Monday, February 3, 2025
NALC tentative agreement not ratified
Negotiations to reopen for 15 days
Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers failed to ratify the tentative agreement with the Postal Service reached in October 2024.
The union and the Postal Service have agreed to reopen negotiations for a period of 15 days.
The parties will continue to follow the current agreement until a new contract is reached either through negotiations or the interest arbitration process.
The NALC represents more than 200,000 employees nationwide.
Heroes
A last-ditch call for help
This carrier aided a customer trapped under his lawn mower
Rural Carrier Connie Durbin was recently delivering mail to a residence in Stanford, KY, when she heard a cry for help.
The Postal Service employee walked around the home and found a customer lying in a steep ditch under his riding lawn mower, which had rolled over during a turn.
The man had been trapped for more than an hour and was beginning to lose energy — and hope.
The customer said he began to pray right before Durbin drove up. He then yelled as loud as he could to get Durbin’s attention.
The rural carrier called 911 and stayed with the customer until paramedics arrived to lift the mower and treat the customer for multiple injuries.
The man had several broken bones, back fractures and a large gash to the head. He is recovering from the accident.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
February is American Heart Month
There are several ways to improve your cardiovascular well-being
February is American Heart Month, and the USPS Benefits and Wellness team is encouraging employees to focus on cardiovascular health.
Heart disease is largely preventable, yet it is the leading cause of death in the United States. One person dies from heart disease every 33 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Risk factors include having high blood pressure or high cholesterol; a history of smoking; and being overweight. Nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of heart disease.
These preventative measures can help reduce the risk of heart disease:
• Avoid smoking;
• Eat a healthy diet;
• Do 30 minutes of physical activity at least five days per week; and
• Get your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose checked regularly.
The CDC website has more information.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Jan. 26-Feb. 1
A philatelic voyage, a mail handler’s fighting spirit and the L.A. fires made news
A journey of 444 Post Offices began with one stamp.
Last week, Link brought you the story of a Maine couple who set out to get the 2010 Winslow Homer stamp hand-canceled at every Post Office in their adopted home state.
The project gave them a renewed appreciation for the Postal Service.
In rural Maine, Post Offices are “kind of the social hub and fabric of the town,” Margit Ahlin said. “It’s remarkable in this day and age that there’s one thing that can bring people together like that.”
“On the Job” profiled Marty Mieras, a veteran and military programs specialist for USPS who also likes to bring people together. “I still see myself as a sergeant major keeping my troops informed,” he said.
“Off the Clock” spotlighted how Dillon Holiday, a Manasota, FL, mail handler, overcame injuries sustained during a promising college football career to become a mixed martial arts fighter, and “Heroes” highlighted Connie Durbin, a rural carrier in Stanford, KY, who rescued a badly wounded man trapped in a steep ditch.
We also shared the latest USPS news, including the release of the new Black Heritage stamp honoring New Orleans musician and composer Allen Toussaint, and a reminder from the ethics team not to use credit cards for personal expenses.
Additionally, we offered an update on postal operations following the fires that sparked in and around Los Angeles last month.
The good news: The number of closed Post Offices dropped to four, down from six.
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What's included
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NALC tentative agreement not ratified
Negotiations to reopen for 15 days
-
Heroes
A last-ditch call for help
This carrier aided a customer trapped under his lawn mower
-
February is American Heart Month
There are several ways to improve your cardiovascular well-being
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Jan. 26-Feb. 1
A philatelic voyage, a mail handler’s fighting spirit and the L.A. fires made news