Visit the US Mail Not for Sale Website
Began as a nationwide protest at Congressional offices across the nation, US Mail Not for Sale has grown from a slogan to a group and website operation which continues to fight efforts to privatize the Postal Service. With the Trump administration expected to announce the findings of his task force (believed to be predetermined regardless of his task force information gathering results), getting the true facts to the public is crucial. Link to this website and see how efforts against privatization are proceeding, impacts on customers, businesses, and employees, and how we can all help to prevent this disastrous plan from becoming reality. Click here to visit the website now (the link is also included in the footer of every page of this website).
See "The Strike at 40," the Story of NALC's Fight for Respect and Collective Bargaining
Many brothers and sisters in our union, including Branch 258, have responded to the call to be active in our union and to help in various ways, ranging from giving of their time and talents in our activities to giving money to further our interests and influence. However, it is easy to lose sight of what these contributions have achieved over the years, and many are not aware of the efforts and sacrifices of those who came before us to win many of the advances from which we benefit today. A good place to start appreciating these contributions is to watch a video created by our National office in 2012, entitled "The Strike at 40." While our delegates to the previous two national conventions have seen this video, most other members have possibly not been aware of this resource. This video, which includes interviews and first accounts from that time, details the national postal strike of 1972, which changed the jobs of all postal employees forever and ushered in collective bargaining. The risks and sacrifices taken by the brave letter carriers of the day are outlined in how they stood up for a living wage and respect against exploitative management, including the President himself, and demonstrated that anything can be achieved when we work together in solidarity. "The Strike at 40" should also serve as a reminder to today's carriers that we shoulder a responsibility of stewardship to maintain and build upon the achievements and protections attained by those who came before us. We hope that members will take some time to view "The Strike at 40" to educate and encourage themselves in this time of difficult political climates toward the postal service To watch the video via YouTube, click here.
NALC Smartphone App Now Available
The NALC national headquarters has developed and unveiled a new smartphone app for use by all members. To view a PDF copy of the instructions to download the App, click here, or search in the App Store or Google Play for "NALC Member App."
The new member app has features and information that are useful for nearly every conceivable part of one's professional life as a letter carrier. After inputting your zip code, you are provided with a list to customize your interests for notifications, so that you can be alerted (or not alerted) to updates on various issues ranging from legislation to general news to workplace resources. From there you can also customize a calendar to your scheduled rotating or fixed day off, and then browse the app to have nearly any resource at your fingertips. If you want to look up something in the contract or one of the employee manuals, check the pay chart, or consult the CCA handbook, it is there. If you want to see who your congressional reps are, chaeck on food drive news, or see the latest national facebook posts, you can find them there. If you want to see where the NALC stands on current labor-related bills in congress, look for a doctor on the health plan, or see in if day off falls next to Christmas in 2021, you can use the app for those as well. Simply put, the app has something for everyone - download it, use it, enjoy it - and thanks to the national office for their hard work in its development (and continuing to take input from members to further improve it).
The new member app has features and information that are useful for nearly every conceivable part of one's professional life as a letter carrier. After inputting your zip code, you are provided with a list to customize your interests for notifications, so that you can be alerted (or not alerted) to updates on various issues ranging from legislation to general news to workplace resources. From there you can also customize a calendar to your scheduled rotating or fixed day off, and then browse the app to have nearly any resource at your fingertips. If you want to look up something in the contract or one of the employee manuals, check the pay chart, or consult the CCA handbook, it is there. If you want to see who your congressional reps are, chaeck on food drive news, or see the latest national facebook posts, you can find them there. If you want to see where the NALC stands on current labor-related bills in congress, look for a doctor on the health plan, or see in if day off falls next to Christmas in 2021, you can use the app for those as well. Simply put, the app has something for everyone - download it, use it, enjoy it - and thanks to the national office for their hard work in its development (and continuing to take input from members to further improve it).
National Elections Underway, Leadership of NALC at Stake
The election for our national officers is underway, as members have begun to receive their ballots. Branch 258 strongly encourages all members to exercise their right to vote, and to send their completed ballot in a timely manner for their vote to count. To view a sample ballot sent to all members shortly before the official ballots were mailed click here (sample ballot was sent only by one slate of prospective officers, or both sides would be shown). A step by step list of voting instructions is as follows:
Thank you to all members in this very important matter, and kudos to all those who make their voices heard to strengthen the NALC!
- Darken the circles next to the names of those candidates for whom you wish to vote in pencil
- Seal your ballot in the Secret Ballot envelope - make no other marks on the envelope, to preserve your anonymity
- Place the Secret Ballot envelope inside the business reply envelope and seal the business reply envelope - make sure that your vote are as intended, as resealed business reply envelopes WILL NOT be counted
- Write your name and return address on the return area of the business reply envelope - also sign your name where indicated
- Lightly cross out (DO NOT make unreadable) your address on the back of the business reply envelope
- Mail your vote - ballots MUST be received by 8AM on October 20 to count
Thank you to all members in this very important matter, and kudos to all those who make their voices heard to strengthen the NALC!
Arbitration Completed, New Contract Established
On January 11, a national arbitration panel completed a long bargaining process by issuing a decision finalizing a contract between the USPS and NALC. The new contract, effective through May of 2016, contains 10 wage increases (3 general and 7 COLA's), establishes a new category for entry level employees, and converts all current PTF's to regular status. For more detailed information from the national website, click here. As the complete effects of the new contract (interpretive issues and MOU's) will continue to shape the face of employee-management relations, there will be contiuned updates as time passes.
NALC Mourns the Passing of a Union Legend
Vincent Sombrotto, past president of the NALC, leader of the Postal wildcat strike and agent of change for the jobs of all letter carriers, has passed away at the age of 89. For the story on the national site, click here.
