Postal Labor Unions
Summer School
From its beginning in 1979, the Postal Labor Unions Summer School (PLUSS) has focused intently on the specific needs of union members in the U.S. Postal Service. At the heart of the curriculum is the grievance process, with the essential goal to foster skills and viewpoints that support the union and the labor movement. The curriculum is designed around the steward’s role, but PLUSS also makes room for concerns and events that affect the labor movement broadly. In partnership with West Virginia University Extension's Institute for Labor Studies and Research, we urge all Locals in the American Postal Workers Union to take full advantage of what has proven to be a valuable learning experience offered under the umbrella of the Unions representing members in the United States Postal Service. The PLUSS event is designed with two educational tracks, a first year (Basic Instruction) and a second year (Advanced Topics). The PLUSS event is only offered once annually, thus requiring students to attend the Basic course first and the Advanced course in a subsequent year. This two year educational model is specifically designed to allow students a sufficient amount of time to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the Basic course before attending the Advanced course.
The curricula for the PLUSS Basic and PLUSS Advanced courses includes:
- Basic Shop Steward Training
- Grievance Handling
- Effective Communication Skills
- Roadmap to Winning
- Advanced Interview Techniques
- Postal Inspection Service and OIG
- Advanced Steward & Advocate Strategies
- Defenses Vs Disciplinary Actions
- Anti-Abolishments and Reversions Strategies
- The Multi Grievances and Compliance Initiative