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THIS & THAT By Sandra Munoz, HR Director/OWCP Specialist I had a member call me this past month because she had not received the last COLA that the Union had negotiated. After asking her numerous questions I realized that this member has been on a LWOP status for quite some time due to an on-the-job injury she sustained. I then informed her that when you get injured on the job and are out of work receiving wage loss compensation, that you will keep the same pay scale that you were on when you got injured, and go out on LWOP. You are not entitled to negotiated raises nor our negotiated COLA increases. The only COLA that you are entitled to is the one that is put out once a year by the consumer price index, and believe me it's nowhere near what the Union is able to negotiate through collective bargaining. Another member contacted me recently because she needed to switch doctors. I advised her to contact her claims examiner at the Office of Workers Compensation in writing and request a change in physicians. I told her she needed a detailed explanation as to why she was requesting to switch doctors. This is important because the Office of Workers Compensation wants to be sure that you are not shopping around for a doctor to give you a medical diagnosis or medical limitations that you want. This member called me a few weeks later and told me that she received a letter back from her claims examiner and that he said that the Office of Workers Comp had now contracted this portion of their job out to another company. He gave her a number to call. When she attempted to call this number to request a change of physicians, they told her that this company did not perform this type of work that she had to go through the Office of Workers Compensation for this request. I have since written a letter on her behalf to the claims examiner and have made a phone call trying to get the new correct procedure, but as any government agency they seem to be taking their time in getting us a response. If any of you out there are having similar problems with requesting a new physician please call me at my OWCP number and let me know. I expect to have the correct answer shortly. The Human Relations Department in Washington is going a great job in sending care packages to our troops, but they are in need of additional items to continue this noble cause. If any of you would like to send assistance to our troops but don't know how or who to send them to, or what is needed, here's your chance. Our service men and women are in need of the items that follow: baby wipes, disposable razors, shaving cream, eye drop solutions, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo/conditioner, antibacterial and no-rinse soaps, sunscreen, feminine products, deodorant, board games, card games, new release CD's, stationery, envelopes, pens, postage stamps (for service members at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC), prepaid phone cards, energy and cereal bars, hard candies and mints, drink mixes, and snacks. Please be sure that there are no glass containers or breakable items, nor any perishable items. All items must be in manufacturer-sealed containers to be permissible. For those of you that do not like to shop you are welcome to send in monetary contributions and the APWU Headquarters will use your generous contributions to purchase USO care packages, make donations to the Fisher House, which helps house the service members and their families while they are getting medical treatment at the Walter Reed Army Hospital, and to host future appreciation dinners for these amazing young men and women. Send all donations to: APWU, Sue Carney, Human Relations Dept., 1300 L Street NW, Washington DC 20005 For any additional details, contact: Sue Carney, Ntl Human Relations Director at (202) 842-4271
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