Government affairs

Today, NALC President Brian Renfroe briefed the House Labor Caucus on the most pressing issues facing letter carriers on and off Capitol Hill.

The Labor Caucus is a group of more than 120 representatives working to advance the priorities of workers and the labor movement.

The following representatives attended the meeting: Mark Pocan (D-WI), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Steven Lynch (D-MA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Sean Casten (D-IL), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), James Walkinshaw (D-VA) and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD).

Caucus members were briefed on and urged to support NALC’s priority legislation, which includes the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (H.R. 1065), the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 1522), the Improving Access to Workers’ Compensation Act (H.R. 3170), the anti-privatization resolution (H.Res. 70) and the USPS Shipping Equity Act (H.R. 3011). They were also briefed on the Postal Service’s finances, the need to modernize the network, and vote-by-mail, especially related to the Postal Service’s recent announcement regarding postmark timing.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to representatives’ questions. Several members raised concerns about carrier safety and on-the-job crime. Rep. Landsman, the co-lead of the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act, urged caucus members to co-sponsor the bill, emphasizing that the goal was to reach 290 supporters to help bring it to the House floor.

Many members brought up the upcoming midterm elections and how the postmark announcement could affect mail-in ballots. Renfroe assured members that, from the delivery side, letter carriers are equipped and prepared to get the job done as they always have.

Rep. Cisneros asked about the status of new postal vehicles. Renfroe explained that while they “cannot come soon enough,” the production and delivery of new vehicles are on track with the projected timeline.

Rep. Walkinshaw asked questions about the Postal Service’s finances and how members of Congress could support NALC in its upcoming contract negotiations. Renfroe explained that one of the biggest hurdles we face regarding our contract is ensuring postal management nationwide upholds its end of the bargain and complies with the agreed terms.

Overall, the caucus members praised letter carriers for their work and committed to ways they could support NALC members.