2 Letter Carrier

N.A.L.C. Branch 210

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK

UNION MEETING

HAPPENINGS

MARCH 2010

50/50 WINNER FOR MARCH WAS

VINCENT RINAUDO!

FOR $180.00

VINNY IS A LETTER CARRIER FROM ROCHESTER 14622

CONGRATULATIONS VINNY!

The meeting was called to order by President Art Muoio at 7:00pm. A motion to dispense with the reading of the previous meeting minutes was made and passed.

Greg Karalias gave the membership report; there were 4 applications this month for membership in the NALC. Greg was forwarding those applications to National for processing and those new members will receive an invitation to an upcoming union meeting to be sworn in.

Greg gave a report on the status of our membership as a whole. Currently we have 1328 members of Branch 210. Those numbers are broken down as such 96 Life members (carriers that have 50 years as members; no dues) 398 retirees (pay $2 per month) 834 Active letter carriers. We have removed the name Thomas Mihalitsas from our non-member list as he has been promoted to supervisor.

Norm LeFrois spoke on a new life insurance policy being offered by the MBA. The new policy is the INDEPENDENCE policy. This is a single pay whole life insurance policy that provides life insurance benefits at an affordable rate to the members of the NALC. To see a brochure regarding this whole life insurance plan click here.

Norm made a comment on insurance coming in many forms. Insurance is not necessarily a policy you by from a company it can also be membership in the union. 40 years ago this month letter carriers in NYC took part in an insurance activity that helped frame the pay and benefits you all enjoy today. 40 years ago this month was the Postal Strike in which the members of the NALC stood together and said no more. They put their jobs on the line to better the lives of their fellow workers. Branch 210 would like to publicly thank each and every member that took a stand and pulled together.

The release of the latest consumer price index shows no increase in the cost of living, therefore there is no accumulation towards the next Cost of Living (COLA).

The Branch will hold the raffle again in June 2010. See your steward in April for the $5.00 tickets.

Branch 210 unanimously voted at the meeting to accept the merger proposal from Branch 681 in Penn Yan. The merger proposal now needs to go to National for processing. The carriers in Penn Yan Branch 681 had already voted unanimously to merge with Branch 210. Once the National President approves the merger it will become complete. Branch 210 proudly welcomes the letter carriers form Penn Yan and offer any help and advice we can.

The Branch 210 annual picnic will be held at Darien Lake July 11, 2010. Prices will be as follows; Members and their immediate family (Spouse, Minor Children) $18 each, all other guests $28 each. If you hold annual passes to Darien Lake and would like to purchase food only tickets they are available for $6.00 each. As always parking is included in tickets sales.

President Art Muoio has appointed Mike Masters to join Greg Karalias as the safety rep for the Western NY district representing Rochester and the surrounding AO's.

Kevin Montgomery reported on Political activity and there was a discussion regarding Rep. Eric Massa's announcement that he would not be seeking re-election due to health reasons. There was also discussion in political action regarding the Postal Services plans to try to get 5-day delivery. Currently Rep. Susan Collins, who was an instrumental player in passing Postal Reform in 2006 is strongly against the idea of reducing delivery days. It was also discussed that the Chair of the Postal Rate Commission is also against the idea of reducing service. In order for congress to consider the idea and pass legislation the Postal rate Commission will submit their recommendation. It is important that we maintain the support from the commission as well as members of Congress on this proposal by the Postal Service.

Art discussed the 5-day proposal and informed the membership that there will come a time when the NALC will ask for your help in getting your Congressmen and women to support out efforts. It is important to become an E-Activist in order to receive e-mail updates from our National President and to respond when they ask for our help. To become an E-Activist click here and enter your e-mail address.

Rochester's current Officer in Charge (acting Postmaster) Ignatius Vaccaro is actively doing street observations. It is important to do your job everyday as if you are on a 3999 and also to work in a safe manner. Some of the safety observations being made are , driving with the door open, driving with no seatbelt, wearing radio headphones or ear buds while driving and walking. (wearing ear buds or headphones is only allowed if you are not in view of the public and you are stationary.) Never leave your vehicle running and get out of the vehicle, it could take off without you and run over someone and injury them badly.

Joni Montroy is holding a series of seminars on retirement planning at the Girl Scout center on John Street in Henrietta. The dates are May 18, June 10 for CSRS and May 19 and June 7 for FERS, all classes are at 6:30pm. Click here for a copy of the sign up sheet to reserve a spot. Cost is $25 per employee, non-employee spouse is free.

The next Union meeting is scheduled for Wednesday April 7, 2010 at 7:00pm and will be held at the Valencia's Restaurant which is located on Long Pond Road in Gates.

And finally I would like to invite more members to Union meetings to learn what is happening with your Union.

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