 APWU Milwaukee Area Local 3

On April 30, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved a number of significant cuts to the retirement benefits of postal and federal workers. Passed by a slim margin of 22‑21, this measure will now be included in the full reconciliation package which Republican leadership is aiming to hold a full House vote on sometime this month. The retirement cuts would have devastating implications for APWU members, including: • Eliminating the FERS Social Security supplement, which allows workers who have earned their retirement the ability to retire before their Social Security benefits begin; • Increasing the FERS annuity contribution rates for all active employees to 4.4%; • Replacing the High‑3 FERS annuity calculation with a High‑5 calculation, resulting in a reduction in annuity payments. Also included in the passed were egregious attacks on federal employees, such as: • Charging a filing fee for Merit Systems Protection Board Claims and Appeals, and • Forcing new hires in the federal workforce to choose between at‑will employment or paying an increased FERS contribution rate of 9.4%. While this specific proposal does not currently apply to postal workers, it is a dangerous change to eliminate job security and protections from government service. Call the Legislative Hotline now to speak to your House Representative and urge them to OPPOSE any cuts to federal and postal pensions.

 APWU Milwaukee Area Local 3

On April 30, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform approved a number of significant cuts to the retirement benefits of postal and federal workers. Passed by a slim margin of 22‑21, this measure will now be included in the full reconciliation package which Republican leadership is aiming to hold a full House vote on sometime this month. The retirement cuts would have devastating implications for APWU members, including: • Eliminating the FERS Social Security supplement, which allows workers who have earned their retirement the ability to retire before their Social Security benefits begin; • Increasing the FERS annuity contribution rates for all active employees to 4.4%; • Replacing the High‑3 FERS annuity calculation with a High‑5 calculation, resulting in a reduction in annuity payments. Also included in the passed were egregious attacks on federal employees, such as: • Charging a filing fee for Merit Systems Protection Board Claims and Appeals, and • Forcing new hires in the federal workforce to choose between at‑will employment or paying an increased FERS contribution rate of 9.4%. While this specific proposal does not currently apply to postal workers, it is a dangerous change to eliminate job security and protections from government service. Call the Legislative Hotline now to speak to your House Representative and urge them to OPPOSE any cuts to federal and postal pensions.