Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Cca Postal Record
Cca Postal Record
Welcome
new members
Past officer lapel pin (Branch or State)
Presidents
Message
In your hands
W
elcome to the National Association
of Letter Carriers. You have made
the right decision to join with us to
work to improve the pay, benefits
and working conditions for all letter
carriers. Together, we can make a difference.
One of the best tools to help you make the most
of your membership is right in your handsour
monthly magazine, The Postal Record.
Each month, youll find this magazine chock
full of interesting stories and resourceful col-
umns, from articles about what is happening in
the halls of Congress that could affect the future
of the Postal Service to columns by NALCs na-
Fredric V. tional officers and headquarters staff, to stories
Rolando covering topics that include protecting your con-
tractual rights, what to do if you suffer an inju-
ry and how to plan for your eventual retirement. Youll also find interesting
features on carriers just like you, who do amazing things both on and off the
clock, including the many brave and resourceful carriers who rescue people
on their routes. Also included are items from members in branches throughout
the country who talk about the issues theyre facing and how theyre striving
to improve the working lives of other letter carriers.
As a special tool to help you get up to speed, we have reprinted several Postal
Record articles geared toward new members, explaining the grievance process,
how to get help from your steward and national business agent, how to read
your paystub. advice for getting the best uniforms, what it means to belong to
the AFL-CIO, how to get involved in the union, and much more.
The union only succeeds when we all work together, so its important that
we all help each other. Youre joining a long tradition of letter carriers work-
ing together for a common cause, a tradition that dates back to 1889 and will
continue for decades to come.
Welcome to NALC. Lets get to work.
N
otherwise, have stood by us when we
benefits, especially the security struggled for collective-bargaining
of having fellow letter carri- rights, better pay and benefits or
ers looking out for them. But joining Postal Service reforms. We can do the
the NALC is about more than getting same for other workers.
benefits and sticking with your fellow One great way to get involved is
letter carriersits about a movement through the AFL-CIO.
to protect all workers and the middle- As the umbrella organization for
class way of life. Thats a goal many most American unions, including the
Americans share, but being an active NALC, the AFL-CIO allows workers
union member makes it easy to get to magnify their voices by unifying
involved, because union members look their efforts. With the AFL-CIO uniting
to fellow workers outside their own us, letter carriers have more than our
union for support. fellow carriers behind uswe have
Simply put, union members work steelworkers, teachers, nurses, miners,
together to ensure that workers get police officers, firefighters and millions
fair wages and benefits. They also of other workers on our side, and they
advocate for laws that protect their can depend on us.
rights and help more people reach the Many local union chapters, includ-
middle class. NALC members work to ing NALC branches, work with AFL-
protect their jobs, pay and benefits CIO state federations and local labor
by speaking out to Congress and the councils to bring activists together.
media, among others. But many of us These groups are coalitions of union
work beyond our own union by joining workers in a state or metropolitan
with workers at other unions and with area.Theyre the heart of the move-
other partners to advocate for all work- ment, partnering with state and com-
ers and strengthen our economy. munity organizations and conducting
When you join NALC, you join a local, state and national campaigns to
global union movement, too, NALC improve life for working families.
President Fredric Rolando said. What When you see workers from differ-
a great opportunity to become active ent unions raising money for a local
in big-picture issues, such as economic charity, or marching in a Labor Day
equality, job creation, the minimum parade, or protesting efforts by a state
wage, worker safety and healthis- legislature to take away collective-
sues that matter to all workers, not bargaining rights, or walking door-
just at the Postal Service. Or to stand to-door to support a local pro-worker
up for other unions in their struggles candidate for office, chances are an
marching in solidarity with your local AFL-CIO state fed or local labor coun-
teachers who want pay cuts restored, cil brought them together.
for instance. Local members of the affiliated
Its that sense of solidarityspeak- unions, including letter carriers, run
ing up for all workers, not just the local AFL-CIO chapters and labor
letter carriersthat built the labor councils. For example, Denver, CO
movement, and it played a part in Branch 47 member Cindy Kirby is
NALCs gains over the years as well. president of the Colorado AFL-CIO.
Members of other unions, postal and Kirby organizes traditional activities
W
the importance of letter carrier
member or a longtime vet- and worker issues.
eran, there are always plenty If youre tired of the way you and
of opportunities for you to get in- other carriers are treated on the
volved. For some members, all they see workroom floor, maybe youre
of the union is what the shop steward ready to start gaining the knowl-
does on the workroom floor. But thats edge and skills to serve as a shop
just scratching the surface of what steward. Theres no better way
the union is all about. There are many to know what is going on in the
ways to get involved with the union union and play a role in how the
beyond workroom-floor issues. union operates than by becom-
If you enjoy giving back in your ing a steward.
community, branches often en- These are just a few of the many
gage in blood drives, collections ways you and your family can get
for the Muscular Dystrophy involved. All you need to do is ask.
Association and other volunteer And it all starts in one simple way:
opportunities. But the biggest Attend your branch meeting.
volunteering event every year is As an NALC member, you are automat-
the Letter Carriers Food Drive. ically a member of your local branch
The local food drive coordina- one of 2,100 NALC branches of varying
tor is responsible for everything size throughout the country. Your branch
involved with the food drive, consists of, and is run by, letter carriers
from promoting the event to like yourself. Members elect their own
organizing delivery of the col- branch officers in free and fair elections,
lected food. If your branch has a and any regular member in good stand-
food drive coordinator, he or she ing may run for office.
would appreciate any assistance Branch business is conducted at
youd like to give, and if your regular membership meetings, which
branch doesnt have one, you any member may attend. Most branches
could take on that role and give hold meetings monthly, though some
back to your community. hold them less frequently. You can find
out when your branch meets by reading
If you like to write, branches
a posting on a bulletin board at your
often are looking for writers and
station, in the branch newsletter or on
editors to help on the branch
the branch website; by asking carriers
newsletter, or even to start one.
in your station; or by contacting your
If youre technologically savvy,
shop steward, branch leaders or your
many branches have or want to
national business agents office.
start a website, Google group
Most meetings are held on the same
or Facebook account, and you
night each month and some have food
could put your skills to good use.
and refreshments. While its best to
If politics is your cup of tea, arrive on time, the meeting isnt closed
there are many opportunities if you arrive after the start time.
to come face to face with your The meeting will be called to order
legislators and tell them about by the branch president and then,
T
lem, just by informing the manager of
&
of Letter Carri
job security with relative standinga have rights under the National Agree-
form of seniority, a career path to becom- ment, and all letter carriers should ask
ing full-time career letter carriers and a steward to enforce those rights if they
the
the that TEs did not previously enjoy. If other attempts to resolve a dispute
United States The new National Agreement gives or correct a contract violation fail, the
d States Postal
Postal Service CCAs significantly more contractual steward may decide a grievance is neces-
on of Letter Carr
rights and job security than TEs previ- sary. A grievance is a dispute, difference,
ously had, NALC President Fredric disagreement or complaint between
Service
Rolando said. To best enforce these the parties related to wages, hours and
rights, all letter carriers, including
iers
2009
If the grievance is not resolved at processes among postal unions, or even
Formal Step A, the union may appeal the
grievance to Step B of the process. The
unions in other industries, Rolando said.
Our grievances are settled relatively USPS -NA LC
JC AM
union and management Formal Step A quickly and fairly because everything is
representatives each write their facts and disclosed up front, he said. The pro-
contentions about the issue and send cess is designed to use the facts to find
them, along with all relevant documen- out what happened, and to use the con- Joint Contrac
tation, to one of the 58 full-time dispute tract to determine if a violation has taken t Administrat
io n Manual
resolution teams (DRTs). Each DRT is place and what is needed to remedy the
April 2009
composed of a letter carrier and a man- violation. It encourages confronting the
ager who consider the evidence, consult problem head-on and preventing it from
the National Agreement and try to happening again in the future.
resolve the grievance. DRT members are Rolando pointed to the number of
jointly trained on the contract and how cases in arbitration as evidence. Even
to apply its terms to resolve disputes. though NALC is the largest postal union,
If the DRT cant agree and instead only a small percentage of grievances
reaches an impasse, the national busi- from postal employees that go all the
ness agent for the region may appeal the way to arbitration involve letter carriers.
grievance to arbitration. An arbitration Full disclosure of the facts at the begin-
hearing is held where the union and ning of the grievance process generally
management present evidence and testi- makes for speedy and fair outcomesbut
mony to a neutral arbitrator. The neutral it also makes a letter carrier responsible
arbitrator then issues a final and binding for supplying facts, and possibly evidence
written decision on the grievance. such as a written statement, up front.
The list of contract violations we Your best chance for a successful
have reversed, or prevented, through grievance is to give your steward all the
the grievance process could fill librar- information you have and whatever else
ies, Rolando said. Shop stewards he or she needs to build a solid case,
stand up for letter carriers day in and Rolando said. Dont hold anything
day out by enforcing the contract on back for any reason. Help your steward
the workroom floor. Their work turns a make the best case for you.
contract written on paper into a living Many shop stewards became stewards
document that protects our rights and after seeing the success of the grievance
makes our jobs better and safer. process and wanting to help their fellow
letter carriers. Increased knowledge
A successful process and understanding of the grievance pro-
To make the job of applying the cess among all letter carriers will only
National Agreement even easier, the make the process more successful going
USPS and NALC publish a Joint Contract forward and get more letter carriers
Administration Manual (JCAM) that interested in serving as shop stewards in
clarifies, section by section, the mean- the future. Rolando said.
ing of the contract as agreed upon by If you have further questions about
both the union and managementoften the grievance process, contact your
based on the outcome of previous griev- shop steward. PR
W
check your pay stub to be sure you hile it feels great to get your daily hours guaranteed by USPS but
are being paid correctly. There have first paycheck as a letter not worked.
been instances reported wherethe CCA carrier, its important to If you worked more than 40 hours
hourlyrate was incorrectly reduced from understand the information on your a week, your pay stub will show you
$16.25 to $15. pay stub to assure that youre get- how many FLSA hours you worked.
Pursuant to the Jan. 10interest ting paid properly. Whether you get FLSA stands for Fair Labor Standards
arbitration award issued by the panel a paper check or payment by direct Act, a federal law that establishes re-
chaired by Arbitrator Shyam Das, CCAs deposit, you receive a pay stub quirements for items like overtime pay.
who were on the rolls as TEs as of Jan. 10 every period explaining what youve It doesnt indicate additional hours
shall be paid at Step AA of Table 2,which earned and any deductions from you worked.
is thehigher hourly rate of the two steps your pay. Add up the pay for each category of
for CCAs. Below are both the previous Knowing what the codes on your hours worked and you have your gross
hourly rates and the new ones, which pay stub mean and checking the infor- pay, which is indicated under Pay. Of
became effective Nov. 16. mation every time will assure that you course, thats not the final number on
get the pay and benefits youre entitled your paycheck, since several items will
Previous
to, NALC President Fredric V. Rolando be deducted first. Those items are shown
CCA Grade BB AA
said. All carriers, new and experi- under Gross to Net. They may include
1 $15.00 $16.25
enced, should remember to check their taxes withheld, any allotments you have
2 $15.32 $16.59
pay stubs each pay period. chosen, transfers to a retirement account
Effective Nov. 16, 2013 First, look under Detail Earnings like the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), chari-
CCA Grade BB AA a list of the hours you worked and table donations you have authorized
1 $15.30 $16.58 how you were paid for them. Under through the Combined Federal Cam-
2 $15.63 $16.92 WK, you will see a 1 or 2 indicat- paign (CFC) or automatic donations to
ing the first or second week of the the NALCs Committee on Letter Carrier
Also, check the new re-appointment
pay period you worked the hours, Political Education (COLCPE).
letter you receive in the mail from
and the number of hours worked, At the bottom of the stub, Net Pay
Shared Services, PS Form 50, Notice
pay rate for each type of hours, and shows the amount you receive after
of Personnel Action, item number 62,
total pay for each. these deductions.
Base Salary to be sure your hourly
Pay close attention to the TYP col- Under Leave Status, you will see
rate is correct.
umn, which indicates the type of hours how many annual or sick leave hours
If you are being paid incorrectly, con-
you earned. The standard type codes you earned for the current pay period
tact USPS Shared Services at 877-477-
are: Wstandard hours; Oovertime, and how many you have accumulated
3273, Option 5 to advise them that you
for hours worked past eight a day, paid for the year to date. If you have taken
are being paid incorrectly. Also, talk with
your NALC shop steward or local branch at 1.5 times the regular rate; Vpenalty leave without pay, that will be indi-
officer and local managers. PR overtime, for hours worked past 10 cated in this section.
a day or 56 a week, paid at twice the Reading your pay stub is easy once
regular rate; Nnight shift differential, you get familiar with it, Rolando
for hours worked between 6 p.m. and said, and its a good habit because
6 a.m.; Hholiday pay; Lleave hours you want to be sure the information is
taken; and Gguaranteed time, for accurate. PR
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that are provided to and used by CCAs.
United States Postal Service, (see Q-and-As on nalc.org).
they think of their uniformed
letter carrier. Letter carriers are the What to get first?
public face of one of the countrys larg- Ask veteran carriers and theyll tell
est employers, representing the more you that uniform allowances, even the
than 500,000 employees of the USPS. larger-than-normal first-year allow-
Thats what it means to put on the ance, only go so far. To help, many
light-blue uniform with the USPS logo. branches collect gently used and
Uniforms serve several purposes. unwanted uniform items from veteran
They provide immediate visual identi- and retired carriers and give them to
fication to the public, which makes the new carriers as they join the union.
job safer when going down streets and That can help make the uniform allow-
up to houses all over America. And ance go a little further.
uniforms project a neat and profes- So what should you spend your
sional appearance that customers first allowance on? To help you
associate with the outstanding service make an informed decision, The
provided by letter carriers. Postal Record reached out to branch
The NALC has negotiated an annual presidents throughout the country
allowance with the Postal Service for to ask what advice they give to new
all letter carriers to help pay for these carriers.
uniforms. This allowance is defined Obviously out here its shorts,
in Article 26 of the National Agree- Arizona Merged Branch 1902 Presi-
ment and is currently set at $390 for dent Ron Resop said, before add-
all carriers, and it will increase each ing that when he was carrying on a
year of the 2011-2016 National Agree- daily basis, he loved his pith helmet.
ment to allow for increasing uniform Something that protects your head
costs. First-year career letter carriers from the sun. Make sure you buy a hat
are provided with an additional $90, that covers your ears and the back of
which increases for new hires each your neck.
year as well. With an average of only three days
While they both have $390 to of rain a year in his area of Arizona,
spend, the method of providing the he doesnt recommend rain gear but
allowance for purchasing uniforms does recommend long-sleeved shirts to
differs for career city carriers and protect from UV radiationand he rec-
for city carrier assistants (CCAs). ommends getting a lot of them. The
For career employees, the allowance problem in Arizona is, you think you
comes in the form of a USPS credit wouldnt be able to spend your cloth-
card, which they can use to purchase ing allowance, but you go through a
uniform items from the approved lot of shirts a year, he said. Its a dry
vendors. CCAs are given a voucher heat, but you still sweat. When I was
that they can use to purchase uni- carrying, Id go through a lot of shirts.
forms through an approved uniform Theyd be good for about a month and
vendor. Once the CCA provides the then Id be getting rid of them.
voucher to the vendor, the vendor is Its a different story in Eugene, OR,
paid by the USPS. where they get more average annual
While Article 26 governs the amount rainfall than Portland, OR, or Seattle,
of the uniform allowance for CCAs, the WA.
Questions and Answers 2011 USPS/ Our big focus is on footwear and
NALC National Agreement document rain gear, Eugene Branch 916 President
(M-01833) covers uniform allowances Tom Gates said. He liked the material
Eugene, OR,
Branch 916:
Raingear and
footwear
on the newest rain gear products. Moisture is a concern in Mobile, Here in Anchorage, it gets to 20, 30
From my experience from 30 years AL, where the heat and humid- below, here in town. But if you go up
on a straight walking route, I wouldnt ity is the main issue, Branch 469 to Fairbanks, which is the northern-
put on my rain gear but a half-dozen President Atrisha Looney said. The most city in the country to have city
times per year. The old rain gear we had humidity takes quick tolls on the delivery, theyll get temperatures
wouldnt breathe. So by the time you shirts. of 30, 40 below when theyre out
had it on for any time at all, you were Her focus is on the core of the uni- delivering.
just as wet and more miserable. form first. I would suggest on the first His recommendation for uniform
But carriers seem to be using the round of purchases, it be two pairs of allowance purchases: a good jacket
new gear a lot more because of its pants, two shorts, two pairs of socks and a good pair of shoes. He says
breathability, he said. He often saw and the rest in shirts. Rain is a big is- that carriers in his city are buying a
carriers using the new rain gear along sue, but for the first year they can get lot of the three-layer jacket systems,
with a cape. It works out well. Even by borrowing rain gear. primarily getting the inner fleece and
with the rain gear on, you can have the In Anchorage, AK, rain gear isnt the outer shell, as well as insulated
cape over the bag and the mail. And a priority, either. Raincoats arent pants.
then you still have your arms free to very popular up here, Branch Finally, there is Honolulu, HI, where
work in there. 4319 President Jim Raymond said. the temperature ranges from low 70s
Q-and-As
48. What defines the anniversary a USPS authorized vendor to purchase
date for the purpose of annual uniform uniform items. The Letter of Authoriza-
allowance eligibility for a CCA? tion can be located on the Uniform Pro-
The following questions and answers The calendar date the CCA initially be- gram website on the Blue Page under
comes eligible for a uniform allowance. Labor Relations.
were agreed upon between manage-
49. How is the uniform anniversary 51. How are uniform items pur-
ment and the union regarding CCA
date determined for a CCA who is con- chased?
uniforms:
verted to career status? Uniform items can only be purchased
47. When does a CCA become eli- The employee retains the same an- from USPS licensed vendors. A list of
gible for a uniform allowance? niversary date held as a CCA. all authorized Postal Service Uniform
Upon completion of 90 work days 50. How is a uniform allowance pro- vendors is located under the Labor
or 120 calendar days of employment vided to a CCA? Relations website: Uniform Program
as a CCA, whichever comes first. CCAs When a CCA becomes eligible for from the Blue Page and also on Liteblue
who have previously satisfied the a uniform allowance, funds must be under My HR, and look for the link for
90/120 day requirement as a transi- approved through an eBuy submission Uniform Program.
tional employee (with an appointment by local management. After approval, 52. How does a licensed uniform ven-
made after September 29, 2007), a Letter of Authorization form must be dor receive payment for uniform items
become eligible for a uniform allow- completed and provided to the employ- purchased by a CCA?
ance when they begin their first CCA ee within 14 days of the eligibility date. The licensed vendor creates an
appointment. The CCA takes the completed form to itemized invoice of the sale, provides
to low 80s year round. We focus on We also put the question on our The best advice is to ask your fel-
shirts and shorts, initially, Branch Facebook page, and got some interest- low letter carriers in your station and
860 President Howard Komine said. ing responses: branch how to spend your first uni-
We really dont have a serious winter Jeffrey Babey: Pants, shorts, shirts, form allowance most wisely. Veteran
or rainy season. So no winter clothing. bomber jacket, pith helmet, rain coat letter carriers are almost always ready
Maybe a rain coat on the second or and some anti-blister socks. and willing to offer helpful advice, and
third allowance. Marylou Furbush LaRose: Shoes are maybe an extra shirt or two.
Thats the price we pay for living in most important wherever you are. Next, Note: Shortly after we interviewed
the Aloha State, he joked. weather gear. I started in CT. The parka the branch presidents for this article, we
As for footwear, everyone offers is a must for New England winters. Now were shocked and saddened to learn that
the same advicefind a shoe or boot Im in SE Iowa and rain gear pants and Branch 916 President Tom Gates had
with comfort and durability. In rainy jacket are essential. Best item right now passed away. Tom was a tremendous
climates, galoshes may be purchased is the floppy Indiana Jones blue hat. Ter- asset to Eugene carriers, the Oregon State
to keep feet dry while walking. Some rific for sun, rain and wind. Association, as well as to the union as a
carriers use new, lightweight over- You can see more responses and join whole, NALC President Fredric Rolando
shoes that are more breathable and the conversation on NALCs Facebook said. Tom lived and breathed NALC, and
still waterproof. page at facebook.com/nalc.national. will be sorely missed. PR
a copy of the invoice to the CCA, and 54. Does the annual uniform anniver- point of separation, the matter will be
sends the original invoice for payment sary date change when a CCA is sepa- considered closed. If the CCA had any
to the local manager identified on the rated for lack of work and then rehired part of the annual uniform allowance
Letter of Authorization. Upon receipt, as a CCA after his/her anniversary date available at the point of separation,
the local manager certifies the invoice has passed? the remaining balance will be redeter-
and pays the vendor using the office Yes, in this situation a new anniver- mined upon reappointment as follows:
Smartpay card. sary date is established on the date of If the period of separation exceeded
53. If a CCA does not use the full reappointment and the CCA is provided 89 calendar days, the remaining bal-
allowance before his/her appointment a full annual uniform allowance within ance will be reduced by 10 percent
ends, does the allowance carry-over 14 days of the new anniversary date. of the annual uniform allowance for
into the next appointment when the 55. What happens to the annual the first 90 calendar days and then by
appointment begins before the next uniform allowance for a CCA that has 10 percent for each full 30 calendar
uniform anniversary date? an anniversary date, is separated for days thereafter. In no event will such
Yes, however, the CCA cannot lack of work, and then rehired as a CCA redetermination result in a negative
purchase uniform items during his/ before their next uniform anniversary balance for the employee.
her five calendar day break between date? 56. Will CCAs receive the additional
appointments. If the full annual uniform A CCA that is separated under this credit authorized under Article 26.2.B
allowance is not used before the next circumstance retains his/her an- with their first uniform allowance fol-
anniversary date, the remaining bal- niversary date. If there is no uniform lowing conversion to career status?
ance for that year is forfeited. allowance balance remaining at the Yes.
OWCP basics
When an injury is accepted by OWCP as OWCP differentiates between traumatic
work-related and the employee is disabled and occupational injuries, based on the
from work, the employee may be entitled One bedrock OWCP principle is that duration of the causing factors. When
to wage-loss compensation (which is paid claimants have the burden of proof. That an injury is caused by work factors that
by OWCP at 2/3 or 3/4 of salary). means the injured carrier must prove all occur at one point in time (for instance,
OWCP regulations require that the in- elements of a claim: that a diagnosed con- a fall down stairs) or during the course
jured worker claim wage-loss compensation dition exists, that work factors caused the of one workday or shift, it is a traumatic
by submitting OWCP Form CA-7 through the condition, that the identified work factors injury, and a CA-1 is used to report it. When
employing agencyin this case, the Postal actually took place, and so on. an injury is caused by work factors that
Service. The regulations require the Postal To meet the burden of proof that a di- occur over a course of time more than
Service to certify the correct pay rate and agnosed condition exists, OWCP requires one workday or shift (for instance, carpal
then forward the CA-7 to OWCP within five that a claimant provide a written report
working days of receipt from the employee. tunnel syndrome and other repetitive-use
from a physician that states a diagnosis. syndromes), it is an occupational injury (or
If the Postal Service loses or misplaces
OWCP does not recognize physicians illness) and a CA-2 is used to report it.
the CA-7 and the employee does nothing,
assistants (PA), nurse practitioners (NP), To meet the burden of proof that work
OWCP will not pay wage-loss compensa-
and similar professionals as physicians. factors actually took place, OWCP require-
tion because it will not be aware that the
Therefore, written diagnoses that are not ments generally differ depending on wheth-
employee is claiming wage-loss compensa-
tion. If the Postal Service delays forwarding signed by a recognized physician will er the injury was traumatic or occupational.
the CA-7 to OWCP, payment to the employee not meet a claimants burden of proof. In traumatic injuries (CA-1), evidence that
also will be delayed because OWCP cannot Many claims are denied because the work factors actually took place is often
process wage-loss compensation until after only report of diagnosis is signed by a readily apparent. For instance, if a trau-
it receives a CA-7. PA or NP. matic injury is caused in a vehicle accident,
Because OWCP has complex regulations To meet the burden of proof that work then police reports or Postal Service forms
and sole authority to decide all on-the-job factors caused the condition, OWCP will show that the incident took place. If
injury claim issues, and USPS errors can requires that a claimant provide a written a traumatic injury is caused by a slip and
cause problems, it is vital that NALC mem- report from a physician that provides an fall, there often are direct witnesses. Even
bers who suffer an on-the-job injury have opinion that specifically identified work when there are no witnesses, traumatic
a basic understanding of OWCP rules, and factors caused the diagnosed injury, and injury claims in most cases do not present
they should seek assistance from the NALC provides a detailed explanation of why the problems regarding the burden to prove
to monitor the progress of the claim. physician holds that opinion. that work factors actually existed.
T
carriers who choose to join and get
bers. With the power of hundreds involved is the No. 1 reason for NALCs
of thousands of letter carriers success throughout its history.
working together, the union has Most letter carriers join the NALC
achieved great improvements in the at the very beginning of their ca-
workplace and in the lives of letter reers, usually during orientation. An
carriers. As thousands of new letter experienced NALC member holds an
carriers join our ranks, the union is orientation session for new letter car-
becoming even stronger. riers to welcome them and educate
Since the new National Agreement them about the union and how it
took effect this January, the Postal works for them. During this NALC
Service has hired nearly 30,000 orientation, new letter carriers are
letter carriers. The vast majority given the opportunity to join NALC if
of these newly hired letter carri- they wish, and most choose to do so
ers have chosen to join NALC, and on the spot because they can easily
many are jumping in immediately see how the union works for them.
and getting involved with the work Some of the letter carriers who
of representing letter carriers and conduct orientations shared what
fighting for our future. they experience when they welcome
These recently hired letter carri- newly hired letter carriers.
ers are our unions new generation, Karen Lewis, president of Topeka,
NALC President Fredric Rolando KS Branch 10, is able to connect
said. Every single one of them has quickly with new letter carriers. Ive
the opportunity to have a long career found that when I do orientation, I
as a letter carrier. To ensure that can build a rapport with the carri-
happens, we have to fight to protect ers, she said. I explain how the
the future of the Postal Service and union can help with specific items.
our jobs. No one has a larger stake in By the time she brings up joining
this struggle than the letter carriers the union, most carriers already
hired these past few months. Joining understand the benefits and sign up
the union and becoming active gives immediately.
them a voice in their future. She also stresses their easy access
Newly hired letter carriers do not to branch leaders, from the stew-
automatically become members ards on the workroom floor right to
of the NALC. Joining the NALC is the top. I tell them Im the branch
voluntary, yet more than 90 percent president, Lewis said, and you can
of letter carriers choose to join their come straight to me any time you
union. This high percentage of letter have a question.
RESIDENT OFFICERS
FREDRIC V. ROLANDO MANUEL L. PERALTA JR.
President Director of Safety and Health
TIMOTHY C. OMALLEY RON WATSON
Executive Vice President Director of Retired Members
LEW DRASS
MYRA WARREN
Vice President
Director of Life Insurance
JANE E. BROENDEL Mutual Benefit Association
Secretary-Treasurer 202-638-4318
NICOLE RHINE BRIAN HELLMAN
Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Director, Health Benefit Plan
BRIAN RENFROE Health Benefit Plan
Director of City Delivery 888-636-6252
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
LAWRENCE D. BROWN JR. MIKE GILL RANDALL L. KELLER
774 Valencia Street 70 NE 39th Street 2500 Main Street, #201
Los Angeles, CA 90017 Miami, FL 33137 Tewksbury, MA 01876
Region 2: PAUL PRICE Region 7: CHRIS WITTENBURG Region 12: WILLIAM J. LUCINI
(Alaska, Utah, Idaho, Montana, (Minnesota, North Dakota, (Pennsylvania, South and Central
Oregon, Washington) South Dakota, Wisconsin) New Jersey)
11818 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., #303 Broadway Place West 9601 James St.
Vancouver, WA 98684 1300 Godward St. NE, Suite 2600 Philadelphia, PA 19114-3017
360-892-6545 Minneapolis, MN 55413 215-824-4826
612-378-3035
Region 3: NEAL TISDALE Region 13: TIMOTHY W. DOWDY
(Illinois) Region 8: PETER S. MOSS (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
3171 Greenhead Drive, Suite C (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, Washington, DC)
Springfield, IL 62711 Tennessee) 2484 Pruden Blvd., Suite A
217-787-7850 160 Commissioner Drive Suffolk, VA 23434
Meridianville, AL 35759-2038 757-934-1013
Region 4: ROGER W. BLEDSOE 256-828-8205
(Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Region 14: JOHN J. CASCIANO
Oklahoma, Wyoming) Region 9: JUDY WILLOUGHBY (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
1018 Airport Road, Suite 116 (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
Hot Springs, AR 71913-4626 South Carolina) 1208A V.F.W. Parkway, Suite 201
501-760-6566 5201 Ravenswood Road, Suite 119 West Roxbury, MA 02132
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312-6007 617-363-9299
Region 5: DAN PITTMAN 954-964-2116
(Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas) Region 15: LARRY CIRELLI
2029 Woodland Parkway, Suite 101 Region 10: KATHY BALDWIN (Northern New Jersey, New York, SW
St. Louis, MO 63146-4267 (New Mexico, Texas) Connecticut, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands)
314-872-0227 23760 Hwy. 59 North 347 W. 41st St., Suite 102
Kingwood, TX 77339 New York, NY 10036-6941
281-540-5627 212-868-0284