ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS TO ASK YOU DOCTOR

How many times have you remembered something to ask your doctor — after you leave the office?

SUPPORT UNION WORKERS

A guide to 2010 cars, trucks, SUVs and vans

made by union members in the U.S. and Canada   

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR YOUR 2010 UNION MADE AUTO REFERENCE GUIDE.

President Obama's  budget backs six-day delivery:

President Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget proposal requires the continuation of six-day delivery by the Postal Service. The administration also promises to work with postal unions and other stakeholders to keep the Postal Service strong for years to come. In setting the amount for “revenue forgone” to cover the costs of free and reduced rate mail, the spending plan says payments will be made “provided that 6-day delivery and rural delivery of mail shall continue at not less than the 1983 level....” Looking to the future, the proposal, submitted to Congress on February 1, states, “The Administration will work with the Postal Service, its employee unions, the Congress, and other stakeholders to make sure the Postal Service (remains) a pillar of the American economy and a vital public resource through the current crisis and over the long haul.” 

Here are seven things the IRS wants you to know about the Government Retiree Credit:
 

1. You can take this credit if you receive a pension or annuity payment in 2009 for service performed for the U.S. Government or any U.S. state or local government and the service was not covered by social security.
2. Recipients of the Making Work Pay Credit will have that credit reduced by any Government Retiree Credit they receive.
3. The credit is $250 for individuals and $500 if married filing jointly and both you and your spouse receive a qualifying pension or annuity.
4. You must have a valid social security number to claim the credit. If married filing jointly, both spouses must have a valid social security number to each claim the $250 credit.
5. You cannot take the credit if you received a $250 economic recovery payment in 2009.
6. This is a refundable credit, which means it may give you a refund even if you had no tax withheld from your pension.
7. To claim the credit, you must complete Schedule M, Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits, and attach it to your Form 1040A or 1040.

Double your donations to help Haiti with Union Plus
 

Survivors of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti need your help. The city is devastated. The number of dead and injured is estimated to be more than 100,000.

Make a donation to the AFL-CIO Solidarity Center's Earthquake Relief* for Haitian Workers' campaign and Union Plus will match your donation dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000.

The non-profit Solidarity Center is an AFL-CIO partner organization that supports programs and projects aimed at advancing worker rights and promoting broad-based, sustainable economic development. The center’s Education Fund works with union and community partners to respond quickly to natural disasters and aid displaced workers.

Your donation will help rush life-saving relief supplies including food, clean water, medical supplies, blankets and tents to the Haitian people. Goods are currently being delivered to the Confederation of Haitian Workers training center, which is providing shelter, food, and medical assistance to more than 200 people.

Donate today to maximize the power of your donation. Donate online* or mail in your check today.

Donations to Haiti will be tax deductible; see details here.

MAINTENANCE PREFERRED ASSIGNMENT SELECTIONS

Just a reminder that management is required to post a notice advising all maintenance employees of the opportunity to submit changes in preferred assignment selections during the first fourteen days in January of each year.

A. Preferred Assignment

1 . The Employer will maintain and/or establish

preferred assignment selection registers. During the

first fourteen days in January of each year a notice

advising the employees of the opportunity to submit

changes in preferred assignment selections shall be

posted on all official bulletin boards at the

installation, including stations and branches, to

assure that it comes to the attention of all employees

eligible to submit forms.

2.The employee shall indicate preference(s) for any

vacancy that may occur during that year, including

tours and days off. Change in preferred assignment

selections shall be submitted on or before January

31 . If requested, an employee will be allowed to

review the preferred assignment registers and the

employee's own preferred assignment selection

form(s). If the employee does not submit a change in

preferred assignment selections during this period,

existing preferred assignment selections shall

continue.

PICTURES FROM THE 2009 HOLIDAY PARTY ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING.  JUST GO TO THE PHOTO GALLERY TAB ON THE LEFT SIDE OF OUR SITE, CLICK IT, THEN CLICK 2009 HOLIDAY PARTY.  YOU CAN ALSO VIEW THE PICTURES IN SLIDE SHOW FORMAT BY CLICKING THE FOLDER ON THE UPPER RIGHT SIDE ONCE YOU ENTER THE GALLERY.  IF YOU DESIRE THE ORIGINAL PHOTO FILE IT CAN BE SENT TO YOU,  JUST MAKE YOUR REQUEST THUR OUR CONTACT US TAB (LEFT SIDE) ALONG WITH YOUR NAME, I.D. NUMBER AND E-MAIL ADDRESS.  PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE THE PICTURE NUMBER.