Each year NALC members from each state in the Union merge onto our nations capital to lobby Congress on behalf of our membership.

The first leg begins with the state executive board members arriving a day early to meet. This gives them a chance to meet in a rare face to face setting to set the legislative agenda for the next few days and cover any other issues that may affect us on a state level.

The next day all the members arrive in time to meet their scheduled appointments with the legislators. Sometimes you talk with them and sometimes you have no choice but to relay your message through their assistants. Of course the big issue right now is H.R. 173 which is the house resolution that would guarantee 6 day delivery for the post office. As of this date, 122 congressman have signed on. Branch 725 has appointments with Congressman Joe Sestak, Senator Arlen Spector, and Senator Bob Casey.

After the lobbying on capitol hill, the carriers retreat down to the national headquarters building to attend a “rap session”. The President fills the membership in on all the latest news. He also answers questions from the floor. It is a great opportunity to have access to your President and the national officers.

The next morning is the actual Congressional breakfast. It is a semi-formal affair in which all legislative districts in the state are represented and have breakfast with the members. This is another chance to express the concerns of letters carriers to the people who make the laws that affect us. After the NALC National President speaks about pertinent issues, a Senator or Congressman will give the key note speech. Next every legislator from every district gets a chance to address the members from microphones positioned throughout the crowd. It is truly a good feeling seeing the process work up close and personal.

It is certainly the most visible part of the NALC’s legislative agenda. The national office works full time on our agenda. But to get the involvement from the everyday carrier is worth it all.