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| Postal Articles |
TOP NEWS STORIES NALC and the labor movement fight for human rights 9.18.2019 - NALC reports: The Solidarity Without Borders initiative will bring labor leaders from around the country to the border to shine a light on the plight of families seeking asylum or facing deportation and to bring attention to the conditions in U.S. detention facilities. Court Rules Postal Service's Largest-Ever Price Increase is Illegal 9.13.2019 - GovExec reports: "The five-cent increase -- a 10% jump -- was the largest-ever hike for a stamp and the largest by percentage since 1995. The court, in an opinion written by Circuit Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee who formerly worked in the White House as director of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, called the hike "remarkable" and lacking in justification." - Will prices now drop? - DC Circuit grants postal watchdog's challenge to PRC's approval of rate hike Letter carrier Mary Granados killed in Odessa, Texas 9.1.2019 - NALC reports: "We are deeply saddened by the senseless murder of Odessa, TX Branch 3964 letter carrier Mary Granados," NALC President Fredric Rolando said. NALC Files Lawsuit on Consolidated Casing Initiative 8.29.2019 - NALC reports: "NALC today filed a lawsuit against the Postal Service in the federal district court in Washington D.C. The suit asks the court to issue an injunction stopping the Postal Service from continuing its Consolidated Casing Initiative until NALC's pending national level grievance is resolved. The grievance over consolidated casing is presently scheduled for arbitration in December. Further developments will be reported as they occur." - Shake-Up Alarms Union of Mail Carriers: Extreme exhaustion, physical pain and mental stress NALC responds to Hurricane Dorian 8.29.2019 - NALC reports: We need your help to make sure that we are notified of the needs of our membership Connecticut letter carrier killed on his route 8.23.2019 - NALC reports: NALC is deeply saddened to learn that 59-year-old letter carrier Daniel Nacin was killed in a car accident on his route USPS Fairness Act reaches bipartisan majority 8.17.2019 - NALC reports: H.R. 2382 passes 218 co-sponsors, but more work needed to reach 290 NALC Legislative Action Center unveiled 8.15.2019 - NALC reports: NALC launched the Legislative Action Center today Rap Session held in Denver 8.13.2019 - NALC reports: President Rolando led the national Rap Session, Aug. 9-11 in Denver Seventh COLA set at $624 8.13.2019 - NALC reports: The seventh contract COLA was finalized at $624 USPS Loses $2.3B in 3rd Quarter Amid Newly Ominous Signs for Its Business 8.10.2019 - GovExec reports: "It was the first quarterly volume decline for packages in nine years, USPS Chief Financial Office Joe Corbett said. Companies like Amazon are increasingly establishing their own networks for last-mile delivery, damaging the Postal Service's Parcel Select business." - NALC Statement Statement on Postal Service's 2019 Q3 Financial Report 8.09.2019 - NALC reports: Statement by President Rolando on the Postal Service's 2019 Quarter 3 financial report NRLCA-USPS National Agreement Has Been RATIFIED 8.07.2019 - USPS reports: "Highlights of the agreement include annual general wage increases, a reduction in the employer share of health premiums, additional operational flexibility to use rural carrier associates, and enhanced health benefits for eligible non-career rural carrier employees. In addition, the agreement includes a comprehensive memo of understanding on the implementation of a rural carrier standards study." - NRLCA Postal Supervisors Sue for Better Pay 7.29.2019 - GovExec reports: "The National Association of Postal Supervisors filed its lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for D.C. on behalf of the 45,000 supervisors, managers, postmasters and technical specialists that make up its members. NAPS is seeking pay increases that would be mostly retroactive, covering the period from 2016 through 2019." - NAPS Files Lawsuit Action needed: Tell your Representative to repeal pre-funding mandate today! 7.23.2019 - NALC reports: Thousands of letter carriers and postal employees are joining together for a ‘Day of Action’ Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive a resounding success 7.19.2019 - NALC reports: The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, which took place on Saturday, May 11, collected 75.7 million pounds of food—third-highest total in the drive’s 27 years. Postal Service Floats Big Cuts to Employee Pay, Leave and Benefits New postal workers would no longer earn a pension 7.02.2019 - GovExec reports: "USPS included a hike to the employee contribution level for pensions in a first draft of a 10-year business plan presented to lawmakers and stakeholders, according to multiple people who were briefed on it, as well as phasing out pensions altogether for new hires in favor of a defined-contribution system only. The Postal Service is looking to cut the amount of paid time off employees receive by merging annual and sick leave and pitched a popular proposal with demonstrated bipartisan backing to require all postal retirees to enroll in Medicare as their primary insurance provider." NALC, USPS formally open 2019 bargaining talks 6.26.2019 - NALC reports: The leaders of the National Association of Letter Carriers and the United States Postal Service formally opened negotiations for a new collective-bargaining agreement today. Letter Carrier Resource Guide is available online 6.24.2019 - NALC reports: The Letter Carrier Resource Guide combines the 2016 City Carrier Assistant Resource Guide and the 2014 Letter Carrier’s Guide into one new, improved, and updated publication. Valuable information for all letter carriers at every stage of their career. Louisiana letter carrier killed on his route 6.24.2019 - NALC reports: NALC is deeply saddened to learn that letter carrier Antonio Williams, a Shreveport, LA Branch 197 member, was shot and killed while delivering his route on Saturday, June 22. Mail Processing Overtime Audit Finds USPS Way Over Plan 6.22.2019 - The USPS OIG reports: "Specifically, the Postal Service planned for about 18.5 million overtime workhours and 767,000 penalty overtime workhours for FY 2018. The actual overtime workhours used were 26.7 million (44 percent over plan) and the actual penalty overtime workhours used were 1.7 million (126 percent over plan). This occurred, in part, due to implementation of the F1 Scheduler at the beginning of FY 2018." - 5 billion less pieces, 5,000 less employees, overtime costs up $257 million! - GovExec: After dramatic workforce reductions, Postal Service sees spike in overtime hours Postal Service Wants to Slash Benefits for Postal Workers 6.18.2019 - HuffPost reports: "The change to pension contributions would amount to a cut in take-home pay for hundreds of thousands of workers, while saving the agency nearly $7 billion. The change in employee leave policy would combine vacation with sick days, likely resulting in fewer overall days off for workers. That element is estimated to save the agency more than $5 billion." House resolution supporting door delivery reaches majority of support 6.14.2019 - NALC reports: A bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives has now cosponsored House Resolution 23, which expresses the sense that the U.S. Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of door delivery. 2020 NALC Leadership Academy Application period is open 6.12.2019 - NALC reports: The application period for participation in the Leadership Academy in 2020 is now open. The application period ends on Aug. 31, 2019. NRLCA Reaches Tentative Agreement With USPS for Three-Year Contract 5.30.2019 - NRLCA reports: The Tentative Agreement must be ratified by a majority of the voting membership of the NRLCA to become effective. The contract includes a 4.2% total compensation increase for the term of the agreement New Model Mail Truck Catches on Fire in Houston 5.26.2019 - ABC 13 in Houston, Texas has reported: on a USPS mail truck catching fire in a southwest Houston neighborhood. Correct us if we're wrong, but that appears to be a new model Dodge Promaster delivery vehicle burning in the video. The Promaster vehicles have been rushed into service (ahead of a planned Next Generation Delivery Vehicle program) due (in part) to hundreds of older model LLVs burning in the same fashion. USPS Reports $2.1 Billion Loss for Second Quarter 2019 5.10.2019 - USPS reports: "The net loss for the quarter totaled nearly $2.1 billion, an increase of $747 million, compared to a net loss of $1.3 billion for the same quarter last year, however, the controllable loss for the quarter was $806 million, compared to a controllable loss of $656 million for the same quarter last year." - On track to lose $7 billion this year - Postal Woes Continue Statement on Postal Service’s 2019 Q2 Financial Report 5.10.2019 - NALC reports: Statement by President Rolando on the Postal Service’s 2019 Quarter 2 financial report Latest News and Updates Branch Officers Training set for Cleveland, New Orleans 5.07.2019 - NALC reports: NALC Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Rhine has announced that two Branch Officers Training seminars will be held later this year. One session of Branch Officers Training is set for Aug. 26-29 in Cleveland, the other for Sept. 16-19 in New Orleans. Thank a veteran 5.06.2019 - NALC reports: United Mine Workers of America of America President Cecil Roberts Jr. sent a video message encouraging NALC members and all Americans to take time to honor the men and women who served their country in the Vietnam War. House Committee Hearing on the Financial Condition of the Postal Service 4.30.2019 - The House Committee on Oversight and Reform reports: "To conserve cash, the Postal Service has defaulted on more than $40 billion in payments owed to pre-fund retiree health care expenses. However, the Postal Service's liquidity continues to dwindle and it faces challenges with having enough cash on hand to conduct its essential mission of providing universal mail service. For all of these reasons, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has placed the Postal Service's financial condition on its "high-risk list" since 2009." - USPS will be broke by 2024 without reform, PMG says, - Post Office Boss Ponders Cutting Mail Delivery to Five Days, Congress Balks - PMG Brennan Chastised by Congressman Meadows For Not Delivering Business Plan (1:23 mark) - Meadows to Brennan: You've talked to the board of governors, the two of them... Bipartisan legislation introduced to repeal USPS pre-funding mandate 4.30.2019 - NALC reports: A bipartisan group of representatives introduced the USPS Fairness Act (H.R. 2382) which would repeal the mandate that USPS “pre-fund” decades’ worth of health benefits for its future retirees. NALC files two national level grievances 4.25.2019 - NALC reports: NALC files two national level grievances on the consolidated casing initiative and USPS non- compliance with CCA employment New Mexico carrier killed on his route 4.24.2019 - NALC reports: Letter carrier Jose Hernandez, an Albuquerque, NM Branch 504 member, was shot and killed on his route Monday, April 22, after trying to defuse a dispute. Misdiagnosis: A Review of the Report of the White House Task Force on the Postal Service 4.24.2019 - NALC reports: NALC analyzes the faulty foundations of the Task Force’s findings, explains the unexamined consequences of its recommendations and summarizes an alternative reform agenda that will position the Postal Service to thrive in the 21st Century. USPS Cuts 10K Positions After Five Years of Job Growth 4.23.2019 - GovExec.com reports: "The U.S. Postal Service shed 10,000 jobs in fiscal 2018, the first time in five years the mailing agency posted a net reduction in jobs. USPS employed 634,000 people last fiscal year, according to a financial analysis released by the Postal Regulatory Commission on Monday, its lowest total since fiscal 2015. While the cash-strapped agency has trended toward a smaller workforce over the last two decades -- it has slashed 300,000 career workers since 1999 -- its total number of employees has inched up each year since fiscal 2013." PRC Releases Report on USPS Financial Condition 4.19.2019 - PostalMag.com reports: "The Postal Service reported a net loss from operations of $2.1 billion in FY 2018. This loss was largely due to the continual decline of Market Dominant volume and higher operating expenses, and is nearly $748 million more than the $1.3 billion operating loss reported in FY 2017." 2018 NALC election results upheld by Department of Labor 4.19.2019 - NALC reports: The Labor Department has advised that it has completed its investigation of the election complaints and that the investigation did not provide a basis for any further action to set aside the results of the election. The election results are now final. CVS Health joins NALC Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive as Sponsor 4.12.2019 - NALC reports: CVS Health is the newest 2019 National Sponsor for the Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive APWU Enters Mediation 4.10.2019 - APWU reports: "In our continuing efforts to get the contract the members deserve, the APWU invoked mediation on April 3, 2019 - sending a letter to the Acting Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and to the Postal Service. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is a federal agency that provides public and private-sector labor-management mediation, and by law it is responsible for facilitating the APWU's demand for mediation with the Postal Service." Customer and employee rights when USPS solicits customers to change the mode of mail delivery 3.27.2019 - NALC reports: NALC is aware of an effort by the Postal Service in different parts of the country to convince customers to agree to change their mode of mail delivery to cluster box or centralized delivery. Join Team NALC Rolando for MDA 3.22.2019 - NALC reports: Join President Rolando on May 18th for the MDA Muscle Walk NALC responds to Flooding in Midwest 3.21.2019 - NALC reports: To our brothers and sisters in the areas impacted by the Midwest Flooding, we need your help to make sure that we are notified of the needs of our membership in your area. Trump Proposes Cutting Postal Employees' Pay, Benefits in $100B Savings Package 3.18.2019 - GovExec.com reports: "President Trump has once again proposed a slew of changes to the operations of the U.S. Postal Service and its employees' benefits, with the White House estimating the plan would save $98 billion over the next decade. In addition to a renewed push for offering postal employees lower pay and benefits, Trump pushed changes proposed by the task force he created last year. Those include raising prices for mail and packages not deemed "essential," reducing delivery frequency, outsourcing some mail processing and licensing access to individuals' mailboxes." - Federal Employees Would Get Less Leave Under Trump's Budget Trump's Postal Reform Proposals Met With Criticism From Lawmakers, USPS Management 3.13.2019 - GovExec.com reports: "President Trump's mandated report on overhauling the U.S. Postal Service drew a tepid response from lawmakers on Tuesday, as the agency's own leadership rejected many of the key proposals. One key area of disagreement between the administration's recommendations and lawmakers' vision for the agency surrounded the future of collective bargaining at the mailing agency." - AUDIO: Hearing on President's Postal Task Force Recommendations Postal Service Contracts Surge to Nearly $16B in Fiscal 2018 3.08.2019 - Bloomberg Government reports: "The U.S. Postal Service's commercial spending grew to $15.9 billion in fiscal 2018 from $15 billion in fiscal 2017, Bloomberg Government's USPS Contracts Dashboard shows. That's an increase of nearly $1 billion and the highest amount since fiscal 2016, when Bloomberg Government first began publishing the agency data received through a Freedom of Information Act request." RI-399 Monetary Settlement Distribution 3.06.2019 - APWU reports: "The Postal Service agreed that they would pay $14.5 million to each union (APWU and NPMHU) in consideration of the withdrawal of national level disputes. The settlement agreement calls for the unions to each make their own determination on how this money would be distributed. After consultation, much discussion, and agreement with the Clerk Craft Director, the APWU has decided that the money will be distributed in equal amounts to clerk craft employees who fall into two categories." - NPMHU Update Rap session to be held on Aug. 11 in Denver 2.27.2019 - NALC reports: NALC is making arrangements for the 2019 national conference, or “rap session,” set for Aug. 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. Part-time flexible (PTF) letter carriers Q-and-A 1.29.2019 - NALC reports: Differences between PTF and CCA classifications. The price of 'Forever' stamps just went up 1.28.2019 - CNN reports: "It just got more expensive to send mail. The price of a "Forever" stamp has gone up a nickel -- to 55 cents. While not exorbitant, the price increase is part of the biggest price jump on stamps in the United States Postal Service history. And it's a result of the pressure the agency is facing to dig itself out of a deep financial hole." USPS expands Wounded Warriors Leave 1.09.2019 - NALC reports: USPS recently updated the Wound Warriors Leave policy effective January 5, 2019. Eligible military veterans will be credited with 104 hours of Wounded Warriors Leave each leave year going forward. The FSS Slows, and the Red Ink Flows 1.06.2019 - Dead Tree Edition reports: "For the third year in a row, productivity of the U.S. Postal Service's Flats Sequencing System declined in 2018 - with no end in sight to the money-losing machines' troubles. Hourly throughputs declined 5% during Fiscal Year 2018 and are 14% below where they were five years ago, the USPS reported recently in its Annual Compliance Report. Leakage - the proportion of mail that was supposed to be run on FSS machines but wasn't - rose from 20.1% to 21.9%." APWU and USPS at Impasse on Contract 12.24.2018 - APWU reports: "The Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee had some serious concerns with the tentative agreement and sent it back to the APWU National leadership to reopen negotiations with management and attempt to address their concerns. We did just that in two meetings on Wednesday December 19, 2018 and follow up discussions on Thursday December 20th. However, we were unable to reach any changes or new agreements with the Postal Service. The APWU and USPS are now at "impasse." USPS will be open for business and mail delivery 12.21.2018 - NALC reports: USPS will be open for business and mail delivery will continue as usual Monday, Dec. 24. 2018 NALC election results update 12.10.2018 - NALC reports: The National Election Committee met on November 30 at NALC National Headquarters in Washington, DC, to review the election-result appeals that the committee received in November from two NALC members in the 2018 election of NALC national officers. Beware phishing emails posing as NALC 12.06.2018 - NALC reports: Phishing is a cybercrime in which a target or targets are contacted by email, telephone or text message by someone posing as a legitimate institution to lure individuals into providing sensitive data. White House Postal Task Force releases long-awaited report 12.03.2018 - NALC reports: Today, the Trump administration’s task force released its report evaluating USPS finances and operations, United States Postal Service: A Sustainable Path Forward. Trump Administration Proposes Major Overhaul of USPS 12.04.2018 - Washington Examiner reports: "The Treasury Department issued a report Tuesday calling the U.S. Postal Service "unsustainable" financially and calling for extensive changes to its operations. The recommendations include eliminating certain delivery services, allowing the Postal Service to set prices without Congress' consent, and eliminating collective bargaining over wages for USPS employees. The report suggests privatizing the USPS as a possible solution." - Seeks to Remove USPS Compensation From Collective Bargaining - Could Inflame Tensions With Amazon - Postal Task Force Report - NALC Statement - APWU - Treasury Dept. Paid The MITRE Corporation $1.6 Million to Write Report? USPS Delivery and Retail Services Suspended Wednesday, Dec. 5 12.03.2018 - NALC reports: President Donald J. Trump has proclaimed Wednesday, Dec. 5, a national day of mourning to honor the late President George H. W. Bush for his vast contributions to the United States during his lifetime. Penalty Overtime Exclusion 11.29.2018 - NALC reports: Exclusion: 12/1/18 through 12/28/18 Carriers to Receive Upgrade/Pay Schedule Consolidation 11.19.2018 - NALC reports: In accordance with the MOU Re: Pay Schedule Consolidation, all career and non-career (CCA) grade 1 city letter carriers were upgraded to their equivalent step in grade 2 effective Nov. 24. Keep it. It's yours. 11.16.2018 - NALC reports: On Nov. 15, the APWU and NALC launched a new ad showing what the public might expect from a corporate postal service if the White House plans to sell off USPS go forward. USPS Reports Fiscal Year 2018 Results 11.15.2018 - USPS reports: "The USPS reported operating revenue of $70.6 billion for fiscal year 2018, an increase of $1.0 billion compared to the prior year. The higher revenues were driven largely by continued growth in the Shipping and Packages business, where revenue increased $2.0 billion, or 10.1 percent, which more than offset revenue declines in First- Class and Marketing Mail as a result of declining volumes in that segment of its business." - $3.9 Billion Loss - 'We are not financially strong' USPS 2018 Fiscal Year Financial Report Statement 11.14.2018 - NALC reports: President Rolando's statement on the 2018 Fiscal Year financial report. California Wildfires - Ways to Help 11.13.2018 - NALC reports: NALC Disaster Relief Foundation - California Fires Message Injured on the job, then fired: Postal workers allege mistreatment by USPS 11.09.2018 - The Guardian reports: "The Guardian spoke to several former and current USPS workers, classified as non-career employees, who were fired or said they were mistreated after suffering on-the-job injuries. These temporary workers say they are uniquely vulnerable to mistreatment at a federal agency with one of the highest rates of workplace injury in the United States." Statement on election results 11.09.2018 - NALC reports: NALC President Fredric Rolando's statement regarding the midterm election Mail Truck Fires Persist in Aging Fleet Tagged for Replacement 11.07.2018 - Trucks.com reports: "Several hundred mail trucks burst into flames, burning beyond repair, in the past five years, according to a Trucks.com review of U.S. Postal Service documents and public news reports. At least six fires occurred in September and October, and 15 have been reported so far this year." Privatization of the U.S. Postal Service is wrong. We can stop it! 11.06.2018 - NALC reports: The U.S. Postal Service belongs to the American people. Let's do whatever it takes to keep it for generations to come. Amazon is launching new delivery program and hiring thousands of drivers 11.05.2018 - Business Insider reports: "For the first time, the company is planning to hire and manage thousands of full-time drivers to transport packages to customers from Amazon delivery outposts across the US, the company confirmed to Business Insider on Monday. Amazon will manage these drivers directly, meaning the company will set their wages, provide them delivery vehicles, and schedule their routes." Midterm Election Poll Times by State 11.05.2018 - NALC reports: Find your state poll schedule here NBC News report on how Vote-by-Mail improves security and turnout 11.03.2018 - NALC reports: On Friday night, NBC Nightly News aired a piece on how Oregon’s move to Vote at Home has not only engendered bipartisan support, but has led to more secure elections, a more engaged electorate and lower costs for taxpayers. Help elect labor-friendly candidates with Labor 2018 11.03.2018 - NALC reports: Join the AFL-CIO for Labor 2018 walks, phone banks and worksite actions to talk to fellow union brothers and sisters about the issues that matter to all of us. PMG Statement 11.01.2018 - NALC reports: Over the past week, the men and women of the United States Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service responded quickly and effectively to the threat of suspicious packages in the mail stream. Arrest made in explosive devices sent through the mail; don’t let guard down 10.26.2018 - NALC reports: It was reported today that a suspect has been arrested in connection with explosive packages sent through the Postal Service, even as at least two more potential devices were found in the mail stream this morning. Explosive devices discovered in mail packages; know the warning signs 10.25.2018 - NALC reports: Over the last several days, the media have reported on a number of explosive devices sent through the mail. Letter carriers and other postal workers need to know what to look for to identify any additional suspicious packages. FBI Investigating Multiple Pipe Bombs and Suspicious Packages 10.24.2018 - PostalMag.com reports: "The packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap interior. The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps. All packages had a return address of "DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ" [sic] in Florida." PMG Praises Employees, Law Enforcement - Arrest Made in South Florida - Missing Postmarks Add to Mystery - Two more bombs found, one at Manhattan postal facility - 'MAGAbomber' - Mailed From Postal Facility in Florida - NALC: Know the warning signs - More Packages - Two packages addressed to Biden found at Delaware postal facilities - Postal Police Play Key Role - 'Act of Terror' - Photo of Pipe Bomb - Envelope of white powder - Not delivered in traditional USPS mail? Statement: NALC opposes State Department decision to leave UPU 10.23.2018 - NALC reports: Leaving the UPU could have unintended negative consequences on American citizens and businesses and hurt the Postal Service financially. USPS Realizes Just 1/20th of Projected Savings From Network Realignment 10.18.2018 - GovExec reports: "Postal management told its regulatory body it would save $1.6 billion in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 by eliminating overnight delivery of regular, first-class mail and pushing back some of its two-day delivery to a three-day window, but the mailing agency's inspector general found it did not even come close to reaching that estimate. USPS instead saw about $90 million in savings, about one-twentieth of its estimate." - USPS OIG Report Trump administration moves to stop subsidizing Chinese mail 10.17.2018 - CNN reports: "On Wednesday, US officials will initiate a withdrawal process from the UPU, which was established in 1874 and has 192 member countries. The process to withdraw will take at least a year, and the administration intends to negotiate new rates with the group during that time. Under the current rules, the UPU sets lower rates for developing countries. It makes it possible to mail a package from Beijing to New York for less than it costs to send it from San Francisco to New York, for example." - Bloomberg: Trump is Right - China Regrets - Trump is trying to screw up your cheap international shipping - UPU Statement - USPS Praises Trump's Move Former NALC Vice President Hutchins has died 10.17.2018 - NALC reports: Former NALC Vice President Lawrence “Larry” G. Hutchins Sr. died on Oct. 9. He was 87. Missing: Letter Carrier Kierra Coles 27 y/o Female 10.16.2018 - NALC reports: Kierra Coles is a Letter Carrier for the USPS. She is 27 years old, 5'4" and 125 pounds, with a tattoo of a heart on her right hand, and another that says 'lucky libra' on her back. Statement: U.S. Mail: Not For Sale Nationwide Rallies 10.15.2018 - NALC reports: Statement from President Fredric Rolando, NALC Richmond postal workers push for earlier workday 10.14.2018 - WRIC reports: "Employees tell 8News, right now they begin their day at 9 a.m., forcing them to deliver mail after the sun sets. "And the carriers are going to be out there in the dark," said USPS employee Robin Richardson. "And we're looking, we're basically out here demonstrating for the safety and the customers. The customers don't want to get their mail this late and we don't want to be out there this late." NALC national elections 10.11.2018 - NALC reports: The National Election Committee, appointed at the Detroit National Convention to conduct the election of national officers for NALC for four-year terms, has announced the results. Branch Officers Training set for Jan. 7-10 in Orlando, FL 10.10.2018 - NALC reports: NALC Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Rhine has announced that Branch Officers Training will be held January 7-10, 2019, in Orlando, FL. NALC responds to Hurricane Michael Helping to account for each other's needs is the beginning point for assistance. 10.9.2018 - NALC reports: USPS Set to Run Out of Postal Retiree Health Care Funding in 12 Years 10.03.2018 - GovExec reports: "The USPS will run out of money to pay for its retirees' health care in 12 years if Congress does not take action to address the funding shortfall, according to a new audit of the benefit program. Funding for former postal employees has long been a sticking point in the fight to get the mailing agency's finances back on firmer footing, and for the last 10 years USPS has faced a requirement to prefund the benefit for future retirees." H. Res. 993 reaches 219 cosponsors 10.3.2018 - NALC reports: A bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives has cosponsored House Resolution 993. U.S. Mail: Not for Sale rallies being organized 9.28.2018 - NALC reports: The list of rally locations is being updated daily. Please see if a rally is planned near you and sign up to attend. Dozens of Senators Push Measure to Block Trump's USPS Privatization Plan 9.20.2018 - GovExec reports: "A bipartisan group of senators representing more than one-quarter of the upper chamber this week put forward a measure to block the Trump administration from moving forward with its plans to privatize the U.S. Postal Service. The resolution (S.Res. 633) follows a companion in the House introduced this summer with 190 signatures from members of both parties, including more than three dozen Republicans." Senate resolution introduced on USPS privatization 9.20.2018 - NALC reports: A bipartisan group of senators introduced a Senate Resolution (S. Res. 633) calling on Congress to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Postal Service remain an independent agency of the federal government and not be subject to privatization. What to do if you do not receive an NALC ballot 9.12.2018 - NALC reports: If you are eligible to vote and do not receive a ballot by Friday, Sept. 21, or if you have spoiled your ballot or need another ballot for any reason, you must notify a branch officer to request a duplicate ballot. NALC responds to Hurricane Florence 9.12.2018 - NALC reports: Helping to account for each other's needs is the beginning point for assistance. NALC ballots being mailed 9.12.2018 - NALC reports: Ballots are currently being prepared, inserted and mailed. All ballots are expected to be mailed by September 14. Amazon is 20,000 vans closer to replacing the post office 9.06.2018 - CNNMoney reports: "We've been really blown away by the number of people who approached us," Amazon's Dave Clark told CNNMoney. "We expected a lot of interest but the sheer volume -- the tens of thousands of people who actually went all the way through the process to make themselves eligible for the program -- has been really humbling." The influx of applications pushed Amazon to accelerate and expand its plans by ordering 20,000 Sprinter vans from Mercedes-Benz." - "Bad news for the already struggling post office" USPS Board of Governors activity in Senate and White House 8.30.2018 - NALC reports: On August 28, 2018, the Senate confirmed the nominations of David Williams (D) and Robert Duncan (R) to serve as members of the U.S. Postal Service’s Board of Governors, each for one term. Federal judge overturns Trump administration’s anti-federal union orders 8.28.2018 - NALC reports: On Saturday, a federal judge invalidated key provisions in three executive orders the Trump administration issued in May, which had made it easier for agencies to fire federal workers and placed strict limits on union activities. President Trump sets goals on international pricing/customs at UPU Congress 8.28.2018 - NALC reports: The memorandum calls to improve the “terminal dues,” the fees postal operators charge for delivering mail from other operators (e.g., the Royal Mail of the U.K. or China Post), and to negotiate changes in customs procedures for postal shipments. NALC Statement on USPS Q3 Financial Report for FY 2018 8.10.2018 - NALC reports: NALC President Fredric Rolando’s statement on the release of the U.S. Postal Service’s financial statement for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2018, covering the months of April, May and June of 2018. USPS Reports $1.5B Loss, Growth in Package Volume and Revenue 8.09.2018 - USPS reports: "First-Class Mail revenue declined by $134 million, or 2.2 percent, and Marketing Mail revenue increased by $63 million, or 1.6 percent. Total mail volume declined by a combined 397 million pieces, or 1.2 percent, compared to the same quarter last year. Shipping and Packages revenue increased by $475 million, or 10.2 percent, on volume growth of 102 million pieces, or 7.5 percent." - Post Office Losses Narrow to $1.5B, While Revenue Rises National Arbitration Award Issued on August 6th 8.09.2018 - NALC reports: In an award issued on August 6, 2018, national arbitrator Stephen Goldberg vacated the Postal Service’s unilateral changes to certain provisions of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual. Vote NO on Prop A 8.07.2018 - NALC reports: Today in Missouri, a significant vote on Proposition A is taking place at the voting booth. Branch Officers Training set for Sept. 17-20 in Minneapolis 8.03.2018 - NALC reports: NALC Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Rhine has announced that Branch Officers Training will be held September 17-20 in Minneapolis. Step credit for former TEs to be recalculated 8.01.2018 - NALC reports: USPS has agreed to recalculate eligible employees’ TE service by dividing their total TE days by 360. Grievance on delayed CCA backpay resolved 8.01.2018 - NALC reports: The parties have settled a national-level grievance on the delay in retroactive payment to certain city carrier assistants following ratification Interpretive dispute on CCA Holidays settled, eligible CCAs to receive retroactive holiday pay 7.31.2018 - NALC reports: The parties agreed that eligible CCAs will receive holiday pay for holidays after the first wage increases under the terms of the 2016-2019 National Agreement. Promotion Pay and Hold in Place dispute settled 7.30.2018 - NALC reports: This settlement (M-01893) lifts the hold in place instituted by USPS. In all offices, CCAs who have at least 30 months of relative standing on 9/1 to be converted to career status 7.30.2018 - NALC reports: NALC and USPS have settled a national level grievance regarding CCAs hired over the contractual caps. Capital Metro Area FSS Report Cast Doubt on Entire Program 7.27.2018 - PostalMag.com reports: "It is unclear whether processing flats on FSS is actually more cost-efficient than using AFSM. The Postal Service does not have any current studies or analyses to establish the financial benefit or workhour savings achieved when flats mail is processed on the FSS instead of the AFSM. Processing flats mail on AFSM machines and having the carriers manually sequence the flats may be less expensive than processing flats using FSS machines." NALC Participates in Capitol Hill Briefing Opposing Postal Privatization 7.27.2018 - NALC reports: NALC Executive Vice President, Brian Renfroe, participated in a briefing panel on Capitol Hill hosted by A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service, opposing postal privatization. Unanimous Resolution Against USPS Privatization 7.27.2018 - NALC reports: A resolution was unanimously passed by the AFL-CIO executive council on July 26th, condemning Postal Service Privatization The NALC Guide to Identifying Intentional False Editing of Clock Rings available online 7.27.2018 - NALC reports: The NALC Guide to Identifying Intentional False Editing of Clock Rings was created to assist union representatives when investigating grievances concerning clock ring edits that impact letter carriers’ pay. Election Committee Appointed 7.24.2018 - NALC reports: President Fredric Rolando appointed a National Election Committee to oversee the conduct of the 2018 election of national officers. Friday Convention Chronicle 7.23.2018 - NALC reports: On the closing day of the 71st biennial convention, speakers from both sides of the political aisle energized the delegates meeting in Detroit as they prepared for the return to their cities and branches. Thursday Convention Chronicle 7.19.2018 - NALC reports: Whether bringing their message to voters and to Congress, feeding hungry families through the Letter Carrier Food Drive or working for social and economic justice, letter carriers meeting in Detroit renewed their commitment to creating a better world. Wednesday Convention Chronicle 7.18.2018 - NALC reports: Delegates demonstrated that when union members use the democratic process to forge a common goal, they fulfill the promise of solidarity. Appeals court upholds dismissal of lawsuit 7.18.2018 - NALC reports: On July 17, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. upheld the dismissal of a 23-year-old lawsuit against certain former national officers and the NALC. Tuesday Convention Chronicle 7.17.2018 - NALC reports: Standing shoulder to shoulder in unity, delegates to NALC's 71st biennial convention in Detroit on Tuesday celebrated the power of solidarity and heard from union leaders who pledged their support in the struggles ahead. Convention Chronicle: 'The challenges of our time' 7.16.2018 - NALC reports: The 71st biennial convention began with a rigorous assessment of the challenges facing letter carriers—especially political, legislative and regulatory—and a call to action by NALC President Fredric Rolando to the delegates gathered in Detroit. House resolution introduced on USPS privatization 7.16.2018 - NALC reports: Bipartisan representatives introduced a House Resolution (H. Res. 993) calling on Congress to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Postal Service remain an independent agency of the federal government and not be subject to privatization. Postal Carrier Found Dead in Truck During Sweltering Heatwave 7.09.2018 - Fox 10 reports: "The USPS is talking about the hot weather and its policies for postal workers after a long-time postal carrier was found dead in her truck during the extreme heat in Woodland Hills Friday. Temperatures went up to about 117 degrees in the Woodland Hills area on Friday, but at this point it isn't known if heat was a factor in Peggy Frank's death." - Found Unresponsive While Seated in Postal Vehicle Say “Thank You” to our veterans 7.09.2018 - NALC reports: Come and write a thank you message on a postcard at the NALC Veterans Group booth at the NALC Convention in Detroit. Rejecting Agency's Offer, Postal Supervisors Fight for a Bigger Pay Raise 7.09.2018 - GovExec.com reports: "A major U.S. Postal Service group is challenging the pay raises offered by the agency, appealing to a third party to offer more significant salary increases to tens of thousands of postal workers. The raises will affect most of the 45,000 supervisors, managers, postmasters and technical specialists covered under the Executive and Administrative Schedule represented by the National Association of Postal Supervisors." USPS Faces Difficult Choices on How to Spend Its Limited Resources 7.02.2018 - GovExec.com reports: "The U.S. Postal Service has deferred spending on capital investments on things like vehicles and mail processing equipment over the last 10 years, according to a new report, and will likely face difficult choices on how to invest its limited funds over the next decade." - GAO Report (PDF) NALC Convention: Remember to register for the Blood Drive 6.29.2018 - NALC reports: Reminder for anyone attending the Convention, please remember to register for the Blood Drive. The National Association of Letter Carriers and the American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive at the national convention in Detroit. Delegates to the convention are encouraged to schedule an appointment. The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in every community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and almost everyone will need blood in their lifetime. Drive Details: Site: Cobo Center Address: 1 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI, 48226 Room Name: 140 DEF Date: Tuesday, July 17 Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coordinator Phone Number: 313-549-7051 Click here to make an appointment (click red arrow to see times and sign up) Amazon Launching Nationwide Delivery Service Program 6.29.2018 - Long anticipated, Amazon is launching a nationwide delivery service program to end its reliance on last mile shippers such as UPS, FedEx, and the USPS. The program will develop hundreds if not thousands of small business owners who will deliver the packages as part of their own business. Under the program, Amazon gets its packages delivered and the small business owners manage all the details including hiring, background checks, payroll, pay and benefits, training, vehicle maintenance, insurance, legal and regulatory issues etc. etc. - Amazon's new grassroots delivery network could sidestep UPS, USPS - Bezos says you can make up to $300K a year - Only Amazon Packages - Amazon Business Opportunity Website - Business Opportunity Brochure (PDF) - Archives: FedEx Sued By Drivers Clarified as Independent Contractors Supreme Court attacks workers’ rights in Janus decision 6.27.2018 - NALC reports: In a narrow 5-4 decision Wednesday, the Supreme Court once again sided with corporate special interests and against America’s working families. NALC Convention: Shuttle schedule 6.27.2018 - NALC reports: Complimentary shuttle service is provided between many of the NALC hotels and the Cobo Center. Senate Appropriations preserves 6 day 6.22.2018 - NALC reports: The committee preserved NALC’s long-standing language preserving six-day mail delivery, following similar preservation of language from the House committee last week. Trump Administration Proposes Privatizing Postal Service 6.21.2018 - FOX Business reports: "The president has been critical of the Postal Service, particularly regarding its relationship with e-commerce giant Amazon. The government is expected to make recommendations on privatization reforms in August. It promises to maintain strong regulatory oversight of the agency to ensure fair competition and prices for customers." - Plan (PDF, Page 68) - NALC Statement - APWU Statement - White House's Plan for the Postal Service: Fix It, Then Privatize It - Stamps. com shares drop 10% on announcement NALC's statement on OMB's proposal to privatize the Postal Service 6.21.2018 - NALC reports: “This report takes direct aim at numerous agencies including USPS under the guise of reforming and restructuring for the 21st century,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. Economics Blog: Federal Reserve increases target interest rates 6.15.2018 - NALC reports: On June 13, 2018, the Federal Reserve raised the target federal funds rate range by another 0.25%, bringing the target range to 1.75%-2.00% (up from Notice to prospective candidates in the 2018 NALC election (updated) 6.15.2018 - NALC reports: In accordance with federal law, NALC has arranged for Blue Bulldog Digital to handle requests by candidates for national office in the 2018 NALC election to distribute campaign literature by e-mail. Update on Trump executive orders attacking federal employees 6.12.2018 - NALC reports: NALC's analysis has concluded that the three executive orders do not apply to the Postal Service or its unions, a conclusion that was confirmed in writing by officials of the Office of Personnel Management. Postal Stakeholders Are Impressed With Trump's Task Force So Far 6.08.2018 - GovExec.com reports: "President Trump's task force to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service is up and running, and despite concerns that its members would simply follow the direction preset by the tweeter-in-chief, stakeholders in the postal community are impressed with seriousness and attention to detail with which the group has approached its undertaking." NALC submits postal workforce recommendations to White House 6.06.2018 - NALC reports: In a meeting with the White House today, NALC President Fred Rolando delivered policy recommendations to the White House Task Force on the Postal Service. Hellman to retire; Rolando to appoint Stewart 6.05.2018 - NALC reports: Brian Hellman, director of the NALC Health Benefit Plan, announced that he will retire after the 71st Biennial Convention in Detroit in July. USPS Delivery Satisfaction Numbers Trending Downward 6.03.2018 - PostalMag.com reports: USPS delivery satisfaction numbers are trending downward according to the USPS OIG Spring 2018 Semiannual Report to Congress released at the end of May. The report shows declining numbers for customer satisfaction in all areas except one. |
