10:51 am


I retired 12/31/2008 with 29 yrs 8 months service. at age 56 yrs 6 months. Columbus, Oh. I too was repeatedly told/ lied to: NO incentives!!! from so-called retirement counselors. Most of that staff has since transferred to other federal jobs outside the po before being excessed up to 500 miles to NC. wonder why they misinformed the earlier ver groups? CLASS ACTION Right On. Nothing to lose.

DARRYL on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 11:07 am


Where is my VSIP voluntary separation incentive pay?
I retired 12/31/2008 with 29 yrs 8 months service. at age 56 yrs 6 months. Columbus, Oh. I too was repeatedly told/ lied to: NO incentives!!! from so-called retirement counselors. Most of that staff has since transferred to other federal jobs outside the PO before being excessed up to 500 miles to NC. Wonder why they misinformed the earlier ver/vsip groups? Sign me up CLASS ACTION Right On. Nothing to lose. USPS owes us a VSIP- voluntary separation incentive pay just like those that took the 10/31/2009 ver/vsip offer. They offered a similar vsip in the early 1990’s that resulted in a mass exodus. I’ve still received no letter of acknowledgement, coffee cup, belt buckle, hat, watch, jacket or even the infamous WOODEN NICKLE!!!!!! Gotta love it right….

B.P.S. on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 7:36 pm


In 1992,all crafts employees were offered early out with six months pay as incentive without much publicity.Some people choose to retire and some not,but nobody had any objection as it was a fair game.But this time VERA,s offered every 3 months,(the last one was offered only 3 weeks after the 2nd one)with all types of lies and manuplations.It can happen only in some third world country.

cj on Mon, 7th Dec 2009 11:46 pm


Any APWU member retiring from June 24 to Aug 25 should receive incentive, old timers as well as veras as this was the negotiated offer by APWU & Potter!
Make it right Mr Burrus! Include all from this time period or the beat goes on!!!!!

JH on Tue, 8th Dec 2009 9:12 am


APWU members who took the early retirement plus the old timers under the 2006-2010 bargaining Agreement should recieve the incentive.

JH on Tue, 8th Dec 2009 9:39 am


At least between the time the first vera’s were offered and the last offer of vera’s that did not include the incentive.

Rick on Tue, 8th Dec 2009 12:06 pm


Janice,
I’m not sure if Burrus wrote the letter or not but I have forwarded it to the retiree who helped locate the attorney for the class action suit. They will be looking into this.

Carolyn on Tue, 8th Dec 2009 4:14 pm


So, far all the people that check this site regularly, where are you from and what was your job?
I was the T-7 in the St.Louis area.

grievance filed on Wed, 9th Dec 2009 3:00 am


The “letter” is on the APWU website, click on departments & divisions, then retires &…and you will see it.( couldn’t post a link )

Message to Recent Retirees

(11/30/09)

Janice. on Wed, 9th Dec 2009 6:20 am


Carolyn, I was a window clerk in Phoenix Arizona. Retired July 31, 2009.

Carolyn on Wed, 9th Dec 2009 8:37 pm


Janice, I also retired July 31,2009
Well, I did find the letter. It doesn’t make sense. It would have been a whole lot LESS money to tell us about the $15000.00. What they are offering is a lot more money than 15000.00 for most of us..and some would be entitled to an entire years pay? It really doesn’t make sense. Unless it’s just talk to stop all the potential lawsuits. I also noticed that everytime they talked about what good they were doing for us, they followed it up with joining the retirement union. I wonder if that’s they only people they would pay any of us, IF, they were telling the truth about the whole thing?

JH on Thu, 10th Dec 2009 12:15 am


This VER dispute for compensation has been going on since 03/03/09. Nothing has been resolved. Perhaps the PO and APWU will settle this in a couple of years after the PO offers up some more VERS.To see the actual grievence go to the APWU web site. Under short cuts click on COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT on the page that comes up on the left side in gray click on STEP 4 ISSUES. Scroll down and look for the grevience that says DISPUTE OVER VER. It should be about 1/3 of the way down.

JH on Thu, 10th Dec 2009 12:24 am


The way I understand it. Everybody that took the VER including those that got the $15000 will also get the money for the VER grevience if the union wins. The people who retired before the $15000 was offered will only get the money from the grievence. We were lie to and excluded from that $15000. That is are dispute with APWU and the PO.

Rick on Thu, 17th Dec 2009 6:14 am


Good Morning,
The lawsuit is still on-going, apwu grievance or not. From my understanding its a long, long, process. Stay patient as I will provide you updates as I receive it. Thanks.

Janice. on Thu, 17th Dec 2009 7:22 am


Thank you Rick! I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas! This is my first year in 25 years, being completely FREE from the PO during the holidays. It’s a very happy feeling!

Rick on Thu, 17th Dec 2009 9:43 am


It is a wonderful feeling being off during Christmas. I’ve always had to miss celebrations because I had to get some sleep before I went to work on tour 1. We are blessed to be away from overloaded DPS machines, heavy parcels, irritated supervisors, and the rest of the routine. I wish Happy Holidays to all of you.

B.P.S. on Thu, 17th Dec 2009 1:36 pm


Merry Christmas to all of you and wish you Happy Holidays,a Happy New Year full of joys and good health. I hope we will have some good news from our attorney next year.

Cindy on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 9:17 am


With the union supposedly being involved now, things may have taken a turn for the worse. A long time ago my husband had a coworker stealing from his drawer in the safe. He set up tests to prove it and notified the supervisor, Postmaster and even the Postal Inspection Service. Our union steward diligently kept notes to back him up. As it turned out, the local union vice-president signed off on the grievance to make a trade-off deal with the Postmaster regarding conversion of PTF’s to regular status. So, he was given a “Letter of Demand” and the involuntarily repayment was initiated whereby he was forced to pay back almost $800, with the amount being deducted from his paycheck over four pay periods.
He went to an attorney and he was told that as long as his job was a union-represented job, he would have to abide by the union’s decision. The attorney could not interfere with matters between the Postal Service and the union. So, basically, he got screwed.
Regarding us, we would have probably been doing much better with Rick’s handling of our cause than the union. They will just drag things out indefinitely and since they have already proven that they don’t give a damn about us, they will probably stifle our efforts. In fact, it was the union’s misrepresentation that caused this problem so why should we believe that they are trying to correct it now?
Bless Rick for taking on our cause and I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season, finally free from the agony of December at the Postal Service. It’s my first stree-free Christmas since 1983 and I’m loving it.
And may we all get our “bailout” in the New Year:)

Cindy on Sat, 19th Dec 2009 12:31 pm


Sorry, that’s STRESS-free, not stree-free. What the hell is that? I’m so relaxed that I forgot how to spell.

B.P.S. on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 2:14 pm


Ford Motor Co. has offered byout or retirement incentive package to all of its 41,000 U.S. hourly workers as it tries to further reduce its factory work force.The offer is a year of service include $50,000 cash and the choice of a $25,000 voucher to by a vehicle or $20,000 more in cash.The retirement package includes $40,000 for skilled trade workers and $20,000 for non- skilled employees. The deal also includes basic health care coverage for six months. For further information go to Yahoo.com on 12/21/09.

Ebenezer Scrooge on Mon, 21st Dec 2009 5:46 pm


Wonder if the CEO of FORD MOTOR COMPANY in the past few months blatantly stated “there was NO MONEY for incentives” and then just NOW suddenly pulled some from HIS magic hat like POTTER did?? You know….the classic bait and switch. Sit back and watch thousands of eligible employees retire and keep playing the same song and dance “NO MONEY AVAILABLE”. What goes around comes around, and someday POTTER will get his just rewards!!! Trust me!

B.P.S. on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 10:09 am


The big thing is that the same buyout and retirement incentives were offered earlier too by the Ford Motor Co. which expired in june this year. This shows the fairness and equallity for all its employees.