Wal-Mart Stymied in Broomfield
by Dennis Enderson, President
We have learned that the Broomfield City Council recently considered a proposal that would have facilitated further expansion of the Wal-Mart retail empire into the metro area. Organized labor has long opposed the proliferation of Wal-Mart because of its anti-union and anti-worker policies and practices. Fortunately, the Broomfield City Council narrowly defeated Wal-Mart’s expansion proposal. We are proud to report that our very own Tour 1 Denver GMF steward Kathy Prusak was very active in the public comment part of the deliberative process and was instrumental in helping to persuade the council to disapprove Wal-Mart’s proposal. Our thanks go to Kathy for stepping up on her own time to support the interests of working people in Colorado. Thanks, Kathy!
Member to Member
Walk Set for October 28th
by Dennis Enderson, President
In conjunction with the APWU’s National Day of Protest against management’s facility consolidation program, the Denver Metro APWU is hosting a “member to member” walk out of our union office from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 28, 2006. The union hall is located near the intersection of Colfax and Chambers at 15677 E. 17th Avenue in Aurora. We are encouraging all of our members to step up and volunteer to participate in this event during which we will walk through local neighborhoods to remind union members to vote on November 7, 2006. National APWU Executive Vice-President Cliff Guffey is traveling to Colorado to participate in this important event. Please mark your calendar and plan to show up at the union office this Saturday so you can meet Cliff Guffey and help us to ensure the election of labor friendly candidates who will support the continued vitality of the United States Postal Service. Please RSVP to Muriel Ponder on extension 312 or Tina Desautels on extension 437 at 303-365-1524. This is your chance to help us protect your future! It’s time to stand up and make your voice heard!
Social & Recreation Committee Events
by Dennis Enderson, President
The Denver Metro Area Local APWU continues to support the joint labor and management Social and Recreation Committee. This committee periodically schedules events for which discounted rates and fees are negotiated for postal employees. Denver APWU Social and Recreation Committee designee Sandy Carruthers has advised us of the following two upcoming events:
United States Postal Service
Night with the Colorado Avalanche
Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 6:00 PM – Pepsi Center
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche
Ticket Package:
$112 – Includes 4 ($39) game tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 Pepsi products and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. Additional tickets are $28 each. Additional price ranges available – tickets subject to availability. As a USPS EMPLOYEE, you, along with your family and friends, are invited to see the Colorado Avalanche for a discounted price! To receive these great benefits, we must receive your order by Friday, October 27, 2006. Visit
www.coloradoavalanche.com/USPS to order tickets. For more information, call Mike Meitin at the Avalanche offices at 303-405-6185 or
mmeitin@pepsicenter.com.
United States Postal Service
Night with the Denver Nuggets
Saturday, November 18, 2006 – 7:00 PM
Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets
Ticket Package:
$64 – Includes 4 ($23) game tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 Pepsi products, and a $10 ESPN Zone game card. Additional tickets are $16 each. Additional price ranges available – tickets based on availability.
As a USPS EMPLOYEE, you, along with your family and friends, are invited to see the Denver Nuggets for a discounted price! To receive these great benefits, we must receive you order by Friday, November 17, 2006. Visit
www.pepsicenter.com/USPS to order tickets online. To order tickets call Mike Meitin at 303-405-6185 or
mmeitin@pepsicenter.com.
Health Plan Open Season Approaching
by Dennis Enderson, President
Please be aware that the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) Open Season will run from November 13, 2006 through December 11, 2006. This is your chance to review your current coverage and make adjustments as desired. Please be especially aware that, for the very first time, you will have an opportunity to select optional dental and/or vision benefits in addition to your regular health benefits coverage. Please give consideration to the APWU Health Benefits Plan, which is one of the best “fee for service” plans available. Contact Denver Metro APWU Health Plan Coordinator Ric Lopez on extension 434 at 303-365-1524 with any questions about the APWU Health Benefits Plan.
Contract Talks Update
APWU Web News Article #59-06, Oct. 18, 2006
Contract negotiations continued Oct. 18, with the USPS asking questions about the APWU’s non-economic proposals. Discussion focused on employee reassignments, jurisdictional disputes, and the rights of employees in small offices. Bargaining is scheduled to resume on Oct. 23, with additional questions from the USPS about union proposals. Discussion of economic issues will take place in future sessions.
Let’s Support Working People!
by Dennis Enderson, President
We know that the next Governor, State Legislature and United States Congress will wrestle with important decisions regarding the economy and jobs, education, and affordable access to health care.
The Denver Metro APWU and the Colorado AFL-CIO have thoroughly researched where all the candidates stand on issues important to working families, and, after careful consideration, we have endorsed Bill Ritter to be Colorado’s next governor. As you probably know, our current governor, Bill Owens, is term limited which opens a door to elect a champion and friend of working people throughout Colorado.
In addition to supporting Bill Ritter for Governor, we have taken a position on many races and issues across the State of Colorado. We encourage you to support Amendment 42. Amendment 42 raises the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.85 and gives more than 100,000 Coloradoans a raise.
Whatever you decide on the candidates and issues, please take the time to vote. If you have applied to vote by mail, make sure you sign, date and send in your ballot. If you are not voting by mail, please consider voting early. Colorado’s counties offer residents the opportunity to vote prior to Election Day between October 23rd and November 3rd.
Local Arbitration Advocates Designated
by Dennis Enderson, President
Each year national APWU President asks locals to designate individuals as national arbitration advocates for the upcoming year. While President Burrus retains the final authority to appoint advocates, I have recommended the following Denver Metro APWU officials for 2007: Dennis Enderson, Gary Scott, Paul Pearman, John Kelly, Miguel Salazar and Brian Thomason. Many thanks to these individuals for stepping up to serve our membership in this capacity for the next year!
Our Condolences to
the Family of Patti McGinty
by Dennis Enderson, President
We were saddened at the recent news of the passing of USPS Western Area Human Resources Manager Patti McGinty. Many of our local officials have good memories of working with Patti over the years. We offer our condolences to all of her family and friends. Patti will be missed.
Possible Thrift Savings Plan Scam?
by Dennis Enderson, President
The Denver Metro APWU recently received the following message from the Postal Inspectors:
A Postal Inspector spoke with a postal employee today who had previously received a postcard relative to their TSP account about three weeks ago. The employee recalled the postcard appeared to be coming from the Postal Service. The employee completed the card and sent it out. The employee does not remember where it was sent. Today (Wednesday, October 11th) – she received a call from a man who advised his name was Larry Olson and he was following-up on the postcard. He wanted to set up a meeting with the employee at their home tonight to explain the benefits of the newer L fund. The man said he was in the Denver area. The employee had initially agreed to meet with him at her home in Colorado. The employee asked a few more questions and the man advised he would need her employee ID number and pin in order to assist her. At this point, the employee became uncomfortable and called the Postal Inspectors. The employee has since cancelled the meeting. The man advised this employee he had other meetings in the evening. Since the man is actually in Colorado and might have other meetings, I feel it is very important to get this message to all postal employees in Colorado as soon as possible.
If anyone has received a postcard similar to what the employee described, the Postal Inspectors would like them to send it to their office. The fact that he is asking for the employee’s ID number and PIN wishing to meet them at their home is enough for Inspectors to send out this warning.
Please be aware of this possible scam and don’t become a victim of identity theft!
USPS Plans Computer Matching Program
by Dennis Enderson, President
The following notice appeared in the Federal Register dated October 18, 2006:
Privacy Act of 1974,
Computer Matching Program
AGENCY: Postal Service
ACTION: Notice of Computer Matching Program
SUMMARY: The Postal Service plans to conduct an ongoing matching program to identify any current Postal Service employees, who are required by state law to register on a state’s public registry of sex offenders. State registries contain information about individuals who are statutorily required to register, having committed sexually-violent offenses against adults or children, certain other crimes against victims who are minors, or other comparable offenses. The Postal Service is undertaking this initiative to ascertain the suitability of individuals for certain positions or employment. The Postal Service will compare its payroll database for employees working in designated states against public records contained in the state sec offender registries.
DATES: The matching program will become effective no sooner than 30 days after notice of the matching program is sent to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
We are unclear what impact, if any, this program may have on our members. We will do our best to keep you informed.
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 – The next regular membership meeting will be held at the union office from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. An important item of business is the second reading and action on proposed amendments to the local’s Constitution and By-Laws. Food will be served. Please plan to attend.
Saturday, December 9, 2006 – Annual Denver Metro APWU Children’s Christmas Party. Details to be announced. Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
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