NPMHU Local 317 - Alabama
Official Site of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 317. Postal News for NPMHU 317 members. We consist of branches in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery.
On the night of Monday, March 10, the Postmaster General (PMG) and Deputy PMG met with members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the United States Postal Service Headquarters. Mail Handlers have seen the DOGE team dismantle federal agencies, impacting services provided to Americans across the country, and are therefore rightly concerned about the potential impact on the work of the Postal Service generally and the work of the more than 54,000 dedicated mail handlers across the country. Our response will be guided by the following principles.
First and foremost, the independence of USPS – and its governance by the Board of Governors – must remain.
Second, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) will fight any attempts to privatize our work. Our processing and distribution work is vital within the postal network, and privatization or subcontracting of our jobs would jeopardize not only the earned pay and benefits of mail handlers across the country, but also the flow of service that postal customers and the public at large rely upon every day. Privatizing the Postal Service will threaten customers’ ability to receive packages and letters ranging from Social Security checks, necessary medications, government correspondence, and mail from loved ones.
Finally, while we have been told that the Postal Service will not grant DOGE access to employee records and data, should this not be the case, the NPMHU stands ready, along with the other postal unions, to take all necessary action to protect the privacy of our members.
The NPMHU will remain cautious and vigilant and is prepared to fight against any ill-conceived attempts by DOGE to dismantle this American institution.
"The United States Postal Service said it has signed a deal with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut costs at the agency. ...told congressional leaders in a letter that he had signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s DOGE to cut jobs and spending at the agency that has long since lost money. ...DOGE team asked about the big problems facing the Postal Service. He cited various issues including miscalculations and mismanagement ..."
Reference: thehill.com
"...The main feature of the delivery center is a large package sorting machine that almost stretches the length of the room.
With surprisingly little noise, the machine can sort 4,300 packages into 112 mail bins by location, according to the USPS. By hand, humans could only sort around 250 packages per hour, so the machines amount to a more than 17-fold increase in productivity.
“This is the game changer for delivery in the Postal Service,” Stefanowicz said. ..."
On Sunday, March 23, NALC branches are hosting local rallies to say "Hell no!" to dismantling the Postal Service. With branches holding events nationwide on the same day, we are sending a clear, unified message: Hands off USPS!
Visit the official website here.
Why are we fighting? Download the NALC flyer.
"...The Postal Service will dedicate its Appalachian Trail stamps on Friday, Feb. 28, in Dawsonville, GA.
The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Eastern at Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, located at 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Road. ...Pre-Order"
"...“The Postal Service has been historically burdened by service standard regulations...The relative impact on service standards, leaving more than 80 percent of market-dominant volume unchanged ...The Postal Service’s fact sheet has more information."
Reference: news.usps.com
USPS employees may participate in a webinar that will help explain how the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program and Medicare work in retirement.
The session, “PSHB and Medicare in Retirement,” will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern on the following Mondays: March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8.
Representatives from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the webinar.
Participants must register before each event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees who have questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
"...President Donald Trump vowed Wednesday that his administration is "not going to touch" entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, but didn't rule out that spending cuts can come through rooting out fraud and waste in the programs. "We are going to look for fraud..."
Reference: www.newsmax.com
"...BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The U.S. Postal Inspection Service needs your help finding a bank and mail fraud suspect and you could get in return.
Central Alabama Crimestoppers says Rhashema Shantae Shackleford, also known as Rhashema Deramus, is wanted on outstanding felony warrants for bank fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud.
U.S. Postal Inspector Julie Nicholson-Morgan says it all started when Shackleford allegedly stole some checks from the mail.
While her last known address was in Montgomery, she could be anywhere. ..."
NO EXECUTIVE ORDER TARGETING USPS IN THE WORKS
Postal Service braces for potential takeover by Trump's Commerce Department"...new commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, “will be looking” at the U.S. Postal Service. ...In December, Lutnick first discussed his plans with President Donald Trump to dissolve USPS leadership and fold the agency into the Department of Commerce, according to one of the sources.
No executive orders targeting the Postal Service are in the works, according to two White House officials, though they acknowledged there have been talks about ways to make it more efficient along with the rest of the federal government."
"...The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is under the direction of the Postal Board of Governors, which USPS describes as “comparable to a board of directors of a private corporation.” Created by the Postal Reorganization Act in 1970 (P.L. 91-375), the board consists of the postmaster general, the deputy postmaster general, and nine governors appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. This In Focus provides an overview of the board, including its statutory authorities, current members, and pending nominations. ..."
Reference: crsreports.congress.gov
The Washington Post has reported that the Trump Administration is contemplating issuing an Executive Order firing the Postal Board of Governors and placing the United States Postal Service under the control of the Commerce Department.
Such a change would be the first step in destroying the Postal Service – an institution central to more than 166 million households and businesses. The Postal Service, through the work of its 640,000 employees, is responsible for ensuring that every American receives packages and mail ranging from Social Security checks, necessary medications, government correspondence, packages, and mail from loved ones. The Postal Service is an institution that is ingrained in our Constitution and older than the United States of America itself.
On behalf of the more than 54,000 mail handlers across the country, we will not stand by while the Trump Administration attacks this critical public resource. Firing the Board of Governors and seeking to privatize the work of the Postal Service will do nothing other than harm the American people who rely on the Postal Service every day.
The reported Executive Order does not serve the United States Postal Service and it does not make America great.
"...Stamp collecting, or philately, is a fascinating hobby that combines history, art, and monetary value. For centuries, collectors have sought after rare stamps, some of which are now worth millions. Stamps are more than just postage—they represent historical events, famous personalities, and cultural milestones.
One of the biggest stamp auctions in history is set to take place in October, featuring the collection of William H. Gross, one of the most renowned philatelists. As anticipation builds in the stamp-collecting community, let’s explore 10 of the rarest and most valuable stamps in the world. ..."
"CHICAGO – The local division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service on Tuesday offered a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a mail thief.
The suspected thief, shown in photos released by the USPIS, stole mail from a corporate building in the Loop in December, the agency said. Earlier this month, while dressed as a USPS mail carrier, the same person allegedly attempted to steal mail from a different Loop office building, but was unsuccessful. ..."
"...1. 1932 3-Cent Violet George Washington Stamp
Estimated Value: Up to $5,000
One of the most valuable George Washington stamps is the 1932 3-cent violet stamp. This stamp is famous among collectors due to its historical significance and scarcity.
It is printed on distinctive purple or violet paper, which makes it stand out.
The stamp features a portrait of George Washington with striking black eyes.
It has a hand-stamped cancellation mark, adding to its uniqueness. ...
"
"Operating revenue was $22.5 billion, up 4.1 percent...“We are encouraged by our strong revenue and cost control trajectory, as we continue to implement the Delivering for America transformation and modernization plan, which contributed to our net income during the quarter,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
“By steadily improving our product portfolio, we are increasing our competitive position in the shipping marketplace. ...The Postal Service’s Feb. 6 news release has more information."
"...The recently announced Voluntary Early Retirement and One Time Retirement Incentive has generated many questions from our members. The NPMHU and the Postal Service have jointly agreed on a series of questions and answers to assist our members with understanding the options that are being offered.
Memorandum of Understanding
Re: One time Retirement Incentive
Questions and Answers
1. Who is eligible for the Retirement Incentive?..."
"...Automatic upload of W-2 form information to TurboTax and H&R Block for tax year 2024 is unavailable to Postal Service employees.
Employees can use PostalEASE to view, print or request duplicate W-2 forms.
To access PostalEASE, employees must log into LiteBlue. ..."
"Membership rejects tentative collective bargaining agreement
The active membership of the National Association of Letter Carriers has voted to reject the ratification of the tentative 2023-2026 National Agreement with the United States Postal Service. The vote to ratify was 63,680 to reject the agreement versus 26,304 to accept it, as reported by NALC’s Ballot Committee...
“In a democratic vote, the will of NALC’s membership has been made clear - the tentative agreement that represented the best offer the Postal Service put on the table is not good enough for America’s city letter carriers. We have earned more and we deserve more. ..."
"...If a PSHB employee covered by an Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) signs up for a separate Medicare Part D plan, they are essentially double-paying for prescription drug coverage, as their EGWP through PSHB already provides that coverage; they should..."
Reference: Federal Retirement News
![Mail Handler Update [January 2025] Featuring the 'ONE-TIME RETIREMENT INCENTIVE OFFER 2025'](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP12TW8UjZfoMaqnaULjpGu31ONlD0-pTbOVe5-GV_EvX0eRvyhX5ZZvezbqUSh0JMG06QvYd5AsNw-6-nbSZKr5VBBQyRzmM2l7BY9F-k_bVWSvmfSLhs4NFdgyf0xH5WbjYHm7BQKY9UXbGqOWarWkbyexwZu2tLVB895ZtyapfBEWhGWPg94K7llJeE/s200/MailHandlerUpdateNPMHU.png)
"Michael Christopher Rowser, a 24-year-old former U.S. Postal Service employee, was convicted of conspiracy to receive bribes and conspiracy to commit wire fraud...The evidence showed Rowser, a mail handler at the U.S. Postal Service’s Processing & Distribution Center in Birmingham, received approximately $106,000 in bribe payments over the course of a year for his role supplying checks to “The Lucky Shop.”..."
Reference: www.al.com
"...For many retirees, Medicare Part D can be considered better than a PSHB Part D EGWP because it..."
Reference: federalretirementnews.blogspot.com
Postal Items Found on Amazon Today "...Postal related items found on Amazon. Books, toys, signs, clothing, stamp collecting, ......
