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| Postal Articles |
TOP NEWS STORIES 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 - USPS 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 - USPS 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 - USPS reports: Helping to account for each other's needs is the beginning point for assistance. NALC ballots being mailed 9.12.2018 - USPS 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 - USPS 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 - USPS 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 - USPS 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 - USPS 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. Executive orders on federal employees 5.31.2018 - NALC reports: NALC is currently investigating if the executive orders issued by President Trump on Friday May 25 have any impact on the Postal Service. We will report our findings as information becomes available. Trump Pressured USPS to Jack Up Shipping Rates for Amazon 5.18.2018 - NY Post reports: "President Trump personally pressured Postmaster General Megan Brennan to double the charges Amazon and other firms pay to ship packages, a new report said Friday. Brennan resisted Trump's demand, explaining "in multiple conversations" that the rates are set in contracts and that any changes would have to be approved by regulators, the Washington Post reported." - Amazon briefly hit session low after report OPM proposes retirement changes 5.16.2018 - NALC reports: OPM sent a letter to Paul Ryan making four legislative recommendations that, if enacted, would require current and future federal employees to make larger pension contributions, and also would scale back retirement benefits for current retirees. USPS gets whacked with a $1.3 billion loss as it struggles to keep up with Amazon 5.11.2018 - Business Insider reports: " Perhaps even more troublesome is that the USPS posted such a large loss during a period in which package volumes increased by 5%. While that uptick most likely explains the $364 million increase in compensation expenses due to what it describes as "additional hours incurred to support the labor-intensive package business as well as contractual wage adjustments," it also raises the question of why the volume surge wasn't able to bridge the controllable-income gap." - Packages Weigh on USPS as Losses Grow - USPS Press Release NALC statement on USPS Q2 financial report for FY 2018 5.11.2018 - NALC reports: NALC President Fredric Rolando’s statement on the May 11 release of the U.S. Postal Service’s financial statement for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2018, covering the months of January, February and March of 2018. Notice of nominations for NALC national officers 5.07.2018 - NALC reports: Nominations for national officers of the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO, will be held on Wednesday, July 18, at the national convention in Detroit. For New Addresses, USPS Will No Longer Deliver to Your Door 5.04.2018 - GovExec.com reports: "The U.S. Postal Service will no longer deliver mail to the door for new addresses, pushing mail recipients to instead cluster their mailboxes in a centralized area. The new policy marks a sharp shift as the agency continues to find ways to cut costs and follows through on a proposal for which it has long advocated." - USPS Notice NALC president appoints trustee and national business agent 5.04.2018 - NALC reports: Rolando appoints Mack Julion and Javier Bernal to fill vacancies 2016-2019 NALC-USPS National Agreement 5.04.2018 - NALC reports: The 2016-2019 NALC-USPS National Agreement is now available online. The PDF includes bookmarks and hyperlinks to make navigating the document easier. In Rural America, the Postal Service is Already Collapsing 5.03.2018 - The Nation reports: "It's in towns like Jessica's that the Postal Service is most indispensable as a public institution, but rural areas are also where the agency's recent cutbacks have been the most debilitating. As the USPS has phased in workforce cuts over the past decade, it has created what amounts to a labor shortage at the country's smaller stations. Across rural America, routes are vacant, offices are understaffed, and turnover rates are high." A soaring federal deficit spells danger for letter carriers 5.03.2018 - NALC reports: On April 17, the Congressional Budget Office issued its latest budget outlook. It found that the federal budget deficit is exploding, thanks mostly to the 2017 tax cut, but also due to the 2018 spending bill adopted earlier this year. “It’s the pre-funding, stupid!” 5.01.2018 - NALC reports: Much of the recent press coverage on USPS has focused on Amazon packages, falling letter mail volume and postal retirement costs, but the real driver of postal finances is the Congressional mandate to pre-fund retiree health premiums decades in advance. CCA back pay update 4.30.2018 - NALC reports: The Postal Service has confirmed that the approximately 6,000 former CCAs who did not receive their back pay for time worked as a CCA during the back pay period on February 23 will receive this payment in their May 4 paychecks. Former TE step advancement 4.25.2018 - NALC reports: In accordance with the 2016 National Agreement, any CCA who was employed as a TE after Sept. 29, 2007 and has been, or will be, converted to a career position may be eligible for a one-time advancement to a higher Make a contribution toward your MBA retirement plan before April 16 4.16.2018 - NALC reports: April 16 is the last day to make a contribution to a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA for the 2017 Tax Year Food Driver poster orders deadline extended until April 20 Trump, Having Denounced Amazon's Shipping Deal, Orders Review of Postal Service 4.13.2018 - NY Times reports: "President Trump abruptly issued an executive order on Thursday demanding an evaluation of the Postal Service's finances, asserting the power of his office weeks after accusing Amazon, the online retail giant, of not paying its fair share in postage. In the executive order, Mr. Trump created a task force to examine the service's "unsustainable financial path" and directed the new panel to "conduct a thorough evaluation of the operations and finances of the USPS." - Text of the Executive Order - The Hill - CNBC President issues executive order to evaluate USPS finances 4.12.2018 - NALC reports: President Trump issued an executive order to form a task force charged with evaluating the finances of the U.S. Postal Service including pricing, policies and workforce costs. 2018 NALC Guide to Route Inspections 4.10.2018 - NALC reports: The 2018 NALC Guide to Route Inspections has been printed and is being shipped to each NALC Branch and the 15 National Business Agents’ offices. USPS Could Owe Payouts to As Many As $130K Employees After Class Action Ruling 4.09.2018 - GovExec reports: "The U.S. Postal Service will soon have to make a payout to as many as 130,000 current and former employees as part of a class-action lawsuit, with an anti-discrimination oversight body finding the mailing agency created a program to rid its rolls of employees injured on the job under the guise of trying to accommodate them." Promotion pay grievance update 4.7.2018 - NALC reports: A national class-action grievance was originally scheduled to be heard January 30. Unfortunately, this hearing was unexpectedly canceled by the arbitrator. NALC has received proposed dates for rescheduling and we expect to have a firm date shortly. MDD Load Truck feature 4.6.2018 - NALC reports: If a letter carrier is instructed to load or deliver their parcels in a manner inconsistent with the procedures outlined in Handbook M-41, he or she should follow those instructions but inform a local union representative for further investigation. Safety Ambassador Program 4.5.2018 - NALC reports: NALC advises all NALC activists to not volunteer to serve as a Safety Ambassador or participate in the newly developed Safety Ambassador Program. CCA back pay update 4.4.2018 - NALC reports: NALC has filed a national level grievance regarding former CCAs who have not received their back pay to date. Recent presidential tweet storm 4.3.2018 - NALC reports: Letter carriers deserve to know the facts about the Postal Service with respect to the president’s latest tweets. EEOC finds USPS practiced disability discrimination 4.3.2018 - NALC reports: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has found the Postal Service National Reassessment Process (NRP) subjected approximately 130,000 injured-on-duty employees to a pattern and practice of disability discrimination. Notice to prospective candidates in the 2018 NALC election 4.3.2018 - NALC reports: In accordance with federal law, NALC has arranged for Kelly Press to handle requests by candidates for national office in the 2018 NALC election to distribute campaign literature by e-mail. Trump Escalates Attack on Amazon and Postal Deal 3.31.2018 - Politico reports: "President Donald Trump continued to needle Amazon on Saturday, claiming the internet commerce giant maintains an advantageous relationship with the U.S Postal Service amounting to a "scam" worth "billions of dollars." "While we are on the subject, it is reported that the U.S. Post Office will lose $1.50 on average for each package it delivers for Amazon," the president wrote on Twitter."- Amazon and UPS Have Been Quietly Fighting Over Post Office's Cost Structure - Deal set to expire in October - Ex-PMG Donahue Disputes Trump - Trump Attacks Could Prompt Amazon to Move Away From Using USPS - As Trump Attacks Amazon/USPS, He Fails to Fill Postal Governing Board - Why Trump can't tell the USPS what to do - Bernie Sanders Agrees With Trump - Trump's Right - Trump keeps up Twitter assault on Amazon - Talk About Fake News: The Flawed Citigroup Analysis - Herman Cain: Postal Woes Aren't Amazon's Fault Senators introduce bill to stabilize, improve Postal Service 3.23.2018 - Dover Post reports: "Sens. Tom Carper, D-Delaware; Jerry Moran, R-Kansas; Heidi Heitkamp, D-North Dakota; and Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, introduced on March 22 The Postal Service Reform Act of 2018: Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency to stabilize, preserve and improve the U.S. Postal Service." - Retiree Health Premiums and Postal Reform - Postal Reform Bill Would Impact Health Insurance - Concerns About Medicare Plan - GovTrack S. 2629 - GovExec - APWU Statement - Carper Press Release - Bill Would Create New Health Benefits Program for Postal Employees - NALC Lauds Bipartisan Effort - Printing Industries Applauds - Business Community Supports NALC lauds bipartisan effort to advance postal reform legislation 3.23.2018 - NALC reports: NALC thanks and commends the bipartisan authors of this proposed legislation for working to strengthen the Postal Service. America’s letter carriers appreciate the significant improvements contained in the bill over prior reform efforts. Convention hotel update 3.22.2018 - NALC reports: The original block of hotels for the 2018 National Convention in Detroit is currently full. NALC is aware of the issue and is working to add additional hotels for convention delegates. Carriers Not Happy About New Scanning and Loading Directive 3.16.2018 - PostalMag.com reports: "City and Rural Carriers on workroom floors and in online forums are expressing much displeasure about a new time-wasting parcel scanning and loading program that has carriers scanning all parcels while loading in order to determine where to place the parcels in the vehicle." Parcel Bombs Strike Austin 3.12.2018 - Associated Press reports: "Two package bomb blasts a few miles apart killed a teenager and wounded two women in Austin on Monday, less than two weeks after a similar attack left a man dead in another part of the Texas capital. Investigators said the bombings are probably connected, and they are looking into whether race was a factor because all of the victims were minorities." - Not Delivered By a Mail Service Hatch Act social media and email guidance for federal employees 3.2.2018 - NALC reports: The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has updated it’s Hatch Act Social Media and Email Guidance for federal employees. Letter carriers should review this guidance to avoid inadvertent Hatch Act violations. March President's Message: Countdown to Detroit 3.1.2018 - NALC reports: NALC branches are meeting to elect delegates to the NALC’s 71st Biennial Convention in Detroit. NALC is battling on multiple fronts on all the major issues affecting letter carriers and their families—issues that are sure to be debated in Detroit. (PDF) APWU Reaches $49 Million Dollar Settlement With USPS on POStPlan Violations 2.24.2018 - The APWU reports: "The dispute was initiated after the Postal Service admittedly failed to honor their agreement that after December 22, 2014, the 'POStPlan' Remotely-Managed Post Offices (RMPOs) open 4 or 6 hours a day would be staffed with bargaining unit clerks, and Level 18 offices would be staffed with career employees. Long after the agreement, Postmaster Reliefs (PMRs) were still working in 4 or 6 hour RMPOs across the country and Level 18 offices reported still using PSEs instead of career employees." Amazon's Rise Has Pushed Mail Clerks and Carriers to the Breaking Point 2.21.2018 - The Nation reports: "Amazon was able to make a deal to ship its packages through USPS at cut-rate prices, because the company preemptively sorts and labels packages by postal route. But transporting and distributing these packages still takes clerks much longer than sorting letters, which can be fed through a machine. If the clerks are delayed, the station's carriers will be delayed in starting routes, which are already longer than ever thanks to the packages filling up their satchels and trucks. Many won't deliver their final box until well after the sun has set." CCA backpay update 2.20.2018 - NALC reports: As letter carriers eligible for retroactive pay began reviewing their earnings statements over the weekend, errors were discovered. NALC has been and will continue to work with USPS to identify those affected and correct the errors as soon as possible. Join us to fight for our freedom 2.20.2018 - NALC reports: Thousands of workers and allies will march in Washington, DC, and in cities nationwide on Feb. 24 as part of the Working People’s Day of Action. NALC President Rolando walking for MDA 2.20.2018 - NALC reports: On May 19, NALC President Fredric Rolando will take a few steps to help “Deliver the Cure” for muscular dystrophy by participating in a Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Muscle Walk fundraiser in Alexandria, VA. Find out how you can help. Trump Suggests USPS Cut Retirement, Health Benefits in $80B Savings Package 2.15.2018 - GovExec reports: "Trump's proposals largely mirrored those submitted in his last budget, as well as legislation that has been introduced in Congress. While lawmakers have sought to maintain delivery standards, however, Trump would allow USPS to "reduce mail delivery frequency from six days to five days where there is a business case for doing so." That proposal would likely face pushback in Congress, especially from lawmakers representing rural areas, and even postal management has dropped its proposal to eliminate mail delivery on Saturdays." - NALC: Budget Targets Letter Carriers and Their Families Fourth COLA set at $520 2.14.2018 - NALC reports: The fourth contract COLA is finalized today at $520 annually with the release of the January 2018 CPI-W. Trump administration’s 2019 budget targets letter carriers and their families 2.13.2018 - NALC reports: While breaking campaign promises by calling for massive cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, the administration’s new budget also calls for gutting the Affordable Care Act and aims direct attacks on federal and postal employees and their agencies. USPS Reports First Quarter 2018 Results 2.09.2018 - USPS reports: "Net loss for the first quarter totaled $540 million, compared to net income of $1.4 billion, for the same period last year. In the first quarter 2018, package volumes grew by 111 million pieces, or approximately 7%, while mail volumes declined by approximately 2.0 billion pieces, or approximately 5%, continuing a multi-year trend of increasing package volume and declining letter volumes." NALC statement on USPS Q1 financial report for FY 2018 2.9.2018 - NALC reports: NALC President Fredric Rolando’s statement on the Feb. 9 release of the U.S. Postal Service’s financial statement for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2018, covering the months of October, November and December of 2017: Economics blog: Unemployment holds at 4.1 percent but problems remain in the labor market 2.7.2018 - NALC reports: The data released on Friday points to continuing lags in the labor market and its implications for unemployed workers even in the so-called economic expansion. Convention registration materials mailed 2.5.2018 - NALC reports: The Delegate Eligibility Lists and registration forms were mailed out to all branch secretaries as of Feb. 2. Make a contribution toward your MBA retirement plan before April 16 1.31.2018 - NALC reports: April 16 is the last day to make a contribution to a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA for the 2017 Tax Year Food Drive promotional artwork available 1.31.2018 - NALC reports: The Family Circus cartoon for the 2018 Food Drive is available on the Food Drive tool kit. Food Drive task No. 1: Register 1.23.2018 - PostalMag.com reports: The deadline for branches to register for the 26th annual Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive is March 1. New USPS Postage Rates Take Effect January 21 1.21.2018 - PostalMag.com reports: The new prices include a one cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 49 cents to 50 cents. Postcard stamps and metered letters also have a one cent increase. The changes will raise Mailing Services product prices approximately 1.9 percent, and most Shipping Services products will average a 3.9 percent price increase. USPS remains open despite government shutdown 1.20.2018 - NALC reports: The Postal Service has confirmed in a tweet that the shutdown will not affect USPS or its employees. OSHA: Employers must post injury/illness summary beginning Feb. 1 1.18.2018 - NALC reports: OSHA reminds employers of their obligation to post job-related injuries and illnesses logged during 2017. Each year, between Feb. 1 and April 30, the summary must be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted. CCA back pay update 1.16.2018 - NALC reports: The Postal Service has notified NALC that the retroactive payments for city carrier assistants resulting from implementation of the 2016-2019 National Agreement will be delayed by one pay period. Update on legal action concerning 2017 ratification balloting 1.13.2018 - NALC reports: Legal claims challenging the conduct of the 2017 contract ratification vote have been dismissed by the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. NALC response to White House tweet on the Postal Service 1.9.2018 - NALC reports: If the president truly wants to make the Postal Service “smarter and richer,” he has the power to do so. USPS to Offer VER to Eligible Mail Handlers and Clerks 1.04.2018 - PostalMag.com reports: The Postal Service will extend voluntary early retirement (VER) offers to eligible mail handlers and clerks, beginning Jan. 8. The offers will contain three retirement-effective dates from which eligible employees may choose: Jan. 31, Feb. 28 and March 31. - APWU: Insufficient Notice - APWU: Letter Details VERA Eligibility Requirements (PDF) - NPMHU Trump Slams USPS for Amazon Discounts 12.29.2017 - CNBC reports: President Donald Trump took to Twitter to blast the Postal Service for giving Amazon discounts on its packages: "Why is the United States Post Office, which is losing many billions of dollars a year, while charging Amazon and others so little to deliver their packages, making Amazon richer and the Post Office dumber and poorer? Should be charging MUCH MORE!" - Trump renews ongoing feud with Bezos - Day of reckoning for Amazon could be coming soon Naked postal worker accused of fatally shooting supervisor, killing postmaster 12.23.2017 - NY Daily News reports: "An Ohio mail carrier at risk of losing his job walked naked into a Dublin post office where he's accused of fatally shooting his boss before targeting the postmaster leading the investigation into his workplace violations. DeShaune K. Stewart sent panicked postal workers fleeing from their workplace early Saturday morning when he entered the building and allegedly gunned down his immediate supervisor, 52-year-old Lance Maurice Herrera Dempsey, police said." - Man shoots postal supervisor, then kills postmaster at different scene - Ohio postal worker facing dismissal kills two bosses - Slayings stun friends, family members - DeShaune K. Stewart Former USPS VP Sentenced After Inspectors Uncovered Lies 12.19.2017 - Linns.com reports: "The unnamed former USPS vice president sentenced to two months and fined $84,500 for making false statements on disclosure forms is William (Bill) Whitman Jr. In 2014 then PMG Donahoe hired Whitman to become vice president of communications. But four months later Whitman suddenly disappeared from USPS HQ, without any public announcement." - Indictment (PDF) - PostalMag.com discovered case in OIG report - A USPS Vice President was (quietly) sent to prison for lying on his job application - Linkedin Profile Former USPS VP Sentenced After Inspectors Uncovered Lies 12.19.2017 - Linns.com reports: "The unnamed former USPS vice president sentenced to two months and fined $84,500 for making false statements on disclosure forms is William (Bill) Whitman Jr. In 2014 then PMG Donahoe hired Whitman to become vice president of communications. But four months later Whitman suddenly disappeared from USPS HQ, without any public announcement". - Indictment (PDF) - PostalMag.com discovered case in OIG report - A USPS Vice President was (quietly) sent to prison for lying on his job application - Linkedin Profile Atlanta: Mail Carriers Worry Late Deliveries Won't Get Better Before Christmas 12.13.2017 - CBS46.com reports: "Ever since we started investigating the issue of late mail delivery throughout Metro Atlanta, CBS46 has received a flood of e-mails and phone calls from people in every corner of the viewing area, who want to talk about a personal experience that matches up with what we've been reporting. We're also getting calls from mail carriers who want to give us inside information that post office management won't tell us." - Atlanta postmaster replaced amid delivery complaints Questions and answers about changes to TSP withdrawal options 12.13.2017 - NALC reports: "The Thrift Savings Plan has released a fact sheet that answers frequently asked questions about changes to TSP withdrawal options associated with the passage of the TSP Modernization Act." Now accepting applications for the 2018 NALC Leadership Academy 12.1.2017 - NALC reports: "The Leadership Academy, open to all active NALC members, is designed to both develop and enhance the knowledge and skills that are essential for" Back pay update 12.1.2017 - NALC reports: "Here is an update on back pay for active and retired letter carriers." Tell your senators to vote ‘no’ on tax bill 11.30.2017 - NALC reports: "NALC urges you to call your senators now and tell them to oppose S. 1 when it comes to the Senate floor." Penalty Overtime Exclusion scheduled 11.28.2017 - NALC reports: "The December period during which penalty overtime regulations are not applicable consists of four consecutive service weeks." As Postal Service Fleet Ages, Reports of Fires Grow 11.24.2017 - KSTP.com reports: "There have been hundreds of fires in Grumman LLVs, or Long Life Vehicles, around the country over the years. LLVs were designed for the United States Postal Service, the primary user of the trucks. According to internal documents, the postal service is well aware of the ongoing problems with their aging fleet of mail trucks." Economics Blog: Consumer sentiment is at its highest levels since January 2004 11.22.2017 - NALC reports: "The index of consumer sentiment was 98.5 for November 2017, down 2.2 percent from October 2017 but an increase in 5.6 percent from November 2016." NALC statement on USPS’ FY2017 financial report (updated) 11.21.2017 - NALC reports: "The Fiscal Year 2017 financial report shows the underlying business strength of the U.S. Postal Service while also indicating the need to address external matters beyond USPS control. Updated to include news media coverage." House advances 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' 11.16.2017 - NALC reports: "The House has approved the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a bill that cuts taxes by $1.5 trillion—but has serious implications for working families nationwide." Tell the House to vote ‘no’ on tax bill 11.15.2017 - NALC reports: "The House is expected to vote tomorrow on the so-called “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” a bill that seeks to cut taxes for corporations and America’s wealthiest. Tell your rep to oppose H.R. 1—that it does anything but cut taxes and create jobs." USPS Reports Fiscal Year 2017 Results 11.14.2017 - PostalMag.com reports: "The U.S. Postal Service reported revenue of $69.6 billion for fiscal year 2017 (October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017), a decrease of $1.8 billion compared to the prior year. The lower revenues were driven largely by accelerated declines in First-Class and Marketing Mail volumes. In 2017, mail volumes declined by approximately 5.0 billion pieces, or 3.6 percent, while package volumes grew by 589 million pieces, or 11.4 percent." - Forbes: A Failed Mission - Red Ink For 11th Year in Row as Mail Slumps - USPS Reports $1.8 Billion Revenue Drop NALC statement on USPS’ FY2017 financial report 11.14.2017 - NALC reports: "The Fiscal Year 2017 financial report shows the underlying business strength of the U.S. Postal Service while also indicating the need to address." Atlanta USPS Mail Carrier Explains Late Mail Deliveries 11.09.2017 - CBS 46 reports: "She said post offices are understaffed citywide, which forces carriers to take on extra routes, and it puts them in dangerous situations when they inevitably have to deliver mail at night. The anonymous USPS employee said the tough working environment has some carriers quitting their routes at sundown, whether they're finished or not, and some are looking for new jobs altogether, which does not help the understaffing issue. She also described management treating employees worse in response to complaints about working extra hours." Help California letter carriers hurt by recent wildfires 11.6.2017 - NALC reports: "In the blink of an eye, some NALC members in California were fleeing for their lives when a firestorm hit Santa Rosa early on Oct. 9. Find out how you can help active and retired letter carriers who suffered serious property damage and loss as a result." As U.S. Postage Rates Continue to Rise, The USPS Gives the Chinese a 'Free Ride' 11.05.2017 - Forbes reports: "As the rates of the U.S. Postal Service continue on their precipitous ascent, how cheaply Chinese merchants are able to ship their products thousands of miles across the world to the USA has become emblematic of the stark trade imbalance between the countries as well as the disadvantages that American companies are up against as foreign competitors outmaneuver them in their own backyard." - Comments (10 Comments) NALC embraces AFL-CIO pledge to ‘Join. Fight. Win.’ 11.3.2017 - NALC reports: "The 28th Constitutional Convention of the AFL-CIO convened in St. Louis Oct. 22-25 and representatives from NALC were there in force." NALC challenges change to promotion pay provisions 11.2.2017 - NALC reports: "NALC has filed a national class-action grievance on USPS’s proposed revisions to the Employee and Labor Relations Manual and has appealed it to arbitration." Carriers encouraged to give through CFC (updated) 11.2.2017 - NALC reports: "Letter carriers can make charitable donations through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) through paycheck and annuity deductions. The campaign runs through Jan. 12." Trump Nominates Three to USPS Board of Governors 10.26.2017 - PostalMag.com reports: "President Trump has nominated the following individuals to be Members of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service: Calvin R. Tucker of Pennsylvania, Robert M. Duncan of Kentucky and David Williams of Illinois." - Postal board finally receives three nominees to fill vacant posts USPS Ready to Deliver 15 Billion Pieces of Mail This Holiday Season 10.25.2017 - PostalMag.com reports: "The U.S. Postal Service expects to deliver more than 15 billion pieces of mail this holiday season. In the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, the Postal Service also expects to deliver 850 million packages, which is more than a 10 percent increase compared to the same period last year." Watch: NALC Secretary-Treasure Rhine at the AFL-CIO convention 10.25.2017 - NALC reports: "On Oct. 24, NALC Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Rhine delivered a speech from the floor of the AFL- CIO’s convention in St. Louis, supporting a convention resolution on promoting voting by mail." 10.18.2017 - NALC reports: "San Jose’s Mercury News: Surreal video of postal deliveries in Santa Rosa neighborhood destroyed by fire" Dramatic YouTube video posted by a professional drone pilot and photographer shows a Postal Service mail truck making requested deliveries in Santa Rosa’s fire-ravaged Coffey Park neighborhood. Help letter carriers in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands hurt by hurricanes (updated) 10.10.2017 - NALC reports: "Hurricanes Irma and Maria have devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—the U.S.’s island territories in the Caribbean—but despite many obstacles, letter carriers are finding ways to help." Last Remaining Postal Governor POST DATED Rate Hikes 10.06.2017 - PostalMag.com reports: "The last remaining Postal Governor James Bilbray signed several POST DATED orders in November/December 2016 to raise postal rate prices in January 2018, because any price increases must be approved by the postal governors. Currently there are no postal governors because the Senate has not confirmed any new governors in a couple of years." USPS Announces New Prices for 2018 10.06.2017 - PostalMag.com reports: "The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission today of price changes to take effect on January 21, 2018. The new prices, if approved, include a one cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 49 cents to 50 cents. Most Shipping Services products will average a 3.9 percent price increase." - Sellers Face 6 Percent Priority Mail Rate Hike in 2018 Letter carriers recognized as 2017 Heroes of the Year 10.4.2017 - NALC reports: "Letter carriers who rescued a young man from a house fire, helped police defuse a tense standoff with an armed man, and raised money for a disabled-accessible van for a young girl, will be honored Oct. 4." Help letter carriers in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands hurt by hurricanes (updated) 10.4.2017 - NALC reports: "Hurricanes Irma and Maria have devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—the U.S.’s island territories in the Caribbean—but despite many obstacles, letter carriers are finding ways to help." Carriers encouraged to give through CFC 10.2.2017 - NALC reports: "Letter carriers can make charitable donations through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) through paycheck and annuity deductions. The campaign runs through Jan. 12." Veterans Day holiday 9.28.2017 - NALC reports: "There has been some confusion regarding on what day letter carriers who are eligible for the Veterans Day holiday will observe this holiday." Help letter carriers hurt by Hurricanes Irma and Maria 9.22.2017 - NALC reports: "Hurricanes Irma and Maria have devastated the U.S.’s island territories in the Caribbean, but despite many obstacles, letter carriers are finding ways to help." Letter carriers recognized as 2017 Heroes of the Year 9.21.2017 - NALC reports: "Letter carriers who rescued a young man from a house fire, helped police defuse a tense standoff with an armed man, and raised money for a disabled-accessible van for a young girl, will be honored Oct. 4." USPS OIG Report on City Carriers Working Past 6PM 9.19.2017 - PostalMag.com reports: "The USPS OIG recently investigated 15 randomly selected delivery units in the Bay Valley District. The OIG selected the Bay Valley District for review because it has the fourth highest percentage of instances of carriers returning after 6 p.m. in the nation. The investigation found that only 72 percent of city carriers and CCAs in these units returned by 6 p.m. with some on the street as late as 10 p.m." Senator wants firings after postal workers accused of delaying mail delivery 9.19.2017 - The Billings Gazette reports: "Tester wrote the U.S. Postmaster General on Monday after the Office of Inspector General revealed that more than 2 billion mailed items were delayed nationwide over a year's time. Investigators also discovered postal workers manipulating mail delivery time records and inaccurately reporting delayed mail. Several postal employees, including some in Montana, reported mail being intentionally delayed so workers on another shift would have something to do." - USPS OIG Report: Delayed Mail Validation Economics Blog: CPI increases slightly in August, driven mostly by gasoline and shelter costs 9.14.2017 - NALC reports: "The Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers has remained in the range of 1.6 to 2.3 percent on an annual basis since June 2011." Economics Blog: New OIG report sheds light on post office usage, especially among the young 9.13.2017 - NALC reports: "A new study released this week indicates that there are more customers who visit post offices than official statistics show." Economics Blog: NAFTA renegotiations show differences between Canadian and U.S. wages and unions" 9.12.2017 - NALC reports: "Will Canada help end right-to-work? Nalcrest office to close on Sept. 9 in preparation for Hurricane Irma 9.8.2017 - NALC reports: "All Nalcrest buildings, including the office, will be closed beginning Saturday, Sept. 9. Normal operations will resume once it is safe to do so." Analysis: Postal woes demand jump in stamp price to 60 cents 9.07.2017 - Associated Press reports: "A 60 cent postage stamp? The U.S. Postal Service would have to boost prices for mailing letters and packages by nearly 20 percent -- the biggest one-time increase in its history -- to avoid bankruptcy and improve delivery service, an industry analysis says. That means the price of a first-class stamp could jump from 49 cents to nearly 60 cents -- if the post office gets the power to raise stamp rates beyond the rate of inflation." NALC responds to Hurricane Harvey (updated) 9.5.2017 - NALC reports: "A harm to one is a harm to all. We always take care of our own." Help postal employees hurt by Hurricane Harvey (updated) 9.5.2017 - NALC reports: "Learn how you can make an immediate donation to the Postal Employees' Relief Fund and donate postal uniforms, footwear and/or rain gear." Economics Blog: Unemployment creeps up in August 9.1.2017 - NALC reports: "The Bureau of Labor Statistics today released its employment numbers for August 2017. The economy added 156,000 jobs, falling short of the 176,000 average for 2017." NALC responds to Hurricane Harvey 8.29.2017 - NALC reports: "A harm to one is a harm to all. We always take care of our own." Agreement reached on implementing new Article 8 provisions 8.29.2017 - NALC reports: "NALC and USPS have agreed on a new memorandum of understanding." Help postal employees hurt by Hurricane Harvey 8.29.2017 - NALC reports: "Learn how you can make an immediate donation to the Postal Employees' Relief Fund." NALC: Wage Increase Update 8.23.2017 - PostalMag.com reports: "The Postal Service has indicated that it will take some time to calculate the back pay for the more than 210,000 letter carriers, but that all back pay will be processed and paid as soon as practicable. On Aug. 19, career letter carriers began earning the first two cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) payable under the new contract that were effective Sept. 3, 2016, and March 4, 2017, as well as the 1.2 percent general wage increase that was effective Nov. 26, 2016." Wage increase update 8.23.2017 - NALC reports: "With a new National Agreement between NALC and USPS now in effect, learn more about the calculation and scheduling of cost-of-living adjustments, general wage increases and back pay calculations." USPS reports Fiscal Year 2017 3rd quarter results 8.10.2017 - NALC reports: "NALC President Fredric Rolando: “Today’s financial report shows the underlying business strength of the U.S. Postal Service while also indicating the need to address external matters beyond USPS control.” Demand that the Labor Department fully implement the overtime pay rule 8.9.2017 - NALC reports: "Lobbyists in Washington, DC, are attempting to do take overtime pay away from millions of working families who finally became eligible to earn it pay just last year." New NALC-USPS Contract is Ratified 8.7.2017 - NALC reports: "The active membership of the National Association of Letter Carriers has overwhelmingly ratified the proposed 2016-2019 National Agreement with the United States Postal Service. By a margin exceeding 16 to 1, eligible members voted to accept the tentative agreement that was announced on May 12. The vote to ratify was 78,935 to accept the agreement versus 4,732 to reject it, as reported by NALC's Ballot Committee chaired by Joseph DeRossi." 19th biennial CLUW convention: Sept. 6-9 in Detroit 8.7.2017 - NALC reports: - "The theme for the 19th biennial convention of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) is “WOMEN: Taking It To The Streets.” Ratification ballot update for observing the receipt and tabulation of the ballots 7.30.2017 - NALC reports: - "Information for NALC members in good standing who wish to observe the receipt and tabulation of the ballots on the proposed tentative 2016-2019 National Agreement between NALC and USPS." Ratification ballot update 7.28.2017 - NALC reports: - "The U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, has denied the request of two NALC members for a preliminary injunction that would have deferred the counting of ballots on the proposed tentative 2016-2019 National Agreement between NALC and USPS." Efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act will continue 7.28.2017 - NALC reports: - "The debate will continue on efforts to dismantle Obamacare, so it remains imperative that letter carriers continue call the Washington, DC, and home-district offices of their senators and tell them both senators to oppose such efforts." Tell the Senate to Vote “No” on Efforts to Dismantle the Affordable Care Act 7.26.2017 - NALC reports: - "It is imperative that letter carriers continue to make calls to their Senators’ Washington, DC and state offices, especially to Republican Senators from Maine, Alaska, Nevada, West Virginia and Ohio who hold the critical votes in this matter." Act now to stop Senate health care bill 7.25.2017 - NALC reports: - "Tell your senators to start over on a bipartisan bill to strengthen health care, not destroy it." House committee spending blueprint targets letter carriers 7.24.2017 - NALC reports: - "The House Budget Committee released its adopted FY2018 budget resolution, training its sights on postal and federal employee benefits and targeting the U.S. Postal Service for massive cuts." Watchdog: Postal Service broke law by letting employees do Clinton campaign work 7.19.2017 - Fox News reports: - "According to the report, roughly 97 NALC members requested the leave without pay to participate. The NALC, which endorsed Clinton last June, compensated those USPS workers using the Letter Carrier Political Fund, the union's PAC." - USPS improperly enabled workers - Postal Service showed 'institutional bias' by letting workers help Clinton - Wisconsin letter carrier to testify on political campaigning by postal workers - USPS financially imploding as new political scandal emerges - NALC Statement - USPS OIG: Oral Statement on USPS Actions During the 2016 Campaign Season (PDF) - VIDEO: Wisconsin Letter Carrier Timm Kopp Testifies - Postal Service taking a 'hands off' approach to future union political activity NALC statement regarding July 19 Senate hearing 7.19.2017 - NALC reports: - "Here is NALC’s statement regarding the July 19 Senate hearing on action during the 2016 campaign season and implications for the Hatch Act." NPMHU Secures Delay of Proposed Involuntary Reassignments 7.18.2017 - NPMHU reports: - "The NPMHU has been recently informed by Postal Headquarters that the September 2017 "move date" will be pushed back and that no Mail Handler will be involuntarily reassigned out of his/her installation until, in all likelihood, at least February 2018. Postal management has agreed to use this extended period to discuss with the unions ways to minimize and even eliminate the involuntary reassignments of Full-Time career employees out of their current installations." Federal Employee Call-In Day: Tuesday, July 18 7.15.2017 - NALC reports: - "Learn how you can help fight back against White House FY 2018 budget proposals that take aim at letter carriers and other federal employees." Postal Worker Dies After Collapsing on Route 7.14.2017 - The TriStateUpdate reports: - "Family members confirm to 13 News that a loved one who is a postal worker died while delivering mail, after collapsing on a front porch. Charleston Fire says that a postal worker was transported to an area hospital after receiving a call that someone passed out from heat exhaustion. Family members identify that man as Ronnie Bowles." Ratification balloting update 7.14.2017 - NALC reports: - "Check out the latest information regarding the balloting on the ratification of the tentative 2016- 2019 National Agreement between NALC and the U.S. Postal Service." 75 million pounds: Impressive national Food Drive results 7.14.2017 - NALC reports: - "NALC’s 25th annual food drive, held on Saturday, May 13, collected 75 million pounds, the third- highest total in the event’s history." Rural Carrier Associate Kills Himself at Rolla, Missouri Post Office 7.10.2017 - The Rolla Daily News reports: "The man was identified as Benedict Benito, an employee of the post office. Benito had taken hostages prior to the arrival of law enforcement. Rolla Chief of Police Sean Fagan said two other post office employees were caught inside the building, and a third employee showed up after Benito arrived, but was able to run away." - Man found dead inside post office after standoff Another Postal Reform Effort Fades Away 6.28.2017 - Linn's Stamp News reports: - "It's hardly a surprise to many in Washington's postal community, but the lawmaker who crafted the House's bipartisan postal legislation says his bill appears dead. That is what departed House Oversight chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, told The Hill newspaper shortly before his resignation from Congress became effective June 30." Senate delays vote on flawed health care bill 6.27.2017 - NALC reports: - "Thanks to the overwhelming opposition voiced by letter carriers, working people and the general public, the Senate has delayed action on the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 until after Congress' Fourth of July recess." Senate Republicans finally reveal their health care bill 6.23.2017 - NALC reports: - "Rather than providing better coverage at lower premiums, the Better Care Reconciliation Act would strip millions of Americans of health insurance coverage to pay for massive tax cuts for corporations and the nation’s wealthiest. Learn how you can respond." Redesigned Heat Safety Tool app released 6.19.2017 - NALC reports: - "The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have collaborated to update OSHA’s original Heat Safety Tool app for smartphones." APWU Geared Up to Fight Back Against USPS Reductions in Service and Jobs 6.17.2017 - The APWU reports : - "Throughout the country, the Postal Service has launched an all-out assault on our jobs and is blatantly violating the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in their staffing of post offices. The USPS is reducing service to the community and disrupting the lives of postal workers by reducing duty assignments (reversions and abolishments) and issuing excessing notices potentially affecting hundreds of post offices and thousands of employees." APWU Wins National Level Arbitration Award On POStPlan MOU 6.08.2017 - The APWU reports: - "Arbitrator Goldberg issued an award in a national-level case over what remedy was due for the Postal Service's failure to staff 'POStPlan' offices following an original award on September 5, 2014 and a MOU negotiated afterward. Arbitrator Goldberg held that the Postal Service must make whole all postal employees in the Clerk Craft bargaining unit who were denied craft work as a result of the USPS' failure to follow the POStPlan MOU." Are Postal Service retiree obligations too big to move? 6.05.2017 - Federal Times reports: - "The magnitude of the U.S. Postal Service's unfunded liabilities for its retiree pensions and health benefits imperils the agency and its workforce. Now a Congressional proposal seeks to brighten the agency's future finances - by shifting these liabilities onto federal taxpayers through the Medicare system." Trump administration releases FY2018 budget plan 5.23.2017 - NALC reports: - "The Trump administration’s budget plan for Fiscal Year 2018 proposes cuts for the Postal Service and for active and retired federal employees." Trump Suggests USPS Cut Retirement, Health Benefits in $46 Billion Savings Package 5.24.2017 - GovExec reports: "While lawmakers have sought to maintain delivery standards, however, Trump would allow USPS to "reduce mail delivery frequency where there is a business case for doing so." That proposal would likely face pushback in Congress, especially from lawmakers representing rural areas, and even postal management has dropped its proposal to eliminate mail delivery on Saturdays." Contract ratification update: Rap session announced 5.23.2017 - NALC reports: - "So that the tentative National Agreement can be fully discussed with branch and state leaders prior to the ratification voting, the 2017 National Conference—better known as a “rap session”—will be held June 14-15 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City." Trump's Budget Calls for Major Hits on Federal Employee Retirement Programs 5.19.2017 - The Denver Post reports: "Trump's fiscal 2018 budget would: Increase Federal Employees Retirement System contributions from workers by 1 percentage point each year until they equal the government's contribution. Base future retirement benefits on the average of the high five years of salary instead of the current high three. Eliminate cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for current and future FERS employees. Eliminate supplement payments for FERS employees who retire beginning in 2018." - Purported Trump budget doc zeroes out federal employee benefits - Republicans gearing up for major changes to federal pay and benefits Tentative National Agreement is reached 5.12.2017 - USPS reports: "The National Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service have reached tentative agreement on a national labor contract, covering 213,000 active city letter carriers across America." 25th annual Letter Carriers’ ‘Stamp Out Hunger®’ Food Drive is Saturday, May 13 5.12.2017 - USPS reports: "The Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, the country's largest single-day food drive, provides residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need." USPS Reports 2017 2nd Quarter Results 5.10.2017 - USPS reports: "Although the U.S. Postal Service posted modest controllable income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2017 of $12 million, it fell well short of the $576 million that it had for the same quarter last year. This reduction was driven by the April 2016 expiration of the exigent surcharge, which would have generated approximately $500 million in additional revenue during the quarter had it remained in place, and to a lesser extent, a $69 million increase in controllable operating expenses." NALC statement on USPS’ quarterly financial report 5.10.2017 - NALC reports: - "On May 10, the USPS released a report on its financial performance for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2017 (January, February and March of 2017). NALC President Fredric Rolando has issued a statement about the report." An update on the Nabisco/Mondelēz boycott 5.5.2017 - NALC reports: - "The BCTGM-led Nabisco/Mondelēz boycott campaign grows stronger thanks to the solidarity, combined efforts and collective strength of NALC members and the more than 12.5 million working people in the 55 unions of the AFL-CIO." Letter Carriers: Where's The Contract? 4.26.2017 - PostalMag.com reports: - "Letter Carriers across the U.S.A. are beginning to grumble about the lack of a new contract. The last contract expired almost a year ago on May 20th, 2016. The length of time, without the contract going to arbitration, is unusual. Carriers are concerned about missing out on wage increases and cost-of-living allowances." Postal Rate Fight Continues as Publishers Battle USPS "Stupidity Tax" 4.12.2017 - Publishing Executive reports: -"FSS prepared Periodicals flats in FY2016 cost an average of almost 17 cents per piece more than CR [carrier route] presorted flats cost in non-FSS zones," Stralberg wrote, citing the USPS's own data. "The average cost added by FSS flats to Periodicals costs in FSS zones is 10.5 cents per piece," an increase of about 40%." 4.7.2017 - NALC reports: - "NALC members crucial to achieving majority bipartisan co-sponsorship of House door delivery resolution." Thanks in large part to the efforts of NALC members, House Resolution 28, urging the House of Representatives to take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of door delivery for business and residential customers, now has a bipartisan majority of 218 co-sponsors. Obamacare repeal fails 3.25.2017 - NALC reports: - "President Trump and Speaker of the House Ryan withdrew the American Health Care Act before a scheduled vote in the House on Friday. “This is good news for millions of working families,” says NALC President Rolando." NALC submits comments in PRC’s rate-setting review 3.23.2017 - NALC reports: - "The Postal Regulatory Commission’s (PRC) required 10-year review of the way USPS sets its prices for postage and postal products is underway, with NALC making an official submission to the agency before the public comment window closed on March 20." House Panel Approves Postal Service Finances Legislation 3.17.2017 - The Hill reports: - "The bill would automatically enroll eligible USPS retirees in Medicare, make reforms to the Postal Service's governance, bolster the use of centralized delivery, allow the USPS to increase postal rates by 1 cent for a first-class stamp and to provide non-postal services to state and local governments." - Postal Service Reform Act Takes Another Step Forward in House Filmmakers set out to tell letter carriers’ stories 3.2.2017 - NALC reports: - "A group of international artists based in Los Angeles is putting together a collection of letter carriers' stories and hopes to create a library of videos and podcasts." Trouble at the Kansas Stamp Cave 3.02.2017 - Linn's Stamp News Reports: "The way United States postal inspectors are telling it, Khalid M. Hussain, the longtime manager of the Stamp Fulfillment Services center in Kansas City, Mo., ran a rogue operation for years that sold U.S. mint stamps overseas at deep discounts. At the same time at his offices in the underground stamp center known as "the caves," Hussain was giving away, or selling at discounted prices, philatelic products sent to his facility for disposal or destruction." Former NALC Dir. of Life Insurance O’Connor has died 3.2.2017 - NALC reports: - "Former NALC Director of Life Insurance Michael J. O’Connor, a member of Boston Branch 34, died on Feb. 28. He was 77" Dowdy retires; Preston named new Region 13 NBA 2.27.2017 - NALC reports: - "NALC President Fredric Rolando has appointed Region 13 Regional Administrative Assistant Vada Preston to serve as that region’s national business agent, effective March 6. Preston replaces the retiring Tim Dowdy." NALC opposes Mulvaney as OMB director 2.15.2017 - NALC reports: - "NALC President Fredric Rolando’s statement on the nomination of Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) to serve as director of the Office of Management and Budget, a unit of the White House charged with developing the administration’s annual budget proposal." Postal reform update: A changed political landscape requires a new strategy 2.12.2017 - NALC reports: - "Postal reform has strong bipartisan support and our goals have not changed. Our strategy, of course, will have to change to reflect the new political landscape in Washington, DC." NALC statement on USPS’ Q1 financial report for FY 2017 2.9.2017 - NALC reports: - "NALC President Fredric Rolando’s statement on the Feb. 9 release of the U.S. Postal Service’s financial report for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2017, covering the months of October, November and December of 2016." Rolando testifies about postal legislation before House committee 2.8.2017 - NALC reports: - "On Feb. 7, NALC President Fredric Rolando testified before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the Postal Service Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 756)." House panel displays bipartisan unity over bill to save the Postal Service 2.07.2017 - Washington Post reports: "Much of what the bill would do is in the weeds of postal finances, dealing with the nitty- gritty of health benefits for employees and retirees, pensions, governance and contracting. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan said the provision requiring postal retirees to fully participate in Medicare is key because that "would essentially eliminate our unfunded liability for retiree health benefits," which has been a major driver of postal doldrums." - Video and Testimony - NALC: All Four Postal Unions Urge Committee to Adopt Legislation - Postal Unions Agreeing to Have Postal Employees Segregated Into Separate FEHBP Risk Pool (PDF, page 5) - APWU: A Positive Step Forward Rolando to testify Tuesday on Capitol Hill 2.6.2017 - NALC reports: - "NALC President Fredric Rolando is among those called to testify at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing Tuesday on the recently introduced postal bill, The Postal Service Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 756)." Bipartisan postal reform bills reintroduced 2.2.2017 - NALC reports: - "Reps. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and Stephen Lynch (D-MA) have reintroduced postal bills similar to ones introduced in the 114th Congress. NALC President Fredric Rolando has been invited to a Feb. 7 House committee hearing on both bills." House Committee Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Postal Reform Legislation Centralized/Curbside Delivery, Postal FEHBP Plans, Medicare for Retirees, Private Sector Pay for PMG, DPMG 2.1.2017 - House.gov reports: "Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee leaders introduced H.R. 756, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2017. The bill addresses unfunded liabilities of the USPS, makes reforms to keep mailing costs affordable for consumers, and encourages innovation, all without additional borrowing capacity from the U.S. taxpayer." - APWU Reviewing Legislation - Major Mailing Organization Backs - Legislation Introduced to Reform Postal Employees' Benefits OMB and OPM say USPS exempt from hiring freeze 2.1.2017 - NALC reports: - "On Tuesday, the acting directors of the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management issued a memorandum to provide guidance regarding the hiring freeze instituted by President Donald Trump on Jan. 23." House Committee Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Postal Reform Legislation Centralized/Curbside Delivery, Postal FEHBP Plans, Medicare for Retirees, Private Sector Pay for PMG, DPMG 2.1.2017 - House.gov reports: "Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee leaders introduced H.R. 756, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2017. The bill addresses unfunded liabilities of the USPS, makes reforms to keep mailing costs affordable for consumers, and encourages innovation, all without additional borrowing capacity from the U.S. taxpayer. Chaffetz: Postal reform bill needed to reform 'unsustainable' trajectory 1.26.2017 - Federal News Radio reports: "Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman, told lawmakers Tuesday at a goal-setting organizational meeting that last year's efforts served as a "good starting point" for getting a postal reform bill on President Donald Trump's desk within the next two years." Postal Service Pushes Back Against Trump Hiring Freeze 1.25.2017 - Linns.com reports: "In a brief statement Jan. 25, Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer told Linn's: "In view of our independent status, past Executive Orders imposing hiring freezes on Executive Departments and Agencies have not applied to the Postal Service. We have reached out to the Administration to discuss this matter." - NALC tells members Trump freeze shouldn't affect CCA conversions - NAPS Reaches Out to USPS HQ for Info Forever Stamps Will Cost More Starting Sunday 1.22.2017 - USA Today reports: "The last increase came in January 2014 when it went from 47 cents to 49 cents. Then last April, the Postal Regulatory Commission ordered the USPS to drop its prices for the first time in 97 years. Postmaster General Megan Brennan protested, saying, "given our precarious financial condition and ongoing business needs, the price reduction required by the PRC exacerbates our losses." So now the price is going back up again on January 22nd. Postcards, letters mailed to other countries and heavier letters aren't affected." Food Drive’s ‘Family Circus’ art revealed 1.19.2017 - NALC reports: "Enthusiasm for the 25th anniversary Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive is running high as this year’s official “Family Circus” artwork is revealed." Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) news 1.19.2017 - NALC reports: "The Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its latest figures, and NALC has updated its COLA calculations for retired letter carriers and for FECA beneficiaries. Branch officers get trained in Phoenix 1.14.2017 - NALC reports: "A three-and-a-half day of educational seminar, tailored to assist branch presidents, vice presidents, treasurers, recording secretaries, financial secretaries and trustees in the performance of their duties, took place recently in Phoenix. USPS to End Service at Staples 1.05.2017 - Bloomberg reports: "Following union-backed boycotts and an adverse labor board ruling, the United States Postal Service has agreed to curb a controversial arrangement allowing private employees to provide its services at Staples Inc. stores. USPS spokeswoman Darlene Casey told Bloomberg that the Postal Service would end its relationship with Staples in order to comply with a National Labor Relations Board judge's ruling." - APWU Led the Charge |
