Branch 9 NALC

CONVENTION !

USPS made $600M delivering mail in 2013: “The dramatic improvement in postal finances announced today is great news,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. “With the economy gradually recovering from the recession, the Postal Service has returned to operational profitability—with an operating profit of $600 million delivering the mail this fiscal year.” Click here to read his complete statement.

Penalty overtime exclusion: As referenced in Article 8, Sections 4 and 5, of the USPS-NALC and USPS-APWU national agreements, the December period during which penalty overtime regulations are not applicable consists of four consecutive service weeks. This year, the December period begins Pay Period 26-13–Week 1 (Nov. 30) and ends Pay Period 01-14–Week 2 (Dec. 27).

MOU on CCA staffing: In a memorandum of understanding (M-01826) dated Oct. 22 regarding city carrier assistant (CCA) staffing, the NALC and the Postal Service agreed that city carrier assistants who served as city carrier temporary employees (TEs) directly before their initial CCA appointment will not serve a probationary period when converted to full-time career status during the term of the MOU. Click here to read more.

2014 retiree COLAs—1.5% for FERS & CSRS: The cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for both Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) benefits will be 1.5 percent in 2014, based on the Oct. 30 release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September. Although the release of the September CPI was delayed by the 16-day federal government shut-down, the COLA will take effect on time and will be included in January 2014 annuity payments. The 2014 COLA is based on the increase in the average CPI between the 3rd quarter of 2012 and the 3rd quarter of 2013. Since the CPI did not increase by more than 2 percent, COLAs for both CSRS and FERS benefits will be the same in 2014.

Postal bill hearing: NALC President Fredric Rolando testified Thursday at the second hearing onS. 1486, the Carper-Coburn bill.Click here to read his submitted testimony. Click here to find out who else testified at the hearing and to read their submitted testimony.

Click here to read a summary of Thursday’s hearing. The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, which has Postal Service oversight, held its first hearing on S. 1486 on Sept. 19. Click hereto read more about that hearing.

USPS finances show 3rd quarter ‘rebound’: The Postal Service has released its financial figures for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2013, which covers April, May and June. “The latest quarterly report makes clear that its finances are rebounding strongly as the U.S. economy improves,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. “The agency would have reported a profit of $660 million absent the $1.4 billion payment it was charged for pre-funding future retiree health benefits—a bill no other company or agency in the country is required to pay.” Click the graphic above to see a larger version of it.
Click here to read President Rolando’s statement.

Click here to read a fact sheet about the third quarter report.

Scholarship Winners 2013

Walter Couillard Eugene McNulty $2000- Jake Tanner

Jerome J Keating/Austin B Carlson $2000- Kaitlyn Brandon

J. Wesley Woods $1000- Frances Eichten

Leonard Larson/Barry Weiner Adult Scholarship- Lorene Banovetz and Michelle Benson

NEEDED: UNIFORM DONATIONS

PLEASE DONATE USED, CLEAN, CURRENT UNIORMS

TO THE BRANCH OFFICE FOR OUR INCOMING MEMBERS

MINNESOTA Day of action on March 24

NALC a day of action to mobilize public support for Saturday delivery service. Reminding our representatives in Washington to maintain the six-day mail delivery language in the continuing budget resolution.

NALC President Emeritus
Vincent R. Sombrotto, 1923-2013

Jan 10, 2013 --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. more

and other convention videos

http://www.nalc.org/news/conv/minneapolis2012.html

Thank you, Minneapolis: The NALC's 68th Biennial Convention finished up in Minneapolis on Friday, July 27. Friday's events included the conclusion of the convention's business, committee and awards presentations, and a showing of "The Strike at 40," the 2010 look back at the Great Postal Strike of 1970.Click here to read each day's Convention Chronicle on the main convention page and to check out the latest uploaded photos from Minneapolis. (Friday's Chronicle is now online.)

Branch 9 Publications Contest Winners

Best Website
Honorable Mentions:
• Branch 9, Minneapolis, MN, branch9nalc.com

Best Editorial or Column
Honorable Mentions:
• Branch 9, Minneapolis, MN, “We Are Letter Carriers,” by Chuck Glover, Branch Nine News

Click here to view the other winners of the Branch Publications Contest.

Branch 9 Stuffed Delegate Bags- Thanks All

‘Save America's Postal Service’ Branch 9 demonstrated: April 12,

The National Association of Letter Carriers held “Save America’s Postal Service” demonstrated outside of Senate offices across the country,

New data indicates proposed cuts could mean greater losses in volume, revenue: The proposed cuts in service sought by the U.S. Postal Service could result in a far-greater loss of mail volume – and thus of revenue – than postal authorities previously have disclosed, new testimony indicates. In fact, the losses – outlined in a preliminary study commissioned by the USPS but which the agency has since kept under wraps – could outweigh any savings realized by the cuts. Click here to read more.

POSTAL FACTS.
• Click here for a point-by-point guide to help you spread the truth about the Postal Service and the need for immediate congressional action.

• Click here to find out how the NALC Communications Department can help you get the NALC's message out.

NALC runs veterans ad on national TV: see it here

Commercial takes aim at unfair financial burdens imposed by Congress click here

Postal Service's "Big Lie," read Branch 9's response- News by Nine

*route protection materials here

Cheryl Stately’s children, Jeff Reiger,
and Bobbi Reiger proudly accept the
plaque that will be placed over the
entrance of the apartments above the
Branch 9 office.artments

_____________________________________

congress seal S. 316: In the Senate, 8 senators so far have co-sponsored S. 316, a postal modernization measure that preserves Saturday mail delivery. Has yours? Find out here, then go here to look up members' contact information and ask yours to sign on.

congress sel H.R. 630: In the House, Rep. Peter DeFazio has introduced H.R. 630, a postal modernization measure that preserves Saturday mail delivery. Is your representative a co-sponsor? Find out here, then go here to look up members' contact information and ask yours to sign on.

congress seal H. Res. 30: In the House, 101 members so far have co-sponsored H. Res. 30, “expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to ensure the continuation of its 6-day mail delivery service.” Has yours? Find out here, then go here to look up members' contact information and ask yours to sign on.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the econom

POSTAL FACTS: On Friday, Oak Brook, IL Branch 825 letter carrier Melissa Rakestraw apeared on MSNBC's "The Ed Show" to describe how she calmly defended the Postal Service to Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) during his recent headline-grabbing meet-and-greet.Click here to watch the video.