New York State Legislative Activity
On April 19 through 21, 2023. I and three other Branch officers attended the New York State Legislative meeting that was held in Washington, D.C.. The purpose of the meeting was to meet with Long Island Congressional representatives to discuss current pending legislative proposals. In attendance with me were Executive Board Members: Joseph Morelli, Bill Rotunda and Sean Killeen.
On April 20 , our delegation had several meetings/visits with the Staffs of Congressional Reps LaLota(NY -1st CD), Garbarino(2nd -CD) and D’Esposito (4th-CD). Prior to those meetings, we also heard from New York Senators Charles “Chuck” Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand
We discussed several pending issues. The main one concerns the Windfall Elimination/Government Pension Offset(GPO) which was enacted in 1983. Essentially this legislation penalizes postal workers who paid into social security but had monies earned offset against their postal pensions. This legislation essentially reduces social security benefits for those who worked less than 20 years and paid social security. What is difficult to understand, is that if you worked in the private sector and received a pension and social security benefits you are not affected or penalized. WHY?
In both the House and the Senate, there are currently many co-sponsors from both political parties. Hopefully, this legislation will be enacted during this term of Congress. If the bill is approved by a majority in both Houses, President Biden is expected to sign it into law.
Another item of concern for many active postal workers relates to non-career service. This work time(as casuals, TEs or CCAs) does not count for the purpose of “years of service.” If this legislation were enacted, former non-career letter carriers could purchase previous “years of service” and receive credit for retirement. This would allow workers to retire earlier and/or get credit for their prior service for additional pension benefits. As concerns the 3rd Congressional District, no meetings were held because of the notoriety of that Representative.
Also, during this trip to D.C. there was a general meeting held with NALC, Executive Vice President Paul Garner. National President Brian Renfroe was unavailable for personal reasons. The delegation was advised that negotiations were ongoing and that the NALC was prepared to go to arbitration in the event a contract was not negotiated by May 20, 2023. It is also possible that mediation could be an alternative before actually pursuing arbitration. In the event a contract is negotiated, the membership will have the right to vote on approving or disapproving it. In 1978, a contract was negotiated but rejected by the membership. This “forced’ the parties to arbitrate over two issues: Wages and a Lay-Off provision.
Recently, the Rural Letter Carrier representatives accepted a contract but the results of whether the members would accept it are unknown at this time. Some “rural” groups are calling for “rejection” of the contract because both wages and hours of work are being reduced. The “rural” system of compensation is completely different from what City Delivery Carriers (US) are paid.
If this “new’ contract cannot be negotiated or mediated, it could be 3 or 4 or more months(September or October of 2023) before we know what wage increases will be paid and if any issues relating to work rules and benefits have been modified. Normally, letter carriers would receive a Cost-of-Living(COLA) in September but if a contract has not been agreed to or arbitrated before that date there might be “no” COLA!
One final comment, our Union has been divided because we have too many non-career workers who’s wages and benefits are substantially lower than career carriers.
In the opinion of this writer, this must be addressed because of the “high” turnover of “new” employees who do not stay. This policy is under minding the Postal Service and its ability to provide service as well as the Union. All letter carriers need decent wages, benefits and working conditions.
Hopefully, that will be the case. As the saying goes, “Keep your “eye” on the Prize,” or in this case the contract, and your wages, benefits and working conditions.
Yours for the Union!
