Educate, Engage, and Empower!

The Human Relations Department will be holding an Educational Assembly in Baltimore, MD June 13 through June 15, 2023. The theme of the conference is: Educate, Engage, and Empower!

There will be guest speakers, questions and answers sessions, as well as workshops and networking opportunities.

At the conference, we will focus on the work of the Human Relations Department.

Injury Compensation (OWCP)

The Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) provides wage loss compensation and medical benefits to postal and federal employees who become injured or ill as a result of their duties. U.S. Postal Service employee claims account for more than all other federal employee’s claims combined. It is imperative to have APWU leadership and stewards continue their training and knowledge on the complicated aspects of continuation of pay and compensation benefits.

Civil Rights and Engagement

Our members are also homeowners, taxpayers, spouses, parents, church members, tenants, voters, consumers, members of fraternal organizations, veterans’ organizations, civil rights organizations and political parties who participate in activities surrounding these roles. As such, members encounter problems that are separate from the workplace. Our activism must be expanded to organizing to solve problems in all areas of life. In order to make the workplace better, the total well-being of the worker must be the focus. Everyone must join our fight in the public arena. Our goal is social justice unionism.

Employee Assistance Programs

EAP is an underutilized benefit available to every postal employee and their families. EAP is a voluntary program that provides free, short-term counseling, referral and assessment, coaching, and an overall holistic approach to a variety of human needs. These services often go unused because employees don’t know about them or understand what they provide. This session will provide an overview Educate, Engage, and Empower! of the services available and how to approach the stigma around reaching out to EAP for help. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) • Equal Employment Opportunity is another avenue employees have if they feel that they’ve been discriminated against. The APWU has no legal obligation to represent members in EEO matters, however, we can advise as to whether you have a case, how to fi le a complaint, and can refer someone who can act as a representative.

Veterans’ Rights

The U.S. Postal Service Military Veteran Employees have many rights and benefits through the USPS that they may not know about. Learn about many of the veterans’ benefits including Leave Accrual, Wounded Warriors Leave, Employment and Reemployment Rights, Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) rights and Retirement Credit for Military Service. In addition, a new “APWU Veterans Network” was launched in 2021 to provide opportunities to connect with other APWU veterans and stay informed on important issues.

Postal Employees Relief Fund (PERF)

PERF provides financial assistance for APWU members as well as other postal employees and retirees whose homes and property have been substantially damaged by national disasters and home fires if the employees are not reimbursed by insurance or grants.

Educate, Engage, and Empower!

APWU Human Relations Educational Assembly

• June 12, 2023 through June 15, 2023 • Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel
• Registration is open! Register online at www.apwu.org in the Members Only section
• Guests should arrive on June 12 and depart on June 16
• If you have any questions, please contact Daleo Freeman, Human Relations Director at: dfreeman@apwu.org