The national union will not be sending branch secretary-treasurers branch rosters for Pay Period 27 of 2004 (December 11- 24), NALC Secretary-Treasurer Jane E. Broendel has announced.

Through an agreement with management and in keeping with past practice, no dues will be deducted for Pay Period 27, the "extra" pay period that will occur in 2004. As a result, the Postal Service will not be sending NALC headquarters a dues tape for this pay period.

Moreover, Broendel explained, no dues changes will be made between Pay Periods 26 and 27.

The first subsequent dues change – the 2005 increase of 58 cents per pay period – will be implemented in Pay Period 1 of 2005 (December 25, 2004 - January 7, 2005), and will be deducted beginning with the January 14 paycheck. This dues increase will be reflected in the branch reimbursement checks dated February 4, 2005.

Further information on the 2005 dues increase will appear in Broendel's column in the December Postal Record.

Campbell Soup Company and Valpak Direct Marketing Systems have again signed on as major corporate supporters of the drive along with the U.S. Postal Service. In December, a letter will be sent to all NALC branches with a form to register as participants in the May 14 drive and receive support materials, including postcards and other vital materials.

Julio V. Cruz, a native of El Salvador and resident of West New York, NJ, was a six-year veteran of the Postal Service. He worked out of the Ridgewood Post Office in northern New Jersey and was described by Postal Service officials as "well-respected, an excellent employee."

NALC President William H. Young expressed the condolences of the entire NALC membership to the Cruz family.

"This tragic accident has taken away a devoted father and husband at a far too early age," Young said. "Both this union and the Postal Service have also lost a good member and dedicated letter carrier."

Cruz, who is survived by his widow, Maria, two sons and a daughter. He came to the United States from El Salvador in 1981, then worked as an auto mechanic before joining the Postal Service. He also was an avid fan of the El Salvador soccer team.

In an interview with the New Jersey Journal, Cruz's son, Victor, recalled how his father would stay up late at night writing ‘thank you' notes by hand to customers who gave him gifts at Christmas.

Harjit Surajbansi, 32, a four-year postal veteran, was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland. He was operated on November 12 to repair a shattered bone in his right leg.

Police said three masked young men approached Surajbansi and demanded money and his cell phone, then beat him and shot him.

If you are not already enrolled in the NALC Plan, don't miss this opportunity!

Despite continual rising medical costs, the 2005 NALC Plan has retained the same great, comprehensive benefits that have made the NALC Health Benefit Plan a leader in its field.

Every NALC member has been sent a copy of the Official Brochure about the Plan as well as enrollment information. In addition, the November issue of the Postal Record includes extensive information in a special insert.

"I am very pleased that we have been successful in holding down the rate of increases in the NALC Health Benefit Plan at a time when medical costs continue to rise," said NALC President William H. Young . "This has been accomplished without sacrificing any of the tremendous benefits that enrollees in the Plan are currently enjoying."

Young noted that this is the Plan for Letter Carriers – crafted with the needs of Letter Carriers and their families always in mind and operated and administered by your union.

"I urge all letter carriers to examine the benefits being offered as well as the cost," he said. "I am confident you will determine that the NALC Health Benefit Plan is an excellent choice for federal and postal employees."

Administered and operated by the union, the NALC Health Benefit Plan provides active letter carriers, annuitants, and other postal employees with top quality coverage that includes medical services provided by physicians, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, emergency treatment, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and NALC's prescription drug program.

Regular savings are available to NALC Health Benefit Plan enrollees by using the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network of hospitals and physicians, and the Plan's special prescription drug program.

This questionnaire has not been authorized nor approved by the NALC. Members should feel no obligation whatsoever to answer it.

It is unclear at this time what organization or company is issuing the questionnaire and members should exercise caution in providing any such information to an unknown person or persons.