Rural

On Wednesday, May 9, Postmaster General (PMG) Patrick R. Donahoe proposed a reduction in retail window hours at our nation’s smallest post offices, many of which serve rural communities. The PMG’s next step is to request an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), which he expects to do by the end of this [...]

On Thursday, May 10, the House of Representatives passed a bill requiring federal employees to contribute an additional 5% to their pensions. The NRLCA strongly opposes this legislation and is concerned the substantial increase would ultimately cause federal employees to contribute less to their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts. Approved by a vote of 218-199, [...]

First of all, I want to say congratulations to all of the newly appointed regular rural carriers! I thought I (with the help of some of my rural buddies) would put together a guide to help you deal with your new status. There will a lot of new things you will have to learn and [...]

On Wednesday, April 25, the parties completed their interest arbitration hearings before the arbitration panel chaired by neutral arbitrator, Jack Clarke.  After completing presentations on compensation and health care proposals, the parties each addressed proposals on standards, mail count, EMA, and other proposals.  The parties spent a total of 26 days in hearing.   After [...]

Postal reform bill S. 1789 passed the Senate by a vote of 62-37 today, April 25, 2012, close to 5:00 PM EST. The NRLCA opposed final passage of this bill. S. 1789 eliminates six-day delivery after two years and refunds $11bn in FERS overpayments, some of which will be used for buyouts. In an effort [...]

The Senate began voting today (April 24) on the amendments to S. 1789.  Overall  39 total amendments were submitted.  The NRLCA supported Sen. Tom Udall amendment, #2043, failed to get the necessary 60 votes it needed to pass, failing by a vote of 56-43.   The Senate has adjourned for the night, and will reconvene [...]

The Senate is expected to begin voting on the amendments to S. 1789 tomorrow (April 24) beginning around 2:15 PM EST, and is expected to run late Tuesday night and possibly into Wednesday.  If you have not already done so, please contact your Senators tomorrow and urge them to support Senate Amendment #2043 (offered by [...]

https://www.nrlca.org/Admin/UploadedImages/ContentDocument/Amendments%20to%20S1789%20(summary%20version).pdf

On Tuesday, a string of 39 amendments will hit the Senate floor in rapid succession for only two minutes each of debate. That’s 120 seconds to make sure the one amendment to save 6-day mail delivery passes: Senate Amendment 2043. When you consider the fact that Senate Amendment 2043 is being required to achieve the [...]

A new amendment to Senate Bill 1789 would establish a separate health insurance program for Medicare-eligible Postal retirees and their spouses. By placing Medicare covered retirees and their spouses in a separate program, premiums for all remaining FEHB Plan members will dramatically increase (up to 35%). The NRLCA opposes this new amendment. Current employees and [...]

Seventy-plus amendments have been filed for S. 1789. Currently, the Senate leaders are negotiating the amendment process moving forward.  As the Legislative Department begins to review every amendment submitted, we urge you to contact your Senators and tell them to support Senate Amendment 2043.  Senate Amendment 2043 would maintain 6-day mail delivery. This amendment has been [...]

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The Senate brought S. 1789 to the floor on Tuesday, April 17th, around 11 AM for a motion-to-proceed “cloture” vote. The postal reform bill needs sixty votes to continue the process of becoming law.   If the bill receives sixty votes, the Senate will begin debate. The NRLCA expects numerous amendments to be offered, the first of which [...]

Senate bill S.1789 has hit the Senate(kind of) if they ever get past the dragging of feet, and objections to proceeding it will be debated and voted upon!  Do you think it will be good for you?  Are you willing to rely on Congress, USPS Headquarters, and lobbyists to do the right thing for YOU? [...]

Who’s in the driver’s seat at the U.S. Postal Service? In up to half of rural mail vehicles, nobody is. The driver’s seat is empty or has a stack of mail. The driver takes the passenger side to reach out the window to mailboxes strung along country roads and — from there — must also [...]