NATIONAL APWU RETIREES CONFERENCE IN DETROIT, MI. AUG. 21 AND 22, 2010 REGISTRATION UNDERWAY

Register Now for the 2010 Retirees Meeting in Detroit!
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Registration is currently underway for the biennial APWU Retirees meeting, which will be held on Aug. 21 and 22, just prior to the union’s National Convention in Detroit.

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I encourage you to join your fellow retirees at our gathering, which will take place at the Cobo Convention Center. This year’s meeting will feature discussion of resolutions submitted to the convention, retiree chapter reports, information about legislative issues that impact retirees and their survivors, and more.
Click here for detailed information about this year’s events, as well as a registration form. You also may request a registration form by leaving your name, phone number, and address on the Retirees Department’s toll-free telephone line, 877-279-8669.

20TH BIENNIAL APWU NATIONAL CONVENTION, DETROIT, MI., MON., AUG. 23 THRU FRI., AUG. 27, 2010

A directional marker is at Detroit's Cobo Convention Center, Change is the theme of the American Postal Workers Union’s 20th Biennial Convention, which is set for Monday, Aug. 23 through Friday, Aug. 27, 2010, at Cobo Center in Detroit.
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The National Convention is the union’s highest decision-making body and helps the union chart its course for the future. Approximately 3,000 APWU delegates will debate and vote on resolutions that will be introduced on a wide variety of subjects. The resolutions give focus to the union’s goals in contract negotiations and in the political arena, as well as in helping the organization function more smoothly and, thus, better serve its membership.

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APWU locals and state organizations are urged to send their full quota of delegates. Members-at-Large also are encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity to attend the National Convention.
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The process of securing credentials for the convention delegates will be online again this year. Beginning April 1, the president, secretary, treasurer, or secretary-treasurer will be able to log-on to the Members Only section of the APWU Web site and in just a few easy steps they will be able to register their members for credentials.

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Several other important union events will take place in the days before and after the convention. Division Meetings for each of the crafts — Clerk, Maintenance, Motor Vehicle Service, and Support Services — are set for the weekend of Aug. 21-22, as is the APWU Retiree’s Conference.

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The Bulk Mail Center (BMC) Conference will be held on Aug. 20. The APWU Research & Education Department series of workshops will be presented on Saturday, Aug. 28.
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Most convention activities will take place at Cobo Convention Center in downtown Detroit, along the waterfront at One Washington Blvd. The Marriott, located in the GM Renaissance Center, has been designated as the headquarters hotel.
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APWU OF FLORIDA STATE BIENNIAL CONVENTION, OCALA HILTON HOTEL, MAY 6-8, 2010

From the information provided to me, April 13, 2010, is the deadline for reservations at the Ocala Hilton Hotel, at the guaranteed rate of $79.00 for single/double, executive level is $119.00 and suites are $199.00, plus applicable sales tax. Reservations can be made by calling (352) 854-1400 or (877) 602-4023. Don’t be late as rooms will go up to $129.00 after April 13, 2010.

Enclosed is a copy of the Constitution as amended May, 2008, a list of locals and the approximate number of votes each local has and your credentials.

YOU MUST RETURN THE YELLOW DUPLICATE CREDENTIAL AND PAYMENT TO ME AT PO BOX 341, TALLAHASSEE, FL. 32302, NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2010.plus $25.00 for credentials received after May 1, 2010. Extra banquet tickets may be purchased at the Convention for $25.00 each, the banquet will be held Friday evening May 7, 2010.

Complete both the yellow and white credential completely. You must bring the white original to the Convention to be able to register. It is important that you do not mail your credentials late as I will be leaving for the Convention on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.

If you or one of your delegates plan to run for a State Office and/or as a Delegate to the National Convention, I will need a completed I-9 and a W-4. Please bring identification drivers license and social security card (I will need a copy). This will speed up payments. Failure to complete the above forms will result in delayed payments for the salary the position calls for, and LWOP.

Failure to follow these instructions will result in a long registration line, which equals a long waiting period for you. Those who do things right will be served first. Registration is $75.00 per delegate!

Lets have a great convention!
Jeff Pearlman, Secretary-Treasurer

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN MARCH, 2010? HOW ABOUT JOINING US AT AN APWU BLIZZARD SEMINAR AND NATIONAL PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE IN FLORIDA?

Union Blizzard in Orlando, Florida in March 2010
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All APWU brothers & sisters are cordially invited to attend six (6) full days of Union education, activism & fellowship sponsored by the APWU of Florida, in conjunction with the National Presidents Conference and the National Secretary-Treasurer Training Seminar.

Join us - March 24-29, 2010!

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Take advantage of our warm Florida hospitality and great rates in a beautiful union hotel in the Walt Disney World Resort. Bring the whole family. Parking, internet access, fitness center and transportation to theme parks included.
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Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa Resort, 1900 Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL. hotel website: www.BuenaVistaPalace.com <<
Reservations: toll free: (866) 397-6516. APWU rate: $99.00 plus taxes and $10 resort fee.

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Orlando, Florida March 24-29, 2010 APWU of Florida Educational Spring Seminar and National APWU President's Conference Schedule
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010: Florida Presidents Conference 9 am - 5 pm. Round Robin discussion of current topics of urgent concern for Local Presidents, Visiting Presidents, and National APWU Officers.

Welcome: Hospitality Room - Wednesday through Sunday 7 pm ‘til ?

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Thursday, March 25th, 2010: APWU of Florida Educational Seminar/ National APWU Retirees Department.

General Assembly: 9 am - 12 noon, Updates and news from National Executive Board Members and National Officers.

Craft Breakouts: 2 pm - 5 pm - Craft Directors and NBAs discuss craft specific topics & goals.

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Thurs., March 25, 2010 - Retirees luncheon: - 12 noon - 1 pm, National APWU Retirees Department workshop 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

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Friday, March 26th, 2010: APWU of Florida Seminar / National APWU Sec-Treasurer Training.

General Assembly: 8:30 am Class Breakouts 9 am - 5 pm, full and half day classes.

National Secretary-Treasurer Training: 9 am - 5 pm.

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Saturday, March 27th, 2010: APWU of Florida & National Presidents Conference Seminar/National Sec-Treasurer Training General Assembly, 8:30 a.m. with Keynote Speaker, President Bill Burrus.

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Following President Burrus, APWU of Florida and NPC joint classes - Full and half day classes and National Sec-Treasurer training resumes.

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Sunday, March 28th, 2010: National Presidents Conference (NPC), 9 am - 5 pm. Discussion of Agenda Items & Conference Business.

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Monday, March 29th, 2010: National Presidents Conference NPC, 9 am - 5 pm. Discussion of Agenda Items & Conference Business.

LIZ POWELL APPOINTED AS NATL. APWU SECRETARY-TREASURER; TERRY STAPLETON APPT. CHIEF BUDGET OFFICER AT NATL. AFL-CIO HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Terry Stapleton Goes to AFL-CIO; Powell Approved As Union's New Secretary-Treasurer.

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Liz Powell, the APWU’s Northeast Region Coordinator, has been tapped to serve as the union’s national Secretary-Treasurer, making her the first woman executive officer in the union’s history. She will replace Terry Stapleton, who has been appointed Chief Budget Officer at the AFL-CIO. John Dirzius, president of the Greater Connecticut Area Local, will succeed Powell as Northeast Region Coordinator.

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Powell and Dirzius were selected by APWU President William Burrus, and approved by a vote of the executive board, in accordance with the APWU Constitution. The vote was conducted via telephone.

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Powell began her postal career in 1970 in Hempstead NY. She became active in the union soon after, and in 1979 was elected president of the Hempstead Local (now the Western Nassau NY Area Local). She was elected National Business Agent for the Clerk Division in 1983, and became the first woman on the union’s National Executive Board in 1989, when she was elected Northeast Regional Coordinator. In addition to her duties as regional coordinator, in recent years she has been instrumental in developing the Joint Contract Interpretation Manual with postal management.

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Powell’s appointment to secretary-treasurer creates a vacancy in the position of northeast regional coordinator, which Dirzius will fill. The president of the Greater Connecticut Area Local started his postal career in 1970 in Seymour CT, and rose through the ranks to president of the state’s largest local in 1980. He has served as chairman of the National Presidents Conference, a committee of local and state presidents, since 2007.

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“I am pleased to appoint these highly qualified individuals to important new responsibilities,” Burrus said, “and I take special pride in appointing the first woman to serve as an executive officer of the national union. I am confident that Liz Powell and John Dirzius will serve our union well.”

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Burrus also praised Stapleton’s contributions to the APWU. “Terry has reorganized the activities of the Secretary-Treasurer’s office, making it more effective as revenue declined and APWU obligations increased,” he said. “He has done an excellent job.

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“Terry will bring great enthusiasm to his new position, and I am certain he will make a great contribution to the AFL-CIO.”

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Stapleton will leave office on Oct. 27. He, Powell and Dirzius will spend the intervening week working on the transition.

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CREDIT: APWU Web News Article #128-09, Oct. 19, 2009.

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Jack Gose, Editor

LATEST APWU MEMBER COLA INFORMATION FOR 2010! ZERO FOR MOST RETIREES!

For CSRS retirees:

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(11/18/09) - The CSRS retiree COLA is based on the increase in the third quarter (July, August, September) average of the CPI-W over the same quarterly average from the previous year. The third quarter average for 2009 fell 2.1% from the 2008 third quarter average.

All COLAs are upward adjustments, but based on the fall in the quarterly average there will be no automatic increase in CSRS benefits for 2010.

In addition, for 2011, the third quarter average for 2010 will be compared back to the third quarter average of 2008 (since no adjustment is made based on the third quarter of 2009).

Since the 2008 third quarter average is 2.1% higher than the current quarterly average, the index must rise higher than 2.1% to reap any increase in 2011.

Note: The 2009 CSRS Retiree COLA was 5.8% effective with the January 2009 payment.
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For FERS retirees:
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(11/18/09) - The FERS retiree COLA is based on the increase in the third quarter average of the CPI-W over the same quarterly average from the previous year. However, if the CPI-W quarterly average increases three percent or more, the COLA is the increase less one percent.

If the quarterly average increase is between two percent and three percent, the COLA is two percent. If the quarterly average increase is two percent or less, the COLA is equal to the quarterly average increase. The third quarter average for 2009 fell 2.1% from the 2008 third quarter average.

All COLAs are upward adjustments, but based on the fall in the quarterly average there will be no automatic increase in FERS benefits for 2010.

In addition, for 2011, the third quarter average for 2010 will be compared back to the third quarter average of 2008 (since no adjustment is made based on the third quarter of 2009).

Since the 2008 third quarter average is 2.1% higher than the current quarterly average, the index must rise higher than 2.1% to reap any increase in 2011.

Note: The 2009 FERS Retiree COLA was 4.8% effective with the January 2009 payment.
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For Social Security recipients:
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(11/18/09) - The Social Security COLA is based on the increase in the third quarter average of the CPI-W over the same quarterly average from the previous year. The third quarter average for 2009 fell 2.1% from the 2008 third quarter average.

All COLAs are upward adjustments, but based on the fall in the quarterly average there will be no automatic increase in SSI benefits for 2010.

In addition, for 2011, the third quarter average for 2010 will be compared back to the third quarter average of 2008 (since no adjustment is made based on the third quarter of 2009).

Since the 2008 third quarter average is 2.1% higher than the current quarterly average, the index must rise higher than 2.1% to reap any increase in 2011.

Note: The 2009 Social Security Retiree COLA was 5.8% effective with the January 2009 payment.
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For FECA employees:
(11/18/09) - The percentage increase in the December CPI-W index from year to year determines the FECA COLA increase. After the tenth month of the 2010 COLA measuring period, the CPI-W index has risen 3.3%. Note: the 2009 FECA COLA was $1 reflected in payments beginning in April 2009.

The December 2008 index was 0.5% below December 2007, but the law does not permit negative adjustments and requires a COLA of at least $1.00.

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FOR MORE INFO: GO TO www.apwu.org the source of above article!

President Bill Burrus Surprise Announcement on Sept. 30, 2009 at APWU All Crafts Conference held in Las Vegas, NV he will Retire as President Nov 2010

APWU President Bill Burrus Announces in Las Vegas, Nv. he Will Retire at the End of His Term in November, 2010
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In an emotional closing to his speech at the union’s All-Craft Conference Sept. 30, APWU President William Burrus announced that he would not seek re-election in November 2010, ending a 53-year career in which he fought for better wages, benefits and dignity and respect on the job for hundreds of thousands of postal workers.
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“I am in good health and I love what I do,” he said. “But I want to move on to another part of my life.

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“I want to spend more time with my wonderful wife, Ethelda,” he said, introducing her to the assembly. “She has been by my side throughout my 37 years as an executive officer of this union.”

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“I have looked forward to every day that I have served our members, and I look forward to the next 13 months. This is not the end, but effective November 2010 it will be time for me to turn the page and move on to the rest of my life.

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“In the interim, I intend to continue my commitment to the membership, every hour, every day,” he added, drawing two standing ovations from a room packed with more than 2,000 conference participants.
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The end of Burrus’ term will coincide with the conclusion of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement; the current contract expires Nov. 20.

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CREDIT: APWU website, www.apwu.org news article.

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Jack Gose, Editor

NATIONAL APWU RETIREES CONFERENCE AT LAS VEGAS HILTON HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS, NV., SEPT. 30-OCT. 3, 2009

Judy Beard, Director, APWU National Retirees Department in Washington, D.C. has scheduled an APWU National Retirees Conference Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2009 for APWU Retirees in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, 3000 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89109.

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Phone 888-732-7117 or 702-732-5111 for Hilton Hotel Reservations: To receive the APWU negotiated rate of $106 per night plus taxes, the group code is SAPW9R.
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Conference Registration: Go online to www.apwu.org to register and view a list of workshops available for APWU retirees.

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Not only will there be general sessions covering issues relating to the National APWU Retirees Department, OPM benefits, Medicare, and Social Security, Legislative issues, and members-only benefits, but there will also be several helpful workshops available, including training on how to make your Retirees Chapter as effective as possible, hands-on computer classes, and caregiving panels.

NATIONAL APWU NEGOTIATES MONETARY INCENTIVE FOR RETIREMENTS, SEPARATIONS; MORATORIUM ON EXCESSING THRU OCT. 9, 2009

SPECIAL BULLETIN ALERT:

APWU Web News Article #099-09, Aug. 25, 2009
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APWU-represented employees who retire or separate on or before Nov. 30, 2009, will receive a monetary incentive of $15,000, in accordance with an agreement negotiated by the union. The incentive will be paid in two installments to eligible employees. “This agreement achieves a long-standing objective of the APWU,” said union President William Burrus.
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The incentive will be offered to eligible career full-time employees who terminate their service through regular retirement, Voluntary Early Retirement, or voluntary separation. (Eligible PTR and PTF employees will receive proportional percentages of the incentive.)
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To qualify for regular retirement, employees must have at least 30 years of service and be age 55; must have at least 20 years of service and be age 60, or must have at least five years of service and be age 62.
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To qualify for early retirement, employees must have at least 20 years of service and be 50 years of age or must have 25 years of service at any age. (The annuity is reduced for employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System [CSRS] by 2 percent for each year employees are under age 55.)
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Employees who do not qualify for regular or early retirement but wish to receive the incentive may resign.

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Not covered by the agreement are employees who were issued a notice of discharge on or before Aug. 24; MPE 9s, ET 10s, and ET 11s who cannot be replaced without training; Operating Services employees; employees in the Accounting Services section of the IT/ASC bargaining unit, probationary employees, and Transitional Employees.
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Eligible full-time employees may, at their option, end their service on or before Sept. 30, or they will be assigned a date of Oct. 31 or Nov. 30 by management, based on operational needs. Employees will be paid $10,000 within two pay periods after separation, and will receive an additional $5,000 on Oct. 29, 2010. Part-time employees will be assigned a date of Nov. 30. Negotiations over the agreement, which was finalized Aug. 24, took two months, Burrus said.

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“Our goal was an incentive of 50 percent of a year’s salary. Because of the difficult economic times, however, the agreement had to be structured to avoid adding to the deficit. Nonetheless, we feel that the settlement will provide a modest incentive to employees to end their service. “The USPS financial condition is precarious,” Burrus said.

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“The congressionally-imposed obligation to pre-fund the retirees’ health insurance fund has caused tremendous deficits over the last two years, and without legislative relief, improvement is not in the forecast."
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“Management has been forced to reduce costs, but unfortunately, the cuts have been applied disproportionally to bargaining-unit employees, especially to those in mail processing,” the union president said.
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“Because our contract prohibits layoffs, the only means for cutting work hours have been to reassign full-time employees and to reduce the hours of PTFs,” Burrus noted. “Excessing and work-hour cuts cause severe hardships for our members,” he said, “so finding a way to make voluntary complement adjustments became an urgent matter.”
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There will be a moratorium on excessing from Aug. 24 through Oct. 9 to allow time to assess the vacancies created by the retirements and separations. During this period, excessing notices that have already been issued will be reviewed.
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If more than 25,000 employees indicate they wish to accept the offer, the parties will discuss implementation, based on a proportion of the number of employees in the complement of the APWU and Mail Handler crafts. Mail Handlers are expected to receive an offer virtually identical to the APWU-negotiated agreement.
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The agreement includes the following:
There will be a $10,000 payment to eligible full-time employees who terminate their service through regular retirement, Voluntary Early Retirement, or voluntary separation, to be paid as soon as administratively possible, but no later than two pay periods after separation; Each full-time employee who terminates employment also will receive a $5,000 payment on Oct. 29, 2010.

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Part-Time Regular and Part-Time Flexible employees who terminate their service will receive a proportional percentage of the $10,000 and $5,000 incentive, as follows:

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Percent of Incentive Payment
Under 520
25
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520 and under 1020
50
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1020 and under 1520
75

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1520 and over
100
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The agreement applies to all non-probationary career postal employees in the APWU bargaining unit employees, including employees in the Clerk Craft, Maintenance Craft, Motor Vehicle Services Craft, mail equipment shops, material distribution centers, occupational health nurses, with the following exceptions or limitations:

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Employees who were issued a notice of discharge on or before Aug. 24, 2009, are excluded; MPE 9, ET 10, and ET 11 employees will be eligible if the residual vacancy created as a result of their retirement or separation can be filled by a qualified employee who does not require additional training to fill their vacancy.

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Operating Service employees are not eligible; Employees in the Accounting Services section of the IT/ASC Collective Bargaining Agreement are not eligible.

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(Credit http://www.apwu.org/ for the above news item) and if you are interested in the full text of the Memorandum of Understanding click on pdf at bottom of the full page on www.apwu.org above news item.

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BELOW USPS NEWS ITEM RELEASED ON TUE., AUG. 25, 2009

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Media Contact: Yvonne Yoerger(O) 202-268-8596(C) 202-258-4322yvonne.yoerger@usps.govusps.com/newsRelease No. 09-073
Postal Service Continues Cost-Cutting Actions.
Negotiated Incentive Plan Designed to Save $500 Million.

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WASHINGTON — In a decision to save hundreds of millions of dollars in labor-related costs, the U.S. Postal Service negotiated an agreement with two of its employee unions to offer select employees a financial incentive to retire or resign before the end of the fiscal year.

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The one-time offer is a strategic move to accelerate targeted staffing reductions for employees represented by either the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) or the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU).
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Advances in mail processing technology and the continuing recession have led the Postal Service to more aggressively match work hours with work load. The majority of employees eligible for the incentive work in mail processing facilities.
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Because the number of addresses grows by 1.5 million each year, letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association were not extended this offer.
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The incentive provides eligible employees $10,000 to be paid during the first three months of Fiscal Year 2010, creating salary and benefit savings for the next nine months. The same employees will receive a second payment of $5,000 in Fiscal Year 2011. Fiscal Year 2010 starts Oct. 1, 2009.
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As many as 30,000 employees could take advantage of the incentive offer. Savings to the Postal Service could be as much as $500 million next year.
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The employee incentive offer is the latest in a series of cost reductions the Postal Service has made this year. Cost savings during 2009 are expected to total more than $6 billion, including the following actions:
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Cutting more than 100 million work hours, the equivalent of 57,000 positions;
Halting construction of new postal facilities;
Closing six district offices;
Negotiating an agreement with the National Association of Letter Carriers that adjusts letter carrier routes to reflect diminished volume;
Instituting a nationwide hiring freeze;
Reducing authorized staffing levels at postal headquarters and area offices by at least 15 percent;
Selling unused and under-utilized postal facilities;
Adjusting Post Office hours to better reflect customer use; Consolidating mail processing operations; and
Freezing salaries of all Postal Service officers and executives.

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“This decision reflects our desire to provide a fair and equitable opportunity for some of our longest-serving employees,” said Anthony Vegliante, chief human resources officer and executive vice president. “It is important to the Postal Service that we take appropriate measures to address our current financial situation.”
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The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses.

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Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.

APWU OF FLORIDA FALL SEMINAR AUG. 27-29, 2009 IN ST. PETERSBURG, FL. AT DOWNTOWN BAYFRONT HILTON HOTEL

BROTHERS AND SISTERS:

This will serve as the initial announcement for our Fall Seminar in Downtown St. Petersburg from Thurs., Aug. 27 thru Sat., Aug. 29, 2009.

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The Presidents Conference will be on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009.

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter meeting at 11 am on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009.

APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Luncheon at 12 noon (FREE with APWU Retiree membership card).

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Director of Education John Olive will soon announce the class schedules by E-mail and on the WEB site, apwuflorida.org.

FERS RETIREMENT CLASS on Friday, August 28, 2009 (Essential Information).

CSRS RETIREMENT CLASS on Saturday, August 29, 2009 (Essential Information).

The one day Constitutional Convention has been cancelled.

Please make your reservations ASAP.

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ROOM RATE: $99.00 Single and Double.

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St. Petersburg Bayfront Hilton Hotel,

333 First St. South,

St. Petersburg, FL. 33701 Tel: 727-894-5000

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[Jack Baldwin, President, APWU of Florida]

APWU OF FLORIDA SPRING SEMINAR IN OCALA, FL. MARCH 26-28, 2009; FLORIDA PRESIDENTS CONFERENCE ON WED., MAR. 25

AGENDA UPDATE WRITTEN BY JOHN S. OLIVE, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

APWU of Florida Spring Seminar, March 26-28, 2009 Ocala Hilton, Ocala, Florida, United States of America.

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER UPDATED NEWS

President Mario Miceli and the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members will meet for luncheon at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, March 25, 2009. All Retirees are welcome. You must be a union member.
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Retirement Seminar FERS and CSRS Thursday, March 26 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM and to be repeated Saturday morning, March 28, 2009.

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APWU Health Plan speaker at the Open Forum Thursday morning, March 26 and at a booth throughout the Seminar.
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At my request the hotel has extended their deadline for the APWU room rate ($109.00) through this Friday.
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If you encounter any difficulty reserving your rooms, first call Christine Dewey at 1-352-873-6447.
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If, for any reason, she does not resolve your problem, please call me immediately at 850-723-7847.
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See you in Ocala.
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In Union Solidarity, JOHN S. OLIVE, Director of Education, APWU of Florida

BREAKING 21ST CENTURY RETIREE PARADISE NEWS:

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BREAKING 21ST CENTURY RETIREE PARADISE NEWS

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On behalf of the members of the APWU of Florida and the North Central Florida Area Local, we welcome you to Ocala for the APWU of Florida Spring Seminar which will be held here March 26th, 27th and 28th.

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Once again it’s our pleasure to provide a wide variety of mini seminars presented by experts on their respective issues in a three day format we call the Spring Seminar. We have listened to your concerns and responded with what we think will be the best on target information available to you anywhere. The training sessions are carefully planned to benefit local officers and stewards with information vital to our everyday relationship with the Employer.

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Thanks in advance to President Brian O’Neill and the North Central Florida Area Local for being our host. As you can see in the attached agenda we are fortunate to host important players in the APWU’s future. And we will be rolling out the APWU’s new Webinar Format for the FMLA update with Resident Expert Steve Albanese.

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APWU of Florida Spring Seminar: March 26-28, 2009.
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Ocala Hilton, 3600 SW 36th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34474.
Room Rate: Single $109.00/Double $109.00.
Reservations may be made by calling Telephone: 352.854.1400 or Toll-Free: 1-877-602-4023.
All reservations must be made by March 3, 2009 to get the special group

rate. Ask for the American Postal Workers Union.

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Any change (addition or correction) you may wish for the attached agenda can most likely be accommodated. Just let me know. Beyond that, I look very much forward to being with you in Ocala. If I can help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to call.
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Registration for the Seminar---$25.00 before March 12, 2009. After March 12---$35.00.
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Florida Presidents Conference---Wednesday, March 25th, 2009.
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Classes will include the following:
Basic and Advanced Shop Steward, Family Medical Leave Act, Excessing, Identity Theft, Arbitration Roundtable, National Labor Relations Board, and Guests. Instructors and more details will be announced soon.
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In Solidarity,
John S. Olive, Director of Education, APWU of Florida
P.O. Box 17722, Pensacola, FL 32522
Voice: 850.433.8080 Fax: 850.433.8246
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Email: johnsolive@apwupensacola.org
or http://www.apwupensacola.org/ for more information.

READY TO RETIRE-CONTACT LITE BLUE AT U.S.P.S. TO GET ANSWERS BEFORE YOU RETIRE 2009

Access to the U.S. Postal Service's employee website, LiteBlue, has been enhanced to provide detailed retirement information for the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), CSRS Offset, and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)

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Each topic is segmented, so employees can go directly to the issue of interest to them. A workbook including charts and examples for each segment is available for download or review online. This tool offers employees flexibility to access retirement and benefit information on various topics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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In addition, a program to provide "Financial Literacy and Education" has been designed to assist employees with planning future retirement goals.
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Before you retire, you are entitled to a one-on-one meeting with a U.S.P.S. Human Resource person to discuss your retirement and answer any questions you may have. Do NOT allow Postal Personnel/Human Resources to tell you that you can't have this meeting. You have worked for the Postal Service for many years, not only have you earned this, you are entitled and deserve it.
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If you plan to have health insurance through your retirement, you must have been an active participant in any Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) plan for five (5) years prior to your retirement.
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Additionally, if you are a Veteran, please check with your local Veterans Organization to see if there are programs out there to assist you in retiring and to ensure that you get everything you are entitled to.

111TH CONGRESS (2009-2010) & LAUNCH LEGISLATIVE ACTION ASAP!

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER

CONGRESS & LEGISLATIVE: (LINK E)

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESS & LEGISLATORS
FOR SUPPORT ON YOUR ISSUES!

WRITE LETTERS FAX PHONE E-MAIL

www.thomas.loc.gov U. S. Congressional Legislative Bills

www.citizen.org/congress U. S. Congress Watch Advocacy Issues

www.house.gov U. S. House of Representatives

www.senate.gov U. S. Senate

www.whitehouse.gov President of the United States

www.myfloridahouse.com Florida House of Representatives

www.flsenate.gov Florida Senate

www.myflorida.com Florida Governor

www.leg.state.fl.us Florida Legislature Sunshine Online

PRIORITY LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATIVE FACT SHEETS!

1. HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM PRE-TAX CONVERSION

H.R. 1203, a bill was introduced in the 111th Congress on February 25, 2009, by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Jim Moran (D-VA), and Frank Wolf (D-VA) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pre-tax basis. It has twenty (20) co-sponsors and was referred to Committee on Ways and Means, and the bill if adopted could save you $350.00-$400.00 year for federal retirees.

S 491, a bill entitled "Federal and Military Retiree Care Equity Act" was introduced in the 111th Congress by Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) on Feb. 26, 2009 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pre-tax basis. The bill has thirteen (13) co-sponsors upon introduction in the Congress. If signed into law, the measure would change Section 123 of the Internal Revenue Code and grant retired federal workers a benefit that is also available to active federal workers, many state and local government employees, as well as many workers in the private sector.

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We urge all APWU members, Retirees, and Auxiliary members to contact your Congressional Representatives and ask them to Co-sponsor and support this very important bill which will put extra money in your pocket. Active federal and postal employees already enjoy these savings.

2. REPEAL OF GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET (GPO)
AND WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISIONS (WEP)

H. R. 835, a bill entitled "Social Security Fairness Act of 2009" was introduced in the 111th Congress on January 7, 2009 by Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA-28), to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions. It was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), on Jan. 7, 2009, and it has 207 House Co-sponsors. We believe it has a good chance of getting out of committee to the House floor for debate this time around.

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Rep. Berman and Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA-25), the lead sponsor of repeal legislation in the 107th, 108th, 109th, 110th and 111th Congresses, issued a joint press release stating, "these two provisions must be completely repealed so that our nation's most dedicated public servants can receive, in full, the Social Security benefits that they have rightfully earned throughout the course of their careers."

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We urge all APWU members, Retirees, and Auxiliary members to contact your Congressional Representatives and ask them to Co-sponsor and support this crucial bill to create fairness and equity. This legislation is supported not just by APWU, but also by many other organizations representing public sector employees, who include teachers; police; firefighters; and local, state, and county employees.

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S. 484, an identical, bipartisan bill was introduced on February 25, 2009 by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions. It was referred to Committee on Finance on February 25, 2009, and it has fifteen (15) co-sponsors. That committee oversees Social Security issues in the Senate.

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The legislation was accompanied by three original cosponsors, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Senators Feinstein and Collins jointly issued a press release in which Feinstein asserted, "It's time to give our nation's public servants the full retirement benefits they have earned and deserve."

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Senator Collins added, "the WEP and GPO have enormous financial implications not just for federal employees, but for our teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees. Despite their challenging, difficult, and sometimes dangerous jobs, these invaluable public servants often receive far lower salaries than private sector employees. It is therefore doubly unfair to penalize them when it comes to their Social Security benefits."

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We urge all APWU members, Retirees, and Auxiliary members to contact your Senators in the Congress and ask them to Co-sponsor and support this bill which is entitled “Social Security Fairness Act of 2009.”

LEGISLATIVE FACT SHEETS:

GOVERNMENT PENSION OFFSET:

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) was enacted in 1977 by Congress to treat government pensions (such as Civil Service Retirement) and survivor annuities as if they were Social Security benefits. In 1983 Congress changed the offset to its current two-thirds offset.

The Government Pension Offset (GPO) can affect any retiree who receives a civil service pension and Social Security, but primarily affects widows or widowers eligible for spousal benefits. Women, who typically spend less time in the workforce, and earn lower wages when they do, have been disproportionately affected by the Government Pension Offset.

They do not affect retirees who receive private pensions and Social Security. To explain how the current law works, we will take the example of a widow eligible for civil service pension benefits of $600.00 per month and Social Security spousal benefits of $600.00 per month, for a total of $1200.00 per month.

Under the Government Pension Offset (WEP) provisions, the Social Security spousal benefit is reduced by two-thirds of the civil service pension benefit. In this case, the original $600.00 Social Security benefit is reduced to $200.00 leaving the widow with a total monthly income of only $800.00 instead of $1200.00. This is an injustice which only the Congress can rectify.


WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION (WEP):

The Windfall Elimination Provision affects how your retirement or disability benefits are figured if you receive a pension from work not covered by Social Security, i.e. the Civil Service Retirement System.

For employees who receive a pension and who are also eligible for Social Security benefits based on their own employment record, a different formula may be used to compute their Social Security benefit. This formula will result in a lower benefit. The “Windfall Elimination Provision” affects workers who reach age 62 or become disabled after 1985 and are first eligible after 1985 for a postal/federal pension.

Social Security benefits replace a percentage of a worker’s pre-retirement earnings. The formula used to compute benefits includes factors that ensure lower-paid workers get a higher return than highly paid workers. For example, lower-paid workers could get a Social Security benefit that equals about 60 percent of their pre-retirement earnings. The average replacement rate for highly paid workers is about 25 percent.

Before 1983, benefits for people who spent time in jobs not covered by Social Security were computed as if they were long-term low-wage workers. The received the advantage of the higher percentage benefits in addition to their other pension. The modified formula eliminates this windfall.

The Windfall Elimination Provision does not apply if: The employee was eligible to retire from postal/federal service before January 1, 1986; or the employee was first employed by the Postal Service/Federal Government after December 31, 1983; or the employee has thirty (30) years or more of substantial earnings under Social Security.

Employees and Retirees should contact their local Social Security office to determine the effect of the WEP on their Social Security benefits before they retire, and then contact a private attorney who is familiar with the Social Security and other federal laws before they retire to ensure maximum family benefits.

Jack Gose, Retiree

FLARA LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE IN TALLAHASSEE, FL MAR 18-20, 2009 ANNOUNCED BY PRESIDENT TONY FRANSETTA

BREAKING 21ST CENTURY RETIREE PARADISE NEWS:

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TO: All FLARA Executive Board Members, Club & Individual Members & Invited Guests.

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FROM: Tony Fransetta, President-FLARA

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RE: FLARA's Legislative Conference and Quarterly Board Meeting CALL LETTER.

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Greetings: The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans will hold its Legislative Conference and Quarterly Executive Board Meeting on March 19th and 20th, 2009 at the "Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites", located at 2725 Graves Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32303. We ask that you arrive on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 and check in at the hotel. Our meeting will begin Thursday, March 19th from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with a break for lunch (provided by FLARA).

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We will meet again on Friday, March 20th, at 9:00 a.m. with a break for lunch (provided by FLARA) from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will re-convene at 1:00 p.m. for legislative reports and any unfinished business. This is a tentative schedule with the possibility of change.
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The hotel room rates are as follows for FLARA members and guests:
Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, $ 129.00/night plus tax; 850-536-2000.
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Comfort Inn, $ 85.00/night plus tax, includes continental breakfast; 850-562-7200.

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Days Inn - Tallahassee Northwest, $ 49.00/night plus tax (Full bed); $ 65.00 (Double bed or King bed) includes continental breakfast; 850-562-2000.

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Please note that the above three hotels are located on one property connected by a common parking lot.

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Please remember that there are a limited number of rooms available per rate/hotel and the cutoff date for room reservations is February 24, 2009, so please make your reservations ASAP. When making your reservations, please call the hotel direct at the number listed above and ask for the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans group code.

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Registration fee for the Legislative Conference is $80.00 per member. Guest registration is $60.00. Registration forms and fees must be received by FLARA by March 1st, 2009 to process your credentials! If you have any questions, please contact the FLARA office at 561-792-8799.

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Sincerely,
Tony Fransetta, President
Yvonne Garrity, Executive Director

APWU CSRS AND FERS RETIREES, SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS, AND FECA EMPLOYEES CELEBRATE 2009 COLA

For CSRS retirees:
(Updated 10/17/08) - The CSRS retiree COLA is based on the increase in the third quarter (July, August, September) average of the CPI-W over the same quarterly average from the previous year. After the final quarter (Q3 of 2008) of the measuring period, the 2009 CSRS retiree COLA will be 5.8% and will be reflected in the January 2009 payment. Note: The 2008 CSRS Retiree COLA was 2.3% effective with the January 2008 payment.

For FERS retirees:
(Updated 10/17/08) - The FERS retiree COLA is based on the increase in the third quarter average of the CPI-W over the same quarterly average from the previous year. However, if the CPI-W quarterly average increases three percent or more, the COLA is the increase less one percent. If the quarterly average increase is between two percent and three percent, the COLA is two percent. If the quarterly average increase is two percent or less, the COLA is equal to the quarterly average increase. After the final quarter (Q3 of 2008) of the measuring period, the 2009 FERS retiree COLA will be 4.8% and will be reflected in the January 2009 payment. Note: The 2008 FERS Retiree COLA was 2.0% effective with the January 2008 payment.

For Social Security recipients:
(Updated 10/17/08) - The Social Security COLA is based on the increase in the third quarter average of the CPI-W over the same quarterly average from the previous year. After the final quarter (Q3 of 2008) of the measuring period, the 2009 Social Security COLA will be 5.8% and will be reflected in the January 2009 payment. Note: The 2008 Social Security Retiree COLA was 2.3% effective with the January 2008 payment.

For FECA employees:
(Updated 11/19/08) - The percentage increase in the December CPI-W index from year to year determines the FECA COLA increase. After the eleventh month of the measuring period for the 2009 FECA COLA, the index has risen 0.7%. Note: the 2008 FECA COLA was 4.3% effective with the April 2008 payment.

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER EXECUTIVE BOARD

FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER OFFICERS

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President: Mario G Miceli

2034 Los Lomas Dr., Clearwater, Florida 33763 Phone: 727-446-4781

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Vice President : Dave Bernstein

2616 South Toronto Ave., Tampa, Florida 33629 Phone: 813-839-4233

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Secretary/Treasurer:

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Legislative Director: Dave Bernstein

2616 South Toronto Ave., Tampa, Florida 33629 Phone: 813-839-4233

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Health Plan Director: J.C. Wise

4018 W. Fig St., Tampa, Florida 33609 Phone: 813-289-0382

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Benefits & Organizing Director: Michael K. Jordan Sr.

1826 Oak Dr S., Rockledge, Florida 32955 Phone: 321-403-5156

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Trustee: Charlie Redd

1822 Baylor Court, Cocoa, Florida 32922 Phone: 321-632-2898

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Trustee: Pedro Torres,

8400 S.W. 181st St., Miami, Florida 33157 Phone: 305-251-7938

VALENTINE R. SERPICO, AGE 73, PASSES AWAY ON TUE., NOV. 18, 2008 IN VITAS HOSPICE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. CATHOLIC MASS AND SERVICES ON TUE., NOV. 25!

“Val” Serpico was serving as the President of both Broward County Area Local #1201 Local Retiree Chapter APWU and APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, APWU, AFL-CIO. “Val” was a loving friend to everyone he met and his heart was bigger than all the gold in the world. He was a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and a retired U.S. Postal Service Maintenance employee in the Fort Lauderdale Post Office.
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The funeral arrangements are being made from the Edwards Funeral Services, 1108 NE 23rd Drive, Wilton Manors, FL. 33305 (Fort Lauderdale Metro Area), Phone 954-566-5564. Anyone wishing to send flowers may contact Jim Threlkel Florists, 820 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, phone 954-566-7571, or access the florist website at www.jimthrelkel.com to get same day delivery to the funeral home.
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Catholic services will be held on Tue., November 25, 2008 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2500 NE 33rd Ave. near 2511 N. Ocean Blvd. (A1A), Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305, phone 954-564-1763 or go on the internet at www.saintpiusthetenth.org for more information. Viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Catholic Mass begins at 11 a.m.
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Expressions of sympathy may be sent to his loving wife, Claudette Serpico, and family members at 2701 Middle River Drive, Apt. #1, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306. A brief newspaper obit article was published in the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel on Sat., Nov. 22, 2008 and can be displayed at www.sunsentinel.com website.
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A funeral procession from St. Pius X Catholic Church to the new 313 acre South Florida United States National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road 7/U.S. Route 441, Lake Worth, Palm Beach County, FL. 33449, phone 561-649-6489 or type in on your computer www.cem.va.gov for more info. Full Military Funeral Honors will be given Valentine R. Serpico beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Tue., Nov. 25, 2008 at the grave site where the beautiful new cemetery will serve veterans’ needs for the next 50 years.
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Several of Val’s family and friends from all over the country are headed to Fort Lauderdale, FL on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 24-25, 2008 to pay homage to a beloved APWU Retiree Chapter leader who never quit the fight to represent his brothers and sisters. Mario G. Miceli, Vice President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, is automatically elevated to President of the State Retiree Chapter due to Val Serpico’s death, pursuant to the Florida State Retiree Chapter Constitution and By-Laws.
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*****This article written by Editor Jack Gose, former founding President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter and Florida Suncoast Area Local Retiree Chapter #1228, APWU, AFL-CIO. If you need more info phone me at home 727-343-2998 or leave a message, or go on the computer to send me an E-mail to jak.gose@excite.com for a reply. We Love All of You, My Brothers and Sisters Worldwide!

VAL SERPICO PRESENTS RETIREMENT AWARD PLAQUE TO JACK GOSE AT APWU OF FLA FALL SEMINAR IN W. PALM BCH HILTON FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO MEMBERSHIP AND APWU

Bill Burrus, President of the National APWU, from Washington, D.C. was the main invited guest speaker and offered a wake up call to a packed assembly of 250 Postal Workers by announcing "Your Job is at Stake" like never before in the history of the U.S. Postal Service. He urged everyone to exercise their right to vote in the Early Voting in Florida or on Tue., Nov. 4!

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New President Val Serpico, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, from Fort Lauderdale, FL. is seated at the Retiree Honorary front table beside Sam Smith, Retiree Chapter member from West Palm Beach, FL. at the opening of the 3- day APWU of Florida Fall Seminar in the beautiful Palm Beach Hilton Hotel on Thur., Sept. 25, 2008. On the Podium is newly elected President Jack Baldwin from Key West, FL flanked by other members of the Executive Board Tony Neri, Maintenance Director, from Sarasota, Jeff Pearlman, Secretary-Treasurer, from Tallahassee, and John Olive, Director of Education, from Pensacola, FL. (Photo taken by Jack Gose, founding President of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, who retires effective October 1, 2008)

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Retiree Jay Arrieta, National APWU Retirees Department Instructor from Phoenix, AZ. conducted two separate classes on CSRS and FERS on Fri. and Sat., Sept. 26-27, 2008 in the Palm Beach Hilton Ballroom, West Palm Beach, FL. This was the largest class in attendance at the Fall Seminar with over 200 APWU active and retiree union dues members, spouses, and other family members and caregivers signing up for these Retirement classes. Jack Gose assisted Jay Arrieta by operating the slide projector on the big screen from his handicapped scooter. We Love All of You, APWU!

NATIONAL APWU 19TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION DELEGATES APPROVE INCREASE IN RETIREES PER CAPITA EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY, 2009

SPECIAL BULLETIN: CONSTITUTIONAL RESOLUTION NO. 11 TO INCREASE RETIREE PER CAPITA FROM $2.00 TO $3.00 MONTHLY FOR OVER 40,000 APWU RETIREE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS WAS APPROVED BY OVER TWO-THIRDS (2/3) MAJORITY OF THE ELECTED DELEGATES AT THE 19TH NATIONAL APWU CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS, NV. ON WED., AUG. 20, 2008. THIS INCREASE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY, 2009.

The Resolved reads as follows, "Resolved, amend Article 3, Section 4 (e) to increase retirees per capita by one (1) dollar per month, this increase to be passed on in whole to existing local and state retiree chapters where they now exist or may be organized in the future. Where there are no retiree chapters in existence, the one (1) dollar increase shall be retained by the Retiree Department in an organizing fund to be disbursed solely for organizing activities by the Retiree Department.

This constitutional resolution was submitted by California Postal Workers Union, Oregon Postal Workers Union, Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union, Bridgeport Connecticut Area Local, CT., Des Moines Iowa Area Local, IA., and Pittsburgh Metro Area Local, PA.

JACK GOSE BIDS ADIEU VIA MOBILITY SCOOTER AT BALLYS' AND PARIS HOTELS IN LAS VEGAS, NV TO HIGHLIGHT HIS 20TH NATIONAL APWU CONVENTION AUG. 15-24, 2008

President Jack Gose thanks all 3230 elected Delegates and family members at the conclusion of another busy day on the floor of the National APWU Convention held in the Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, NV during the week of August 18-23, 2008. Natl. APWU Secretary-Treasurer Terry Stapleton and Legislative and Political Director Mike Reid are standing on the podium.

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Only one (1) Retiree Resolution out of eleven (11) related Retiree Amendments submitted to the Natl. APWU Constitution and By-Laws Committee was approved by the highest body in the Union, the elected Natl APWU Convention Delegates on the floor voting:

Resolution No. 11, Article 3, Section 4 (e) Increase Retiree Per Capita authored by John Richards, President, Pittsburgh Area Local Retiree Chapter, APWU and Eastern Region elected Delegate, to wit:

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"Resolved, to increase retirees per capita by one (1) dollar per month, this increase to be passed on in whole to existing local and state retiree chapters where they now exist or may be organized in the future. Where there are no retiree chapters in existence, the one (1) dollar increase shall be retained by the Retiree Department in an organizing fund, to be disbursed solely for organizing activities by the Retiree Department."

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Congratulations to John who spoke on his resolution from a floor mike, and the winner is the Retiree membership and Chapters who will be able to continue to survive in this tough economy. Las Vegas AL and Phoenix Metro AL new Retiree Chapters were honored with charters at the Retiree Conference.
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Jack Gose, President of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, seated in a handicapped electric scooter rental with a fellow lady Delegate from Florida celebrate during the Parade of States with over 3,000 other delegates and family in Bally's Hotel Conference and Event Center on Thursday nite, Aug. 21, 2008. The Florida theme for this gala was to wear tropical clothes with shirts, Key West hats, and sandals to mystify the multitude and win the Grand Prize in competition with the other 49 states and islands!

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Former Natl APWU Retiree Director John R. Smith, former Natl APWU Special Delivery Messenger Craft Secretary Jack Gose in mobile scooter, and former Natl APWU Executive Vice President David Johnson reunite at the National APWU 2-day Conference chaired by Retiree Director Judy Beard on the 26th floor of Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on Sat. and Sun., August 16-17, 2008. The trio began their journey with the merger of five (5) National Craft Unions in 1971 and all went to Washington, D.C. to make the merger a bargaining union Success story for the membership.

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Valentine Serpico, President of Broward County Area Local Retiree Chapter, AFL-CIO, seated on front row seat in center of picture next to Barbara Prothro, former Natl APWU SDM NBA, smiles for the camera at the Natl APWU biennial Retiree Conference at Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas, NV on Sat., Aug. 16, 2008. Val received an invitation by Retirees Director Judy Beard to sit at the head table on the podium to open the 2-day conclave of over sixty (60) Retiree Dept. Delegates from all over the country. Val will assume the duties of the President of APWU of Florida Retiree Chapter, the largest in the nation, on October 1, 2008 upon retirement of founding President Jack Gose, who helped organize the third Natl APWU Retiree Chapter in the country on Mar. 15, 2002.

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Natl APWU President Bill Burrus addresses the 350 blue shirted APWU Delegates demonstrating on the sidewalks around the "Goin' Postal" Store located in a shopping center in North Las Vegas, NV before going in to talk with the owner of the store about our concern over using the name to suggest to the public that Postal Workers are sometimes violent.

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We registered at the COPA booth and picked up our Convention bag with all the goodies inside, including Natl. APWU Resolutions book, agenda of events, and headed to the Clerk Craft Conference and Retirees Dept. Conference on Sat., Aug. 16, 2008. Challenges, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, APWU! We snapped over 1,000 Digital pictures at all the APWU events in two Convention hotels at Bally's and Paris in Las Vegas. We will be displaying FREE pics for the last time at the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Luncheon and Fall Seminar from Wed., Sept. 24 thru Sat., Sept. 27, 2008 at the Palm Beach Hilton Hotel in West Palm Beach, FL.
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In addition, we have thousands of other items to give away, Convention resolutions, bags, shirts, and collectibles dating back to the first National APWU Convention in New Orleans, LA in 1972. I have rented another mobility scooter to enable me to get around inside the Hilton Hotel. Valentine Serpico from Fort Lauderdale, Broward County Area Local, APWU will become the new President of the Florida State Retiree Chapter effective October 1, 2008 and we are certain you will appreciate and enjoy Val's leadership and support him wholeheartedly as you have always done for me. We Love You, APWU!

Jack Gose, President and Editor

"THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES" (Bob Hope Had It Right) PRESIDENT JACK GOSE RETIRES: VAL SERPICO NEW PRESIDENT OF APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER!

Doug Holbrook, former National APWU Retirees Director and National Secretary-Treasurer, flies to Daytona Beach, FL in May, 2006 to swear in the newly elected APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board, AFL-CIO, the best organized and most active Retiree State organization in the whole country.

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Since the creation of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter on March 15, 2002, we have tried as an organizer to train and mentor as many other Retiree Chapter officers in Florida as possible to assume the mantle of leadership some day when I retire as President of the State Retiree Chapter due to declining health reasons.

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We hope we have succeeded in this endeavor, as it is time later this year to turn over the Office of President to a younger Retiree officer, Valentine Serpico, our renown current Vice President from Fort Lauderdale, Broward County Area Local, who will bring new ideas and fresh concepts to strengthen the membership and represent the State of Florida Retiree Chapter throughout the nation. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the office of President until the next regular Chapter Convention election of officers in this situation according to Article VII, Section 3, of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Constitution and By-Laws.

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I will be eighty (80) years of age, an Octogenarian, on Dec. 18, 2008 and I want to personally thank Val Serpico, Mario Miceli, Sec.-Treas. and former State President 1986-1994 from Clearwater, Suncoast Area Local, and Dave Bernstein, Legislative Director from Tampa Area Local, for their steadfast commitment to Retiree Solidarity as we together attended many meetings of APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board, APWU state and national Seminars, Conferences, and Conventions, Alliance for Retired Americans regional and national Conferences and Conventions, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans Executive Board meetings, Conferences, and Conventions, and Florida AFL-CIO COPE Conferences and Conventions during the last six (6) years.

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Where would our Retiree Chapter be without the enthusiastic support, teamwork, and attendance of all the other Chapter Executive Board officers at numerous meetings, Conferences, and Conventions, Charlie Redd, Trustee and former State President 1994-2000 from Cocoa, Space Coast AL, Pedro Torres, Trustee, from Miami AL, Michael Jordan, Sr., Benefits and Organizing Director from Rutledge, Space Coast AL, John C. Wise, Health Plan Director from Tampa AL, Beth Cramer, National APWU Convention Regional Delegate and former Board member who lives in Georgia, and last but not least my 85-year old friend, John Sardin, Jr., Historian and former Chapter Sec.-Treas., from St. Pete, Suncoast AL. We love all of you and your spouses for making it happen, and hold each of you dear in our heart.

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We would like to applaud and show our appreciation to all the thousands of current and past AFL-CIO, Florida AFL-CIO, National Alliance for Retired Americans, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, and APWU local, state, and national active and retiree Officers, Delegates, and Members, Auxiliary, Postal Press Editors, Coalition of Labor Union Women, and Family members we have met and learned from who have made our paths a lot brighter during the last 41 years since 1967 when I became a Career Substitute in the old U.S. Post Office Department earning $2.63 hour working every weekend including Sunday and all the Holidays for 15 years before I was able to get a bid to the day shift. The Sky is the Limit and the Future is Yours to generate changes in making your dreams come true.

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Since retiring from U. S. Postal Service on Oct. 3, 1992 I have had all three (3) types of skin cancer, endure poly peripheral neuropathy a nerve disease which affects my whole body especially numbness in my feet and legs, have trouble maintaining my balance, get dizzy, and fall sometimes, survived a retropubic prostate removal, four (4) laser eye operations, currently battling low back pain, and have tinnitis or roaring in both ears 24/7 which is incurable. Needless to say, I have already reserved a handicapped mobility scooter for use in Las Vegas at the National APWU Convention Aug. 15-24, 2008. I wish to thank my beloved wife Patsy and my three (3) sons, Gary, Roger, and Alan for their help and support all these years in making our Labor of Love a Family Event as we attended twenty (20) APWU National Conventions since 1972, including Kansas City in 1975!

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I have faithfully served all four (4) National APWU Presidents, cigar smoking No Nonsense Stu Filbey (1972-1976 Conventions), street fighter Emmet Andrews (1978-1980 Conventions), my friend and genius Moe Biller (1982-2000 Conventions), and my ex-Army brother Bill Burrus (2002-2004 Conventions), as Chairman and/or Co-Chair and member of the Sergeant-at-Arms Committee and Chief of Security for Moe Biller during 10 Conventions over 20 year span. My concern has always been for the safety and welfare of all the thousands of Officers, Delegates and family members visiting the Convention City, and I could write a book, but I will not even if tortured. Memory is a Wonderful Medicine!

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NEW ORGANIZATION FUND CREATED TO HELP NEW CHAPTERS

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A motion to stimulate the creation of new APWU Area Local/Local Retiree Chapters in the State of Florida by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter was unanimously passed by the Chapter Executive Board on May 7, 2008 offering a one-time NEW APWU RETIREE CHAPTER ORGANIZATION BONUS of $100.00 in cash to each new Retiree Chapter created upon receipt of the new Chapter's Charter from Washington, D.C. to ensure the new Chapter has funds to open a checking account to operate with until they get their first National APWU Retiree member rebate check, with presentation of the $100.00 CASH BONUS from State Retiree Chapter funds at a regular monthly Chapter meeting of the new Retiree Chapter by the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter President or designee appointed by Chapter President.

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FLARA QUARTERLY MEETING IN LAKELAND, FL. ON THUR., SEPT. 11, 2008 ON THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11/2001 TRAGEDY

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Tony Fransetta, President, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans (FLARA), has announced a quarterly Executive Board meeting and Health Care event to be held in Lakeland, Fl. on Thurs., September 11, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Lakeland Hotel and Conference Center, 3260 US Hwy 98 North, Lakeland, FL 33805. We ask that you arrive on Wed., Sept. 10, 2008 for check in at the hotel. The meetings will run from 9 a.m. until conclusion on Thurs. Sept. 11. There is no registration fee for this special event to be held on the 7th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 sneak attacks against the United States.

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Many invited guests and well-known political figures will speak. Go online to http://www.flara.org/ to see our history and a list of current FLARA events. 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!

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Holiday Inn double room rate is $89.99 per night plus tax for FLARA members and guests. Call the Holiday Inn directly at 1-863-688-8080 to make room reservations, and ask for the FLARA special group rate. All roads lead to Lakeland for FLARA/APWU Retiree Actions now. The Holiday Inn is just south of I-4 off Exit 32. Join us in real APWU Retiree Solidarity as We Continue to Fight for all of our Future!

RETIREE FREE LUNCHEON, W. PALM BCH. FL. WED., SEP. 24, 2008

An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter FREE luncheon, including food, tax, and tip will be paid by the State Chapter 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 Chapter luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 in the Veranda Restaurant at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel, 150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33406, Tel: 1-800-HILTONS or directly 561-684-9400.

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Cash Door Prizes of $25.00 will be given to each of the first five (5) Chapter members to sign in at the luncheon. The Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel is off I-95 at Southern Blvd. West exit in the NW corner of I-95 and Southern Blvd. We look forward to a successful Retiree reunion.

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An APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting chaired by President Jack Gose will be held in the same Restaurant from 10 am to 11 am before the luncheon. The APWU of Florida State Spring Seminar semi-annual conclave will conduct educational classes for active and retiree APWU members from Thurs., September 25 thru Sat., September 27, 2008 at the same hotel.

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Retiree Happy folders will be distributed to all those attending, and everyone is invited! Thousands of APWU historical collectibles will be given away FREE by Jack Gose including Convention bags, Resolution books, newsletters, pins, buttons, pictures, and souvenirs from New Orleans 1972 thru Las Vegas 2008.

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APWU of Florida group (APWUFL) special room rates are $109.00 nite Sgl/Dbl, plus 11.5 % taxes. Hotel check-in time is after 3:00 PM on the day of arrival. Check-out time is before 12 noon on the day of departure. Guests arriving before 3:00 PM will be accommodated if rooms are available. Self parking is complimentary. We look forward to seeing many of our old friends and meeting new friends. We Love You, APWU!