RED BANK LOCAL

Labors Brave New World After The Split

The Challenge Facing U.S. Labor Unions (Voice of America)

LABOR MAY DUMP CAFTA DEMS (ILCA Online)

Commentary: Solidarity Forever?

Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate

Workers prepare for life after AFL-CIO (AP via the Sacramento Bee)

Breakaway Unions Launch First Project

Union Chopping Block (CBS News)

Union feuds (Asbury Park Press)

The AFL-CIO Convention Wraps Up, Many Questions Remain

UFCW Leaves AFL-CIO, Too

Commentary: Solidarity Forever?

Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate

House Passes Postal Reform Bill (APWU.org)

House Passes Postal Reform Bill

(July 29, 2005) The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly, Tuesday, to pass their version of Postal Reform. Debate lasted about 2 hours and the final tally was 410 in favor, with only 20 opposed.

The Bill, HR 22, allows the Postal Service access to money, currently held in escrow, that represents an over-funding of the Civil Service Retirement Fund and shifts responsibility for military pension funding back to the federal treasury. The Bush Administration opposes both of these measures and has threatened to veto any Bill that is not revenue neutral.

Additionally, the White House has sought reductions in Collective Bargaining rights and Workers Compensation payments. On the latter, the Administration has promised lawmakers that they will be making proposals for a comprehensive overhaul of OWCP regulations, leading to speculation that they will move to cut benefits for all federal workers injured on the job and not just for Postal Workers.

White House proposals are expected to get a closer evaluation when the Senate debates their Postal Reform Bill. That is expected to occur after the August recess. Both Bills call for a study on the necessity and practicality of Universal Service and 6-day delivery.

House approves postal overhaul bill (GovExec)

House Approves Postal Reform Bill

Editorial: Reforms Are Too Modest

The DMA Applauds House on Postal Bill Vote

White House position on Postal Reform (pdf)

NPMHU: House Passes Postal Reform after Defeating Harmful Amendments

Postal Reform Hits The Floor

S.662 IS--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act

HR 22 RH--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act

Red Bank Local REFORM Page

Red Bank Local Members Enjoy BlueClaws Outing

MAINTENANCE UPDATE (6/13/05)

The Crisis Is Not Over by Steve Albanese, APWU Assistant Legislative Director

There seems to be a state of complacency falling over members of our union. Many believe that the recommendations of the President's Commission to reform the Postal Service are dead. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Those proposals are still very much alive as the 109th congress begins its work. Representative John McHugh of New York introduced HR-22 on the very first day of the new congress. [FULL STORY]

Hypocrisy Has No Bounds

APWU Legislative Department

Red Bank Local REFORM page

USPS Retirement Seminars for Central Jersey District

The Central New Jersey District Personnel Office has announced dates for Retirement Seminars for calendar year 2005. Seating is limited. Those planning to attend these group seminars must contact the Human Resources Specialist for their area and give the date they wish to attend. Seminars will be conducted in the Conference Room A/B, Kilmer P&DC, 21 Kilmer Road, Edison, New Jersey. Seminars are scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM and will last approximately 2 hours. Employees may bring their spouses and/or friends. These seminars are not a substitute for the individual retirement counseling referenced in the ELM. 2005 Retirement Seminar dates are as follows:

February 9 June 1 October 5

March 2 July 6 * November 2

April 6 August 3 December 7

May 4 September 7

Please note, the July 6 seminar has been rescheduled for July 20.

More Union News....Step 4 on Inspection Service; Regional Win on Timekeeping Duties

"Local" News...Red Bank Local Members Enjoy BlueClaws Outing

More "Local" News

Maintenance News...Vacant Duty Assignments

...Safety Committee Rep Needed

Latest News Headlines...The AFL-CIO Convention Wraps Up, Many Questions Remain

...UFCW Leaves AFL-CIO, Too

...Postal Reform Hits The Floor

...The White House Wants Changes in Postal Reform Bills

...Teamsters and SEIU Leave AFL-CIO

...Where Do We Go From Here (AFL-CIO restructuring debate)

Commentary....Solidarity Forever?

...Union split: Time for Change to Win

...The Legacy of the IWW

...Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate by Martin Johns

...Hypocrisy Has No Bounds

...Group Charges USPS is an Abusive Employer

.....California Postal Employees Zero Tolerance site

...Exposing The Postal Myths by Martin Johns

Union News...NLRB Rules for Employer on Off-Duty Fraternization Ban

...2005 New Jersey State Convention Recap

NJSPWU Election Results

...APWU, USPS Sign Memo On Grievance Reviews, Scheduling

...New Commuter "Tax Break" Plan for Postal Workers

...Verizon Wireless Deals for Postal Employees

.....PETITION TO MERGE THE NPMHU AND APWU

....APWU National Grievance on National Call-Out System

Other News, Commentary and Features Of Interest...THE INSURGENCY INSIDE (7/15)

...How Statistical Fakery Wipes Out Inflation (from Oct. 2000)

...Check in the Mail? Postal Service Ready to Tell You Where (7/6)

...Rants and Raves (6/15)

...Stamps Go Private (6/12)

...Service Lost In Self-Serve World (4/24)

...Blog At Your Own Risk (4/24)

...It Pays To Consolidate (3/14)

...The politics of pay raises (3/1)

Show me WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

The AFL-CIO Convention Wraps Up, Many Questions Remain

LATEST NEWS

NEWS ANALYSIS by Martin Johns

(July 29, 2005) The AFL-CIO Convention wrapped up, Thursday, even as legislators on Capitol Hill celebrated the narrow passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), yet another move from government expected to increase corporate profits, lower workers' wages and move yet more jobs out of America.

Unopposed, John Sweeney was elected to a fourth term as AFL-CIO President. Convention goers wore t-shirts that said "One Strong Voice for Workers Rights." But those sentiments seemed more ironic than heartfelt in the wake of the Convention's biggest story--the defection from the AFL-CIO by the Teamsters and the Service Workers (SEIU) and the Convention boycotting, and anticipated defection, by other unions affiliated with the Change to Win coalition. Anger was the most common reaction expressed at the actions of the dissident unions, but even Sweeney loyalists admit that the AFL-CIO must change if it is to remain relevant in the new world order.

The Convention was originally envisioned as a celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the union of the AFL and CIO. Instead, it served as Labor's proverbial fork in the road. Some wondered aloud at the symbolism of disunity at a time when, they say, "Solidarity" is more important than ever before. Change to Win, for their part, said the split was necessary because the AFL-CIO has not changed their approach to meet the rapidly changing economy.

Sweeney and those in his corner have argued that Labor's troubles are the direct result of an anti-worker administration. They say that Labor needs to put resources into electing labor-friendly candidates to change anti-labor laws. Change to Win argues that Labor's power is the size of its membership. For example, they say, votes, far more than money, determine where politicians will stand; therefore, organizing must be Labor's priority. Change to Win also argues that the only defense against outsourcing is organizing workers in those competing nations. Despite some rhetoric to the contrary, the AFL-CIO has generally supported globalization on the theory that increased business profits would eventually be reflected in the pay and benefits of the workers they represent. Since its early days, the AFL has had an almost protectionist view of organizing. Both sides will likely point to the passage of CAFTA, including the support for the measure from some Capitol Hill Democrats, as evidence that their position is the right one for Labor.

Resolutions passed at the Convention seemed to reflect the Change to Win philosophy, more than that of its 4-term President. Delegates voted to put millions more into organizing--something Change to Win had advocated. And Sweeney's push for more political action received lukewarm support at best. Delegates also passed a strong resolution calling for a "rapid" end to U.S. occupation in Iraq. Sweeney and his supporters had wanted a much more watered-down resolution, supporting the troops and calling for a gradual withdrawal.

AFL-CIO Chief Re-elected as 2 Unions Exit (Businessweek)

Democracy Sold Out - CAFTA Approved by Pork and a Hill of Beans

Longtime Union Members Troubled Over Dissident Split (Christian Science Monitor)

Is America's labour federation Losing its grip (Economist.com)

Labor had tough fight at non-union firms even before split (CNN)

Teamsters and SEIU Leave AFL-CIO

Where Do We Go From Here

Commentary: Solidarity Forever?

Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate

AFL-CIO Loses Third Union to Reform Coalition

UFCW Leaves AFL-CIO, Too

(July 29, 2005) The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) announced on Friday that they will join the Teamsters and SEIU in withdrawing from the AFL-CIO "effective immediately". UFCW President Joe Hansen said, "Workers cannot wait for a change in the political or corporate climate to organize. In fact, the current hostile political and corporate climate is the result of a failure to organize. Organizing workers changes everything." UFCW, with 1.4 million members, had joined SEIU, the Teamsters and UNITE-HERE in boycotting this week's AFL-CIO convention. UNITE-HERE is still debating their next move.

To offset the loss of dues money, delegates to the AFL-CIO voted this week to raise per-capita dues. That was before the UFCW announcement.

UFCW Joins in Departure From AFL-CIO (Forbes.com)

Labor rift could affect coveted workers

The AFL-CIO Convention Wraps Up, Many Questions Remain

Commentary: Solidarity Forever?

Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate

House Rules Committee Approves Four Amendments (APWU.org)

Postal Reform Hits The Floor

(July 26, 2005) The House Rules Committee, yesterday, accepted 4 amendments for debate as Postal Reform is slated to reach the floor, but, importantly, rejected an amendment which sought to cut Workers Compensation benefits for Postal Workers. The APWU thanked its members for a weekend barrage of e-mails to Representatives opposing the regressive addition to the pending legislation. Language which would cut OWCP benefits still appears in the Senate version of the Bill.

Much of the debate still centers on Military pension funding. The House Bill currently calls for the shifting of that obligation back to the federal treasury, a move the White House opposes. However, one of the accepted amendments would allow the Postal Service to use $27 Billion currently in escrow to fund healthcare obligations. The White House has indicated a willingness to accept a compromise similar to this, provided the USPS pick up all future Military retirement funding.

Capital Hill insiders caution that, whatever happens in the House and Senate, the final Postal Reform legislation is likely to be crafted by the Joint Committee which will have to reconcile the two Bills once passed in their respective houses. That Bill, they say, is likely to be written along lines closer to what the White House has sought all along. That Bill will likely resemble more the recommendations of the President's Commission, rather than what initially reaches the floor.

House Committee Adopts Postal Reform Bill (PostalReporter.com)

Summary of Amendments (house.gov)

White House floating compromise on postal overhaul bill (GovExec)

House to consider postal bill next week (GovExec)

The White House Wants Changes in Postal Reform Bills

Red Bank Local REFORM page

Union split: sign of decline or revival? (Christian Science Monitor)

Teamsters and SEIU Leave AFL-CIO

(July 26, 2005) Before the AFL-CIO Convention in Chicago could even begin, yesterday, the split in organized labor was already underway. Member unions of the "Change To Win" coalition--including the Teamsters, Service Employees International, Food and Commercial Workers and the UNITE-HERE--arrived in Chicago and immediately announced a boycott of the Convention which they said was rigged against the forces for change. By the end of the day, Teamsters President James Hoffa and Andrew Stern, SEIU President, had officially announced that they and the nearly 3 million workers they represent were leaving the AFL-CIO to start a new labor organization. UFCW and UNITE-HERE may officially withdraw, as well, before the end of the week.

The remaining member unions of the AFL-CIO, who had been prepared for vigorous debate, staged a Solidarity Rally, but otherwise sat in virtual stunned silence as Convention business went forward. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney has responded to the split with what amounts to a declaration of war, calling for a boycott of any disaffiliated union.

Though some have argued that the differences between the two sides were small--some say its as little as the difference between "should" and "shall"--other observers contend the philosophies of the opposing forces has always been irreconcilable. The "Change To Win" coalition believes that Labor must change to meet the changes in the global economy--reorganizing unions along industry lines and investing heavily in organizing. The leadership of the AFL-CIO believes that Labor needs to redouble its political efforts, in order to elect more Labor friendly legislators.

Many observers, Democratic politicians among them, fear that the split in Labor will dilute resources and fracture political efforts, leading overall to the weakening of Labor's influence. Attorneys for major corporations such as Wal-Mart, however, are advising their clients to expect increasingly more aggressive organizing efforts--including more action in the courts and in the media.

The last time Labor experienced a split of such proportions was in 1930, when the CIO split from the AFL because the parent organization showed little interest in organizing vast numbers of unskilled factory workers, as technological advances began reducing the numbers of skilled workers in many industries. Labor made great gains during this time. By 1955, when the AFL and CIO merged, one in three American workers belonged to a union. Currently, the number is less than one in ten.

Quotes of the moment (7/26)

Teamsters, SEIU Disaffiliate from AFL-CIO

Unions bolt AFL-CIO (Chicago Tribune)

AFL-CIO Break-Up Worries Democrats

SEIU and Teamsters Quit the AFL

Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate

Where Do We Go From Here

The White House Wants Changes in Postal Reform Bills

NEWS ANALYSIS by Martin Johns

(July 21, 2005) Having been voted out of their respective Committees in the House and Senate, Postal Reform Bills now await action from legislators on the floor, with many changes still possible and, indeed, likely before a final passage and the ultimate "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" from President Bush.

The White House has now fully reviewed the pending Bills and stands ready to veto Postal Reform unless the changes they seek are made.

Topping the White House wish list is the revenue they like to apply to their budget deficits in the form of over-funding of Civil Service Retirement commitments. Included, here, is some $27 Billion dollars in military service pensions. The pension burden for military service time is shouldered by the federal treasury, except for veterans who now work for the Postal Service. Both Bills shift this burden back to the treasury, and the White House has stood alone in seeking to keep this expense on someone else's ticket. The White House has relaxed their position only to the extent of requiring the Bills to be "revenue neutral." But a shift in these pension responsibilities would make that nearly impossible.

The Bush administration has also stated that they want the more liberal work-sharing language, that which allowed for discounts exceeding costs avoided, returned to the Bills. Though enforcement provisions are somewhat vague, the APWU lobbied hard for language that would restrict the Postal Service from offering "below cost" discounts to private mailers ("we lose on every piece, but we make it up in volume").

Additionally, the White House would like to see language making it easier to cut employee benefits.

All in all, the Bush Administration favors the Senate version of the Bill, which includes a provision cutting Workers Compensation benefits for Postal Workers. This would be accomplished by inserting the words "except for Postal Workers" in existing Workers Compensation laws.

The Road Map to Postal Reform (NAPS via PostalReporter.com)

Return to Sender (Forbes.com)

The Crisis Is Not Over

Red Bank Local REFORM page

Debating Labor's Future: A Forum (The Nation)

Where Do We Go From Here?

NEWS ANALYSIS by Martin Johns

(July 18, 2005) As APWU members discuss whether or not a one-year Contract Extension is in their best long-term interests, the forces in Labor's larger battle prepare their arguments and forces for a clash in Chicago next week. From July 25 through 28, the member unions of the AFL-CIO will meet in convention in that city, sharply divided on what Labor's future direction should be.

On one side of the fight stands "Change to Win," a coalition of unions supporting proposals put forward by SEIU President Andrew Stern. The leadership of these unions, SEIU, UNITE-HERE, UFCW, and the Teamsters included, represent almost 40% of Labor's organized workforce and blame the "business as usual" approach of the old guard for declining membership and John Kerry's loss in the most recent Presidential election. Their platform seeks to focus energies and resources on organizing while realigning unions along industry lines.

On the other side are current AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and his supporters. They believe Labor's difficulties have been exaggerated by the Stern forces and, in any event, those problems can be directly traced to an anti-labor political climate. The Sweeney forces want to leave AFL-CIO structure as it is and devote their resources increasingly to political action.

Since Sweeney's troops control the voting at the convention, they've bestowed Labor Councils with what Change to Win views as disproportionate voting weight designed to defeat the forces for change. Stern has said it is a virtual certainty SEIU will secede from the AFL-CIO if that organization votes to continue on its current path. Sweeney has responded to this threat with his own "scorched earth" policy--with a resolution for AFL-CIO unions to "do no business" with disaffiliated unions. If adopted, this approach would likely result in lost work for member unions.

Ironically, Sweeney came from the SEIU and served as Stern's mentor prior to being elected the AFL-CIO chief.

Both sides agree that resources are needed for both political action and organizing. Change to Win points out that precious resources are now being wasted as unions compete for the same potential members. For example, there are as many as 57 unions courting employees in some industries. Sweeney's supporters counter that, while Stern's approach has made the SEIU the nation's fastest growing union, some of the Change to Win ideas could run afoul of the Taft-Hartley Act. Therefore, they say, political action must certainly come first.

Virtually everyone agrees that Labor is at a crossroads. And virtually everyone agrees that the real fight is over the heart and soul of the Labor movement. Most believe that what happens in Chicago next week is likely to be the most significant development in Labor's history since the AFL and CIO merged 50 years ago.

This Could Be A Painful Divorce (MSNBC)

Change to Win Campaign Says "AFL-CIO" has yet to Embrace Real Change

The Failure of Partnership (ZNet)

AFL-CIO faces rebellion within ranks at convention

Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate

The State of the Unions In America (Woburn Advocate)

COMMENTARY:

Solidarity Forever?

Weldon Berger of BTC News, evaluating the defection of the Teamsters and SEIU from the AFL-CIO, sides with those departing. Citing the recently passed "bankruptcy reform" legislation (or, as Berger calls it, "The Indentured Servitude Act of 2005"), which found Democrats siding with big business against middle-class Americans, Berger says, "Stern and the SEIU have the right idea. Throwing an ever-decreasing amount of money and bodies into electing Democrats who embrace the interests of credit card companies and big business over those of workers is pointless. Growing the ranks of union members isn't." [FULL STORY]

In the Detroit Free Press, columnist Molly Ivins says, "Organized labor is weak, but unorganized labor is a hell of a lot weaker." Ivins says there is a lot more riding on Labor's struggles than just the working conditions of union members, arguing that the wages, pensions and jobs of every American--including managers--hang in the balance. [FULL STORY]

Monthly Review's Paul Buhle examines the legacy of the Wobblies and its relevance to the contemporary Labor movement. "The globalism that had been the very heart of the Wob understanding has become increasingly real in daily life. Workers of many countries now have no choice. They are being forced into solidarity with each other for dignity and survival... At any rate, given the accelerating attack of corporations upon the planet and all living creatures, it is getting close to now or never." [FULL STORY]

Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate

In July 2005, the member unions of the AFL-CIO will meet in convention in Chicago. Topping the agenda is a proposal, advanced by Andrew Stern, President of SEIU, to restructure the organization along industry lines and direct resources toward organizing. APWU President Bill Burrus stands opposed to the Stern plan. Red Bank Local member Martin Johns, examining Labor's history, concludes that the Stern plan was inevitable and may be Labor's best hope for the future. [FULL STORY]

Hypocrisy Has No Bounds

Burrus Update #4-2005, March 15, 2005

I am often amazed at the hypocrisy found in political debate when large sums of money are at stake. And in the debate over postal “reform” legislation, some major mailers have taken hypocrisy to new heights.

These corporate and advertising mailers seem willing to go to any length to protect the excessive postage discounts they have come to enjoy. And while they vigorously defend the postage discounts they receive for “worksharing” – even when the discounts exceed the costs the Postal Service avoids – they decry postal wages, claiming that postal workers are overpaid. [FULL STORY]

Group Charges USPS is an Abusive Employer

USPostalWorkers.com leader Felix Rivera, Sr., whose son is employed by the US Postal Service as a carrier at the Bayonne Post Office is fighting mad. According to Mr. Rivera, his son was assaulted by a supervisor at the office in September of this year. That supervisor, says Mr. Rivera, has assaulted other employees--apparently with the full knowledge and consent of his superiors. "The list of complaints is sky high," says Rivera, "and yet nothing is ever done about this problem. There seems to be a pattern of Institutionalized Harassment condoned and supported by the Upper Management of the Postal Service. They have teams of henchmen that move into a Post Office to purposely demoralize and victimize the postal workers." Mr. Rivera is seeking the help of anyone who will offer it to put a stop to the USPS Gestapo. Postal workers nationwide should Sign The Petition to publicly denounce these tactics most of us have witnessed and to which far too many have been subjected. Or will we only act after another tragedy like Royal Oak, Michigan? As Audre Lorde said, "Your silence will not protect you."

[FULL STORY]

USPostalWorkers.com

Wanted: Freedom From Workplace Bullying by Martin Johns

ZERO TOLERANCE HELP PAGE

California Postal Employees Zero Tolerance site

Red Bank Local Members Enjoy BlueClaws Outing

"LOCAL" NEWS

Members of the Red Bank Local, their families and friends, gathered together at First Energy Park in Lakewood, New Jersey, on Sunday for the Local's first ever "Night at the BlueClaws" picnic. And, judging from the smiles, it likely will not be the last.

For the $10 ticket price (children under 5 were admitted free), members could chow down on hotdogs, burgers, BBQ chicken and ribs, an assortment of salads, watermelon, chocolate-chip cookies and more in a picnic area reserved for the Local down the right field line. The baseball game, itself, was an entertaining pitcher's duel. Even there, those attending got more than their money's worth as the game lasted 11 innings. Ultimately, the Greensboro Grasshoppers defeated the Lakewood BlueClaws, 3 to 1. The BlueClaws are the Double-A franchise for the Philadelphia Phillies while the Grasshoppers are affiliated with the Florida Marlins. A couple of foul balls even found their way to the Red Bank Local picnic area.

All in all, it was an excellent family outing. (More pictures on "Local" News page)

OTHER "LOCAL" NEWS STORIES

MY OPINION...Weighing In on the AFL-CIO Restructuring Debate

...Local member exposes the myths driving Postal Reform

...Translating the President's Commission report on Labor

NLRB Rules for Employer on Off-Duty Fraternization Ban

UNION NEWS

In the latest anti-worker ruling from George Bush's National Labor Relations Board, an employer ban on off-duty fraternization was found to be "lawful."

Guardsmark, a security firm, instituted a rule which directed employees not to "fraternize on duty or off duty, date, or become overly friendly with the client's employees or with co-employees." In September 2003, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against Guardsmark, claiming that the company's directive violated employees' rights under the National Labor Relations Act to associate "for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection." While employers have certain rights to restrict on-duty fraternizing, the Guardsmark rule banned off-duty activities as well.

In a 2 to 1 vote, the NLRB upheld the Guardsmark rule on the premise that workers would interpret it as nothing more than a "dating" ban, which would serve to limit sexual harassment. They ruled that the directive was not intended to interfere with collective bargaining.

The dissenting Board member. noting that the directive specifically mentioned dating but went further, said, "the primary meaning of the term 'fraternize…[is] to associate in a brotherly manner'…and that kind of association is the essence of workplace solidarity."

The NLRB's ruling is viewed as "severely weakening the rights of free association and speech, and violating basic standards of privacy for America's workers." [Communication Workers of America]

The NLRB is politically appointed with the "swing" vote hand selected by the current US President. During the George Bush Administration, countless worker protections have been compromised, watered-down or eliminated entirely. [FULL STORY]

APWU, USPS Sign Memo On Grievance Reviews, Scheduling

APWU Web News Article #25-05, June 14, 2005

The APWU and USPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 13, updating procedures for reviewing grievances and scheduling arbitration hearings. The MOU requires management and the union to review all pending Step 3 grievances and appeals to arbitration, including cases that have been appealed directly from Step 2 to arbitration. The goal of the memo is to “improve the grievance/arbitration process” and reduce the backlog of grievances. [FULL STORY]

2005 New Jersey State Convention Recap

NJSPWU President Bill Lewis laid down his priorities for the state APWU organization at the 34th Annual State Convention, held at Bally's in Atlantic City from April 27 through April 29. Applying lessons learned in the battle to reopen the Trenton facility after it was closed due to Anthrax contamination in October 2001, Lewis spoke of the need for intensive 24/7 organizing efforts, better communication, and a continued push for COPA fundraising. [FULL STORY]

NJSPWU Election Results

Tax Break "Commuter Program" Launched for Postal Workers

Working with a company called WageWorks, the Postal Service has set up a plan that allows employees to pay commuting expenses on a pre-tax basis. [FULL STORY at PostalReporter.com]

WageWorks

Verizon Wireless Deals for Postal Employees

The U.S. Postal Service has an agreement with Verizon Wireless (VZW) to provide discounted wireless phone service, phones and accessories to postal employees. [MORE INFORMATION]