Two Heroic Letter Carriers Honored, Plus Other Postal News

NALC Legislative Dept.

While letter carriers are gearing up for what promises to be another hectic holiday season, here are some news items that you might have missed:

• USPS employee data hacked: On the morning of Nov. 10, NALC first received information on a cyber breach that compromised Postal Service employees’ personal and employment information. NALC is continuing to monitor the Postal Service’s response to the breach, and we also have filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board protesting the agency’s failure to provide NALC advance notice of, and an opportunity to bargain over, the USPS response to this breach.
• PMG retirement, financial report: Two interesting news items emerged from the Nov. 14 Board of Governors meeting in Washington: Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe announced his retirement, and the agency’s financial report for 2014 showed that the postal networks are thriving, to the tune of $1.4 billion after what USPS called its best quarterly and annual performance in many years.
• 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 26-14, Week 2 (Dec. 6, 2014), and ends Pay Period 02-15, Week 1 (Jan. 2, 2015).
• Two heroic carriers honored on national news: The heroic action of two Peoria, IL Branch 31 letter carriers—who rescued an abducted boy outside their post office—was reported on recently by CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley. The two carriers received the NALC’s Heroes of the Year Unit Citation award last fall for their efforts.
• Thankful to have Union Plus: Union Plus offers resources that can help union families facing financial hardship. So far this year, more than 1,750 workers and their families have received more than $1.8 million through Union Plus assistance programs—another reminder you’re never alone when you’re union.

Stay up to date by checking out nalc.org every day. And remember, it’s portable—easily browsed on smartphones and tablets. You can also “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Postal Banking Bill Introduced In the Senate and Other Legislative News

by Kori Blalock Keller

Here’s what’s happening in Washington as we head into the August recess:

Senate considers Postal Board of Governors nominations: On Wednesday, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC) addressed several issues in its final business meeting before Congress’ August recess, including the pending nominations of four Postal Board of Governors members. The nominees are James Miller III, Stephen Crawford, Michael Bennett and Victoria Kennedy. Click here to read more.

Postal banking bill introduced in House: On July 15, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA) introduced the Providing Opportunities for Savings, Transactions and Lending Act (POSTAL) Act, H.R. 5179, to allow USPS to offer basic financial services, including checking accounts, interest-bearing savings accounts and money transfers, and to allow the Postal Service to partner with private banks to offer these services. In addition, the legislation would create a “Postal Card” that would serve as a debit card for postal banking customers. Click here to read more.

‘Wounded warriors’ bill introduced in House: On Tuesday, House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce and U.S. Postal Service Chairman Blake Farenthold (R-TX) and Ranking Member Stephen Lynch (D-MA), along with House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD), and Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC), introduced the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act, H.R. 5229. Click here to read more.

One hurdle remains for Sombrotto Post Office naming: Today, the Senate approved H.R. 2291, the bill to rename Manhattan’s Grand Central Station Post Office after former NALC President Vincent R. Sombrotto. Click here to read more.

Recess is the best! Today, the House and Senate will head home until after Labor Day, returning on Sept. 8. At this writing, the House was still in session to deal with some unfinished business, but it was expected to recess before the weekend. Click here to read more.

In solidarity,

Kori Blalock Keller
NALC Director of Legislative and Political Affairs