PRESIDENT’S REPORT

NO RETREAT, BABY, NO

National Postal Mail SURRENDER Handlers Union National Executive Board Dear Members, JOHN F. HEGARTY, National President

John F. Hegarty ’ve borrowed the title of my quarterly bulletin boards. In calling for meaning- National President report from the lyrics of a Bruce ful Congressional action, I made the Springsteen song. I think it’s apropos obvious point: “Mail Handlers and other Mark A. Gardner I given the ongoing battles that we face. postal employees have contributed to the Secretary-Treasurer In prior columns I have reported on rejuvenation of the Postal Service. The Jefferson C. Peppers III postal reform legislation, the misguided question must be asked, what have other Vice President Central Region efforts by the Postal Service to “downsize stake-holders (including Congress and to survive,” and the continuing attacks on the major mailers) contributed?” Please Kevin L. Fletcher stay tuned for further information in the Vice President Eastern Region our work by the private sector. I see no need to repeat myself here, but be aware ongoing debate, and feel free to check our Paul V. Hogrogian that all of those issues are still pend- legislative page on the web site for a full Vice President Northeastern Region ing, and could have a detrimental effect discussion on all of the legislative issues that are currently pending. Lawrence B. Sapp on our jobs. Vice President Southern Region Over the summer, we teamed up with our Brothers and Sisters in the APWU, Rudy Santos and asked you to get involved, at the Vice President Western Region “Mail Handlers grass-roots level, in contacting your Senators and Representatives regarding The Mail Handler, ISSN:1098-5689, is published pending postal reform legislation. For and other postal quarterly by the National Postal Mail Handlers those who took the time to get involved Union, 1101 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite in this effort, Thank You. Just as an 500, Washington, DC 20036. Periodicals postage employees have paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing update, first on September 19, 2013, and offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes again on September 26, 2013, the Senate to The Mail Handler, 1101 Connecticut Avenue, Committee on Homeland Security and contributed to the N.W. Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036 Copyright Governmental Affairs held hearings 2013: National Postal Mail Handlers Union. All about the Postal Service and the need rights reserved. Reproduction without permis- rejuvenation of the sion is prohibited. The Mail Handler is published for reform. I was asked to testify on for the members of our union. For additional September 26, and did so on your behalf. copies please send $2.00 to: National Postal My testimony has been posted on our Postal Service.” Mail Handlers Union—National Headquarters, web site at www.npmhu.com, and is also 1101 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500 the subject of the October Mail Handler Washington, DC 20036, (202) 833-9095 Update, which should be posted on your

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19290_MHFall13.indd 3 10/24/13 12:54 PM “Please continue to

The Article 12 Task Force, first estab- retirement program, however, the Postal stay active and lished under our 2006 National Agreement, Service must bargain with the Union. The continues to do great work in the field bottom line is this: I have no reason to hold assisting Local Union representatives in any information on early retirement offers the myriad issues that arise under the con- close to the vest. When I know, you will stay engaged tract as it relates to reassignments, senior- know, plain and simple. ity, retreats rights, and all of the other In closing, please continue to stay active issues encompassed within Article 12. Most and stay engaged in all of the critical issues in all of the of the work of the Task Force has con- facing us. As the busy mailing season con- centrated on closings and consolidations, tinues, be sure to work safely, and enjoy and the resulting reassignments. We all the upcoming holidays with your friends should thank the Article 12 Task Force and families. critical issues members—National Manager of Contract But as always, no retreat, baby, . Administration T. J. Branch; Northeastern Regional Vice President and Local 300 Fraternally facing us.” President Paul Hogrogian; National Contract Administration Representative Tim Dwyer, and all of our other CAD members who work on these issues. A question I am asked quite often is John F. Hegarty whether there will be another “early-out” National President for Mail Handlers? The answer for today is no. The reason I say “for today” is that the Postal Service has, in the past, said no more early outs, and then gone ahead and offered one anyway. Keep in mind that USPS can offer an early retirement with- out incentives at almost any time, without full bargaining with the Union. If there are to be any incentives attached to an early

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