NALC Branch 509
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LOCAL ISSUES
Here, on the Local Issues page, we discuss some current topics facing our local branch. Current topics may include safety, new management instruction, new equipment training, or any other challenge we are currently facing at the local or district level.
HONORING LOCAL VETERANS
November 11, 2018
Each year on November 11, we celebrate Veteran’s Day. We celebrate not only to honor each individual who has served our country, but also to thank them for standing tall and serving our nation to preserve our freedoms. For over 235 years, the United States Postal Service has been one of the nation’s largest employer of veterans, second only to the Department of Defense. This month, we’d like to take the opportunity to honor some of those local heroes that for their sacrificial service to our nation and its branches of military.
Each year on November 11, we celebrate Veteran’s Day. We celebrate not only to honor each individual who has served our country, but also to thank them for standing tall and serving our nation to preserve our freedoms. For over 235 years, the United States Postal Service has been one of the nation’s largest employer of veterans, second only to the Department of Defense. This month, we’d like to take the opportunity to honor some of those local heroes that for their sacrificial service to our nation and its branches of military.
Men of Honor
We salute you, men of honor, You who heard your country’s call; You who stood to fight for freedom; You who daily gave your all. You who left your friends and family As you sailed across the sea, Never looking back or wavering, Just a yearning to be free. We salute you, men of courage, You who stood the test of time, Daily standing in the trenches While your lives were on the line. We salute your fallen comrades, Those who gave their lives that we Might now live and dwell in freedom Here across the shining sea. We salute you, men of valor, Let us toll the bells each day, For it’s you who’ve gone before us, It is you who’ve led the way. By Donna Mabe Loomis In honor of her father, Clarence Marvin Mabe, and her uncle, John Thomas “JT” Mabe, on the day of their Flight of Honor to see the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. 10-28-2009 |
In order of Display:
Rod Shellenberger, Army, Fort Hood, TX, 1985, Served in Germany Mark Peters, USAF, California, Germany and Greece David Scheaffer, Army, Served in Germany David Scheaffer with his company |
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NALC BRANCH 509 YORK HALLOWEEN PARADE FLOATOctober 28, 2018
This year NALC Branch 509 letter carriers participated in the 69th Annual York Halloween parade held on October 28th. The family of Chad Wagner donated the use of a 16-foot flatbed trailer to use for a float. A group of active and retired carriers and family handed out candy to the children on the route and greeted the York community while dressed in uniform. It was a great event for all who were able to come. Thank you to all for your committment to NALC Branch 509 and for your willingness to represent the USPS in the York Community! |
LOCAL U.S. MAIL IS NOT FOR SALE RALLYOctober 8, 2018
During our observance of Columbus Day, Monday, October 8, 2018, Branch 509 employees joined with our brothers and sisters nationally for the U.S. Mail Is Not For Sale Rally. Members of our local union met at Congressman Perry's office on East Market Street to raise public awareness about USPS privitization. The even was organized by Kandy Orwig, our new Congressional District Liaison, and Pam Stover, President. Here are some pictures of those who came out to show their support for the USPS. |
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October 14, 2016
Until this year, it has always accepted practice to remove the shoulder belt while delivering mail to curbside boxes. However, there is now instruction from the district level that requires all carriers to wear both the lap belt and shoulder strap anytime the vehicle is in motion.
The issue revolves around the language found in a draft of a proposed Postal Bulletin notice, used in the USPS letter M-00968, dated May, 23, 1987, which was later adopted into Handbook ELM-814, the Postal Employee's Guide to Safety. The letter stipulates that the "intent of the proposed bulletin is to ensure a consistent and safe approach in using this vehicle." (Namely, the LLV)
The notice, as it reads in part on the M-00968 letter:
"Long Life Vehicle
Lap Belt, Shoulder Belt and Shoulder Harness Policy
The driver must wear the lap belt and shoulder belt at all times the vehicle is in motion. Exception: In instances when the shoulder belt prevents the driver from reaching to provide delivery or collection from curbside boxes, only the shoulder strap may be unfastened. The lap belt must remain fastened at all times the vehicle is in motion.
All passengers must be seated and wear a lap belt and shoulder harness at all times the vehicle is in motion. Only authorized passengers may be carried in the vehicle."
Back to the current matter - there is ongoing discussion about the matter of seat-belt usage in the LLV, both locally and at the district level. The NALC as well as some managers and carriers have a very different interpretation of the seat belt regulation. However, things being what they are, until any further direction from the national level, carriers should follow their supervisor's orders and wear both the lap belt and the shoulder belt anytime their vehicle is in motion.
Furthermore, it is the recommendation of our local branch that if safe delivery cannot be made with the shoulder belt attached, you should place the vehicle into park, remove the shoulder belt, make the necessary delivery to the curbside box, re-attach the shoulder belt, and then place the vehicle back into drive, moving onto the next delivery.
Until this year, it has always accepted practice to remove the shoulder belt while delivering mail to curbside boxes. However, there is now instruction from the district level that requires all carriers to wear both the lap belt and shoulder strap anytime the vehicle is in motion.
The issue revolves around the language found in a draft of a proposed Postal Bulletin notice, used in the USPS letter M-00968, dated May, 23, 1987, which was later adopted into Handbook ELM-814, the Postal Employee's Guide to Safety. The letter stipulates that the "intent of the proposed bulletin is to ensure a consistent and safe approach in using this vehicle." (Namely, the LLV)
The notice, as it reads in part on the M-00968 letter:
"Long Life Vehicle
Lap Belt, Shoulder Belt and Shoulder Harness Policy
The driver must wear the lap belt and shoulder belt at all times the vehicle is in motion. Exception: In instances when the shoulder belt prevents the driver from reaching to provide delivery or collection from curbside boxes, only the shoulder strap may be unfastened. The lap belt must remain fastened at all times the vehicle is in motion.
All passengers must be seated and wear a lap belt and shoulder harness at all times the vehicle is in motion. Only authorized passengers may be carried in the vehicle."
Back to the current matter - there is ongoing discussion about the matter of seat-belt usage in the LLV, both locally and at the district level. The NALC as well as some managers and carriers have a very different interpretation of the seat belt regulation. However, things being what they are, until any further direction from the national level, carriers should follow their supervisor's orders and wear both the lap belt and the shoulder belt anytime their vehicle is in motion.
Furthermore, it is the recommendation of our local branch that if safe delivery cannot be made with the shoulder belt attached, you should place the vehicle into park, remove the shoulder belt, make the necessary delivery to the curbside box, re-attach the shoulder belt, and then place the vehicle back into drive, moving onto the next delivery.