2006 CENTENARIAN RETIREES MOST POPULAR LINKS IN THE UNIVERSE!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

CENTENARIAN RETIREES MOST POPULAR ONLINE LINKS IN THE UNIVERSE! (LINK J)

GOVERNMENT:

www.aoa.gov U. S. Government Administration on Aging

www.defense.gov U. S. Government Department of Defense

www.dhhs.gov U. S. Govt. Department of Health and Human Services

www.dol.gov U. S. Government Department of Labor

www.ed.gov/index.jsp U. S. Government Department of Education

www.fedstats.gov U. S. Government Gateway to over 100 Federal Agencies

www.firstgov.gov U. S. Government Official Web Portal

www.hud.gov U. S. Govt. Department of Housing & Urban Development

www.irs.gov U. S. Government Internal Revenue Service

www.medicare.gov U. S. Government Medicare

www.opm.gov U. S. Government Office of Personnel Management

www.seniors.gov U. S. Government Federal Retirement Calculator

www.ssa.gov U. S. Government Social Security Administration

www.treasury.gov U. S. Government Department of the Treasury

www.tsp.gov U. S. Government Federal Thrift Savings Plan

www.usps.gov United States Postal Service

www.va.gov U. S. Government Department of Veterans Affairs

AFFILIATIONS:

www.aflcio.org National A.F.L.-C.I.O. Headquarters

www.apwu.org American Postal Workers Union Headquarters

www.apw-aba.org American Postal Workers-Accident Benefit Assn.

www.apwu-nppa.org APWU National Postal Press Association

www.flaflcio.org Florida AFL-CIO Headquarters

www.flara.org Florida Alliance for Retired Americans

www.retiredamericans.org National Alliance for Retired Americans

www.unionlabel.org Union Label and Service Trades Department

POLITICAL PARTIES:

www.democrats.org Democratic National Committee

www.gp.org Green Party of the United States

www.rnc.org Republican National Committee

www.politicalindex.com United States National Political Parties Directory

RETIREES ORGANIZATIONS:

www.aarp.org American Association of Retired Persons

www.narfe.org National Association of Retired Federal Employees

www.ncpssm.org National Council to Protect Social Security & Medicare

www.seniornet.org Worldwide SeniorNet Computer Learning Centers

VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS:

www.amvets.org American Veterans since World War II

www.dav.org Disabled American Veterans

www.legion.org American Legion

www.vfw.org Veterans of Foreign Wars

www.va.gov/vso/view.asp National Directory of Veterans Service Organizations

OTHER RETIREE WEB LINKS TO EXPLORE THE WORLD:

www.apwuhp.com APWU Health Plan

www.apwunpc.com APWU National Presidents’ Conference

www.benefeds.com Federal & Retiree Dental & Vision Benefits

www.familysearch.org LDS Worldwide Family Search

www.globexplorer.com Satellite Image Map of your Residence

www.mapquest.com Map a Round Trip Routing

www.members.aol.com/apwuvbp APWU Voluntary Benefits Plan

www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil U. S. Dept. of Defense Veterans’ Funerals

www.nalc.org National Assn. of Letter Carriers Retirees

www.retireeparadise.blogspot.com Retiree Paradise Online Website Newsletter

www.seniorfriends.com National Association of Senior Friends

www.terraserver.microsoft.com Home Real Estate Values in your Neighborhood

www.usgenweb.org Family Ancestry Search by State and Counties

www.21cpw.com 21st Century Postal Worker Postal Issues Forum

TOP FIVE (5) INTERNET SEARCH ENGINES:

1. www.google.com Best by Far. Ask any College Student!

2. www.yahoo.com Excellent. Now uses Google’s search engine!

3. www.excite.com Great Directories. Great Home Page!

4. www.hotbot.com Good Directories! Innovative and getting better!

5. www.mrsapo.com The Spanish Frog-Connects the Worldwide Web with one click of the mouse!

2006 FIVE (5) REASONS TO CALL OR WRITE APWU TO STAY ALIVE & ACTIVE!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

5 REASONS TO CALL OR WRITE NATIONAL APWU RETIREES DEPARTMENT TO STAY ALIVE & ACTIVE! (Link J)

APWU retirees, as well as future retirees, surviving spouses, and dependents with questions concerning retirement can get help from the National APWU Retirees Department by phoning 1-202-842-8585, between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm from Monday thru Friday, to speak with one of the Retirees Department staff members.

You may reach the Retirees Department at other hours, days, and holidays by phoning TOLL-FREE 1-877-279-8669 (877-APWU-NOW). When you call this number, be sure to leave your name and phone number on the tape so that someone can return your call. E-Mail can be sent to dcholbrook@apwu.org at any time.

You may write to National APWU Retirees Department as below:

Douglas Cowan Holbrook, Director
APWU Retirees Department,
1300 L Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20005

In the following specific situations, please call, write or E-Mail Douglas Cowan Holbrook, our National APWU Retirees Director:

1. You need information on postal retirement (regular, disability, and/or early out) and/or workmen’s compensation and injury on the job. Be sure you have your CSA or CSF and Social Security numbers available when you call, write, or E-Mail.

2. You want to join the National APWU Retirees Department to become an APWU dues paying retiree member paying $24.00 year by signing up on the APWU Retired Member Form 1187.

3. You want information on how to organize an APWU Area Local/Local or a State Retiree Chapter. Three (3) Local Chapters are needed to form a State Chapter. The President of your local union must request a list of the APWU Retirees’ names and addresses and a model Constitution and By-Laws be mailed to get the organization started.

4. You want to show your appreciation and support for all the National APWU Retirees Department education and legislative programs set up to protect the Federal/Postal entitlements and benefits enjoyed by the National APWU membership which were won for all of us over the first 100 years of our history.

5. You want to become an active APWU Retiree by getting involved on the local, state, and national levels in the below PARAMOUNT LEGISLATIVE ISSUES of great importance to current and future retirees and their families:

PARAMOUNT LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

(1) Protection of Federal Civil Service annuities for Retirees and their families.

(2) Opposition to Privatization that would adversely affect Job Security for Postal Workers, Retirees, and their families.

(3) Guaranteeing Social Security for Current and Future Retirees and their families.

(4) Protection of Health, Long Term Care, Dental, Hearing, and Vision Benefits for Retirees and their families.

(5) Making Healthcare More Affordable for Retirees and their Families.

(6) Amending Section 125 of the Federal Tax Code to Allow Pre-Tax Dollars to be used toward Health Care for Retirees and their families.

(7) Repealing the Social Security Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provisions (WEP) to help Retirees and their families.

(8) Legal Permission for Drugs Made in the USA to be re- imported for consumption by Retirees and their families.

(9) Improving Medicare and Prescription Drug Part D Coverage for Retirees and their families.

(10) Guaranteeing Medicare for Current and Future Retirees and their families.

(11) Supporting Legislation that would improve Long Term Care for Retirees and their families.

(12) Promote Legislation providing Safe and Low Cost Housing for Retirees and their families.

(13) Encourage FREE Education in Colleges and Higher Institutions of Learning for Retirees and their families.

(14) Getting involved in Democracy by Endorsing and Campaigning for Secret Ballot Voting by U.S. Mail to Provide a Paper Trail for all elections on local, county, state, and national levels.

(15) Persuade the Congress to enact legislation to provide a FREE COMPUTER tax free with FREE lessons for any Retiree to use, to preserve longer living, enjoyment of history, arts and sciences, music, and entertainment appreciation for Retirees and their families.

*****ONCE YOU RETIRE FROM YOUR CAREER AT THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE every hard earned benefit that affects the Retiree, also directly or indirectly affects and touches every member of the Retiree’s family.

Jack Gose, President and Editor,

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

Official Internet Website Webmaster

2006 FIFTEEN REASONS TO CALL OR WRITE OPM TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

15 REASONS TO CALL OR WRITE OPM TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY! (LINK I)

You may phone the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) toll-free at 1-888-767-6738, between the hours of 7:30 am-7:45 pm (EST) from Monday thru Friday, to speak to a real live person. The best time to call is early of the morning or late in the evening. The OPM automated phone system using this toll free number also seems to work well most of the time during other hours, days, and holidays.

You may write to OPM at the below addresses:

CSRS Employees:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management,
Retirement Operations Center,
P.O. Box 45,

Boyers, Pa. 16017

FERS Employees:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management,
Retirement Operations Center,
P.O. Box 200,
Boyers, Pa. 16017

In the following specific situations where you need help or information, call or write to OPM:

1. To report a regular monthly payment was lost or not received. First contact your post office/bank to see if delivery might have been delayed. If the payment has not been received by the fifth business day after the expected payment date, call or write OPM. You must sign the letter notifying OPM of the non-receipt of an annuity payment.

2. To obtain federal tax election forms to change income tax withheld form annuity payments.

3. General inquiries about health benefits. Enrollees are notified annually of the health benefit options before each Open Season.

4. A dispute over a health benefits claim with your health benefits carrier which you want OPM to review.

5. General inquiries about federal tax withholding.

6. Inquiries about a garnishment of annuity for alimony or child support, apportionment of an annuity awarded by a court and court-ordered survivor benefits.

7. To respond to an OPM Disability Earnings Survey or Marital Status Survey.

8. To submit Certification of Continued Entitlement to Adult Student Benefits, or to inquire about such benefits.

9. To send payments for deposits, re-deposits, and overpayments (debts). You should include your claim number, the number of your check, and enclose the OPM statement associated with your payments.

10. To report a change of mailing address. You must notify OPM about any change of address, even if your annuity payments are sent directly to a bank. OPM needs your mailing address to send important information (such as FEHBP Open Season packages) to you. You must sign the correspondence.

11. To have monthly annuity payments sent to a bank by “direct deposit.” You can ask your bank to complete the Standard Form and send it to OPM. You can also make these changes by calling if you can provide all the information requested on the Standard Form.

12. To report the death of a retiree or survivor. Include the deceased’s full name, claim number, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number, if known. To apply for death benefits, survivors should request an Application for Death Benefits. If the deceased had FEGLI coverage, survivors should request a Life Insurance Claim for Death Benefits form.

13. To obtain information about retirement or life insurance designations of beneficiary, and to request or file designation forms. You should furnish your claim number, date of birth, and Social Security number. You must sign the request for such information from your file.

14. To report changes in Social Security benefits for FERS disability and survivor benefits.

15. To report changes in the status of Workers’ Compensation benefits.

2006 SURVIVOR ACTION INFO WAKE UP CALL!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

SURVIVOR ACTION INFO WAKE UP CALL!

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR SPOUSE DIES:

1. Notify employee’s immediate supervisor at the U.S. Postal Service.

2. Notify Postmaster at the Postal facility where the employee worked.

3. Notify Personnel Section or Human Resources Office official.

4. Contact the following:

a. The American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO on the National, State, and Area Local/Local levels to check for any spousal benefits.

b. Office of Personnel Management at 1-888-767-6738 to check for eligible spousal benefits, such as spousal annuity, life insurance, health insurance, etc. The surviving spouse will get a Civil Service Final (CSF) annuity 7 digit number followed by the letter W (Widow or Widower).

c. If a veteran, contact the Veterans Administration and Veterans organizations to check for any spousal benefits you may be eligible for.

d. Local banks, savings and loans, credit unions for spousal benefits.

e. Safety Deposit Box at various financial institutions.

f. Social Security Administration to check for eligible benefits.

g. Insurance companies to check for any eligible benefits.

h. Internal Revenue Service and State & County Tax Departments.

i. Change deceased name on important papers to survivor’s name.

5. Notify immediate supervisor at USPS and President of APWU Area Local/Local of time and place of services for deceased.

6. Have mortuary obtain seven (7) copies of death certificate.

7. Turn in locker key, badge, and other postal property to immediate supervisor at the U.S. Postal Service.

8. Obtain copies of military discharge certificates, Form DD-214, if postal employee dies while still employed at USPS.

9. Have copies of birth certificates of dependent, underage children.

10. If previously married, have copies of your divorce papers.

11. If presently married, have copies of your marriage license.

12. A will or living trust is a vital necessity which will eliminate costly court probate procedures. We urge everyone to get one if you don’t already have this important document to protect your assets and to make sure your estate is distributed according to your wishes when you pass on.

13. Fill out the following papers (available from Personnel or OPM). Copies of the forms may be seen at www.opm.gov/forms for review.

a. SF 2800 – Application for death benefits (CSRS).
b. SF 3104 – Application for death benefits (FERS).
c. Claim of designated beneficiary for unpaid compensation.
d. Claim for unpaid compensation (no designated beneficiary).
e. Claim for benefits such as Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI).
f. Check with Personnel section or Human Resources office for exact amount of annuity for yourself and children. Then telephone OPM to double check on everything for peace of mind.

Survivorship is not paid AUTOMATICALLY. You must apply for it. In most cases, if your spouse was a veteran, he/she is entitled to burial expenses.

If the cause of death is due to a job related injury, the Office of Federal Employees Compensation (OFEC) will pay for burial expenses minus any amount the VA gives.

The survivors, in case of a job related death, may also apply for an annuity from the OFEC. The survivors can then choose the higher annuity.

You might wish to save this APWU survivor action information. Hopefully, you will not have to use it, but will find it helpful to those who have the need.

In the event you do not already have a copy, we suggest you invest in your future and the future of your loved ones by purchasing the APWU Survivors Booklet costing only $3.00 per copy from the National APWU Retirees Department in Washington, D.C. To review this valuable keepsake booklet and other retiree info, go online to www.apwu.org and click on Retirees Dept. for the latest news!

By all means, contact the office of Douglas Cowan Holbrook, Director, National APWU Retirees Department, by telephone at 1-202-842-8585 or toll-free 1-877-279-8669 (877-APWU NOW), and/or write to him at 1300 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 to inform him of the death of your spouse, and let him know you wish to retain all the APWU benefits your spouse and you have fought for all these years.

IF YOU DIE WHILE EMPLOYED AT USPS

If your death occurs while you are still employed at USPS, your surviving spouse and children will qualify for a monthly survivor annuity, provided:

1. You were subject to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) at death, and had completed at least eighteen (18) months of creditable civilian service.


2. You and your spouse were married for at least nine (9) months at the time of your death, or your spouse is the parent of a child born of your marriage. The nine (9) month requirement does not apply in cases of accidental death.

3. Your children are unmarried and under age eighteen (18), or full-time students in recognized educational institutions and under age twenty-two (22), or married and incapable of self support at the time of your death regardless of age, provided the disability occurred prior to age 18.

If your death occurs before retirement, your survivors should notify your employing office immediately. When your employing office is notified of your death, they will assist your survivors in filling the necessary claim forms for death benefits. Your employing office will provide the applicable claim forms. The following documents are required:

1. Two (2) certified copies of the death certificate.

2. Copy of military discharge certificates, form DD-214, report of transfer or discharge, if applicable.

3. Copy of marriage certificates.

4. Copy of birth certificates of dependent children under age twenty-two (22).

IF YOU DIE AFTER RETIREMENT FROM USPS

If your death occurs after you retire, your surviving spouse will qualify for an annuity if you accepted a reduced annuity with survivor benefits at retirement, and your spouse was married to you for a total of at least nine (9) months or is the parent of your child. The marriage duration requirement does not apply if your death is accidental.

Children described above automatically qualify for a survivor annuity regardless of your survivor annuity election.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must honor qualifying court orders that provide survivor annuity benefits for a former spouse.

If you have a former spouse who is entitled to a full survivor annuity based on a qualifying court order, your current spouse will receive monthly survivor benefits after your death only if the former spouse loses entitlement to the court-ordered survivor benefits, unless you elect to provide an insurable interest annuity for your spouse when you retire.

A court order providing survivor benefits to a former spouse will not affect survivor benefits for eligible children.

A survivor annuity for a spouse continues for life, unless the spouse remarries before age fifty-five (55). A child’s annuity ends when the child marries, reaches the age eighteen (18) or twenty-two (22) if a full-time student, or if disabled, becomes capable of self support.

Lump-sum benefits consist of the total amount credited to your retirement fund, plus any accrued interest. However, no lump-sum benefits for retirement contributions will be paid if your current spouse, former spouse, or children are eligible for a survivor annuity.

If your survivor annuity terminates before your retirement contributions are exhausted (paid out in the form of an annuity), the balance remaining in your account is payable in a lump sum. Any unpaid accrued annuity due you at death is also payable in a lump sum. A lump sum is payable in this order:

1. Designated beneficiary.
2. Spouse.
3. Child/children in equal shares.
4. Parents.
5. Executor or estate administrator.
6. Next of kin.

If you die after retirement, your survivor should notify OPM at 1-888-767-6738 between hours of 7:30 am-7:45 pm, Monday thru Friday. The best time to call is early of the morning or late in the evening to not have to wait a long time on line to talk to a real live person. The OPM toll-free telephone number automated system is available 24 hours seven days a week, if you choose this option.

Your survivor should give the deceased employee’s full name, Civil Service Annuity (CSA) claim number which has seven (7) digits, date of birth, date of death, and the name and address of the person entitled to death benefits.

Any OPM annuity checks not cashed should be returned with a statement to the return address on the U. S. Government envelope bearing the check or to the below address for the entire United States:

Department of U. S. Treasury,
Financial Management Services,
P.O. Box 7224,
San Francisco, CA 94120-7224

If your checks are being deposited directly into your bank account by OPM, your survivor should contact your bank or other financial institution, notifying them of the date of your death. When OPM receives notice of your death, they will review your retirement records and send applicable claim forms to the person entitled to the death benefits.

2006 TWENTY-TWO (22) RETIREMENT TIPS TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

22 RETIREMENT TIPS TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY:

RETIREE CHAPTER POSTAL CALENDAR TIPS!

1. ANNUAL LEAVE
2. BENEFICIARIES
3. COUNSELING SEMINARS
4. DATE OF RETIREMENT (CSRS)
5. DATE OF RETIREMENT (FERS)
6. GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET (GPO)
7. HEALTH INSURANCE
8. HIGH THREE AVERAGE EARNINGS PAY
9. INCOME PROJECTION
10. INTERIM OPM PAYMENTS
11. LIFE INSURANCE
12. LWOP
13. OFFICIAL PERSONNEL FOLDER (OPF)
14. SICK LEAVE (CSRS)
15. SICK LEAVE (FERS)
16. SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
17. SPOUSAL OPM BENEFITS
18. SURVIVORS BOOKLET
19. THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN (TSP)
20. VERIFICATION OF RECORDS
21. WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION (WEP)
22. YEARS OF SERVICE OPM MAXIMUM PAY

22 RETIREMENT TIPS OUTLINED BELOW!

1. ANNUAL LEAVE: At the time you retire, the Postal Service will pay you for up to a maximum of only 440 hours of earned annual leave. You will lose any amount over 55 days of annual leave (55 days x 8 hours daily= 440 hours maximum). It should be on your next scheduled USPS paycheck.

2. BENEFICIARIES: Check the information on beneficiaries you have previously chosen for your Government Life Insurance, Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), earned annual leave, and earned compensation. There is a separate form for each benefit.

The order of beneficiaries is your designated beneficiaries or if the order is not designated, then the order is spouse, child/children in equal shares, parents, executor or estate administrator, brothers and sisters, or next of kin in that order.

3. COUNSELING SEMINARS: You need to attend a pre-retirement counseling seminar, if one is available at your USPS agency, at least five (5) or more years before your retirement. Many postal agencies only offer one pre-retirement individual counseling session within in a three (3) year period after you become eligible for retirement due to age and years of service. It’s a crying shame, but that’s the way things happen.

Better yet, you should attend a National APWU Retirees Department Retirement class hosted by the APWU Region, State and/or Area Local/Local or enroll in a three (3) day National APWU Retirees Department Counseling Seminar which is being scheduled in each region. This way you may become an APWU Retirement Counselor in your APWU Area Local/Local, State or Region.

4. DATE OF RETIREMENT (CSRS): For voluntary retirements, CSRS annuities should begin on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd day of the month. If you retire on one of the first three days of the month, your first OPM annuity check is payable the first day of the following month.

If you retire on any other day of the month, your first OPM annuity check is payable the first day of the second month which follows. If you retire the 4th day through the last day of any month, for example, August 4th through August 31, then your first OPM annuity check is payable October 1st. Waiting one extra day will cost you one additional month of OPM annuity pay!

5. DATE OF RETIREMENT (FERS): In the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), voluntary retirements begin only on the first day of a month. FERS employees should retire on the last three (3) days of the month, if possible. For example, if you retire on August 31 under FERS, your first OPM annuity check is payable October 1st. Under FERS, retiring on other days earlier in the month will cost you extra days of additional OPM annuity pay.

6. GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET (GPO): You may also be entitled to benefits based on the Social Security covered earnings of your spouse or former spouse. However, this benefit may be affected by the Government Pension Offset (GPO), another provision of the Social Security law. For more information, see Congress & Legislative link and scroll down to the Legislative Fact Sheet on Government Pension Offset (GPO). We urge you to contact your Congress and ask them to Co-sponsor and support the legislative bills already introduced in the 110th Congress to repeal this unfair law.

7. HEALTH INSURANCE: You must be enrolled in your Federal Employees Health Insurance Benefits (FEHB) Plan program for a five (5) year period prior to your date of retirement to continue your health insurance coverage as a retiree. After you retire, you pay approximately thirty (30) percent or less of your health insurance premium and USPS pays about seventy (70) percent or more. The U.S. Government is mandated not to pay more than 75 % of total premium for any FEHB plan.

This is a big change in the formula you enjoyed before you retired when USPS paid approximately eighty-three (83) percent or more and you paid about seventeen (17) percent or less due to the USPS/APWU collective bargaining agreement. Welcome to the real world!

8. HIGH THREE AVERAGE EARNINGS PAY: Your high three average earnings pay is figured on thirty-six (36) months of continuous base pay only. It does not include overtime, night differential, Sunday pay, or lump sum payments.

9. INCOME PROJECTION: If you will have any housing cost (mortgage or rent) or other significant loans/credit card debts after retiring, you will need approximately eighty (80) percent of your current USPS salary to retire comfortably. If you have no rent/mortgage or other substantial loans/credit card debts after retiring, sixty (60) percent of your salary will probably suffice.

10. INTERIM PAYMENTS: Generally, as soon as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) gets all your retirement records from USPS, OPM will provide interim payments averaging more than eighty-five (85) percent of your final retirement benefit. Usually, the next month’s check will be your regular annuity amount plus a make-up of the remaining amount due from your first payment. The third OPM annuity check you receive, if not sooner, should be your regular monthly annuity amount.

OPM will withhold deductions for federal income taxes, health and life insurance coverage, and your $2.00 monthly APWU retiree union dues, provided you have completed the APWU Retired member Form 1187 and mailed it back to the National APWU Retirees Dept.

11. LIFE INSURANCE: To keep your Federal Employees Government Life Insurance (FEGLI) group policy coverage, you must have been enrolled in the program for the five (5) years of service immediately preceding your retirement date or for all service since your first opportunity to enroll in the program.

12. LWOP: The only way LWOP can delay your postal retirement by reducing your years of service credits is if you take over six (6) months of LWOP in a calendar year.

13. OFFICIAL PERSONNEL FOLDER (OPF): Get a copy of your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) from USPS Personnel or Human Resources office at once, including all military records. Your retirement is based on the Form 50’s in your folder. Check your Personnel folder and files each and every year of your employment.

Your retirement is determined by the highest three years of your consecutive yearly base pay. There is approximately a twenty (20) percent error in USPS record keeping. Your expenses of copying the personnel records in your folder will save you beg bucks down the road!

14. SICK LEAVE (CSRS): In CSRS, for every 22 days of sick leave, you are credited for one month of service. 2080 hours of sick leave equals one year of credit for CSRS employees only. Accumulated sick leave can be used for additional monthly and years of service for retirement.

15. SICK LEAVE (FERS): If you are in FERS, you get no credit for accumulated sick leave for extra monthly and years of service to retire.

16. SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS: Telephone the Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213 or go on line to their web site www.ssa.gov to ask for a “Request for Earnings and Benefit Statement” on you to get a record of your earnings under Social Security, and if you will be eligible, an estimate of the payment you may receive.

Remember, the estimate you receive may not include reductions to your Social Security benefits due to the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). You should schedule an appointment with your local Social Security office to personally get an estimate of your benefits, including any reductions which may be caused by the GPO and/or WEP provisions.

17. SPOUSAL OPM BENEFITS: In compliance with the Spousal Equity Act of 1984, your spouse must agree and sign a notarized paper for you not to make your spouse a beneficiary of your OPM annuity. If the spouse chooses not to be a beneficiary and the annuitant dies, the spouse cannot get health insurance benefits coverage!

18. SURVIVOR’S BOOKLET: Every potential APWU retiree member should purchase the APWU Survivors Booklet costing only $3.00 from the National APWU. This treasure chest publication allows for personal information to be stored in one place for your use and your spouse/family. If you pass away, the information in this booklet is especially important to you, but also to your survivor or loved ones.

19. THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN (TSP): You are urged to contribute a maximum deduction to your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to realize a higher income return on retirement. Retirement for FERS employees is like a three-legged stool, that is, FERS, Social Security, and TSP. You cannot usually afford to retire if you don’t build up your Thrift Savings Plan account to the maximum.

20. VERIFICATION OF RECORDS: All periods of civilian and military service should be verified in your Official Personnel Folder (OPF) files. You must take the initiative on your own to request copies of all your personnel records and keep these copies in a safe place where you know where they are located. Request copies each and every year to update your files for retirement some day! I bet you can’t wait to get started!

21. WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION (WEP): Any Social Security Administration estimate of the payment you may receive is not adjusted for the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which is a provision of the Social Security law after 1984 that reduces the Social Security covered benefits of many former Federal and Postal employees.

For more information, go to the Congress & Legislative link on this web site and scroll down to Priority Legislation and Legislative Fact Sheets to read about how the Windfall Elimination Provision may affect your retirement.

We urge you to contact your Congress and ask for their Co-sponsorship and support for legislative bills already introduced in the 110th Congress calling for the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). We think these bills have a good chance of getting out of Committees and going to the floor for serious debate and passage this time around the horn!

22. YEARS OF SERVICE OPM MAXIMUM PAY: If you have forty-one (41) years and eleven (11) months of combined service at the time you retire, you will be paid eighty (80) percent of your high three continuous years of service. For CSRS employees, sick leave can increase your OPM annuity over the 80 percent maximum. FERS employees DO NOT GET ANY CREDIT for accumulated sick leave in figuring their retirement! Welcome to the Real World!

2006 TEN (10) RETIREMENT SUGGESTIONS SHOCKER!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

TEN (10) RETIREMENT SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE YOU SMILE! (LINK F)

1. Begin planning your retirement at the beginning of employment.

2. Attend several pre-retirement postal and APWU seminars.

3. Keep your retirement plan confidential. This allows you to change your mind if events or personal circumstances change your plan.

4. Keep your plans with your spouse so both your interests can be preserved in your new life style. Consult with your spouse knowing there is a spousal consent requirement.

5. Learn the facts of your many retirement options from an expert, Mr. Douglas Cowan Holbrook, National Director of the APWU Retirees Department, the postal retirement counselor in your office, and the APWU Area Local/local Union President, APWU Retiree Director, and APWU Retirement Counselors in your local and state.

6. Review your life and health insurance needs and figure the cost as you decide which policies to take with you into retirement. Understand how age will impact the cost of your life insurance.

7. Stay where you are for about a year after you retire. This will help you make a wise decision on whether to stay close to family and friends or move to a new area in Florida or out of state.

8. Take advantage of the various Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) options (CSRS-FERS) available to you. Save the maximum you can, even if you will only be in the program for a year or less.

9. Take financial inventory and budget for unexpected expenses like increasing college tuition for your children or grandchildren or medical care for you or a loved one.

10. Take advantage of all the retirement information provided by APWU Retirees Dept., U.S.P.S., OPM, and independent sources.

TEN (10) RETIREMENT MISTAKES TO REMEMBER:

1. Retiring on the spur of the moment because of a difficult assignment or personality clash on the job. The “early out of 1992” is a good example of lack of retirement planning by retiring postal employees and USPS.

2. Failing to discuss retirement plans with your spouse or loved ones, and retiring “from” something without having something better to do.

3. Expecting to live comfortably on your annuity without making realistic calculations of how much money it will take to maintain your current standard of living or lifestyle.

4. Retiring without realizing that Twenty-five (25) years of service under CSRS will yield only Forty-six and twenty-five/one hundreds (46.25) percent and each additional year of service after 25 years will yield only two (2) percent of your High 3 year average earnings.

5. Failing to stay abreast of developments and changes in federal retirement entitlement programs and trends on the Congressional scene.

6. Retiring without reviewing all the CSRS or FERS retirement options, and the pros and cons of each with USPS, OPM, Social Security, Medicare, Thrift Savings Plan, and the APWU Retirees Department.

7. Basing retirement decision on the advice of friends, rather than consulting with the experts at the national, state, and local levels.

8 Selling your house and moving to an area, without being sure of the cultural, social, and economic realities of the move.

9. Believing that your active productive life is over just because you are retiring. Most employees retiring have the union in their blood, and have the opportunity to continue being active as a $24.00 year dues paying member of the National APWU Retirees Department.

10. Failing to review all your service and entitlements to be sure you get the proper credit. Believing that the estimate you receive from the postal service is the actual amount of your annuity.

2006 FLORIDA CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP ALIVE!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

FLORIDA CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP: (LINK D)

ZIP CODE-LARGEST CITY-CURRENT MEMBERS

320 Jacksonville 72
321 Daytona Beach 139
322 Jacksonville 108
323 Tallahassee 27
324 Panama City 44
325 Pensacola 56
326 Gainesville 53
327 Lake Mary/Titusville 139

328 Orlando 90
329 Melbourne/Cocoa 145
330 Miami/Key West 223
331 Miami 132
333 Fort Lauderdale 125
334 West Palm Beach 269
335 Tampa/Zephyrhills 106
336 Tampa 137
337 St. Petersburg 168
338 Lakeland 139
339 Fort Myers 140
341 Naples 24
342 Bradenton/Sarasota 149
344 Ocala 136
346 New Port Richey 202
347 Kissimmee 71
349 Fort Pierce/Port St. Lucie 92

FLORIDA TOTAL MEMBERSHIP = 3,000+ or -

This information was gathered from the National APWU Retirees mailing list provided by the National APWU Retirees Department, AFL-CIO, Wash., D.C.

2006 LOCAL RETIREE CHAPTERS SEE THE LIGHT!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

LOCAL RETIREE CHAPTERS: (LINK C)

Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter,
Suncoast Area Local #1228, APWU
Chartered 1998 by National APWU
Jack Gose, President Home Tel: 727-343-2998


Broward County Area Local Retiree Chapter,
Broward County Area Local #1201, APWU
Chartered 2000 by National APWU
Valentine Serpico, President Home Tel: 954-396-4217



Miami Area Local Retiree Chapter,
Miami Area Local #0172, APWU
Chartered 2001 by National APWU
Manuel Camunas, President
Local President Cookie Ford Office Tel: 305-591-0134



Tampa Area Local Retiree Chapter,
Tampa Area Local #0259, APWU

Chartered 2006 by National APWU
Dave Bernstein, President Home Tel: 813-839-4233

2006 APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER OFFICERS!

Douglas Cowan Holbrook, National Retirees Department Director, installs six (6) newly elected officers of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, for a 2-year term of service on Wed., May 10, 2006 in Daytona Beach, FL at the 3rd Biennial State Retiree Chapter Convention held in Plaza Ocean Club Hotel. See how many faces from the photo above you can recognize in the list of Chapter Officers below:

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

CHAPTER OFFICERS (2006-2008): (LINK A)

President: Jack Gose
6839 Park Street South, South Pasadena, Fl. 33707
Home Tel: 727-343-2998
E-Mail: Jak.Gose@Excite.com

Vice President: Valentine Serpico
2701 Middle River Dr., #1, Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 33306
Home Tel: 954-396-4217

Secretary-Treas.: Mario G. Miceli
2034 Los Lomas Dr., Clearwater, Fl. 33763
Home Tel: 727-446-4781

Legislative Dir.: David Bernstein
2616 South Toronto St., Tampa, Fl. 33629
Home Tel: 813-839-4233

Health Plan Dir.: J. C. Wise
4018 W. Fig Street, Tampa, Fl. 33609
Home Tel: 813-289-0382

Benefits & Organization Dir., Beth Cramer
1305 SW 9th Court, Cape Coral, Fl. 33991
Home Tel: 239-242-9133

Trustee: Charlie Redd
1822 Baylor Court, Cocoa, Fl. 32922
Home Tel: 321-632-2898

Trustee: Pedro Torres
8400 S.W. 181st Street, Miami, Fl. 33157
Home Tel: 305-251-7938

Historian: John Sardin, Jr.
6116 – 25th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, Fl. 33710
727-347-5687

2006 NATIONAL APWU RETIREES DEPT. CONFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.!

(Click on Document Picture Above to Make for Better Viewing)

APWU 100 YEARS OF PROGRESS AND STILL COUNTING, REMARKABLE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY DOUGLAS COWAN HOLBROOK, NATIONAL APWU RETIREES DIRECTOR, ON PAGE 33 IN THE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 2006 ISSUE OF AMERICAN POSTAL WORKER MAGAZINE. THIS IS A COLLECTORS GEM!

By Jack Gose, Retiree Reporter and Editor, member of APWU National Postal Press Association, AFL-CIO.

2006 JOHN SARDIN, JR., APPOINTED AS HISTORIAN OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER!

John Sardin, Jr., age 83, son Philip Sardin, spouse Mary Sardin, and President Jack Gose, Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter, American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, are shown smiling on the porch outside Buddy Freddys Buffet Restaurant, 1150 U.S. Highway 19, Holiday, FL 34691 after an enjoyable Chapter membership luncheon and business meeting on Tue., Sept. 20, 2005. John has been the Treasurer of the Local Chapter #1228 since creation in 1998 and Sec.-Treasurer of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter since formation in 2002.

JOHN SARDIN, JR. APPOINTED AS CHAPTER HISTORIAN

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, has appointed John Sardin, Jr. to the newly created post of Historian, which position was unanimously approved by the Chapter Executive Board meeting on Wed., Oct. 25, 2006 in Fort Myers, FL. John was born in 1922, and he is enjoying his 64 years of labor union involvement. He is a highly respected individual serving as the first APWU Vice President at Large on the Florida AFL-CIO Executive Board for several years, and is currently the Treasurer of the Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter, Suncoast Area Local #1228 covering 337 and 346 zip code areas of Florida.

The CHAPTER HISTORIAN shall maintain an accurate historical record of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, prior to and after the issuance of a founding charter granted by the American Postal Workers Union on March 15, 2002, and to keep up with the historical facts of all National APWU, National AFL-CIO, APWU of Florida State, Florida AFL-CIO, National Alliance for Retired Americans, and Florida Alliance for Retired Americans labor related events. He will share with APWU Active and Retiree dues paying officers, stewards, members, and their families by timely distribution and publication of informative, interesting historical articles in the Florida Postal Worker and at conventions, conferences, and seminars.

Elizabeth Cramer, APWU Southern Region Retiree National Convention Delegate, Steve Cramer, Dave and Phyllis Bernstein, Richard and Arlene Lambrigger, and Jack Gose participated in an open luncheon and business meeting at Holiday Inn Select in Ft. Myers. Beth Cramer wants everyone to know she attended all the active and retiree meetings at the National APWU Convention in Philadelphia in August. A motion was unanimously passed for the Chapter to send up to two (2) Chapter Officer/Delegates to the National APWU Retiree Conference and Clerk Craft Conference to be held in Las Vegas, NV at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel from Mon., Nov. 5 thru Thur., Nov. 8, 2007 to ensure having two Delegates with voice and vote at both events.

Jack Gose, Dave and Phyllis Bernstein joined over 100 other Postal Workers on Thur., Oct. 26, 2006 to picket the Main Post Office in downtown Ft. Myers, opposing the consolidation plans for 139 post offices of the U.S. Postal Service, which actions will slow down the service and eliminate postmarks on local mailings, including St. Petersburg, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Ft. Myers. The message was delivered by APWU active and retiree marchers loud and clear, “DON’T LET OUR MAIL SERVICE FALL APART,” as TV, Cable, Radio, and Newspaper Media on the scene recorded APWU History for the Ages!

The Chapter encourages all active APWU Area Local/Local Executive Boards and active membership to affiliate with Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) at 25 cents per member, per year, with a minimum of twenty (20) members or $5.00 year dues to receive a charter from FLARA. Jack Gose distributed a Happy Folder containing an APPLICATION FOR AFFILIATION WITH FLARA to each of the APWU Area Local/Local Presidents attending the Local Presidents Conference all day meeting on Wed., Oct. 25, 2006. The APWU leaders of today need to get involved in politics and progressive legislation to protect and preserve our jobs, active and retiree benefit programs!

The 3-hour Retirement Class at the APWU of Florida Fall Seminar on Sat., Oct. 28, 2006 in Ft. Myers had a Wonderful Surprise Turnout with thirty (30) signing in, about half coming from Southwest Florida Area Local and the rest hailing from ten (10) other local unions. The expected retirement years offered by the attendees ranged from 2007 to 2040. Linda Springer, Director of Office of Personnel Management, informed us that sixty percent (60%) of the Federal Employee workforce will become eligible to retire within the next ten (10) years, and forty percent (40 %) will actually retire as soon as they become eligible. Doug Holbrook, National APWU Retiree Director, who taught the retirement seminar, states that 137,000 APWU craft members will become eligible to retire by 2016. My advice is for everyone to sign up for the next APWU OF FLORIDA SPRING 3-DAY RETIREMENT COUNSELOR SEMINAR to be taught in April, 2007. Early Outs are always an Option!

Federal retirees covered by Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and regular military retirees will receive a 3.3 percent COST OF LIVING (COLA) increase in 2007. Employees who retired under the new Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) and are 62 or older will receive 2.3 percent COLA. There are about 2.4 million federal retirees worldwide. Social Security checks for nearly l49 million retirees are going up 3.3 percent in 2007, an average of $33.00 per month. The 3.3 percent hike compares to 4.1 percent benefit rise in 2006, the biggest increase in 15 years. One-third (1/3) of retirees rely on Social Security for ninety (90) percent or more of their total income. Part of the gain will be eaten up by a $5.00 jump in Medicare Part B Health Insurance from $88.50 to $93.50 monthly, a rise of 5.6 percent.

Our entire APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board members wish everyone smooth sailing, HAPPY HOLIDAYS in 2006, and HAPPY NEW YEAR in 2007!

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter

2006 FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS EB MEETING IN PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL!

Kathy Castor, successful Democratic candidate for Congress (11th H.R. District-FL) to replace Congressman Jim Davis, stands to answer a question at the quarterly Florida Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Board and Legislative Conference with 60 members meeting at Dolphin Beach Resort, 4900 Gulf Blvd., St. Petersburg Beach, FL 33706 on Mon., Sept. 11, 2006 the 5th anniversary of the twin World Trade towers disaster in New York City in 2001. President Tony Fransetta remains at the dais, awaiting introduction of Christine Jennings, unsuccessful Democratic candidate to replace the Congressional seat in Sarasota (13th H.R. District-FL) now held by Republican Katherine Harris, loser to Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) in the general election on Tue., Nov. 7, 2006. (Photo taken by FLARA Vice President Jack Gose with a Kodak 800 speed Flash camera)

FLARA EB & LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR DOUBLETREE HOTEL, PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL. ON MON., DEC. 4, 2006

Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), has announced a quarterly Executive Board meeting and FLARA Legislative Conference will be held in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. on Monday, December 4, 2006 at the Doubletree Hotel, 4431 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL. 33410. Warm chocolate chip cookies will be given to each person checking in at this 279 room Hilton Family Hotel. Free complimentary parking is available near the entrance.

Doubletree Hotel standard single/double room rate is $94.00, plus 10.5 % taxes per night, a total of $103.87 for FLARA members and guests. Standard room has two double beds. Call the Doubletree Hotel at 1-800-222-8733 or 1-561-622-2260 (Tree) to make room reservations, and ask for the FLARA special group rate. You are to arrive on Sunday, December 3, 2006 and check in at the hotel after 3 pm and checkout time is 12 noon on Monday, December 4, 2006.

All roads lead to the Palm Beach Gardens area on the East Coast of Florida for FLARA/APWU Retiree Actions you will never forget! Directions to the Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens: From the South: I-95 North to PGA Blvd West, Exit 79B. Hotel entrance is 1/4 mile on the right. Another option is to take the Florida Turnpike (Toll) North to PGA Blvd, Exit 109. Then turn Left (East) on PGA to Military Trail, after which turn left again. Doubletree Hotel entrance is immediately on right. From the North: I-95 South to PGA Blvd, Exit 79, then turn right (West) on PGA. Hotel entrance is 1/4 mile on the right. Another option is to take the Florida Turnpike (Toll) South to PGA Blvd, Exit 109. Turn Left (East) on PGA to Military Trail, turn left. Hotel entrance is immediately on right.

All FLARA Executive Board members, Club and individual members, including all 3,000 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter officers, members and invited family/guests are invited to attend this entertaining meeting of Florida’s finest leaders from twenty-two (22) International unions and over 100 community based organizations. The meetings will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, 2006 and will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a break for lunch from 12 noon to 1 p.m. provided by FLARA. Many invited guests and well-known political figures will speak. Go online to www.flara.org to see our mission purpose and history of achievements. FLARA has over 220,000 dues paying members in the State of Florida!

President Tony Fransetta has chartered an additional 15 clubs since our annual FLARA Convention at Altamonte Springs, FL in June of this year, and we are in the process of chartering the Firefighters of Miami-Dade County (over 600 members), the International Union of Police Association, and Alliance Care. A few of the new clubs that were chartered since June, 2006 are: CWA, Local 3106. CWA, Local 3109; CWA, Local 3120; APWU, Tampa Area Local 259; CWA Retiree Club #3, Local 3181; and APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO (over 3,000 members).

We welcome everyone including active APWU officers, members, and family/guests to this exciting gathering to foster support for the important issues that face Florida Union active members, retirees, and seniors. The Club dues to affiliate with FLARA are only twenty-five (25) cents, per member per year, with a minimum of twenty (20) members to join, or only $5.00 year. All thirty-one (31) APWU Area local/local Union Executive Boards can certainly afford to pay this amount. Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter #1228 and Tampa Area Local Retiree Chapter #259 are affiliated and chartered by FLARA. Join us in real APWU Retiree Solidarity as We Continue to Fight for all of our Future!

Contact FLARA in West Palm Beach area at 1-561-792-8799 if you are interested or have any questions or comments. Please phone Jack Gose, FLARA 2nd Vice President, at 727-343-2998 for more information!

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter

2006 APWU OF FLORIDA FALL SEMINAR IN FT. MYERS, FL!

Retirees Jack Gose, President of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, Dave and Phyllis Bernstein join over 100 other active national, state, and local American Postal Workers Union officers, members, and family picketing the main downtown U.S. Post Office, Ft. Myers, FL. on Thur., Oct. 26, 2006 in opposition to the U.S. Postal Service plan to consolidate mail processing and delivery services in 139 cities across the nation, causing 1 to 7 days delay in mail delivery and loss of some of the city postmarks to the communities involved. Martha Shunn-King, President of APWU of Florida, and ten (10) National APWU Officers led the marchers on a hot sunny day with several TV, radio, and newspaper media outlets recording the events!

FREE RETIREES CHAPTER LUNCHEON IN FORT MYERS OCT. 25, 2006

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter FREE luncheon will be given to each Retiree Chapter member paying APWU Retiree union dues $24.00 year to the National APWU Retirees Dept. and one guest, limit of two per family attending the Retirees Luncheon to be held at the Holiday Inn Select Restaurant, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33907 from 11:45 am to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006. Retiree Happy folders chock full of interesting information will be distributed to all those attending, and everyone is invited! Retirees like to mix their door prizes with excitement!

Douglas Cowan Holbrook, National APWU Retirees Director, and former Secretary-Treasurer of the 224,000+ active dues paying member American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO for 20 years has been invited by Jack Gose to be the main speaker at the scheduled FREE RETIREES CHAPTER LUNCHEON on Wed., Oct. 25, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel located in Fort Myers, FL. He will elaborate on many changes being made in the membership dues rebate structure of the National APWU Retirees Department, and how they will affect APWU Local and State Retiree Chapters all over the country. We suggest you check your National APWU Retiree dues rebate printouts carefully, and contact Doug Holbrook for any corrections, if needed!

An example of one of the changes being implemented is if you are a member of Detroit District Area Local Union in Detroit, MI, one of 35 chartered Local Retiree chapters, and you retire from the Detroit, MI Post Office, your APWU Retiree union dues rebate of eighty (80) cents per month will be rebated to the Detroit District Area Local Union in Detroit, MI the rest of your life, even if you move your residence to Florida and in reality the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter and/or the APWU Local Retiree Chapter in Florida represents you and all the APWU Retirees living in Florida. An APWU Retiree pays $24.00 year or $2.00 monthly to the National APWU Retirees Department, and forty (40) percent of the monthly rebate has always gone to the APWU Local Retiree Chapter where the Retiree resides which has been the National APWU previous policy for thirteen (13) years since the creation of the APWU Retirees Department in 1993. If you have questions, phone Doug Holbrook in Washington, D.C.!

EVERYONE INVITED TO RETIREMENT SEMINAR IN FT MYERS SAT., OCT. 28

A one-day retirement seminar will be conducted by National APWU Retirees Department Director Douglas C. Holbrook during the Fall Educational Seminar for active and retiree members and their families on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006 beginning at 9 am until conclusion in the afternoon to make sure everyone’s questions and concerns are answered by the National APWU Retirees Department Director. The APWU of Florida Spring Seminar begins on Thurs., Oct. 26 thru Sat., Oct. 28, 2006 at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel where the semi-annual conclave is to be held for educational classes arranged by Pete Trunzo, Education Director, for active and retiree APWU members. The names, dates, and times of other classes and instructors are listed elsewhere in the Florida Postal Worker or on the APWU of Florida website www.apwuflorida.org and phone Jack Gose 727-343-2998 or jak.gose@excite.com for any comments or suggestions! WE LOVE YOU!

2006 NATL APWU CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.!

President Jack Gose, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter and elected State Delegate of APWU of Florida, puts his arm around Benjamin Franklin, the Founding Father of the U.S. Postal Service over 200 years ago, in the Grand Hall of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA. on COPA Celebration night, Tue., Aug. 15, 2006 at the National American Postal Workers Union Biennial Convention from Aug.11-19, 2006. Jack also talked to Thomas Jefferson, and had loads of fun being the first in line to eat one of the famous Philly Cheese Steaks.

RETIREES ACHIEVE GOALS AT NATIONAL APWU CONVENTION, INCLUDING ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR STATE RETIREE CHAPTERS

Constitutional Resolution No. 2 [Art.16, Section(I) ] on Adequate Funding for State Retiree Chapters which was submitted by APWU of Florida was overwhelmingly adopted by the 2803 voting delegates at the 18th Biennial National APWU Convention in Philadelphia, PA on Wed., August 16, 2006. The original amendment written by Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter for the 2006 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention delegates reads, “State Retiree Chapters shall receive twenty percent (20%) of the National Per Capita per Retired Member in that state, once fifty percent (50%) or more of the state retiree membership has been organized and chartered into Local Retiree Chapters by the National APWU.” Prior to this change, the four (4) State Retiree Chapters currently chartered, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and California had a dwindling amount of funds to work with, once 50 % or more of the retiree membership were organized into Local Retiree Chapters.

This change to the National Constitution would encourage the formation of newer chapters, which would be in the interest of all retirees, and would provide needed and adequate funding for state chapters according to Linda Turney, Chairperson, Constitution Committee, and APWU President of Illinois State. Resolution No. 4 [Article 20] which was submitted by Ohio State on Membership in State Organizations also was adopted which states, “All Locals and area locals will be members of their APWU state organization under the criteria established by the respective state constitution.” It requires that large locals assist MALs (Members-at-Large) and the smaller locals that otherwise would not have representation or a voice in the organization.

The elected Delegates assembled on the floor of the Philadelphia Convention City Center came from 407 locals, 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, 84 National APWU officers and four (4) Retiree Regional Delegates. The Assembly approved an amendment Resolution No. 6 [Article 3, Section 4 (d)] submitted by Pennsylvania State, “That effective immediately that retirees who pay full dues to the national and local state organizations shall be permitted to vote during contract ratification.” The Constitution Committee recommended non-concurrence, stating the outcome of contract negotiations does not directly affect retirees. However, the Delegates voted for the amendment as those Retirees have decided to remain active within their local or state organizations.

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board delegates Mario Miceli, Dave Bernstein, and Jack Gose attended many scheduled events in Philadelphia during the week of August 12-19, 2006 and represented the interests of over 3,000 Retiree Chapter dues paying members in the State of Florida: Retiree and Clerk Conferences on Sat. and Sun., Political briefing and APWU financing on Sat. night, Congressional speakers and Ice Breaker on Sun. night, daily Atlanta Region 4-state Caucus from 8:30 am to 10 am, Accident Benefit Association Convention on Mon. night, daily main Convention Business sessions 10 am-4 pm Mon. thru Fri., COPA night activities on Tue. night, APWU Rally against Post Office Consolidation of Services and Delayed Mail with 3,000 blue shirted APWU brothers and sisters marching around Philly Post Office, Parade of States on Thur. night, and Retirement and Legislative workshops on Sat., Aug. 19.

While in Philly, I was surprised to be given the APWU Retiree of Year award by Douglas C. Holbrook, Retirees Director, before 60 Retirees in attendance at the Biennial Retiree Conference inside meeting room on 3rd level. The inscription on the statue recognizes my involvement in National APWU Retirees Dept., APWU of Florida State Chapter, and Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO during 2006, with the signature of Bill Burrus, APWU President. Wallace Baldwin, Atlanta Metro AL, GA also received a similar award for his contributions to Retiree activities. Many former National Officers were present at this meeting, including former Industrial Relations Dir. John Richards from Pittsburgh, Pa., former Exec. Vice President Dave Johnson, and Retiree Director John R. Smith from Dayton, Ohio.

FREE RETIREE CHAPTER LUNCHEON AT HOLIDAY INN - FORT MYERS

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter FREE luncheon will be given to each Retiree Chapter member paying APWU Retiree union dues $24.00 year to the National APWU Retirees Dept. and one guest, limit of two per family attending the Retirees Luncheon to be held at the Holiday Inn Select Restaurant, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33907 from 12 NOON to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006. The APWU of Florida Spring Seminar begins on Thurs., Oct. 26 thru Sat., Oct. 28, 2006 at the same Hotel where the semi-annual conclave is to be held for educational classes arranged by Pete Trunzo, Education Director, for active and retiree APWU members.

Retiree Happy folders chock full of interesting information will be distributed to all those attending, and everyone is invited! Up to five (5) $25.00 Cash Door Prizes will be awarded to the first five APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members signing in and attending the Retirees Luncheon. The National APWU Retirees Dept. has 38,927 members and the Natl. APWU member list has 482 Full Dues Retiree members, 224,589 DCO members, 257 active Cash Pay members, 21,000 Associate Active Federal and Non-Postal members, 531 HCR & MTESC members on DCO, 4,185 Letter Carriers, Mailhandlers, Rural Carriers, Supervisors, and Postmaster members, and 1,365 new 1187s not yet processed thru USPS payroll system, or a grand total of 291,336 APWU dues paying members according to Frank Romero, Director of Organization. (May 18, 2006)

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting will be held in the Holiday Inn Restaurant Private Dining Area (PDR) following the Luncheon and everyone is invited to listen and participate in the discussion on motions brought before the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board. We will be planning on sending Retiree delegates to the National APWU Retirees Dept. Conference, to be held in Las Vegas in 2007 in conjunction with the other Craft Conferences.

2006 NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, WASH., D.C.!

Jack Gose, President, and Dave Bernstein, Legislative Director, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, join 600 other Retiree Delegate activists from all over the United States in the Park below Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. to hear Nancy Pelosi dressed in a white suit at the dais, future Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and 25 other Congress members on the podium, encourage the National Alliance for Retired Americans demonstrators attending on Thur., Sept. 7, 2006 to keep fighting to oppose the efforts of the Bush Administration and Right Wing Conservatives of all parties for privatization of Social Security, Medicare, Prescription Drugs, and the U.S. Postal Service. After the rally concluded on a beautiful sunny day, hundreds of Delegates including thirty (30) from the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans walked up the Hill to keep their appointments with their Representatives and Senators! Jack and Dave were two of only three APWU members from the entire 50 states registered for the 4-day conclave in the Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Av. NW, Washington, D.C.

RETIREE CHAPTER SENDS 3 DELEGATES TO NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS CONVENTION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPT. 5-8, 2006

The APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting in Gainesville, FL on March 29, 2006 authorized roundtrip travel with vouched expenses paid from APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter funds for up to three (3) Retiree Delegates to attend the Constitutional Convention of the National Alliance for Retired Americans (NARA) in Washington, D.C. and lobby our Congress on Capitol Hill on Retiree, Senior, and Postal Reform issues. The APWU Delegates are President Jack Gose, Secretary-Treasurer Mario Miceli, and Legislative Director Dave Bernstein who will represent 3,000 APWU Retirees in the State of Florida who pay $24.00 year union dues to the National APWU Retirees Department. The State Retiree Chapter pays full membership dues to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, Inc., a 501 C (3) charitable and educational organization.

The Convention is to be held Tuesday, September 5 thru Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 at the Hilton Washington and Towers Union Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. The Hilton is located near DuPont Circle and Embassy Row. Hotel room rates are $146.00 night plus 14.5 % taxes, and are guaranteed until July 20, 2006. Check-in time is 3 pm, and check-out time is 12 noon. Hotel reservations should be made by calling the Hilton Washington and Towers directly toll-free at 1-888-324-4586. I have attended the first annual NARA National Legislative Conferences held in Washington, D.C. in 2002, 2003 and 2005, and the NARA Southern Region Leadership Conference held in Jacksonville, FL in 2004. This is every active and retired Postal Worker’s opportunity to step up to the plate, and become active in legislative lobbying at the highest levels!

The Conference registration early bird fee is $80.00, if received by July 20, 2006. After that date, the registration fee is $95.00. A Banquet featuring a noted personality is set for Thurs., Sept. 7 at 6 pm. Banquet tickets are $70.00 person and should be ordered with the registration form. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive your tickets when you arrive at the Conference. To register, phone toll-free 1-888-373-6497 and ask for Joni Jones at Registration Desk, or E-mail to jjones@retiredamericans.org or visit our ARA national website at www.retiredamericans.org for more information.

The opening session is to begin at 3 pm on Tues., Sept. 5, and the last event will conclude by 3 pm on Fri., Sept. 8, 2005. You will be in Washington, D.C. only 3 nights! NARA President and Secretary-Treasurer National elections are one of the scheduled events. The Alliance has grown to over 3.2 million members in 26 chartered states since formed by the National AFL-CIO in 2001, and the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) has increased to over 203,000 dues paying members in the State of Florida from 22 different international unions and over 90 community based groups since 2002 being the 2nd state to be chartered by NARA, a 501 C (4) organization which is issues oriented.

The National Alliance’s aims are to mobilize retired union members and other activists in a grassroots movement advocating a progressive political and social agenda. One of the purposes of the Alliance is to Fight for Retirement Security by educating our members about government policies affecting Retirement Security. The major focus of the speakers, workshops, and training sessions will be on our work growing State Alliances that educate, and Lobby Day in Washington will highlight the mid-term 2006 Election year meetings. Retirees will not forget the Election of 2004 and will battle against Social Security, Medicare, and Postal Service privatization efforts.

Jack Gose as 2nd Vice President of FLARA cast a ballot for FLARA representing over 200,000 FLARA members for the creation of NEW ALLIANCE NEW STRENGTH AFL-CIO State Body and Central Labor Councils organizations at the Florida AFL-CIO COPE Endorsing Convention held at the Wyndham Westshore Hotel in Tampa, FL on May 21, 2006. Legislation and Political Action Should Be at the Top of Everyone’s List!

If you need more information, phone Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 or E-mail jak.gose@excite.com for a prompt reply. Hope to see you in Washington Sep. 5-8, 2006!

FLARA EB & LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE TO BE IN ST. PETE BCH SEPT. 10-11

Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), has announced a quarterly Executive Board meeting and FLARA Legislative Conference to be held in St. Petersburg Beach, FL. on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 at the Dolphin Beach Resort, 4900 Gulf Blvd, St. Petersburg Beach, FL 33706. Directions to the hotel from I-275 are to use Bayway Exit to 34th Ave (Don Cesar Hotel) and make a right turn to go north on Gulf Blvd, turn left at the hotel on left hand side of roadway on shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

The conclave has been called to discuss and layout plans for action in the State of Florida and in the Fall/Winter session of Congress. The meetings will be held on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a break for lunch from 12 noon to 1 p.m. provided by FLARA. Many invited guests and well-known political figures will speak. Go online to www.flara.org to see our history!

All FLARA Executive Board members, Club and individual members including 3000 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members, and invited family/guests are welcome at this exciting gathering to foster support for the important issues that face Florida Union active members, retirees, and seniors. Contact FLARA in West Palm Beach area at 1-561-792-8799 if you are interested or have any questions or comments. Phone Jack Gose, FLARA 2nd Vice President, at 727-343-2998 for more information!

Dolphin Beach Resort standard room rate is $85.00, plus 12 % taxes per night, for FLARA members and guests. Standard room has two double beds, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and house up to four people. A Publix Supermarket is close in a shopping mall across the Boulevard. Call the Dolphin Beach Resort at 1-800-237-8916 to make room reservations, and ask for the FLARA special group rate. You are to arrive on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006 and check in at the hotel after 4 pm and checkout time is 11 am on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006. All roads lead to St. Pete Beach for FLARA/APWU Retiree Actions now. Join us in real APWU Retiree Solidarity as We Continue to Fight for all of our Future!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREES CHAPTER FREE LUNCHEON SET FOR HOLIDAY INN SELECT RESTAURANT IN FT. MYERS, FL ON OCT. 25, 2006

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter FREE luncheon for each Retiree Chapter member paying Retiree union dues to the National APWU Retirees Dept. of $24.00 year and one guest, limit of two per family, attending the Retirees Luncheon to be held at the Holiday Inn Select Restaurant, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33907 from 12 NOON to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006, the day before the APWU of Florida Spring Seminar begins on Thurs., Oct. 26 thru Sat., Oct. 28, 2006 at the same Hotel where the semi-annual conclave is held for educational classes for active and retiree APWU members.

Retiree Happy folders will be distributed to all those attending, and everyone is invited! Up to five (5) $25.00 Cash Door Prizes will be awarded to the first five APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members signing in and attending the Retirees Luncheon.

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting will be held in the Restaurant Private Dining Area (PDR) following the Luncheon and everyone is invited to listen and participate in the discussion on motions brought before the Executive Board. The Holiday Inn Select Hotel is only 15 minutes from the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Island. The Hotel telephone number is 239-482-2900, and APWU of Florida special group room rates are published elsewhere in the Florida Postal Worker. See Ya in Fort Myers, Baby! We Love You!

CONGRATULATIONS TO TAMPA AREA LOCAL RETIREE CHAPTER JOINING FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS AT FLARA CONVENTION HELD AT HILTON HOTEL IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL JUNE 5-6, 2006!

2006 APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER CONVENTION IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL.!

Douglas Cowan Holbrook, National APWU Retirees Department Director, Washington, D.C. Headquarters, swears in the newly elected Executive Board members of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, APWU, AFL-CIO for a 2-year term of office in the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel & Resort, 640 N. Atlantic Av., Daytona Beach, FL 32118 on Wed., May 10, 2006. The six (6) elected Officers receiving the oath of obligation are shown from left to right, Charlie Redd from Cocoa, Trustee; Valentine Serpico from Ft. Lauderdale, Vice President; Dave Bernstein from Tampa, Legislative Director; Ruth Wood from New Smyrna Beach, standing in for Pedro Torres of Miami, Trustee; Jack Gose from South Pasadena, President; and Mario Miceli from Clearwater, FL., Secretary-Treasurer. (Photo taken with a Kodak 800 speed Flash camera)

3RD BIENNIAL STATE RETIREE CHAPTER DAYTONA BEACH CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS!

Twenty (20) Retiree Chapter officers and members, active officers and members, Auxiliary officers and members, and family guests attended our 3rd Biennial APWU of Florida State Retiree Executive Board Meeting and Luncheon held at the Plaza Resort and Spa and/or State Retiree Convention at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fl. on Wed., May 10, 2006. We prepared over 100 Retiree Happy Folders for the Retirees Convention and regular APWU of Florida Convention Delegates, Officers, and Families which were distributed during the twin conclaves. The folders were chock full of APWU history from our founding and fantastic, innovative ideas for the future.

The National AFL-CIO and National Alliance for Retired Americans Office were generous in providing complimentary copies of the Congressional Voting Records for 2005 and Legislative Priority Issues for 2006 booklets for distribution to all who attended the Retirees Convention and the regular APWU of Florida Convention in Daytona Beach.

The entire State Retiree Chapter Executive Board of six (6) Chapter members were unopposed in the State Chapter elections and were unanimously elected to serve a two year (2) term of office 2006-2008. Ruth B. Wood was appointed as Chairperson of the Nominations and Elections Committee. Newly elected Board members, Jack Gose, President, Valentine Serpico, Vice-President, Mario Miceli, Secretary-Treasurer, Dave Bernstein, Legislative Director, Charlie Redd, Trustee, and Pedro Torres, Trustee were administered the APWU Oath of Office by Douglas Cowan Holbrook, National APWU Retirees Department Director from Washington, D.C. Douglas C. Holbrook was our main invited guest speaker at the luncheon and the Retiree Convention, and he answered many questions from those in attendance concerning a wide range of retiree issues for the active, retiree, and family members.

Many cash door prizes, APWU Parade of States pin and button collectible prizes, and APWU of Florida brief cases were given to nine (9) lucky winners present at the luncheon. Retiree Convention COPA 50/50 total collections amounted to $80.00 with seven (7) Retirees in attendance or an average of $11.43 per Retiree, with our thanks to Dave Bernstein, newly elected Legislative Director for the parent APWU of Florida active organization, who conducted the ticket sales. Retiree resolutions and Constitution and By-Laws changes were discussed, debated, and adopted unanimously. They were also adopted by the APWU of Florida regular Convention Delegates and now go on to the National APWU to be considered in Philadelphia, PA at the National APWU Retirees Conference and regular National APWU Convention in August, 2006.

We introduced a COPA Challenge by contributing $35.00 in separate water glasses at the podium on Saturday, the final day of the regular Convention which brought our total COPA collections to over $3,000. during 4 days of Conventions, Thanks to Everyone!

J.C. Wise, Retiree Chapter member from Tampa Area Local, was appointed to the position of Health Plan Director of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter. J.C. will work under the direction of the Chapter President and report on Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans including APWU and Tri Care Health Plan issues. He will give reports at APWU seminars, conventions, and meetings he attends, and he is encouraged to write articles in APWU newsletters and the media on matters of interest to APWU Retiree Chapter members and their families.

Beth Cramer, Retiree Chapter member from Southwest Florida Area Local, was reappointed to the position of Benefits Director of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, and we expect to see and hear a lot from Beth at the National APWU Convention floor microphones in Philadelphia. The offices of Health Plan Director and Benefits Director will become elected positions at the 2008 Biennial State Retiree Chapter Convention by actions taken by the Chapter Delegates in Daytona Beach.

Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) which has over 220,000 dues paying members in the State of Florida (equal to our National APWU membership) was one of our invited guest speakers at the Chapter EB meeting, luncheon, and Convention. A motion was passed unanimously to affiliate the entire statewide APWU of Florida Retiree Chapter $24.00 year membership residing in the State of Florida who pay union dues to the National APWU Retirees Department, currently about 3,000 members in zip codes 320 thru 349, with the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) by paying annual dues in advance at 25 cents per capita, per member, per year from APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter funds.

One of the State Retiree Chapter’s paramount goals is to educate 15,000 APWU of Florida members and their families on electoral reform, and encourage the participation and exercise of our voting rights as Americans in all local, city, county, state, regional, and national elections of officials, stressing the importance of VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT to MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT in the results.

Thanks to the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board Officers, Delegates, and Family guests for the most wonderful expressions of unity and solidarity we have ever seen at any APWU Retiree and active Convention. It was nice dining and/or rooming with former State Presidents Mario Miceli and Charlie Redd, former Daytona Beach Area Local President Joe Mazzarelli, Val Serpico from Fort Lauderdale, Dave Bernstein, Frank and Christine Mizurek, and Ruth B. Wood. Congratulations to all the newly elected Officers and National Delegates of the APWU of Florida, and State Retiree Chapter. We wish to thank the Convention Delegates in Daytona Beach for electing this Young Warrior of 40 years dedication and commitment to the APWU of Florida rank and file membership as State Delegate to the 18th Biennial APWU Convention! We love you and Hope to see you in Philadelphia in August, 2006!

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2006 FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS CONVENTION IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL.!

FLARA ANNUAL CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL. ON JUNE 4-6, 2006!

It is a pleasure to invite all 3000 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, Retiree delegates, active APWU dues paying officers and members, and family members to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) 2006 Annual Convention and Quarterly Board of Directors meeting to be held on Sunday, June 4 thru Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at the HILTON ORLANDO HOTEL, 350 S. North Lake Boulevard, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. Your departure check-out date is on Wednesday, June 7, 2006. The Hilton Orlando Hotel room rate for FLARA members is $85.00 per night for single or double room, plus 10 % taxes. When making your reservations, please call toll-free 1-800-678-4380 and ask for the FLARA special group rate.

The registration fee for the Convention is $80.00 per person. Any registered delegate wishing to bring a guest to the prepaid meals should register their guest at $60.00 each. If you are interested, contact Yvonne Garrity, Executive Director, at the FLARA office in Wellington, Fl. by phone at 561-792-8799 to register and receive Convention materials and an updated agenda. Many well known political and union leaders are invited to attend this annual event. Resolutions will be offered to oppose the Privatization of the U.S. Postal Service, Retirement benefits, and the Social Security Program entitlements for all Americans. Go to www.flara.org for more info about FLARA.

At this Convention, in addition to the election of Officers and Board Members, any proposed changes to the FLARA Constitution and By-Laws will be discussed and voted upon by the convention body. APWU is one of 22 unions affiliated with FLARA! If you have any questions, ask to speak with Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, by phone at 561-792-8799. Contact APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter President Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 or E-mail: jak.gose@excite.com for more information about this important annual event you are invited to attend!

TAMPA AREA LOCAL ORGANIZE APWU RETIREE CHAPTER

Dave Bernstein, Tampa Area Local APWU #259, was appointed President of the newly created Tampa Area Local Retiree Chapter at an organizational meeting of APWU Retirees living in Tampa, FL zip codes 335 and 336 on Wed., March 22, 2006 by President Richard Phillips. Douglas C. Holbrook, Natl. APWU Retiree Director, who heads up the Retirees Dept. in Washington, D.C. comprised of 40,000 + APWU Retiree members paying $24.00 year or $2.00 month union dues from their annuity check flew down to help get the Chapter started, answering many questions. He took back a list of interim Chapter officer’s names and a Constitution & By-Laws to get the ball rolling for the National APWU to grant a founding Charter to the Tampa Area Local Retiree Chapter.

Florida State now has four (4) APWU Retiree Chapters, Suncoast Area Local, Broward County Area Local, Miami Area Local, and Tampa Area Local. There are currently thirty-four (34) Local Chapters with Charters and four (4) State Chapters, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, and California.

USPS RETIREMENT COUNSELING HELP MOVED TO GREENSBORO

Effective January 30, 2006 USPS Benefits, Retirements, and Separations processes began moving from local Personnel Offices in Florida to the new Human Resources Shared Service Center (HRSSC) in Greensboro, N.C. at 1-877-477-3273, Option 5 to select an info packet. For personalized assistance, employees can speak to an experienced postal representative during normal business hours 7 am to 8:30 pm, Monday thru Friday. You must have your employee ID number on your earnings statement and your USPS PIN available when calling for benefits, retirements, and separations information.

If you are planning to retire in the near future, it is recommended that you request the paperwork that you need three (3) months in advance of the date you plan to retire. After you receive your retirement packet, you should review the paperwork before making any decisions. If you are married, I suggest you review it with your spouse. Write down or make notes on anything you have a question about. You should then call the above telephone number and speak with a Postal Service Human Resources Specialist to answer your questions. Make certain that you document who you spoke with, the date and time, and what advice you were given. When you call back again, you should ask for the same person to speak with, if possible. Also ask what are their work hours, and what is the best time to call them for follow-up queries.

If after you speak with the HR rep, you are satisfied, you may complete the forms and return them to HR Shared Service Center in Greensboro, N.C. I suggest you make copies of the forms you complete in the event the documents are lost. There will be no local assistance available to those matters that are processed by Shared Services. When you call up to ask questions on retirement, you should keep the same counselor until your forms are processed. You can start requesting information regarding your retirement at least 3 years prior to your eligibility. If after you retire, you have a problem you must contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The Florida District Office or Shared Services Center will not be able to assist you.

Retirement counseling is only done by telephone. You cannot file an application via computer. Reasonable time will be granted on-the-clock upon request. If there are problems, Local Presidents should contact the District. I called the toll-free number twice and spoke with two different Counselors, and I found out they are USPS employees and if they don’t know the answer to your questions, the HR Counselor will get back to you within 24 hours. All of the USPS Personnel Offices Retirement Counseling services in the Nation are expected to be transferred to Greensboro, N.C. by the end of the Postal Fiscal Year, September 30, 2006.

If you have more questions, call the National APWU Retirees Dept. in Washington, D.C. 202-842-8584 and ask to speak with Retirees Director Douglas C. Holbrook 9am to 4 pm, Monday thru Friday, or call toll-free at 877-279-8669 (877-APWU-NOW) to get a recorded message 24/7, leave your name and phone number for a return call back.

METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)

MRSA (pronounced mer-sah) is a strain of bacterium that has developed antibiotic resistance to all penicillins, including methicillin and other antibiotics. It was first discovered in UK in 1961 and is now widespread all over the world, particularly in hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living units where it is commonly termed a SUPERBUG. Staph. Aureus most commonly colonizes the nostrils, although the respiratory tract, open wounds, intravenous catheters, and urinary tract are also potential sites for infection. Vancomycin and teicoplanin are antibiotics used to treat MRSA infections. New strains of MRSA have been found showing resistance to even these last resort drugs. The infection may be transmitted by touching another person skin or clothes, breathing thru the air currents, and hand washing alone would save the lives of 30,000 patients yearly from nosocomial infections per the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA. EVERYONE SHOULD WASH UP!

I encountered the rapidly spreading problem when I visited an old friend in the Hospital and later in a skilled Nursing facility, when the patient was placed alone in a room under ISOLATION and no one, Doctor, Nurse, Family, or Visitor was allowed in to see the patient unless they wore a gown covering their whole body, plastic gloves over hands, and a mask covering nose and mouth to keep from spreading the infection. Infectious Disease Doctors have been assigned to all Hospitals to monitor the spread of MRSA from patient to staff member or another patient! Skin contacts in locker rooms, gyms, exercise spas have led to an outbreak of MRSA among healthy populations, and it is feared that there will be a spread of the MRSA Superbug to the Community at Large, even children in school and on playgrounds. Pneumonia is often a byproduct threatening the lives of young and older humans. Netherlands has reported the transmission of MRSA bacteria from pigs to humans during the summer of 2005! STAY ALERT!

2006 THIRD BIENNIAL APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER CONVENTION IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL.!

RETIREE CHAPTER FREE LUNCHEON AND CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL. ON WED., MAY 10, 2006

A luncheon is scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the Plaza Resort and Spa Hotel Restaurant (same luncheon site as in 2004), 600 Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118 next door to the APWU of Florida Headquarters Plaza Ocean Club Hotel, 640 Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118 where the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter business Convention will be held starting at 1:00 p.m. in a meeting room at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel. All active APWU dues paying National, State and Area Local/Local Officers, Delegates, members and their families and APWU Auxiliary Officers, Delegates, members and their families are invited to attend all our State Retiree Chapter meetings, luncheons, and Conventions. Douglas Cowan Holbrook, Natl. APWU Retiree Director from Washington, D.C., has been invited to speak at the Retiree Convention luncheon.

Preparations have been made for the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter to pay for a FREE luncheon for each APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter member registering as a Retiree Delegate, and a FREE luncheon for up to one (1) family/spouse guest for each family in attendance at the Retiree Convention. Freebies, give-a-ways, historical archive gifts, Ten (10) $25.00 Centenarian Cash Door Prizes, and COPA 50/50 cash drawings will be awarded to Chapter members, delegates, and family guests to reward those in attendance.

All 3,000 APWU Retiree members paying $24.00 yearly or $2.00 automatic monthly dues to the National APWU Retirees Department and their families residing in Florida State zip codes 320 thru 349 are invited to the 3rd Biennial Founders’ APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention, AFL-CIO, to be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel, 640 Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Fl. 32118. We wish to thank all the State and Area Local/Local Presidents, Officers, Stewards, and active working members who continue to sign up APWU retiring members on Form 1187 Retired Member application and mail it in to the National APWU Retirees Department in Washington, D.C. Call the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel at 1-800-874-7420 and ask for the APWU discounted Single/Double rate of $85.00 night, plus 12.5 % taxes to reserve your room.

Election of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Officers shall be held at the Retiree Convention on Wed., May 10, 2006 in accordance with the State Retiree Chapter Constitution and By-Laws. The elected Officers of this State Chapter shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Legislative Director, and up to three (3) Trustees and they shall comprise the Executive Board of the State Chapter. To be eligible for office and to vote in an election of officers, a Retiree Chapter member must be in good standing for three (3) months of the previous calendar quarter immediately preceding the election, as certified by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Blank APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Delegate credentials have been mailed to all APWU Area Local/Local Presidents in the State of Florida by John Sardin, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer, for completion and return no later than May 1, 2006. Registration kits will be issued at the hotel for this Convention and State Chapter Retirees’ registration fees have been waived for the Retiree Convention in Daytona Beach to encourage more APWU Retiree families to attend. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR AREA LOCAL/LOCAL PRESIDENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED RETIREE DELEGATE CREDENTIALS BEFORE MAY 1 IN ORDER FOR US TO KNOW THE NUMBER WHO WILL ATTEND AND MAKE PLANS WITH THE HOTEL MANAGER FOR FOOD SERVICE AND SEATING AT THE CONVENTION!

This historic Retiree Convention precedes the regular Florida State APWU Convention which is scheduled in the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel from Thursday, May 11 thru Saturday, May 13, 2006. Florida State Retiree Chapter Resolutions will be debated and sent to the regular APWU of Florida State Convention beginning on Thursday, May 11, and the National APWU Retiree Convention to be held in Philadelphia, Pa. on Saturday and Sunday, August 12-13, 2006.

If you have any questions and for more information, contact Jack Gose, President, at home phone (727) 343-2998 or E-mail: Jak.Gose@Excite.com or Local Web site: www.apwu1228.org or Fax: (727) 526-0351. You may also visit our APWU of Florida, AFL-CIO, award winning website page www.apwuflorida.org/retiree which was launched in October, 2003 by our wonderful Webmaster, Greg Dixon. Our State Retiree Chapter website is now linked up with the National APWU home page www.apwu.org under Local Websites and Links, 21st Century Postal Worker at www.21cpw.com and the Postal Electronic newsletter at www.postalreporter.com under Postal Retirement-22 Tips.

FLARA STATE CONVENTION ALTAMONTE SPRINGS JUNE 4-6, 2006

It is a pleasure to invite all 3000 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, Retiree delegates, active APWU dues paying officers and members, and family members to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) 2006 Annual Convention and Quarterly Board of Directors meeting to be held on Sunday, June 4 thru Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at the HILTON ORLANDO HOTEL, 350 S. North Lake Boulevard, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. Your departure check-out date is on Wednesday, June 7, 2006.

The Hilton Orlando Hotel room rate for FLARA members is $85.00 per night for single or double room, plus 10 % taxes. Please note the hotel cutoff date for room reservations is May 4, 2006. Any reservations made after this cutoff date CANNOT be guaranteed at our group rate. When making your reservations, please call toll-free 1-800-678-4380 and ask for the FLARA special group rate.

The registration fee for the Convention is $80.00 per person. Any registered delegate wishing to bring a guest to the prepaid meals should register their guest at $60.00 each. If you are interested, contact Yvonne Garrity, Executive Director, at the FLARA office in Wellington, Fl. by phone at 561-792-8799 to register and receive Convention materials and an updated agenda. Submit your registration form along with your payment made payable to “FLARA” to: FLARA, 12773 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 211, Wellington, FL 33414. Registration forms and fees must be received by FLARA by May 20, 2006 to process your credentials and better plan for a successful convention. Many well known political and union leaders are invited to attend this annual event. Resolutions will be offered to oppose the Privatization of the U.S. Postal Service, Retirement benefits, and the Social Security Program entitlements for all Americans. Go to www.flara.org for more info about FLARA.

At this Convention, in addition to the election of Officers and Board Members, any proposed changes to the FLARA Constitution and By-Laws will be discussed and voted upon by the convention body. It is important that all Board Members, Club, and Individual members be in attendance for this discussion and action. If you wish to submit a proposed change to the By-Laws, they must be received at the FLARA Offices no later than 30 days prior to the Convention. APWU is one of 22 unions affiliated with FLARA! All FLARA club/chapter dues must be current in order for clubs/chapters to have proper voting status. If you have not sent in your chapter or individual dues, please do so immediately. If you have any questions, ask to speak with Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, by phone at 561-792-8799. As the elected FLARA 2nd Vice President, I look forward to meeting with you and your family in Altamonte Springs, FL on June 4th thru 6th, 2006!

2006 OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD) DO YOU HAVE IT? YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY FAMOUS PEOPLE AND LOVED ONES EXHIBIT THIS DREADFUL MALADY!

Jack Gose waves to his sweetheart, Patsy Jean Cowan Gose, along the rail with Boca Ciega Bay intracoastal waterway in the background before entering Shell's Seafood Restaurant on Gulf Blvd. in Redington Beach, FL to enjoy a delightful Father's Day dinner on June 18, 2006. (Photo taken by Ma Gose with a Kodak Flash camera)

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD) WORLDWIDE

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety compulsion in the brain manifested by a subject’s obsessive drive to perform a particular task or set of tasks termed rituals. Examples are repeatedly checking to see that one’s parked car has been locked before leaving it; turning lights on and off a set number of times before exiting a room; and repeatedly washing hands at regular intervals throughout the day, hoarding, touching, counting, arranging, and ordering. Most OCD sufferers are aware of such thoughts and behavior, but feel bound to comply with them to fend off fears of panic or dread and feel helpless to push it away. It is one of the most frustrating and vexing of the major anxiety disorders.

This condition like many chronic stress disorders can cause a person to be depressed, and cause a deadening of spirit, a numbing frustration, or sense of hopelessness. Researchers funded by the National Institute of Health reached online at www.nimh.nih.gov suspect a combination of mutation in the human Serotonin transporter gene, childhood streptococcal infections called PANDAS, and/or in men low oestrogen levels. Treatment with behavioral or cognitive therapy with medications is recommended. A technique called Exposure and Ritual or Response Prevention (ERP) involves gradually learning to tolerate the anxiety associated with not performing the ritual behavior. Medication treatments include serotonin inhibitors such as Paxil, Aropax, Zoloft, Prozac, Luvox, Anafranil, and Gabapentin.

Famous people who have publicly talked about their OCD or been identified with the disorder: Howard Hughes, Michelangelo, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Albert Einstein. Go online to www.ocfoundation.org for Help and more information!

APWU OF FLORIDA 3RD STATE RETIREE CHAPTER CONVENTION CALL TO BE HELD IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL. ON WED., MAY 10, 2006

All APWU $24.00 year dues paying Retirees and their families are invited to the 3rd biennial Founders’ APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention, AFL-CIO, to be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel, 640 Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Fl. 32118. Call the Hotel at 1-800-874-7420 and ask for the APWU discounted Single/Double rate of $85.00 night, plus 12.5 % taxes to reserve your room.

A luncheon is scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Plaza Resort and Spa Hotel next door, followed by the State Retiree Chapter Convention business starting at 1:00 p.m. All active APWU dues paying National, State and Area Local/Local Officers, Delegates, members and their families and APWU Auxiliary Officers, Delegates, members and their families are invited to attend all our State Retiree Chapter meetings, luncheons, and Conventions. We believe that all the APWU family members, the active Working members, the Retiree members, and the Auxiliary members should be treated with dignity and equality, and all of us must band together to take care of all our families.

This historic Retiree Convention precedes the regular Florida State APWU Convention which is scheduled in the same hotel from Thursday, May 11 thru Saturday, May 13, 2006. Florida State Retiree Chapter Resolutions will be debated and sent to the regular Florida State Convention beginning on Thursday, May 11, and the National APWU Retiree Convention to be held in Philadelphia, Pa. on Saturday and Sunday, August 12-13, 2006.

Douglas Cowan Holbrook, Natl. APWU Retiree Director, has been invited to speak at the Retiree Convention luncheon. He is a dynamic, informative orator who has completed successfully retirement classes at previous APWU of Florida State and Area Local seminars. A new generation is living in Florida, and we yearn to link the active working APWU members with the Retiree APWU members in the classroom and at luncheons.

Election of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Officers shall be held at the Retiree Convention on Wed., May 11, 2006 in accordance with the State Retiree Chapter Constitution and By-Laws. The elected Officers of this State Chapter shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Legislative Director, and up to three (3) Trustees and they shall comprise the Executive Board of the State Chapter. To be eligible for office and to vote in an election of officers, a Retiree Chapter member must be in good standing for three (3) months of the previous calendar quarter immediately preceding the election, as certified by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Our State Retiree Chapter membership residing in the State of Florida with over 3,000 APWU Retiree Chapter members who pay $24.00 yearly or $2.00 monthly automatic APWU Retiree union dues to the National APWU. Retirees do not have to pay any State Retiree Chapter union dues to the APWU of Florida! We wish to thank all the State and Area Local/Local Presidents, Officers, Stewards, and active working members who continue to sign up APWU retiring members on Form 1187 Retired Member application and mail it in to the National APWU Retirees Department in Washington, D.C.

Blank APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Delegate credentials have been mailed to all APWU Area Local/Local Presidents in the State of Florida by John Sardin, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer, for completion and return no later than May 1, 2006. Registration kits will be issued at the hotel for this Convention and State Chapter Retirees’ registration fees have been waived for the Retiree Convention in Daytona Beach to encourage more APWU Retiree families to attend.

Preparations have been made for the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter to pay for a FREE luncheon to each APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter member registering as a Retiree Delegate, and a FREE luncheon for up to one (1) family/spouse guest for each family in attendance at the Retiree Convention. A Chapter constitutional amendment will be introduced to add Health Plan Director and Benefits Director as elected positions on the Executive Board. Ten $25.00 Centenarian Cash Door Prizes to Chapter members, freebies, give-a-ways, and historical archive gifts will entertain those in attendance.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR AREA LOCAL/LOCAL PRESIDENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED RETIREE DELEGATE CREDENTIALS BEFORE MAY 1 IN ORDER FOR US TO KNOW THE NUMBER WHO WILL ATTEND AND MAKE PLANS WITH THE HOTEL MANAGER FOR FOOD SERVICE AND SEATING.

If you have any questions and for more information, contact Jack Gose, President, at home phone (727) 343-2998 or E-mail: Jak.Gose@Excite.com or Local Web site: www.apwu1228.org or Fax: (727) 526-0351. You may also visit our APWU of Florida, AFL-CIO, award winning website page www.apwuflorida.org/retiree which was launched in October, 2003 by our wonderful Webmaster, Greg Dixon. Our State Retiree Chapter website is now linked up with the National APWU home page www.apwu.org under Local Websites and Links, 21st Century Postal Worker at www.21cpw.com and the Postal Electronic newsletter at www.lunewsviews.com under 22 Retirement Tips.

APWU FL. SPRING SEMINAR RETIREES LUNCHEON MAR., 2006

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter FREE luncheon for each Retiree Chapter member paying Retiree union dues to the National APWU Retirees Dept. of $24.00 year and one guest, limit of two per family, attending the Retirees Luncheon to be held in West Palm Beach, FL area from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the day before the APWU of Florida Spring Seminar begins in March-April, 2006 at the same Hotel where the semi-annual conclave is held for educational classes for active and retiree APWU members. Retiree Happy folders will be distributed to all those attending, and everyone is invited! The hotel location and dates are given elsewhere in this newsletter!

2006 OLDER POPULATION EXPLOSION IN FLORIDA! DO YOU WANT TO LIVE TO 120 YEARS YOUNG? PART OF THE ANSWER MAY BE IN YOUR GENES!

Patriach John Paul Reuben Gose, aka Jack Gose, age 76, is joined by sons, red shirted Gary Reuben Gose, age 52, and Alan John Gose, age 47, with Jack's arms around Gary's son, Kai Reuben Gose, age 14, on the parking lot at Golden Corral Restaurant in Largo, FL. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2005 before going in to have a family feast. (Photo taken by Matriach Patsy Jean Cowan Gose, age 74, loving mother, grandmother, and spouse with a Kodak Flash Camera)

OCTO & NONA GENENARIAN FLORIDA POPULATION JUMPS!

The age of American population is changing daily with over 297 Million people listed on the World Population Clock of the U.S. Census website at www.census.gov as of Jan. 9, 2006, and over 6 Billion, 490 Million people on Earth. People over the age of 100 are the fastest growing group in the nation, followed by Americans over 85 years of age. In another 10 years by 2016, the average American will live until the age of 83. Growth of world population was over two percent year in 1960, and will gradually diminish to one percent year by 2010, and one-half of one percent by 2050. Many people cannot afford to have children anymore, and the question is whether humans are to become dinosaurs like the nations of Olde?

By the year 2010, there will be as many American seniors as those under 20 years old. Living a simple life and natural lifestyle is still the best way to maintain health. With current advances in nutrition and new medical diagnostic technologies, we are on the verge of an OLDER POPULATION EXPLOSION! There is one birth every 8 seconds, one death every 12 seconds, and one international migrant (net) every 31 seconds, a net gain of one person every 14 seconds in the United States.

Young adults are usually those 20 to 40 year olds in the prime of their lives, but “when your friends begin to flatter you how young you look, it’s a sure sign you are getting old,” (Mark Twain, Author). The eight 10-year aging cycles listed below are accepted universally by aging researchers, according to www.wikipedia.org online FREE encyclopedia:

1. Quadragenarian, 40-49 years of age 2. Quinquagenarian, 50-59 years of age
3. Sexagenarian, 60 thru 69 years of age 4. Septuagenarian, 70 thru 79 yrs of age
5. Octogenarian, 80 thru 89 years of age 6. Nonagenarian, 90 thru 99 years of age
7. Centenarian, 100 thru 109 yrs. of age 8. Supercentenarian, 110 yrs of age Plus.

According to an article at www.agingresearch.org being able to handle disappointments and loss by shedding stress in a psychological healthy way should be one of the top goals to reach for, if you look forward to living to the ripe old young age of 100. Although mothers live longer as a rule, genes play a big part in the deck you are dealt with by the forces of nature. Developing a hopeful outlook and being able to relax are very important, and exercise and diet are crucial. Performing daily mental tasks that challenge the mind help us to maintain short-term memories and improve reaction times.

Attending APWU Retiree Chapter, religious and other organization membership meetings lead to satisfying personal relationships. Although social contacts make for more enjoyable longer lives, one must have regular medical checkups, such as a Colonoscopy every 5 years or Mammogram yearly, prostate and blood pressure to ensure a healthy body. Pick out the 10-year cycle you aspire to and make New Year’s resolutions today for the following: (1) To cut back on smoking tobacco which causes cancer of the lungs, throat, and colon, heart and respiratory diseases; (2) Decrease one’s weight and calories intake; (3) Avoid sedentary, inactive lifestyle in front of TV or as a couch potato. Whether you take small steps or go full steam ahead, don’t fool yourself by thinking “old age is always 15 years older than I am,” (Bernard Baruch). As Bill Cosby says, “When you become senile, you won’t know it.” Lots of luck, laughter, and Happy New Year!!

Our records of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter show eight (8) Centenarians over the age of 100 with the oldest tipping the scales at 109 and counting, twenty-two (22) Nonagenarians age 95-99 and one hundred sixty-six (166) age 90-94 dues paying members, a remarkable increase. Listed below are the general area, zip code and number of Retiree Chapter member’s breakdown where they reside:

Jacksonville-Daytona 320-322 (7), Panhandle 323-325 (3), Gainesville 326 (2), Winter Park 327 (6), Orlando 328 (4), Melbourne 329 (9), Miami 330-332 (36), Fort Lauderdale 333 (27), West Palm Beach 334 (39), Tampa 335-336 (7), St. Pete 337 (4), Lakeland 338 (5), Fort Myers 339-341 (13), Bradenton-Sarasota 342 (8), Ocala 344 (5), New Port Richey-Pasco 346 (11), Kissimmee 347 (3), and Ft. Pierce 349 (7).

APWU FL. SPRING SEMINAR RETIREES LUNCHEON MAR., 2006

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter FREE luncheon for each Retiree Chapter member paying Retiree union dues to the National APWU Retirees Dept. of $24.00 year and one guest, limit of two per family, attending the Retirees Luncheon to be held in West Palm Beach, FL area from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the day before the APWU of Florida Spring Seminar begins in March, 2006 at the same Hotel where the semi-annual conclave is held for educational classes for active and retiree APWU members. Retiree Happy folders will be distributed to all those attending, and everyone is invited! The hotel location and dates are given elsewhere in this newsletter!

APWU OF FL STATE RETIREE CHAPTER CONVENTION MAY 10, 2006

The 3RD Biennial APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention will convene at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel, 640 Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Fl. at 1 p.m. and adjourn promptly at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 the day before the APWU of Florida regular Convention from Thursday., May 11 thru Saturday., May 13, 2006.

Preparations have been made for the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter to pay for a free luncheon for each APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter member registering as a Retiree Delegate and one family guest in attendance for the Convention. The luncheon is scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in the Club Hotel Restaurant.

Nominations and elections of Chapter Officers will be held during the business session on Wednesday afternoon. The Offices are President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Legislative Director, and two Trustees. A Chapter constitutional amendment will be introduced to add Health Plan Director and Benefits Director as elected positions on the Executive Board. Ten $25.00 Centenarian Cash Door Prizes to Chapter members, freebies, give-a-ways, and historical gifts will entertain those in attendance.

Our invited guest speaker at the Retirees luncheon and the Retirees Convention will be one of the National APWU Officers attending the Biennial APWU of Florida State Convention for Active and Retiree members. APWU of Florida Area Local/Local Presidents will be mailed blank APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Delegate credentials. Contact President Jack Gose, home telephone 727-343-2998 or E-mail to jak.gose@excite.com if you have any suggestions, questions or comments.

2006 SHOWING RECOGNITION FOR CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP ATTENDANCE AT RETIREE LUNCHEON & BUSINESS MEETINGS!

SERGEANT AT ARMS 2006 LISTEN UP!

The below twenty-nine (29) Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter Members, Family, & Guests, attended the entertaining Retiree Chapter luncheon and business meeting held on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at Buddy Freddys Buffet Restaurant in Holiday, FL. 34691.

FLA. SUNCOAST RET. CHAPTER MEMBERS (16)

Clearwater, Mario Miceli; Gulfport, Tony Fiore; Holiday, John R. Stephens; Hudson, Dan Delehanty and Ken Tennis; Largo, Bob Jilek; New Port Richey, Jerry Columbus, Janet Hamlin, and Alfred Martinez; Oldsmar, Louis Falco; Port Richey, Mike Bourke; Saint Petersburg, Bill Baker, Spencer Blydenburgh, Jr., and John Sardin, Jr.; South Pasadena, Jack Gose, and Tarpon Springs, Jim Glover.

INVITED FAMILY MEMBERS AND GUESTS (13)

Clearwater, Bonnie Miceli; Holiday, Dorothy Stephens; Hudson, Joan Delehanty; Largo, Keith Dooley; New Port Richey, Eugenia Columbus, Verna Kawalski, Helen Nicosia, and Bruce Yeager; Oldsmar, Louise Falco; Saint Petersburg, Patricia Blydenburgh; Tarpon Springs, William Popcke; Trinity, Linda Lake; and Invited Guest Speaker, Kurt Browning, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, from Dade City, FL.

2006 NATIONAL APWU CONVENTION HISTORY FOR THE AGES!

WHICH NATL. APWU CONVENTION YEAR DO YOU REALLY REMEMBER?

1972 Monteleone ($23) New Orleans, LA
1974 Deauville ($22) Miami Beach, FL
1975 Muehelbach ($25) Special Constitutional Convention Kansas City, MO
1976 L. V. Hilton ($33) Las Vegas, NV

1978 Denver Hilton ($31) Denver, CO

1980 Renaissance Plaza ($49) Detroit, MI
1982 Fountainbleau ($65) Miami Beach, FL
1984 Caesar’s Palace ($55) Las Vegas, NV
1986 S. F. Hilton ($90) San Francisco, CA
1988 Chicago Hilton ($105) Chicago, IL
1990 L. V. Hilton ($70) Las Vegas, NV
1992 Anaheim Hilton ($105) Anaheim, CA
1994 Westin Renaissance ($86) Detroit, MI
1996 Westin Bonaventure ($99) L. A., CA
1998 Westin Renaissance ($109) Detroit, MI
2000 Anaheim Hilton ($152) Anaheim, CA
2002 Mnpls. Hilton ($139) Minneapolis, MN
2004 Westin Bonaventure ($169) L. A., CA
2006 Sheraton Philly ($159) Philadelphia, PA

Clip this article as a souvenir collectible!

Jack Gose is 77 years young, and he was lucky enough to attend every one of the above nineteen (19) National APWU Conventions as a Suncoast Area Local #1228 elected Delegate or APWU of Florida State elected Delegate. He served as Chairman, Sergeant-at-Arms Committee, and Chief of Security at 13 National Conventions from 1978 thru 2002, appointed by President Emmett Andrews, legendary President Moe Biller, and current President Bill Burrus. All of the elected Delegates appreciate the APWU membership giving each of us a chance to vote and speak on important issues every two years!

STATE RETIREE CHAPTER EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jack Gose, President So. Pasadena 727-343-2998
Valentine Serpico, VP Ft. Lauderdale 954-396-4217
Dave Bernstein, Legislative Dir Tampa 813-839-4233
John Sardin, Jr, Sec-Tr St Petersburg 727-347-5687
Michael Jordan, Sr. HP Dir Rockledge 321-631-0499
Beth Cramer, Benefits Dir Cape Coral 239-242-9133
Charlie Redd, Trustee Cocoa 321-632-2898
Pedro Torres, Trustee Miami 305-251-7938

The Editor reserves the right to edit articles submitted for publication as needed for space and shall appreciate any helpful ideas you may wish to share with me. Contact Jack Gose, Editor, at the Pinellas Park, Fl. office address, or phone 727-520-7300, E-Mail: Jak.Gose@Excite.com or phone me 727-343-2998 at home. Editors, get new life by adding our Suncoast Retirees Chapter News publication to your APWU Area Local/Local newsletter PPA Editor mailing list as 116 other Editors have graciously OK’d!

2006 FLORIDA SUNCOAST RETIREE CHAPTER BULLETIN BOARD!

FREE LUNCHEON TO FIRST FORTY (40) CHAPTER MEMBERS/FAMILY MEMBERS TO SIGN IN ON ATTENDANCE SHEET ON TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2006 AT 11:00 A.M. AT BUDDY FREDDYS BUFFET RESTAURANT LOCATED IN HOLIDAY, FLORIDA AT 1150 U. S. HIGHWAY 19, ABOUT 100 YARDS NORTH OF THE PINELLAS/PASCO COUNTY LINE.

Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter members/family members, excluding Chapter Officers, can win the Face Card $20.00 Cash Door Prize at the regular Chapter meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 in Holiday, Florida. Dominick De Petrillo will be our invited guest speaker from Alzheimer’s Family Organization.

All active and retired members/family guests are invited to all our Chapter meetings. Retiree Chapter members attending their first Chapter meeting shall be awarded a $10.00 Sign In Bonus Cash Prize, limited to the first five (5) to arrive at each meeting, and also shall receive a FREE National APWU Survivors’ Family Booklet worth $3.00.

One hundred seventy-six (176) persons have signed in and attended our meetings to date! Please join us and pick up your prize!

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETS 10 AM TO 11 AM
LUNCHEON FROM 11 AM TO 12:30 PM
REGULAR MEETING FROM 12:30 PM - 1 PM

FSRC FOUNDERS 2006-2007 EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jack Gose, President 727-343-2998
Dan Delehanty, First Vice-President 727-862-2923
Janet Hamlin, 2nd Vice President 727-379-0032
Jerry Columbus, Secretary 727-372-9855
John Sardin, Jr., Treasurer 727-347-5687
Bob Jilek, Trustee Chair 727-535-2409
Mike Sullivan, Local Union President 727-520-7300

FSRC FOUNDERS 2006-2007 ADDTL. OFFICERS

John R. Stephens, Health Plan Rep. 727-934-4033

Spencer Blydenburgh, Trustee/Mbr Dir 727-544-6536
Mario G. Miceli, Legislative Director 727-446-4781
Alfred DiServio, Historian & AFL-CIO 727-372-9219
Tom Brown, Trustee 727-847-6987
Skip Lilly, Sergeant-at-Arms 727-546-4206
Don Robinson, Retiree CLC Delegate 727-819-8543

Rutha Gavin, Chaplain 727-894-1349

2006 WELCOME TO NEW TAMPA AREA LOCAL #259 RETIREE CHAPTER!

NEW RETIREE INTERNET LINK LAUNCHED: GO TO www.apwuflorida.org and click on Retiree link

VOLUME 9, NUMBER 3 MAY-AUG., 2006

A publication of the Suncoast Area Local, APWU, AFL-CIO, serving over 740 APWU Retiree Chapter Dues Paying Members and their families living in zip codes 337 and 346 along the Gulf Coast of Florida and a Proud Member of APWU National Postal Press Association, Florida Postal Press Association, National Alliance for Retired Americans, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, and West Central Florida, Federation of Labor, Central Labor Council. The Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter was chartered by the National APWU in November, 1998. Our APWU Retiree Newsletter is the first published and mailed via the U.S. Postal Service in the Nation and we really do care! Contact us when in need of a lifeline. Life is full of wonderful surprises. What a great feeling to live in Florida! Never any local or state APWU Retiree union dues to pay!

FLORIDA SUNCOAST RETIREE CHAPTER AND APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER WELCOME NEWLY FORMED RETIREE CHAPTER OF TAMPA AREA LOCAL, APWU

Congratulations to the Tampa Area Local, APWU # 259 leadership and membership who approved the formation of an Area Local Retiree Chapter for APWU Retirees paying $24.00 year union membership to the National APWU Retirees Dept. in Washington, D.C.

Douglas C. Holbrook, Director, National APWU Retirees Dept., was on hand to answer questions from the Tampa Area Local membership at the Founders Organization Meeting in Tampa, FL on March 22, 2006. Tampa is the 33rd Local Retiree Chapter to apply for a Charter from the National APWU.

Dave Bernstein, Legislative Director, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, was appointed President of the newly created Chapter by Tampa Area Local President Richard Phillips. Director Holbrook took the interim list of Chapter Retiree officers and proposed Chapter Constitution and By-Laws back to Headquarters with him, awaiting approval of a Chapter Charter from Terry R. Stapleton, National APWU Secretary-Treasurer.

The new Chapter Officers will represent all APWU Retiree membership residing in Zip Codes 335 and 336 from Zephyrhills to Ruskin, Florida, and we can look with pride to many years of steady growth and development as other Chapters are created in the State of Florida.

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, was the main invited guest speaker at the Tampa Area Local Retiree Chapter meeting on April 19, 2006 explaining the benefits of the Tampa Area Local Chapter joining the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans for Legislative Action and Representation!

2005 MEET MY FRIEND, MR. SAPO (SPANISH FROG)!

President Jack Gose, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, speaks from the podium to 52 Executive Board members and honored guests at the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) Annual Legislative Conference, held in the Ramada Inn Ballroom, 2900 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303 on Mon., Mar. 1, 2005. (Photo taken by Tony Kiwak, FLARA Legislative Director)

MEET MY FRIEND, MR. SAPO (THE SPANISH FROG)

Most active and retiree APWU dues paying members and their families are busy people with jobs, home life, shopping, going to school or college, involved in sports and/or recreational activities, health concerns, vacations, hobbies, and everyday living. One day while surfing the internet on my HP Pavilion mx703 computer and researching a subject to be included in an article for the Florida Postal Worker, I discovered a fantabulous, terrific Search Engine aggregator, www.mrsapo.com (the Spanish Frog). You can use it to access over 150 search engines from one single search engine page window, without having to go to every single search engine website. We found there are six (6) separate Mr. Sapo search engine divisions to choose from on the same page.

(1) WEB: To seek info on the web, you just type in a query in Mr. Sapo’s blank search bar at the top of the page when it opens up, highlight or select the words of your query, press Edit on the Menu bar and click on Copy, and then click on whatever search tool button below you would like to get results from, such as: Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask Jeeves, AOL, A9, Exalead, DogPile, Vivisimo, LookSmart, Snap, Teoma, AllTheWeb, Altavista, Ixquick, Mamma, MetaCrawler, or Gigablast, a short list of most popular search engines on the web.

To research more search engine sites, just click on MORE and a new page will open up, then click on the search tool button below for Clusty, Wisenut, EntireWeb, Alexa, Accoona, UncoverTheWeb, DonBusca, Netscape, Lycos, IceRocket, Search, SurfWax, BananaPile, Kazazz, GenieKnows, Use, FindForward, AllTheInternet, iZito, 100, Miva, or PreviewSeek, other leading search engines. When you switch to another page, the words of your query will disappear from Mr. Sapo search bar, highlight or clear the bar by clicking in the blank space and then press on Edit on Menu bar at top and click on Paste, and the words of your query will reappear. You can use this shortcut each time you switch from one Division to another or one page to another.

(2) BLOGS OR PEOPLE: Click on Blogs division at top of the page, and then press down on button below for Technorati, Google, Feedster, IceRocket, Blogdigger, BlogPulse, LSBlogs, Findory or Blogwise, just a few of several outstanding search engine blogsites.

(3) IMAGES OR WATCH: If you are interested in checking out pictures, click on Images division at top of page, and then press the search tool button below for Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask, Getty, PicSearch, Ditto, MSOffice, Excite, Barry’s, FreeNet, Gograph, Webshots, Cydral, Fazzle, FindForward, or Flickr, some of the Images best search engines.

(4) AUDIO: Click on Audio/Video division at top of page, and then press the search tool button below for Singing Fish, GraceNote, or MusicRobot for a few Audio search engines.

VIDEO: Press the search tool button for IMDB (Movie Data Base) or Truveo, examples of Video search engines.

(5) REFERENCE: Click on Reference division at top of page, and then press the search tool button below for Answers, Encarta, Infoplease, or Wikipedia, examples of many reference search engines to choose from.

(6) NEWS: Click on News division at top of page, and then press the search tool button below for World News, BBC, CNN, Washington Post, Time, NY Times, LA Times, US News or Reuters, just a few of the worldwide news search engines included in the wonderful www.mrsapo.com unusual multi-purpose search engine conglomerate.

I am an Editor of the Suncoast Retirees Chapter News and a member of the APWU National Postal Press Association (PPA), and Mr. Sapo has become my favorite search engine portal, as it allows quick, easy comparisons of the results of the same search on virtually any of the top 100 search engines in the Universe! We recommend everyone broaden your outlook on life, and utilize our friend, Mr. Sapo (the Spanish Frog), to get your answers from one page with only the click of a mouse!

APWU FL. SPRING SEMINAR RETIREES LUNCHEON MAR., 2006

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter FREE luncheon for each Retiree Chapter member paying Retiree union dues to the National APWU Retirees Dept. of $24.00 year and one guest, limit of two per family, attending the Retirees Luncheon to be held in West Palm Beach, FL from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the day before the APWU of Florida Spring Seminar begins in March, 2006 at the same Hotel where the semi-annual conclave is held for educational classes for active and retiree APWU members. Retiree Happy folders will be distributed to all those in attendance, and everyone is invited!

APWU OF FLA STATE RETIREE CHAPT CONVENTION MAY, 2006

The 3RD Biennial APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention will convene at the APWU of Florida State Convention Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fl. at 1 p.m. and adjourn promptly at 4 p.m. on the day before the APWU of Florida Convention from Thursday thru Saturday in May, 2006. More information on the dates and name and location of the Convention Hotel will be listed elsewhere in this issue.
Preparations have been made for the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter to pay for a free luncheon for each APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter member registering as a Retiree Delegate and one family guest in attendance for the Convention. The luncheon is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Hotel Restaurant.

Nominations and elections of Chapter Officers will be held during the business session on Wednesday afternoon. The Offices are President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, Legislative Director, and two Trustees. A Chapter constitutional amendment will be introduced to add Health Plan Director and Benefits Director as elected positions on the Executive Board. Cash Door Prizes totaling $100.00 will be awarded to five (5) lucky Retirees, limited to one per family. Freebies, give-a-ways, and historical gifts will entertain those in attendance.

Our invited guest speaker at the Retirees luncheon and the Retirees Convention will be one of the National APWU Officers attending the Biennial APWU of Florida State Convention for active and retiree members. APWU of Florida Area Local/Local Presidents will be mailed blank APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Delegate credentials. Contact President Jack Gose, home telephone 727-343-2998 or E-mail to jak.gose@excite.com if you have any suggestions, questions or comments.

WE WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY HOLIDAY IN 2005 AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR IN 2006!

2005 FLARA EB MEETING IN PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL

President Jack Gose, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, and 2nd Vice President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) creates Political and Legislative displays with FREE photos everywhere he goes in Florida and all over the country similar to this one at the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans quarterly Executive Board meeting held at Doubletree Hotel, 4431 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL on Mon., Nov. 28, 2005 to build enthusiasm and record history for all ages to feel and visualize. (Photo taken with a Kodak Flash 800 Speed Camera by Jack Gose)

FLARA QUARTERLY EB MEETS ON MON., NOV. 28, 2005

All 3000 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members/families are invited to the next Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) Executive Board Meeting and Rally to be held at the Doubletree Hotel Palm Beach Gardens located at 4431 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, November 28, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The FLARA Board of Directors consists of seventy-two (72) members representing all areas of Florida. Quarterly Executive Board meetings are held around the state in different locations every three (3) months. FLARA hosts an annual Convention and a Legislative Conference in Tallahassee each year also. We look forward to seeing you at the end of November in West Palm Beach area!

If you are interested in attending this quarterly meeting on November 28, call Doubletree Hotel at Palm Beach Gardens 561-622-2260 or toll-free 1-800-445-2260 and ask for the FLARA special group rate of $89.00 plus tax per night for FLARA members. Please arrive on Sunday, November 27, 2005 and check in after 3 pm at the hotel. Contact Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 home phone or E-mail me at jak.gose@excite.com for an update and any suggestions you might have for a more successful Board meeting, planning for major events in 2006! If you have any questions or comments, please phone President Tony Fransetta at the FLARA office, 12773 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 211, Wellington, FL at 561-792-8799, E-mail at FLARA@fdn.com or go online to www.flara.org for more information to stir up your interest and enthusiasm!

BIG QUESTION: TO RETIRE OR TO CONTINUE WORKING!

An estimated 77 million Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964, ages 41 to 59 in 2005, are nearing retirement in the United States. Permission to reproduce excerpts from an Issue Brief written and researched by Diana Porter, Director of Policy, Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) in Washington, D.C., has been granted by the ARA Educational Fund. If Baby Boomers work longer, they will consume more products, add to national productivity, continue paying income and payroll taxes, contribute to economic growth, and have more time to save money for retirement.

The labor force rate for workers age 55 and over is expected to increase four times that of the overall labor group in the next several years. By 2012, when Baby Boomers are 48-66, women and men age 55 and older will account for one-third (33 %) of the 310 million United States population and nearly one in five workers, or 19 %. The median age of the labor force is projected to be 41.4 years in 2012, nearly 7 years higher than it was 30 years ago in 1982 when the median age was 35 years.

Women in the labor force continues to increase, rising from 53 % in 1982 to 60 % in 2002, and projected to be 62 percent in 2012. The participation rate of women ages 55 to 64 years has risen more dramatically, from 42 % in 1982 to 55 % in 2002, and projected to be 61 percent in 2012. When Women Work, Women Win!

A shortage of 10 million workers by 2010 should be a NO-BRAINER to continue the involvement of older workers in the labor force, as the population over age 65 will double in 2010 over what it is in 2005. Continued labor shortages are anticipated because the generation following the Baby Boomers is substantial fewer in numbers, due largely to a decline in the fertilities rate since the 1970’s, to two (2) children per woman of child bearing age.

WHAT DO MID-LIFE AND OLDER WORKERS WANT? One survey by AARP in 2004 found that 79 percent plan to work during their retirement years, including 30 percent plan to work part-time for enjoyment, 25 percent part-time for needed income, 15 percent plan to start a business, and 7 percent plan to work full-time at a new job, and finally, 21 percent have no plans to work in retirement. Physical and mental health, lack of quality health insurance, job stress, transportation, employment status of a spouse, and care-giving responsibilities are among the many factors that may influence the decision to retire completely.

Seventy-six percent (76 %) of workers ages 50 to 65 who plan to retire after age 65 identify the need for money as a major reason to work in retirement. No one should be denied a job, laid off or passed over for opportunities because of their age. Despite the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, which prohibits workplace discrimination against persons age 40 and older, the Golden Ceiling of Age Discrimination still exists in America today. United Technologies Corp. spends 60 million dollars annually on its employee scholar program, which pays the costs of workers of any age who study in their spare time.

The full eligibility age, or normal retirement age, for Social Security benefits is being raised from 65 to 67 from year 2000 to 2022. In 2005, the eligibility age for full Social Security benefits is 65 years and 6 months. Some enlightened employers and governments are developing policies and practices that enable people to work longer, if they choose to voluntarily. RETIRING INTO WORK is one of several issues that should be considered at the White House Conference on Aging scheduled for December 11-14, 2005 in Washington, D.C. President Tony Fransetta, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, has been appointed by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) to this National Conference. He has already attended several meetings of the National Conference, and if you have any questions or suggestions, phone him at 561-792-8799!

HOW TO KEEP ACTIVE WITH APWU IN RETIREMENT!

Join the National APWU Retirees Department, 1300 L Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005 by phoning Toll-Free 877-APWU-NOW or 877-279-8669 to continue your membership with the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO.
Three National APWU Retiree Department dues payment options are currently open to the membership:

(1) $24.00 year or $2.00 monthly union dues on APWU Retired Member Form 1187.

(2) Full APWU union dues to National APWU and APWU Area Local/Local.

(3) Full APWU union dues to National APWU and Retiree Dept. $24.00 year.

2005 CONSERVATIVE RIGHT WING STRATEGY IS DESTROY SOCIAL PROGRAMS!

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) delivers the Keynote Speech to over 700 Delegates assembled in the Grand Ballroom at the National Alliance for Retired Americans Legislative Conference held in the Washington Hilton & Towers, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 (the Hotel of the American Presidents) on Wed., Sept. 7, 2005. (Photo taken with a Kodak Flash Camera by President Jack Gose, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO)

CONSERVATIVE RIGHT WING STRATEGY IS TO DESTROY SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS & MIDDLE WORKING CLASS IN AMERICA

I have just returned from the National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) Legislative Conference, held from Sept. 7th thru 9th, 2005 at the Hilton Hotel and Towers, 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. As a delegate representing the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter’s 3,000 dues paying members in Florida, we listened to impassioned speakers from the U.S. Congress, international labor unions, federal government, health and insurance executives, media consultants, and reporters who are national leaders or live and work in our nation’s Capitol metropolis. Phone Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 for more info.

Everything is rosy in a mammoth ballroom seating over 700 delegates, until you leave the Conference scene to go out into the Real World of Politics as Usual! This is my 3rd legislative trip to Capitol Hill in the last four years as a Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) elected Executive Board member, also lobbying in 2002 and 2003. We attended a national ARA Southern Region Legislative Conference, held in Jacksonville, FL in 2004, with Southern Regional delegates from Texas to Virginia, including Florida.

Jack Gose was born on Dec. 18, 1928 and I am 76 years young, believe it or not. When I was a child growing up in rural, blue grass Tazewell County, Virginia near the West Virginia border coal mining camps, there were only two (2) classes of Americans, the RICH AND THE POOR. When an elderly person could not be cared for by their family for whatever reason, that older person was shipped to the POOR HOUSE OR THE POOR FARM, for Society to care for them. When an underage child could not be cared for by their family for whatever reason, that child was transported to the ORPHANAGE, for Society to take care of them. NO MIDDLE CLASS EXISTED IN AMERICA in 1928! E-mail Jak.Gose@Excite.com with your comments.

As America awakened from the Great Depression, Social Justice began in Washington with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as President of the United States of America. The Democratic controlled Congress sent a Social Security bill to President Roosevelt and he signed it, and SOCIAL SECURITY began in 1935 helping the creation of the middle class in America, for the elderly, the underage, and the handicapped. It would take many actions of Congress with amendments to the original Social Security bill passed to cover 58 million Americans.

The aftermath of World War II with all the new construction of buildings, businesses, homes, and job opportunities in America helped to further create the MIDDLE WORKING CLASS IN AMERICA, along with Social Security. The Great Society began with a bang when a Democratic controlled Congress sent a Medicare bill to President Lyndon B. Johnson and he signed it, and MEDICARE began in 1965 helping the further creation of the MIDDLE CLASS IN AMERICA, for the elderly, the underage, and the handicapped. Write a Letter to the Editor with your personal experiences!

Not one Conservative Right Wing Congressman voted for Social Security or Medicare in Congressional Committee meetings or on the Floor of Congress when the final voting took place in 1935 and 1965. NOW HEAR THIS: You don’t think that the Conservative Right Wing Congress doesn’t want to DESTROY Social Security, Medicare, Prescription Drugs, and the U.S. Postal Service today! I’ve talked to a few of them, and they feel basically that people should be on their own and invest their money in the stock market to secure their future, and not have to depend on the Federal, State, County, and Local Governments to care for them in their old age, young age, or handicapped age.

Visit your Senator’s office as we Alliance members did in Washington, D.C., or phone Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL), Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), and your Congressional Representative to let them know how you feel about the PRIVATIZATION of Social Security, Medicare, and the U.S. Postal Service!

TWENTY (20) FREE LUNCHEONS & $25.00 CASH DOOR PRIZE TO ONE RETIREE MEMBER ATTENDING CHAPTER LUNCHEON IN JAX ON WED., NOV. 2, 2005

The first twenty (20) APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying members and spouse or family member who sign in and attend the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter luncheon scheduled to be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at the APWU of Florida State Educational Seminar hotel, Radisson Riverwalk Hotel, 1515 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207 will be awarded a free luncheon, limited to two (2) free luncheons per Chapter Retiree family. The Retirees luncheon is scheduled from 11:45 am to 1:15 pm in the Hotel River’s Edge Café restaurant at the Fall Seminar.

In addition, a $25.00 CASH DOOR PRIZE will be awarded to one lucky APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter dues paying member who pays $24.00 year or $2.00 monthly Retiree union dues to the National APWU Retirees Department in Washington, D.C. Our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter has a membership of 3,000 APWU retirees who have chosen this attractive option to continue to receive the many benefits of staying alive with the National APWU, shoulder to shoulder with the active APWU members. Chapter Happy Folders filled with interesting news articles will be distributed free to all in attendance at the luncheon.

APWU three-day Retirement Planning classes will be led by Douglas C. Holbrook, National APWU Retirees Director, and staff on November 3rd to 5th, 2005. The Retirement classes will start promptly at 1:30 pm and end at 4:30 pm on Thursday, Nov. 3, and are scheduled from 9 am to 4:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 4, and from 9 am to 12 noon on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005. We look forward to Standing Room only class attendance, as half of the U. S. Postal Service workforce will retire by 2012! The Fall Seminar general morning session from 9 am to 12:30 pm on Thursday, Nov. 3 will feature National APWU Officers, including National APWU President Bill Burrus.

The APWU of Florida Special Group hotel rate is $109.00 per night, plus 13 % taxes, from Nov. 1-5, 2005, and you may make your Radisson Jacksonville room reservations by calling 904-396-5100 Group Reservations, and for more reservation information on the Hotel go online to www.radisson.com or phone 1-800-333-3333. Go to www.apwuflorida.org for more info on the classes and instructors! We look forward to meeting everyone after we arrive at the Radisson Jacksonville Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 1, 2005. All roads lead to Jacksonville!

2005 JACK GOSE MEETS PRESIDENT JOHN SWEENEY!

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, greets President John Sweeney, National AFL-CIO, at the Florida AFL-CIO Convention being held at Walt Disney World Coronado Springs Resort, 1000 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 on October 10, 2005. (Picture taken by Associated Press photographer)

FLORIDA AFL-CIO CONVENTION SET FOR
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL, OCT. 10-12, 2005

The Florida AFL-CIO Convention will be held at the Walt Disney World Coronado Springs Resort, 1000 West Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Fl. 32830 from October 10-12, 2005. I will attend and represent the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO at this annual conclave, and we shall take a strong voice to the Convention Delegates concerning the President’s Commission on the U. S. Postal Service and other current APWU legislative and retirement issues, such as Social Security, Medicare, Prescription Drugs, Housing, Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities.

Anyone may go online to www.flaflcio.org and click on Events to get a copy of the hotel convention letter, tentative agenda, committee list, and hotel reservation form to mail back to Disney’s Coronado Springs Group Reservation Office, P.O. Box 10000, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-9989. You may also make your hotel reservation by phone at 407-939-1020. The special Florida AFL-CIO hotel group rate for Single/Double occupancy is $119.00 per night, plus 11.5 % taxes. Room check-in time is 3 pm and check-out time is 11 am. Hope to see you in Lake Buena Vista at the House of Labor Convention!

FLARA EB & LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE TO BE IN TAMPA SEPT 16-17, 2005

Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), has announced a quarterly Executive Board meeting and FLARA Legislative Conference to be held in Tampa, Fl. on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at the Tampa Doubletree Airport Westshore Hotel, located at 4500 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33607. Directions to the hotel from I-275 are to use Exit 40B go north on Lois Avenue, turn left at Cypress Street light, hotel on left hand side within sight of the Interstate.

The conclave has been called to discuss and layout plans for action in the State of Florida and in the Fall/Winter session of Congress. The meetings will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2005 and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a break for lunch from 12 noon to 1 p.m. provided by FLARA. Many invited guests and well-known political figures will speak. Go online to www.flara.org to see our history!

All FLARA Executive Board members, Club and individual members including 3000 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members, and invited family/guests are welcome at this exciting gathering to foster support for the important issues that face Florida Union active members, retirees, and seniors. Contact FLARA in West Palm Beach area at 1-561-792-8799 if you are interested or have any questions or comments. Phone Jack Gose, FLARA 2nd Vice President, at 727-343-2998 for more information!

Doubletree Hotel Tampa Westshore Airport hotel room rate is $79.00, plus 12% taxes per night, for FLARA members and guests. Call the Doubletree Hotel in Tampa at 1-800-222-8733 to make room reservations, and ask for the FLARA special group rate. You are to arrive on Friday, September 16, 2005 and check in at the hotel after 3 pm. All roads lead to Tampa for FLARA/APWU Retiree Actions now. Join us in real APWU Retiree Solidarity as We Continue to Fight for all of our Future!

CHAPTER RETIREES INVITED TO FREE LUNCHEON AT APWU OF FLORIDA FALL EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR IN JACKSONVILLE ON WED., NOV. 2, 2005

The first twenty (20) APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying members and spouse or family member who sign in and attend the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter luncheon scheduled to be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at the APWU of Florida State Educational Seminar hotel, Radisson Riverwalk Hotel, 1515 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207 will be awarded a free luncheon, limited to two (2) free luncheons per Chapter Retiree family. The Retirees luncheon is scheduled from 11:45 am to 1:15 pm in the Radisson Hotel River’s Edge Café restaurant at the Fall Seminar. APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Happy Folders filled with interesting news articles will be distributed free to all in attendance at the luncheon.

An OWCP 2-day class for students will be conducted by Sue Carney, National APWU Human Relations Director, and Kevin Finn, DC staff on Nov. 1-2, 2005 to be followed by an APWU 3-day Retirement Planning class, to be led by Douglas Cowan Holbrook, National APWU Retirees Director and former National Secretary-Treasurer, and staff on Nov. 3-5, 2005. The Fall Seminar general morning session from 9 am to 12:30 pm on Thursday, Nov. 3 will feature National APWU Officers, including National APWU President Bill Burrus.

The Retirement classes will start promptly at 1:30 pm and end at 4:30 pm on Thur., Nov. 3, and are scheduled from 9 am to 4:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 4, and from 9 am to 12 noon on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005. We look forward to a wall to wall full class attendance!

Pete Trunzo, APWU of Florida Education Director, has put together a terrific educational program for the Fall Seminar in Jacksonville, with Leadership Training led by Joyce Robinson, National APWU Research and Education Director; Veteran’s Rights, Instructor Chuck Sundgaard, National Maintenance NBA; PTF Issues, Instructor Mike Morris, National Clerk Asst. Dir.; RI-399 issues, Instructor Billy Woods, National Clerk NBA; Basic and Advanced Steward classes taught by National and State Officers; and Clerk, Maintenance, and MVS classes with National and State Officers.

The APWU of Florida Special Group hotel rate is $109.00 per night, plus 13 % taxes, from Nov. 1-5, 2005, and you may make your Radisson Jacksonville room reservations by calling 904-396-5100 Group Reservations, and for more reservation information on the Hotel go online to www.radisson.com or phone 1-800-333-3333. Go to www.apwuflorida.org for more info on the classes and instructors!

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter membership is growing with over 3,000 APWU dues paying members who pay $24.00 year union dues to the National APWU Retiree Department. Our State Chapter has the largest dues paying membership in the United States, and our Chapter is recognized by the National APWU as the #1 leader in planning and implementing new programs for the benefit of our members who live in 67 counties of Florida from the Panhandle to Key West. All National APWU Retirees Department dues paying members are automatically members of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter with NO STATE OR LOCAL RETIREE DUES TO PAY to belong to the State Retiree Chapter. Isn’t it wonderful to live in Florida, and continue to enjoy all the APWU benefits!

We look forward to meeting you at the Retiree luncheon! I will be attending as many classes as is humanly possible, with my main focus on the 3-day Retirement Planning Super Seminar. Jack Gose is always open to any helpful suggestions, and if there is anything I can assist anyone with at the Jacksonville Seminar, just let me know or call my room! I get very little sleep at APWU events as most of you know, as Security must always be Priority One, for the safety and enjoyment of all the attendees, officers, stewards, union members, family, and invited guests. E-mail: jak.gose@excite.com for action!

RETIREE CHAPTER OFFICERS PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED INFORMATION!

Our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board and Appointed Officers, blessed with many years of U.S. Postal Service and APWU Officer and Membership experience, provide APWU active and retiree dues paying members and families in need of information a wealth of useful tips. All you have to do is phone them at their home, and don’t forget to thank them for their dedication and commitment to a lifetime of fighting for the current APWU benefits and federal programs we all enjoy, such as CSRS or FERS Annuity, Social Security, Medicare, and Prescription Drugs. If you need help or have a question, contact one of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Officers listed below:

Jack Gose, President South Pasadena 727-343-2998
Valentine Serpico, Vice President Fort Lauderdale 954-396-4217
Dave Bernstein, Legislative Director Tampa 813-839-4233
John Sardin, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer St. Petersburg 727-347-5687
Michael Jordan, Sr., Health Plan Director Rockledge 321-631-0499
Elizabeth “Beth” Cramer, Benefits Director Cape Coral 239-242-9133
Charlie Redd, Trustee Cocoa 321-632-2898
Pedro Torres, Trustee Miami 305-251-7938

2005 FLARA CONVENTION DELEGATES ELECT JACK GOSE 2ND VP!

CONVENTION DELEGATES ELECT JACK GOSE 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Jack Gose, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter President and Delegate, was elected to the position of Second Vice President on the Executive Board of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) non-profit organization at the 3rd Annual Convention held on June 12-14, 2005 at the Holiday Inn, Daytona Beach Shores, FL. Dave Bernstein, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Legislative Director and Delegate, was also elected by the Convention Delegates to the Executive Board. Ruth Wood, APWU of Florida Retiree Chapter member from New Smyrna Beach, attended two days of the Convention and luncheons, and was very impressed with the events.

The statewide organization is an advocacy group for all working and retired Americans living in Florida, and was the second state to receive a Charter from the National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) in 2002 which was sponsored by the National AFL-CIO. FLARA has over 200,000 dues paying members representing twenty-two (22) international labor union organizations and seventy (70) community based groups in the State of Florida. Headquarters for the Alliance for Retired Americans is in Washington, D.C. and the ARA has over 3.2 million dues paying members.

FLARA and ARA is where the action is for legislation, lobbying, demonstrations, picketing, and community activism. A primary mission of the Alliance is to enroll and mobilize retired union members and other senior and community activists into a nationwide grassroots movement advocating a progressive political and social agenda, one that respects work and strengthens families. The long-term goal of the Alliance is to become a leading voice for older Americans and younger workers. By engaging in important political battles to protect and preserve programs vital to the health and economic security of Americans, the Alliance will gain recognition as the country’s leading progressive grassroots organization. All 3000 APWU FL Retirees are FLARA members!

In pursuit of these values, the Alliance will:
(1) Build a strong organization of seniors with a viable structure, ample resources and clear objectives---a structure compatible with that of the labor movement and community-based groups at local, state, and national levels.

(2) Create programs and membership organizations designed to promote a commitment by retired workers and older persons to the concept of lifelong participation in their unions, and in their community, political, and civic organizations.

(3) Encourage all segments of the senior population to act with unity on legislative, political, and policy issues of importance to retirees and their families in order to maximize their influence on federal, state, and local governments and on private organizations that affect their interests.

We must work together to put working people and seniors in control of our destiny. Let every Retired and Working American Be Heard Loud and Clear! I was appointed by FLARA President Tony Fransetta, a retiree member of the United Auto Workers (UAW), to the Convention Resolutions Committee at the Convention in Daytona, and as Chair of the Committee reported a resolution to the Delegates on “Opposition to Privatization of Social Security,” which had been crafted by Dave Bernstein and myself. It was approved on a voice vote, and it is now up to all of us to work and see that it is supported.

Our next FLARA Executive Board Meeting will be in Tampa, FL in September, 2005 and Dave Bernstein has been given the job of finding a suitable hotel complex to host the quarterly statewide meeting of seventy-two (72) elected FLARA Executive Board members and invited guests. Jim Weldon, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) from Ft. Lauderdale, is 1st Vice President of FLARA. Our FLARA group has 10 Area Vice Presidents, 5 Union Executive Vice Presidents with over 10,000 members each, 3 Community Executive Vice Presidents, 5 Trustees, one Southeast 4-state Regional Director, Legislative Director, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, 2 Members Emeritus, and 40 other Board Members. For more info, go online to www.flara.org and www.retiredamericans.org to get the real feeling of Where Do We Need to Go!

I drove President Fransetta and National ARA President, George Korpias of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, who was our Convention Invited Main Guest Speaker, to Congressman John Mica’s office in Ormond Beach, FL to present a FLARA pledge on Social Security, but he was somewhere else in the district.

On July 5, 2005 I was invited by Senator Bill Nelson’s Tampa office to attend the Town Hall Meeting held at the Cultural Center in historic Tarpon Springs, FL. Over 125 crowded into 1915 era City Hall chambers which the Fire Marshall listed as 84 person maximum occupancy to hear the latest news from Washington, D.C. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) answered over 30 questions for over two hours at a scheduled one hour meeting. He had hernia surgery on Friday, July 1 and he said his stitches were bothering him, standing for the first hour and sitting in a chair for the second hour. He is scheduling other Town Hall Meetings around the state in small communities when he is away from Senate business in our Nation’s Capitol. He has spoken out strongly for opposition to privatization of Social Security, though he voted with Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) for approval of Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) on June 30, a bill we opposed in the Senate!

To join FLARA as an individual member (includes spouse), contact the FLARA Membership Dept., 12773 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite #211, Wellington, FL 33414 or E-mail FLARA at FLARA@fdn.com for payment of annual $10.00 dues. Do you have a Retirees Club or APWU Area Local Union Executive Board interested in fighting for your families? Ask about our Group Affiliation Package when you call 561-792-8799 in Wellington to speak with President Tony Fransetta. Together, we can make a difference!

WASHINGTON, D.C. NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE ON SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2005

A National Legislative Conference has been scheduled by the National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA), to be held Wednesday, Sept. 7 thru Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 at the Hilton Washington and Towers Union Hotel , 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. To register, phone toll-free 1-888-373-6497 and ask for Joni Jones at Registration Desk, or E-mail to jjones@retiredamericans.org or visit our ARA national website at www.retiredamericans.org for more information. The opening session is to begin at 1 pm on Wed., Sept. 7, and the last event will conclude by 3 pm on Fri., Sept. 9, 2005. You will be in Washington, D.C. only 2 nights! If you need more information, phone Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 or E-mail jak.gose@excite.com for a prompt reply.

2005 BETH CRAMER APPTD AS BENEFITS DIRECTOR!

ELIZABETH “BETH” CRAMER APPOINTED TO APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER NEW POSITION OF BENEFITS DIRECTOR

Elizabeth “Beth” Cramer has been appointed to the newly created position of Benefits Director of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, effective May 7, 2005 by Chapter President Jack Gose. Beth will provide a service to the APWU active and retiree dues paying members and families who have questions concerning Federal Employee and Postal Retiree Benefit Plans and program coverage.

Any APWU active or retiree member/spouse/family member who has questions about postal retirement should not hesitate to call the toll-free number for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in Boyers, Pa. 16017 at 1-888-767-6738 Monday thru Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm or the National APWU Retirees Department in Washington, D.C. at 202-842-8584 Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm to get answers from professional specialists concerning your retirement.

Beth is a longtime elected National APWU Retiree National Convention Delegate for the Southern Region and Delegate to many APWU State and National Conventions, as well as Florida AFL-CIO Convention. Beth and Steve, her energetic husband, live in Cape Coral, Florida and they can be reached at home 239-242-9133 or write her at 1305 S.W. 9th Court, Cape Coral, FL 33991 with your congratulations. She retired from the USPS a few years ago, and she is looking forward to hearing from any APWU members who have questions about the current National APWU or USPS Federal Employee Benefit Plans, Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), or Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) Benefit Plans, or suggestions for improvements in Benefit Plan programs.

In response to the growing need for a knowledgeable APWU Retiree Chapter member to fill this critically important position, the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board approved a motion at the Chapter Executive Board meeting at the Hilton Hotel in St. Petersburg, FL on April 28, 2005 to create a Chapter Retiree Benefits Director. The Chapter Benefits Director shall be responsible to set up and promote programs in the areas of Retirement, Consumer Affairs, and Social and Economic fields which affect the membership. She shall be responsible for new APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter orientation of Retirees, Human Relations, Education, Organization, Membership Sign-up Incentives, Recruitment, Union Label Awareness, and Inter-Union/Labor Movement activities and programs for the State Retiree Chapter membership.

We have asked Beth to write articles in the Florida Postal Worker and other publications concerning news about the various Benefit Plans, and we welcome her aboard the good ship APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO. Beth is a fighter and has spoken eloquently and forcefully as our elected Southern Regional Retiree Delegate at many National APWU Conventions on important and paramount issues that affect the APWU active and retiree membership. Remember, the general rule is that you must have been a member of one of the FEHB health plans for the five (5) years of service immediately preceding your retirement annuity commencing date to continue your health plan coverage after retirement.

The Medicare Part B premium increases 14.1% on Jan. 1, 2006 from $78.20 to $89.20 monthly, an increase of $11.00 monthly, according to Mark McClellan, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. He stated that the increase was caused primarily by lengthier office visits, more complex imaging such as MRI scanning and doctors administering more lab tests and treatments in their offices instead of at the hospital. Retirees should always budget prudently to keep up with the rising health care costs!

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE SET FOR WASHINGTON, D.C. ON SEPTEMBER 7-9, 2005

A National Legislative Conference has been scheduled by the National Alliance for Retired Americans (NARA), to be held Wednesday, Sept. 7 thru Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 at the Hilton Washington and Towers Union Hotel , 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. Hotel room rates $142.00 night plus 14.5 % taxes, and are guaranteed until July 20, 2005. Check-in time is 3 pm, and check-out time is 12 noon. Hotel reservations should be made by calling the Hilton Washington and Towers directly toll-free at 1-888-324-4586.

I have attended the first annual NARA National Legislative Conferences held in Washington, D.C. in 2002 and 2003, and the NARA Southern Region Leadership Conference held in Jacksonville, FL in 2004. This is your opportunity to step up to the plate, and become active in legislative lobbying at the highest levels!

The Conference registration early bird fee is $75.00, if received by July 20, 2005. After that date, the registration fee is $90.00. A Banquet featuring a noted personality is set for Thurs., Sept. 8 at 6 pm. Banquet tickets are $65.00 person and should be ordered with the registration form. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive your tickets when you arrive at the Conference. To register, phone toll-free 1-888-373-6497 and ask for Joni Jones at Registration Desk, or E-mail to jjones@retiredamericans.org or visit our ARA national website at www.retiredamericans.org for more information.

The opening session is to begin at 1 pm on Wed., Sept. 7, and the last event will conclude by 3 pm on Fri., Sept. 9, 2005. You will be in Washington, D.C. only 2 nights!

If you need more information, phone Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 or E-mail jak.gose@excite.com for a prompt reply. Hope to see you in Washington Sep. 7-9, 2005!

DISPLAY OF APWU HISTORY A SHOW STOPPER IN ST. PETE, FL.

A unique set up of APWU local, state, and national historical magazines, newsletters, photographs, posters, documents and clothing on twelve 6-foot wide tables lined the main corridor leading to the conference and seminar meeting rooms on the first floor of the Hilton Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida from Sunday, April 24 thru Saturday, April 30, 2005 to display the History of the APWU since merger in 1971. Hundreds of items were donated by Jack Gose and given away free to 107 attending Natl. APWU Sec.-Treas. Seminar and 135 registered at APWU of Florida Spring Seminar!

2005 FLARA CONVENTION IN DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, FL.

FLARA STATE CONVENTION JUNE 12-14, 2005

It is a pleasure to invite all 3100 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, Retiree delegates, active APWU dues paying officers and members, and family members to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) 2005 Annual Convention and Quarterly Board of Directors meeting to be held on Sunday, June 12 thru Tuesday, June 14, 2004 at the HOLIDAY INN-DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, 3209 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores, FL 32118. Your departure check-out date is on Wednesday, June 15, 2005.

The Holiday Inn-Daytona Beach Shores hotel room rate for FLARA members is $69.95 per night for single or double room, plus 12.5 % taxes. Please note the hotel cutoff date for room reservations is May 24, 2005. Any reservations made after this cutoff date CANNOT be guaranteed at our group rate. When making your reservations, please call toll-free 1-800-722-3297 or (386) 761-2050 and ask for the FLARA special group rate. You can also reach the hotel: (1) FAX: 386-761-2050 (2) ONLINE: www.holidayinndaytona.com and (3) E-MAIL: holidayinndbs@hotmail.com for info.

The registration fee for the Convention is $80.00 per person. Any registered delegate wishing to bring a guest to the prepaid meals should register their guest at $60.00 each. If you are interested, contact Janelle Thomas, Membership Director, at the FLARA office in West Palm Beach, Fl. by phone at 561-792-8799 or E-mail at FLARA@fdn.com to register and receive Convention materials and an updated agenda. Submit your registration form along with your payment made payable to “FLARA” to: FLARA, 12773 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite #211, Wellington, FL 33414.

Many well known political and union leaders are invited to attend this annual event. Resolutions will be offered to oppose the Privatization of the Social Security Program entitlements for all Americans. Go to www.flara.org for more info about FLARA.

At this Convention, in addition to the election of Officers and Board Members, any proposed changes to the FLARA Constitution and By-Laws will be discussed and voted upon by the convention body. It is important that all Board Members, Club, and Individual members be in attendance for this discussion and action. If you wish to submit a proposed change to the By-Laws, they must be received at the FLARA Offices no later than 30 days prior to the Convention. APWU is one of 22 unions affiliated with FLARA!

All FLARA club/chapter dues must be current in order for clubs/chapters to have proper voting status. If you have not sent in your chapter or individual dues, please do so immediately. If you have any questions, ask to speak with Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, by phone at 561-792-8799. Registration forms must be returned to FLARA in order to prepare your credentials and to better plan for a successful convention. As an elected Board Member, I look forward to meeting with you and your family in Daytona Beach Shores on June 12-14, 2005! We need everyone in this Battle to Save our Future!

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON, D.C.

A National Legislative Conference has been scheduled by the National Alliance for Retired Americans, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 7 thru Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 at the Hilton Washington and Towers Union Hotel , 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20009. Hotel room rates $142.00 night plus 14.5 % taxes, and are guaranteed until July 20, 2005. Check-in time is 3 pm, and check-out time is 12 noon. Hotel reservations should be made by calling the Hilton Washington and Towers directly toll-free at 1-888-324-4586.

The Conference registration early bird fee is $75.00, if received by July 20, 2005. After that date, the registration fee is $90.00. A Banquet featuring a noted personality is set for Thurs., Sept. 8 at 6 pm. Banquet tickets are $65.00 person and should be ordered with the registration form. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first serve basis. You will receive your tickets when you arrive at the Conference. To register, phone toll-free 1-888-373-6497 and ask for Joni Jones at Registration Desk, or E-mail to jjones@retiredamericans.org or visit our ARA national website at www.retiredamericans.org for more information. This is your chance to be an activist!

The opening session is to begin at 1 pm on Wed., Sept. 7, and the last event will conclude by 3 pm on Fri., Sept. 9, 2005. You will be in Washington, D.C. only 2 nights!

All 3100 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Members, Clubs, Individual Members, and Family Members are invited to join the National Alliance for Retired Americans (NARA) to examine all the key legislative issues before Congress. You will hear from Members of Congress, Community and Labor Leaders about their plans surrounding these issues. There will be expert panelists’ on senior issues, informative break out sessions, and Lobby Day on Capitol Hill when Members of Congress hear directly from you about these paramount issues. It’s time to march in the streets again!!

Come and hear Members of Congress and key figures in debates on Social Security, Medicare, Prescription Drugs, Pensions, and the Privatization of the U.S. Postal Service. Only senior friendly legislation will ensure you have the quality of life you deserve after a lifetime of hard work, and only the wisdom and action of seniors can convey the importance of these issues to our Congress, their children and grandchildren, as well as your family. Go on internet to www.apwuflorida.org and click on Retiree for more!

Seniors know their strength is in their voices and voting, and we use them to help steer our elected officials towards protecting and preserving the programs that serve seniors. We must be relentless in using our power to keep the elected on the best course for all Americans. The Alliance is the best organizing tool in America today to ensure that seniors keep and improve the quality of life we have worked so hard to create for ourselves and our children and generations to come. We’re not afraid to rally & picket!

The National Alliance has a membership of 3.2 million and 19 chartered state organizations. The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) has over 200,000 dues paying members. Our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter is a dues paying member of FLARA, and President Jack Gose is our elected APWU Officer serving on the FLARA Board of Directors, representing over 3100 State Retiree Chapter members. If you have any questions, phone Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA at 561-792-8799 or Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, at 727-343-21998 or E-mail jak.gose@excite.com for a prompt reply. We hope to see many APWU of Florida Retiree and Active members, and their families in Washington, D.C. Sept. 7-9, 2005!

2005 WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP PRIVATIZATION!

CHAPTER RETIREES CELEBRATE WITH FREE LUNCHEON

A luncheon including food, drink, tax, and tip will be given FREE to the first twenty (20) APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying members and spouse or family member who sign in and attend the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter luncheon, scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at the Café 333 Hilton Hotel Restaurant, 333 First Street South, in downtown St. Petersburg, Fl. 33701-4342. Award of the free luncheons will be limited to two (2) free luncheons per Chapter Retiree Member family.

The Retirees luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the hotel restaurant on the ground floor at the APWU of Florida State Educational Spring Seminar to be held in the same hotel from Thursday, Apr. 28 thru Saturday, Apr. 30, 2005. All APWU National, State, Area Local/Local active officers, stewards, family members, and APWU National, State, Area Local/Local retired officers, stewards, family members, and APWU National, State, Area Local/Local Auxiliary officers, members and family guests are invited to attend this luncheon to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends.

For St. Petersburg Hilton hotel reservations, telephone 727-894-5000 or toll-free 800-944-5500, and ask for the special APWU group rate of $99.00 single/double, plus 11% taxes per night. For more information, go to St. Pete Hilton website www.stpetehilton.com or www.apwuflorida.org for class schedules and names of instructors. Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m. daily. The 4-star hotel has 333 rooms near the waterfront, and an outdoor pool and spa. The Hilton Hotel Café 333 serves breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Many other eateries are within a short walking distance.

Free APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Happy Folders, filled with interesting articles and brochures for active and retiree members and family members, will be distributed at our semi-annual Retirees Chapter luncheon. Hope to see you in St. Pete, and if you have a question or need more details, phone me at home 727-343-2998 or E-mail me at jak.gose@excite.com for a prompt reply.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND MEDICARE

Visit, write, and Telephone your Representative and two (2) Senators, Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez, toll-free at 1-866-727-4294, Capital Operator, Washington, D.C. Relay your message by picking out only one paramount issue with each call you make:

(1) Do Not Change any federal laws to privatize the U.S. Postal Service.

(2) Do Not Privatize Social Security, but Do Preserve Social Security for current and future beneficiaries.

(3) Do Not Privatize Medicare, but Oppose any Benefit Cuts.

To find out more about Social Security and You, write to Alliance for Retired Americans, membership over 3 million strong, at 888 - 16th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, or go online www.retiredamericans.org or phone toll-free 888-633-4435. Write to Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, membership over 200,000 strong, 12773 West Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 211, Wellington, FL. 33414, or go online www.flara.org or phone 561-792-8799 to contact Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, or E-mail him at FloridaARA@aol.com for more info on Social Security and You!

When I was born in 1928, there were only 2 classes of citizens in America, the rich and the poor, with no middle class. In my hometown county in rural Virginia, the kids with no family members able to support them went to the county Orphanage and the older seniors who could not support themselves went to the county Poor House. The passage of Social Security by the Congress in 1935 brought the middle class into reality in America. In 1965, the passage of Medicare by the Congress brought Health Care coverage for all our citizens in America who wished to join up at age 65.

You know the rest of the story! Do not be Fooled or Tricked into a disastrous outcome for your children and grandchildren with the destruction of Social Security and Medicare! Make those toll-free phone calls weekly and make them often!

RETIREE CHAPTER MARKS THIRD YEAR OF PROGRESS

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter was organized on March 15, 2002 at the Jacksonville Hilton Hotel by a group of APWU dues paying retirees residing in Florida, with the assistance of John R. Smith, National APWU Retirees Director. A Retirees Constitution and By-Laws and a list of interim officers were approved by the retirees in attendance. An APWU State Retiree Chapter Charter was presented at the APWU of Florida State Convention in May, 2002 in Orlando, Fl.

The State Retiree Chapter held its own State Retirees Convention at Orlando in 2002 and at Daytona Beach in 2004. The Chapter hosted the first ever National APWU Health Plan Seminar at Lake Buena Vista in October, 2004. APWU National Retirees Dept. membership in the State of Florida has grown from 2375 to 3100 since 2002. Thanks to President Martha Shunn, all the members of the APWU of Florida Executive Board, the APWU rank and file union officers, stewards, and members, Auxiliary officers/members, and the APWU dues paying Retirees and family for a great three years!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER EXECUTIVE BOARD:
Jack Gose, President South Pasadena 727-343-2998
Valentine Serpico , Vice President Fort Lauderdale 954-396-4217
Dave Bernstein, Legislative Director Tampa 813-839-4233
John Sardin, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer St. Petersburg 727-347-5687
Michael Jordan, Sr., Health Plan Dir. Rockledge 321-631-0499
Charlie Redd, Trustee Cocoa 321-632-2898
Pedro Torres, Trustee Miami 305-251-7938

2005 SEVEN STAGES OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE!

FREE LUNCHEON AT APWU OF FLORIDA SPRING SEMINAR IN ST. PETERSBURG FOR TWENTY (20) CHAPTER RETIREES

The first twenty (20) APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying members and spouse or family member who sign in and attend the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter luncheon scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 28, 2005 the first day of classes will be awarded a free luncheon, limited to two (2) free luncheons per Chapter Retiree family, at the APWU of Florida Apr. 28-30, 2005 State Educational Seminar hotel located in St. Petersburg. Information about the name and location of the hotel will be published elsewhere in this issue of the Florida Postal Worker or when available.

The Retirees luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the hotel restaurant at the Spring Seminar. Action by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting in Daytona Beach, Florida on May 12, 2004 at the State Retirees Convention approved unanimously future Retirees luncheons at State Seminars to be paid by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter funds to foster APWU unionism and family ties between the APWU of Florida dues paying active postal worker officers, stewards, members, and family members; the Auxiliary to APWU of Florida officers, members, and family members; and the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter officers, members, and their family members. APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Happy Folders filled with interesting news articles will be distributed free to all in attendance at the luncheon. The State Retiree Chapter Executive Board will meet from 10 to 11 a.m. at the hotel. If you have a question, call Jack Gose at 727-343-2998.

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter membership is growing with over 3,100 APWU dues paying members who pay $24.00 year union dues to the National APWU Retiree Department. Our State Chapter has the largest dues paying APWU membership in the United States, and our Chapter is recognized by the National APWU as the #1 leader in planning and implementing new programs for the benefit of our members who live in 67 counties of Florida from the Panhandle to Key West. All National APWU Retirees Department dues paying members are automatically members of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter with no state or local APWU Retiree union dues to pay to belong to the State Retiree Chapter. We look forward to meeting everyone at the Retiree luncheon in St. Petersburg!


HOW TO STOP THE PRIVATIZATION (REFORM) OF THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, SOCIAL SECURITY, AND MEDICARE

1. Write personal letters and E-mails, telephone their district offices, and make an appointment with your two (2) Florida Senators and Congressional Representatives. You will find them listed in the Congressional Legislator directory on the www.apwuflorida.org website home page. Contact Senator Bill Nelson, Senator Mel Martinez, and your own Congressional Representative to express your disgust and condemnation of any efforts by the Congress to privatize the U.S. Postal Service, Social Security and/or Medicare during their elected term of office. As a voter, you hold all the cards, don’t hold back!

2. Write personal letters, E-mail, and telephone the Editor of your local newspaper, TV station, and Radio Station to express and give reasons why you are opposed to any changes which would privatize your job or weaken your Social Security and Medicare benefits. Send copies to Editor of this newsletter!

3. Join the ranks of union activists by attending your local and state union and retiree meetings, seminars, rallies, and luncheons to help build unity of active workers and retirees, to work together by marching in the streets in solidarity, to oppose the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service and the destruction of Social Security and Medicare. If you need encouragement, E-mail jak.gose@excite.com!

4. Stay informed by reading legislative articles in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and on the internet. Visit your local library to ask librarian to assist you in becoming computer educated, and go to www.retiredamericans.org (American Alliance for Retired Americans) and www.flara.org (Florida Alliance for Retired Americans), www.apwu.org (American Postal Workers Union), www.flaflcio.org (Florida AFL-CIO) and www.aflcio.org (AFL-CIO) for legislative alerts, discussion, and viewpoints.

SEVEN STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that destroys cells in the brain and is the leading cause of dementia or loss of intellectual functions. Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, first described the disease in 1906. About 10% of people over 65 years of age, 20% of people 75 to 85, and nearly 50 % of people over age of 85 have the disease in some stage. Anyone at any age should consult a doctor if you have symptoms listed below in stage 3 thru 7 or have a prior gene history of this disorder in your own family. There is no cure for this disease; however, four (4) drugs currently are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.

STAGE 1. No cognitive decline (No Memory Deficit).

STAGE 2. Forgetfulness; forgetting where one has placed familiar objects, such as your glasses, car
keys; forgetting names one formerly knew well.

STAGE 3. Patient has early confusion like a 12-year old child.
a. May get lost when traveling to an unfamiliar place.
b. Fellow employees become aware of patient’s poor job performance.
c. Loss of words and names become evident to spouse/family members.
d. Reads a book or article and remembers little material.
e. Cannot remember names of new people introduced.
f. Loses or misplaces an object of value.
g. Has concentration deficit, denial, and/or anxiety.

STAGE 4. Patient has late confusion like a 9 to 12 year old child.
a. Decreased knowledge of current and recent events.
b. Cannot remember own personal history.
c. Less ability to travel and/or handle own finances.
d. Has denial and withdrawal from challenging situations.

STAGE 5. Patient has early dementia moderately severe like a 5 to 7 year old child.
a. Cannot survive without assistance.
b. No recall of major elements of own life, a well known address or telephone number, names of close friends such as grandchildren, high school or college attended.
c. Difficulty counting back from number 40 by 4’s or number 20 by 2’s.

STAGE 6. Patient has middle dementia like a 2 to 5 year old child.
a. Forgets name of spouse or caregiver, children, grandchildren, siblings, pet animal.
b. Unaware of recent events and actions, current year or season, name of President of U.S.
c. Cannot count from number 10 backward and sometimes forward.
d. May become incontinent, have no control over urinating or bowel functions.
e. May become delusional, talk to self in mirror, erratic sleep patterns.
f. Obsessive behavior, repeat continuous cleaning activities.
g. Anxiety, agitation, wild behavior may occur, often violent, psychotic.
h. Loss of willpower, cannot carry a thought long enough to determine a course of action.

STAGE 7. Patient has late dementia, very severe decline, like an l year to 15 months old infant.
a. All verbal abilities have been lost.
b. No speech, only grunts, sometimes a slow loss of other senses.
c. Incontinent, requires assistance in toilet and feeding.
d. Loss of psychomotor skills, abilities to walk.
e. Brain can no longer tell own body what to do.

REACH OUT FOR CARE: 40 million Americans are over the age 65 and one in ten has Alzheimer’s. Four (4) million have the disease, but 3 million are cared for at home. Fourteen (14) million will have Alzheimer’s by year 2040. There is Hope! Call Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Toll free 866-232-8484 or www.alzfdn.org on the internet to get Education and Caregiver Tips from a reliable organization. It is thought by many experts that Alzheimer’s is gene related and Hope is Eternal for a cure someday! Until then, each one teach one, and support all the Caregivers in America who love Alzheimer’s patients!

Article written by Jack Gose, President,

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2005 FLARA LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE, TALLAHASSEE, FL

TALLAHASSEE FLARA LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 2, 2005

Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), has announced a scheduled FLARA Legislative Conference and quarterly Executive Board meeting to be held in Tallahassee, Fl. on Mon., Feb. 28 and Tue., Mar. 1, 2005 at the Ramada Inn Tallahassee, 2900 North Monroe St. The historic conclave has been called to discuss and layout plans for action in the Spring session of the Florida Legislature. Legislative resolutions will be debated and approved on Monday and meetings with legislators at the Capital will take place on Tuesday. The meetings will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a break for lunch from 12 noon to 1 p.m. provided by FLARA.

All FLARA Executive Board members, Club and individual members including 3100 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members, and invited family/guests are welcome at this exciting annual gathering to foster support for the important issues that face Florida Union Retirees and seniors. The Legislative Conference registration fee is $80.00 and guest registration is $60.00. Registration forms and fees must be received by the state office by Feb. 21, 2005 to process your credentials. Contact Janelle Thomas, Financial/Membership Director of FLARA in West Palm Beach area at 1-561-792-8799 if you are interested or have any questions or comments.

Ramada Inn Tallahassee hotel room rate is $89.00, plus 10% taxes per night, for FLARA members and guests. Call the Ramada Inn in Tallahassee at 1-850-386-1027 to make reservations, and ask for the FLARA special group rate. You are to arrive on Sunday, February 27, 2005 and check in at the hotel. All roads lead to Tallahassee for FLARA/APWU Retiree Actions now. Join us in real APWU Retiree Solidarity!

CHAPTER RETIREES INVITED TO FREE LUNCHEON AT APWU OF FLORIDA SPRING SEMINAR IN ST. PETERSBURG

The first twenty (20) APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying members and spouse or family member who sign in and attend the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter luncheon scheduled to be held on a Thursday, the first day of classes, for the APWU of Florida State Educational Seminar hotel located in St. Petersburg, will be awarded a free luncheon, limited to two (2) free luncheons per Chapter Retiree family. Information about the name and location of the hotel will be published elsewhere in this issue of the Florida Postal Worker or when available.

The Retirees luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the hotel restaurant at the Spring Seminar. Action by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting in Daytona Beach, Florida on May 12, 2004 at the State Retirees Convention approved unanimously future Retirees luncheons at State Seminars to be paid by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter funds to foster APWU unionism and family ties between the APWU of Florida dues paying active postal worker officers, stewards, members, and family members; the Auxiliary to APWU of Florida officers, members, and family members; and the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter officers, members, and their family members. APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Happy Folders filled with interesting news articles will be distributed free to all in attendance at the luncheon. The State Retiree Chapter Executive Board will meet from 10 to 11 a.m. at the hotel.

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter membership is growing with over 3,100 APWU dues paying members who pay $24.00 year union dues to the National APWU Retiree Department. Our State Chapter has the largest dues paying membership in the United States, and our Chapter is recognized by the National APWU as the #1 leader in planning and implementing new programs for the benefit of our members who live in 67 counties of Florida from the Panhandle to Key West. All National APWU Retirees Department dues paying members are automatically members of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter with no state or local APWU Retiree union dues to pay to belong to the State Retiree Chapter. We look forward to meeting you at the Retiree luncheon!`

IDENTITY THEFT IS NOW A MAJOR CRIME PROBLEM!

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security Number, Credit Card number, or other identity details to commit fraud or other crimes without your permission. ID theft is personal and painful, and each case for each individual is unique. It can take you months and years to clean up the mess and may be very expensive. Victims may lose job opportunities, have loans refused for education, housing, or vehicles, or even get arrested for crimes they did not perform. We suggest you first contact the Federal Trade Commission on line at www.ftc.gov or phone toll free at 1-877-FTC-HELP to get up to date procedures you should pursue when you find out someone has stolen or tried to steal your identity. Once the FTC home page opens up, click on the For Consumers side bar link, then click on Identity Theft link when Consumers page opens to begin your search.

State of Florida recorded 14,119 identity theft victims in 2003, fourth highest in the nation after California, Texas, and New York. About 10% of the victims were age 65 or over, and we have received a few horror stories from our Chapter members whose identity has been stolen. The main categories of ID theft in 2003, the latest info on the FTC website Data Clearinghouse, were Credit Card No. 1, then Utilities, Bank, Employment, Government Documents/Benefits, Loan, Medical, and Internet fraud in descending order.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends the below steps be taken immediately if you feel you are a victim of Identity Theft. The FTC has done a great job with the National Do Not Call telephone list!

(1) Contact the three major Credit Bureaus to place a Fraud Alert on your name and Social Security number credit file. All three (3) agencies will send you a Credit Report free of charge with the Fraud Alert included. Credit Bureau Telephone numbers: Equifax 1-800-525-6285; Experian (formerly TRW) 1-888-397-3742; Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289; and Social Security Administration fraud line: 1-800-269-0271.

(2) Close any accounts opened in your name by fraud.

(3) File a police report and get copies to send to your creditors who require proof of the crime.

(4) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission which has a database of ID theft cases used by law enforcement.

An attorney recommends the additional steps be taken to ensure future protection from ID theft:
(1) If your credit cards are stolen, everyone knows to cancel them at once. The key to success in the future is to make a copy of all your credit card toll free numbers to keep handy, in order to phone immediately to cancel the stolen cards.

(2) Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each document at least every year. Then you will have all the account numbers and phone numbers to keep in a safe place to use in case you lose your wallet, pocketbook, valuables to a thief.

(3) When writing checks to pay credit card bills, DO NOT PUT THE COMPLETE ACCOUNT NUMBER on the “For” line. Instead, just put the last four numbers as the credit card company knows the complete number, and anyone who handles your check will not have access to it.

(4) Never have your Social Security Number printed on your checks as anyone can get it.

(5) Shred all documents you no longer need in a shredder. If you throw away your bills and documents in the trash without shredding, guess where some thieves get your identity, from the Garbage Dump or Landfill.

We have Norton Antivirus, Norton Firewall, SpyBot Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware, CW Shredder, Spy Audit, and Spyware Blaster on our computer at home to keep down the intrusion into our personal lives from all over the world. We do not open any E-mails from anyone we do not know to protect our identity, including companies who keep sending E-mail failure alerts! We have found secure websites have the letters “https” in the address bar while non-secure websites have only “http” in the address bar. Identity theft claimed 214,905 victims in 2003 in the United States, and we predict the number will escalate drastically when the 2004 statistics are posted by the Federal Trade Commission!

2005 FSRC FREE LUNCHEON TO FIRST 40 RETIREES SIGNING IN!

FREE LUNCHEON TO FIRST FORTY (40) CHAPTER MEMBERS/FAMILY MEMBERS TO SIGN IN ON ATTENDANCE SHEET ON TUESDAY, MAR. 15, 2005 AT 11:00 A.M. AT BUDDY FREDDYS BUFFET RESTAURANT LOCATED IN HOLIDAY, FLORIDA AT 1150 U. S. HIGHWAY 19, ABOUT 100 YARDS NORTH OF THE PINELLAS/PASCO COUNTY LINE JUST BELOW THE EAST SIDE OF U. S. HIGHWAY 19 ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE HOME DEPOT. FREE PARKING AND FANTASTIC PRIZES GALORE!

Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter members/family members, excluding Chapter Officers, can win the Face Card $20.00 Cash Door Prize at the regular Chapter meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 in Holiday, Florida. Judy Pontiff, American Red Cross, will be our invited guest speaker and give away 100 free Vials of Life to all the Retirees in attendance!

All active and retired members/family guests are invited to all our Chapter meetings. Retiree Chapter members attending their first Chapter meeting shall be awarded a $10.00 Sign In Bonus Cash Prize, limited to the first five (5) to arrive at each meeting, and also shall receive a FREE National APWU Survivors’ Family Booklet worth $3.00. Now, that is what we call a real bonus! Be a winner and join us for lunch!

One hundred fifty-five (155) persons have signed in and attended our meetings to date! Please join us and pick up your prize!

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETS 10 AM TO 11 AM
LUNCHEON FROM 11 AM TO 12:30 PM
REGULAR MEETING FROM 12:30 PM - 1 PM

2005 FLORIDA SUNCOAST RETIREE CHAPTER 7-YEAR REVIEW!

FLORIDA SUNCOAST RETIREE CHAPTER CELEBRATES SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY MILESTONE WITH A REVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION AND MANY EXCITING EVENTS SINCE 1998!

The Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter, Suncoast Area Local, APWU #1228, AFL-CIO was chartered on Nov. 19, 1998 by the National APWU President, Moe Biller, and Sec.-Treas., Bob Tunstall, in response to the greatest turnout of Retirees ever seen by the Local Union in the last 77 years for the formation of a Retiree Chapter.

15 APWU Retiree pioneers attended the Chapter organization meeting and luncheon on Tue., Oct. 20, 1998 at the old NALC Hall on 66th St. in Largo to hear John R. Smith, Natl. APWU Retiree Director, speak to the Retirees, and then we drove Mr. Smith to the Up County meeting in Port Richey that night, where 5 more APWU Retiree pioneers showed up.

From the beginning of our Chapter’s birth we have enjoyed the participation and teamwork of the Officers, Stewards, Members, and Office Manager Diane McDaniel, of the Suncoast Area Local and of the many Retiree Officers, Members, and Spousal/Family Member volunteers who continue to give the Chapter their support and encouragement. Thanks for the memories!

We have held Chapter meetings in 6 different locations in 5 cities, Largo, Port Richey, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Holiday, Fl., Buddy Freddys Buffet Restaurant currently.

20 Chapter Officers, 41 other Chapter Members, 38 Family Members/Guests, 8 active Local Union Members, and 48 Invited Guest Speakers, have attended one of our Chapter meetings, a grand total of 155 persons who have signed in, a total of 740 times at 43 Chapter meetings since our beginning! Thanks, everyone!

Jack Gose, President,

Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2005 APWU NATL POSTAL PRESS ASSN CONF IN RENO, NV.

HISTORIC APWU NATIONAL POSTAL PRESS ASSOCIATION EDITORS CONFERENCE FOR ALL NEW GENERATION APWU EDITORS PLANNED FOR RENO, NEVADA AUG. 10-14, 2005!

EDITOR LIFETIME SOUVENIR EDITION!

To test your inquisitive memory, do you remember the name of the hotel the PPA Conference was held in the year you attended?

1964 Miami, FL (UFPC PPA was Created)
1966 St. Louis, MO Sheraton-Jefferson (8.50)
1967 Cleveland, OH Pick-Carter Hotel (9.00)
1968 Minneapolis, MN Leamington Hotel (9.50)
1969 Miami, FL Marco Polo Hotel (12.00)
National APWU Postal Press Assoc. created in 1971 Lincoln, NE Villager Motel (12.50)
1973 Buffalo, NY Statler Hilton (25.00)
1975 San Antonio, TX El Tropicana (20.00)
1977 St. Louis, MO Rodeway Inn (30.00)
1979 San Diego, CA U.S. Grant (45.00)
1981 Milwaukee, WI Pfister Hotel (50.00)
1983 Ft Worth, TX Americana (55.00)
1985 Portland, OR Hilton Hotel (70.00)
1987 Orlando, FL Royal Plaza (85.00)
1989 San Juan, PR Caribe Hilton (90.00)
1991 Orlando, FL Royal Plaza (95.00)
1993 Lk Buena Vista, FL Royal Plaza (80.00)
1995 Lk Buena Vista, FL Vista Palace (115.50)
1997 Washington, DC Wshngton Ct (95.00)
1999 Las Vegas, NV Riviera Hotel (79.00)
2001 Lk Buena Vista, FL Royal Plaza (119.00)
2003 Milwaukee, WI Hyatt Regcy (119.00)
2005 Reno, NV Reno Hilton (89.00)
2007 ? ? ? ? ?

We offer a young age toast to the 41-year success of the National APWU Postal Press Association, the Editors, and their families. We hope to see you all at the Hilton Hotel in Reno, Nevada from August 10-14, 2005. [ Editor ]

APWU MEMBERS 2005 LIFETIME HONOR ROLL FOR GOLDEN AGES MEMORIAL WALL OF DREAMS!

FLORIDA SUNCOAST RETIREE CHAPTER, APWU, AFL-CIO

Bertha Barwikowski (NEWPR) Joan Carrion (SEMINOL)

Louis W. Cipolla (NEWPR) Robert E. Cooter (HOL)

Rex C. Dunlap, Jr. (CLRWTR) Myron H. Kaplan (SPB)

George E. Kopf (HUDSON) Joseph Latargia (NPR)

Mark Lipford (LARGO) Carolyn Mentessi (LAR)

William Mizen (ST PETE) Eunice M. Ouellette (TS)

James Parsons (CLEARWTER) Chester L. Serig (LAR)

Richard L. Shuck (HOL) Ralph Tomaro(PRICHEY)

Robert E. Trout (DUNED) Emil Vogler (OHIO)

Charles Vause (HUDSON)

E-mail or write to us if you wish to remember a deceased Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter Lifetime APWU Dues Paying Family Member to be honored on our Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter, APWU, AFL-CIO annual Memorial Wall of Dreams!

2004 NATL APWU RETIREMENT COUNSELING SEMINAR IN BOSTON, MA.

MICHAEL JORDAN APPOINTED HEALTH PLAN DIRECTOR OF APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

Michael K. Jordan, Sr. has been appointed to the newly created position of Health Plan Director of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, effective November 1, 2004, by Chapter President Jack Gose. Michael will provide Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan service to the active and retiree APWU dues paying members and their families who reside in the State of Florida who have questions concerning Federal Employee and Military Health Plans, program coverage, and/or skyrocketing health plan costs.

Michael is a longtime Editor of the Viewpoint and Health Plan Director of the Space Coast Area Local, President of the Florida Postal Press Association, and has been elected Delegate to many APWU State and National Conventions. Mike and Pat, his energetic wife, live in Rockledge, Florida and they can be reached at home 321-631-0499 or P.O. Box 236364, Cocoa, Fl. 32923 with your congratulations. He recently retired from the USPS and he is looking forward to hearing from any APWU members who have questions about the Federal Employee Health Plans or those on Military Tri-Care system.

We have talked with Bill Kaczor, National APWU Health Plan Director, and Martha Shunn-King, APWU of Florida State President, about the growing need for a knowledgeable APWU Retiree Chapter member to fill this critically important position, and both Bill and Martha congratulate Michael on being selected. We have asked Michael to write articles in the Florida Postal Worker and other publications concerning news about the various Health Plans, and we welcome him aboard the good ship APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO. Remember, the general rule is that you must have been a member of one of the FEHB health plans for the five (5) years of service immediately preceding your retirement annuity commencing date to continue your health plan coverage after retirement.

The Medicare Part B premium increases 17.4% on Jan. 1, 2005 from $66.60 to $78.20 monthly, an increase of $11.60 monthly. The Retiree COLA for federal employees annuity under CSRS will be 2.7% for 2005. Federal Retiree COLAs are linked to the annual adjustment in Social Security benefits which will also go up 2.7% next year in 2005. Retiree APWU members retiring under FERS and who are 62 or older will receive a 2% increase. Retirees should budget prudently to keep up with the health care costs!

NATL APWU RETIREMENT COUNSELING SEMINAR IN BOSTON

A National APWU Retirement Counseling seminar was held in Boston, Mass. on Nov. 3-6, 2004 to provide a three (3) day retiree planning program for interested officers and members. Twenty-five (25) national, state, and local officers and members from all regions of our country attended and graduated, including Mike Fanning, President, Suncoast Area Local, and Jack Gose, President, representing APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter. It was no surprise to find many other APWU local presidents in the classes. I sat next to Bill Sims, APWU Accident Benefit Association Executive Director, during classes.

We have 221,000 APWU members who hope to retire from the USPS, but very few of them properly plan to retire from the beginning of their postal career. Adding Retirement Counselors would be a valuable asset to your APWU Area Local/Local organization, as it would give you the resources to service the 95% of our membership who don’t file grievances as well as generate much needed membership participation and interest in what benefits the Local Union has to offer. Since the USPS Human Resources or Personnel offices are downsizing and are being slowly eliminated, it is an opportunity for the APWU Local Union to step in and offer a genuine contribution for the membership.

All thirty-three (33) APWU of Florida Local Union Presidents should hold pre-retirement counseling sessions for their members before they retire. All the Stewards and Officers should attend a Local Retirement Counseling Seminar and retiring members whether in a group of 2 or more or individually should be counseled by the union Local President or designee before signing the retirement papers. This type of training is greatly appreciated by the rank and file members who should be encouraged to continue involvement by signing Form 1187 to join the Natl. APWU Retirees Department!

NATL APWU HEALTH PLAN SEMINAR A HUGE SUCCESS

Over 135 APWU National, State and Local Presidents, Health Plan Representatives, Officers, Stewards, Auxiliary, and Retiree Chapter Officers attended the 19th Annual Natl. APWU Health Plan Open Season Seminar, held at the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. from Oct. 24-27, 2004. We attended three (3) days of classes which were informative and energizing with professional instructors from the health plan industry using power point presentations with Q and A in color-coded sessions, rotating the instructors to make sure everyone was given maximum input.

Bill Kaczor, Natl. APWU Health Plan Director, invited Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, to welcome the group to Florida at the opening business session on the first day of classes. Jack asked everyone to contact him in his hotel room if they need help or information about the area. Free blood testing to all Seminar registrants and their family was provided. Natl. APWU President Bill Burrus was the main speaker at the Banquet and revealed future plans for the APWU Health Plan building property in Silver Spring, Md.

John Sardin, Jr., Treasurer, Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter, was the youngest 82-year elder union officer attending the Health Plan Seminar. This was the first time the National APWU Health Plan has been held in Florida. Jack Gose invited all the attendees at the closing general session on the last day of classes to return to Florida for a future National APWU Health Plan Seminar. Several went to the mike and thanked us for our hospitality, beautiful hotel facilities, airline connections, and great location on Walt Disney World property for a meeting. We have worked hard to establish Florida as the alternative to Las Vegas for future National APWU Conferences and Seminars.

MEMBERSHIP INVITED TO W. PALM BEACH FLARA EB MEETINGS

All the APWU of Florida active and retiree chapter membership are invited to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) quarterly Executive Board meetings at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel on Sat., Dec. 18, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to preview the legislative agenda for 2005. We will review the 2004 national, state, county, local election results and discuss election issues. Much can be accomplished by all of us working together in unison to achieve our true potential in politics.

For hotel reservations, call Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel at 800-443-3545 or the hotel at 561-684-9400 and ask for the special FLARA discount group rate of $89.00 plus taxes per night for Friday night, Dec. 17, 2004. Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel is located at 150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, Fl. 33406 at the junction of Australian Ave. and Southern Blvd. and can be reached off I-95 exit 69, only .3 (3/10) of mile from I-95. Hope to see you in West Palm Beach on December 18, a week before Christmas!

Go online to www.flara.org or www.retiredamericans.org to learn more about the efforts of over 200,000 FLARA dues paying members and over 3.2 million National Alliance for Retired Americans members, including Florida. If you have any questions, phone Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, 561-792-8799, about the meetings. If you want more information, phone Jack Gose 727-343-2998 or E-mail jak.gose@excite.com or go online to www.apwuflorida.org and click on the Retiree sidebar link.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

2004 APWU OF FL STATE RETIREE CHAPTER ACTIVE IN FLARA!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER ACTIVE IN FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS EVENTS!

Since 2002, eighteen (18) state affiliates have been chartered by the National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) and more states are coming on board every month. The National ARA website www.retiredamericans.org lists charters for the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland/DC, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington. Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) was the second state to be chartered, and is the only state organization with a website www.flara.org for everyone to enjoy. Illinois was the first state to receive an ARA charter in 2002.

The National AFL-CIO of sixty-seven international unions sponsored and approved the setup structure of the National Alliance for Retired Americans, consisting of over 3.2 million dues paying members, with a mission to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens so that we may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security. Go to the national ARA website and click on FRIDAY ALERT weekly to get the latest action news around the country on issues that affect all of our family.

Legislation and Politics, Health Care, Economic Security and Pensions, Housing and Services, Resources and Tools are some of the issues addressed by the ARA and FLARA. Learn about the new Medicare Law and Privatizing Social Security, and discussion forums on Prescription Drugs and Medicare by visiting the National ARA website www.retiredamericans.org today.

Our National APWU is one of twenty-one (21) AFL-CIO affiliated partners of the National ARA that share the Alliance’s vision for retired Americans. Our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter and Florida Suncoast Area Local Retiree Chapter are dues paying members affiliated with the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans. Unfortunately, few other State and Area Local/Local APWU organizations are affiliated with their state Alliance for Retired Americans, even though the National APWU Retirees Department encourages APWU States, Area Local/Locals, and Retiree Chapters to join their State Alliance for Retired Americans. New leaders with new ideas are crucial!

Florida APWU Area Locals/Locals may join the state FLARA organization with the approval of a body motion of the membership at a regular monthly union meeting to affiliate with FLARA. It would be proper for the Executive Board to pass such a motion prior to the local union meeting. PAYMENT OF DUES IS ONLY TWENTY-FIVE (25) CENTS PER MEMBER PER YEAR, with a minimum of twenty (20) members or $5.00 year. You do not have to have an active APWU Retiree Chapter organized in your area to join FLARA, although you could have such a Chapter. Step up to the plate and WIN!

FLARA currently has over ninety (90) union and community based groups affiliated, with over 181,400 dues paying members. Contact Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, 12773 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 211, Wellington, Fl. 33414 (in West Palm Beach area), or phone 561-792-8799, or E-mail to FloridaARA@aol.com for more information on joining FLARA. A new Chapter member affiliation form is available online at www.flara.org for you to download and copy. It is as easy as 1-2-3, YES!

Individual union or family members may join the FLARA organization by paying $10.00 year member dues, and you may also join the National ARA organization by paying $10.00 year member dues. If you join the National ARA, you will receive the quarterly National AGEWISE magazine, and the state FLARA organization will receive one-half or $5.00 rebate back from the National ARA. You’re never too young to act now!

FLARA QUARTERLY EB MEETING ON DECEMBER 4, 2004

All 3050 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members/families are invited to the next Florida Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Board Meeting and Rally to be held in West Palm Beach, Fl. on Saturday, December 4, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Holiday Inn hotel on Belvedere Road originally set for the meetings was damaged by two hurricanes and will not be in service until the end of December, according to a hotel reservations person. The FLARA Board of Directors consists of members representing all areas of Florida. Quarterly Executive Board meetings are held around the state in different locations every three (3) months. FLARA hosts an annual Convention and a Legislative Conference in Tallahassee each year also.

If you are interested in attending this quarterly meeting in December, call Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 home phone or E-mail me at jak.gose@excite.com for an update. Another hotel in the West Palm Beach area for the same meeting dates is being selected and will be forthcoming soon.

As each generation ages, new challenges must be confronted and new opportunities must be created in order for organizations to continue being responsible and to grow. The leadership of ARA and FLARA will strive to organize from the ground up in order to fulfill our mission to protect the needs of the new baby boomer generation as well as the World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and Iraq War veteran generations and their families as they retire. We wish you and your family a Happy Holiday season!

2004 NATL APWU CONVENTION IN LOS ANGELES, CA.

L.A. CONVENTION DELEGATES APPROVE
NEW NATIONAL APWU RETIREE MEMBERSHIP OPTION

Resolution No. 1 on Retention of Membership which was submitted by the APWU of Florida was overwhelmingly adopted by the 2865 voting delegates at the 17th Biennial National APWU Convention in Los Angeles, Calif. on Wed., August 25, 2004 at 12:25 p.m. Retirees have won the right to vote for national officers in National APWU elections, by paying full per capita National APWU union dues, plus $24.00 year Retiree union dues to the National APWU Retirees Department.

The Constitutional Resolution as amended from the floor which passed on a voice vote is now inserted in Article 3, Section 4 (D) and renumbers present Section 4 (D) to 4 (E). The new language is as follows: “As an alternative, such retirees shall have an option to choose to maintain full National membership with the National APWU only, by paying full National per capita taxes to the APWU plus Twenty-four ($24.00) Dollars to the APWU Retirees Department, and should be afforded full voting rights in the election of officers in accordance with existing provisions of the Constitution.”

While the national APWU dues paying members have dropped from 291,000 in the 90’s to 223,000 in August, 2004, a decrease of 68,000 members or about 23%, APWU Retirees now have the chance to reverse the downward trend by joining the new option to increase the revenue of the National APWU and the Retirees Department. If membership continues to drop in the current trend, it will be down to 218,000 by December, 2005 according to reliable sources. When it reaches 205,000 to 210,000, we will be in red ink again.

We believe President Bill Burrus will seize upon this golden opportunity to really organize our retirees to HELP SAVE THE UNION from USPS continued downsizing, retirements, and lack of new hiring. He must inspire and combine the talents of the APWU National Executive Board officers and all the APWU Department Directors at National Headquarters, including Retirees, Organization, Research and Education, Human Relations, Health Plan, and the Secretary-Treasurer Office. Naturally, he will ask for a creative approach to launching this new membership program to get it off the ground and running at full speed.

Kay Coles James, Director of OPM, has stated in 2002 that over 50% of the Federal Employees workforce, including Postal employees, will retire by 2010, only 6 years away. An innovative new approach to organizing retirees by the National APWU should include letters and E-mails to all active and retiree APWU local and state presidents, asking them to set up pre-retirement APWU membership meetings and pre-retirement counseling sessions urging prospective retirees to sign up in the new full National APWU dues and $24.00 year Retiree Department dues option to SAVE OUR UNION!

We understand that only about 340 APWU members pay full dues to the National APWU at this time, and there are over 40,000 APWU Retirees paying $24.00 year to the APWU Retirees Department currently. Terry Stapleton, National Secretary-Treasurer, states that 10,000 new full dues members (4% growth rate) would add $1 Million Dollars year to the National APWU treasury and $2 Million Dollars to state and local treasuries.

Bill Kaczor, APWU Health Plan Director, revealed that there are presently 79,536 members overall enrolled in the APWU Health Plan, but only about 14,000 are active APWU members (17%). There are 54,712 retiree annuitants (69%) and 24,824 employees (31%) enrolled in the APWU Health Plan, based on March, 2004 data from Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Only 5,000 new APWU Health Plan members would add $247,000 year revenue to the National APWU that sponsors the Health Plan which is owned by the APWU membership.

If a retiree wants to be involved at the national level in the new retiree membership option and have the right to vote for APWU national officers in national elections, as well as retaining the APWU Health Plan, and belong to the APWU Retirees Department paying $24.00 year, then contact Terry Stapleton, National APWU Secretary-Treasurer, by phone at 202-842-4215 or John R. Smith, National APWU Retiree Director, at 202-842-8585.

This new program will be most attractive to APWU members in the future, as APWU members retire they may choose one of three (3) retiree member options: (1) Pay full per capita dues to National and $24.00 year to Retirees Dept. with full voting rights to elect National Officers; (2) Pay full per capita dues to National and Local union to get involved in the local; (3) Pay $24.00 year to Retirees Dept. to continue involvement with APWU.

All APWU active and retiree National, State, and Area Local/Local Officers, Stewards, Members, Auxiliary Officers and members, and family members HAVE A DOG IN THIS FIGHT to stop the membership downward spiral. It is your duty to not only organize the 70,000 non-members by signing them up on Form 1187, but equally important is your obligation to organize the current and future APWU retirees by signing them up in the new option of paying Full Dues National Per Capita to the National and $24.00 year dues to the APWU Retirees Department.

President Burrus reported at the 2004 National APWU Convention that the number of APWU-represented employees will decrease from the current 300,000 to fewer than 250,000 by 2011. All hands on board the good ship APWU must concentrate on Priority One to increase the National APWU revenue by doubling our APWU Retirees membership from 40,000 to 80,000 to KEEP APWU ALIVE!

Once the door had been opened by adoption of Resolution No. 1, Convention Delegates overwhelmingly voted for concurrence on Resolution No. 16 submitted by Michigan State APWU to establish position of Director, APWU Retirees Department, as an elected position beginning with the election of National APWU officers in 2007. Thanks to all the Delegates who went to one of the nine microphones on the Convention floor in support of the Retirees issues and a special thanks to the APWU of Florida Delegates who manned mikes and spoke in favor of democracy.

APWU OF FLORIDA RETIREES LUNCHEON SET FOR OCT. 21

The first twenty (20) APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying members and spouse or family member who sign in and attend the Retirees luncheon scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 21, 2004, the first day of classes for the APWU of Florida State Educational Seminar from October 21-23, 2004 at the Fall Seminar hotel located in West Palm Beach, will be awarded a free luncheon, limited to two (2) free luncheons per Retiree family. We are working with Pete Trunzo, newly elected Director of Education, on new ideas he and I share for retirement classes at some future state seminar. We have contacted John R. Smith, National Retirees Director, and hope to schedule him to teach an APWU retirement counselor class before he retires from the National APWU Retirees Dept.

The Retirees luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the hotel restaurant at the Fall Seminar. An APWU invited guest speaker will inform all of us at the Retirees luncheon about the latest news from National APWU headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the National APWU Convention recently held in Los Angeles, Calif. Free APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Happy Folders will be given out to each luncheon attendee.

See you in West Palm Beach! Contact Jack Gose, President, at 727-343-2998 home phone or by E-mail at jak.gose@excite.com if you need more info or have any questions. Better yet, visit the website of www.apwuflorida.org and click on Retiree in the side bar link to surf the world of retiree information!

2004 NATL APWU HEALTH PLAN SEMINAR IN LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL

19TH ANNUAL NATIONAL APWU HEALTH PLAN SEMINAR SET FOR ROYAL PLAZA HOTEL IN ORLANDO AREA OCTOBER 24-27, 2004

All APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter and APWU active National, State, and Area Local/Local officers, stewards, members, Auxiliary officers, members, and family guests are invited to attend the 19th Annual National APWU Health Plan Open Season Seminar, to be held from Sunday, October 24 thru Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at the Hotel Royal Plaza, 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, Fl. 32830. The Hotel is a union hotel located on Walt Disney World Resort property in the Orlando area. This is the first time in our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter history that Florida has been chosen to host this National APWU Health Plan Annual Conclave.

Hotel Royal Plaza reservation APWU group rates are $89.00 nite, Single/Double, plus 11.5% taxes, or $99.24 night for a Lanai standard room, with the first night being charged to your credit card at the time of booking. The hotel deadline for this special rate is September 23, 2004. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy for this seminar if you need to cancel a room. For reservations, phone Hotel Royal Plaza at 800-248-7890 Extension 2500 and ask for the APWU group rate Code 3602, if available. Review the hotel website at www.royalplaza.com to get more info and pictorial views. Hotel check in time is 3 pm and check out time is 11 am. For whatever reason, ask the front desk for a one hour extension to noon at no extra charge, if possible. You will find most of the employees are customer friendly to assist you.

You should arrive on Sunday, October 24 to register early and go over all your APWU Health Plan materials. The APWU Health Plan registration fee is only $50.00, which will be collected at the registration desk on October 24th or 25th when you register at the hotel. Note: Please do not send your payment to the APWU Health Plan! The registration fee includes a reception, continental breakfasts, coffee breaks, luncheon, banquet, APWU Health Plan 2005 descriptive materials, a free health screening, and an APWU Health Plan shirt of your size choice, if available.

Seminar advance registration on the internet is available for those who pre-register by Sept. 23, 2004 by going to www.apwuhp.com and click Here for online seminar registration. An APWU Health Plan shirt with APWU Health Plan logo will be given to you at the Seminar. Don’t forget to register early on the website so that you will receive the shirt size you prefer.

19th Annual APWU Health Plan Open Season Seminar Agenda Schedule:
Sunday, Oct. 24 --- 4 to 6 pm --- pre-registration; check in and walk around the property.
Monday, Oct. 25 --- 7:30 to 10 am --- continued registration;
10 am to 4:30 pm --- Opening session, guests, and presentations; 5:30 to 7:30 pm --- Reception;
Tuesday, Oct. 26 --- 7:30 to 9 am --- Continental breakfast and trade show vendor focus;
9 am to 4:30 pm --- All day classroom sessions on benefits and marketing; 6 to 9 pm --- Banquet;
Wednesday, Oct. 27 ---- 7:30 to 9 am --- Continental Breakfast; 9 to 11 am --- Closing Session.

Learn what is new for your Health Plan in 2005, and check out the innovative consumer driven plan and the top-rated High Option plan for young and older families. Hear the latest news from APWU officers and health benefits industry experts. Participate in three (3) stimulating days of events, presentations, and discussions. The APWU Health Plan is owned by the membership of the APWU, and most of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter dues paying members are enrolled or were enrolled once in the APWU Health Plan. This is a chance of a lifetime to attend a highly educational seminar inside your home state where you reside. Opportunity only knocks for those who seize the challenge!

If you show your APWU Health Plan group name badge to the employees working inside the Disney Gift Shop located in the Hotel Royal Plaza, you can obtain discounted 2-day or 4-day Walt Disney World tour passes for lower prices. Looking forward to welcoming everyone in Lake Buena Vista!

FREE RETIREE LUNCHEON IN WEST PALM BEACH OCTOBER 21

The first twenty (20) APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying members and spouse or family member who sign in and attend the Retirees luncheon scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 21, 2004, the first day of classes for the APWU of Florida State Educational Seminar from October 21-23, 2004 at the Fall Seminar hotel located in West Palm Beach, will be awarded a free luncheon, limited to two (2) free luncheons per Retiree family. Information about the hotel will be published elsewhere in this issue of the Florida Postal Worker or when available.

The Retirees luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the hotel restaurant at the Fall Seminar. Action by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting in Daytona Beach, Florida on May 12, 2004 at the State Retirees Convention approved unanimously future Retirees luncheons at State Seminars to be paid by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter funds to foster APWU unionism and family ties between the APWU of Florida dues paying active postal worker officers, stewards, members, and family members; the Auxiliary to APWU of Florida officers, members, and family members; and the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter officers, members, and their family members. The State Retiree Chapter Executive Board will meet from 10 to 11 a.m. at the hotel.

An APWU invited guest speaker will inform all of us at the Retirees luncheon about the latest news from National APWU headquarters in Washington, D.C. and the National APWU Convention recently held in Los Angeles, Calif. Free APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Happy Folders will be given out to each luncheon attendee. See you in West Palm Beach! Contact Jack Gose, President, at 727-343-2998 home phone or by E-mail at jak.gose@excite.com if you need more info or have any questions.

OPM CHIEF CONGRATULATES RETIREES CHAPTER WEBSITE

We received an E-mail from the Manager of Office Information Computer Technology Systems of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) congratulating us on the great APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter website at www.apwuflorida.org/retiree which one of his employees called his attention to review. He liked especially the sidebar link Contact OPM on the Retiree home page which when you click, 15 Reasons to Call or Write OPM opens up. He was happy to recognize that we are sharing OPM Retiree information on the internet with our APWU active and retiree members and their families.

Phone the OPM Retirement Information Office at 888-767-6738 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday thru Friday to speak with a real live person, OPM Customer Service Specialist, to answer your many questions about retirement. The phone system is offered in English and Spanish. We recommend you place your call early in the morning after 7:30 am or late in the afternoon before 5:30 pm to not wait in line on the telephone or cell phone for an extended period of time. If you call at any other time before or after hours or on holidays, you will get an automated phone system, which is not too helpful sometimes. When you are dissatisfied with the OPM employee’s response to your questions, ask for an OPM supervisor or call back another time to get another opinion.

Many alert APWU active and retiree members and family members go on the internet to get OPM information by typing www.opm.gov in the computer address bar at the top of the page. If you do not have a computer or do not know how to access information using a computer, go to any public library or college library and the librarian assistants will be glad to show you how to use the computer and obtain the information you desire. You can ask for copies of the information to build an OPM folder. The very best way to have a paper trail is to write a letter to: U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Retirement Operations Center at P.O. Box 45, Boyers, Pa. 16017 for CSRS employees and P.O. Box 200, Boyers, Pa. 16017 for FERS employees. Always keep a copy of your letters in a retirement folder for your family!

2004 FLARA EB & LEGISLATIVE MTG NEW PORT RICHEY, FL.

RETIREES LUNCHEON SET FOR WEST PALM BEACH IN OCTOBER

A FREE LUNCHEON will be awarded to up to the first twenty (20) APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter dues paying members paying $2.00 monthly deduction or $24.00 year union dues to the National APWU Retiree Department and/or Chapter member’s spouse or family member, limited to two free luncheons per family, who sign in and attend the Retirees Luncheon scheduled to be held on Thursday, the first day of classes for the APWU of Florida State Educational Seminar, at the Seminar hotel to be held in West Palm Beach on October 21-23, 2004. Information about the hotel will be published when available. If you have any questions, contact Jack Gose at 727-343-2998.

The luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the hotel restaurant at the Fall Seminar in West Palm Beach. All APWU Retirees and their families are invited to an APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and the free luncheon which was approved by the State Chapter Board of Directors at the meeting at Daytona Beach on May 12, 2004. Congratulations to all the newly elected Chapter Executive Board officers. See you in West Palm Beach.

We will have an invited mystery guest speaker at the Retirees luncheon to keep us up-to-date on the latest news from the National APWU Convention and National APWU headquarters in Washington, D.C. So far, we have enjoyed entertaining presentations by several National APWU Officers, namely, Bob Tunstall, Sec.-Treasurer, in Fort Walton Beach; Sue Carney, Human Relations Director, in Lakeland; Jim McCarthy, Clerk Craft Director, in Cape Canaveral; and John R. Smith, Retiree Director, in Jacksonville and Orlando at previous state training seminars.

Free Happy Folders chock full of APWU memorabilia will be distributed to each luncheon attendee. The Retirees luncheon provides a great opportunity for the active Officers, Stewards, Members, Auxiliary Officers, Members, and Family guests to enjoy a social affair and share companionship with the founders of our great Union, the APWU Retirees and their families.

FLARA MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2004 IN NEW PORT RICHEY

All 3050 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter officers, members and family guests are invited to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) regular quarterly Executive Board meeting and rally, to be held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 5316 U. S. Highway 19 North, New Port Richey, Fl. 34652 on Saturday, September 11, 2004 from 9 a.m. until conclusion 3:00-4:00 p.m. All APWU National, State, and Area Local/Local Officers, Stewards, Members, Auxiliary Officers, Members and Family guests are also invited to attend on this special occasion in remembrance of the terrible tragedy which happened on 9/11 in New York City with thousands of lives being lost. A press conference with invited guest speakers will include renowned politicians from Florida and the Nation. Hope to see you at the Clarion!

The Clarion Hotel room rate is $65.00 for poolside rooms and $55.00 for non-poolside rooms, plus taxes per night, for FLARA members and families. If you are interested in attending and elect to arrive on Friday night, September 10, 2004 please call 1-800-CLARION or call the hotel directly at 727-847-9005 and ask for the discounted FLARA rate, if available. For special requests, contact Justin Bowden, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Clarion Hotel in New Port Richey.

The hotel is located in Pasco County on the Gulf of Mexico, west of Tampa, between Holiday and Port Richey, Florida on the right side of the U.S. Highway 19 if you are coming from the South. If you are coming from the East on State Road 54, turn right onto U.S. Highway 19 and it is a short distance just north of State Road 54. If you are coming from the North, it is located on the left side of U.S. Highway 19 after you go past State Road 52 before you get to State Road 54. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Tony Fransetta, President, at the FLARA Wellington (West Palm Beach) office 561-792-8799 or E-mail at floridaara@aol.com.

FLORIDA VOTERS ARE URGED TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT & VOTE EARLY IN PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION!

Did you know that any Florida registered voter can vote by absentee ballot, either in person or by mail? You don’t need to state why or have a reason! All you have to do is pick up the telephone and call your Supervisor of Elections Office for the County in which you reside to request an absentee ballot to vote in the Florida Primary Election on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 and the Florida General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004.

Many of the 67 Florida Counties Election Supervisors’ offices have their own web site and communicate via E-mail. My wife, Patty, and I live in Pinellas County and we may visit the www.votepinellas.com web site for the Supervisor of Elections office to request an absentee ballot. For additional information, we can E-mail the Supervisor of Elections at election@votepinellas.com or fax or telephone. We decided to personally visit the Supervisor of Elections office to request an absentee ballot in all elections.

When requesting your absentee ballot, you must provide: voter’s name and address, date of birth, daytime phone number, and mailing address if different from home address. An immediate family member or guardian may also request absentee ballots for others and must provide the same voter information given above for you and provide: requestor’s relationship to voter, requestor’s name and home address, daytime phone number, and requestor’s driver’s license number (optional).

A voter may designate with a signed letter, another person to pick up his absentee ballot no sooner than four (4) days prior to Election Day with a limit of two ballots per election, except for immediate family. The designee must provide a picture ID and complete an affidavit.

A person may return by mail or in person any number of voted ballots. A voted absentee ballot cannot be accepted at a polling place on Election Day. It must be returned to one of the Supervisor of Elections Offices by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The USPS postmark on a mailed absentee ballot will determine its acceptance.

You may also vote early in person on a touch screen machine in Pinellas by providing your name, home address, date of birth, daytime phone number, and picture and signature identification. There is no valid reason you can’t vote, if you are registered!

The deadline to register to vote in the November 2 General Election is October 4, 2004.

2004 FLARA ANNUAL CONVENTION, LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL

FLARA 2004 ANNUAL CONVENTION CALL!

It is a pleasure to invite all 3050 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, Retiree delegates, active APWU dues paying officers and members, and family members to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) 2004 Annual Convention to be held on Sunday, June 20 thru Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at the Hotel Royal Plaza, Lake Buena Vista, Fl. (Orlando) at the entrance to Disney World. You are to arrive on Sunday, June 20, 2004 prior to 4 p.m. and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 21. The convention will be in session June 21st and 22nd. Your departure date is on Wednesday, June 23, 2004.

The registration fee for the Convention is $80.00 per person. Any registered delegate wishing to bring a guest to the prepaid meals should register their guest at $60.00 each. If you are interested, contact Janelle Thomas, Membership Director, at the FLARA office in West Palm Beach, Fl. by phone at 561-792-8799 or E-mail at FloridaARA@aol.com to register and receive Convention materials and an updated agenda. Many well known political and union leaders are invited to attend this annual event.

The Hotel Royal Plaza room rate for FLARA members is $89.00 per night for single or double room. When making your reservations, please call 1-800-248-7890 Ext. 2500 and ask for the FLARA special group rate.

All FLARA club/chapter dues must be current in order for clubs/chapters to have proper voting status. If you have not sent in your chapter or individual dues, please do so immediately. If you have any questions, ask to speak with Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, by phone at 561-792-8799. Registration forms must be returned to FLARA in order to prepare your credentials and to better plan for a successful convention. We look forward to meeting with you and your family on June 20-22, 2004!

2nd BIENNIAL STATE RETIREE CHAPTER CONVENTION A HUGE SUCCESS!

Twenty-five (25) Retiree Chapter officers and members, active officers and members, Auxiliary officers and members, and family guests attended our 2nd Biennial APWU of Florida State Retiree Luncheon and or Convention held at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach, Fl. on Wed., May 12, 2004. We prepared over 100 Retiree Happy Folders for the Retirees Convention and regular APWU of Florida Convention Delegates, Officers, and Families. The folders were chock full of APWU history from our founding and fantastic ideas for the future.

The National AFL-CIO and National Alliance for Retired Americans Office were generous in providing complimentary copies of the Congressional Voting Records for 2003 and Legislative Priority Issues for 2004 booklets for distribution to all who attended the Retirees Convention and the regular APWU of Florida Convention in Daytona Beach.

The entire State Retiree Chapter Executive Board of five (5) Chapter members were unopposed in the State Chapter elections and were unanimously reelected to serve another two year (2) term of office. Michael Jordan, Space Coast Area Local Retiree Chapter member, was Chairman of the Nominations and Elections Committee. Newly elected Board members, Jack Gose, President, Valentine Serpico, Vice-President, John Sardin, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer, Charlie Redd, Trustee, and Pedro Torres, Trustee were administered the APWU Oath of Office by John R. Smith, National APWU Retirees Department Director. John R. Smith was our main invited guest speaker at the luncheon and the Retiree Convention, and he answered many questions from those in attendance concerning a wide range of retiree issues for the active, retiree, and family members.

Many cash door prizes and APWU Parade of States pin collectible prizes were given to lucky winners present. Retiree COPA 50/50 total collections amounted to $148.00 with ten (10) Retirees in attendance or an average of $14.80 per Retiree, with our thanks to Phyllis Bernstein who conducted the ticket sales. Retiree resolutions and Constitution and By-Laws changes were discussed, debated, and adopted unanimously. They were adopted by the APWU of Florida regular Convention Delegates and now go on to the National APWU to be considered in Los Angeles at the National APWU Convention in August.

Dave Bernstein, Retiree Chapter member from Tampa Area Local, was appointed to the newly created position of Legislative Director of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter. Dave will work under the direction of the Chapter President and report on National, State, and Local Legislative issues and COPA drives, coordinating with the Presidents and Legislative Directors of the National AFL-CIO, Florida AFL-CIO, Florida AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils, APWU Area Locals and Locals, APWU Area Local/Local Retiree Chapters, National Alliance for Retired Americans, and Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA). These reports will be given at APWU seminars, conventions, and meetings, and he will write articles in APWU newsletters and the media on issues of interest to APWU Retiree Chapter members and their families.

Thanks to the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board Officers, Delegates, and Family guests for the most wonderful expressions of unity and solidarity we have ever seen at any APWU Convention. See you in Los Angeles in August, 2004!

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2004 ARA 1ST REGIONAL CONFERENCE, JAX, FL

1ST HISTORIC ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS SOUTHERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE SET FOR MAY 16-18 IN JACKSONVILLE

All APWU National, State, and Area Local/Local Officers, Stewards, Members, Auxiliary Officers and Members, Retiree Chapter Officers, Members, and their Families are invited to the first ever National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) Southern Regional Conference, to be held from Sunday, May 16 thru Tuesday, May 18, 2004.

The Founders Conference shall be convened at the Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel, 1201 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville, Fl. 32207. Contact the all union hotel for reservations at 800-445-8667 toll free or call 904-398-8800 to talk directly to the hotel reservations. Hotel fax number is 904-398-9170. The special Alliance group rate is $89.00 per night plus 13% taxes. Self parking in the hotel is $8.00 daily or $12.00 daily for valet. If special accommodations are required, please call 888-373-6497 toll free.

An official Conference registration form needs to be completed by all attendees. An exclusive $65.00 registration package includes Luncheon and Banquet Dinner, conference materials, and access to all sessions. For registration, contact Joni Jones at 888-373-6497 toll free or write to Alliance for Retired Americans Registration Desk, 888 – 16 Street, N.W., Suite 520, Washington, D.C. 20006.

General sessions will include a keynote address by Alliance President George J. Kourpias and election of Regional Board Members for four (4) years. Invited guests include prominent national speakers and leading Congressional and State officials. Other Grassroots Empowerment sessions will contain workshops on Medicare, Prescription Drugs, and Social Security; fundraising tactics; leadership development and media training by experts; and 2004 National and State General Election issues. Learn to grow and strengthen your local and state unions and chapters into powerful, grassroots organizations.

This year 2004 is not only an election year, but also a critical time in history to become involved in working class advocacy. Informal brainstorming and networking will give you a chance to meet new friends and reunite with old ones. We need to create a culture of activism to protect the health and economic security programs that benefit you and your family. The Regional Conference will provide a forum for you to get others to share your vision and the tools for you to be a strong advocate for a dignified, safe, secure, and independent retirement.

The Alliance for Retired Americans Southern Region comprises 12 states, stretching from Texas to Virginia and Florida. The APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, which has increased to 3037 dues paying members, is affiliated with and pays dues to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), which has grown from 125,000 members to over 150,000 in the last year. If you need more information, contact Jack Gose at 727-343-2998 home phone or E-mail at Jak.Gose@Excite.com and visit the Home Page of our APWU of Florida website Retiree hyperlink at www.apwuflorida.org by clicking on the word retiree on the sidebar links.

FLARA STATE CONVENTION TO BE HELD JUNE 20-22, 2004

FLARA 2004 ANNUAL CONVENTION CALL!

It is a pleasure to invite all 3037 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, Retiree delegates, active APWU dues paying officers and members, and family members to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) 2004 Annual Convention to be held on Sunday, June 20 thru Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at the Hotel Royal Plaza, Lake Buena Vista, Fl. at the entrance to Disney World. Your departure date is on Wednesday, June 23, 2004.
The registration fee for the Convention is $80.00 per person. Any registered delegate wishing to bring a guest to the prepaid meals should register their guest at $60.00 each. If you are interested, contact Janelle Thomas, Membership Director, at the FLARA office in West Palm Beach, Fl. by phone at 561-792-8799 or E-mail at FLARA@fdn.com to register and receive Convention materials and an updated agenda. Many well known political and union leaders are invited to attend this annual event.

The Hotel Royal Plaza room rate for FLARA members is $89.00 per night for single or double room. Please note the hotel cutoff date for room reservations is June 1, 2004. When making your reservations, please call 1-800-248-7890 Ext. 2500 and ask for the FLARA special group rate.

All FLARA club/chapter dues must be current in order for clubs/chapters to have proper voting status. If you have not sent in your chapter or individual dues, please do so immediately. If you have any questions, ask to speak with Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, by phone at 561-792-8799. Registration forms must be returned to FLARA in order to prepare your credentials and to better plan for a successful convention. We look forward to meeting with you and your family on June 20-22, 2004!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER CONVENTION

We hope everyone enjoyed attending our 2nd Biennial APWU of Florida State Retiree Convention held at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach, Fl. on Wed., May 12, 2004. We prepared over 100 Happy Folders for the Retirees Convention and regular APWU of Florida Convention Delegates, Officers, and Families. The folders were chock full of APWU history from our founding and fantastic ideas for the future.

The National AFL-CIO and National Alliance for Retired Americans Office were generous in providing complimentary copies of the Congressional Voting Records for 2003 and Legislative Priority Issues for 2004 booklets for distribution to all who attended the APWU of Florida Convention in Daytona Beach.

Thanks to the APWU of Florida Executive Board Officers, Delegates, and Families for the most wonderful experiences we have ever lived through at any APWU Convention!

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2004 STATE RETIREE CHAPTER 2ND CONVENTION, DAYTONA BCH, FL

APWU OF FLORIDA 2ND STATE RETIREE CHAPTER CONVENTION CALL TO BE HELD IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL. ON WED., MAY 12, 2004

All APWU $24.00 year dues paying Retirees and their families are invited to the 2nd biennial Founders’ APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention, AFL-CIO, to be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Plaza Resort and Spa, 600 Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Fl. 32118. Call the Plaza Resort at 1-800-874-7420 and ask for the APWU discounted Single/Double rate of $79.00 night, plus 12.5 % taxes to reserve your room.

A luncheon is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Plaza Resort and Spa Hotel, followed by the State Retiree Chapter Convention business starting at 1:00 p.m. All active APWU dues paying National, State and Area Local/Local Officers, Delegates, members and their families and APWU Auxiliary Officers, Delegates, members and their families are invited to attend all our State Retiree Chapter meetings, luncheons, and Conventions. We believe that all the APWU family members, the active Working members, the Retiree members, and the Auxiliary members should be treated with dignity and equality, and all of us must band together to take care of all our families.

This historic Retiree Convention precedes the regular Florida State APWU Convention which is scheduled in the same hotel from Thursday, May 13 thru Saturday, May 15, 2004. Florida State Retiree Chapter Resolutions will be debated and sent to the regular Florida State Convention beginning on Thursday, May 13, and the National APWU Retiree Convention to be held in Los Angeles, Calif. on Saturday and Sunday, August 21-22, 2004.

John R. Smith, Natl. APWU Retiree Director, has been invited to speak at the Retiree Convention luncheon. He is a dynamic, energetic orator who has completed successfully retirement classes at previous APWU of Florida State and Area Local seminars. A new generation is living in Florida, and we yearn to link the active working APWU members with the Retiree APWU members in the classroom and at luncheons.

Election of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Officers shall be held at the Retiree Convention on Wed., May 12, 2004 in accordance with the State Retiree Chapter Constitution and By-Laws. The elected Officers of this State Chapter shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and up to three (3) Trustees and they shall comprise the Executive Board of the State Chapter. To be eligible for office and to vote in an election of officers, a Retiree Chapter member must be in good standing for three (3) months of the previous calendar quarter immediately preceding the election, as certified by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Our State Retiree Chapter membership has increased to over 3017 as of February 29, 2004 with about 10% increase since May, 2003. APWU Retiree Chapter members residing in the State of Florida pay $24.00 yearly or $2.00 monthly automatic APWU Retiree union dues to the National APWU. Retirees do not have to pay any State Retiree Chapter union dues to the APWU of Florida! We wish to thank all the State and Area Local/Local Presidents, Officers, Stewards, and active working members who continue to sign up APWU retiring members on Form 1187 Retired Member application and mail it in to the National APWU Retirees Department in Washington, D.C.

Blank APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Delegate credentials have been mailed to all APWU Area Local/Local Presidents in the State of Florida by John Sardin, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer, for completion and return no later than May 1, 2004. Registration kits will be issued at the hotel for this Convention and State Chapter Retirees’ registration fees have been waived for the Retiree Convention in Daytona Beach to encourage more APWU Retiree families to attend.

Preparations have been made for the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter to pay for a FREE luncheon to each APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter member registering as a Retiree Delegate, and a FREE luncheon for up to one (1) family guest for each family in attendance at the Retiree Convention. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR AREA LOCAL/LOCAL PRESIDENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED RETIREE DELEGATE CREDENTIALS BEFORE MAY 1 IN ORDER FOR US TO KNOW THE NUMBER WHO WILL ATTEND AND MAKE PLANS WITH THE HOTEL MANAGER FOR FOOD SERVICE AND SEATING.

If you have any questions and for more information, contact Jack Gose, President, at home phone (727) 343-2998 or E-mail: Jak.Gose@Excite.com or Local Web site: www.apwu1228.org or Fax: (727) 526-0351. You may also visit our APWU of Florida, AFL-CIO, award winning website page www.apwuflorida.org/retiree which was launched in October, 2003 by our wonderful Webmaster, Greg Dixon. Our State Retiree Chapter website is now linked up with the National APWU home page www.apwu.org under Local Websites and Links, 21st Century Postal Worker at www.21cpw.com and the Postal Electronic newsletter at www.lunewsviews.com under 22 Retirement Tips.

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER FOUNDERS EXECUTIVE BOARD:

Jack Gose, President South Pasadena, Fl. 727-343-2998
Valentine Serpico, Vice-President Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 954-396-4217
John Sardin, Jr., Secretary-Treas. St. Petersburg, Fl. 727-347-5687
Charlie Redd, Trustee Cocoa, Fl. 321-632-2898
Pedro Torres, Trustee Miami, Fl. 305-251-7938

ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS SOUTHERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN JACKSONVILLE, FL. MAY 16-18, 2004

Everyone is invited to join the Alliance for Retired Americans for our historic first Southern Regional Conference to be held on Sunday, May 16 through Tuesday, May 18, 2004 at the Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Fl. Call the Hilton Hotel at 800-445-8667 toll-free for reservations. Alliance discounted Single/Double room rates are $79.00 night, plus 13% taxes, and must be made with the hotel no later than April 25, 2004.

Official registration for the Conference is $65.00, including lunch, banquet dinner, all Conference materials, and access to all sessions. If you are interested in registering for the Conference, contact Joni Jones at 888-373-6497 toll-free in Washington, D.C. and request a registration form to be completed and returned with payment by May 3rd to the Alliance for Retired Americans Registration, 888 - 16th St, N.W., Suite 520, Washington, D.C. 20006. You can also go online at www.retiredamericans.org and scroll down and click on Alliance Regional Conferences which has a blank registration form for printing to mail in to the National Alliance headquarters. Over sixteen (16) State Chapters have been chartered by the Alliance, and our Florida Alliance (FLARA) was the 2nd State to receive a Charter and now has over 130,000 Chapter dues paying members. Remember the Anti-FTAA meetings in Miami!

General Sessions will include a keynote address by Alliance President George J. Kourpias and election of Regional board members. Invited guests include leading Congressional and State officials, and prominent National speakers. The daily sessions will include workshops on Medicare, Prescription Drugs, Social Security, fundraising tactics, leadership training, and 2004 election issues. You will learn to grow and strengthen your Local and State Chapters and Unions into powerful, grassroots organizations. The Alliance Southern Region covers Florida and 12 states from Texas to Virginia. Visit www.flara.org website and contact Tony Fransetta, President, for more information.

2004 RETIREES OUTSMART MIAMI POLICE ROBO-COPS!

FLARA RETIREES TAKE ACTION TO MIAMI ROBO-COPS

When we volunteered as a Marshal for the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) Anti-Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Rally to be held at the Miami Bayfront Amphitheatre on Biscayne Blvd in downtown Miami on Thurs., November 20, 2003, I had no idea we would meet 2500 armed, dark blue uniformed Miami Robo-Cops, all dressed alike in full riot gear with body armor from head to foot, ready to do battle with any person unlucky enough to be in their zone of defense.

Our FLARA bus transported thirty (30) union retirees, departing from Pinellas County at 5 a.m., including APWU members George Kraynek, Suncoast Area Local, Bob Jilek, Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter officer, and Jack Gose representing the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter. We arrived on the outskirts of Miami at about 9:30 a.m., only to be delayed and rerouted to Miami Beach by the Miami Robo-Cops, representing some 40 different Florida police agencies. Unbelievably, all exits from arterial roads to streets in the downtown Miami area were completely blocked by these law enforcement officers.

Not to be outdone on our return from Miami Beach, our bus driver stopped to park on 2nd St. N.E. to offload our Retirees to walk to the Rally. The Miami Police threatened to tow the Bus away, which would have resulted in a $500. fine for the bus driver. So we moved down 2nd St. N.E closer to the Rally to a dead-end area where the Robo-Cops would let no vehicles or people on foot cross. We walked toward the Robo-Cops and tried to negotiate passage for our Retirees, but the Robo-Cops were unresponsive, ignoring us or waving us away. They were allowing no one of any age, including TV cameramen and Press, entry thru their lines set up on both sides of Biscayne Blvd.

We Retirees all felt like we were being treated like citizens in World War II Nazi Germany or some third world country dictatorship. About an hour later, an older senior Miami Police Major when told of our plight came to our bus, and he offered us a chance to break thru the line of Robo-Cops, if I would lead the column of 30 Retirees single file thru the first line of defense and vouch for every Retiree entering. Once across Biscayne Blvd., having accepted the challenge before us, we were refused entry to the Amphitheater by another younger Miami Police Major, who seemed unconcerned with our Retiree efforts to attend the Rally.

Someone with a cell phone let me use it to call Larry Winawer, FLARA state organizer, who was inside the Amphitheater, and I asked Larry if he could come out and talk to these Robo-Cops to help us gain entry. He said the Miami Police would let no one leave or enter the Amphitheater area. After standing on the sidewalks for over another hour, I talked our way thru a large crowd of hundreds of younger union demonstrators to join the other FLARA, AFL-CIO, and APWU members already seated inside the Rally.

Once inside, we took our seats at the front of the stage along with hundreds of other FLARA Retirees. Larry provided our 30 Retirees with white FLARA T-shirts, box lunches, and soft drinks and he apologized to us for how we had been treated. Our group listened to the AFL-CIO speakers with interest and applause, and then joined the hundreds of other protestors and demonstrators outside the Amphitheater as they started to begin the AFL-CIO anti-FTAA marches going north on Biscayne Blvd.

Guess what, the Robo-Cops would not allow us to guide Retirees free access back across Biscayne Blvd. to return the Retirees to their buses, even though many were feeble and handicapped and had difficulty walking. After another hour the Robo-Cops broke ranks and retreated to another battle zone, allowing us to move about freely as citizens of Florida and the United States of America. Is this America or do we live in a Police State?

Tony Fransetta, President of FLARA, stated in the Miami Herald that FLARA had a written agreement with the Miami Police Dept. to allow 25 busloads of Retirees access to an anti-FTAA Rally, and the Police reneged on their promise to give safe passage to the Retirees for this publicized event. Thirteen FLARA busloads were turned away by the Miami Robo-Cops and returned home early without participation in any of the events, and many of the others were diverted forcing seniors to walk up to two (2) miles to attend the permitted Rally at the Amphitheater in downtown Miami. Every bus had a placard on the front windshield with the FLARA name, and the name and phone number of every person on each bus had been given to the Miami Police Department in advance as they had requested.

Miami Police Chief John Timoney (former Philadelphia Police Chief in the 2000 Republican Convention where thousands were arrested) insisted in the Miami Herald that the violent actions of young non-union protestors triggered several series of police-protestor clashes and traffic jams. Larry Winawer, a 34-year old FLARA State Organizer, and a 71-year old Retiree trying to get back to his bus, were arrested by the Miami Police and spent over 12 hours in jail. They were not able to use the bathroom, drink anything, or use the telephone. Over 200 people were arrested and handcuffed by the Robo-Cops. Charges have been filed against the Miami Police by the AFL-CIO and other organizations for the inhuman treatment given union members and retirees during this event.

The U. S. Congress allocated eighty-five (85) million dollars for Miami’s security costs for the FTAA meetings in Miami by trade ministers from 34 countries in North, Central, and South America. Instead the Miami Police used the money for Homeland Repression. The Miami Police Robo-Cops, from 40 separate police agencies located all over Florida, tried to intimidate and succeeded by using military tanks, water cannons, helmets, wielding of batons, firing rubber bullets from their guns, using stun guns, tear gas, and pepper sprays in the streets to disperse hundreds of people throughout this infamous day. FLARA Retirees will remember November 20, 2003 when the Miami Police State showed its ugly face.

If you want to know more about what is going on in America and Florida, go to www.FLARA.org and click on FTAA to find out how it will affect you at your job, at home, as a retiree, and to get a more in depth coverage of the reasons for AFL-CIO and FLARA anti-FTAA events.

TALLAHASSEE FLARA LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE MARCH 21-24, 2004

Tony Fransetta, FLARA President, has announced a scheduled FLARA Legislative Conference and Executive Board meeting to be held in Tallahassee, Fl. on Mon., Mar. 22 and Tue., Mar. 23, 2004 at the Ramada Inn, 2900 North Monroe St. The historic conclave has been called to discuss and layout plans for action in the Spring session of the Florida Legislature. Legislative resolutions will be debated and approved on Monday and meetings with legislators will take place on Tuesday.

All FLARA Executive Board members, Club and individual members including 2789 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members, and invited family/guests are welcome at this exciting annual gathering to foster support for the important issues that face Florida Union Retirees and seniors. A banquet dinner is set up for Tuesday night, Mar. 23. The Conference registration fee is $80.00 and guest registration is $60.00. Contact Janelle Thomas, Financial/Membership Director of FLARA in West Palm Beach area at 1-561-792-8799 if you are interested or have any questions or comments.

Ramada Inn Tallahassee hotel room rate is $76.00, plus 10% taxes per night, for FLARA members and guests. Call the Ramada Inn in Tallahassee at 1-850-386-1027 to make reservations, and ask for the FLARA special group rate. All roads lead to Tallahassee for FLARA/APWU Retiree Actions now. Join us in real APWU Retiree Solidarity!

APWU OF FL. STATE RETIREE CHAPTER CONVENTION MAY 12, 2004

The 2nd Biennial APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention will convene at the Plaza Resort and Spa, 600 Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Fl. 32118 at 1 p.m. and adjourn promptly at 4 p.m. on the day before the APWU of Florida Convention from Thurs., May 13 thru Sat., May 15, 2004. Phone the Plaza Resort at 1-800-874-7420 and ask for the APWU discounted Sgl/Dbl rate of $79.00 night, plus 12.5 % taxes, if you go.

Preparations have been made for the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter to pay for a free luncheon to each APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter member registering as a Retiree Delegate and one family guest in attendance for the Convention. The luncheon is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Plaza Resort Restaurant.

Our invited guest speaker at the Retirees luncheon and the Retirees Convention will be Roy Braunstein, Nat’l. APWU Legislative Director. I spoke with Roy a few months ago, and he accepted our invitation to come and speak. He will reveal the National APWU plans for the 2004 National and State General Elections, and report on Congressional action resulting from the recommendations of the President’s Commission on the U. S. Postal Service, which will drastically affect APWU active members, Retirees, and families.

APWU of Florida Area Local/Local Presidents have been mailed blank APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Delegate credentials. Contact President Jack Gose, home telephone 727-343-2998 or E-mail to jak.gose@excite.com if you have any suggestions, questions or comments.

APWU FL. SPRING SEMINAR RETIREES LUNCHEON ON MAR. 11, 2004

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter luncheon (Dutch treat) will be held in Cape Canaveral, Fl. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thur., March 11, 2004, at the Radisson Resort at the Port Restaurant, 8701 Astronaut Blvd. 32920. Tel: 321-784-0000 for APWU room rate of $99.00 night, plus taxes. Everyone is invited!

2003 SENIOR NET COMPUTER CLASSES POPULAR!

THE COMPUTER AGE IS ANY AGE!

The University of South Florida (USF) at the St. Petersburg Bayboro campus has launched Oct. 13, 2003 an innovative retiree/senior learning center program, named Senior Scholars, at the Pinellas County Science Center in St. Petersburg, Fl. As President of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, I am personally involved as one of the young age older instructors teaching “Introduction to Computers,” a six week class of 2 ½ hours one day a week, offered in a modern computer classroom setting with the latest technology, such as Microsoft XP Professional edition.

Jack has taught and coached five years in the classroom under the sponsorship of USF and SeniorNet, a national non-profit worldwide computer organization based in San Francisco, Calif. The best kept secret in town is that Florida has Senior Net Learning Centers in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Lakeland, North Miami Beach, Orlando, Sarasota, Sunrise, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Vero Beach, and West Palm Beach, with more being planned.

Click on www.seniornet.org on the internet, and visit the national SeniorNet website to enjoy more online information. SeniorNet Computer Learning Centers are located in 37 states and D.C., as well as in Japan, Sweden, and Malaysia. Most young age adults over 50 in the U.S. spend 18 hours per week and those in Japan spend only 14 hours per week on the internet, according to a recent survey.

Volunteer instructors and coaches teach computer classes for young age adults 50 or over who have a desire to learn and share with others the power of the latest knowledge to enrich their lives and the lives of other family members. The Senior Scholars program registration fees in St. Pete are only $55.00, which includes a text book, workbook, handouts, and free parking.

Senior Scholars students may enroll in advanced classes once they have graduated from the Intro to Computer class. Graphics using Print Shop 15, Family Tree Maker genealogy, Digital Photography, Word Processing, Files and Folders, and Internet and E-Mail are just a few of the advanced classes. If you are interested in more information, go to www.stpt.usf.edu a new website created in November, 2003 and click on Senior Scholars, a unique one of a kind program where learning for the young at heart never retires!

By 2020, the number of workers age 55 and over will increase by about 80 % to more than 33 million. Employers will have to make changes in their use of technology, because Baby Boomers (born from 1946 thru 1964) make up nearly half the workforce. Many are healthier than their parents, with jobs less physically taxing, and many are reluctant to retire early or completely because they simply cannot afford to. Many postal employees are making the mistake of not investing the maximum amount allowable in the Federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

A Gallup poll last year found that 46 percent of working adults planned to delay retirement, because of the stock market’s decline. Young age older workers will be needed in the future, not only due to their skills and experience, but also because there are not enough younger workers with skills and experience to replace them once they retire.

We encourage all ages to join the Computer Age, if you want to remain happy, healthy, and productive. Sharpen your talents by enrolling in a SeniorNet University or Organization sponsored computer program in your community next time it is offered. SeniorNet was founded in 1986 and has over 220 Learning Centers across the Globe with over 40,000 members and 4,000 volunteers who instruct and coach.

FLARA MEMBER MEETING ON DEC. 13 IN WEST PALM BEACH

All 2800 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members and family guests are invited to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) regular quarterly Executive Board meeting, to be held at the Radisson Suite Inn-Palm Beach Airport, located at 1808 South Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, Fl., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003 from 9 a.m. until conclusion 2:00-3:00 p.m.

The hotel room rate is $79.00 plus tax per night for FLARA members. If you are interested in attending and elect to arrive on Friday night, Dec. 12, please call 1-800-333-3333 and ask for the discounted FLARA rate, if available.

The hotel is located just a mile north of Palm Beach Airport. Take I-95 to Exit 51 (Belvedere Road West), then turn right onto Australian Ave. (North) and turn right at the first traffic light. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Tony Fransetta, President, at the FLARA Wellington (West Palm Beach) office 561-792-8799 or E-mail at floridaara@aol.com.

RETIREES LUNCHEON MARCH 11, 2004 AT CAPE CANAVERAL

All APWU Active and Retiree National, State, and Area Local/Local Officers, Stewards, Members, Auxiliary Officers, Members and Family guests are invited to the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter (Dutch treat) luncheon at the APWU of Florida State Spring Training Seminar on Thursday, March 11, 2004, the first day of classes for active and retiree members, to be held at the Radisson Resort at the Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral, Fl. 32920.

The luncheon is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Radisson Resort at the Port hotel restaurant in Cape Canaveral. The training seminar will occur from Thursday, March 11 thru Saturday, March 13, 2003. To register for APWU Room rates of $99.00 night plus taxes, phone Radisson Resort at 321-784-0000.

We will have an invited mystery guest speaker at the March 11 Retirees luncheon to keep us up-to-date on the latest news form Natl. APWU headquarters in Washington, D.C. So far, we have enjoyed entertaining presentations by several Natl. APWU Officers, namely, Bob Tunstall, Sec.-Treasurer, in Fort Walton Beach, Sue Carney, Human Relations Director, in Lakeland, and John R. Smith, Retiree Director, in Jacksonville and Orlando at previous state training seminars.

Free Happy Folders chock full of APWU memorabilia will be distributed to each luncheon attendee. The Retirees luncheon provides a great opportunity for the active Officers, Stewards, Members, Auxiliary Officers, Members, and Family guests to enjoy a social affair and share companionship with the founders of our great Union, the APWU Retirees and their families.

APWU OF FLA. STATE RETIREE CHAPTER 2004 CONVENTION

The 2nd Biennial APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Convention shall begin at 1:00 p.m. and end promptly at 4:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before the Biennial APWU of Florida State Convention starts on a Thursday in the month of May, 2004. The Executive Board will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Preparations are being made for the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter to pay for a free luncheon for each APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter member registering as a delegate and one family member registering as a guest for the 2004 State Retiree Chapter Convention. The luncheon is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the Biennial Retiree Chapter Convention to start exactly at 1:00 p.m.

Our invited guest speaker at the Retirees Chapter luncheon and at the beginning of the Retirees Chapter Convention will be Roy Braunstein, Natl. APWU Legislative Director. I spoke to Roy a few weeks ago, and he accepted our invitation to come and speak. He will reveal the National APWU plans for the 2004 National and State general elections, and report on Congressional action resulting from the recommendations of the President’s Commission on the U.S. Postal Service.

Area Locals/Locals Presidents will be mailed blank Retiree Credentials sometime in February, 2004 to be filled out and returned to John Sardin, Jr., Sec.-Treasurer, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter sometime in March, 2004. It is necessary for us to have an estimate of the total number of Retiree Chapter Members who have completed a delegate credential and registered the name of a Family guest to attend the Retirees luncheon at the Convention, in order for us to give this information to the hotel.

Details concerning the Convention City, hotel, and dates will be published in the Florida Postal Worker and on our website, www.apwuflorida.org when available.
We wish everyone and your loved ones a JOYFUL HOLIDAY SEASON!!

2003 RETIREES LUNCHEON IN FORT WALTON BEACH!

THREE APWU GENERATIONS RALLY IN FORT WALTON BEACH

We have just returned from the APWU of Florida Fall Educational Seminar Rally held at the Radisson Beach Resort in Fort Walton Beach, Fl., from Sept. 17-20, 2003, where three (3) APWU labor union generations learned how to help one another to protect our postal jobs, benefits, and retirement now and in the future.

The World War II veterans/depression era generation, the Vietnam War veterans/baby boomer era generation, and the Gulf/Iraq War veterans/3 XXX era generation enjoyed a Dutch treat luncheon on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 18-19, 2003 at the Radisson Palms Restaurant with Bob Tunstall, National APWU Sec.-Treas., as our invited main guest speaker at the Retirees luncheon on Friday. He stated our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter activists are a shining example of National APWU “Proud to be Union” organization ingenuity, with 2789 APWU of Florida union dues paying retirees who belong to the National APWU Retirees Department, each paying $2.00 monthly Natl. APWU retiree union dues.

We wish to thank Bob Tunstall, Retiree Director John R. Smith, Sally Davidow, Communications Director, and Roger Cronk, Information Technology Director of the National APWU headquarters, who have added our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter web link to the National APWU website www.apwu.org map and other links list, effective October 1, 2003. This innovative action allows all the APWU membership, officers, and families all over the world to share in APWU retirement information with the click of a mouse by going on the internet directly to our www.apwuflorida.org/retiree web link. Over 125 hyperlinks which are well organized from A to Z await you to give you instant pleasure in seeking connection with the APWU world of active members, retirees, and families all across the globe.

Others who have added our Florida APWU State Retiree Chapter retiree website are (1) www.21cpw.com (21st Century Postal Worker site used by APWU officers and members), (2) www.lunewsviews.com (Lucille Caldwell’s cool site from Walnut Grove, Ca. which has an up-to-date zillion bytes of electronic postal and retiree news), and (3) several APWU local union websites around the country (where alert webmasters have found APWU retirement to be a hot issue that everyone seems interested in).

FLORIDA AFL-CIO CONVENTION HELD IN JACKSONVILLE, FL.

Martha Shunn-King, our APWU of Florida State President, was elected Vice President At Large on the Florida AFL-CIO Executive Board by the affiliated organizations at the annual Florida AFL-CIO Convention, held at the Hilton Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Fl. from Sept. 21-25, 2003. We wish to congratulate Martha on achieving this milestone in her union career, as dreams do come true!

President John J. Sweeney, National AFL-CIO, installed the newly elected Executive Board members, and he emphasized that Florida is the #1 targeted battleground state in the 2004 general elections and asked for our support of labor’s candidates. Bill McBride, Democratic candidate for Florida Governor in 2002, was invited by Florida AFL-CIO President Cindy Hall to speak, and he thanked all of labor for supporting him in that race.

Martha Shunn-King introduced an APWU resolution #44 at the Convention which was passed unanimously by the body, in support of APWU opposition to the recommendations of the President’s Commission on the U.S. Postal Service which were reported to President George W. Bush on July 31, 2003. All of the ideas brought forth by the Commission are now working their way through U. S. Congressional Committees, with dire results down the road. All the APWU officers attending the Florida AFL-CIO Convention joined the call by a CWA local union at the Convention for a live picket of the AT&T office building in Jacksonville. Members of three labor union generations marched on the sidewalks to unite against contract infringement by management greed and privatization efforts.

NOVEMBER 20 IS D-DAY FOR FREE TRADE AREA OF AMERICAS

Eric Rubin, State Coordinator, Florida Fair Trade Coalition, made an excellent presentation in Fort Walton Beach and Jacksonville for opposition to Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Folks, this is a big deal! Foreign trade ministers of all the 34 countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, excluding Cuba, will convene in Miami, Fl. on Nov. 20-21, 2003 to approve the opening of all the above hemisphere borders to free trade. This means thousands of jobs, including many industrial and postal services, will migrate south of the border. The results of this FTAA agreement is ten (10) times as dangerous and damaging compared to the North America Free Trade agreement (NAFTA), where 766,000 U.S. jobs heave been lost and union bargaining power has been undermined.

FTAA would expand NAFTA’s attacks on workers and environment, increase corporate power, erase essential public services such as education, health care, energy, water utilities, and postal services, and destroy family farms by flooding local markets with cheap imported goods. Negotiations on the FTAA are ongoing and set to be completed in 2005. Now is the time for all three (3) labor union member generations and their families to become activists in the streets to protect our Social Security, Medicare, health insurance, prescription drugs, pensions, retirement benefits, and thousands of U.S. jobs which will be lost to Central America, South America, and the Caribbean as President George W. Bush continues to privatize the American landscape and global economies.

The National AFL-CIO and international labor unions all over the country will send hundreds of buses full of protestors from Seattle, Michigan, Maine, California, Texas, and all other states to Miami, Florida on Thursday, November 20, 2003. All three (3) labor union member generations and families are urged to answer the Call for Mobilization! President Tony Fransetta, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) has promised to provide free breakfast, lunch, and transportation to participants who ride the buses originating in Florida. Many buses will leave at wee hours of the morning, probably about 4:00 a.m. or earlier from Central and West Coast Florida locations, and you can sleep on the buses going to Miami.

A giant breakfast gathering of thousands is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Miami Marriott Hotel on Biscayne Blvd., and from 12 noon to 4 p.m. a march of thousands of protestors in the streets of Miami and a giant rally at Bayfront Amphitheater will conclude the FTAA protest activities for the D-Day demonstrations on Thursday, November 20, 2003. Contact Larry Winawer, National Alliance for Retired Americans Florida organizer, at 561-792-8799 in West Palm Beach or go to www.aflcio.org (National AFL-CIO) or www.retiredamericans.org (National Alliance for Retired Americans) or www.flara.org (Florida Alliance for Retired Americans) for more internet information if you are interested in attending to let your voices be heard.

2003 ARA CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS IN WASH., D.C.!

FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS BLOWS THE WHISTLE ON PRESIDENT BUSH AND CONGRESS!

Over 700 Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) members, each armed with their own personal ARA whistle, attended a three (3) day National ARA Legislative Conference at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. from Sept. 3-5, 2003, blowing their whistles against President George W. Bush and the U. S. Congress member’s conservative agenda. The Republican and Democrat conservative initiatives include Tax Cuts for the Wealthy, Overtime Regulations, Free Trade Area of the Americas, and the Privatization of Social Security, Medicare, Health Insurance, Prescription Drug Coverage, Retirement, Pensions, and the U. S. Postal Service.

Rep. Pete Stark, (D-13th CA), Rep. Jan Schakowsky, (D-9th IL), Rep. Dick Gephardt, (D-3rd MO), and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, (D-10th OH), spoke at the Conference and affirmed their commitment to labor’s priority issues including the election of a Democratic President in 2004. Videos were shown from former Governor Howard Dean, (D-VT), Senator John Kerry, (D-MA), and Senator Joe Lieberman, (D-CT), and the televised debate from New Mexico of all the Democratic candidates for President was aired on the screen in the huge hotel ballroom on Thursday. We were joined by John R. Smith, Natl. APWU Retiree Director, at the Alliance opening day session on Wednesday, Sept. 3rd. The National APWU is currently listed as a full partner of the Alliance for Retired Americans, along with twenty (20) other international unions who have enrolled over three (3) million members in a short time since Jan. 1, 2001.

The lifetime voting records kept by the Alliance and the AFL-CIO is given below:
DEMOCRAT PARTY CANDIDATE ALLIANCE AFL-CIO

Former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-IL) N/A 83%
Former Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT) N/A N/A
Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) 95% 96%
Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-MO) 100% 88%
Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL) 95% 77%
Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA) 100% 90%
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) 100% 98%
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-CT) 100% 82%
Al Sharpton (D-NY) N/A N/A
REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATE
Former Gov. George W. Bush (R-TX) N/A N/A

On Thursday, Sept. 4, hundreds of Alliance members attended an outdoor ARA Legislative Rally in the Capital Park near the Senate office buildings after leaving buses that transported them from the Hilton. Although we were rained on during the Rally, everyone stayed and showed our support for the struggle ahead. Senator Jay Rockefeller, (D-WV), gave us a rousing call to arms for all Americans to stop the rape of our Social Security, Medicare, Health Insurance, Prescription Drugs, Pension, and Retirement benefits. John Sweeney, AFL-CIO President, encouraged us to take the fight to Capitol Hill and inspire other Americans to follow our lead.

A group of thirty (30) Florida ARA (FLARA) members met with Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) in Room 716 Hart Senate Office Bldg. at 12:15 p.m. to press our urgent ARA paramount issues. Although he was favorable to most of our concerns, he appears to favor free trade (FTAA) legislation. I brought up the President’s Commission on U. S. Postal Service issue, and we received some encouragement from his Legislative Director, Daniel Shapiro, that the Senator would fight to retain the current federal benefits we enjoy as active postal employees and retirees. Each time I mentioned the word “Privatization,” you couldn’t help to notice looks and words of agreement with our position from everyone in the room.

Twelve (12) of our alert FLARA members had an appointment at 1 p.m. in Room 524, Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL) office, in the same Hart Senate building. We met with Ms. Jocelyn Moore, Legislative Staffer, and we received similar favorable responses to our ARA concerns, including the recommendations of the President’s Commission on the U. S. Postal Service. Since Sen. Bob Graham is campaigning for President and had schedule conflicts, we did not get a clear picture of his position on Free Trade Area of the Americas. I left an APWU legislative package, and asked for a personal response from each of our Congressional offices we visited today.

At this point, our activists split up to visit our Congressional Representatives. I visited the office of Rep. C.W. Bill Young, (R-10th FL), Chairman of the influential House Appropriations Committee, in Room 2407 of the Rayburn House Building. We were unable to get an appointment with him on that day, even with the assistance of the Alliance Headquarters office, and we were told he was on the House floor speaking. However, I was able to meet with K.C. Yasmer, Legislative Staffer, to present our APWU opposition against the recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the U.S. Postal Service. Rep. Bill Young had previously written me a letter on August 8 confirming his commitment to Congressional oversight, and he realizes that the USPS is a vital link for all our citizens and especially many older Americans who are living on fixed incomes.

The Alliance activists rode buses and cabs back to the Hilton to report on the results of the lobbying on Capitol Hill. The responses were positive on many of our Social Security and Medicare issues, but Congress conservatives from both parties were riding the fence on several important issues including Free Trade Area of the Americas. An article appeared in Roll Call, the Congressional newspaper, stating that the Republican Senate leadership desire to adjourn the session by the middle of October and go home. We feel they think the Country is asleep and will not awaken until after they have pushed their privatization of all government services initiatives for final passage in both Houses of Congress, and the President will then gladly sign the reform legislation.

A gala banquet at the Hilton highlighted Helen Thomas, former White House correspondent, who has been a thorn in every Presidential news conference since Pres. Dwight Eisenhower. She revealed that Pres. John F. Kennedy was her favorite due to his charisma and leadership qualities, she liked Pres. Lyndon Johnson for his legislative successes with Congress and Pres. Bill Clinton for his intellect and people programs. She admits that Pres. George W. Bush is the most arrogant and possibly the worst President, and in answer to a question from the floor, “Why shouldn’t we try to unseat him in 2004?”

George Kourpias, ARA President, addressed our Florida State Caucus on Friday morning, and it is no secret that Florida is the #1 Battleground State to Win in 2004, and to be targeted by the Democrats and Republicans with a large infusion of manpower and money from out of state. Political mobilization and Education is critical, with fifteen (15) states currently chartered by the ARA, and should be eighteen (18) states chartered by end of this year. Florida was the first State in the nation to be charted by the Alliance in June, 2002, and the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans must lead us to victory in the 2004 general elections. Regardless of party affiliation, we must unite to take the bull by the horns to Win!

The Alliance has quickly become a formidable player not only in grassroots legislative advocacy, but also electoral politics where the senior vote is an important swing constituency. Contact Tony Fransetta, FLARA President, by going to the Florida State website at www.flara.org if you are itching to get involved in this fight for dignity and survival. If you are interested in joining the National ARA in our fight for justice, go to the National ARA website at www.retiredamericans.org for action daily. For the best organized APWU Retiree hyperlinks in the whole country for active members, retirees, and their families go to the APWU of Florida State website at www.apwuflorida.org and click on Retiree to open up a fascinating new world of over 125 other links for information and communication.

Jack Gose, President,

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2003 NEW RETIREE WEBSITE CREATED BY JACK GOSE!

THOUSANDS OF APWU MEMBERS TO RETIRE OCTOBER 31, 2003!

Now that the draconian recommendations of the President’s Commission on the Postal Service have been reported to the President of the United States on July 31, you can expect thousands of APWU members to consider early voluntary early retirement (VER) from the U. S. Postal Service no sooner than October 31, 2003. The Postal Service estimates 58,000 APWU craft employees are eligible, and approximately 3,000 will apply for voluntary early retirement!

Under the terms of the APWU/USPS Collective Bargaining Agreement, all eligible APWU craft employees have been receiving letters from management inviting them to complete a form indicating they are interested in voluntary early retirement. An employee will be eligible if he or she is or will be age fifty (50) or older as of November 1, 2003, with at least twenty (20) years of creditable service as of Oct. 31, 2003. Employees of any age are eligible if they have or will have at least twenty-five (25) years of creditable service as of October 31, 2003.

We have just returned from the APWU National Postal Press Association Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where we received in depth reports from President Bill Burrus and Legislative Director Roy Braunstein on the life or death fight to save our postal jobs, health care and retirement benefits. Almost 50% or half of current Postal employees are eligible for retirement by 2010, and most of these are predicted to retire.

We have launched a new APWU website hyperlink at www.apwuflorida.org/retire/retireechapter.htm to provide retirement information for APWU active members, retirees, and their spouses/family members. The internet site has well organized sidebar links and over 125 links covering the wide world of retiree info from A to Z. We wish to thank Greg Dixon for the fantastic job he accomplished with information we gave him in creating a super retiree website.

All Florida Presidents, Editors, and Webmasters are invited and encouraged to add our 21st Century website hyperlink to your Area Local/Local website. The State of Florida has twelve (12) websites listed on the 21st Century Postal Worker national website map at www.21cpw.com and Florida leads the nation in this emerging technology. Now is the time for all APWU leaders to step up to the plate to communicate and share APWU retirement information with all of our APWU active members, retirees, and spouses/family members.

RETIREES’ LUNCHEON IN FT. WALTON BEACH FRIDAY, SEPT. 19

All 2765 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members, active APWU National, State and Area Local/Local officers and members, Auxiliary officers and members, and family members/guests are invited to attend our Retirees Chapter luncheon (Dutch treat) on Friday, Sept. 19, 2003 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Radisson Beach Resort Restaurant, 1110 Santa Rosa Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, Fl. 32548.

Room rates are $80.00 a night for double/single, plus 10% taxes. Check in is 4 p.m. and check out is 11 a.m. To make reservations, call the Radisson Beach Resort at 850-243-9181 and ask for the APWU discounted rate.

We will have an invited mystery guest speaker at the luncheon celebration and Retiree Happy folders will be given out to all in attendance. This is a great opportunity for everyone to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends. Join us in the fun of being APWU alive!

FLORIDA AFL-CIO CONVENTION IN JAX ON SEPT. 21-25, 2003

The Florida AFL-CIO Convention will be held in Jacksonville, Fl. at the Jacksonville Riverside Hilton Hotel from Sunday, Sept. 21 thru Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003. I will attend and represent the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO at this annual conclave, and we shall take a strong voice to the floor concerning the President’s Commission on the U. S. Postal Service and other current APWU legislative and retirement issues.

Jack Gose, President
APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter

2003 NATL APWU POSTAL PRESS ASSN CONFERENCE!

HISTORIC NATIONAL APWU POSTAL PRESS ASSOCIATION EDITOR CONFERENCE FOR ALL NEW GENERATION APWU EDITORS IS SET FOR MILWAUKEE, WI. JULY 30-AUG. 3, 2003!

EDITOR LIFETIME SOUVENIR EDITION!

To test your ultimate memory, do you remember the name of the hotel the PPA Conference was held in the year you attended?

1964 Miami, FL (UFPC PPA was Created)
1966 St. Louis, MO Sheraton-Jefferson (8.50)
1967 Cleveland, OH Pick-Carter Hotel (9.00)
1968 Minneapolis, MN Leamington Hotel (9.50)
1969 Miami, FL Marco Polo Hotel (12.00)

National APWU Postal Press Assoc. created in 1971 Lincoln, NE Villager Motel (12.50)
1973 Buffalo, NY Statler Hilton (25.00)
1975 San Antonio, TX El Tropicana (20.00)
1977 St. Louis, MO Rodeway Inn (30.00)
1979 San Diego, CA U.S. Grant (45.00)
1981 Milwaukee, WI Pfister Hotel (50.00)
1983 Ft Worth, TX Americana (55.00)
1985 Portland, OR Hilton Hotel (70.00)
1987 Orlando, FL Royal Plaza (85.00)
1989 San Juan, PR Caribe Hilton (90.00)
1991 Orlando, FL Royal Plaza (95.00)
1993 Lk Buena Vista, FL Royal Plaza (80.00)
1995 Lk Buena Vista, FL Vista Palace (115.50)
1997 Washington, DC Wshngton Ct (95.00)
1999 Las Vegas, NV Riviera Hotel (79.00)
2001 Lk Buena Vista, FL Royal Plaza (119.00)
2003 Milwaukee, WI Hyatt Regcy (119.00)
2005 ? ? ? ? ?

Whether you can remember or cannot remember, you certainly don’t want to miss this year’s National APWU PPA celebration at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Milwaukee, WI. from Wed., July 30 thru Sunday, August 3, 2003. We offer a young age toast to the 39-year success of the National APWU Postal Press Association, the Editors, and their families.

Jack Gose, Editor

2003 ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE SET FOR WASHINGTON, D. C. FROM SEPTEMBER 3-5, 2003!

All roads lead to our country’s Capitol as the National Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) invites it’s 2.7 million officers and members nationwide, fifteen (15) state chartered ARA affiliates including Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) to which our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter pays dues, active APWU national, state and Area Local/Local officers and members, Community Leaders, and families to attend the National ARA Legislative Conference from Wed., Sept. 3 thru Friday, Sept. 5, 2003.

It is a pleasure to invite all 2765 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, active APWU dues paying officers and members, and family members to attend this Conference to show our concern about strengthening Medicare, lowering prescription drug prices, and protecting Social Security in the years ahead.

The ARA National Conference will be held at the Hilton Washington and Towers, 1919 Connecticut Ave., Washington, D. C. 20009. Hotel reservations should be made by calling the Hilton directly toll-free at 1-888-324-4586. Be sure to ask for the discounted ARA rate of $139.00 a night plus taxes, if available. Check in time is 3 pm and check out time is 12 noon. Hotel parking is available at a discounted rate of $15.00 per night.

If you are interested in attending, the registration fee for the Legislative Conference is $90.00, then call National ARA toll-free at 1-888-373-6497. A gala banquet featuring noted journalist, Helen Thomas, the dean of former White House bureau chiefs and correspondents and currently a syndicated columnist, is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003 at 6 pm. Banquet tickets are $65.00 per person and should be ordered at the same time you register by calling the above ARA toll-free number. If you want to get involved in the action, go on the internet to www.retiredamericans.org to join us in the fight for justice.

You will participate in general sessions that will educate you on issues and help you to mobilize advocates and others to make a difference in the upcoming 2004 general elections. All nine (9) of the Presidential candidates have been invited to speak starting at 1 pm on Wed., Sept. 3. Hear from national labor and community leaders, elected officials, and those who seek to represent us in this nation’s highest offices about what they plan to do to strengthen Medicare, preserve Social Security, and provide lower prescription drug prices under Medicare.

Thursday, Sept. 4 is Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, and you will get to talk to your members of Congress about what they are doing with the Retiree and Union issues you care about most. The last Legislative Conference event will conclude by 3 pm on Friday, Sept. 5, 2003.

For your convenience, the Alliance has made arrangements for discount airfares for the upcoming National Legislative Conference with United Airlines and US Airways. To get these discounts, call United Airlines at 1-800-521-4041 with ID code: 515BF and US Airways at 1-877-874-7687 with Goldfile no.: 49642784.

Let your voice be heard, as the Bush Administration has proposed to radically restructure the U.S. Postal Service, your retirement, benefits, and livelihood, as well as privatize Medicare and Social Security. This is your chance to find out how the tax cut programs for the wealthy will result in enormous cuts in programs for seniors and drastically increase the National deficit. Find out what you, your family, and neighbors can do to help in our struggle to survive. We look forward to meeting with you and your family in Washington, D. C. on September 3-5, 2003!

FLARA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETS IN JACKSONVILLE ON SAT., SEPT. 13, 2003

It is a pleasure to invite all 2765 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, active APWU State and Area Local/Local dues paying officers and members, and family members to attend a Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) Executive Board meeting to be held at the Embassy Suites in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, September 13, 2003. These meetings are held quarterly in different locales around the State of Florida to discuss, plan, and vote on the real and important Retiree and Union issues that meet the vital domestic needs of our state’s older Americans. If you want to get in on the Action, go to www.flara.org website and surf the links. We look forward to seeing you and your family in Jacksonville on Sat., Sept. 13, 2003.

RETIREES LUNCHEON: FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 2003 IN FORT WALTON BEACH

We invite all APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members, active APWU State and Area Local/Local officers and members, Auxiliary officers and members, and family members/guests to attend our Retirees Chapter luncheon (Dutch treat) on Friday, Sept. 19, 2003 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Radisson Beach Resort Restaurant, 1110 Santa Rosa Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, Fl. 32548. Room rates are $80.00 a night for single/double, plus 10% taxes. Check in is 4 pm and check out is 11 am. To make reservations, call the Radisson Beach Resort at 850-243-9181 and ask for the APWU discounted rate.

We will have an invited mystery guest speaker at the luncheon celebration and Retiree Happy folders will be given out to all in attendance. This is a great opportunity for everyone to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends. Join us in the fun of being APWU alive!

Thanks to Gregory Dixon, Webmaster, for his help in creating an APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter link on our own state website www.apwuflorida.org and to President Martha Shunn-King for suggesting the idea to me. It is a great way to give Retiree information and links we have used to counsel active and retired APWU members in the last couple years.

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2003 RETIREE STATE CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP SOARS!

515 NEW RETIREES JOIN APWU OF FLORIDA STATE CHAPTER!

We welcome all 515 new APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter $24.00 year dues paying APWU Retiree members who joined our Florida State organization in the last six (6) months from Nov. 1, 2002 thru Apr. 30, 2003. Over 4,000 new APWU Retirees joined the National APWU Retirees Dept. during the same period, and Florida leads the nation with the largest Retiree membership increase since the founding of the National APWU Retirees Dept. in 1994.

These new APWU Retiree members will continue to enjoy in retirement the many union benefits once available as active U.S. Postal Service employees. Some of these benefits are the APWU Health Plan, Voluntary Benefit group insurance and legal options, the APWU Master Card/AFL-CIO Union Plus credit card, a free $5,000.00 APWU accidental death and dismemberment policy, American Postal Worker bimonthly magazine, Florida Postal Worker award winning monthly newsletter, and the Area Local/Local APWU monthly union newsletter and APWU Local Retiree Chapter bimonthly newsletter in many areas of Florida.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the APWU Area Local/Local Presidents, officers, stewards, active members, Auxiliary Presidents, officers and members, Retiree Presidents, officers, and members who encouraged these 515 APWU Retirees to complete a Form 1187 APWU Retired Member enrollment application and mail it to the National APWU Retirees Dept. in Washington, D.C.

When an APWU active member makes the decision to retire from the USPS and then signs the retirement papers, it may take up to four weeks as a rule for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to notify the National APWU Retirees Dept. of your official retirement date. When the Natl. APWU Retirees Headquarters Office receives this information, John R. Smith, Natl. APWU Retirees Director, will mail an APWU Retiree Dept. organization package to the address of the APWU Retiree. This will enable the Retiree to join the Natl. APWU Retirees Dept. to continue to earn their lifetime union benefits.

This package can be expected to be received in 4 to 6 weeks after the official date of your retirement from USPS. Enclosed in the package is a Form 1187 APWU Retired Member application with 4 copies. You cannot complete this form until OPM has mailed you a seven (7) digit CSA or CSF lifetime number. After you have received your OPM personal number in the mail, you can immediately fill out the 1187 APWU Retired Member Form, and mail it back in the enclosed return addressed postage paid envelope to the Natl. APWU Retirees Dept. It then takes up to a couple months before you will notice an APWU Retiree member union dues deduction of $2.00 monthly taken out of your monthly OPM annuity check.

It is no secret that more and more APWU Area Local/Local Union Presidents are becoming Retirement Counselors for their local membership. The reason this is happening is because the USPS Human Resources office personnel are short-staffed, either not interested, or are negligent, and lately refusing to provide individual Retirement counseling after one initial session. You notice that the USPS no longer provides Pre-Retirement Counseling seminars for their Florida employees.

When an APWU member contacts the APWU local union office to seek information concerning a regular or disability retirement option, the Local Union President will naturally give whatever information is available, or can be researched, or offer other government, Natl. APWU Retirees Dept., or other source telephone numbers to call.

Some APWU Local Union Presidents are offering to go into the USPS Human Resources office with the local union member when the member is ready to fill out the retirement papers. This is a great idea, and we feel this type of APWU Pre-Retirement counseling should be offered by all APWU Locals in the State of Florida!

The National APWU Retirees Dept. has been presenting 3-day APWU Retirement Counselor classes for active APWU Presidents, officers, and members, with classes recently held in California and Michigan. John R. Smith, Natl. APWU Retirees Director, has promised me he will hold one soon in the Southern Region. He usually has an USPS Retirement specialist to join him during the three days, and upon graduation each attendee will receive an APWU Retirement Counselor certificate on the last day of classes.

We urge APWU Local Presidents to attend one of these 3-day APWU Retirement Counselor classes, and to designate other officers to receive this training for the good of the local union membership. Then a Local Union Retirement counseling program can be planned and carried out successfully. In addition, this will become a strong organizing tool to encourage the APWU Retiree to join the Natl. APWU Retirees Dept., by paying only $2.00 month from their OPM annuity check in order to maintain all the wonderful, hard fought for APWU benefits which were gained during a lifetime of labor.

The APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter membership has increased from 2376 to 2765, a net increase of 389 or about 16% since November, 2002. A loss of 126 Retiree Chapter members occurred due to deaths, moves out of state, and cancellations. Results of the November, 2002-April, 2003 Florida State Retiree Chapter organization drive are listed below showing a breakdown of the zip code areas where these Retirees reside and the number of new Retiree members signed up on Form 1187 in each zip code area:

ZIP LARGEST CITY NUMBER
320 Jacksonville 20
321 Daytona Beach (3rd) 33
322 Jacksonville 7
323 Tallahassee 7
324 Panama City 7
325 Pensacola 5
326 Gainesville 6
327 Lake Mary/Titusville 22
328 Orlando 6
329 Melbourne 21
330 Miami/Key West (2nd) 45
331 Miami 17
333 Fort Lauderdale (7th) 27
334 West Palm Beach (1st) 60

ZIP LARGEST CITY NUMBER
335 Tampa/Zephyrhills 20
336 Tampa 21
337 St. Petersburg (5th) 30
338 Lakeland 23
339 Ft. Myers (4th) 31
341 Naples 7
342 Bradenton/Sarasota (8th) 25
344 Ocala 21
346 New Port Richey (6th) 28
347 Kissimmee 13
349 Ft. Pierce/Port St. Lucie 13

FLORIDA GRAND TOTALS 515

Jack Gose, President
APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter

2003 LAKELAND LUNCHEON A WINNER!

APWU OF FLORIDA RETIREE LUNCHEON IS A WINNER!

Sue Carney, Director, National APWU Human Relations Dept. in Washington, D.C., gave a glowing tribute to all the 2376 APWU Retiree members living in Florida who pay $24.00 year Retiree union dues to the National APWU Retirees Dept. at the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Dutch treat luncheon, held on Friday, March 21, 2003 at the Sheraton Hotel in Lakeland. Sue was the invited guest main speaker at the Retirees luncheon, and she was introduced by Gary Kloepfer, National Representative at Large, Maintenance Division, from Washington, D.C.

Forty (40) energetic APWU Retiree and Active members, Auxiliary members, and family guests enjoyed a terrific meal of pot roast, lasagna you would die for, veggies, salad, desserts, and drinks. APWU of Florida Retiree Chapter Happy folders were given out chock full of archives from the past, current issues, and material outlining the future APWU need for Coalition building to protect our hard fought for APWU benefits, including Social Security, Medicare, and our federal employee entitlements and retirement programs.

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, introduced Joe Pevy of Bradenton, longtime APWU of Florida Director of Education and Labor Leader in the 70’s and 80’s, as one of our honored guest speakers. Clara Hill, National APWU Auxiliary officer from Knoxville, Tn. and Betty Baker, President, Auxiliary to APWU of Florida from Tampa, offered greetings and encouragement to all the APWU Retirees and their families.

Rickey Mobley, APWU of Florida District Business Agent and Miami Area Local Retirement Counselor, said every APWU Local Union should have an APWU Retiree Counselor to offer Pre-Retirement advice to their members in addition to an APWU Local Retiree Chapter. Gary Desmond of Lakeland, President of Citrus Center Area Local, thanked everyone for attending the great buffet luncheon today.

A three day Spring Seminar was held at the hotel March 20-22, and class instructors Bill Sullivan, NBA, Clerk Division from Tampa, Warren Pearlman from Homestead, and Richard Cornell from Winter Haven also attended the luncheon and seemed to have a great time.

Other luncheon attendees were John Sardin, Jr. of St. Petersburg, Sec.-Treas. of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter; Eunice Butts of Tampa, Treasurer of Auxiliary to APWU of Florida; Karen DiAngelo, Co-Editor of Palm Prints and S.W. Florida Area Local Auxiliary and Ann Kendera from Ft. Myers; John Burton, Morena Johnson, Terri Davis, and Joy Desmond from Lakeland; Carl Montgomery, Karen Sanders, and Paula Wagner from Space Coast Area Local; Allyn Kroger and Stephen Hall from Pensacola; Wanda Lowe from Arcadia; Neva Dupree from Lake Wales; Kevin Young and Reni Young Echemendia from Palm Beach Area Local; Fred Maier from Tampa; Carole Malanot from Wauchula; Ray Cole from Venice; and others who enjoyed the fellowship and good food.

We understand the APWU of Florida Fall Seminar will be held in September, 2003 at Fort Walton Beach, and we plan to have another Retirees Dutch treat luncheon to which everyone is invited!

RETIREES TALLAHASSEE LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE!

The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) held the annual Legislative Conference and Executive Board meeting at the Ramada Inn in Tallahassee, Fl. on March 17-18, 2003 with over sixty (60) Coalition activists in attendance. Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, and a member of the FLARA Executive Board, and John Sardin, Jr., Treasurer, Florida Suncoast Retiree Chapter, represented the interests and concerns of the American Postal Workers Union Retirees and active APWU members and families.

Tony Fransetta, President of FLARA, reported on the lack of health care, and plight of the working poor in Florida has reached a critical status. U.S. Census Bureau data found that 75 million Americans under 65 years of age were uninsured during 2001-2002 or about 30 % of that age group. Prescription Drugs is one of the primary issues on the table. Other items of concern affect our children and our grandchildren, such as education. We will inform our legislators and the Governor that we do not want the Class Size Amendment that passed by vote of the people to be placed on the ballot again.

He stated that there are 23 Billion Dollars in Florida Tax exemptions with over 6 Billion Dollars in tax cuts having been passed in the last four (4) years by the Legislature under Governor Jeb Bush. If they increased gross receipts taxes across the board by one-tenth of one percent, they would generate one billion dollars. Our Legislative Representatives need to reform the state tax system starting with the 313 tax exemptions currently on the books, such as the tax exemptions for sports sky boxes and ostrich farms.

Congressman Jim Davis (D) of Tampa spoke to the FLARA group about congressional issues that affect unions and Retirees, such as Health Insurance and Pensions. Susan Bucher (D), Florida State Representative, emphasized Florida House Bill #977, Florida Fair Market Drug Pricing Act of 2003, which she introduced. It would cover 2.1 million people in Florida, and would create a Rx Drug Discount Card program. On our visit to the Capitol on Monday afternoon, we found out that there are currently six bills in the Senate and six bills in the House of Representatives on prescription drugs being reviewed.

Terry White, Secretary of Dept. of Elder Affairs, stated 95% of his Agency on Aging is privatized. 23 % of the Florida populace is over age of 60, while in the rest of country, only 16 % of the populace is over age of 60. Christa Hermanson, Representative for CanAm Pharmacy, said that up to three million elderly are ordering prescription drugs from Canada.

Rich Fiesta, Director, Alliance for Retired Americans Government and Political Affairs Dept. in Washington, D.C., stated that after tax profits of drug companies in year 2000 were 18.6 % of revenues and drug prices are increasing at rate of 18 % annually. He gave out Fact Sheets on Retiree Issues, which we passed out at the Spring Seminar in Lakeland to lucky open forum attendees.

Cindy Hall, President, Florida AFL-CIO, welcomed everyone to Tallahassee, and said we had our work cut out for us and to forge ahead. There were several other Union official regional and national speakers who covered many other issues, such as fair trade, union label purchasing, and lobbying at the grassroots and state levels.

Scott Maddox, Chairman, Florida Democratic Party, said 2.9 million in Florida have no health insurance. Even though there are still more registered Democrats than Republicans in Florida, Republicans outnumber Democrats 81 to 39 in House of Representatives (120 total) and Republicans outnumber Democrats 26 to 14 in Senate (40 total).

After luncheon, we spent Monday and Tuesday afternoon lobbying on the hill with individual legislators. John Sardin, Jr. and I visited with several legislators in the offices of the Democratic Party leadership chambers at the Capitol, and we went away feeling we had made our points.

The Alliance for Retired Americans has 2.7 million members nationwide, and if you want to get involved in the action, go on the internet to www.retiredamericans.org or to the website of the 122,000 member Florida Alliance for Retired Americans at www.FLARA.org to join us in our battle to mobilize Florida union activists and Area Local/Local union’s leaders and dues paying memberships!!

FLARA individual membership (includes spouse) is only $10.00 year. For groups, Executive Boards, Area Local/Local Unions, the membership is based on 25 cents per member per year, with a minimum of twenty (20) members or $5.00 year dues. Contact Jack Gose at www.Jak.Gose@Excite.com if you want an application for affiliation with the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans!
FLARA 2003 ANNUAL CONVENTION CALL!

It is a pleasure to invite all 2376 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter union dues paying Retiree members, Retiree delegates, active APWU dues paying officers and members, and family members to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) 2003 Annual Convention to be held on Sunday, June 22 thru Tuesday, June 24, 2003 at the Hotel Royal Plaza, Lake Buena Vista, Fl. at the entrance to Disney World. Your departure date is on Wednesday, June 25, 2003.

The registration fee for the Convention is $80.00 per person. Any registered delegate wishing to bring a guest to the prepaid meals should register their guest at $60.00 each. If you are interested, contact Janelle Thomas, Membership Director, at the FLARA office in West Palm Beach, Fl. by phone at 561-792-8799 or E-mail at FloridaARA@aol.com to register and receive Convention materials and an updated agenda. Many well known political and union leaders are invited to attend this annual event.

The Hotel Royal Plaza room rate for FLARA members is $89.00 per night for single or double room. Please note the hotel cutoff date for room reservations is June 3, 2003. When making your reservations, please call 1-800-248-7890 Ext. 2500 and ask for the FLARA special group rate.

All FLARA club/chapter dues must be current in order for clubs/chapters to have proper voting status. If you have not sent in your chapter or individual dues, please do so immediately. If you have any questions, ask to speak with Tony Fransetta, President, FLARA, by phone at 561-792-8797. Registration forms must be returned to FLARA in order to prepare your credentials and to better plan for a successful convention. We look forward to meeting with you and your family on June 22-25, 2003!

Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2003 STATE RETIREE CHAPTER SPRING EVENTS!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER SPRING EVENTS!

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Dutch treat luncheon is to be held in Lakeland, Fl. from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2003, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel Restaurant, 4141 South Florida Ave. 33813 to celebrate our good fortunes in being APWU alive! John R. Smith, Director, National APWU Retiree Dept., is our invited guest speaker, and he will address 2003 retiree issues for APWU active postal workers who are still employed by USPS and APWU retirees with Q & A.

All active and retired APWU members, Auxiliary, and family/guests are invited to attend this luncheon to renew old acquaintances and meet new friends. Free APWU Retiree Happy folders will be given to all attendees. Dream a little and become part of the action!

The APWU of Florida Spring Seminar occurs Thurs., March 20 thru Sat. March 22, 2003 at the same hotel, and this creates a wonderful opportunity for the active stewards and officers of Area Local/Local unions to meet and talk with APWU Retirees who fought the battles to form our great labor organization in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s. We are looking forward to reminiscing with APWU active members and Retirees in Lakeland!

All 2376 APWU of Florida Retirees who pay $24.00 year National APWU Retiree union dues are now being mailed their personal copy of the Florida Postal Worker monthly, thanks to the actions by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board at the Retiree Convention in May, 2002 and the APWU of Florida Executive Board approval in September, 2002, led by President Martha Shunn-King.
Thanks to George Curcio, Editor, Florida Postal Worker, for his help. Drop a note to George if you enjoy reading the award winning newsletter. Let the good times roll and share your inspirations with other APWU survivors. If you move, mail him your old and new address!

Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), has announced a scheduled FLARA Legislative Conference and Executive Board meeting to be held in Tallahassee, Fl. to commence on Monday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at the Ramada Inn Tallahassee, 2900 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee, Fl. 32303.
The historic conclave has been called to discuss and layout plans for action in the Spring Session of the Florida Legislature. Legislative resolutions will be taken up, debated, and approved on Monday, and scheduled meetings with Florida legislators will occur on Tuesday with reports back to the Conference later.

Jack Gose, President, will represent the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter and looks for the turnout of other APWU activists and APWU Retirees at this event. Jack is an elected Executive Board member of FLARA which meets quarterly around the state.

All FLARA Executive Board members, Club and individual members, and invited family/guests are welcome at this exciting annual gathering to foster support for the important issues that face Florida Union Retirees and seniors, including affordable prescription drugs. A banquet luncheon is set up for noon on Monday, March 17.

The Legislative Conference registration fee is $80.00 and guest registration is $60.00. Contact Janelle Thomas, Office Manager and Membership Director of FLARA, located in West Palm Beach area at 1-561-792-8799 if you are interested or have any questions or comments.

Ramada Inn Tallahassee hotel room rate is $74.00 plus 10 % tax per night for FLARA members and guests. Call the Ramada Inn in Tallahassee, Fl. at 1-850-386-1027 to make reservations, and ask for the FLARA special group rate. All roads lead to Tallahassee for FLARA/APWU Retiree Actions now!!

Jack Gose, President
APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter

2003 LAKELAND SPRING SEMINAR RETIREE LUNCHEON!

LAKELAND SPRING SEMINAR RETIREES LUNCHEON

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter luncheon (Dutch treat) is scheduled for Fri., March 21, 2003 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Lakeland Hotel and Suites Restaurant, 4141 South Florida Ave., Lakeland, Fl. 33813. Lucky Happy Folders will be given to attendees!

Our invited luncheon speaker is National APWU Retiree Director John R. Smith, who will enlighten us on the latest APWU Retiree issues, including a Question and Answer session during the luncheon.

All active and Retiree APWU dues paying members, APWU Auxiliary members, and their families are invited to attend all our State Retiree Chapter luncheons and meetings!

Jack Gose, President
APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter

2002 APWU HEALTH PLAN MEMBER ALERT!

APWU HEALTH PLAN MEMBERS MUST PAY UNION DUES!

Over 8,000 APWU Retirees nationwide and hundreds residing in the State of Florida who are enrolled in the APWU Health Plan or the Voluntary Benefit Plan sponsored by the National APWU received a letter in October, 2002 from John R. Smith, Director of the National APWU Retiree Department, reminding them that their National APWU Retiree membership union dues have not been paid. The National APWU Retiree union dues are $24.00 year or $2.00 monthly automatically deducted from your U.S. Postal Service OPM Retiree monthly annuity check.

To keep your APWU Retiree membership union benefits after you retire from USPS, such as enrollment in the APWU Health Plan, or Voluntary Benefit Plan legal and insurance options, and/or the APWU Union Plus MasterCard Credit Card Program, you must be a dues paying member of the National APWU Retiree Department.

A blank 1187 APWU Retired Member application form was enclosed in each of these thousands of letters mailed out to APWU Retirees who have not paid their National APWU Retiree member union dues. We recommend you complete the 1187 APWU Retired Member form, and return three copies to the National APWU Retiree Dept. in the enclosed return addressed, postage paid envelope as soon as possible. Keep your member copy in a safe place.

I have received numerous phone calls from APWU Retirees in the last few weeks since receiving these letters. Some are stunned to find out they have to pay union dues to keep the APWU Health Plan; however, most just want clarification and are glad to pay their APWU member union dues. The APWU Retiree must pay $24.00 year or $2.00 monthly National APWU Retiree union dues deduction from your annuity check to retain any of the APWU benefits, including the APWU Health Plan.

A second letter will be mailed by Sec.-Treasurer Bob Tunstall to each APWU Retiree enrolled in any of these APWU benefit plans who has not responded to the first letter from John R. Smith, advising them that they will lose their APWU Retiree benefits. This means that they will be dropped from enrollment in the APWU Health Plan, the Voluntary Benefit Plan, and the APWU Union Plus Credit Card Program, if they do not reply by sending in the 1187 APWU Retired Member form by the deadline date. Over 4,000 new 1187 Retiree member application forms have been received at APWU Headquarters in Washington, D.C. since the first letter was mailed, and they are being processed currently by the National APWU Retiree Department staff.

The 2003 APWU Health Plan booklet states on the front cover, “If you are a non-postal employee/annuitant (employed or retired by other federal employee agencies), you will automatically become an associate member of APWU Health Plan upon enrollment in the APWU Health Plan.” APWU will bill new non-postal/annuitants associate members for the $35.00 year annual dues when it receives notice of enrollment. APWU will also bill continuing non-postal/annuitants associate members for annual membership.

All active Postal Service bargaining unit employees and retirees enrolled in the APWU Health Plan and/or any other National APWU union benefits must be, or must become, dues paying members of APWU. Active and retired Postal Service employees’ local union membership dues vary by APWU locals.
APWU Retirees may belong and pay full dues or associate dues to APWU locals, in accordance with the Area Local/Local Constitution and By-Laws. On the other hand, all 2376 APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members paying $24.00 year or $2.00 monthly annuity automatic union dues deduction to the National APWU Retiree Dept. never have to pay State Retiree Chapter dues!

If you are a surviving spouse of a deceased former APWU Retiree dues paying member, the surviving spouse retains all the APWU benefits and does not have to pay National APWU Retiree member union dues of $24.00 year.

We understand those APWU Postal Retirees who have not paid their APWU Retiree union dues of $24.00 year in the past, are not expected to have to pay for past National APWU Retiree union dues, provided they complete the 1187 APWU Retired Member form and return all three copies to the National APWU Retiree Dept. at once. Upon receipt of the 1187 by John R. Smith, $2.00 monthly automatic APWU Retiree union dues deduction from your annuity check should begin to occur in a couple of months.

The National APWU Retiree Department is currently updating their records, and if you have any question concerning this important matter to you and your family, contact Director John R. Smith by phone at 202-842-8584 or write to him at American Postal Workers Union Headquarters, AFL-CIO, Retirees Department, 1300 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005. You certainly don’t want to lose your APWU Retiree benefits due to failure to reply or communicate!

Jack Gose, President
APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO

2002 ALL 2375 RETIREES MAILED FLA POSTAL WKR

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER MEMBERS TO RECEIVE FLORIDA POSTAL WORKER!

A motion was approved by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board officers meeting at the APWU of Florida Retiree Convention meeting in Orlando, Fl. on May 8, 2002 to continue to educate and communicate with APWU Retirees paying $24.00 year APWU Retiree membership union dues to the National APWU Retiree Department. At a meeting of the APWU of Florida Executive Board called by President Martha Shunn-King held in Ft. Myers, Fl. on September 27, 2002, a motion was approved to begin mailing the Florida Postal Worker monthly newsletter to all these dues paying APWU Retirees residing in the State of Florida.

Jack Gose, State Chapter President, has authorized the use of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter funds obtained from Bob Tunstall, National APWU Secretary-Treasurer, to help offset the cost of the monthly mailing. John R. Smith, National APWU Retiree Director, has been contacted, and he has promised that he will coordinate this important project by sending us a list of all these 2375 dues paying APWU Retirees living in zip codes 320 thru 349. We have phoned George Curcio, Editor, to get his input on how this could best be implemented.

We think all these wonderful APWU Retirees, who have paid APWU union dues most of their working lives as federal postal employees of the U.S. Postal Service, deserve to continue to receive the best informative communication anyone could ask for, a monthly copy of the award winning Florida Postal Worker being mailed to their home address. Not only will they enjoy reading exciting articles, but they will be able to continue to contribute their knowledge and views to support the Florida APWU organization’s active postal members and their families.

In addition, this will certainly be an incentive for the active area local/local officers and stewards to encourage APWU members before they retire to continue their association as a proud APWU dues paying member of the National APWU Retiree Dept. by completing an 1187 APWU Retired Member form to send to National APWU Retiree Dept. after they retire. APWU Retiree members pay only $2.00 automatic monthly deduction from their OPM annuity check. There are never any State Retiree Chapter union dues to pay.

Newly retired APWU dues paying members will resume receiving the National American Postal Worker magazine bimonthly, the Florida Postal Worker newsletter monthly, be able to retain the APWU Health Plan and/or join the Voluntary Benefit Program options, and apply for the APWU Union Plus Credit Card, the same as active APWU members still employed by the USPS. In addition, a $5,000.00 accident/dismemberment policy is free for APWU Retiree dues paying members.

Over 900 new 1187 APWU Retired Member forms were processed recently during one single month by the National APWU Retiree Department. All APWU Retirees who choose to retain the APWU Health Plan and/or the Voluntary Benefit Plan options must belong and pay National APWU Retiree membership union dues of $24.00 year to the National APWU Retiree Dept., without exception. Another 2000 new 1187 APWU Retired Member forms have been received and are being handled at National APWU Headquarters, due to 8,000 letters sent out by Director John R. Smith to APWU Retirees. It does pay to organize and require everyone to pay their union dues!

The National Alliance of Retired Americans (ARA) has a Friday Alert message link every week on the internet for the young at heart of all ages. Go to www.retiredamericans.org and click on Friday Alert. The names of the elected Executive Board members of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), who fight for the retention and improvement of Union Retiree programs and benefits for all our working and retiree families, are listed on the Florida State web site at www.flara.org for all to review. The APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter is affiliated with and pays dues to the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans.

The next quarterly FLARA Executive Board meeting will be on Saturday, December 14, 2002 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Airport Holiday Inn, 1301 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, Fl. The hotel room rate is $49.00 night plus 10% tax for FLARA members. Call Reservations at 1-800-792-3880 and ask for Group Code 2-FAR for the special group rate. We hope to see you at the hotel after 3 p.m. on Friday, December 13 or sometime on Saturday, December 14. We invite all APWU dues paying active Officers and Chapter Retiree members to join us to become part of the action!

Jack Gose, President
APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter

2002 STATE RETIREE CHAPTER ORGANIZED IN JAX!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER TO BE ORGANIZED AT JAX SPRING SEMINAR ON FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2002

All APWU Retirees are invited to a historic meeting of APWU Retirees at the Jacksonville Hilton Hotel, to be held on Friday, March 15, 2002 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., to organize an APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter under the authority given in the National APWU Constitution and By-Laws and by a motion approved by the APWU of Florida Executive Board at the Fall Seminar meeting in Orlando last September, 2001.

A luncheon (Dutch treat) will occur from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the hotel followed by the Organization meeting to be conducted by Jack Gose, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Chairperson. John R. Smith, National APWU Retiree Director, will arrive at the hotel sometime on Friday, March 15, and is scheduled to teach an APWU Retirement issues class from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, March 16, assisted by Jack Gose which will conclude the Spring Seminar. If you want answers to your questions about retirement, you can’t afford to miss this interesting presentation.

Presidents and Officers of all APWU of Florida locals and area locals are invited to urge and encourage the APWU dues paying Retirees residing in their area to attend this important first step to forming a long needed link between the active APWU dues paying members still employed by the U.S. Postal Service and the new generation of thousands of APWU Retiree members living in the State of Florida.

A proposed APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Constitution and By-Laws approved by the APWU Retirees in attendance at the Organization meeting and a list of interim Chapter Officers appointed by President Martha Shunn shall be delivered to Director John R. Smith at the conclusion of the Retiree Organization meeting. We can expect that a National APWU Charter for the State Retiree Chapter should be forthcoming by the time of the APWU of Florida State Convention in May to be held in Orlando, Fl.

For more information and RSVP, contact Jack Gose at home phone (727) 343-2998, or E-Mail: Jak.Gose@Excite.com or WEB SITE:
www.APWU1228.org or FAX: (727) 526-0351. For the latest updated information go to: www.FLAWEBS.com/FloridaAPWUeducation

2002 FIRST ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS CONVENTION-WASH., D.C.

RETIREES RALLY AND MARCH IN HISTORIC CONVENTION

Over 800 Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) AFL-CIO Union/ Retiree members attended the first National ARA Convention at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. from Sept. 3-5, 2002. The headline speakers were Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and AFL-CIO President George Sweeney. The ARA delegates, including myself representing the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, elected George Kourpias of Machinists Union (IAM) as President and Ruben Burks of Auto Workers Union (UAW) as Secretary-Treasurer. Some twenty (20) other Congressional/Union speakers covered 2002 Election and Legislative issues surrounding Social Security, Medicare, and Prescription Drugs for active workers, seniors, and families. Go to www.retiredamericans.org for details and ARA foot soldiers’ action pictures.

A rally of hundreds of union retirees at McPherson Park Square at 15th and K Streets, N.W. in the downtown area was held with several Congressional and Union leaders urging action on senior’s priority concerns, especially a prescription drug benefit inclusion for Medicare users. With the cooperation of the Washington, D.C. police, the street was closed for a huge march of hundreds of Retiree/Union activists behind the ARA banner to demonstrate in front of the PhRMA (Pharmaceutical and Research and Manufacturing) Hq. high rise building. PhRMA is the chief lobbying group for the pharmaceutical industry with over 600 drug company lobbyists who meet with our 535 members of Congress in our nation’s Capitol to stop our efforts for a Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors. Their intent is evident, to keep the status quo or turn the current retiree programs over to the private insurance companies.

On Sat., Sept. 21 as the elected Officer representing the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, I attended my first quarterly Executive Board meeting of the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA) at the Holiday Inn in Daytona Beach with fifty (50) in attendance. President Tony Fransetta led a packed Florida legislative agenda with the adoption of a motion to support the Florida AFL-CIO list of endorsed candidates in 2002 Florida State elections. After the board meeting adjourned, hundreds of FLARA/Union members and citizens showed up at a Bill McBride for Governor Rally at the Daytona Beach Jetset Airport hangar. Senators Bob Graham (D-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Tom Rossen, Lt. Governor Democratic candidate, encouraged the cheering throng to get out the vote on Tue., November 5, 2002. Go to www.flara.org for other information or if you would like for your APWU Local Executive Board to get in on the real action by joining FLARA, contact Jack Gose at Jak.Gose@Excite.com

Our APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter luncheon held on Fri., Sept. 27 during the Fall Seminar at the Holiday Inn in Ft. Myers was a huge success with thirty (30) active Officers and members, Retirees, and family in attendance sharing Union/Retiree Solidarity. President Martha Shunn and Sec./Treas. Jeff Pearlman, Auxiliary Pres. Betty Baker and Secretary Darlene Seltz, Natl. APWU Southern Region Retiree Delegate Beth Cramer from Cape Coral and Eastern Region Ret. Delegate John Deeley from Maryland, Miami Area Local Retiree Counselor Rickie Mobley and VP Warren Pearlman, Clerk Dir. Sam Wood, Maint. Dir. Tony Neri, Legislative Dir. Tom Summers, OWCP Rep. Wayne Wetherington and Berne, and Chapter Sec./Treas. John Sardin, Jr. were invited speakers during the buffet luncheon at the hotel restaurant. Pres. Martha Shunn stated these retiree luncheons are a great idea, and she will try to add all the 2500 Florida APWU Retirees’ names who are paying $24.00 year union dues to Natl. APWU Retiree Dept. to the mailing list of the Florida Postal Worker newsletter just as soon as a disc can be received from the Natl. APWU Retiree Department Headquarters.

An organization meeting of the Southwest Florida Area Local Retiree Chapter was held at the same hotel from 6 pm to 8 pm with SWFAL Pres. Sam Wood and Chair Bob Seltz leading the presentation. Rickie Mobley and I assisted with Q & A in the absence of Natl. APWU Retiree Director John R. Smith whose flight to Florida was cancelled due to bad weather. The first reading of a proposed SWFAL Retiree Chapter Constitution was accomplished. Pres. Sam Wood has invited all APWU Retirees paying $24.00 year union dues residing in zip codes 339 and 341 to the next APWU SWFAL Retiree meeting at the Ft. Myers Union Hall in the daytime. The meeting was adjourned so everyone could watch the Florida Governor TV debate between Jeb Bush and Bill McBride from 8 pm to 9 pm.

Rickie Mobley, Retiree Counselor for the 4000 member Miami Area Local, was the guest speaker for the Retirement Planning class held on Sat., Sept. 28 in the Sanibel Room at the State Seminar. His presentation was really appreciated by the active postal members and retirees in attendance. Rickie has been to two 3-day Natl. APWU Retirement Counselor Seminars out of state taught by John R. Smith. Want to be a millionaire? Sign up for the next APWU Retirement Planning class sponsored by the APWU of Florida and receive your personal APWU Retirement Blue Book on FERS and CSRS.

Jack Gose, President
APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter