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Website Updated: 3.9.10
8:34 P.M.
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 USPS examines 'Postal Future': On March 2, the Postal Service sponsored a conference in Washington called "Envisioning America's Postal Future" to kick off debate over alternative business models for the 21st century. NALC President Fred Rolando is advocating a "Last Mile" approach to reinventing the Service (as outlined in January's Postal Record). "Adding new services to take advantage of the unmatchable postal network and leveraging America's trust in letter carriers and the Postal Service is the key to the future," he said. "Eliminating Saturday delivery would be penny wise and pound foolish. It would simply drive more mailers away." In the short term, Congress must reform the unaffordable retiree health prefunding requirement placed on USPS in 2007 just as the Great Recession began. Over the long run, the Service and its stakeholders must be given freedom to innovate and meet the evolving needs of Americans and the economy. Rolando issued a press release that expressed NALC’s views on the Service’s proposals. To find out more, see the March Postal Record for the first in a series of articles on the alternative business models.
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Commemorate strike's 40th: Learn about the dramatic 1970 walkout from those who were there, including NALC President Emeritus Vincent R. Sombrotto, Saturday, March 20, at 1 p.m. at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum's Discovery Center. NALC members are invited to a reception following the presentation—call 202-633-5528 to RSVP by March 8. Museum | YouTube | Bulletin
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 Rally for TSA workers: Led by President Rolando, NALC officers, members and staff joined hundreds of activists February 23 at AFL-CIO headquarters to demand collective bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers who protect airline passengers from terrorist attacks. They were denied those rights by the Bush administration when the TSA was set up following the 9/11 attacks. The TSOs’ rights can be restored simply with an order from DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. AFL-CIO | Bulletin
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Obama budget backs six-day delivery: President Obama’s fiscal  2011 budget proposal requires the continuation of six-day delivery by the Postal Service. The administration also promises to work with postal unions and other stakeholders to keep the Postal Service strong for years to come. In setting the amount for “revenue forgone” to cover the costs of free and reduced rate mail, the spending plan says payments will be made “provided that 6-day delivery and rural delivery of mail shall continue at not less than the 1983 level....” Looking to the future, the proposal, submitted to Congress on February 1, states, “The Administration will work with the Postal Service, its employee unions, the Congress, and other stakeholders to make sure the Postal Service (remains) a pillar of the American economy and a vital public resource through the current crisis and over the long haul.” Language in a separate section, however, proposes changes in the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) that could be problematic. The NALC is investigating those proposals and will act to protect letter carriers’ interests. See the USPS section of the budget, with key sections highlighted, here.
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Postal privatization a “bad idea,” Obama says: In a citizen question-and-answer interview, President Obama said privatization of government services is “a bad idea most of the time”—and definitely  a bad idea when it comes to the U.S. Postal Service. Private firms would love to cherry-pick profitable business from the USPS, he said, but “those companies would not want to provide universal service.” See the video here . (Note: the video continues after the postal question.)
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OIG bolsters case for prefunding reform: The Postal Service's Office of Inspector General has strengthened the case made by NALC over the past three years that the Office of Personnel Management badly miscalculated the postal surplus in the Civil Service Retirement Fund. A new special report issued by OIG’s investigative research unit shows USPS was overcharged by an astounding $75 billion for pension liabilities that should be paid for by the U.S. Treasury since they relate to service performed before USPS was created in 1971. This miscalculation means the onerous schedule of prefunding payments included in the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 is grossly inflated, since the Postal Service Retiree Health Fund was shortchanged by OPM when it transferred the postal surplus into the fund in 2007. “NALC is encouraged by the OIG’s findings since it confirms what we have been saying for years to Congress,” NALC President Fred Rolando said. “This report will help us make the case for fundamental reform.” Fact Sheet
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Home stretch for health care: In the next few weeks, congressional negotiators will merge the House and Senate health care reform bills into one package for final passage. NALC continues to follow the process closely and is lobbying aggressively on behalf of letter carriers’ interests. For a better understanding of what is in the bills and what our priorities are, see the AFL-CIO’s fact sheet comparing the two bills here.
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Registration under way for 2010 food drive:  President Rolando is challenging all branches to increase their effort in the 2010 drive, scheduled for Saturday, May 8, not only to surpass the record 73.4 million pounds delivered to community food banks and pantries in 2009, but to break through the 1 billion-pound level in total donations collected since the drive began in 1993. More
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Debating delivery reductions: Writing for The New York Times' Room for Debate blog, NALC President Fred Rolando states why reducing mail delivery from six days to five is a bad idea and suggests some alternate strategies that could help the Postal Service preserve universal mail delivery and generate new revenue. Article
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Save money with Union Plus: Winter's right around the corner. Get ready for cold weather by taking advantage of Union Plus's home heating oil discounts. You can find this and other great money-saving benefits from Union Plus.
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Social Events:
- Owen and Diane McGuire Beef & Beer Benefit
Friday, March 19, 2010 @ 7:30 P.M.
Polonia Hall
4431 Belgrade St.
Phila., Pa.
- Retiree's Luncheon April 15, 2010
September 16, 2010 @ 12:00 P.M.
Lamb Tavern, Springfield, Pa.
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Veterans
Pennsylvania Act 20 of 2008
Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program
The Pennsylvania Department of military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is accepting applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program. Any person who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserve component of the Pennsylvania National Guard in the Persian Gulf Conflict during the period of August 31,1991 may be eligible. The program allows compensation to be paid to eligible service members as well as certain surviving relatives of deceased veterans.
The deadline for applying is August 31, 2015. Details of this program are available on the DMVA website or by calling 1-866-458-9182.
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The address for the DRT is:
3190 South 70th St.
Phila. Pa. 19153-7956
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The President's Report
by Jim McCullough
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******* Please be advised that the benefit for Diane McGuire & Family has been postponed until Friday March 19, 2010 due to snow *******
Letter Carrier in need
Dear Brothers/Sister,
I am asking all the members of Branch 725 to step up to the plate and donate any amount that they can afford to help this family. I know that the brothers/sisters of this branch have always...
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
See you at the American Legion Post 287 (73 S. 1st Ave. Coatesville, Pa.) on Apr. 7, 2010!
Alert! >>>>> After you complete a one-day walk, everyone please request from management a copy of the 3999. Look at it to see if the deductions are correct. Any questions or problems getting your copy call the union office <<<<<< Alert!
Please click here to take this Businessweek Magazine Poll and vote NO! Public opinion polls like this play more of a role in our plight than you may think!
Check out this Youtube Ideation Video USPS ( MUST SEE!)
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People 2 People
By Bill Melon, Branch 725
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March 7, 2010 12:00 P.M. 
We keep hearing about the Postal Service cutting mail to five day delivery because they are losing money. The Postal Service is supposed to be non-profit and does not pay.....
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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General Meetings For Branch 725 A Big Hit!
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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March 6, 2010 7:46 P.M.
I don't know if you noticed lately but the general meetings for Branch 725 have been quite entertaining as well as more informative lately.
Let me see, last meeting starred a presentation by AFLAC (they gave away little duck that said.....
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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What To Do About The Post Office's Woes
By Susan Collins (R)Maine, U.S. Senator
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March 6, 2010 6:46 P.M.
Instead of blaming the Postal Service's financial condition on the 2006 Postal Reform Act, the postmaster general should develop new revenue streams and continue to reduce costs. He should seek new customers and more volume rather than cutting service and wishing away liabilities.
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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Training at the Region 12 Rap Session(all Hail The Shop Stewards)
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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February 28, 2010 2:01 P.M.
Many people always wonder "how does that Shop Steward know so much"? Many people often don't care about the toughest task in any union -- the Shop Steward. Well, the key......
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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NALC President Address Region 12 Rap Session
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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February 28, 2010 1:21 P.M.
The President explained that the six day delivery is tied to a bill as a provision. It is an appropriations bill “rider” (an addition). The bill addresses.........
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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Wasted Words
By Andrew Kearney, Branch 725
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February 24, 2010 1:20 P.M.
Nobody has all the answers. We need to be listening to all points of view and decide what courses of action to take. We have to be better informed as how to do so. Take the time to know what is going on in the Postal Service and our Union. Take advantage of all the training
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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How To Make nalcbr725 Your Homepage
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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February 14, 2010 7:13 P.M.
After you arrive on the internet look to the toolbar located at the top right somewhere for Tools. Click on......
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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President McCullough's Job Is Never Done!
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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February 7, 2010 3:23 P.M.
Once someone called Jim McCullough on the “hotline”, he goes to work calling all 35 or so shop stewards or other representatives to inform them of their rights. I got one of those calls. It.......
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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Underappreciated ... As Usual!
By Gerard Gallagher, Branch 725
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February 6, 2010 6:38 P.M.
Same scenario at the media annex on saturday February, 6, 2010( Snow Day)!  Except we had plenty of mail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Underappreciated ... As Usual!
By Andrew Kearney, Branch 725
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An hour later still no mail. Finally they come down and said Postal Operations are suspended. Wanted to know if anyone wants to take annual leave for the rest of the day. Told them no. I made the effort to get here and will stay until the end of the day if I have to in order to get paid. They wouldn't commit to allowing us to leave and getting paid Administrative time so I sat back down at my case and waited. Finally......
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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Congressional Candidate Brian Lentz Speaks At 725's Meeting
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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Thanks to our excellent Congressional District Liason Bob Zigmont, Mr. Lentz entertained questions(quite in-depth) from our membership. It as informative as you see on the Town Hall meetings on CNN.
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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Beef And Beer For Owen and Diane McGuire & Family
By McGuire Support Group, Branch 725
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This is a benefit to help the family fix the damage that was caused by the fire. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Anyone can donate a basket or buy a ticket. Tickets are.......
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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National Business Agent Running For 2nd Term
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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His announcement came at the end of a very informative National Reassessment Process (NRP) Training session from 7:00 to about 9:30 P.M. The information filled evening included.......
For more from this Article..................Click Here!
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Final NALC Health Plan Totals
By Gerard Gallagher, Branch 725
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Director of NALC Health Plan Gerard Gallagher reports that the final total for new members enrolled in the health plan is 6,431 new members. 6,339 new members. This is very significant. The more new members we get the lower our fees are. Being a union plan, all our monies go back into the plan. Brothers and sisters if you are happy with the plan please spread the word!
For the full report from National Health Benfits Plan Director Tim O'Malley ..................Click Here!
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NRP Training
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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At this point in the labor movement, we don't have the luzury of picking and choosing what we stay on top of. We HAVE to learn these important issues that have such a tremendous effect on our brothers and sisters who were hurt on the job. This NRP Process is
For more from the Newsletter ..................Click Here!
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The Newsletter
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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In route adjustment, an email went out the week of January 17th. It basically mandated that supervisors hold down the office time. "Percentage to standard". WoW! When was the last time we heard that? Of course the changing of equipment from more equipment, more shelves to less equipment, less shelves had nothing to do with it. Ok carriers, you.............
For more from the Newsletter ..................Click Here!
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Many Attend Bala Cynwyd Holiday Party
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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Each year we have a holiday party after the holidays to get together, and share some time away from work. Because of great people who run our sunshine club, namely Martin Ferris and Ray Johnson, we.........
For more from this article ..................Click Here!
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Fire Strikes The Home of One of Our Own
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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That's where the Union Family comes in. There will be a collection taken up. One of our brothers does construction and has offered to do the labor to replace the windows. Hopefully, we can get some discounted windows. The sunshine club at Bala will donate some money, and Jim McCullough informed me that she would be eligible for the maximum amount that the branch catastophic fund provides($100).
We ask that anyone who wishes to donate any amount of money please make out a check or money order to;
Diane McGuire
1 Union ave
Bala Cynwyd, Pa. 19004
For more from this article ..................Click Here!
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Upper Darby Carrier Cited As Hero
By Jim McCullough, Branch 725
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Liz saw him lying on the floor and entered the house and immediately started CPR.........
For more from this article ..................Click Here!
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Letter Carriers Don't Need Tips!
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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Now, we postal workers understand their mentality. But unfortunately, the national radio show did not. After the short dissertation by the host, he was inundated with calls from letter carriers from Pennsylvania one after another. Way to go carriers! Keep fighting for what we believe in.
For more from this article ..................Click Here!
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It's What We Do
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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We used to deliver hopes and dreams. Now we deliver faster, more accurately, and more efficient correspondence and packages. It's what we do as Letter Carriers. And it's a fact that nobody in the world does it better. How many people do you know can say "I am the best in the world at what I do" ? Let's take a look at why......
For more from this article ..................Click Here!
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Why Should I Enter My Clock Rings?
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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In the past there has been problems all over the country regarding time integrity. Simply put, local management has been found to illegally change letter carrier's clock rings. But.........
For more from this article ..................Click Here!
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How to Enter Your Own Clock Rings
By Andrew Kearney, Branch 725
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The time clock will prompt you for most things but it is really easy once you know what to do.
If you are working in the office casing on another route enter MV & 722. Then enter...
For more from this article ..................Click Here!
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Santa Clause is Coming to Town
By Andrew Kearney, Branch 725
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Redemption for the Carriers! The mail volume has come back! We Carriers all knew it would. Maybe not to the levels that the Postal Service wanted. But ....
For more from this Constructive Commentary ..................Click Here!
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The Scribe's Corner
By Jim McCullough, Branch 725
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The Philadelphia District has now entered into Phase 2 of the National Reassessment Process ( NRP). The limited duty Process has now taken on a “life of its own”. At a recent meeting with Management
For more from this Scribe's Corner..................Click Here!
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R U Coming to the next General Meeting?
By Eric K. Jackson, Branch 725
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Are you coming to the next general meeting? It promises to be very exciting. Word on the street is that the branch will be giving away houses, big screen tv's and new cars( that would be nice but it's not true). You will get a lot of information about what is going on about your job. You probably will find out that most of your rights were trampled on by management. Now you will have the right information to empower you.
For more from this article ..................Click Here!
When You Go - AKA Death and the Federal Employee
Pay Protection for Federal and Postal Employees
Federal and postal workers called to active duty with their National Guard or Reserve units will now, for the first time, be paid at their civilian federal salary rate if it's higher than their military pay.
To submit articles, pictures, etc. send them to the Webmaster. All entries are subject to content review. The timeliness of postings is not guaranteed.
Thank you!
Branch 725 and its Officers and Webmasters hold no liability for mis-information on this website or its links. We do not condone questionable material or information posted on our website. All requests for removal of any of the documents posted on our website must be sent to ekjackson@comcast.net for appropriate action. This website is intended only as a resource and a guide for Unionists
This
site was created and maintained
by Eric K. Jackson, Br.
725
All site content ©2008 NALC Branch 725.
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Bryan Lentz has been endorsed by the NALC for the Congressional seat in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The NALC has chosen to endorse him in the primary and general election. For more information on the process click on 
