NALC filed the national-level grievance, case number 6X 23N-6X-C 25507021, claiming the Postal Service failed to abide by the NACI Award by not processing pending grievances pertaining to the matter. In the settlement (M-02015), the parties agree that all pending grievances related to the NACI Award will be processed in accordance with Article 15 of the National Agreement, including the scheduling for arbitration, if necessary. Accordingly, the parties consider the issues raised in case number 6X 23N-6X-C 25507021 to be moot and agree to close this case without prejudice to the position of either party in this or any other matter.

In accordance with the resolution passed at the 52nd Biennial Convention, the rates for political ads in The Postal Record for candidates for national office are calculated at the actual per-page publication cost. The rates printed below are based upon the average of the 2024 and 2025 printing and postage costs.

Such advertisements may be printed in any issue of The Postal Record. Ads must be received by the 5th of the month preceding the month in which the ad will appear, e.g., February’s deadline (Feb. 5) is for the March publication.

Camera-ready ads or the copy for ads, as well as payment by check payable to NALC, must be received at NALC Headquarters by the same deadline (The Postal Record, 100 Indiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001-2144). Ads may be sent electronically to postalrecord@nalc.org, but payment must be made by check.

Ads will run in an advertisement section of the magazine and will be labeled as advertisements.

Below are the rates for political ads (size shown is width x height):

• Full page (8” x 10-1/2”): $3,600
• Half page (8” x 5-1/4”): $1,800
• One-third page (8” x 2-5/8” or 2” x 10-1/2”): $1,200

Consistent with NALC policy, no other advertisements will be accepted for The Postal Record.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, NALC branches are encouraged to host a “Fight Like Hell!” rally calling for a fair contract.

This national day of action will come days before NALC is scheduled to open contract negotiations with the Postal Service on Feb. 25.

If your branch is interested in hosting an event on Feb. 22, please contact your national business agent’s (NBA) office.  

NALC Headquarters will work with NBA offices to ensure each event has materials and resources for a successful event. To guarantee the delivery of supplies, all event requests must be submitted to NBA offices by Jan. 27. 

As events are scheduled, details will be available at nalc.org/feb22. 

“We know what we’re fighting for at the bargaining table, and we know what we deserve,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. “With branches across the country coming together on a single day, we’ll make our demands known to the Postal Service while reminding our customers that the service we provide every day deserves a fair contract.

“I encourage every NALC branch to join the fight, mobilize, and host a rally on Feb. 22.”

Born in Murphysboro, IL, Brother Helsley proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1982 to 2002, retiring honorably with the rank of gunnery sergeant. After his military retirement, he continued his commitment to public service, spending the next 22 years as a letter carrier and NALC member. Until recently, he served as president of Branch 56, a position he held with dedication for the past eight years.

Those who knew Brother Helsley remember him for his joyful sense of humor and unwavering commitment to his fellow letter carriers.

Brother Helsley is survived by his wife, Amy; his children, Justin, Lyndsey, Cody, Kent and Amanda; nine grandchildren; and many other loving family members and friends.

“NALC mourns the loss of Brother Helsley,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. “On behalf of NALC, I commend his years of devoted service to his branch and community, and I extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Today, NALC joins all Americans in honoring and celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King’s message that workers’ rights and human rights are intertwined is as evident as ever. Today, NALC recommits to the ongoing fight for civil and human rights, economic justice and dignified workplaces.

As we head into collective bargaining next month, Dr. King’s teachings and philosophies will guide us as we fight for a fair contract. Dr. King said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Regardless of how difficult it may be or what challenges might surface, NALC is committed to fighting together for what is right, just and fair for letter carriers at the bargaining table.

NALC is also sponsoring this year’s AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference. We look forward to continued opportunities to work alongside the entire labor movement in our collective effort to combat discrimination and injustice, fight for equality and voting rights, and to finally realize Dr. King’s dream.

The second group of Rank-and-File Bargaining Committees has convened and is meeting in person in the Washington, DC, area. This group of 30 letter carriers from across the country is divided into three committees: Branch Leaders, Contract Enforcers and Newer Members.  

Branch Leaders

Contract Enforcers

Newer members

• Desiray Anderson—Southern Delaware Branch 906
• Jacinta Fair—Colorado Springs, CO Branch 204
• Daniel Gordon—Warwick, RI Branch 3166
• Jade McBride—Olympia, WA Branch 351
• Brett Meissinger—Colby, KS Branch 4635
• Josiah Morse—Maine Merged Branch 92
• Kiara O’Donnell—Saint Paul, MN Branch 28
• Chris Podunajec—Paducah, KY Branch 383
• Ryan Raeke—Wichita Falls, TX Branch 1227
• Diana Sanchez—Garden Grove, CA Branch 1100

Branches can register via the Members Only portal. The registration deadline is Friday, March 20, 2026. Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions on how to register.

For additional information and resources, visit the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive tool kit. The tool kit webpage will continue to be updated as this year’s food drive approaches.

In anticipation of the 2026 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, NALC President Brian L. Renfroe shared the following:

“Letter carriers are in every community and can see who in their communities are in need. Our members step up every year by filling the shelves of local food pantries through the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, the largest one-day food drive in the country. NALC’s commitment to this effort is unwavering, and we look forward to another successful drive in 2026.”

Branch Officers Training sessions consist of three and a half days of educational seminars tailored to assist branch presidents, vice presidents, treasurers, recording secretaries, financial secretaries and trustees in the performance of their duties.

Branch Officers Training covers the basics for financial officers: reporting to the Department of Labor; fiduciary duties under the Landrum-Griffin Act; bonding of branch officers and IRS reporting requirements.

Additional training topics include the NALC Constitution and branch bylaws; branch operations and identifying branch policies; maintaining accurate and complete meeting minutes; member notification requirements; record keeping; branch elections and branch dues and how to read a dues roster.

The registration form for the training will be included in the next NALC Bulletin. Branches and state associations must use the registration form to register for the class.

Note: Do not make airline reservations until you receive an acceptance letter as the training has limited space. For budgeting purposes, the daily room rate for the training in San Antonio is $285 single/double plus tax. 

Pursuant to the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, the act permits eligible nonexempt employees to deduct the premium portion of overtime pay from their federal taxable income. This deduction applies to the portion of overtime pay required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA). For tax years 2025 through 2028, employees who receive qualified overtime compensation may claim this deduction, subject to applicable limits and eligibility criteria.