Your Union Dues Stop When You Retire from the Post Office

Whether you're a local, state, or national officer, or a shop steward, once you retire you must continue to be a full dues-paying member of the APWU in order to remain an officer of the APWU. You can do this by joining the Retirees Department and selecting "Option 2" on the Retirees Application.

There are three parts to your dues as a full dues-paying retiree member. These include: the national dues, the local dues, and the retiree dues. The APWU Secretary- Treasurer's office will send you an invoice for your national dues. Your local's treasurer or financial secretary will give you an invoice for your local dues. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) can directly deduct your APWU national retiree dues of $3.00 per month from your retirement check.

You can join the APWU Retirees Department by one of several ways once you are off the USPS rolls. Join online through "Members Only" by visiting apwumembers.apwu.org; download a Retiree Application from the Retirees Department webpage (apwu.org/retirees), or complete and return the Retiree Application by mail, which we will send to your address of record. Every pay period, as APWU members retire from the Postal Service, we automatically mail Retiree Applications to new retirees. If you have questions about joining the Retirees Department or continuing your APWU membership after you retire, contact the Retirees Department by email at [email protected], or call the Retirees Department at 202-842-8584.

Celebrating National Employ Older Workers

"Embracing Experience, Empowering Futures" was the theme for 2024's National Employ Older Workers Week, held annually the last full week of September. This was the time to recognize the vital role of older workers in the workforce, increase awareness of this labor segment, develop innovative strategies to tap it, and showcase the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which provides on-the-job skills training to individuals 55 or older with limited financial resources.

In recognition of National Employ Older Workers Week, The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $203 million in grants through the SCSEP.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a community service and work-based job training program for low-income older individuals who are looking to enter or re-enter the workforce. Participants gain work experience in a variety of community service activities at non-profit and public facilities, including schools, hospitals, daycare centers, and senior centers. Participants work an average of 20 hours a week and are paid the highest of federal, state or local minimum wage. For more information on the SCSEP in your area, use CareerOne Stop's Older Worker Program Finder by visiting: careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/EmploymentAndTraining/find-older-worker-programs, or call the toll-free help line at 1-877-USA-JOBS (1-877-872-5627).

Thank You!

Thank you to our veterans and all active military personnel for their service on behalf of all of us. Thank you to my sister and brother postal workers for showing up and moving the mail in service to America. Thank you APWU family for continuing to support me, and for allowing me to serve you.

As another year passes, I am mindful of the many great unionists that APWU members and retirees have lost. The women and men who help to build this union - without their great work and commitment, we would not be here.

In closing, I wish each of you Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Good Health, and Happiness in the New Year! Solidarity Forever. ■