Don’t take anything for granted. This is an excerpt from the collective bargaining agreement between the APWU and United States Postal Service. These benefits were negotiated as part of the contract. This is why it pays to support the union even into retirement.
ARTICLE 21
BENEFIT PLANS
Section 1. Health Benefits
The method for determining the Employer biweekly contributions to.the cost of employee health insurance programs under the Postal
Service Health Benefits Program (PSHB) will be as follows:
A. The Office of Personnel Management shall calculate the subscription charges under the PSHB Program that will be in effect the following January with respect to self only enrollments, self plus one enrollments, and self and family enrollments.
B. For career employees the biweekly Employer contribution for self only, self plus one, and self and family plans in Plan Years 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028, the biweekly Employer contribution
for PSHB plans will be 72% of the weighted average biweekly premiums as determined by the OPM, and will not exceed 75% for any individual plan.
(See Memo, page 352)
C. The weight to be given to a particular subscription charge for each PSHB plan and option will be based on the number of enrollees in each such plan and option for whom contributions have been received from employers covered by the PSHB Program as determined by the OPM.
D. The amount necessary to pay the total charge for enrollment after the Employer’s contribution is deducted shall be withheld from the pay of each enrolled employee. To the extent permitted by law, the Employer shall permit employees covered by this Agreement to make their premium contributions to the cost of each plan on a pre-tax basis, and shall extend eligibility to such employees for the U.S. Postal Service’s flexible spending account plans for unreimbursed health care expenses and work-related dependent child care and elder care expenses as authorized under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(For PSEs, see Postal Support Employees Memoranda, Section 3.D, page 264)
Section 2. Life Insurance
The Employer shall maintain the current life insurance program in effect during the term of this Agreement.
Section 3. Retirement
The provisions of Chapters 83 and 84 of Title 5 U.S. Code, and any amendments thereto, shall continue to apply to employees covered by this Agreement.
Section 4. Injury Compensation
Employees covered by this Agreement shall be covered by Subchapter I of Chapter 81 of Title 5, and any amendments thereto, relating to compensation for work injuries. The Employer will promulgate appropriate regulations which comply with applicable regulations of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs and any amendments thereto.
Section 5. Health Benefit Brochures
When a new employee who is eligible for enrollment in the Postal Service Health Benefits Program enters the Postal Service, the employee shall be furnished a copy of the Health Benefit Plan brochure of the Union signatory to this Agreement which represents the craft in which the employee is to be employed.
I am finding many retirees who were dues paying members during employment with an average cost of over $800 a year, drop the union dues of just $36 a year when they retire. A negotiated contract costs millions of dollars to negotiate and maintain. If people think that the union does nothing for them then give up all these above, negotiated benefits, and see how you feel during retirement.
First Name: Steven
Last Name: Poole Sr
Email: unionche@icloud.com
Union/Local: Providence Rhode Island area local 387
Office held if any: Retired steward/officer