APWU - South Jersey Area Local 0526

Union Action: Williamstown PO

The Union action at the Williamstown Post Office followed concerns about alleged bullying and possible unequal treatment. There are also allegations involving accusations made against employees. These claims have not been established as facts.

Picture 2: Joined by the local community.

One employee told the Union that she had been removed from her position after a supervisor accused her of threatening and trying to assault the supervisor. The employee said those accusations were allegations. She said the USPIS (Inspection Service) interviewed her and asked her for a written statement, but she had not been told the investigation’s result. She also said she had not heard from the postal inspector since the interview. The employee also said she had been away from her position since June 2026 and had filed a grievance with the Union. No investigation has been finalized, and no conclusion has been reached as of yet.

The Union action that took place was organized and did not disrupt the post office’s daily work. Participants opened the doors for customers, bought stamps, and let local customers go to the front of the line when they entered. The action ended promptly at noon. During the event, a local police squad car made four rounds through the shopping center parking area, then stayed to watch for about 15 minutes before leaving. There was no incident. The event ended promptly at noon. These details are based on my own participation and observation.

Picture 3: A clear reflection of Management taking pictures of what’s going on in the lobby from behind a tinted-mirrored window.

The action was successful in clear, practical ways. Participants shared the Union’s concerns, treated customers respectfully, and allowed the post office to keep serving the public. The action ended on time and without an incident. During the action, Management reached out to a union regional coordinator about an emergency happening at the Williamstown post office. After the action, Labor Relations wrote that the participants could not protest on postal property and asked that the local president be contacted.

Picture 4: Union members in the lobby being watched by management.

A union regional coordinator asked the manager to provide the rule being referenced so it could be read and understood. The manager’s email also said that local police and the Postal Inspection Service had been notified. The correspondence described participants in the lobby with picket signs, some buying stamps and some not.

I also want to thank Chief of Staff Ginamarie Espinoza, Regional Coordinator Vince Tarducci, NBAs James DeRidder and Steve Duckworth, and NJ State APWU President Joe Shevlin for showing up. Thank you as well to the Trenton Local, Philly BMC Local, New Jersey State Local, Mid-State Area Local, and Trenton Metro Area Local for their support.

Picture 5: Rob Armentani, Frank Bollinger, & Chief of Staff, Ginamarie Espinoza.

So when you ask, what is your local doing for you, here’s my answer. Members can help by staying informed, supporting peaceful Union actions, and sharing confirmed information with one another.

Other Pictures

Stand With Us in Williamstown on October 30

Members, families, coworkers, and community supporters are invited to join us for a protest and informational picket at the Williamstown Post Office.

Event Details
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: 135 S Black Horse Pike, Williamstown, NJ 08094
Expected Length: Approximately 2 hours

The NAACP has been contacted and has indicated that it wants to show support in bringing attention to these concerns. Media outlets are also being contacted regarding the event.

This action comes after serious concerns involving the treatment of employees at the Williamstown Post Office. Based on information reviewed by the union, we believe there is substantial evidence showing unequal treatment involving employees of different races. One concern involves attendance and tardiness records. The union has reviewed records showing white employees with attendance records that, in our view, are significantly worse than those being used in an effort to remove a young African-American female employee, yet those white employees did not face the same disciplinary action.

Another case involves a young African-American female employee who has been accused of threatening to punch a supervisor in the face. The same supervisor previously made a similar accusation against another young African-American female employee. In that earlier case, the union successfully fought to have the employee reinstated with back pay. In the current case, a witness disputes the supervisor’s accusation and supports the account of our member.

One statement written to Congressman Norcross captures why this issue cannot be ignored: “You don’t know what it is like to come to work with a target on your back because of something you cannot change.”

No employee should believe their job is in jeopardy because of race, sex, or any other personal characteristic. These concerns must be brought into the open and addressed. There are also concerns regarding the Postmaster’s management style and what has been described as a history of perceived bullying. While no direct evidence has been presented that the Postmaster’s actions are racially motivated, the concern is that allowing bullying or dishonesty to continue can create an environment where improper treatment of employees is allowed to go unchecked.

As part of the protest, participants plan to enter the Post Office in a continuous line to purchase one-cent stamps, which may require purchasing sheets of 20 for 20 cents. Anyone participating in this portion of the action is expected to remain orderly and professional. The intent is to extend the line without disrupting postal operations in any other manner. We are asking members to spread the word. Tell your coworkers. Bring your family. Invite others who believe employees deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity. Fifty signs have been custom made for this event, and we need people willing to stand together and make our concerns visible. If we want unfair treatment to stop, we have to be willing to stand together and call attention to it.

Join us Friday, October 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Williamstown Post Office.

2027 PSHB Rates: Compare Your Plan

The 2027 Postal Service Health Benefits rates are now official, and postal employees need to look closely at their current plan before Open Season. OPM reports that PSHB will offer 65 plan options from 17 carriers in 2027. Across the program, total premiums are increasing an average of 6.7 percent, while the average enrollee share will increase 8.2 percent. That is lower than 2026, when the average enrollee share increased 11.3 percent and overall PSHB premiums increased 9.0 percent, but it still means higher costs for many employees and retirees. U.S. Office of Personnel Management

The most important thing to understand is that 8.2 percent is only an average. Individual plans vary dramatically, as the accompanying infographic shows. APWU Consumer Driven Option increases are considerably smaller than the APWU High Option increases, while the MHBP Standard Option shows some of the largest dollar increases among the nationwide plans displayed. GEHA HDHP and Standard show no employee premium increase in the comparison, while NALC High Option actually decreases by $5.08 biweekly for Self Only and $3.31 for Self Plus One, with Self and Family increasing $2.95. The differences make it clear that members should not assume their current plan remains the best financial choice simply because they were satisfied with it in 2026.

The 2026 Federal Benefits Open Season runs November 9 through December 14, 2026. If you make no change, your existing PSHB enrollment generally continues into 2027, but OPM is encouraging enrollees to compare their options. Look beyond the premium alone. Review deductibles, copays, coinsurance, provider networks, prescription coverage, and maximum out-of-pocket costs before making a decision. In some PSHB plans, Self Plus One can even cost more than Self and Family, so compare every enrollment category available to you. U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Do not wait until the first 2027 paycheck to find out what your health coverage is costing you. Review the rates, study your plan, compare your options, and make an informed decision during Open Season.