AN OPEN LETTER TO NPMHU OFFICERS, STEWARDS, AND MEMBERS John F. Hegarty
Mark A. Gardner
National President
Secretary-Treasurer
Dear Brothers and Sisters... Let me take this final opportunity to again thank all of you for your efforts on behalf of the NPMHU over the years. Whether you are a long term Officer or Steward, a relatively new MHA, or somewhere in between, you are very much appreciated as a valuable part of this organization. As I prepare for retirement, I reflect back on thirty years of Brotherhood and Sisterhood within the NPMHU. It has been a wonderful career, while working on the workroom floor in Springfield, MA with my fellow mail handlers, in my ten years as the President of Local 301, and during these past thirteen years in Washington DC. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have worked with the most dedicated and talented group of people that I’ve ever met.
Moving on to the next chapter in my life, let me wish you continued success going forward. You have a great organization in place to keep this Union moving forward, and our leadership team is second to none. Again, congratulations to our new President, Paul Hogrogian, and to Northeast Regional Vice President Dave Wilkin. They, along with the rest of the National Executive Board, will be working hard on your behalf. Take good care, and may God Bless you, and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. In Solidarity,
John F. Hegarty, National President
ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES If you have ever experienced any doubt about the importance of the commonly used phrase, “Elections Have Consequences,” you are encouraged to read the Republican-proposed FY 2016 Budget Resolution, H. Con. Res. 27, which is posted at www.npmhu.org. This non-binding House Resolution has set the stage for a laundry list of devastating benefit reductions that the House majority would like to impose on federal and postal employees. These cutbacks on health and retirement benefits are being championed as part of a $6 trillion savings package that could place an unprecedented share of deficit reduction on the backs of federal and postal employees -- both active and retired -- amounting to more than $300 billion over the next 10 years. The NPMHU has joined with 28 other federal and postal employee and retiree organizations, as members
NPMHU URGES PARTICIPATION IN THE “GR AND ALLIANCE” The NPMHU continues to work with the APWU, the NALC, and the NRLCA, as well as other like-minded organizations through “A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service.” This Alliance is a comprehensive coalition of national organizations, including labor unions, civil rights groups, religious organizations and progressive policy advocates, all of which support high-quality public services for all Americans. The Grand Alliance is standing unified – in opposition to the unparalleled assaults being waged against the Postal Service from those who would like to dismantle and privatize it. We believe a strong public Postal Service is our democratic right and legislative obligation to the American public. We are fighting to protect and enhance these services for now and many generations to come. Individuals are encouraged to support the fight by signing the pledge to protect and enhance the public Postal Service. Visit www.AGrandAlliance.org to find out more.
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of the Federal-Postal Coalition, in calling upon House Members to defeat the Republican budget resolution. The House budget resolution specifically proposes the following benefit reductions: 1) FERS-covered federal and postal employees would contribute more toward their retirement benefits, paying an additional 6% with no increased benefit; 2) The “special retirement supplement” that pays benefits to FERS retirees who retire before they hit the age of eligibility for Social Security would be terminated; 3) The federal and postal workforce would be forced to make greater employee and retiree contributions toward health insurance premiums, whereby postal employees would be required to pay the same share of health and life insurance premiums as do federal employees, effectively stripping them of their right to bargain with the Postal Service over such terms; 4) The rate of return for the
most popular G fund within the Thrift Savings Plan would be reduced. In addition, the House budget resolution also would support “greater flexibility” by the Postal Service to pursue changes in the frequency and type of mail delivery— while supporting a 10-percent reduction in the size of the Federal civilian workforce in most agencies, permitting the hiring of only one employee for every three who leave federal service. And finally, the bill would establish a high-five salary average for federal and postal pensions, effectively reducing every employees’ retirement benefits. All Members are urged to write to their elected representatives if they are interested in helping to stop or limit this attack on future benefits. See the NPMHU Legislative Center at www.npmhu.org
AFL-CIO TO OBSERVE WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY Every year on April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers Memorial Day, to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to renew our efforts for safe workplaces. The struggle continues this year, as always, to create good jobs in this country that are safe and healthy and pay fair wages. All workers should be free to form unions and, through their unions, to speak out and bargain for respect and a better future. It’s time for our country to fulfill the promise of safe jobs for all. Four decades ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. That Act was finally applied to the Postal Service in 1998. Unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality – winning protections that have made jobs safer, saved hundreds of thousands of lives, and prevented millions of workplace injuries and illnesses. But our work is not done. Many job hazards are unregulated and uncontrolled. Some employers
cut corners and violate the law, putting workers in serious danger and costing lives. Workers who report job hazards or job injuries are fired or disciplined. Employers contract out dangerous work to try to avoid responsibility. As a result, each year thousands of workers are killed and millions more injured or diseased because of their jobs.
It’s time for our country to fulfill the promise of safe jobs for all. On April 28, please remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and please renew the fight for safe workplaces. Speak out for safe jobs. Materials related to the AFL-CIO 2015 Workers Memorial Day can be accessed and downloaded at the member resources tab at www.npmhu.org.
April 2015