MILE HIGH BRANCH 47
EMAIL FEED FROM REGION 4 NBA'S OFFICE
posted 3-31-2025
Greetings:
Today, Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced a Senate resolution (S.Res. 147) that calls on Congress to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the federal government and is not subject to privatization.
Four senators joined the bipartisan leads as original co-sponsors: Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
The Senate version is identical to the House version (H.Res. 70), which was introduced by Reps. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Nick LaLota (R-NY) in January and currently has 180 co-sponsors.
Please visit the link below for more information links to Take Action and Fact Sheet:
https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/senate-introduces-anti-privatization-resolution
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted on 3-26-2025
Greetings:
NALC President Brian L. Renfroe issued a statement regarding an Executive Order President Donald Trump signed yesterday. The statement reads in part:
This Executive Order is stacked with blatant lies to undermine the nation’s free and fair election process by placing restrictions on voter access to the ballot box.
Letter carriers take pride in our work and have safely, securely and successfully delivered ballots since the Civil War. In the 2024 election, letter carriers delivered 99.22 million ballots to and from voters, tens of millions of which were cast for President Trump. In 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic, as millions of Americans sheltered in place, letter carriers delivered a record-breaking 135 million ballots.
Please visit the link below for the full text of President Renfroe’s statement.
https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-statement-on-executive-order-limiting-ballot-access
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 3-26-2025
Greetings:
Arbitrator Dennis R. Nolan has issued a final and binding arbitration award that sets the terms of a three-year collective-bargaining agreement between the National Association of Letter Carriers and the U.S. Postal Service, NALC President Brian L. Renfroe announced on March 24. Pursuant to an agreement reached by parties on Feb. 26, Arbitrator Nolan conducted mediation with the parties in Washington, DC, March 17-18 while serving as the sole and neutral arbitrator to resolve their collective-bargaining impasse.
Visit the link below for more details as well as a link to the award:
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 3-26-2025
Greetings:
Yesterday, NALC President Brian L. Renfroe issued the following statement regarding Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's exit from the Postal Service:
Today was Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's last day at the Postal Service. During his tenure, NALC worked in good faith with DeJoy on behalf of our 295,000 active and retired members.
The USPS Board of Governors' search for a new leader of the agency comes at a critical time for letter carriers and everyone who depends on our service.
The next postmaster general must continue modernizing and investing in USPS' infrastructure while maintaining quality universal service funded by postage, not taxpayer dollars.
They must value and empower the 640,000 Postal Service employees, 73,000 of whom are veterans, who serve the American people.
They must work in good faith with NALC, our sister unions and other stakeholders to get necessary retirement fund investment and accounting policy changes done in Congress.
Finally, the next postmaster general must fundamentally believe in the agency as a public service and be committed to guaranteeing the universal service Americans rely on.
NALC urges the board to seek out a candidate who meets these criteria. The future of the Postal Service is on the line, and choosing someone with innovative ideas and appreciation for our Constitutionally mandated service is essential.
NALC stands ready to work with whoever the board selects as the next postmaster general. We will fight like hell to ensure our members' perspectives and experiences are considered when the next postmaster general makes decisions that affect letter carriers' working lives.
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 3-26-2025
Greetings:
This morning the National Press Club hosted a panel on postal issues. Below is a link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/live/OEMuwmzVCUM?si=KViD50FEhG7ryVTh
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 3-18-2025
Greetings:
NALC President Brian L. Renfroe issued the following statement:
"We are aware of a document circulating on the internet that purports to be communication from USPS Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino dated March 17, 2025, regarding our upcoming interest arbitration process. That document is completely fabricated. It is fake. Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino did not author or distribute the document."
We are fully prepared and looking forward to beginning the interest arbitration process on Monday, March 17."
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 3-14-2025
Greetings:
NALC President Brian L. Renfroe released a statement following Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s agreement with the General Service Administration (GSA) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It states in part:
NALC is aware of the agreement between the Postal Service, GSA and DOGE to assist with “identifying and achieving certain efficiencies.” We remain in contact with the Postal Service regarding DOGE’s efforts at USPS and any potential impact on NALC members.
The safety of our members always comes first. That includes their information and data. Prior to DOGE’s engagement with the Postal Service, we prepared for potential legal action if DOGE was to gain access to our members’ information in USPS records in violation of any applicable laws and regulations. We also expressed our concern over the privacy of our members’ information to Postal Service leadership. Our understanding of the agreement between USPS and DOGE is that it does not grant such access. We commend the Postal Service leadership for protecting employee information. Still, we will continue closely monitoring the situation and will fight like hell against any attack on the rights and privacy of NALC members.
Please visit the link below for the full text of President Renfroe’s statement.
https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-statement-on-dejoys-agreement-with-doge
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 3-12-2025
Greetings Region 4 Branch President’s and Activists,
We have been made aware of an issue with carrier’s health benefits being dropped when coming back to work after being out on OWCP. USPS states that unfortunately this is an ongoing issue and that they are aware of it.
If you know of any carriers that are being affected by this issue, please send me their names, EINs, work locations, when they went out and when they returned from OWCP. We will get that information over to USPS HQ so they can validate the carrier’s eligibility to resume coverage and work to reinstate coverage if eligible.
In Solidarity,
Dan Versluis
National Business Agent
NALC Region 4
posted 2-26-2025
Greetings:
Yesterday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that starting this week (Feb. 24, 2025), the agency is beginning to pay retroactive benefits and will increase monthly benefit payments to people who were affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Beneficiaries who are owed retroactive benefits will receive a one-time retroactive payment. This payment will date back to January 2024, the month when WEP and GPO no longer applied.
Social Security benefits are paid one month behind, so most affected beneficiaries will begin receiving their new monthly benefit amount in April 2025 (for their March 2025 benefit).
The agency has expedited payments through automation but cautioned that complex cases cannot be processed automatically and will require additional time.
Affected beneficiaries are urged to wait until April to inquire about the status of their retroactive payment since these payments will be processed incrementally throughout March.
For more information, please visit SSA’s Social Security Fairness Act:
https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/social-security-fairness-act.html?tl=2
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 2-26-2025
Greetings:
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Fort Collins Hilton 425 West Prospect Road Fort Collins, CO 80526, for the Colorado State Association of Letter Carriers - State Convention 2025 with a Tuesday, April 15, 2025 arrival. Please call (800) 768-0605 and ask for the Colorado State Association of Letter Carriers - State Convention 2025 or reserve using the link below.
Guests will be able to book in the block at the group rate of $114.00 per room, per night, single/double occupancy, for a standard room with one king or two double beds. Room rate, room block, and parking will be available until Saturday, April 19, 2025, or until it is sold out, whichever happens first.
To Reserve Online:
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/coloradostateassociationoflettercarriers2025/
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 2-26-2025
Greetings Region 4 Branch President’s and Activists,
Today NALC is conducting a Day of Action! We are asking you as branch leaders to share this information with every letter carrier in your branch or station and ask them to take action today.
Feb. 26 Day of Action! Tell the White House: Hands Off the Postal Service: https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/feb-26-day-of-action-tell-the-white-house-hands-off-the-postal-service
It has been posted on social media as well. This is the best avenue for our members to make our voices heard by the White House.
We have had questions from members asking about communicating with Members of Congress on this issue. The threat is purely from the administration. We are working many Members behind the scenes that could influence the administration due to the potential political impact of damaging or destroying the Postal Service.
Any communication from our members with Members of Congress should be to ask them to cosponsor HRes 70, our anti- privatization resolution, the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act, and the Federal Retirement Fairness Act, which was reintroduced today. Please direct members that wish to contact their representatives to make these asks.
In Solidarity,
Dan Versluis
National Business Agent
NALC Region 4
12015 E 46th Ave. Suite 550
Denver CO 80239
Posted 2-26-2025
Greetings:
Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), David Valadao (R-CA), and Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 1522). This bipartisan bill would allow certain federal employees, including letter carriers, to make catch-up retirement contributions for time spent as non-career employees after Dec. 31, 1988, making it credible service under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Please visit the link below for more information and to TAKE ACTION!
https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/federal-retirement-fairness-act-reintroduced-in-house-2025
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 2-25-2025
NALC Region 4 Branch President’s and Activist,
I know that you most likely have heard the most recent news regarding the USPS and the Trump Administration’s plan to take over the USPS. Please see the attached message from NALC President, Brian Renfroe.
https://x.com/brianrenfroe19/status/1892930249643458814?s=46&t=f99yGb8gQd9jI1vL9Lz7Kg
Dan Versluis
National Business Agent
NALC Region 4
posted 2-25-2025
Sisters and brothers:
NALC released a statement regarding reports from The Washington Post that President Donald Trump plans to issue an executive order firing the members of the Postal Board of Governors and placing the agency under the control of the Commerce Department. Visit the link below to read the statement.
We also urge you to immediately make a call to Speaker Johnson @ 202-225-2777, and tell him to put a stop to this!
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 2-19-2025
Greetings:
The NALC Executive Council met today to consider the progress made during the 15-day negotiation period that followed the reopening of contract negotiations with the Postal Service on Feb. 3, pursuant to Article 16 of the NALC Constitution. The Council voted unanimously to not agree to terms with the Postal Service that would have produced a modified tentative agreement to be sent to eligible members for a second ratification vote. NALC has notified USPS officials that we are now at impasse on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement.
The parties’ ongoing dispute over terms of a new agreement will now be decided in the interest arbitration process. The parties have selected Arbitrator Dennis R. Nolan to serve as the chair of the three-person arbitration panel. Information on hearing dates for interest arbitration will be shared as soon as the schedule is confirmed.
See the link below for more:
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
Posted 2-18-2025
Greetings:
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is planning to step down from his role, and is calling on the Postal Service Board of Governors to start looking for his successor.
Visit the link below for the full story:
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
posted 2-12-2025
Greetings:
USPS notified NALC of future sites they have identified for conversion to S&DCs during 2025-2027. USPS indicates that there is no anticipated relocation/insourcing of additional spoke offices into the sites on this list, however, this is subject to change based on future studies. See the list below for planned sites:
The list immediately below includes the S&DC sites and locations planned to launch April 19, 2025:
SURPRISE AZ S&DC
SUN CITY - SURPRISE BRANCH 14955 W BELL RD SURPRISE AZ 85374
The list immediately below includes the S&DC sites and locations planned to launch July 26, 2025:
FORT COLLINS CO S&OC
FORT COLLINS - MAIN OFFICE 301 BOARDWALK DR FORT COLLINS CO 80525
The list immediately below includes the S&DC sites and locations planned to launch May 16, 2026:
LAKEWOOD CO S&DC
DENVER • LAKEWOOD BRANCH 10799 W ALAMEDA AVE LAKEWOOD CO 80226
The list immediately below includes the S&DC sites and locations planned to launch July 11, 2026:
BOULDER CO S&DC
BOULDER - VALMONT STATION 299555THST BOULDER CO 80301
CENTENNIAL CO S&DC
AURORA - TOWER STATION 18555 E SMOKY HILL RO CENTENNIAL CO 80015
The list immediately below includes the S&DC sites and locations planned to launch September 5, 2026:
AURORA CO S&DC
16890 E ALAMEDA AURORA - MAIN OFFICE PKWY AURORA CO 80017
LITTLETON CO HIGHLANDS S&DC 9609 S UNIVERSITY
LITTLETON - HIGHLANDS RANCH BRANCH BLVD LITTLETON CO 80130
The list immediately below includes the S&DC sites and locations planned to launch October 31, 2026:
SPRINGDALE AR S&DC
SPRINGDALE - MAIN OFFICE 2811 SPRINGDALE AVE SPRINGDALE AR 72764
FLAGSTAFF AZ S&DC
FLAGSTAFF - MAIN OFFICE 2400 N POSTAL BLVD FLAGSTAFF AZ 86004
LITTLETON CO KEN CARYL RANCH S&DC
LITTLETON - KEN CARYL RANCH BRANCH 8200 SHAFFER PKWY LITTLETON CO 80127
The list immediately below includes the S&DC sites and locations planned to launch March 20, 2027:
LAKE HAVASU CITY AZ S&DC 1750 MCCULLOCH BLVD
LAKE HAVASU ClTY - MAIN OFFICE N LAKE HAVASU CITY AZ 86403
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
Posted on 02-07-2025
Greetings:
Yesterday, bipartisan lawmakers in the House and Senate reintroduced the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (POLCA) (H.R. 1065/S.463). Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Greg Landsman (D-OH) introduced the House version, and Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) co-led the Senate version.
The bills are identical to the House and Senate versions introduced last Congress and include three measures to deter the increasing crimes and assaults committed against letter carriers on the job:
$7 billion in funding (appropriated over five years) to replace and modernize postal infrastructure that criminals often seek out.
Designation for an assistant district attorney in each judicial district to prioritize cases involving an assault against a letter carrier in a timely manner.
Standardizing sentencing guidelines for those who are found guilty of committing these crimes.
Please visit the link below for more information, and the links to take action and the fact sheet:
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
Posted 2-07-2025
Greetings:
Just over one month into 2025, it is clear that our 280,000 members have a fight on our hands this year. From the founding of our union 135 years ago until now, NALC members have fought like hell for everything we have achieved and against every attack that has come our way. This year will be no different. We are ready to fight like hell.
Our most pressing fight is our ongoing fight for a fair contract. While we continue the fight for a fair contract, we’re also fighting to defend the health care and retirement benefits we’ve earned.
We’re still fighting against the heinous crimes and assaults we see committed against letter carriers nearly every day. The fight for safety doesn’t stop at ending the crimes and assaults against our members. We need a national heat safety standard to protect us, and all workers, who are exposed to extreme heat. We will fight like hell until the Department of Labor’s proposed rule is passed.
We’ll be in the fight against privatization until every member of Congress co-sponsors H.Res. 70.
The Federal Retirement Fairness Act, which would allow eligible letter carriers to buy back this time, will be reintroduced soon. We will fight like hell to get this bill passed so we can achieve retirement fairness for all letter carriers.
Let’s stand together in this fight and put up a united front!
NALC invites you to join us as at the Fight Like Hell! kickoff event in Washington, DC, at NALC Headquarters on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. This event will bring NALC members and allies together to demonstrate our strength and commitment to securing what we deserve. It’s a chance to unite, make our voices heard, and send a powerful message that we are ready to stand strong in this fight.
See the link below for full details and to download the event flyer:
https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/fight-like-hell
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
Posted 2-07-2025
Greetings:
Sorry to hit you with so much this morning but I figured we can all use a little good news!
Please see the link below for the U.S. Postal Service Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Results:
In untiy,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
POSTED 1-31-2025
Greetings:
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has created a web page for updates and frequently asked questions regarding the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which was signed into law on Jan. 5.
The law requires the SSA to adjust benefits for more than 3 million people affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Under the law, December 2023 was the last month that the WEP and GPO applied.
In the latest update, the agency said it expects it could take more than a year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits. Funding, staffing shortages, and an ongoing hiring freeze are all factors in the implementation process.
The web page also advised that the SSA’s national 800-number has an automated message about the law’s application. Waiting to speak with a representative will not provide further information at this time. Thousands of daily callers continue to wait for a representative, ultimately slowing down workflow and implementation efforts.
Please visit the link below to find the link for the SSA web page as well as the link for affected retirees to subscribe to receive the latest updates.
https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/social-security-fairness-act-implementation-information
NALC will keep letter carriers updated as more information is available.
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
POSTED ON 1-31-2025
Greetings:
NALC President Brian L. Renfroe issued the following statement:
We are aware of a document that has been circulating on the internet that appears to be a letter from USPS Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino regarding communication between USPS and NALC about the likely outcome of the counting of ratification ballots. That document is fake. Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino did not author or distribute the document.
Additionally, the 15-member Ballot Committee, chaired by Paul Roznowski of Branch 3126, Royal Oak, MI, has released the following statement:
On January 27, the Ballot Committee, working with Survey and Ballot Systems of Eagan, MN, took receipt of the returned ballots from the Post Office and later began the tabulation process. The count of ratification ballots is still ongoing and there is no result or count of any kind available at this time.
Once the tabulation process is complete, the results will be certified by the Ballot Committee and furnished to the membership and the NALC president in accordance with the NALC Constitution.
The above is available at the link below:
In unity,
John Robles
Regional Administrative Assistant
NALC Region 4
POSTED 1-31-2025
Greetings:
On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum (PM) instituting a hiring freeze on federal civilian employment. The Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management issued a memorandum to provide guidance regarding the PM. The guidance includes the following:
“4. Other exemptions. For the following exemptions, hiring of veterans may be prioritized. In addition, the following exemptions to the Federal civilian hiring freeze are permitted:
…
d. Hiring by the U.S. Postal Service.”
The Postal Service is exempt from the hiring freeze. Veterans’ preference is not altered and will continue in accordance with applicable laws and postal regulations.
See the link below:
https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/omb-and-opm-confirm-usps-exempt-from-hiring-freeze
In Unity,
John
