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Nancy Feldt
8/2008
Important **** Very important **** Check your beneficiaries on your Postal insurance, TSP, and private insurance.
Recently we had a death of Letter Carrier and his wife of almost 30 years was not on his insurance. The Carrier had the same beneficiary he listed some thirty odd years ago and the beneficiary was his fiancé at the time. The given address was old and the insurance company cannot find the ex-fiancé. Mean time the $30,000 and some, benefit, cannot be paid to his present wife and children. They are left without anything and are struggling with expenses.
During a workshop at the recent convention we just attended we learned of a case where a deceased Letter Carrier listed her first husband as beneficiary (not removed) along with the second husband. The first husband had since died and the second husband was left without insurance benefits. The insurance benefits will go to the descendents of the deceased first husband.
I Personally implore of you don't let this happen to the people that depend on you. Again, check the beneficiaries on your insurance.
6/2008
Thinking about retirement? USPS now has on line videos that may help you with information about retirement on videos. The OPM has a new website which may help in the future but, as of now it is down for maintenance or being worked. Once on line this is the place that will be used to apply for retirement from Federal Service at the OPM website. The USPS lite-Blue webpage has some information for retirees but, it seems to have been put together as an after thought. Not much content for retirees just articles that have been brought to the page from another USPS Lite-Blue page. The best website for retirement information is the NALC website. A little dry but, you can find what you need to know.
5/2008
Have you been told to remove personal item from the Carrier's case? Not so fast... says President Nancy Feldt! We have a memorandum from Postmaster Montoya saying that we may have personal items on display at the Carrier's case. Read the memorandum to see what personal items may be displayed at the Carrier's case.
3/2008
Concerning Carriers that want to join the military service or go on active duty may be placed on LWOP by management or they may resign from the Postal Service. A Form USPS 41 may be submitted to resign if the Service member has no intention of returning to the Postal Service. If you need help or guidance on this topic please call my office.
12/2007
ELM 835 puts forth the what is required of a Letter Carrier when returning to duty after a medical reasons absence. Each paragraph is followed by a discussion with helpful insights.
7/2007
PTFs you must show you have worked "at least 40 hours a week (8 within 9 or 8 within 10, as applicable), 5 days a week over a period of 6 months" (see J-CAM, page 7-12) to be converted to full-time regular. Weeks that have a holiday PTFs are still required to have 40 hours worked within a 5 day period.
Also, IAW Article 7.3.C, the hours worked must be the same 5 days each week and the same assignment over the 6 month period in order to require conversion to Full-Time Regular (JCAM 7-11). Conversion to Full-Time Flexible requires that the PTF perform any letter carrier duties 40 hours a week/5 days a week over a 6-month period.
If you meet the criteria explained above contact your Steward. Be advised that the senior PTF on our PTF register will be converted.
Stewards please review Article 7.3 of the National Agreement, as well as pages 7-9 through 7-15 of the J-CAM prior to initializing a maximization grievance.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance or have questions.
6/2007
I have included two must read informative articles this month:
NALC Fact Sheet - Postal Service Contracting Out
Going Postal - A history of violence in the Postal workplace
4/2007
Carriers should know that: When filing an Injury Claim you only give
management all the records they want that has to do with the
injury only. Carriers are not to
sign a waiver for USPS to look at your Medical Records. If you sign a
waiver; Management will look at your Medical records from birth
to present plus your VA records and EAP records. Their intent is to find
something in your records that shows(even if remotely) that your injury was not work related. Carriers, whom it may concern, are cautioned not to
attempt to change or correct a doctor's statement. Return the
statement to the concerned Doctor for reissue or correction!
2/2007
Carriers that, are members
of the Armed Forces and, are being recalled to active duty please let us
know. Returning Armed Forces members please notify us when you return.
Your Service to our country is greatly appreciated by us your union and your
fellow Letter Carriers. If anyone wishes advice on any matter
concerning activation into service or returning to work for USPS may contact
Lt. Col. Richard Thurston (a three tour Iraqi veteran) carrying out of North Broadway Station.
7/2000
"The Carrier will hold mail on their arm Until it is too difficult and the
carrier needs two hands to case. At that time the carrier can lay the mail
down and case two handed."