LETTER CARRIER POLITICAL FUND KICKOFF

Letter Carrier Political Fund Awareness Kick-Off

Three (3) cash prizes consisting of $100 each which will be given to a member via a live random drawing during the Branch meeting on January 2023. Here is how to enter:

·      For those members who signs up to contribute every pay period to the Letter Carrier Political Fund, their names will be entered into a drawing.

·      For those members who are currently donating and increases their contribution, their names will be entered into a drawing.

·      For those members who are currently donating (including new members who recently signs up) and who signs up a new member to contribute to the Letter Carrier Political Fund, their names will be entered into a drawing. (For each member you sign up, you will get 1 entry; the more members you sign up the more chances you will get.)

·      Each member can only win one (1) cash prize of $100.

·      Proof of enrollment must be verified by Branch 1111 prior to the drawing.

What is the Letter Carrier Political Fund?

“The Letter Carrier Political Fund is a non-partisan political action committee (PAC) established for the purpose of electing qualified candidates who support letter carriers and who are committed to maintaining a strong and innovative U.S. Postal Service.”

“Each year, NALC fights to fend off attacks in Congress that threaten letter carriers’ collective-bargaining rights, retirement benefits and livelihood. We’ve been successful so far, and we want to continue helping to elect House and Senate candidates who will protect us, promote our issues and deliver our message to Washington.”

“Since union dues can’t be used to support candidates for political office, NALC relies 100 percent on member contributions to the LCPF, which in turn helps us support those on Capitol Hill who defend the issues that matter most to us. Our PAC brings together in Washington strong letter carrier advocates—from all political parties—who are dedicated to helping to defend a strong USPS that provides universal, innovative and affordable service.”

 

What the LCPF has done? The LCPF contributed to the efforts over the last 12 years that resulted in this bipartisan legislation, the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 (H.R. 3076), turn into law. This law repeals the pre-funding mandate and sets the Postal Service on a more sustainable and stable financial footing. This law also guarantees that the mail will continue to be delivered six days a week.

Further information can be found on the NALC’s website; https://www.nalc.org/government-affairs/legislative-activities and as follows in part:

As a member of the NALC, there are several easy ways to give to the Letter Carrier Political Fund:

1.     Payroll deduction: Contribute automatically, using PostalEase (either online or by phone) to set up an allotment deduction from your USPS paycheck.

2.     Direct bank withdrawal: You can authorize the fund to withdraw a monthly electronic contribution directly from your personal checking account

3.     Annuity deduction: Retired letter carriers can elect to give monthly via an automatic deduction from your monthly annuity.

4.     Family Member Contribution: How immediate family members of NALC members contribute to the Letter Carrier Political Fund using Electronic Fund Transfer or by making a One-Time contribution.

5.     One-Time Letter Carrier Political Fund Contributions: This form should be used to identify names and members making one-time contributions.

 

Or you can call the Branch 1111 office at 510 237 5111 to help with you get started.

 

By making a contribution to the Letter Carrier Political Fund, you are doing so voluntarily with the understanding that your contribution is not a condition of membership in the National Association of Letter Carriers or of employment by the Postal Service, nor is it part of union dues. You have a right to refuse to contribute without any reprisal. The Letter Carrier Political Fund will use the money it receives to contribute to candidates for federal office and undertake other political spending as permitted by law. Your selection shall remain in full force and effect until canceled. Contributions to the Letter Carrier Political Fund are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Federal law prohibits the Letter Carrier Political Fund from soliciting contributions from individuals who are not NALC members, executive and administrative staff or their families. Any contribution received from such an individual will be refunded to that contributor. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 per calendar year. Any guideline amount is merely a suggestion, and an individual is free to contribute more or less than the guideline suggests and the union will not favor or disadvantage anyone by reason of the amount of his or her contribution or decision not to contribute.

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

Bill to give the U.S. Postal Service a major overhaul if passed!

Bipartisan legislation that boosts the U.S. Postal Service and saves nearly $50 billion in the next decade is potentially set for a Senate vote by the end of next week.

The bill, called the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, passed in the House on Tuesday night with overwhelming support of 342-92.

"Americans rely on the Postal Service for medicines, essential goods, voting, correspondence, and their livelihoods," tweeted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "With the overwhelming House vote for postal reform—I intend for the Senate to quickly take up and pass the bill!"

Additionally, USPS would no longer be required to pre-fund health benefits for its current and retiring employees, which saves about $27 billion over 10 years. This is where the greatest cost savings for the Postal Service would come.

USPS Mask Policy Revised as of August 27, 2021

Hello all!

The USPS has issued a revised mask policy on August 27, 2021 due to the Delta Variant. This is the new policy which should be followed in each of your offices. Please contact the branch office if you have any questions or if issues arise in your office regarding this policy.

You can see the revised policy by following this link;

https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/usps-revises-face-coveringpolicy

OPM Requires Verification of eligible family member enrollments for FEHB

The Postal Service issued a mandatory stand up talk dated July 1 about the Office Personnel Management (OPM) requiring federal agencies to verify eligible family members who are enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, also known as FEHB. The stand up talk and related attachment (PostalEASE FEHB Worksheet) is available here.

USPS has confirmed that only employees with self plus one and self and family enrollments that need to update eligible family members are required to fill out and return PostalEASE FEHB Worksheet (USPS-24).

Eligible family members include your current spouse; your children under age 26, including adopted children, stepchildren and foster children under certain circumstances; and adult children incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that existed before age 26.

If you have any questions, please contact the branch office. :)