Alabama | Urgent Need to Return Mail Processing to Huntsville (35813), the Largest City in Alabama With Mega Increase in Huge Apartment Complexes

Note: Prior to the HSV plant closure/consolidation in 2010, Huntsville was the top performing mail processing facility in the entire state most of the time. It not only processed north Alabama mail, but also was forced to process mail from the Birmingham plant, where it again exceled in performance. Huntsville Mail Handlers fought hard to keep mail processing local, but politics overuled performance. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County, and the largest city in Alabama. The 2020 census estimated Huntsville's population at 215,070, which represents a 20% increase over the 2010 census. More than 1.2 million reside in the Huntsville metro area.

 

Congressman Dale Strong pens letter for mail distribution facility to return to Huntsville

"The letter comes after multiple reports of delays and letters being returned...Jerome Acuff of New Market said he too has experienced similar delays. He said the postal service even mishandled a time-sensitive document his lawyer sent.

“I had a piece of mail come from my lawyer. He had it stamped May 2nd and I didn’t get until May 21st,” Acuff said.

Both Acuff and Ruth said they believe these issues are due to a Birmingham Distribution facility where all mail from North Alabama goes, before it’s final stop.

Huntsville originally played home to it’s own packing and distribution facility, which was consolidated and closed in 2010. Acuff says before the closure, deliveries were quick and easy.

“Now, if I send a birthday card to someone just in Hazel Green or Meridianville, it has to go all the way down to Birmingham and all the way back up here again and they may get it a week later... maybe,” Acuff said. ..."

Reference: www.waff.com
 

US Postal Service will delay processing network consolidation plans

  US Postal Service will delay processing network consolidation plans

"...U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has agreed to pause planned further consolidation of the postal service's processing network after a bipartisan group of senators raised concerns about the impact on mail deliveries. In a letter to Senator Gary Peters made public on Monday, DeJoy said he would pause the consolidation of processing facility operations until at least January 2025.

DeJoy said the change would delay USPS cost savings..."

Reference: www.reuters.com
 

DeJoy updates the board on the Postal Service’s progress under Delivering for America

  DeJoy updates the board on the Postal Service’s progress under Delivering for America

The Postal Service is making progress in its efforts to transform facilities, reduce costs, grow revenue, engage employees and better serve customers, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told the USPS Board of Governors last week.

In recent months, the organization has activated several regional processing and distribution centers, made improvements to more than 20 local processing centers and launched 25 sorting and delivery centers.

The centers, which support the organization’s new operational model, are part of the broader Delivery for America plan to achieve financial sustainability and service excellence.

“This effort has been engaged with historic intensity by the postal leadership and its employees across the country to carry out a long overdue transformational change,” DeJoy said.

He delivered his remarks during the board’s May 9 meeting in Washington, DC, where he also discussed the organization’s new environmental sustainability goals, as well as efforts to reduce transportation costs, combat postal crime and implement organizational changes to better compete in the marketplace.

Additionally, DeJoy explained how USPS has reduced its projected 10-year losses from nearly $160 billion to $65 billion, with strategies to reduce these losses further.

“The Delivering for America plan has changed this organization in so many positive ways,” DeJoy said. “It represents the Postal Service’s commitment as an independent agency to evolve our services to enable us to cover our costs by selling our products and services. This is what we must continue to do to survive — we must evolve — and that means change.”

The Postal Service encourages employees to read DeJoy’s complete message, which is posted on the USPS Newsroom website.

Reference: USPS via NPMHU Local 317
 

Mail Handlers to Receive Night Shift Differential Increase

  Mail Handlers to Receive Night Shift Differential Increase

May 10, 2024- As provided for in Article 8.7 of the NPMHU 2022 National Agreement, effective May 18, 2024 (PP12-24); the flat dollar amount at Steps A through P at each pay grade for night shift differential in Tables Three and Four shall be increased by 1.5%, the flat dollar amount at Steps A of Table 3 and Steps BB and AA for Table Four through P at each pay grade for night shift differential in Tables Three and Four shall be increased by 2.0%. All increases will be applied to the most recent night shift differential table preceding the increase. The increase is applicable for time worked between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. This is the second of three Night Shift Differential increases negotiated in the 2022 National Agreement.

Night Shift Differential Hourly Rates (PDF)

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317
 

NPMHU Nationwide Organizing Campaign

  NPMHU Nationwide Organizing Campaign

Although the National Postal Mail Handlers Union enjoys a high rate of membership across the country, there remain some mail handler craft employees who are not yet members of the NPMHU. Since all mail handlers share in the rewards and benefits that are provided by the NPMHU -- through its work in collective bargaining, and through its efforts to represent craft workers in various other forums -- we’re sure you will agree that all Mail Handlers should do the right thing, and join the ranks of the NPMHU.

In an effort to unify our membership during these difficult and uncertain times, and to increase the collective strength of our great Union, the NPMHU Committee on the Future has initiated a nationwide organizing campaign. The theme of this campaign is “Join the Union, Join the Fight – Benefits, Protection, Membership!” There are some who take for granted the hard-fought salary and benefit package that Mail Handlers enjoy. Many of those individuals do not recognize and value the hard work that NPMHU representatives provide, day in and day out, to secure and maintain the postal careers that we have in place. It’s very important that we all work together to make the non-member hold-outs understand that they have their mail handler positions only because of the strength and commitment of the NPMHU – and that the time has come for them to join and support the National Postal Mail Handlers Union.

The National Office is has distributed to the Local Unions monthly updated reports that list the names of all non-members. We encourage all to review the online organizing materials during discussions with non-members.

So, urge all mail handlers to Join the Union, Join the Fight – Benefits, Protection, Membership!

NPMHU Nationwide Organizing Campaign (pdf)

New “Join The NPMHU” Webpage

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317
 

USPS is getting better at hiring, but half of non-career postings still have no applicants

  USPS is getting better at hiring, but half of non-career postings still have no applicants

"...U.S. Postal Service is improving its hiring practices and onboarding employees more quickly, according to a new report, but is still struggling to recruit applicants for large swaths of positions across the country. USPS..."

Reference: www.govexec.com
 

NPMHU COLA | When are our next two COLA's?

  NPMHU COLA | When are our next two COLA's?

Thye next COLA effective date is the second full pay period after the release of the July 2024 Index (CPI). The National Contract identifies the two COLA effective dates as follows

Reference: NPMHU Local 317
 

NPMHU Contract Interpretation Manual v.6

  NPMHU Contract Interpretation Manual v.6

Link to CIM v.6

I am pleased to announce that the NPMHU-USPS Joint Contract Interpretation Manual (CIM) Version 6 has been completed and is being released today. The printing of the hard copy of the CIM is underway. The electronic (pdf) version has been released today, and is posted on the National website under the Member Resources tab.

The National Office will be bulk-shipping printed CIM 6 Manuals to each Local Union Headquarters. The number of CIM’s shipped to each Local Headquarters will include one CIM for each identified Union Representative, with additional copies for future Shop Stewards.

The Contract Administration Department is currently working diligently “linking” each source document referenced in the CIM to the actual citation in the manual. When CIM Version 6 with resources is complete, the National Office will post the CIM Version 6 with resources on the National website, where it shall be available on MAILS.

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317 -Alabama


 

USPS reminds employees of zero-tolerance policy

  USPS reminds employees of zero-tolerance policy

The Postal Service is reminding employees that it has a zero-tolerance policy regarding workplace threats and violence.

The organization is committed to cultivating a positive and safe work environment that’s free of threats, intimidation, bullying and violence for all employees.

To help fulfill this commitment, a threat assessment team is available to respond to threats, assaults and potential violence at all postal locations. These teams are located at district and area offices and USPS headquarters in Washington, DC.

Team members are trained to assess the potential of danger or harm, whether implied or direct. The goals are to reduce risks to employees and the Postal Service, discourage inappropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.

Employees who’ve been threatened or believe they’re in a potentially unsafe situation that involves a co-worker, contractor, customer or management — or employees who are experiencing a domestic violence situation that could pose a threat in the workplace — should notify their immediate supervisor, the local threat assessment team and the Postal Inspection Service.

The zero-tolerance policy and reporting procedures are distributed by every district, area and headquarters by the end of March each year at all USPS locations.

All facilities must permanently post the policy on bulletin boards and in other prominent locations. The Postal Service wants all managers and supervisors to deliver a mandatory stand-up talk to employees to ensure they know how to contact their local threat assessment team.

The USPS social media policy stipulates that the use of social media must abide by all postal policy concerning appropriate conduct and threats of violence in the workplace.

Employees should report emergency situations to the Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or call 911. The Inspection Service number is monitored 24/7.

Reference: USPS via NPMHU Local 317
 

Terry R. West Obituary | Mail Handler

  Terry R. West Obituary | Mail Handler

"Greenfield, MA - Terry R. West was born in Mobile, Alabama on February 8, 1954, the middle child of Julia Bell Smith and Ford Ratliff West. The family moved to Decatur, Alabama where he played on a championship football team, graduated from high school and formed lifelong friendships. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1977. Semper Fi.

Graduating from the University of Alabama in 1982 with a degree in accounting, Terry briefly worked for the IRS. Deciding a desk job was too boring, Terry took a job as a mail handler with the United States Postal Service. He moved truckloads of mail in the Hartford, CT postal facility. If your mail delivery seems a little slower lately, it's because Terry retired at the end of last year. ..."

Reference: www.legacy.com


 

Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program Special Enrollment Period (SEP) April 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024

  Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program Special Enrollment Period (SEP) April 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024

"During the PSHB SEP, eligible annuitants and family members may enroll in Medicare Part B without paying a late enrollment penalty. The one-time PSHB SEP is from April 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024. Individuals eligible for the PSHB SEP will receive notification by U.S. Mail™ in March 2024.

All required information must be returned in the envelope provided and postmarked by Sept. 30, 2024. ...You can get ..."

Reference: www.keepingposted.org
 

Leonard Karl Soliday Obituary | Retired Huntsville Mail Handler

  Leonard Karl Soliday Obituary | Retired Huntsville Mail Handler

"...Having lived in the Ardmore area for 18 years, Mr. Soliday was of the Christian faith and enjoyed fishing, car races and cooking. He proudly served in the United States Navy, retiring after 23 years and was also employed by the United States Postal Service. ..."

Reference: quadcitiesdaily.com
 

This mail handler uses his free time to acquire miniature vehicles [Links Added]

  This mail handler uses his free time to acquire miniature vehicles

My name is Dan Hammond and I’m a mail handler in Winchester, VA.

After the workday is over — I’m on the 3 to 11:30 a.m. shift — I work on my Hot Wheels collection. I stop at the Target and Walmart on the east side of town, then the ones on the west side of town, to see what’s new.

Right now, I have a little over 10,000 cars. My favorite is a Hot Wheels Camaro that’s 6 feet high — it’s as big as me — and used to be displayed above the Hot Wheels collection in a local Toys R Us. It was kind of my holy grail.

Early on, people were always looking to me for information on how and where to find new stuff. This was before the internet. Someone said that instead of me telling everyone individually, we should have meetings. So that’s how the Winchester-Shenandoah Valley Hot Wheels Club got started.

Then I began a newsletter that published once a month, about 10 pages long. I had subscribers from all over the world. Again, this was before the internet. I took those newsletters and rewrote them in article form for Die Cast Digest, a magazine for model car enthusiasts. The column was called “Wheels Are Spinning.”

I gave up on the newsletter because Facebook came along and I could post daily, live. Now, if I find something, I put it on my personal page or the club’s page.

I have about 50 miniature mail trucks and cars in my collection. There are Jeeps, LLVs, cargo vans and a tractor-trailer.

I devote about two hours a day to my collection, but never on weekends. My wife, Mia, makes sure I don’t touch anything collection-wise on the weekend. On the weekend, I’m hers.

“Off the Clock,” a column on Postal Service employees and their after-hours pursuits, appears regularly in Link.

Reference: USPS via NPMHU 317
 

Saint Patrick's Day

  Saint Patrick's Day

"Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland) ..."

Reference: wikipedia.org
 

Montgomery County Board of Registrars: 4,600 people received erroneous voting information

  Montgomery County Board of Registrars: 4,600 people received erroneous voting information

"Snipes estimated the postcards were sent around Jan. 15. He said the Board of Registrars realized the error on Jan. 23, fixed the computer glitch and updated their systems so that voters are listed in the correct district.

Snipes said the Board of Registrars plan to mail some 6,600 postcards to voters indicating their correct voting district in several days. That doesn’t necessarily address the issue of sending incorrect information during the initial mailing, but Snipes added there were other efforts made to ensure people had the correct information. ..."

Reference: alabamareflector.com
 

USPS will hold more than 50 career conferences this year

  USPS will hold more than 50 career conferences this year

"The Postal Service is encouraging employees to attend one of its career conferences this year to take control of their professional development and create a better future for themselves within USPS. The organization will hold more than 50 conferences across the nation. Each meeting will include networking opportunities and interactive sessions designed to equip participants with career development tools and resources. Newly developed sessions will provide managers and supervisors with..."

Reference: news.usps.co
 

New Acquisitions to the National Postal Museum

  New Acquisitions to the National Postal Museum

"...The National Postal Museum's collections trace the evolution of the postal services and their role in connecting the nation. With the recent national focus on voting by mail, Internet mail order, and the role of the United States Postal Service in public life, the Postal Museum is also committed to adding objects to its collections that will help to tell new stories, adding dimension to our understanding of the past and reflecting on the present moment. ...links to selected recent acquisitions."

Reference: postalmuseum.si.edu
 

Suspect arrested for pistol-whipping Bronx postal worker in caught-on-video $100K September heist

  Suspect arrested for pistol-whipping Bronx postal worker in caught-on-video $100K September heist

"...The crook, who had been sitting in a parked white Honda Odyssey minivan outside the post office for about two hours before the heist, pistol-whipped the woman and ordered her to open the post office and then the safe inside, cops said. The branch was not scheduled to open until 8 a.m.

When the postal employee’s husband saw what was happening, he..."

Reference: www.aol.com
 

Fingerprints from rat traps in mailboxes lead postal inspectors to Mobile man

  Fingerprints from rat traps in mailboxes lead postal inspectors to Mobile man

"Jonathan Randle pleads guilty to bank fraud, identity theft charges...MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Postal workers over the past couple of years found rat traps in mailboxes – a discovery that proved crucial in finding a mail thief, according to court records.

Jonathan Taylor Randle, 32, of Mobile, pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. A judge scheduled sentencing for July. ..."

Reference: www.fox10tv.com
 

Do you know the rules on workplace nepotism? | Employees can’t hire, supervise or promote a relative

  Do you know the rules on workplace nepotism? | Employees can’t hire, supervise or promote a relative

"...Under the rules, USPS employees cannot hire, supervise or promote a relative, which is defined as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, in-law, stepparent, stepsibling or half sibling. ..."

Reference: news.usps.com
 

Postal Items Found on Amazon Today

  Postal Items Found on Amazon Today

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

Reference: Amazon
 

How FedEx could win by losing its Postal Service business

  How FedEx could win by losing its Postal Service business

"...Over nearly a quarter-century, the Postal Service has grown into FedEx’s largest customer. Conversely, FedEx has been the largest provider of air transportation capacity to the Postal Service for 20 consecutive years, according to data compiled by David Hendel, a transportation attorney at Culhane Meadows. But under a streamlining initiative four years ago, the agency decided to use less air transportation and rely more on cheaper ground carriers, which is eating into FedEx Express volumes distributed via its Memphis, Tennessee, hub. FedEx’s revenue from its Postal Service contract in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022, fell $236 million..."

Reference: www.freightwaves.com
 

USPS Mail Handler Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) set at $353

  Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) set at $353

Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) set at $353

Effective March 9, 2024 (Pay Period 07-2024), all career Mail Handler craft employees are scheduled to receive a cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment as outlined in Article 9.3 of the 2022 National Agreement. This is the third of six possible COLA increases under the terms of the current agreement. This COLA increase is based on the upward change in the relevant Consumer Price Index (CPI) following release of the January 2024 Index, using the July 2022 CPI index as a base. The resulting calculation provides an annual increase of $353 for all Steps in Table 1 and for Step P of Table 2. The remaining Steps in Table 2 will receive the proportional COLA increase percentages as outlined in Article 9.3 of the National Agreement.

Updated wage charts to be provided soon.

Note: Links Added

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317
 

For these Post Offices, Valentine’s Day is a labor of love

  For these Post Offices, Valentine’s Day is a labor of love

"...More than 30 Post Offices across the nation with romantic-sounding names allow customers to send preaddressed Valentine’s Day cards, letters and more to receive a local postmark before the pieces are mailed to sweethearts. ..."

Reference: USPS
 

Mail Stories | All About the Royal Mail Heist Which Drained Millions in Funds From the Postal System

  All About the Royal Mail Heist Which Drained Millions in Funds From the Postal System

"Narinder Sandhu, a 62-year-old conman, was recently put behind bars for orchestrating a sophisticated decade-long fraud that drained $97 million from the Royal Mail. Sandhu, along with his brother Parmjeet and accomplice James Mooney, manipulated the postal system with..."

Reference: marketrealist.com
 

Resolutions and Proposed Constitutional Amendments

  Resolutions and Proposed Constitutional Amendments

RE: Resolutions and Proposed Constitutional Amendments (pdf)

Members of the NPMHU who wish to submit proposals for consideration by the delegates at the 2024 National Convention must follow the requirements set forth in the NPMHU National Constitution.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

As set forth in Article XII of the National Union Constitution, the delegates to the 2024 National Convention will consider and vote upon amendments to both the NPMHU National Constitution and the Uniform Local Union Constitution that governs all Local Unions affiliated with the NPMHU. As stated in Article XII, Section 10:

“For proposed amendments to this Constitution to be considered by a National Convention, such amendments must be submitted in writing by Delegates, Local Unions or other subordinate bodies in good standing, or regular members in good standing to the National President no later than sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the National Convention. Such proposed amendments shall be referred by the National President to the Constitution Committee for consideration and recommendation to the National Convention.”

Although not required by the Constitution, it would greatly assist the Constitution Committee if submissions were formatted as follows: (1) List the current constitutional language; (2) List the new or changed language that you are proposing; and (3) Explain the reason for the proposed change. For your convenience I have attached a form which may be used to submit constitutional amendments.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS

In addition, the current National Constitution also sets forth the governing procedure for the consideration of resolutions, whether related to legislation or other topics of interest to mail handlers. In particular, Article XII, Section 15 provides as follows:

“Resolutions submitted for consideration of the National Convention must be received by the National President no later than sixty (60) days prior to the opening date of the National Convention. For proposed resolutions to be considered by a National Convention, such resolutions must be submitted in writing by Delegates, Local Unions or other subordinate bodies in good standing, or regular members in good standing to the National President no later than sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the National Convention. Such resolutions shall be referred to the Committee on Resolutions for consideration and recommendation to the Convention delegates for adoption, modification, or rejection thereof.”

Should you have any constitutional amendments or resolutions that you would like to propose, please be sure to follow the procedures set forth in Article XII of the National Constitution. The National Convention commences on Monday, August 19, 2024, all submissions must be received at the National Office no later than Thursday, June 20, 2024, which is sixty (60) days prior to the opening of the 2024 National Convention.

The address for submitting any proposed amendments or resolutions is:

NPMHU 2024 National Convention

815 16th Street NW, Suite 5100

Washington, DC 20006

You may also FAX proposed amendments or resolutions to 202-833-0008

NPMHU 2024 Constitution Amendment Suggestion Form (pdf)

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU 317
 

Stamp Collecting | Tagging-omitted error of U.S. 1981 B-rate Eagle booklet stamp discovered on first-day cover

  Stamp Collecting | Tagging-omitted error of U.S. 1981 B-rate Eagle booklet stamp discovered on first-day cover

"In early January, Linn’s Stamp News learned of the discovery of a tagging-omitted error on the United States 1981 nondenominated (18¢) B-rate Eagle booklet stamp (Scott 1819).

John Musser of Michigan, an avid collector of untagged stamps for the past 22 years, contacted Linn’s via email to report that he found the new error on an Artmaster cacheted first-day cover for the stamp franked with a ..."

Reference: www.linns.com
 

Amazon | Postal Employee Hoodie Sweatshirt

  Amazon | Postal Employee Hoodie Sweatshirt

"Postal Employee Hoodie Sweatshirt Made in the USA or IMPORTED, 50% Polyaster 50% cotton, Machine Wash, Pull On. "

Reference: AMAZON
 

Uniform and Work Clothes Annual Allowance Carry Over

  Uniform and Work Clothes Annual Allowance Carry Over

Effective March 13, 2024 the following provision of Article 26, Section 26.3 of the 2022 National Agreement will be implemented:

Unused portions of an eligible employee’s annual allowance for uniform and work clothing will be carried over and available for use beginning twelve (12) months after the end of each anniversary year. An eligible employee’s uniform and work clothing allowance balance may not exceed the sum of two (2) years of the employee’s annual allowance entitlement. This uniform and work clothing program adjustment will be implemented no later than twelve (12) months from the ratification date of the 2022 Agreement.

Any unused portion of an eligible employee’s annual allowance starting 3/13/2024 will be accumulated and will be reflected in the employee’s uniform allowance accounts starting 03/13/2025 at the end of each of their anniversary year.

Reference: NPMHU via NPMHU Local 317