National Association of Letter Carriers News Feed http://www.nalc.org/rss/ National Association of Letter Carriers News Feed Wed, 1 Oct 2014 05:00:00 +0000 AMPS en hourly 1 Branch Officers Training sessions announced https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/branch-officers-trainings-announced Tue, 05 Nov 2024 11:57:57 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/branch-officers-trainings-announced NALC Secretary-Treasurer Nicole Rhine is announcing that two Branch Officers Trainings will be held in January. The first class will be held January 6-9, 2025, in Los Angeles, CA. The second class will be held January 27-30, 2025, in Minneapolis.

Branch Officers Training sessions consist of three and a half days of educational seminars tailored to assist branch presidents, vice presidents, treasurers, recording secretaries, financial secretaries, and trustees in the performance of their duties.

Branch Officers Training covers the basics for financial officers: reporting to the Department of Labor; fiduciary duties under the Landrum-Griffin Act; bonding of branch officers and IRS reporting requirements.

Additional training topics include the NALC Constitution and branch bylaws; branch operations and identifying branch policies; maintaining accurate and complete meeting minutes; member notification requirements; record keeping; branch elections and branch dues and how to read a dues roster.

The registration form for both trainings will be included in the next NALC Bulletin. Branches and State Associations must use the registration form to register for the class.

Note: Do not make airline reservations until you receive an acceptance letter as the training has limited space. For budgeting purposes, the daily room rate for the training in Los Angeles is $209 single/double plus tax. The daily room rate for the training in Minneapolis is $159 single/double plus tax.

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November Postal Record available https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/november2024-postal-record-available Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:04:23 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/november2024-postal-record-available Wage calculator now available https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/wage-calculator-now-available Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/wage-calculator-now-available Remembering Former South Jersey Branch 908 President Steve Lipski https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/remembering-former-south-jersey-branch-908-president-steve-lipski Fri, 25 Oct 2024 11:48:24 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/remembering-former-south-jersey-branch-908-president-steve-lipski NALC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Bill Revak South Jersey Branch 908 President Steve Lipski on Oct. 20, 2024. Brother Lipski served his branch for more than 40 years, most recently as the branch financial secretary. He was 69 years old.

Steve dedicated 36 years to serving his community as a letter carrier in Gloucester City, NJ, before retiring. In addition to his work as a letter carrier and NALC leader, he enjoyed reading, grilling, visiting new craft breweries, spending time with his family, cheering on Philadelphia sports teams and listening to the music of Bruce Springsteen.

Reflecting on Brother Lipski’s positive attitude and strong will, Branch 908 President Gary DiGiacomo shared, “Steve will be remembered as the calming factor of this branch when things became testy. He was the guy we would always lean on for his honest opinion when we faced difficult decisions. As my mentor before I took over his spot 15 years ago, I can say he taught me a lot about how to lead a branch.”

Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janet; three children; four grandchildren; and many friends and loved ones.

“For over 40 years, Brother Lipski was a dynamic leader in Branch 908,” said NALC President Brian L. Renfroe. “He dedicated himself to advocating for letter carriers and supporting his fellow members. His influence and legacy will endure, and he will be deeply missed. On behalf of NALC, I want to express my gratitude for Steve’s decades of service and extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

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Details of tentative agreement now available; dates set for informational rap sessions https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/details-of-tentative-agreement-now-available-dates-set-for-informational-rap-sessions Sat, 19 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/details-of-tentative-agreement-now-available-dates-set-for-informational-rap-sessions NALC has created a comprehensive summary of the terms of the tentative agreement reached with the United States Postal Service.

Article 16 of the NALC Constitution requires agreements to be ratified by a mail referendum vote among eligible NALC members. The ratification balloting process will take place over the coming weeks. The terms of the agreement are not effective unless ratified.

A special episode of the You Are the Current Resident podcast is also available. NALC President Brian Renfroe joins NALC Headquarters staffer Ed Morgan to discuss all the details of the tentative agreement. Listen here and follow along with the summary linked above.

 

Informational rap sessions on tentative agreement

NALC has scheduled four informational rap sessions the week of Oct. 27 for branch leaders to learn about the tentative agreement. These events will be held as follows:

  • Oct. 27 – Houston, TX
  • Oct. 29 – San Francisco, CA
  • Oct. 31 – Minneapolis, MN
  • Nov. 2 – Washington, DC

For more information and to reserve hotel rooms, click here.

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NALC and USPS Reach Tentative Agreement https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-and-usps-reach-tentative-agreement Fri, 18 Oct 2024 09:59:02 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-and-usps-reach-tentative-agreement The National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO and the United States Postal Service have reached tentative agreement on a new collective-bargaining agreement for city letter carriers. In accordance with Article 16 of the NALC Constitution, the agreement will be subject to ratification by a mail referendum vote by eligible NALC members.

“After almost 20 months of tireless negotiations, we are pleased to reach a fair agreement that rewards our members for their contributions to the Postal Service and their service to the American people,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. “The NALC Executive Council will meet tomorrow, Oct. 19, to discuss the tentative agreement. All details of the agreement and upcoming informational rap sessions for branch leaders will be made available at that time.”

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NALC Bulletin https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-bulletin-11-10 Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:26:26 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-bulletin-11-10 Executive Council considers charge https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/executive-council-considers-charge Fri, 11 Oct 2024 07:13:54 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/executive-council-considers-charge On October 10, the NALC Executive Council met in Washington, DC to consider a charge initiated by an NALC member against Region 9 National Business Agent Eddie Davidson. Pursuant to Article 10 of the NALC Constitution, NALC President Brian L. Renfroe appointed former Region 5 National Business Agent Michael Birkett to conduct an investigation and make a report on the charge.

After review of the charge and the investigative report, the Council voted and determined a substantial charge was not presented.

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Update on contract negotiations - 10/5/24 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/update-on-contract-negotiations-10524 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 14:25:26 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/update-on-contract-negotiations-10524 From President Brian L. Renfroe:

Over the past week, we have narrowed the remaining economic and work rule issues in negotiations with the Postal Service to reach a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement for city letter carriers. Negotiations will continue into next week. After a tentative agreement is reached with the Postal Service, the NALC Executive Council will meet promptly to discuss the terms of the deal and a tentative agreement will be finalized. The details will be made available to NALC members at that point, along with information on the upcoming ratification balloting process.

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September-October Postal Record available https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/september-october-postal-record-available Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:59:49 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/september-october-postal-record-available NALC and USPS agree to MOU on the process for evaluating and adjusting routes moved to a sorting and delivery center (S&DC) https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-and-usps-agree-to-mou-on-the-process-for-evaluating-and-adjusting-routes-moved-to-a-sorting-and-delivery-center-sdc Tue, 01 Oct 2024 16:42:28 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-and-usps-agree-to-mou-on-the-process-for-evaluating-and-adjusting-routes-moved-to-a-sorting-and-delivery-center-sdc In January 2023, NALC and USPS agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding procedures to follow when city letter carrier assignments are permanently moved from an independent installation to a sorting and delivery center (S&DC). That MOU, RE: Movement of City Letter Carrier Assignments from an Independent Installation to a Sorting and Delivery Center (M-01990), contains a provision (Item #11) that ensures letter carriers will have their routes evaluated, and adjusted, if necessary, soon after moving to an S&DC. This is important, as in many instances an S&DC is farther from a letter carrier’s route than their old office, and S&DCs are generally larger than traditional facilities, which sometimes lead to more time needed to retrieve mail, load vehicles, gather accountable items, etc.  

Item #11 of M-01990 requires the parties to evaluate these routes 30 days after they are moved to an S&DC, and to do so in accordance with the Technology Integrated Alternate Route Evaluation and Adjustment Process (TIAREAP). Since TIAREAP expired on May 31st, the national parties have agreed to amend Item #11 of M-01990 with MOU RE: Alternate Route Adjustment Process – Sorting and Delivery Centers (ARAP-S&DC) (M-02006). This MOU provides the mutual understanding of the national parties on the process for evaluating and adjusting routes moved to an S&DC, and applies to all city letter carrier routes impacted by the establishment of, or relocation into, an S&DC on or after June 1, 2024. 

NALC and USPS have also agreed to guidelines (M-02007) which must be followed when evaluating and adjusting routes under the Alternate Route Adjustment Process – Sorting and Delivery Centers (ARAP-S&DC). This joint process utilizes NALC and USPS representatives to evaluate and adjust routes moved into an S&DC and is similar in structure to the many joint evaluation and adjustment processes throughout the years dating back to the mid-2000s.

These agreements can be found in NALC’s Materials Reference System on the NALC website.

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Arbitrator Nolan renders decision on national-level LiteBlue hack grievance https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/arbitrator-nolan-renders-decision-on-national-level-liteblue-hack-grievance Wed, 25 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/arbitrator-nolan-renders-decision-on-national-level-liteblue-hack-grievance On July 12, 2023, President Renfroe initiated a national-level grievance related to the theft of letter carrier wages by cybercriminals who were able to access the USPS Human Resources website, LiteBlue. The issue in this case involved incidents that occurred in late 2022 and early 2023. Hundreds of postal employees, which included letter carriers, fell victim to hackers who were able to access their LiteBlue accounts using dubious tactics. Employee account information was obtained when employees entered their login information into fake LiteBlue websites created by criminals. As a result, these letter carriers had their paychecks misdirected into bank accounts owned by the criminals.

Earlier this year, on Jan. 23 and 24, this case was heard by National Arbitrator Dennis R. Nolan in Washington, DC. Since employees represented by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) were victims of the theft as well, both unions intervened and presented their cases before Arbitrator Nolan.

At the hearing, NALC’s counsel outlined the numerous contractual violations the Postal Service had committed when it failed to ensure that letter carriers were paid for their time on the clock. Additionally, arguments were made outlining the Postal Service’s failure to protect its systems from hackers when it did not institute the use of multifactor authentication (MFA) until after the attacks occurred. Post-hearing briefs were submitted to Arbitrator Nolan by all parties in mid-April.

Arbitrator Nolan denied NALC’s grievance. In his award, he posed the questions, “What do the parties mean by the employer’s obligation to “pay” employees? Is it enough to make a direct deposit in the bank account on record, or must the Postal Service take further steps to make sure the employees actually receive the direct deposit money? To put it differently, may the Postal Service simply act on the banking information it has or must it act as a guarantor for employees victimized by cyber criminals?”

Arbitrator Nolan opined, “The term “pay” is ambiguous. It could fairly be applied either way. To prevail, however, the Union has to prove that its interpretation is superior to that of the Postal Service — that the Postal Service actually violated some provision of the Agreement. The Union failed to do so. The grievance must therefore be denied.” He ended his award with, “The Union failed to prove that the Postal Service violated any specific provision of the National Agreement by failing to pay employees after unauthorized access to LiteBlue resulted in changes to direct deposit information.”

The entire decision can be read here.

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Mutual Benefit Association representative training https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/mutual-benefit-association-representative-training-3 Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:24:13 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/mutual-benefit-association-representative-training-3 NALC Director of Life Insurance Jim Yates has announced that the next session in the MBA Rep training series will be held on October 27. This is the third in a series of training sessions and will be focused on the MBA’s Retirement Saving Plans.

Branch presidents may begin registering their MBA Representative for the training through the branch president’s Members Only page. The registration directions are below.

As a reminder, the delegates at the 2022 convention in Chicago amended the constitution to require every branch to have an MBA Rep as an officer in their branch. If you do not currently have this position, you may still assign up to three members to attend this training while you go through the process of updating your branch by-laws to add the MBA Rep officer position.

The class will begin at 2 p.m. eastern and is expected to be one and a half hours long.

NALC has developed the ability to create a registration and training gateway through the “MEMBERS ONLY” portal on the NALC website.

Registration

Once a meeting has been scheduled through the “MEMBERS ONLY” portal, branch presidents will need to register their members in order for them to attend. To access the registration option, branch presidents can go to the NALC website and log on to the “MEMBERS ONLY” portal. Once logged on to the “MEMBERS ONLY” portal, click the “Meetings Registration” button, which will display a list of upcoming meetings. From there, presidents can register a member(s) by entering their last name in the “Search” box and selecting the correct member from the drop-down list. A member can also be removed from the “Registry” list by checking the box under the delete column next to the corresponding member. Branch presidents will not be able to register more than the maximum number of attendees per branch or exceed the maximum number of attendees for that session. The maximum number of registrants per branch and for the session, as well as the registered-to-date counts, are displayed on the registration screen.

Training Materials

Training materials and other pertinent information may be supplied for each session in the form of PDF documents. These documents will be available to registrants on their “MEMBERS ONLY” page. The documents can be printed, copied, and/or saved.

Accessing Meeting Information and/or Joining the Meeting

When a registered member wants to access training materials, view topics, or join a meeting, they can go to the NALC website and log on to the “MEMBERS ONLY” portal.  Once logged into the portal, the member will press the “Meetings” button, which will display a list of those meetings the member is registered to attend. For each meeting, there will be three buttons: the “Documents” button will give the member access to the training materials; the “Topics” button will give the member access to a list of topics (if any); and the “Join” button.  The “Join” button will appear 10 minutes prior to the start time on the day of the meeting.  If you log into the “MEMBERS ONLY” portal sooner than 10 minutes prior to the start of the meeting, you will need to exit to the home page and re-enter to access the “Join” button. Once you select the join button, you will be taken to a WebEx website titled “Starting your meeting…”.  Scroll down to select “Join from your browser.”  When joining, the member will be prompted to enter their name and email address in order to attend the meeting. Proceed by selecting the “next” button followed by the “Join Meeting” button.

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NALC endorses Harris-Walz https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-endorses-harris-walz Thu, 12 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-endorses-harris-walz NALC President Brian L. Renfroe issued the following statement:

The nation’s 290,000 active and retired city letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) are proud to announce our endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz to serve as the next president and vice president of the United States. 

The debate on Tuesday night reinforced what we know: Vice President Harris and Governor Walz have the pro-labor record we support and the pro-worker vision we need in the White House in 2025 and beyond. Both have a strong history of fighting on behalf of unions and union members.

We know a Harris-Walz Administration will work with NALC to address unique challenges facing letter carriers and the Postal Service.

As a local prosecutor, state attorney general, senator, and vice president, Kamala Harris is a proven supporter of working families, organized labor, and the Postal Service. As a senator, she was instrumental in advocating for essential relief for the Postal Service at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She served as vice president of the administration that signed the Postal Service Reform Act into law. She is a fierce defender of civil rights, voting rights, and our democratic system. 

Governor Walz is a union brother and veteran. He is a former public school teacher who has devoted his life to public service. As governor, he has kept working families at the forefront by enacting a paid family and medical leave program, child tax credits, and universal free school meals for all Minnesota students.

A Harris-Walz Administration will work with NALC to address the unique challenges facing the Postal Service and our members, who are at the center of a $1.6 trillion shipping industry supporting 7.3 million jobs.

At NALC’s 73rd biennial convention recently held in Boston, nearly 5,500 delegates voted overwhelmingly to endorse and support the Harris-Walz campaign.

NALC proudly supports the Harris-Walz ticket and looks forward to working together to ensure the stability of the Postal Service, one of our country’s most treasured institutions.

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NALC and USPS agree to MOU for Holiday Carrier Assistant training https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-and-usps-agree-to-mou-for-holiday-carrier-assistant-training Wed, 11 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0500 https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-and-usps-agree-to-mou-for-holiday-carrier-assistant-training NALC and USPS have agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) allowing the Postal Service to employ Holiday Carrier Assistants (HCAs) prior to the start of the four-week December period (November 30 – December 27, 2024) solely for the purpose of training. During this additional period, HCAs may receive training related to employment as a city carrier, including driving, mail security, and other topics necessary to perform the duties of a letter carrier. The parties also agree that during the period of employment preceding the four-week December period, HCAs may not perform city carrier work unless the employee is being trained by another city letter carrier craft employee. The MOU (M-2005) can be found in NALC’s Materials Reference System on the NALC website.

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