3 thoughts on “Retiree Chapter question for the National APWU Executive Board”

1. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
   APWU - Southwest Coastal Area Local Retiree Chapter
   Office held, if any
   Chapter President
   Email Address
   bd62748@aol.com

   Andy: Retiree Chapters are now and always associated with the local union. That has been the application since we formed chapters.

   Retiree Chapters Members do not have a voice or vote within the local unless they pay full union dues.

   They cannot vote or run for local office unless they are full dues paying member (paying full local dues and the full national per capita).

   Our local had only seven retirees paying full dues and that number is down to three. Very difficult to seek any change when your local president is opposed to retirees.

   National has not addressed the issue

   Gerald I am a NARFE member and have been one since 1992. I have been a APWU Retiree member since 2003.

   Southwest Coastal Area Local Retiree Chapter website

2. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
   APWU - Lehigh Valley Area Local
   Office held, if any
   President
   Email Address
   akubat@lvapwu.org

   Bobby – Maybe I’m reading it wrong, but Art 2, Sec 12 appears (at least to me) to be providing for the formation of Retiree Chapters at various levels (local, state, etc…). It does not appear to indicate that a Retiree Chapter would (or must) be part of an APWU Local. Retiree members are part of, and affiliated with, the APWU Retiree Dept. Their names do not appear on Local rosters or DCOs. They are not members of a Local unless they pay full dues.

   Just to get a clearer perspective… In your view, what would the SCAL Retirees Chapter being “a part of the Local” entail?
   — Would Retiree Chapter members have voice and vote at meetings despite not paying full dues?
   — Would they be eligible to vote in Local elections while not paying full dues?
   — Would SCAL Retiree Chapter members be consider members-in-good-standing within the local even if they don’t pay full dues?
   A “yes” to those questions would conflict with the Local Constitution & Bylaws which requires full dues to be a member-in-good-standing.

   That said, many locals do keep close ties with retirees, include them in Local events, and will often help them with issues and concerns. I would imagine the decision on how much to “include” retiree members would something to be determined by the Local membership. As a full dues paying member, you can make a motion at a meeting seeking the changes you want. The membership would debate, vote and then, as they say, “The body has spoken…”

   Please, share any updates on this issue

   Lehigh Valley Area Local website

3. Union and NAME of Local/Branch
   APWU - Oklahoma City Area Local
   Office held, if any
   VP and Full Time Steward
   Email Address
   Wally1301@cox.net

   If you cannot get anything out of your local you might think about joining NARFE. I did.