National Association of Letter Carriers

So let's end this year with a positive opinion piece from CNN.com - click here to read the opinion of one reporter.

Happy New Year to us all.

The United States Postal Service will go into the new year not with the permanent rate increase it sought, but with the temporary hike the Postal Regulatory Commission has approved. And the pre-funding mandate goes on and on. Please read more here.

As our hearts go out to the family of Landover Hills, MD CCA Tyson Barnette, shouldn't the basic question of safety when working after dark finally be addressed? Here is a story from the Washington Post concerning the issue.

The United States Postal Service, for the first time in 5 years, has reported an operating profit. The $600 million profit, while great news and due in large part to an 8% increase in package revenue, is still hampered by the continuing Congressional "pre-funding" mandate. Please click here to read President Rolando's statement on the matter.

Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox for winning the 2013 World Series. The Sox took it in six games last night, besting the St. Louis Cardinals 6 - 1 before the crowd at Fenway Park. It was the first time in 95 years that the Sox had clinched the Series at home.

From the Charleston (WV) Gazette-Mail, here's a story that articulates what many (dare I say most ...) businesses and residential customers are feeling about us. Click here to give it a read.

Senate postal bill, S. 1486, was back before the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee yesterday. This bill, which would be horribly damaging to the way we conduct business, has the support of PMG Donahoe. Click here for a full rundown of the story. Also, please take time to ask your Senators to oppose this bill ...

• Sen. Elizabeth Warren (202) 224-4543   -   Sen. Ed Markey (202) 224-2742

News out of Washington has our Postal Service ready to offer early retirement options to thousands of management-level employees. Read more about it here.

A plan by the U.S. Postal Service to pull workers out of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) could save the service lots of money, but the cost to employees could be devastating.

Read more about it here.

PMG Patrick Donahoe renewed his push for five-day mail delivery on Wednesday, July 18th. Click here for more details ...

In related news, the bill being backed by House Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) would move to end door-to-door mail delivery in favor of "centralized delivery". Read about this side of the story here.

As a reminder, the following legislation is currently before Congress:

S. 316  (Senate Postal Service Protection Act) introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
H.R. 630  (House Postal Service Protection Act) introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
H.R. 961  (Postal Service Stabilization Act) introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA)

Please contact your Senators & Representatives and ask them to support the above bills.

Senator Elizabeth Warren
Senator Edward Markey
Congressman John Tierney
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas

With a ten point lead and 99% of the precincts counted, Representative Edward Markey has become the next Senator from the State of Massachusetts. Thanks to all who got the vote out in this crucial election.

http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_0410bogstatement.htm


"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
Mahatma Gandhi

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe's plan to end Saturday delivery is a disastrous idea that would have a profoundly negative effect on the Postal Service and on millions of customers. It would be particularly harmful to small businesses, rural communities, the elderly, the disabled and others who depend on Saturday delivery for commerce and communication.

Slowing mail service and degrading our unmatchable last-mile delivery network are not the answers to the Postal Service's financial problems. If the Postmaster General is unwilling or unable to develop a smart growth strategy that serves the nearly 50% of business mailers that want to keep six-day service, and if he arrogantly thinks he is above the law or has the right to decide policy matters that should be left to Congress, it is time for him to step down.

This maneuver by Mr. Donahoe flouts the will of Congress, as expressed annually over the past 30 years in legislation that mandates six-day delivery, which remains in effect today. In the last Congress, which ended in January, a bi-partisan majority of Representatives co-sponsored legislation backing the continuation of Saturday delivery.

This misguided and counterproductive decision is in keeping with the Postmaster General's slash-and-shrink approach to dealing with the Postal Service's financial challenges. Instead of offering a real business plan to tap the full potential of this essential American institution, he is offering a plan that will doom USPS to failure.

The National Association of Letter Carriers has tried time and again to work with Postal Service management to pursue growth measures and cost savings, but it has become clear that the Postal Service leadership's only strategy is to gut the unique postal network that provides us with the world's most affordable delivery service, and to eliminate the services on which Americans depend.

America's letter carriers condemn this reckless plan in the strongest terms. We call for the immediate removal of the postmaster general, who has lost the confidence of the men and women who deliver for America every day. And we urge Congress to develop a real reform plan that gives the Postal Service the freedom to grow and innovate in the digital era.

Click here to read the main story and NALC President Fredric Rolando's statements.

Click here to access a copy of the agreement.

Vincent R. Sombrotto, 89, a towering figure in the history of the National Association of Letter Carriers and one of the most significant U.S. labor leaders of recent decades, died Jan. 10.

Click here to read the story.

It was exhausting, it was stressful, it was nail-biting, but it's finally over and the state of Massachusetts did the NALC proud.

Last night seemed to take a month to unfold as the returns came in at a snail's pace. Things slowly started falling into place. First Obama, then Warren, and finally the miracle in the sixth. That's right, our friend John Tierney pulled it out with the incredible efforts of labor, and letter carriers in particular.

Although all letter carriers that got out the vote should be commended, there are a few in particular that must be recognized. Dan Raske was a one man machine on visibilities, conducting some 40 plus visibilities in Burlington, Billerica, Tewksbury etc and finishing with a marathon 14 hour day at the polls yesterday.

Ken Dusombre knocked on doors in Lowell and Tewksbury on behalf of Tierney and Warren. He also attended numerous events to strengthen the campaigns. Great job.

Then, there's Branch 25's political guru, Barry Doherty. For the last 2 ½ months Barry has been pounding the pavement in Lynn, Salem, Peabody, and Saugus and made calls throughout the entire sixth district. It is no small coincidence that the towns where Barry walked were the towns that delivered the election to Tierney! I for one am grateful for Barry's efforts, as my future employment with the Postal Service is enhanced by the outcome of the election. If you see or talk to Barry, THANK HIM. I know I have.

That's it for now. There'll certainly be more battles to follow in the future. Let's enjoy this one for a bit!

On October 9, the NALC and USPS signed a Memorandum Of Understanding that calls for the conversion of as many as 6,000 PTF letter carriers to regular status. The text of the memorandum can be found here.