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.
"... of nonpay status in a calendar year is creditable service (5 U.S.C. 6303(a) and (f) and 8332(f)). The service computation date must be adjusted by the amount of nonpay time in..."
Reference: www.opm.gov
"...not everything you receive in your paycheck counts toward your High-3. ...does not include COLA, overtime or bonuses."
Reference: plan-your-federal-retirement.com
"..."Inflation is significantly higher than we forecasted in the plan. I think we're going to incur $1.8 billion more this year in unplanned inflation," DeJoy said. In the year ending Sept. 30, USPS reported a net loss of $4.9 billion on revenue of $77.1 billion and $82 billion in expenses. USPS is expected to offer more details on the inflation impacts when it reports financial results on May 5. Earlier this month, USPS filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission to raise prices..."
Reference: usnews.com
"Get the updated, 27th edition of this popular book. Midwest Book Review, James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief says, Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement and Medical Benefits fully explains all of the new rules and pertinent strategies on and for Social Security conditions, personal and spousal benefits, as well as benefits for disabilities, dependents, survivors, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This complete and comprehensive reference will prove critically important for anyone trying to decide whether to take an early Social Security benefit or wait until age 70. "Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions" covers earn how to qualify for and enroll in both Medicare and Medicaid programs, including Medicare Part D drug coverage. "Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions" will prove invaluable for understanding..."
Reference: postalemployee.us
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) will transition administrative services to a new service provider this year, aiming to improve users’ experiences.
The transition could affect participants who planned to request a transaction soon, because periodic downtime will be required to accommodate the transition process.
During the transition period, participants’ savings will remain invested in the TSP funds they’ve elected. However, to ensure a smooth transition, TSP will suspend account transactions, access to online tools, access to forms, and correspondence for a brief period.
Memorandum to Local Presidents (March 22, 2022) pdf
All employees will be required to reset their Self Service Profile (SSP) password after the April 24, 2022 effective date, see the attached notification. If changed prior to April 24, 2022, it will have to be changed again as the system will require a reset of all passwords on April 24th. The Self Service Password is used to access various resources to include: LiteBlue, PostalEase, ePayroll, eRetire, eOPF, eReassign, IdeaSmart and HERO. Employees will not have access to these applications until their password is reset. Once reset, the password will be immediately available to access those applications.
The Postal Service reform legislation that President Biden signed into law on April 6 will involve changes to employees’ health and retirement benefits.
USPS understands that employees have many questions, so here are a few things to know:
• The law establishes the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program, which will provide health insurance to USPS career employees, retirees and their dependents, beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
• The PSHB program, to be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, will be structured similarly to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. The employer/employee cost-sharing contributions for premiums will be determined by the Postal Service’s collective bargaining and pay consultation processes.
• USPS employees and retirees can make their PSHB plan selections during the open season benefits enrollment period that occurs in November and December 2024.
• Beginning in January 2025, the new law will require all newly Medicare-eligible USPS annuitants and their Medicare-eligible covered family members to enroll in Medicare Part B to maintain their postal health coverage.
The Postal Service will provide employees and retirees with more detailed information about the PSHB program in the months to come.
"...In California, Vida Sloan, former Treasurer of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 303 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft in the amount of $10,039, in violation of California Penal Code Section 487(A). Sloan was then sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $10,039 in restitution..."
Reference: laborpains.org
"...The stunning plot was detected by chance when someone assaulted a mail carrier and building residents told a US postal inspector they should consult with Taherzadeh and Ali. The postal inspector grew suspicious and informed the DHS..."
Reference: Postal Employee News
Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2022) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement (pdf)
LIUNA commends Congress and President Biden on passage of the Postal Service Reform Act into law, which will bring the Postal Service a step closer to fiscal stability and ensure greater security for the tens of thousands of Mailhandlers, who are members of LIUNA’s sister union, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU). The successful passage of this critical legislation is thanks to the tireless advocacy and determination of NPMHU National President Paul V. Hogrogian, the NPMHU National Executive Board, and all of the unions representing postal workers.
Over a decade of advocacy in the making, the Postal Service Reform Act will repeal the onerous 2006 mandate requiring the Postal Service to pre-fund its retiree healthcare benefits. No other private sector business or federal agency uses this practice, which has caused losses of $5 billion annually for over a decade. Second, it provides Medicare integration for future postal retirees and their annuitants. Most postal retirees already participate in Medicare, and postal employees have contributed $34 billion to the program since 1983. USPS estimates that integration combined with the repeal of the pre-funding mandate will generate savings of $40 billion over ten years.
Additionally, the Postal Service Reform Act helps to stabilize service and provide avenues for revenue growth by codifying six-day delivery service and allowing USPS to make agreements to provide non-commercial services. The bill will also give greater transparency to postal customers to ensure that service meets the demands of American households and businesses.
LIUNA commends Congress and President Biden for recognizing the value of the Postal Service and its dedicated workforce by taking these crucial steps to protect this vital institution.
"...Get more Postal news here for the postal employee, stakeholders and their competition. A nonpartisan news site..."
Reference: postalemployee.us
Postal Items Found on Amazon Today "...Postal related items found on Amazon. Books, toys, signs, clothing, stamp collecting, ......
