Volume 137/Number 8
August 2024
In this issue President’s Message 72 Branch Election Notices 78 1 Branch Items
The monthly journal of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS
President Brian L. Renfroe 2022-2024 Biennial Report
&
Deadline: This form must be returned to NALC Headquarters no later than December 31, 2024. DONELON SCHOLARSHIPS DOHERTY
In honor of NALC’s president from 1941 to 1962, the William C. Doherty Scholar- ship Fund will again award five $4,000 scholarships to chil- dren of members in good standing. The John T. Donelon Scholarship Fund will award one schol- arship in honor of Donelon, longtime NALC assistant to the president. Applicants must be high school seniors and must meet all of the follow- ing eligibility criteria to be considered.
Eligibility • Applicant must be the son, daughter or legally adopted child of a letter carrier NALC member in good standing— active, retired or deceased. Stepchildren and grandchil‑ dren are eligible if they live with the letter carrier in a regular parent‑child relationship. • Applicant’s parent must be a member in good standing of NALC for at least one year prior to making application. • Applicant must be a high school senior when making application and must submit the form provided at right, signed by the NALC member and an officer of the mem‑ ber’s NALC branch. This form must be returned to NALC Headquarters by December 31, 2024. Requirements • All applicants must take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) in either their junior or senior year. A copy of the official scores from the administering or‑ ganization must be received at NALC Headquarters by midnight, March 31, 2025. (Computer-generated print‑ outs of test scores will not be accepted.) • All biographical question‑ naires and secondary school reports must be received at NALC Headquarters by mid‑ night, March 31, 2025. Regulations • Scholarship is to be used toward pursuing undergradu‑
ate degree at an accredited college of recipient’s choice. • Winners may accept other college scholarship assis‑ tance in addition to the NALC award. • Any change of schools or course of study must be done only with the permission of the NALC Scholarship Com‑ mittee. • A transcript of grades must be forwarded to the commit‑ tee at the end of each school year. • If winner suffers certified serious illness, scholarship will be held in abeyance for not more than one year. • If unusual conditions are going to require an inter‑ ruption in schooling, recipi‑ ent must state reason(s) in writing to the Scholarship Committee and request that the scholarship be held in abeyance. Request(s) will be reviewed by the Committee and a decision rendered. • If the NALC member is sus‑ pended by his/her local NALC branch or enters supervision, scholarship will be canceled. Terms of awards • The official scholarship judges will award one Wil‑ liam C. Doherty Scholarship in each of the five USPS Regions and one John T. Do‑ nelon Scholarship. Winners are judged on the basis of secondary school records, personal qualifications and test scores. As in the past, the scholarship judges will consist of experienced per‑ sons in the educational field. Decisions of the judges will be final.
• Doherty Scholarship awards will be $4,000 per year and the Donelon Scholarship award will be $1,000 per year. Each scholarship is renewable for three consecutive years there‑ after providing the winner maintains satisfactory grades. Award money will be deposited annually with the college. It will be credited to the winner’s ac‑ count to be drawn upon under the rules and regulations which the college has established for handling scholarship funds. Award money is to be used for required college fees, including room and board and transporta‑ tion fees. • Children of NALC national officers are not eligible.
Date_ ______________________ (PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY) Please send instructions as to how I can compete for a scholarship award. I am a senior in the 2024-25 school year. I am the of letter carrier _______________________________________________ of Branch No.___________ City___________________ State_ ______ My name is_________________________________________________ My address is_______________________________________________ City________________________ State_____________ ZIP_________ Phone No.___________________ ___________________________ Signature of branch officer __________________________ __________________________ Signature of NALC parent member Printed name of branch officer • active • retired •deceased •daughter •stepdaughter* •granddaughter* • son •stepson* •grandson * SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Title Date This form must be returned no later than Dec. 31, 2024, to the NALC Scholarship Committee, in care of the National Association of Letter Carriers, 100 Indiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001-2144. * Stepchildren and grandchildren are eligible if they live with the letter carrier in a regular parent‑child relationship. ______ ______ ______ ______ Last 4 digits of Social Security No. __________________________ (or spouse if deceased)
President’s Message
Our role in strengthening democracy
T he members of NALC provide an invaluable service. We deliver essential mail and packages to every ad- dress in the country. We also are lifelines for those who are homebound, and we serve as trusted eyes and ears in each of our communities. Americans rely on their letter carriers. In the last few election cy- cles, more Americans have started depending on us for an- other essential service—safely and securely delivering and col- lecting their ballots. According to the Postal Ser- vice’s post-election analysis, in the 2020 general election, USPS processed and delivered 135
capacity to easily handle it for every single voter in the country. We know that our network is unmatched, and the statistics do not lie. As we head into another election sea- son that could produce record vote-by-mail ballots, we will again surpass expectations and deliver Americans’ votes. Letter carriers should be very proud of the work we do to fuel our democratic process. Our success in the last two election cycles has proven that voting by mail is conve- nient, efficient, popular and, most importantly, safe and secure. Voting is the bedrock of our democracy, and we make it possible for tens of millions of people. But the critical work we do is just one way we should participate in our democratic system. “In the last few election cycles, more Americans have started de- pending on us for another essential service—safely and securely deliv- ering and collecting their ballots.” Now more than ever, it is important to participate in our de- mocracy by voting. Whether you plan to vote early, by mail, or on Election Day, I urge you to make a plan now to vote. Talk to your family and friends. Make sure they are registered and have a plan to cast their vote, too. Voting is the most impor- tant and fundamental way to participate in our democracy. No one knows what the outcome of this year’s elections will be. Pollsters and pundits seem to change their predic- tions every day, and we all have recently observed notable events in this year’s election campaigns. Regardless of whom you choose to support, familiarize yourself with the candidates on the ballot. Know where they stand on NALC’s priorities and on other issues that are important to you. The last few years have proved that our democracy is not guaranteed. Some states have passed measures making it more difficult for people to vote, which is antithetical to our democratic system. The violent effort to interfere with the transfer of power at the highest level in 2021 reminded us that U.S. democracy is not automatic. We must nurture and fight for it. By definition, a democracy is a government that is by the people and for the people. Our democracy is the healthi- est when the people make their voices heard, and we do that through exercising our most basic right as Americans—voting.
Brian L. Renfroe
million ballots, with 99.89 percent of them reaching election officials within a week. In the 2022 midterm elections, 105.4 million ballots were processed and delivered, with 99.93 bal- lots delivered to election officials within seven days. (While turnout is typically much lower for the midterms than in presi- dential elections, the small decrease from 2020 to 2022 high- lights the exponential increase in use of mail ballots in some states during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.) In 2020, we asked the Postal Service to establish a joint task force with us to prepare for election mail. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who was only a few weeks into the job at that point, agreed. The task force played a crucial role not just in the Postal Service’s success in that elec- tion cycle, but in the country’s success. Measures were developed that allowed us to handle and prioritize the dramatic increase in election mail in 2020. The task force was reestablished in 2022 and the suc- cess of 2020 was replicated. Now, in 2024, we have recon- vened the group and have been meeting to ensure that we are successful this election season. This past—and pro- jected future—success is a direct result of the dedicated work of letter carriers and all postal employees. Despite our stellar record of delivering votes by mail, some who are misinformed have cast doubt on the Postal Service’s ability to successfully fulfill our role in vote-by- mail elections. These opinions are misguided and, frank- ly, wrong. The facts are that we have successfully handled election mail for many years in some states and have the
The Postal Record 1
August 2024
Contents
National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO Since 1889, representing city letter carriers employed by the United States Postal Service. 100 Indiana Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001-2144 202-393-4695 | nalc.org
Volume 137/Number 8
August 2024
RESIDENT OFFICERS
BRIAN L. RENFROE President PAUL BARNER Executive Vice President JAMES D. HENRY Vice President NICOLE RHINE Secretary-Treasurer MACK I. JULION Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
MANUEL L. PERALTA JR. Director of Safety and Health DAN TOTH Director of Retired Members JAMES W. “JIM” YATES Director of Life Insurance Mutual Benefit Association 202-638-4318 STEPHANIE M. STEWART Director, Health Benefit Plan Health Benefit Plan 888-636-6252
The monthly journal of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS
CHRISTOPHER JACKSON Director of City Delivery
LAWRENCE D. BROWN JR. 774 Valencia St. Los Angeles, CA 90017 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SANDRA D. LAEMMEL 1400 Trumbull Detroit, MI 48216-1945
CHARLES P. HEEGE 347 W. 41st St., 2nd Floor New York, NY 10036
NATIONAL BUSINESS AGENTS
Region 1: MARKEISHA LEWIS (California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam) 3105 E. Guasti Road, Suite 200 Ontario, CA 91761 909-443-7450 Region 2: NICK VAFIADES (Alaska, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington) 7710 NE Greenwood Drive, Suite 200 Vancouver, WA 98662 360-892-6545 Region 3: MICHAEL B. CAREF (Illinois) 4979 Indiana Ave., Suite 203 Lisle, IL 60532-3848 630-743-5320 Region 4: DAN VERSLUIS (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Wyoming) 12015 E. 46th Ave., Suite 550 Denver, CO 80239 720-828-6840 Region 5: DAVE TEEGARDEN (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas) 1828 Craig Road St. Louis, MO 63146 314-985-8040 Region 6: DAVID MUDD (Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan) 43456 Mound Road, Suite 501 Sterling Heights, MI 48314 586-997-9917 Region 7: PATRICK JOHNSON (Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin) Broadway Place West 1300 Godward St. NE, Suite 2600 Minneapolis, MN 55413 612-378-3035 Region 8: STEVE LASSAN (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee) 160 Commissioner Drive Meridianville, AL 35759-2038 256-828-8205
Region 9: EDDIE DAVIDSON (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina) 1101 Northchase Parkway SE, Suite 3 Marietta, GA 30067 678-942-5295 Region 10: SHAWN BOYD
16
Departments 1 President’s Message 3 Letter from the Editor 4 News 14 Proud to Serve 68 State Summaries 69 Retiree Reports 70 Honor Roll 71 In Memoriam 72 Branch Items 77 Cost-of-living adjustment
Features 4
(New Mexico, Texas) 2001 Lakeside Pkwy. Flower Mound, TX 75028 281-540-5627
News from Washington House committee advances bill to expand access to care for federal workers injured on the job 5 Scholarships awarded Six children of NALC members have been awarded Doherty or Donelon Scholarships to help with college costs 7 Apply for Leadership Academy NALC is now accepting applica- tions for the Leadership Acad- emy, which is open to all active NALC members 8 A helping hand Through various endeavors, branches across the country are giving new members support and training 16 ‘Grow. Rise. Together.’ President Renfroe issues his biennial report about the union’s progress for the 73rd Biennial National Convention
Region 11: MARK CAMILLI (Upstate New York, Ohio) 2500 W. Erie Ave. Lorain, OH 44053-1056 440-282-4340 Region 12: BRIAN THOMPSON (Pennsylvania, South and Central New Jersey) 4 Neshaminy Interplex Drive, Suite 111 Trevose, PA 19053 215-824-4826 Region 13: VADA E. PRESTON (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, DC) P.O. Box 2660 Ashburn, VA 20146 703-840-2010 Region 14: RICHARD J. DICECCA (Connecticut, Maine, Massachu- setts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) 33 Boston Post Road W., Suite 360 Marlborough, MA 01752-1813 617-363-9299 Region 15: BRUCE DIDRIKSEN (Northern New Jersey, New York, SW Connecticut, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) 347 W. 41st St., Suite 102 New York, NY 10036-6941 212-868-0284
78 Election Notices 84 Nalcrest Update/
Mutual Exchange ads
2 The Postal Record August 2024
Letter from the Editor
Shifting media engagement, stay on course
O ver the past couple of years, we’ve moved from one vital messaging campaign to a sec- ond; initially seeking to protect USPS from the pre-funding mandate that created an unfair financial burden, now to protect letter carriers from an avalanche of robberies and assaults. Each effort has been daunting in its own way. What we’ll focus on today are the communications hurdles we face in combatting the criminal targeting of letter carriers, and how you can best navigate those challenges.
wire services. The current issue lends itself to television—at- tacks on letter carriers, sometimes captured on video; rallies replete with our signs and T-shirts and speeches; on-camera interviews with carriers, including victims. And an interview involving a camera can seem more intimidating than one fea- turing a note pad (though a probing newspaper reporter can actually be more worrisome than a TV reporter just hoping for a good sound bite). What does all this mean in practice if you’re preparing for an interview about the assaults on letter carriers? Stay on message, and don’t be rattled by the occasional curveball question that might be tossed your way. The message is simple: These attacks are unacceptable and need to stop, now. They traumatize letter carriers, they hurt residents and businesses, and they diminish the quality of life in the neighborhoods we serve by making it harder for us to be the “eyes and ears” of the community. USPS needs to upgrade its technology, federal prosecutors need to prosecute these cases, the “Protect Our Letter Carriers” legislation needs to be supported, and we appreciate residents having our back and watching out for our safety. In delivering that message, be on the lookout for the out-of- left field query that has nothing to do with that message but rather aims to generate controversy or attention. Should letter carriers be armed? What are the crooks after? What’s a master key worth on the black market? How does check-washing work? Remember, you’re in charge, not the journalist, and you’re not obligated to answer a question you don’t want to answer. At the same time, as we’ve frequently noted, don’t say you have no comment. Instead, just ward off the question, in a way that fits best with the nature of the inquiry and/or with your personality. Such as: “That’s speculation and I’m not going there.” “That’s not our decision to make.” “Answering that would benefit no one but the bad guys.” “There’s no value in addressing that.” Or, “I’m not here to discuss that.” Remember, these interviews are almost always taped, not live, and a reporter/editor/producer is unlikely to use any question you’ve effectively dismissed, because it reflects poorly on the outlet. Any questions, let me know.
First, some brief context. The prior communications effort involved in- forming the public and their reps in Congress about the unique mandate that had the Postal Service constantly facing red ink. This required that we first educate the media— not always an easy task. Early on, perhaps a decade ago, I was patiently explaining to a Washington Post reporter that it would be unfair to write that the Postal Service had lost hundreds of millions of dollars in a given quarter, because without the pre-funding burden faced by no other entity, USPS actually would have had a size- able profit. His sarcastic retort: “Yeah, Phil, and if my old college in Vir- ginia hadn’t had to play the first half Saturday, it would have won the basketball game.” Let’s just say we had a spirited exchange. (If you’re going to use hoops to make an anti-NALC argument, find someone else to try that with.) Letter carriers eventually won the pre-funding battle, thanks largely to your work informing the public and the pols about postal finances via your thousands of commentary pieces and letters to the editor in newspapers big and small around the country. The task now before us differs sharply, in two ways. The persuasion part of the formula is easier. We don’t need to convince the media—or anyone else—that attacks on letter carriers are occurring, are a threat, and need to stop. That’s all self-evident. Tougher, though, is the delivery part of the message—for dual reasons. Rather than crafting our own message on our own time in our own words for stand-alone pieces on the editorial pages, we’re now engaging in real time with journalists doing hard- news stories, asking us questions, and deciding what to use. Moreover, the coverage has largely (though not entirely) shifted from print to broadcast. By its very nature—figures, finances, legislative history—pre-funding wasn’t a visual sto- ry, so it was largely covered by newspapers, magazines and Philip Dine
EDITORIAL STAFF: Director of Communications and Media Relations Philip Dine Managing Editor Mike Shea Writer/Editor Rick Hodges Writer/Editor Jenessa Wagner Editorial Assistant Sarah Eccleston The Postal Record (ISSN 0032-5376) is published monthly by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Membership Department, NALC, 100 Indiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001-2144.
Subscription included in membership dues. First-class subscription available for $20 per year (contact Membership Department). © 2024 by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Circulation: 287,000. Union-printed using soy-based inks. CHANGE of ADDRESS? Contact the Member- ship Department. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube by going to NALC.org.
The Postal Record 3 August 2024
News
News from Washington House committee advances bill to expand access for federal workers injured on the job
O n July 5, the House Committee on Education and the Work- force reported the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 618). This action follows the June 13 committee markup of the bill. Under the Federal Employees’ Com- pensation Act (FECA), only physicians can treat federal employees, includ- ing letter carriers, who are injured on the job. Unfortunately, in many parts of the country, there is a shortage of physicians who will treat these cases, resulting in “provider deserts” for injured letter carriers who are seek- ing treatment. H.R. 618 would amend FECA to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to treat these cases, expanding care options for injured letter carriers. At the markup, the committee unani- mously advanced the legislation, and the bill’s leads, Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Joe Courtney (D-CT), spoke in favor of the bill. Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), as well as Reps. Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), also spoke in support of the bill. Prior to the markup, NALC submit- ted comments to the committee for the record. In the 117th Congress, the House passed the bill with a 325-83 vote, but no action was taken in the Senate. With 55 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House, if called to the floor it is likely to pass again, but a path in the Senate remains unclear. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced a companion bill in the Senate (S. 131) that currently has five co-sponsors. Visit nalc.org/action to ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 618/S. 131 and all of NALC’s prior- ity legislation. PR 4 The Postal Record August 2024
June 5, 2024 Dear Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member Scott and members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, On behalf of the 280,000 active and retired letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), I write in strong support of the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act (H.R. 618). NALC urges the committee to favorably mark up the legislation and advance the bill. Letter carriers’ jobs are extremely physically demanding, and we work outside in all types of conditions. These factors heighten letter carriers’ risk of injury on the job. In fact, postal employees account for nearly half of the claims made to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) each year, and letter carriers file most of these claims. Letter carriers are injured more frequently than nearly all other federal government or private industry workers. Unfortunately, in many parts of the country, injured letter carriers live in areas where there is a shortage of physicians who will treat federal workers. The Department of Labor (DOL) is aware of this problem and has identified these areas as “provider deserts”. Despite there being many nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants/physician associates (PAs) in these areas who are willing to treat injured federal workers, the DOL does not accept medical reports or evidence from them for purposes of accepting and administering claims. This results in injured letter carriers driving hours from home for an appointment or waiting for months to receive treatment. When a letter carrier is injured on the job it is important that they receive the care they need from the provider of their choice so they can get back to work as quickly and healthily as possible. Amending the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) through H.R. 618 to allow NPs and PAs to treat these cases would support a stronger and healthier federal workforce. Letter carriers are devoted public servants who provide an essential service that all Americans rely on. We are lifelines for seniors who need medications, ensure our customers receive paychecks and bills on time, safely and securely deliver tens of millions of ballots every election season, and deliver essential packages six and sometimes seven days a week. Letter carriers keep our nation connected, and with your help, we must ensure they have access to the care they need when they are injured on the job. NALC strongly urges the committee to stand with the entire federal workforce and advance H.R. 618. Sincerely, Brian L. Renfroe President, National Association of Letter Carriers
Doherty & Donelon Scholarships awarded Six children of NALC members to receive funding for college
S ix children of NALC members will receive NALC memorial scholarships in recognition of their academic achievements and com- munity involvement. One student from each of five geo- graphical regions was awarded $4,000 apiece from the William C. Doherty Scholarship Fund, and a sixth student will receive $1,000 from the John T. Donelon Scholarship. All six scholar- ships are renewable for three addi- tional years. The Doherty Scholarship was found- ed in 1962 to honor William Doherty, NALC’s president from 1941 to 1962. The winners for 2024 are: Central Region: Camieal Roberson Parent: Kieaunta Roberson, Indianap- olis, IN Branch 39 Quote: “I would like to lead a communi- ty-based life. Ideally, I would be a neona- tal nurse practitioner that connects with her patients and community on a daily basis. I might have a family with a few children, and we attend church weekly. I would need to consider my current fam- ily members and what area best suits the lifestyle that I want.” Plans: Roberson will enter North Caro- lina Agricultural and Technical State University this fall and plans to study science and pursue a career in nursing. Eastern Region: Samantha Grimm Parent: Brad Grimm, Pittsburgh, PA Branch 84 Quote: “My parents are the most influ- ential people in my life for a variety of reasons, but most notably for teaching me the importance of hard work. My father has been a letter carrier for 24 years, and my mother has been a regis- tered nurse for 28. Their dedication and commitment to their respective careers has instilled in me a profound under- standing of the value of hard work and
Seated (from l): Dale E. Bittinger, Dr. Georgia Booker and James B. Massey Jr. Standing (from l): Lawrence Kania and Carly A. Hook
cally for women in STEM, I can pay their efforts forward. By breaking down gender norms and stereotypes, they have inspired me to fearlessly pursue my passions while inspiring others to do the same.” Plans: Pandey will attend Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania this fall to study electrical engineering with a concentration in public policy and plans to become an electrical engineer. Southern Region: Kendall England Parent: Lori Beth England, Fayette- ville, TN Branch 1402 Quote: “My mother has been most influential in my life in various ways. Along with raising me, my mom has been my biggest supporter in all that I do, whether that be sports or school and anything else in between. She encourages me to try new things and place kindness above all else. Without her, I would not have a fraction of my academic success, I wouldn’t have found new interests through branching out, and I would not know the beauty of selflessness. My mom has exhibited pure selflessness my entire life and shown me its importance.” The Postal Record 5 August 2024
perseverance. Observing both of my parents lead with integrity, reliability, and a strong sense of purpose in the professions has left a profound impact on my work ethic. I am fortunate for their role modeling and their sacrifices to provide my sister and me with a life abundant in opportunities for success.” Plans: Grimm will enter Penn State University this fall and plans to major in business as she continues to foster her interest in statistics and numbers. Northeast Region: Shreya Pandey Parent: Sujata Pandey, Princeton, NJ Branch 268 Quote: “Female engineers have been profoundly influential in my life, as they broke barriers and paved the way for girls like myself to pursue careers in STEM. Their resilience and efforts have opened opportunities for me, and inspired me to create similar oppor- tunities for girls interested in STEM within my local community. Through transforming my high school’s Engi- neering Club into a safe space for girls through events and workshops and creating a YouTube channel where I produce educational content specifi-
News
Doherty & Donelon Scholarships (continued) Plans: England will enter Jacksonville State University in Alabama this fall to study either elementary education or pre-med, with her future vocational plans being either an elementary edu- cation teacher or a physical therapist. Western Region: Philip Liu Parent: Hai Lin Liu, Santa Rosa, CA Branch 183 The winner is: Brianna Boyd Parent: Benjie Boyd, Mentor, OH Branch 4195 Quote: “My sister serves as my inspira- tion for my future goals and ambitions. 15 scholarships at $800 per year, each for a total of $3,200 per scholarship. The Doherty Scholarship has changed to provide for five scholarships, with an increase in the amount to $4,000 per year for a total of $16,000 per scholarship. The Donelon Scholarship provides for one scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per year for a total of $4,000 per scholarship.
As wholesome as this sounds, it is not as it seems. My sister chased her dreams, but wasn’t able to achieve them. When my sister was a senior in high school, she applied and was accepted for admission as an art major. However, my parents were unable to help with the financial situation. … The fear of chasing a risky career and failing as an adult forced me to re- search jobs that are higher in demand. This fear, however, has inspired my educational pathway. While I never fully let myself explore my unknown artistic abilities, I was eager to find the unknown in forensics. I ended up finding my dream and future goals in science through rigorous classes that aligned with forensics.” Plans: Boyd will enter Bowling Green State University in Ohio this fall to study forensic chemistry with plans to become a forensic toxicologist. The NALC Scholarship Committee met in late May at NALC Headquarters in Washington, DC. The committee is composed of Lawrence Kania of Buffalo-Western New York Branch 3 (chairperson), Kimetra Lewis of Dallas, TX Branch 132 and Carly Hook of Santa Clara, CA Branch 1427. The committee reviewed and evalu- ated each application. The committee released the following report: “This year marks the 62nd anniver- sary of the William C. Doherty Scholar- ship Program and the 21st anniversary of the John T. Donelon Scholarship. From the original grant of six scholar- ships in the amount of $500 per year in 1964, the Doherty program grew to
6 The Postal Record August 2024 John T. Donelon, longtime assistant to three NALC national presidents, was announced in 2003. Donelon’s wife, Louise, established the Do- nelon Scholarship as a bequest in her will. to work overtime hours as a mail- man; now, for the last 30 years, he’s paid off our home, raised my brother and I, and never once complained. … College was never an option for my mom, or my dad. Still, my parents have continued to pour their time and effort into supporting our family. To repay my greatest supporters, I hope to accomplish what my mother and father never had to opportunity to do: graduate with a degree.” Plans: Liu will attend University of California, Berkeley, this fall to pursue sports management, business and economics with the hopes of becoming an international sports agent. A scholarship honoring the late Quote: “In 20 years, I see myself as my family’s first college graduate. My parents have sacrificed so much for their families. For as long as he’s lived, my father has lived and breathed work ethic. When my dad immigrated to America as a 12-year- old, he worked eight hours daily at a restaurant every year until he graduated high school in order to pay off his family’s debts. He bypassed community college after a semester
The Doherty Scholarship Program of the National Association of Letter Carri- ers was authorized by the 43rd Biennial Convention meeting in 1962 in Denver, CO. The program was named after Presi- dent William C. Doherty, who retired at the 1962 convention after serving 21 years as the national president. Past President Doherty died on Aug. 9, 1987. The John T. Donelon Scholarship program was established in 2003. Brother Donelon was assistant to three NALC presidents and died in 1985. His widow ensured that his wishes to do- nate to the NALC scholarship program were carried out upon her passing. While state associations, branches, auxiliaries, and individual members contributed to the Doherty fund in its early days, its first important financing resulted from a dinner the union spon- sored on Oct. 23, 1963, commemorating the centennial of free delivery service in the United States. Over the years since its establishment, every segment of our membership has been generous in supporting the program. Our committee commends President Renfroe and the NALC Executive Coun- cil, as well as preceding presidents and councils, for their progressive thinking that has resulted in educa- tional opportunities for the children of our membership. With this report, we are pleased to announce that since its inception,
hundreds of children of letter carriers have been scholarship recipients. To be in a position as NALC is, to make it possible to assist these bright young students in their academic career, is in itself a source of satisfaction. Every let- ter carrier should know that many past winners have graduated early with high honors, that most of our winners have completed their undergraduate work and, in many cases, have gone on to pursue postgraduate work. No person connected with NALC—nei- ther among the Executive Council nor the committee—has a voice in a final determination of the ultimate winners. These are done by college administra- tors from the Washington, DC, area.
We are grateful for the continued service of Dr. Georgia Booker, retired director for Guidance Counseling Services, District of Columbia Public Schools; James B. Massey Jr., Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Maryland; and Mr. Dale E. Bittinger, assistant vice provost for Strategic Undergraduate Engagement, Partner- ships, and Pathways at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. These distinguished members of the academic profession have contributed in a great measure to the success of the program. The financial condition of the program is better than it was in 1964, when the initial awards were made. Its continuation depends on the financial N ALC is now accepting applica- tions for the Leadership Acad- emy, which is open to all active NALC members. The Leadership Academy consists of three weeklong sessions held over a five-month period at the Maritime Institute near Baltimore, MD. During the classes, students discuss effec- tive leadership skills and the union’s legislative agenda. They learn about topics such as the Dispute Resolution Process, strategic planning, branch financial responsibilities, retirement issues, route protection, workers’ com- pensation, effective negotiation tech- niques, and communicating through traditional and social media. Students are required to complete outside learning projects upon return- ing home following Weeks 1 and 2. Upon graduation, students will spend
The Postal Record 7 August 2024 Applications are available at nalc. org/leadership and will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. PR a fourth week working in their nation- al business agents’ offices. The Academy curriculum is de- signed to both develop and enhance the knowledge and skills that are essential for NALC leaders. In addi- tion to the Leadership Academy staff, each of the resident national officers, as well as many Headquarters staff members, help teach at the Academy, providing students with NALC’s top experts in each field. Currently, five resident officers, 12 national busi- ness agents, 23 regional administra- tive assistants, 34 Headquarters and regional staff members, and hundreds of state and branch representatives are graduates of the NALC Leadership Academy. support of our members and friends of NALC. All contributions should be made payable to the William C. Doherty Scholarship Fund, or the John T. Do- nelon Scholarship Fund, and addressed to NALC Headquarters, 100 Indiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001. Details of the fund’s financial posi- tion are included in the audit report of the national secretary-treasurer for the biennial term ending at the Boston convention. Your Scholarship Committee con- cludes by thanking President Renfroe, resident officers and, most expressly, the staff that assists for their unself- ish cooperation and interest in our work.” PR
Apply for the NALC Leadership Academy
News
Branches across the country give a helping hand to new members
B ad weather, physical exhaus- tion and pressure to work long hours can make for a difficult start to being a letter carrier. To make the transition to being a city carrier assistant (CCA) go more smoothly, some branches have recently created new member—or CCA-specific—programs, and many branches have had them for years. At Branch 351 in Olympia, WA, CCAs said they are being intimidated by management to skip breaks and work 60 to 70 hours a week and 12-plus hours a day; Jade McBride , vice president of the branch and shop steward, said she had filed more than 403 grievances between March and December 2023. “You don’t really get too much of a decision on whether or not you’re going to work over 12 hours,” McBride said. “If management tells you that
you have to, you just have to and then we file.” McBride said that the branch had experienced several retirements over the past couple of months and four resignations in the past three weeks, making it difficult to complete all of the routes the station serves. At any given time, the office is typically down by six or seven routes. McBride said that the branch has CCA meetings simultaneously over Zoom and in person so CCAs can seek help. The meetings typically don’t have a specific agenda; they are mostly used to answer any questions the new carri- ers may have. Despite the intimidation that CCAs are facing, McBride said that meeting attendance is low due to the extended hours, with only one to four CCAs attending each month.
She said that she understands; while they can help the carriers receive monetary compensation, there is no way to get back the time missed with their families. Other than its monthly meetings, Branch 351 has free uniforms available to help CCAs until they receive their uniform allowance. They also have a CCA barbecue outside of the station once a year to help create a sense of camaraderie among CCAs who work at the station. South Jersey, NJ Branch 908 de- veloped a separate training—with a classroom approach—and had its first CCA training in 2023. CCA Coordinator Ozzie Lecky initially thought of the idea in November 2022 and presented it to the branch executive board, which approved it. The CCA training was held on a Tuesday in April 2023. Lecky wanted to make sure that atten- dance was high, so he personally called every CCA on the list to talk to them about what the program would be like and why they should attend. This meth- od worked well, and 42 CCAs attended, “so it was terrific for us,” he said. At the start of the event, food and drinks were provided, which allowed the CCAs and other carriers to talk before business got started. During the event, union rights, safety, union programs and political action com- mittee contributions were discussed. Speakers included the vice president, executive vice president and the health benefits coordinator, with Lecky as the master of ceremonies. “Being part of this event was truly inspiring,” Lecky said. “Everyone’s enthusiasm was a testament to the passion we all shared.” Lecky hasn’t yet held the event in 2024 as he was at leadership training
Above and below: The South Jersey Branch 908 CCA/PTF Night in April 2023
8 The Postal Record August 2024
in April; however, he hopes to have another CCA event after the summer. In Flushing, NY, CCA trainings have been held quarterly since May 2013. There typically are 75 to 80 carriers in attendance, the majority of whom are from Branch 294, but letter carriers from surrounding branches also can attend. While the majority of attend- ees are CCAs, career carriers also are encouraged to attend. For about three and a half hours, attendees learn about the union, rights and procedures, lo- cal benefits, safety and conduct, and resources that are available to them. “It shows them, No. 1, that we care,” Branch 294 President Tony Paolillo said. “You know, I always say actions speak louder than words.” Paolillo makes sure to bring in former CCAs who have gone through the training to talk to current CCAs. Among them is Kareem Hunter , a letter carrier since 2016. He began working at the Flushing station in 2018 and attended training about one month after he started. He said that he had learned a lot of information that the station managers hadn’t told him about, such as what forms were avail- able to CCAs and how to fill them out. Since his initial attendance in 2018, Hunter has returned several times. He said that every time he goes, he learns something new. He spoke at one of the meetings in 2023, where he shared his positive experience with the training and talked to CCAs and answered their questions. “They teach us how to do our job the correct way, and it just makes every carrier’s job easier,” Hunter said. “It’s very informative. They give you crucial information that most of the time people remember for the rest of their postal career.”
“I have 21 sta- tions in Flushing, and we have about 12 of our stations [where] the shop steward is a former CCA. They got involved because they first came to CCA workshops,” Paolillo said. Each executive training segments, along with legisla- tive and political organizers who board member covers various
Olympia, WA Branch 351 holds a CCA bar- becue (top) in the parking lot of the post office on a Sunday when CCAs are working. Additionally, they provide uniform items (above).
discuss current legislative issues. They also provide free uniforms and dinner, which gives CCAs and other carriers the chance to socialize. “We try to give them as many tools in their tool kit as we can to defend themselves and to maximize the ben- efits that they do have,” Paolillo said. “As we all know, so much is thrown at CCAs in such a short time,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. “Whatever we can do to bring them up to speed and give them the tools to succeed, the better it is for all of us. That’s one of our fundamental missions—from the branches to NALC Headquarters—as union leaders.” PR
The Postal Record 9 August 2024
News
Union Plus awards scholarships to NALC kids
U nion Plus has awarded schol- arships to three children of NALC members. A program founded by the AFL-CIO to provide benefits to union members and their families, Union Plus has awarded scholarships each year to union members or members of their families since 1992. This year, Union Plus awarded $200,000 in scholar- ships to 209 students representing 42 unions. Nicholas Joseph Masters of Roches- ter, NY, son of Rochester Branch 210 carrier Michael Masters, was awarded a $1,050 scholarship. Masters will attend either the State University of New York (SUNY) at Gen- eseo or St. John Fisher College in Roch- ester this fall and plans to major in ac- counting and finance. After completing his degree, he hopes to help others deal with financial hardships and advise business owners on how to maximize profits while maintaining beneficial relationships with employees. Masters fondly remembers attending Labor Day parades with his father as a child. “The people coming together NALC to publish combined September/ October issue The next issue of The Postal Record will be a combined September and October issue. Submissions for Branch Items, Retiree Reports, State Summaries, Election Notices, the Auxiliary Update, the Nalcrest Update and Mutual Exchange ads for the September/October issue are due Sept. 10.
dents’ potential in scholarship, leader- ship, service and character. She plans to major in biology and aspires to become a veterinarian. Wetzbarger earned college credits through her high school’s dual enrollment program with Fayetteville Technical Community College. Wetzbarger’s union roots run deep: Her mother, Maria Mojica Wetzbarger, is an American Postal Workers Union Local 984 member, and her grandfa- ther also was a postal worker. Along with being an NALC member, her father is a past member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Inter- national Union and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. “Unions have brought peace and stability to my family,” she wrote. “Thanks to their respective unions, my parents have more than jobs: they have careers.” The Union Plus Scholarship Pro- gram awards scholarships based on outstanding academic achievement, personal character, financial need, and commitment to the values of organized labor. Since starting the program in 1991, Union Plus has awarded more than $5.6 million in educational fund- ing to more than 4,000 union mem- bers, spouses and dependent children. Union Plus Scholarship awards are granted to students attending or planning to attend a two-year college, four-year college, graduate school or a recognized technical or trade school. For information about scholar- ship eligibility and applications, go to unionplus.org/scholarship. In addition to the scholarship pro- gram, Union Plus provides a range of money-saving programs and services for union members and families. Go to nalc.org/community-service/union-plus for details. PR
represented how unions come together to have a collective benefit to the mem- bers they represent and build policies to protect the overall workforce,” he wrote in his application. “Many of my father’s closest friendships developed through his NALC experiences. He has always had a great sense of loyalty and strength—traits that have been nur- tured by his NALC membership.” Asher Raymond of Buffalo, NY, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. His fa- ther, Andrew Raymond, is a member of Buffalo-Western New York Branch 3. Raymond is a resort and attraction management major at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH, and expects to graduate in May 2025. His career goal is to work at an amuse- ment or theme park in marketing, communications or public relations. Raymond currently is a marketing intern at Cedar Point Sports Center in Sandusky, OH. As a child, Raymond helped his fa- ther collect food for the annual NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive © , held on the second Saturday each May. “Seeing NALC members full of joy and happiness while doing something for the greater good stuck with me,” he wrote. “I always enjoyed that time of year.” Nicole E. Wetzbarger of Fayetteville, NC, daughter of Fayetteville Branch 1128 member Eric Wetzbarger, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship. Wetzbarger will attend North Caro- lina State University this fall as a Park Scholar, a program that develops stu-
10 The Postal Record August 2024
Updated food drive results
B elow are additions and cor- rections to the 2024 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive results published in the July issue of The Postal Record. With just under 64
percent of branches reporting, the total pounds of food collected stands at 39,006,569, and cash donations total- ing $406,322.20, for an overall total of 43,069,791 pounds of food.
As a result of these updated totals, Category 11 (1-25 members) is now: 1. Morristown, TN Br. 1256......... 22,013 2. Conway, AR Br. 1592................17,180 3. American Fork, UT Br. 2609....17,140
Arkansas Jonesboro Br. 1131................. 5,500 Paragould Br. 1293................ 1,800 Conway Br. 1592................... 17,180 Russellville Br. 1946............... 1,451 Harrison Br. 2277................... 1,500 Wynne Br. 2527........................ 257 Osceola Br. 2756........................ 10 Pocahontas Br. 3329............. 3,500 Springdale Br. 3671............. 58,000 North Little Rock Br. 3745.... 10,322 West Memphis Br. 4189............ 919 Arizona Nogales Br. 2417.................... 1,080 California Ontario Br. 1439.................... 16,100 Van Nuys Br. 2462............... 23,015 Palm Springs Br. 4149.......... 15,000 Lancaster Br. 4430................. 1,600 Carmichael Br. 4494.............. 4,047 Colorado Cortez Br. 5225....................... 1,314 Connecticut Bridgeport Br. 32................. 12,000 Derby Br. 109...................... 28,000 Norwalk Br. 147.................... 21,885 District of Columbia Washington Br. 142............. 33,293 Florida Gainesville Br. 1025............. 18,000 Fort Lauderdale Br. 2550...... 32,402 Apopka Br. 5192.................. 18,000 Nalcrest................................. 1,656 Georgia Lilburn Br. 1537...................... 5,859 Iowa Dubuque Br. 257.................... 4,521 Keokuk Br. 371....................... 2,308 Fort Madison Br. 403............. 4,277 Decorah Br. 445.......................... 10 Ottumwa Br. 447.................... 8,000 Mason City Br. 471............... 10,267 Muscatine Br. 644................. 1,000 Cedar Falls Br. 719.................. 8,500 Centerville Br. 925...................... 52 Idaho Pocatello Br. 927................... 9,000 Blackfoot Br. 1411..................... 200 Weiser Br. 1703...................... 1,233 American Falls Br. 2777............. 100 Illinois Chicago Br. 11.................... 376,823
Pekin Br. 209......................... 5,324 Quincy Br. 216..................... 18,000 Freeport Br. 223................... 26,900 Rockford Br. 245.................. 30,971 Rock Island Br. 292............... 13,725 Ottawa Br. 316....................... 7,000 Decatur Br. 317.................... 36,488 Moline Br. 318..................... 24,020 Kankakee Br. 407................... 7,000 Bloomington Br. 522............. 2,800 Macomb Br. 658..................... 5,130 Champaign Br. 671............... 32,110 De Kalb Br. 706.................... 10,000 Des Plaines Br. 2076............. 15,007 Arlington Heights Br. 2810.. 15,000 Sandwich Br. 3172.................... 465 Palatine Br. 4268................... 4,525 Mundelein Br. 4364............... 6,047 Indiana Muncie Br. 98..................... 26,896 Richmond Br. 271................... 4,774 Anderson Br. 489................. 30,710 Jeffersonville Br. 553............... 5,135 South Central IN Br. 828...... 71,990 Greenwood Br. 2421.............. 5,880 Kansas Emporia Br. 185..................... 7,200 Ottawa Br. 582....................... 1,600 Coffeyville Br. 766................. 3,000 Kentucky Ashland Br. 745..................... 4,200 Somerset Br. 2039................. 6,262 Elizabethtown Br. 3515.......... 6,130 Massachusetts Lynn Br. 7............................. 17,000 MA N.E. Mgd. Br. 25.......... 200,000 Pittsfield Br. 286................. 26,000 Milford Br. 308...................... 2,000 Maryland Silver Spring Br. 2611............ 7,342 Laurel Br. 3755....................... 7,894 Maine Lewiston Br. 241.................... 6,700 Auburn Br. 345....................... 5,000 Michigan Muskegon Br. 13................... 37,561 Jackson Br. 232.................... 58,000 Escanaba Br. 438................. 15,683 Minnesota Minneapolis Br. 9................. 61,173 Morris Br. 1927...................... 2,129 Missouri Kansas City Br. 30.............. 105,843
Sedalia Br. 139..................... 24,837 St. Joseph Br. 195................ 54,930 Springfield Br. 203............. 170,372 Montana Helena Br. 220....................... 4,000 Bozeman Br. 1028................. 3,864 Sidney Br. 4305........................ 900 Nebraska Omaha Br. 5....................... 170,000 Grand Island Br. 390.............. 4,574 New Hampshire NH Mgd. Br. 44.................... 25,000 Portsmouth Br. 161................ 3,500 Rochester Br. 990................ 50,000 New Jersey Jersey City Br. 42........................ 150 Paterson Br. 120.................... 2,600 Bergen Co. Mgd. Br. 425...... 13,600 Garden State Mgd. Br. 444... 10,000 Somerville Br. 768................. 3,590 South Jersey Br. 908............ 92,129 Linden Br. 2876................... 20,000 Scotch Plains Br. 4102......... 13,000 Clementon Br. 4623............. 16,650 New Mexico Las Vegas Br. 823..................... 300 Silver City Br. 1509................. 4,800 Socorro Br. 3849....................... 500 Los Alamos Br. 4112............... 2,550 New York Dunkirk Br. 150....................... 1,723 Watervliet Br. 178.................. 1,250 Oswego Br. 190..................... 4,450 Owego Br. 303........................ 1,150 Binghamton Br. 333............. 37,500 Utica Br. 375........................ 72,000 Port Jervis Br. 376.................. 1,000 Le Roy Br. 943........................... 950 Sidney Br. 3050..................... 1,500 Vestal Br. 5151........................ 1,800 Ohio Hamilton Br. 426................. 16,985 Oklahoma Enid Br. 858......................... 20,424 Muskogee Br. 1042.............. 22,000 Oregon Astoria-Seaside OR Br. 295....... 295 Pendleton Br. 909...................... 315 Ontario Br. 3750......................... 50 Newport Br. 4163......................... 15 Pennsylvania Scranton Br. 17.................... 72,525
Philadelphia Br. 157............. 45,000 Pittston Br. 162...................... 8,500 Weatherly Br. 2248................. 1,001 Great Valley Mgd. Br. 4317... 40,000 Texas Weatherford Br. 697.............. 2,984 Victoria Br. 1221..................... 3,000 Brownsville Br. 1456.............. 2,366 Brenham Br. 1550..................... 600 Big Spring Br. 1891................... 300 Cisco Br. 1966........................ 7,306 Del Rio Br. 2511...................... 3,200 Dalhart Br. 3096....................... 536 Brady Br. 3888...................... 2,300 Bellville Br. 5210....................... 402 Granbury Br. 5487................. 2,984 Virginia South Boston Br. 3170........... 3,964 Strasburg Br. 3379................. 3,897 Vermont Bennington Br. 252................ 3,000 Rutland Br. 495.................... 30,000 Washington North Sound Br. 450............. 31,541 Puyallup/Sumner Mgd. Br. 1484 ........................................... 31,514 Port Townsend Br. 1515.......... 9,450 Richland/W. Richland Br. 3877.... 4,900 Grandview Br. 4232.................. 120 Quincy Br. 6008....................... 400 West Virginia Morgantown Br. 783.............. 4,763 Fairmont Br. 910.................. 18,200 Wyoming Rock Springs Br. 1372............ 3,328 Casper Br. 1681................... 28,000 Douglas Br. 2580................... 2,500 Cody Br. 3139......................... 3,870 Torrington Br. 3670................ 3,000 Wheatland Br. 4387............... 4,900 Other donations Kellanova.......................... 200,000 CVS Health......................... $30,000
The Postal Record 11 August 2024
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker