Officers and representatives from nearly every NPMHU Local Union gathered in Chicago, Illinois in late August to participate in the Semi-Annual Meeting of the Local Unions. Also in attendance at this event were members of the National Executive Board, all NPMHU National Office department heads, and personnel from the National and Regional Contract Administration Department.

National President John Hegarty delivered his report to the assembly, which focused primarily on two key issues: pending postal reform legislation, and implementation of the Fishgold Arbitration Award. As part of his legislative comments, Hegarty provided a lengthy and detailed review of postal issues affecting the various versions of pending legislation to include: overfunding of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS); pre-funding obligations of the Retiree Health Benefits Fund; the preservation of USPS service standards, six-day delivery, and the integrity of the mail processing network; and the preservation of collective bargaining rights, proposed changes in the governance structure of the Postal Service, and the NPMHU’s support for proposals that would allow the Postal Service to offer additional postal services or various types of non-postal services.

President Hegarty also spoke about the recently issued Questions-and-Answers Agreement related to the Fishgold Arbitration Award. While recognizing that the Q&A document does not address every matter, to assist all representatives with implementation of the 2011 Fishgold Arbitration Award, the Q&A does memorialize the parties’ mutual understanding of the 44 most prevalent issues that could be agreed upon.

Following discussion of the issues presented by President Hegarty, National Secretary-Treasurer Gardner provided a detailed presentation and entertained questions and comments on a variety of topics, including the NPMHU financial statements for quarter ending June 30, 2013; an updated presentation and analysis related to Mail Handler complement with particular emphasis placed on the importance of organizing our new Mail Handler Assistants; membership trends and revenue allocation among our Union’s affiliated organizations; a review of cost-of living adjustments (COLAs) provided under the 2011 National Agreement; and roll-out of the upcoming nationwide membership organizing campaign. The attendees also heard a report from NPMHU Legislative and Political Director Bob Losi on various legislative and political efforts, followed by a comprehensive report and discussion from the Director of National Accounts Brad Corban on the status of the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP). Finally, MHBP Executive Director Michael Hora offered a detailed report on the upcoming open season for FEHBP.

Contract Administration Department Manager T.J. Branch then provided a full report on the activities of the Contract Administration Department since the last meeting of the Local Unions, addressing and taking questions on some the following issues: Local Memorandum negotiations; MHA complement and related enforcement matters; the Fishgold Q&As; the One-Time Purge of LOWs; the Defense of Marriage Act; RI399 matters; Regional/Expedited Arbitration panels; the impact of the Department of Labor’s OWCP Data Suspension on the USPS; subcontracting of mail handler work; and activities of the Article 12 Task Force.

Finally, Northeastern Regional Vice President, Local 300 President and National Trainer Paul Hogrogian and National CAD Representative Tim Dwyer then took the podium to lead discussions on two important issues, the first being activities of the NPMHU/USPS Article 12 Task Force, followed by an update on activities related to implementation of the Fishgold Arbitration Award. Brothers Hogrogian and Dwyer gave an in-depth presentation on the Fishgold Award and recently signed Question & Answer Agreement, after which they entertained a plethora of questions and comments from the attendees. The meeting was well-received and successful, and resulted in a lively exchange of opinions and ideas as to how best represent all Mail Handlers during these difficult and challenging times.