Committee of Presidents was held in Jacksonville, Florida from March 2-4, 2024.
While in Jacksonville, letter carriers participated in a rally at City Hall to get the message across that, "Enough is Enough," in regard to violence against letter carriers throughout the country.
NALC National President Brian Renfroe spoke to all attendees and gave an update on several topics.
Trying to resolve major DRT backlogs throughout the country by regional meetings with Executive Vice President Paul Barner and regional USPS labor relation. The idea is to make sure grievances are being settled at the lowest possible level of the grievance procedure.
OIG investigation into USPS backpay to try and resolve those issues. There have been allegations that USPS employees are intentionally withholding backpay from individuals.
The weakness of the rural carrier union may lead to the NALC absorbing the rural carriers at some point in the future.
The importance of getting our Letter Carrier Political Fund participation numbers up. Currently, 88% of letter carriers do not GIVE. If we got our number from the active 12% that give now to 24%, that would change the landscape for NALC's agenda in Washington.
Contract Update
Arbitrator Nolan has been selected by both parties as chair of interest arbitration panel.
USPS does not want to go to arbitration. The NALC has a compelling case for significant wage increases, a full non-career workforce, and one pay table that awards all letter carriers and also starts letter carriers out at a higher starting wage.
A few other highlights of things we might see are changes to Article 8 and the Overtime sign up lists with more flexibility.
A chance for carriers to volunteer to work over the maximum hours limits as long as others who don't will not get disciplined for leaving.
A joint route inspection process similar to TIAREAP and getting rid of the language in Chapter 2 of the M-39.
A clothing allowance raise!
President Renfroe states that we could have a contract today if we wanted to, but that he feels letter carriers wouldn't be rewarded to what they deserve.
I would like to thank the entire branch for the opportunity to serve you as President. I also want to thank you for allowing me to represent all of us during National meetings.
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