On Monday, April 29, 2024, the SAMLU meeting was convened in accordance with Article IX of the NPMHU National Constitution. In attendance at this meeting were members of the National Executive Board, all NPMHU National Office department heads, personnel from the National and Regional Contract Administration Department (CAD), and various officers and representatives from the NPMHU Local Unions.

National President Hogrogian asked all in attendance for a moment of silence for recently passed Local 298 President Aubrey “Wayne” Foster.

During his welcoming remarks, National President Hogrogian introduced and acknowledged the newly elected and re-elected Local Presidents including Justin Kreickemeier (Local 298), Juan Torres (Local 303), Charles Harris (Local 317), Lisa Pruchnicki (Local 309), Troy Davis (Local 312), Don Sneesby (Local 316), Bernie Gonzalez (Local 320), Kelly Dickey (Local 322), David Wisneski (Local 331), and Edvina Tesch (Local 332). In addition, President Hogrogian congratulated other recently elected and re-elected Local Union Officers who were in attendance.

National President Hogrogian gave tribute to Don Gonzales, Western Regional Office Manager for his upcoming retirement. Also, announcing that Nick Lehto will serve as the new Western Regional Officer Manager and Max Rehbein has been selected as Western Regional Director.

National President Hogrogian provided a detailed report to the attendees on a variety of topics to include:

• An update on the USPS year-end financial condition and mail volumes by category for Q1 of FY 2024. The USPS had a net loss of $2.1 billion and a net operational profit of $472 million for the quarter.
  
  
• The USPS reported that total mail volume was down 9.2% (3 billion pieces) compared to same quarter of last fiscal year. First-class mail volume declined by 5.9% (704 million pieces), continuing the fifteen-year trend. For the quarter, marketing mail declined 13.5% (2.4 billion pieces), remaining lower than pre-pandemic levels and parcel volume dropped by 2.4% (98 million pieces), but remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Postmaster General DeJoy remains optimistic that the company can increase parcel volume and be competitive especially with the implementation of the new class of mail “Ground Advantage.”
  
  
• The USPS Ten-Year Plan sets forth a series of strategies by which USPS management hopes to improve service and ensure financial stability. The major points of the 10-year plan include: (1) postal reform; (2) a commitment to 6/7 day delivery; (3) rate flexibility; (4) planning for package growth (new Ground Advantage); (5) service standard modifications that include new 4 & 5-day delivery standards; (6) increased utilization of ground transportation versus air transport; (7) consolidating and standardizing mail processing operations in select installations — Network Redesign; and (8) stabilizing the non-career workforce while retaining employee benefits. The Ten-Year Plan also includes the PMG’s goal to reduce the Postal Service deficit by $150 to $160 billion over_10 years.
  
  
• Closings and consolidations, affecting 60 metropolitan areas with the creation of Regional Processing and Distribution Centers (RPDCs) which will process Originating Letters/Flats, All Parcels, STC, THS, LPCs, SDCs; the creation of Local Distribution Centers (LPCs) which will process Destinating Letters/ Flats, Transfer Hubs, SDCs. All of these are very fluid and subject to change.
  
  
• Proposed modifications to Sorting and Delivery Centers (SDCs) and function 4 delivery and parcel sorting operations. May have 400-600 SDCs, plans for 80 SDCs by September 2024. We foresee more Mail Handler job opportunities at the SDCs.
  
  
• Mail Processing Facility Reviews (MPFR) PO-408; There have been approximately 50 MPFRs, sham public hearings, we must ensure excessing is kept to an absolute minimum.
  
  
• Mail Handler craft complement and the Mail Handler Assistants (MHAs) path to career. President Hogrogian reviewed a series of Memoranda of Understanding that created thousands of new positions and resulted in the conversion of MHAs to full-time career. there has been a total of 46,393 MHAs converted to career, with 43,937 of the MHAs being converted since the signing of the Residual Vacancy MOU. President Hogrogian also discussed the positive impact that the new Auto-Convert language in the 2022 National Agreement will have on MHA conversions to career.

NPMHU Legislative and Political Director Katie Maddocks provided an update on what’s happening in Congress. Shortly before the SAMLU, members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing with various postal officials to go over delivery issues; concerns over the mail processing facility reviews; and the future of the Postal Service. She also reviewed contributions to the NPMHU Political Action Committee (PAC) and actions it will take in the upcoming election. She also announced the winners of the 2023 PACkie Awards: Locals 300, 301, 316, 333, and 320. The PACkie Awards recognize a Local’s commitment to the success of the NPMHU PAC. The winners exemplify excellence amongst our Locals.

NPMHU Women’s Committee Report was presented by Committee Chair and Vice President Central Region/ Local 306 President June Harris.

Contract Administration Department Manager Teresa Harmon provided a full report on the activities of the Contract Administration Department since the last meeting of the Local Unions.

CAD Representative Tom Ruther discussed the RI399 Update memorandum and provided a comprehensive report on the activities of the Article 12 Task Force.

National Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Tabarus provided a detailed presentation and entertained questions and comments on a variety of topics, including a review of Q4 2023 _nances and historical net assets, deficit control measures, quarterly and annual expense and revenue projections, dues allocations, and analysis and a craft complement and membership review.

After a round-table discussion of non-agenda items, the meeting was adjourned. A comprehensive report on the Pittsburgh SAMLU will be included in the spring edition of the Mail Handler magazine.