Volume 134/Number 2 February 2021 In this issue President’s Message 1 Branch Election Notices 81 Special issue LETTER CARRIER POLITICAL FUND The monthly journal of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS ANARCHY at NALC’s doorstep— PAGE 1 { InstallInstall thethe freefree NALCNALC MemberMember AppApp forfor youryour iPhoneiPhone oror AndroidAndroid smartphonesmartphone As technology increases our ability to communicate, NALC must stay ahead of the curve. We’ve now taken the next step with the NALC Member App for iPhone and Android smartphones. The app was de- veloped with the needs of letter carriers in mind. The app’s features include: • Workplace resources, including the National • Instantaneous NALC news with Agreement, JCAM, MRS and CCA resources personalized push notifications • Interactive Non-Scheduled Days calendar and social media access • Legislative tools, including bill tracker, • Much more individualized congressional representatives and PAC information GoGo to to the the App App Store Store oror GoogleGoogle Play Play and and search search forfor “NALC “NALC Member Member App”App” toto install install for for free free President’s Message Anarchy on NALC’s doorstep have always taken great These developments have left our nation shaken. Our polit- pride in the NALC’s head- ical divisions are raw, and there now is great uncertainty about quarters, the Vincent R. the future. This will certainly complicate our efforts to advance Sombrotto Building. It sits our legislative agenda in the now-restored U.S. Capitol. But kitty-corner to the United there is reason for hope. IStates Capitol, a magnificent First, we should take solace in the fact that the attack on our and inspiring structure that has democracy utterly failed. After order was restored later that eve- become a global symbol of free- ning, a joint session of Congress reconvened and certified the dom and democracy. Our head- results of the 2020 election by accepting the votes of the Elec- quarters places us in the heart of toral College. As this magazine goes to press, President-elect our nation’s capital and provides Biden and Vice President-elect Harris will be inaugurated next a platform to make the voices week on Jan. 20. of our members heard in Wash- Second, the terrible news of Jan. 6 overshadowed a truly his- ington, DC. On Jan. 6, I watched toric and positive conclusion to the runoff elections for two U.S. in disgust and horror from my Senate seats in Georgia on Jan. 5. The election of two Demo- eighth-floor office as a riotous crats, the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, to the Senate mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, in- with a record turnout for a runoff election—facilitated by vote- terrupting the certification of the by-mail—showed that our pluralistic democracy has consider- election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris by the Electoral College. able underlying strength. I know that many of our Republican Fredric V. Over the years, I have seen members in Georgia were disappointed by the results, but the Rolando countless protests, demonstra- pickup of two seats in the Peach State does shift control of the tions and rallies on the grounds Senate to a majority leader who supports the NALC’s legisla- of the Capitol—and NALC has participated in our fair share of tive agenda. Progress on postal reform has been blocked by them. Such exercises of our First Amendment rights as citi- the former leadership in the Senate for years; now we finally zens to petition our government for redress are fundamental have a chance to mobilize a bipartisan majority in Congress to to our system of government. But what happened on Jan. 6 strengthen the U.S. Postal Service, a beloved institution that was not a peaceful protest or a principled example of civil binds our nation together in so many ways. In this moment of disobedience. It was a traitorous assault on our country’s in- pandemic fatigue, recession and political polarization, never stitutions, less than two blocks from our building. The rioters have such institutions been more important. constructed gallows and hung a noose. They smashed win- I am not naïve. Our society, our economy and our democ- dows and doors, attacked police officers, ransacked the Capi- racy have deep-seated problems that require fundamental tol, and even threatened to hang Vice President Mike Pence. reforms. We must work in good faith with each other, recom- Six people, including two police officers, lost their lives. mit ourselves to democratic values, engage in honest debate The attack was a disgraceful betrayal of our democracy, based on common facts, and find a way to see our fellow our elected officials and the law enforcement personnel who Americans as brothers and sisters—despite our differences. protect them. That it was incited by the outgoing president of That is what we do in the NALC and in the labor movement. the United States, who claimed that the presidential election And that is what we need to do in the country as a whole. had been marred by fraud and irregularities, makes it even more appalling. As I noted in a statement I issued on that day: We congratulate President Joe Biden and Vice President “Letter carriers, like our fellow American citizens, are diverse, Kamala Harris on their inauguration. NALC vows to work with opinionated and passionate about their values and politics, them and both parties in Congress to repair our country and to which NALC appreciates and celebrates. But a line has been overcome the general crisis we face. President Biden’s capac- crossed that can never be excused, accepted or repeated.” ity to work with leaders in both parties to make progress and build unity is needed now more than ever. We urge congres- The U.S. Capitol riot has added to the crisis our country sional leaders to work with him to overcome the poisonous faces—on the day of the insurrection, 4,000 more Americans partisanship that has plagued our country for so long. died from the COVID-19 virus as we entered what are likely to I hope that every member of our union will join me in doing be the deadliest months of the pandemic. A few days later, our part to heal the deep divisions that led to the tragedy at the U.S. Department of Labor reported the loss of 140,000 the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. That is how we can move the country jobs in December, pointing to a stalling of the economic re- forward. covery from the coronavirus-induced recession. A week after the attack, a bipartisan majority of the House of Representa- tives voted to impeach President Trump for a second time, for his role in inciting the riot at the Capitol. February 2021 The Postal Record 1 Cover illustration by Jim Starr National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO Contents Since 1889, representing city letter carriers employed by the United States Postal Service. Volume 134/Number 2 February 2021 100 Indiana Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001-2144 202-393-4695 | nalc.org RESIDENT OFFICERS FREDRIC V. ROLANDO MANUEL L. PERALTA JR. President Director of Safety and Health BRIAN RENFROE DAN TOTH The monthly journal of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LETTER CARRIERS Executive Vice President Director of Retired Members LEW DRASS JAMES W. “JIM” YATES Vice President Director of Life Insurance NICOLE RHINE Mutual Benefit Association Secretary-Treasurer 202-638-4318 PAUL BARNER STEPHANIE M. STEWART Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Director, Health Benefit Plan CHRISTOPHER JACKSON Health Benefit Plan Director of City Delivery 888-636-6252 BOARD OF TRUSTEES LAWRENCE D. BROWN JR. 774 Valencia Street Los Angeles, CA 90017 MIKE GILL MACK I. JULION 18682 SW 93 Court 3850 S. Wabash Ave. Cutler Bay, FL 33157 Chicago, IL 60653 NATIONAL BUSINESS AGENTS Region 1: BRYANT ALMARIO Region 9: LYNNE PENDLETON (California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam) (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, 3105 E. Guasti Road, Suite 200 South Carolina) Ontario, CA 91761 1101 Northchase Parkway SE, Suite 3 909-443-7450 Marietta, GA 30067 678-942-5295 4 Region 2: NICK VAFIADES (Alaska, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Region 10: JAVIER BERNAL Oregon, Washington) (New Mexico, Texas) 5115 NE 94th Ave., Suite A 23760 Hwy. 59 North Departments Features Vancouver, WA 98662 Kingwood, TX 77339 360-892-6545 281-540-5627 1 President’s Message 4 Ballots mailed to members Region 3: MICHAEL B. CAREF Region 11: MARK CAMILLI 3 Letter from the Editor Ballots for the election to ratify (Illinois) (Upstate New York, Ohio) 4979 Indiana Ave., Suite 203 5445 Beavercrest Drive, Suite 7 4 News/Cost-of-living adjustment the tentative 2019-2023 National Lisle, IL 60532-3848 Lorain, OH 44053 6 Proud to Serve Agreement between NALC and 630-743-5320 440-282-4340 8 Letter Carrier Political Fund USPS should now be in members’ Region 4: DAN VERSLUIS Region 12: BRIAN THOMPSON 79 Honor Roll hands and must be received by (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, (Pennsylvania, South and Central Oklahoma, Wyoming) New Jersey) 80 In Memoriam Feb. 16 to be counted 12015 E. 46th Ave., Suite 550 Four Neshaminy Interplex, Suite 111 81 Mutual Exchange ads/ Denver, CO 80239 Trevose, PA 19053 6 Carriers who are proud to serve 720-828-6840 215-824-4826 Election Notices We recognize carriers who have Region 5: MICHAEL BIRKETT Region 13: VADA E. PRESTON (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas) (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West helped those in need on their 1828 Craig Road Virginia, Washington, DC) routes and in their communities St. Louis, MO 63146 P.O. Box 2660 314-985-8040 Ashburn, VA 20146 703-840-2010 8 Letter Carrier Political Fund Region 6: TROY CLARK NALC celebrates members who (Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan) Region 14: RICHARD J.