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.
"...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. ...
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"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. ..."
Postal Items Found on Amazon Today "...Postal related items found on Amazon. Books, toys, signs, clothing, stamp collecting, ......
