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.
"...A letter carrier is now recovering after being stabbed multiple times in Kokomo Tuesday.
Just after 6 p.m., the Kokomo Police..."
"...The president of the largest federal workers union warned lawmakers on Tuesday not to leave Washington for Easter recess without first striking a deal to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and other government employees, as the partial government shutdown has now stretched to 39 days.
“Don’t even think about going home for Easter recess while tens of thousands of American families are going without paychecks..."
"...Citing fewer pieces of mail being delivered and an inability to keep up with rising costs, USPS says it will be unable to deliver mail if the status quo is maintained.
Recently, Postmaster General David Steiner told Congress that changes were needed to keep the service viable.
Although there are some conflicting opinions about those changes..."
"Test transactions of $0 will be used to verify accounts for new enrollees..."
Reference: news.usps.com
The Postal Service’s National Printing Center, known as the NPC, is urging employees to take advantage of its competitive pricing for printed envelopes.
The NPC is the organization’s in-house printer. There are no profit margins or shipping charges on NPC orders.
Ordering in bulk can mean additional savings. For example, 500 No. 10 envelopes printed with a return address cost 13 cents each, including delivery. If you order more than 500, the cost is even lower.
The NPC prints envelopes from 3 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches up to 22 by 22 inches. Lead time is typically two weeks. The NPC charges your finance number automatically.
For an estimate, send the envelope size and return address to customprinting@usps.gov . Include the quantity, federal standard requisitioning and issue procedure (FEDSTRIP) code and due date.
Statement of Paul V. Hogrogian, National President
National Postal Mail Handlers Union
House Oversight and Government Reform
Subcommittee on Government Operations
“Oversight of the U.S. Postal Service:
The Financial Future Under Postmaster General Steiner”
March 17, 2026
My name is Paul Hogrogian and I am the National President of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, the exclusive collective bargaining agent for over 55,000 Mail Handlers employed by the United States Postal Service (USPS), working mainly in processing and distribution plants across the country. We work in all of the nation’s large postal plants, throughout the 50 States and Puerto Rico, where mail handlers are responsible for loading and unloading trucks, transporting mail within the facility, preparing, sorting, and containerizing the mail for distribution and delivery, and operating a host of machinery and automated equipment. Mail Handlers are an essential part of the mail processing and distribution network utilized by the Postal Service to move more than 165 billion pieces of mail each year.
The Postal Service is currently in the middle of a comprehensive redesign of its network. USPS is establishing Regional Processing and Distribution Centers (RPDCs) in approximately sixty metropolitan areas across the country. These RPDCs would consolidate all originating letters, flats, and parcels, and all destinating parcels from all mail processing facilities within a metropolitan area into one mega-processing center.
Additionally, USPS is implementing a pilot program that would create Regional Transfer Hubs (RTH) to which originating sites would send mail to respective regional hubs. This would allow other originating distribution centers to greatly reduce the number of separations they process. There currently are 15 RTH operational with plans for several more.
The goal of these changes is to increase efficiencies for postal customers. USPS has struggled with decreased mail and parcel volume, delivery standards, and finances for well over ten years. Finances shared during the last USPS Board of Governors meeting showed a loss of $1.3 billion as well as a loss of 2.94 billion pieces of mail volume. While service in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 for the most part improved in comparison to FY2025, delivery performance failed to meet USPS’ self-imposed targets.
As the Postal Service continues to struggle financially and operationally, members of Congress, including those in this very committee, have proposed privatizing processing jobs – Mail Handler jobs – as a means of cost reduction. The Postal Service has previously subcontracted Mail Handler work in several facilities. Beginning in 2023, the Postal Service has returned virtually all of this subcontracted work to postal facilities throughout the country. This decision recognizes the value of the work done by Mail Handlers. It also recognizes that, as a result of collaboration between the Union and the Postal Service, it is not only more efficient but often less expensive to have the mail processing work done by Postal Service employees in Postal Service facilities.
The NPMHU understands financial changes also need to be made in order to promote fiscal stability to the Postal Service. USPS is a unique federal agency as it is independent and does not use congressional appropriations for funding, relying solely on the sale of goods and services for revenue. While other federal agencies rely on annual appropriations to cover the cost of employee retirement benefits programs, the Postal Service is entirely responsible for this funding. However, USPS does not control how these costs could be lowered.
The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) is the older of the retirement programs and only applies to postal and federal employees hired before 1984, and only covers a minority of postal employees. USPS pays for a disproportionate amount for CSRS employees who worked for both the Department of the Post Office, as it existed before 1971, and the current USPS. The methodology for calculating USPS CSRS expenses misconstrues employees’ salary and USPS is required to cover the full cost of CSRS benefits – which does not apply to other federal agencies. The USPS Office of Inspector General, the USPS, the NPMHU and other stakeholders have all called for action from the Executive Office to update allocation methodologies for CSRS payments which, according to the Postal Service, could provide $14 billion in savings over ten years.
The Postal Service is also handcuffed by how it can invest its retirement funds, as they are managed by the Office of Personnel Management and the Treasury Department. Currently, these funds are required to be invested in Treasury securities, which generate low rates of return. The OIG has repeatedly reported that if USPS were already allowed diversified investments of 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds would have generated billions in previous fiscal years. Appropriately investing retirement funds would lower the Postal Service’s retirement costs. Congress should advocate changing the accounting practices to calculate CSRS liabilities. This can be done through executive order and does not need congressional action. By offering relief to these financial burdens, the Postal Service can focus on revenue going toward operations and improving the network.
In addition to these questions of financial stability and service performance, the Mail Handlers have fielded questions from members of Congress regarding the upcoming 2026 election and the Postal Services capabilities for vote by mail and absentee voting. Absentee voting was seen as early as the War of 1812 for members of the military to participate in democracy, and was more popularized during the Civil War. Voters in Oregon began exclusively voting by mail for state and local elections in 1981, and by 1996 were voting by mail for federal elections. Currently, eight states and the District of Columbia require universal vote by mail, while ten states offer permanent absentee voting.
The United States Postal Service continues to prove that voting by mail is safe and effective for eligible voters to participate in the democratic process. In 2024, over 99 million ballots were processed by the Postal Service. 99.8 percent of ballots were delivered to election officials within a week, and 97.73 percent were delivered within three days. For every federal election, the Postal Service participates in extraordinary measures with the unions, management associations, and local election boards to ensure ballots get to and from voters in a timely matter while following local election laws. Mail Handlers and the rest of the postal workforce are more than ready to deliver for the 2026 elections.
Thank you for holding this hearing today, Chairman Sessions and Ranking Member Mfume. As the Postal Service is older than the country itself, it is important that Congress and all stakeholders work to uphold USPS’s constitutional obligation to serve every American household and business – connecting our nation.
Read full PDF here.
"...The United States Postal Service says delays at the Morrisania post office are due to "a significant number of packages" that could not safely be left at homes. ...Another resident shared a video of when police were called after frustrated customers got heated over the long wait.
USPS explanation doesn't add up, customers say..."
"...“We are arguing for a contract that is giving us the pay that is appropriate for the job that we do,” NALC Branch 10 President Andrew Mitchell said.
Mitchell says that this isn’t just in northeastern Kansas, but union members across the country are rallying. ..."
TAGS: Mail Carriers,National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), NALC Branch 10,
"...We covered more action-packed postage with a look back at Olympic stamps, beginning with the first U.S. release to celebrate the international competition, a 2-cent issue for the Games held at Lake Placid, NY; and shared news of the latest batch of stamp release dates.
There was a cautionary tale about a former USPS mail handler and an accomplice who got prison time and $2.8 million in restitution for stealing checks, and a reminder about the repercussions of misusing Postal Service property. ..."
The Postal Service is reminding employees that they can seek second jobs, but certain types of supplemental employment are not permitted.
Federal ethics regulations prohibit USPS employees from engaging in outside employment that conflicts with or affects their postal duties.
Additionally, Postal Service employees cannot:
• Work for a commercial mail receiving entity such as the UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc. or FedEx Office Print & Ship Center;
• Receive compensation from an outside source for teaching, speaking or writing about matters related to their official USPS duties;
• Receive compensation from any foreign government;
• Perform consulting work — solo or for a company — on postal operations, programs or procedures; or
• Work in any capacity for a commercial entity such as Amazon, UPS, FedEx or DHL that delivers mailable matter that could otherwise be sent via U.S. Mail.
An employee can work for an Amazon subsidiary that does not deliver mailable matter — such as Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh or Twitch — but the employee must obtain prior approval from the USPS Ethics Office.
Also, if your supplemental employment involves appearing before, dealing with or making a representation to the Postal Service or any other federal agency on behalf of another person or business, you must contact the ethics office before taking any action.
Employees also cannot do any selling, fundraising or outside business activity while on duty, in uniform, at USPS facilities or using postal equipment.
Employees with questions can email the ethics office or call 202-268-6346. The Ethics Blue Page contains additional information.
"Local 331, which is based in Albuquerque...Max Jaramillo, 58, served as treasurer of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, Local 331, from 2014 through early 2024. He used the union’s funds to cover personal expenses, including alcohol, cigarettes, condoms..."
Reference: www.krqe.com
"The U.S. Postal Service is hosting several free hiring events to help future employees create their online profile and immediately start applying for jobs. ...If you enjoy taking walks, breathing in fresh air, and serving your community, the Postal Service is a great place to work, with job security, career advancement opportunities and benefits. The Postal Service has an immediate need for the following positions to be filled: the following positions to be filled:
Mail Processing: Clerks and Mail Handlers
Delivery: City and Rural Carriers
Transportation: Tractor Trailer Operators
Maintenance: Mechanics, Laborer Custodian and Automotive Technician
A complete list of job fair locations can be found here. ..."
"...The Postal Service is reminding managers to check their list of employees and contractors in eAccess.
Managers need to confirm that employees and contractors are assigned correctly in the platform.
If employee or contractor information is outdated or incorrect, managers..."
"The U.S. Postal Service will be required to evaluate its consolidation of Huntsville’s processing and distribution center through a bill that passed the U.S. House, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Monrovia, said Thursday. ...Strong, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said the move has disrupted mail service across North Alabama. The provision was included in H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill, which advanced as part of the appropriations package passed earlier this week. It will require USPS to provide a briefing on the impacts of consolidating the Huntsville processing and distribution center, including its effect on mail service to north Alabama. ..."
Reference: www.al.com
"...The Postal Service will send a letter in mid-January with information about a new temporary federal tax deduction for certain portions of federal overtime payments made to eligible employees.
The letter will include the employee’s qualified overtime amount for 2025. ..."
2025 No. 12 – December 12, 2025 (pdf)
You are reading the twelfth Contract Update produced and distributed by the NPMHU during the course of 2025 negotiations. These updates, along with the Union’s magazine and monthly bulletins, will keep mail handlers throughout the country informed and involved in the issues raised during this round of bargaining.
Discussions on economic issues between Deputy Postmaster General Douglas Tulino, National President Paul Hogrogian, and National Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Tabarus, Contract Administration Manager Teresa Harmon and NPMHU General Counsel Matthew Clash-Drexler have continued to intensify and become increasingly substantive.
Recent sessions have focused more on areas of disagreement, including the continued impact of the proportional COLA and persistent disparities between the Mail Handler wage scale and those of other postal unions. Throughout these discussions, the NPMHU Negotiations Team has consistently conveyed that securing a contract that fairly reflects the value, contributions, and lived economic realities of the membership remains its top priority.
In furtherance of that goal, the NPMHU Negotiations Team presented detailed cost analyses of its economic proposals to Deputy Postmaster General Tulino, clearly demonstrating both their reasonableness and their financial feasibility. The Team hopes that these proposals will receive serious consideration and looks to management to respond with meaningful movement that advances the parties toward an agreement.
The Postal Service is currently reviewing the NPMHU’s proposals in between bargaining sessions, and additional meetings have been scheduled to receive management’s response and to continue negotiations.
Throughout this process, the NPMHU Negotiations Team remains steadfast in advocating for the best interests of the Mail Handler craft. The Team understands that fair wages and working conditions are essential not only to the well-being of the membership, but also to maintaining a strong and efficient Postal Service that serves the American mailing public. The NPMHU will continue to press for an agreement that supports the workforce and upholds the mission of the Postal Service.
"...Lobster is one of the most prized and delicious seafood delicacies. The sweet, succulent meat makes lobster tail, lobster rolls, and other lobster dishes extremely popular. However, high-quality live lobster can be hard to find if you don’t live near the coast. This leads many seafood lovers to wonder – can you mail live lobster?
The short answer is yes, you can mail live lobster through the United States Postal Service (USPS) if you follow specific guidelines. While mailing live animals does have restrictions and regulations, it is possible to have fresh live lobster delivered right to your door.
In this detailed guide, we will ..."
"...This year, the facility has four high-tech helpers lending a hand, robotic arms installed in September that are helping keep operations efficient during peak season.
"We got these four robotic arms in September," Herron said. "It's helping to really streamline the efficiency of this by allowing for more mechanical robotics to properly identify those packages and get them down the processing machine."
The robotic arms read boxes, identify them and move them into the correct position to read barcodes before packages continue down the sorting line to be dispatched to their next destination. ..."
"...Amazon reportedly wants a four-year contract extension, while USPS wants to hold an auction for its services. If negotiations break down, the 30-year partnership could end next year...the e-commerce giant says it was surprised to find out that USPS wanted to hold an auction for some of its shipping capacity."
Reference: www.pcmag.com
2025 No. 11 – December 5, 2025 (pdf)
You are reading the eleventh Contract Update produced and distributed by the NPMHU during the course of 2025 negotiations. These updates, along with the Union’s magazine and monthly bulletins, will keep mail handlers throughout the country informed and involved in the issues raised during this round of bargaining.
Since the contract negotiation deadline has been extended, discussions about economics between Deputy Postmaster General Douglas Tulino, Vice President of Labor Relations Mike Elston, National President Paul Hogrogian, National Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Tabarus, Contract Administration Manager Teresa Harmon and NPMHU General Counsel Matthew Clash-Drexler have continued to gain momentum. The conversations in recent sessions have become increasingly focused, detailed, and substantive.
Throughout these meetings, the NPMHU Negotiations Team has repeatedly and unequivocally underscored the importance of addressing the long-standing issues in the wage scale for both career employees and MHAs. The team has also emphasized the significant impact of the proportional COLA, which continues to disproportionately affect those at the lower end of the scale. National President Hogrogian continues to ensure that the Postal Service understands that these are central priorities at the bargaining table which must be addressed during this bargaining cycle.
Although the dialogue has been productive, the parties remain far apart on several key economic questions. The NPMHU Negotiations Team has made clear that meaningful movement on these issues is essential and will continue pressing for proposals that accurately reflect the value and contributions of the membership.
Additional bargaining dates have been scheduled, and we expect to provide further updates as those meetings take place. As always, the NPMHU Negotiations Team remains fully committed to securing real and lasting improvements for the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, the Mail Handler Craft, the Postal Service, and the American mailing public.
"...Read letters to Santa and help make a holiday wish come true. Sign up now so you’re ready when letter adoption begins on November 17!...Help make holiday wishes come true by adopting a letter and finding the ideal gift to send through our convenient online catalog or on your own."
Reference: www.uspsoperationsanta.com
"...Chicago area are today dealing with the aftermath of an unexpected turn of events, as the local post office at 1241 Central Avenue has been forced to close its doors due to a roof collapse following..."
Reference: hoodline.com
"...The bill would name the Tuskegee Post Office at 401 North Elm Street to the “Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office.” ...“Designating the Tuskegee Post Office as the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Post Office is a meaningful way to honor the legacy of these trailblazing heroes, and I’m proud to do this on my first Veterans Day with the full support of Alabama’s congressional delegation,” Figures said. “The Tuskegee Airmen, whom I especially honor on my first Veterans Day"
Reference: www.al.com
