The Senate came out with a bill S1789. That bill has some good points but a lot of the points once again will change the Post Office as you know it. Bill S1789 and bill H.R. 2309 are not good for us. We strongly urge you to call your Congressman and Senator and complain that these two bills are not good for the American people, just like in the 1970's when letter carriers told Congress, "Enough is enough!" That's why we motivated everyone to acquire petitions. In that regard, Branch 36 was firstrate once again. We collected 48,000 signatures on petitions to send to Washington, D.C. We took the lead in 1970 and it looks like we are going to take the lead in 2011. We need EVERYONE to be an E-Activist so that they can get this information firsthand from the NALC and react to it immediately.

November 20, 2011 is the end of our national contract. By the time this article is published, we will know if we have a contract or not. This is the last article for this year. For any additional information, I suggest you go to the NALC website.

It's OPEN SEASON at this time for the health benefits, The NALC Health Plan is an excellent plan. It is the letter carriers' plan. Letter carriers own it. The health plan is under Cigna OAP Providers. Every letter carrier should have received a package from the Health Benefit plan. You will find out that the NALC plan is cheaper and has some of the doctors you are currently using. Single (Self Only) you pay $54.04 bi-weekly. For self and family, you pay $105.16 bi-weekly. This plan may offer more benefits and discounts.

GOOD NEWS FOR RETIREES! Retirees will receive a 3.6% increase as CSRS annuitants and an increase of 2.6% for FERS annuitants for 2012.

Branch 36 held its annual Dinner-Dance on November 13th at the Marina del Rey. It was a dinner-dance that should not have been missed. It provided an excellent and enjoyable fun afternoon for postal workers and their families near and far, to come together before the upcoming holidays send each of us our separate ways until next year. Look for the next Dinner-Dance and you should join Branch 36 for this wonderful social event.

Thanksgiving is upon us and I hope everyone gives thanks for our health and strength, which we'll need for the approaching fight we will have in order to save our Postal Service the way America knows it.

I would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a safe New Year. May the New Year 2012 bring us a brighter day. Until 2012 when the publication of the Outlook resumes, I hope to have far better news to relate.

Now is the time for Branch 36 and the NALC to get back to the issues at hand and work as one. Once again there were a lot of rumors over the summer regarding the Postal Service not meeting its budget. Some of the rumors are true. The Postal Service does have a problem meeting its budget, but it is not due to the internet nor is it because of low mail volume. Rather, it is due to the Postal Service not being able to prefund future retirees' health benefit fund. It is about the $5.5 billion dollars the Postal Service has been made obligated to prefund to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as mandated by Congress.

The bill, H.R. 1351 will free the Postal Service up and give it new direction. The Postal Service would not have to close any post offices or cut any jobs. This bill will also save the six-day delivery which every American is accustomed to and needs. This is the Postal Service way of taking care of every family in America, no matter where they live. No other mail agency does this on a daily basis. The Postal Service handles "the last mile" for Fed-Ex and U.P.S.

It is our responsibility to call our Congressional representative to make sure bill H.R. 1351 is passed when it comes up for a vote. It is time that letter carriers pass this information around to our families, our friends, and the public we serve. America is the Postal Service.

On September 27th we had a nation-wide demonstration across America to inform the public as to how to save the Postal Service and how we can eliminate the problems. We demonstrated in front of 435 Congressional districts across the country. Once again we need every letter carrier to become an e-Activist, so that each person can get this information firsthand in case we need to call Congress. All you need is an e-mail address to become an e-activist.

This bill is not a bailout because the Postal Service does not take or use any taxpayer monies. We rely on our revenue from the sale of stamps and other postal services.

On August 18th we started negotiating a new national contract for the letter carriers. At this time we have no news from the negotiation. We should have some news by November 20th, which is the date marking the end of our present contract.

On a good note, ten TEs whose employment was terminated on June 10th have been reinstated providing they pass the physical and other testing requirements. This reinstatement took place as the result of the successful grievance that was filed on their behalf by the union.

Here are some events to be aware of with Branch 36. The MDA event, which is a Bowl-a-Thon, will be held at two locations. One location is Harlem Lanes on 126th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., and Bowl-Mor on 110 University Place (betw. 12th and 13th Sts.) in New York City. All retirees, whether you bowl or don't bowl are welcome. This is a M.D.A. fundraiser. Each bowler is asked to raise $75.00 in donations, which includes refreshments and bowling shoes. You need to call the Branch office at (212) 239-3901 for more info. Another event is one of the best events of Branch 36, which is the 35th Annual Dinner-Dance. This is for letter carriers, their families and friends. This event is given at the Marina del Rey in the Bronx on November 13, 2011, from 11:30 to 4:30. Tickets cost $75.00 per person. Most people who attend, always return. For more info, get in touch with the Branch office for more ticket information.

Until next time everybody, as always, I look forward to providing you with more information about Postal Service events taking place.

Every active letter carrier should go on payroll deduction and contribute no less than $1.00 out of their paycheck to go to COLCPE. We have to put our friends back in Congress and recruit new friends. We need people in Congress who will benefit us. There are some people in Congress who are trying to cripple the middle class jobs. That's why, once again, contributing one dollar to COLCPE is not much to give toward insuring your future in the Postal Service and protecting your lifestyle and your family.

Under the Joint Alternate Route Adjustment Process (JARAP) Data Integrity, all managers should post the previous day's work hours, workload report for all routes. In some stations management feels that they do not have to honor this. The Postmaster has sent out e-mails to every manager in stations to post this report. If your station management refuses to post this report, get in touch with Branch 36 and your steward to file grievances.

Branch 36 would like to thank all the letter carriers and stations that participated in our Annual Food Drive by bringing in food, collecting food, and purchasing Food Drive tee shirts. We were able to bring in 75,900 pounds of food to help families in their time of need.

To retirees, we are looking forward to seeing you at the Branch 36 Old Timers' Retirees Brunch which will take place at the Hard Rock Café at 43rd Street and Seventh Ave. on September 11, 2011.

I would like to remind every carrier that your steward will be coming around to collect $3.00 for the journal ad for the Branch 36 Annual Dinner-Dance. The ads support the eyeglasses and scholarship programs for letter carriers and their families. The dinnerdance will take place November 13, 2011 at the Marina del Rey. The cost will be $75.00 this year for a great letter carriers' dance.

In the month of September the final and last cost of living adjustment agreement under the National Agreement will be $1,019.00. The retirees in 2012 will receive an adjustment of 3.4%.

Until next time everybody, as always, I look forward to providing you with more information about events taking place in the Postal Service.

JARAP (Joint Alternative Route Adjustment Process) is still alive, except now, the routes have more force than they did in the last consultations. One of the key changes are the 3999s. Now any 3999 that was done after March 22, 2011 must be reviewed by the carrier and the supervisor within three days after someone has walked with you.

Management must give you a copy of your 3999 if you ask for it. If there were any changes made or any information on it that you do not agree with such as the reference volume you took out that day or the way the walk was conducted, you have the right to make note of that in your consultation. Letter carriers, you should be familiar with your rights and protect your routes because that is a big part of these proceedings. Now management must post the workload report on the bulletin board for all carriers to see on a daily basis. All managers were informed of this.

We have had two more MDA fundraisers. One was the comedy show and the other was the Texas Hold 'Em. We would like to thank every carrier who participated in these two events.

Once again the NALC Food Drive was conducted from May 7th through May 14th. We had a great turnout from the stations that participated. A lot of the stations participated by buying T-shirts. The officers at Branch 36 want to thank all those who participated. To succeed in these meaningful events we need to act as one, with solidarity.

The next event will be the Branch 36 Day at Citifield, which takes place on Father's Day, June 19, 2011. The tickets cost $20.00, which gives you a ticket, a T-shirt and a Mets trinket. We always have a great turnout, so call and get your tickets either for individuals or groups. If you want your station to sit together, order in block. Sizes of T-shirts are limited. First come, first served. Everyone will get a T-shirt. Call early to get your size.

Remember, our Annual Dinner-Dance is held on November 13, 2011. Shop stewards will be asking for $3 from every carrier for the journal ad. This is the letter carriers' dance and all letter carriers should support it. The journal ads support the scholarships and the eyeglass plan.

Until next time everybody, as always, I look forward to providing you with
more information about events taking place within the Postal Service.

In the Postal Service, within the last three months, three letter carriers were robbed and assaulted in the Morrisania section of the Bronx. Carriers have always been respected in the community and were protected by all. These attacks do not make sense, but because of the crises taking place around the world, you cannot take anything for granted. Carriers have always been the eyes and ears for the community, but now we need to be the eyes and ears for ourselves. Parcel Post drivers should look out for letter
carriers. We know the community and we know when things are out of place. Pay attention! Even though daylight savings time began this month, all of these robberies were done in the daytime. These criminal acts brought media attention, which aired on Tuesday, March 15th at 12:00 p.m. on Channel 2 News.

Carriers, if you happen to be one of the unfortunate ones that get put into the grievance procedure, these are some of your rights: you have the right to ask for a shop steward, you have the right to sit in on a PDI and sit in on our informal step process of the grievance procedure. DO NOT give up these rights because this is the last time you will have these rights. Make sure your shop steward knows that you want to attend the informal hearings. DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS.

TE employees who were hired in October, November, December, and January are eligible for the uniform allowance. Go to your supervisors and ask for your vouchers. If there are any problems, go see your steward.

There are no cost of living calculations for this quarter again.

Here are some events that will be taking place in the next couple of months. There will be a Branch 36 Comedy Show for MDA on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at $40.00 per person. This includes open bar, buffet, comedy show and after-party. Call the Branch for tickets. Speak to Tony Ortiz at 212-239-3901. The next event is the NALC Food Drive which takes up an entire week at Branch 36. That will be the week of May 7th through May 14th. If you or individuals in your station would like to purchase Food Drive T-shirts, you should call Branch 36. The T-shirts cost $12. The money from the T-shirts will be donated to the Food Drive

The last event, coming up for now, will be Branch 36's Day at Citi Field.
This event takes place on Father's Day, June 19th. Tickets will cost $20.00 once again. This includes a T-shirt, a ticket and a trinket. Order early to ensure acquiring your T-shirt size and availability of a seat for the game. You can order in groups or individually.

Until next time everybody, I look forward to providing you with more information about future Events and things going on within the Postal Service.

Letter carriers must be prepared for changes and the challenges we are about to face in the future. We are due for a new contract because our current contract will expire in November, 2011. The Postal Service is still making bad decisions by not informing the public of the real reasons we are not making money. The letter carriers are making strides to change relationships with the business community. Letter carriers are building a stronger relationship with the business community by informing them of the many services offered to them through Customer Connect. Since the start of Customer Connect in midyear of 2003, we have generated more than 1.1 billion dollars in new revenue by promoting U.S.P.S. products. For this reason, our involvement with Customer Connect is an important part of our contract. Every letter carrier should step up to the plate and do their best to participate and generate business. We cannot let supervisors discourage us when they use tactics to benefit their goals when those goals do not benefit letter carriers or save the Postal Service.

Once again letter carriers need to know their routes and pay attention to what they do on a daily basis. Stop doing favors for management that jeopardize retaining your route. There is still a JARAP Team (Joint Alternate Route Adjustment Process). That means know how to punch on your route, know the correct hits you need to make, know the volume you deliver on a daily basis, and know if you need assistance or overtime. If you need assistance or overtime, fill out Form 3996. This is a must. Make sure if you get help you know who assisted you and if they hit on your route properly. This will save you aggravation later if your route becomes adjusted. The goal is to keep your route as close to eight hours as possible.

The new choice and non-choice vacations for the second phase should be in before January 31. This must be posted by March l and no later than March 15th. Take time to plan your vacation so you can make arrangements to enjoy it.

There are a few fundraisers that will benefit all letter carriers and their families. One fund is our Welfare and Scholarship Fund. We mailed out raffle tickets in December that will cost $10 and this will make you eligible to win the top prize of $1,000. Do not look at it as being only a prize. You are supporting the eyeglass fund, concerning which every member in good standing is eligible for a voucher and it permits four children of our letter carrier families to acquire a scholarship to go to college. This raffle is important because it benefits everyone's family making up Branch 36.

We will have a Texas Hold-Em, our first for the year 2011, on January 22, 2011. If you like playing cards, come join us and have a lot of fun. The first comedy show will take place Saturday, January 29th at Branch 36 Meeting Hall. This is also a lot of fun because of the laughter, the buffet, and the after-party. This event costs $40.00 per person, and includes an open bar. The comedy show and the Texas-Hold-Em are fundraisers for the MDA. With your help and support we at Branch 36 are trying to send 50 kids to MDA camp.

New members who joined the health plan this last open season, congratulations. This NALC Health Plan is controlled by NALC. One of our own, Brian Hellman, is the new Director Of Health Benefits. If you have not received your ID card by now or within the next thirty days, you can call: 703-729-4677 or 1- 888-636-6252.

Transitional workers do not forget you are entitled to a uniform allowance. Make sure you ask your manager. If you get no response, ask your shop steward.

The Cost of Living Adjustment will not be available to us once again for the first part of this year.

February is Black History Month. Here are some interesting Black historical facts relating to the Postal Service. These facts are in regard to early African American letter carriers. Do you know who John W. Curry is? John Curry is believed to be the first African American letter carrier. He worked in the Washington, DC office for thirty-two years beginning in 1867. Curry was an active member of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and consequently his obituary appeared in the June, 1899 issue of the NALC' s monthly publication, The Postal Record. The article emphasized his "steadfast devotion to duty" and his concern for carriers' rights. Curry's efforts to "open the way for admission to other colored (sic) carriers" and his active participation in political affairs were also applauded in the April 29, 1899 issue of the African American newspaper, The Washington Bee.

Did you know that James Mason was the earliest known African American postmaster? He was appointed postmaster of Sunny Side, Arkansas on February 22, 1867.

Did you know that about 150 African American letter carriers were known to have been appointed during the Reconstruction and beyond. (See "List of known African American letter carriers, 1800s.) The earliest known was James B. Christian, appointed at the Richmond, Virginia Post Office on June 1, 1869. Later that same year, Civil War hero William Carney began his work as a letter carrier at the New Bedford, Massachusetts Post Office. Carney, a runaway slave who made his way to freedom on the Underground Railroad as a teenager, was the first African American to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor, carried mail for thirty-two years, until he resigned on October 15, 1901. He was also the founding vice-president of New Bedford, Massachusetts Branch 18. Since there was no retirement plan in the Post Office at that time, Carney was offered a job in 1901 by the Secretary of State of Massachusetts, William Olin, to be a messenger at the State House. He held that job until his death on December 8, 1908. These and other such historical facts can be found at the National Postal Museum.

Look for future Branch 36 events.

Until next time, I look forward to providing you with more information about other events and actions taking place within the Postal Service.

The Postal Record featured a very interesting article by Dale Hart, the Director of City Delivery, "Fighting Deception - the Carrier Expectation Game." In his article he mentions several deceptions. These are a few: M-01458 Step 4 Settlement March 13, 2002, MSP (Managed Service Points) does not set performance standards, either in the office or on the street. With current technology, MSP records of scan times are not to be used as time cards data for pay purposes. MSP data may not constitute the sole basis for disciplinary action...; M-01664 Interpretive Step Settlement July 7, 2007... The use of DOTS does not change the letter carrier's reporting requirements outlined in Section 131.4 of Handbook M-41, the supervisor's scheduling responsibilities outlined in Section 122 of Handbook M-39, or the letter carriers' and supervisors' responsibilities contained in Section 28 of Handbook M-41. DOTS projections are not the sole determinant of a carriers leaving or return time or daily workload. As such, the projections cannot be used as the sole basis for corrective action.., and, M01444 Pre-Arb July 30, 2001… No carrier shall be disciplined for failure to meet standards, except in cases of unsatisfactory effort which used must be based on documented, unacceptable conduct that led to the carrier's failure to meet office standards. Furthermore, the pre-arbitration settlement HIN-IN-D 37781, dated October 22, 1985, provides that there is no set pace at which a carrier must walk and no street standard for walking. You need to go to the Postal Record to enlighten yourself on the "expectation game."

Carriers and retirees, it is open season for the NALC Health Benefit Plan. It is open from November 8th through December 13th, If you are not in the plan, there is information on how to join the plan for active letter carriers. There are four ways to join the plan. For retirees there is one way to join, by dialing an express number, which is 1-800-332-9798. You need to compare our plan to other OPM health plans. For active members high option self costs $51.56. High option family is $100.57. For retirees high option self is $160.64 per month and for high option retirees' family, it is $327.32. If there are any questions, please call 1-888-736-NALC. The NALC is a great plan once again. All letter carriers should join. The plan is controlled by the NALC, not a private company. This year if you have children under the age of 26, you can sign them up under this health plan.

November 14th was a great day to honor two of our retired letter carriers. One is Winfred Jenkins, former Director of Safety and Health, and the other is Denis Rhoden, Retired Chief Steward and Hearing Officer. It was a wonderful affair at the Marina del Rey. Five hundred and seventy people came out to honor these two Branch 36 carriers. There was a lot of dancing, a lot of food and there were a lot of new and young faces in attendance. We also showed appreciation for one of our retirees who has been working for Branch 36, named Ruby Almeida. She retired on December 1, 1989 from J.A.F. Station and is still an active participant at Branch 36 General Membership meetings, attends national conventions, and independently works to bring new business to the Postal Service through Customer Connect. She also goes out to find businesses that will support the six-day workweek. We need more union members, retired and active, to step up to the plate and follow Ruby's lead. You do not have to be working in the post office to make a praiseworthy difference. Ruby shows that on a day-to-day basis. That's why Branch 36 showed our appreciation at the Dinner-Dance this year. Once again, if you missed the Dinner-Dance this year, go to Branch 36 website: nylcbr36.org, to find out what you missed. I will be looking for more new faces next year to make our dance a success once again.

CONGRATULATIONS LARRY CIRELLI upon being reelected to the job of National Business Agent for Region 15.

To all TE's who were reinstated for another year, you are all entitled to a uniform allowance. If management does not comply with the contract about issuing you the allowance, contact your shop steward or Branch 36. Give your name and your station. The matter will be taken care of.

November 20th, we will have our last general wage increase for the current contract which is 1.85%. This is for all active letter carriers, TE's included. We have two more COLAs, one in March and one in September, 2011. We have received no cost of living increase since September, 2008.

Until next time everybody, I look forward to providing you with more Information about future events and things going on within the Postal Service.

Branch 36 has been trying to get all of its members involved in the day-to-day business of the Postal Service. In August, 2010, Branch 36 attended a National Convention in Anaheim, California which was attended by 8,700 letter carriers from across the country, to work on a common goal, which is to stop the Postal Service from making a big mistake by trying to take away the six-day delivery. This year is an election year. All of us should shoulder the responsibility of getting out the vote for postal friendly people in the Senate and the House of Representatives. These are the individuals who can take away the six-day delivery. Right now we have enough friends in Congress to keep the six-day delivery for this year and next year. When you were asked to become an EActivist, those of you who did so are getting first-hand information, and those of you who haven't joined should join immediately. This is why we need to vote in the November election. This will enable us to keep our friends in Congress.

At this convention, all the national officers were elected by acclamation. The only election we will have in connection with the National Association of Letter Carriers will be in Region 15 and Larry Cirelli. He's the present Region 15 national business agent and he has been doing superlative work in that position for the last three years. He's up for election. Ballots will be mailed out around October 7th. As soon as you receive your ballot, please vote and return it as soon as possible.

At the national convention Branch 36 was honored for the 40th Anniversary of the 1970 Postal Strike. Branch 36 is featured in a documentary showing its participation in changing the Post Office from the way it was mishandled to its present status. All members in Branch 36 who participated in that 1970 strike are the heroes of this great union. I was lucky to be one of the 1500 letter carriers in New York City who voted to make a change. On September 12th at the retirees brunch, President Fredric V. Rolando came to the celebration to greet and honor the carriers who participated in the 1970 strike. It was a good turnout. About 175 retirees attended the brunch. I wished that more retirees had participated because the celebration was held for them. At the brunch the documentary was shown and 35 stations were represented.

Our next M.D.A. fund-raiser will be the Second National NALC Branch 36 Bowl-A-Thon. This will take place at BowlMor Lanes-Carnival, located at 110 University Place between Second and Third Street in Manhattan. Every letter carrier and his family is invited to participate. If you want more information, call Branch 36 at (212) 239-3901 and ask for Tony Ortiz, Extension 14.

The next big event will be the Branch 36 34th Annual Dinner-Dance on Sunday, November 14th at the Marina Del Rey. This event is one of the letter carriers' special events, at which we are honoring two of our own, namely, Denis Rhoden, retired, Chief Shop Steward and Hearing Officer, from Grand Central Station and Winfred Jenkins, retired, the Director of Safety and Health. Every station should contribute at least $3 from each carrier for their journal ad. Proceeds from the journal ad will go to the scholarship fund and the eyeglass voucher. Every station should participate to make this dinner-dance another great affair once again.

It's time most of the TE's (Transitional Employees) should be reinstated. All TE's should be reinstated with no problems. If there are any problems regarding this, contact Branch 36 at (212) 239-3901. Congratulations to all of you for one more year.

There will be no cost-of-living increase for regular employees or retirees this quarter. There will be one more contractual raise of 1.85%. It will be due on November 20th.
Until next time everybody, I look forward to providing you with more information about future events and things going on within the Postal Service.

Letter carriers, there is still a long fight before us. Since my last article, I asked letter carriers and their families to become NALC activists. The ones that have since the last article, know that being an E-activist gives you a lot of information on the Postal Service and how to help save our jobs. Since the last article, House Resolution 173 has gotten 233 co-sponsors to save six-day delivery. Every letter carrier must know that this is an important resolution for the future of the Postal Service. If you are not an E-activist, you should become one. All it takes is an E-mail address. Every letter carrier can help. The NALC has launched a nationwide campaign to stop the USPS from making "a big mistake." You can do your part by submitting comments to the Postal Regulatory Commission website. Go to the NALC website to find the Postal Regulatory Commission website. This is an issue we cannot sleep on.

Let's look at some things you need to know about Branch 36. On June 27th we had Branch 36 Day at Citifield. We had an attendance of 1500 letter carriers. It was a hot day but a great day. We came home with a victory that day. If you did not come, you missed a good one. Our annual picnic will be coming up on August lst. If you can, please attend because once again, this is an event you should not miss. Letter carriers come out to mingle with their families and friends.

Retirees will be having an "Old-Timers' Brunch on September 12, 2010 at the Hard Rock Café. Last year was the first time Branch 36 had it there and it was a great experience. So retirees, if you can, we are looking forward to seeing you on that day. To all carriers and stewards, you should be collecting for the journal ad for the Dinner-Dance journal. Your steward should be coming around to collect at least $3 per person. This money goes to Branch 36's scholarships that are presented every June. With the help of letter carriers, Branch 36 has been able to grant four scholarships to help letter carriers' children. Please help to continue this worthwhile cause of helping each other send our children to college.

Do not forget the Annual Dinner-Dance which is one of Branch 36's grand events which will take place on November 14, 2010 at the Marina del Rey.

There is no cost-of-living increase projected for the next quarter for active letter carriers and retirees. Transitional workers (TE's) are not second class citizens. They are Branch 36 union members and should be treated accordingly. Every regular and PTF carrier should protect one other as well as the TE's. Management chooses to make TE's do things that regulars and PTF's are not contractually allowed to do. Please union members, help protect TE's from those managers and supervisors who try to abuse them.

Until next time everybody, I look forward to providing you with more information about future events and things going on within the Postal Service.

40 years ago, President Emeritus Vince Sombrotto had a vision to change the Postal Service into a middle income job. Part of his vision came true. The other vision is to have every letter carrier belong to the NALC Health Benefit Plan. It is up to us to carry on this vision because it's not far away. We must stand together as letter carriers did forty years ago. The letter carriers of that day fought for what we have now. The fight is the same as it was forty years ago, but the "game" has changed. That's why we need to read our Outlook and Postal Record. This will give us the vision to fight this as one.

Here are some of the events that will make us forget our problems, one day at a time. One coming event that is always great is Branch 36 Day at Citifield on Sunday, June 27, 2010. We have 1500 tickets. Tickets are going fast. The price is $20 per ticket. You will receive a tee-shirt and a Met trinket. Come! Bring your family out. It is always a great day. Call the Branch office at: (212) 239-3901. Talk to Dina and order your tickets. The next event is very relaxing. It is the Branch 36 Ninth Family Day Picnic. Bring your family out to the picnic grounds. The Branch will supply all the food, drink, and children's activities. We need to know how many in your family will be coming. It costs $6.00 per car to enter the park. The event will take place at FDR State Park on Sunday, August 1, 2010. Keep an open mind on our greatest event, which is the Branch 36 Dinner-Dance. The Dinner-Dance will be presented on November l4 at the Marina Del Rey.

There will be no cost-of-living adjustment for letter carriers under 2006-2011 National Agreement, due to the March Consumer Price Index. There will also be no cost-of-living increase for retirees in 2010 due to these figures.

The Credit Union is offering delegates a loan for the 2010 National Convention. The offering of this loan will be in force from May 13th to June 4, 2010. You will need to contact Manager Winfred Jenkins at (212) 714-9899. You must be a credit union member.

Information for all PTF's - The prime vacation batches are coming up. PTF's need to bid for temporary hold-down, so you can work the assignment as bid. This is in the National Agreement between the Postal Service and the NALC. There are some supervisors, managers and area managers who do not read the contract on the provision of opting for assignments. Any PTF's who have their rights violated should contact their steward immediately for further instructions on this matter.

Until next time everybody, I'll look forward to providing you with more information about future events.

I did not understand a lot of things that were going on in the post office, during the first three months. The senior carriers at that time would show you a lot of the things that needed to be done. I did not know when I got hired that I'd have to be on-the-job twenty-one years to earn top pay.

1,555 letter carriers voted to strike, whereas 1,055 voted not to strike. It was a difference of 500 letter carriers that forced the Branch 36 President Gus Johnson to call a strike. We did not know if the carriers throughout the country would follow us by doing the same. We were the largest branch in the country at that time, so Branch 36 took the initiative.

At 12:01 a.m., Branch 36 set up picket lines throughout every post office in Manhattan and the Bronx. We did not have the backing of then national president, James Rademacher.

We were the lowest paid federal employees. Some letter carriers worked two and three jobs. Many of the letter carriers qualified for food stamps and Medicaid. Carriers who had more than four children qualified for public assistance. We all could have lost our jobs under the Taylor Law, for striking.

To our benefit, the strike worked. The letter carriers were the only ones to go on strike, but other post office crafts refused to cross the picket lines. The strike lasted seven days and brought about postal reforms. President Richard Nixon signed a 6% raise across the board. Congress approved the postal reform legislation. This included being able to earn top pay in eight, rather than twenty-one years, as well as acquiring the right to actively become involved in collective bargaining, binding arbitration, and amnesty for all the strikers. That is why I am still working for the U.S. Postal Service.

It is now forty years later and the Postmaster General John B. Potter is trying to end our six-day delivery. That would destroy the Postal Service, and make us like any other mailing company such as Fed-Ex and U.P.S.

Once again, I remind you that as a union we have to stand together and make good decisions regarding the future state of our jobs/careers. One good thing to report is that President Barack Obama is supporting the six-day delivery. We should all be E-Activists so that we can get timely information. Doing so will allow us to talk to our congressmen and senators regarding the fact that the Postmaster General's decision is not a wise decision. Being an E-activist allows us the time to do input work regarding Postal Service matters That is also why we need to give to COLCPE.

Our new contract will be negotiated in November, 2011. We can help the Postal Service earn more money by encouraging every letter earner to participate in Customer Connect. We have made good progress, but once again I say that the Postal Service needs the letter carriers' help to guide it in achieving financial breathing room. There will be no sixth cost-of-living adjustment based on the information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There will be no cost of living adjustment for retirees in 2011.

Branch 36 activities are in the planning stage. Watch the bulletin boards. Read your Outlook newsletter. Look for the upcoming events. One event is the Texas Hold'em Tournament being held on May 15, 2010 with proceeds benefiting MDA. We have the Food Drive on May 8, 2010. Look for the date of the Branch 36 Day at Citifield, which should take place on June 27th. Our next annual picnic will be held on August 1, 2010. If you have any questions, call the Branch office and speak to any officer at: (212) 239-3901.

Until the next time everybody, I'll look forward to providing you with more information and future events.