Branch 193
                                 San Jose, California

     Homepage:

 

  Branch 193 President:
       Danny Laffan

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Branch 193 Vice President:
      Laurie Duarte
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Branch 193 2nd Vice President:
        Bill Cunningham
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NALC BRANCH 193 PAGES

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Current Branch Bulletin - May/June - 2009

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Safety - NEW Million Mile Award Winners

Membership - Updated! - NEW Video!

Calendar of Events  Always updated

Branch Photos & News - Food D./Retire D

NALC Video's + Weingarten Rights Card -                                             New Video

PS-Forms

Retiree Corner - Updated 6-2009

Retro Photos - New Photos!

Fun Photos 

Featured Station - MILPITAS

Grievance Assistance Page - NEW!

 

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CSALC (State's Website)

Letter Carrier Pay Schedule

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E L M

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E E O C

DOIS - What YOU Should Know

WEINGARTEN RIGHTS

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Join together with tens of thousands of other letter carriers to make your voice heard! The NALC will send you e-mail Alerts when it is time to act on issues affecting active and retired letter carriers and the future of the Postal Service.  To sign up, CLICK on the "NALC eActivist Network Box above.

 


 

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     BRANCH 193
       OFFICERS



Danny Laffan ...................... President
Laurie Duarte ..............Vice President
Bill Cunningham....2nd Vice President
Pat Mulligan .......Recording Secretary
Sharon Epp ..........Financial Secretary

Stan Halfacre.......................Treasurer
Guillermo Martinez...........Sgt at Arms
Guillermo Martinez-Legislative Liaison
Kelvin Kamachi........................Trustee
Laurie Lykam-Halfacre............Trustee
Jim Miller.................................Trustee
Joe Rosa..................................Trustee
Lin Zhou...................................Trustee
Jackie Lanto..................HBP/MBA Rep
Steve Munyon.................Editor Scribe

 



 

     BRANCH 193
 SHOP STEWARDS


Almaden Valley -- Dan Degn &
                             Pam West
Bayside  ------------- Al Navarette &
                             Bob Foster
Berryessa------------ Henry Semillano &
                            Lawrence Wenceslao
Blossom Hill --------Steve Miller &
                             Tom Cerna
Cambrian Park --- David Martinez
                             Ray Gauthier    
Campbell ----------- 
Rosie La’auli  &
                              Vacant
Station D -----------  Vittorio Forde
Foothill  ------------   Art Parrilla
Gilroy  ----------------  Debra Masten
Hillview -------------  Manny Aguilar &
                             Victor Barrientos
Los Gatos ----------   Kevin Janton
Los Gatos Dell ----  Ian Davies
Milpitas --------------  Joel Baclig &
                             Raj Kanda
Morgan Hill --------  Angel Montelongo
Parkmoor ------------David Judd
                             &
Sean McArthur
Robertsville  -------- Al Denison & 
                              Theresa Hernandez
St. James Park ---- Chris North &
                             
Laurie Duarte
Saratoga --------------Robert Vanderpool
Seven Trees ------- 
Moe Bedolla &
                             
Ronnie Hodges
Westgate ------------- Tommy Rivera &
                              Vince Rivera
Willow Glen -------- Jack Dusthimer &
                              Bob Krauth
Collection Officer Vera Martinez-Krauth

 

 

 

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NALC BRANCH 193

2009 EXECUTIVE BOARD

& Past Branch 193 President, Tony Cortese (D)

Website is best viewed in Internet Explorer

 Branch 193 would like to thank NALC President William H. Young for a job well done!

 

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HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

 

 

announcements

 

BREAKING NEWS!

 

The subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and
the District of Columbia marked up H.R. 22 on 6-24-2009 and passed it
by a unanimous vote. This legislation will allow the United
States Postal Service to pay its share of contributions for
annuitants' health benefits out of the Postal Service Retiree
Health Benefits Fund.

I commend the hundreds of letter carriers, state presidents and
congressional district liaisons (CDLs) who worked tirelessly,
both here in Washington and back at home, to bring us the 337
co-sponsors of this bill. No other pending legislation in
Congress has as many cosponsors and such bipartisan support.

For purely technical reasons, the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO) "scored" the bill, which means they gave it a projected
cost of about $12 billion, even though the bill does not
require any taxpayer funds. Nonetheless, this was a threat to
passage on the floor due to the "pay-go" rules currently
enforced in the House.

With major input from the NALC and with the leadership of
Committee Chairman Stephen Lynch (D-MA) and Full Committee
Chairman Ed Towns (D-NY), an amended version of the bill was
crafted, which shortens the relief from eight years to three
years in order to reduce the score and improve the chances of
House passage. Full Committee Ranking Member Darrel Issa (R-CA)
and Subcommittee Ranking Member Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) were also
instrumental in the passage of the amended bill.

We worked hand-in-hand with the bill's original authors, Rep.
John McHugh (R-NY) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), both longtime
friends and advocates for letter carriers. Although the bill
falls short of what was originally intended, we stand firm in
our support for H.R. 22 as amended and will continue to work
diligently to pass this bill in full committee and to send it to
the full House of Representatives for a vote.

When there is an opportunity in the future through other
legislative vehicles to strengthen the Postal Service, we will
pursue them. However, at this time, I want to thank the
above-mentioned committee leadership as well as the other
members of the subcommittee who took the first step in advancing
this very important bill. I will keep you posted on the progress
of this legislation. I ask that you continue to thank all the
original co-sponsors of the bill and impress upon them the
importance of sticking with us as we approach floor action in
the House of Representatives.

My sincere thanks again to all of those who worked with us to
help protect the future of all letter carriers and the United
States Postal Service.

In Solidarity,

William H. Young, President

 

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WELCOME BRANCH 193 and VISITORS

 

Welcome to our Branch 193 website!  The purpose of this website is to enhance communication with and to provide information to the membership.  Many of the links provided will lead letter carriers and their families to important information regarding their rights, responsibilities and other benefits available.  It is our intention to provide as much information as possible in an easily accessible format so letter carriers can find answers to their questions at anytime, day or night.

It is my hope that this service will provide a renewed interest in union activities and help to develop the future leaders of this branch.  It is important that the membership understands that our strength lies in our unity.  Those who have gone before us understood this message.  We must ensure that sense of unity survives well into the future.  I believe that providing a means of accessing information through this website will help the membership come together, support each other and offset the negatives that have crept into the workplace.  I look forward to an increase in participation in branch activities, a renewed sense of pride in our work and a better understanding of the role the Union plays in our lives.

- Danny Laffan - Branch 193 President

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             Latest News and Resources From National: 

                                                                           Updated 6-30-09

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NALC pressing USPS on Saturday delivery: NALC is pushing the Postal Service for a full briefing on USPS’ internal study on the feasibility of eliminating Saturday delivery. That briefing is expected to take place shortly. Regardless, NALC remains adamantly opposed to ending six-day delivery, said NALC President Bill Young. See story.

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NALC unrelenting on six-day delivery: "NALC has received reports that some postal managers have been telling letter carriers and other postal employees that the Postal Service has decided to drop one day of delivery each week to cut costs," says President Young. "Worse, some have suggested NALC has agreed to this change. Nothing could be further from the truth." NALC supports H.R.22, a bill that would financially help the Postal Service and make cutting a day of service unnecessary. Contact your representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R.22.
Press Release
| H.R. 22 Fact Sheet | Bulletin article
 

MDA cancels summer camp: NALC National MDA Coordinator Jim Williams has been notified that the union's official charity is canceling the remainder of this year's summer camps over concerns regarding the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. MDA page

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Register now for the Health Benefit Seminar: There's still time to register for the National Health Benefit Seminar in Las Vegas on October 18-21, hosted by the NALC Health Benefit Plan. The seminar will include classes and a health fair, as well as kick off the 60th anniversary celebration of the Health Benefit Plan. Call 703-729-8104 for additional information. More | HBP page

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NALC unrelenting on six-day delivery: A special message from President Young: "NALC has received reports from North Carolina, New Jersey and other states that postal managers have been telling letter carriers and other postal employees that the Postal Service has decided to drop one day of delivery each week to cut costs. Worse, some have suggested NALC has agreed to this change. Nothing could be further from the truth." Bulletin article

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NALC supports H.R.22, a bill in Congress that would financially help the Postal Service and make cutting a day of service unnecessary. Contact your House representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R.22. Press Release | H.R. 22 Fact Sheet

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NALC President Young announces retirement: President William H. Young has officially announced his retirement date—July 3, 2009. He has served 43 years as a letter carrier and 30 years as an officer of the NALC. Biography

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  http://www.nalc.org/depart/cau/jcam.html

2009 JCAM released online: The NALC is pleased to announce the 2009 Joint Contract Administration Manual (JCAM). Included in the PDF document are: 1) a letter from NALC President William Young and the Postal Service’s Vice President of Labor Relations, Doug Tulino, providing direction to Delivery Unit Managers and NALC Shop Stewards on the use of the JCAM; 2) a letter from NALC Executive Vice President Fred Rolando to NALC Branch Officers, regarding the use of the JCAM; 3) a list of changes to the previous JCAM; and 4) the 2009 JCAM. JCAM page

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73.4 million pounds collected In food drive: People across the country donated in record amounts during the 17th annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive May 9. "This is an amazing testimony to the generosity of the American people even as they themselves struggle to make ends meet in these hard times,” said NALC President Bill Young. Press release | Food Drive page | Bulletin | Postal Record article

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2010 Leadership Academy applications now being accepted: The form is posted here and is also available from your National Business Agent. In order for you to be eligible for 2010 training, forms must be postmarked by September 30. Please note: Previous applicants must reapply and include updated information, along with a renewed commitment from your mentors. Application

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Details of MIARAP agreement: A training document jointly developed by the NALC and USPS (M-01703), which details the parties' mutual understanding of the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement, Re: Modified Interim Alternate Route Adjustment Process - 2009 (M-01702), is now available. M-01703

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Save on summer trips with Union Plus: With programs to save on theme park admissions, vacation tours, rental car discounts and a motor club, Union Plus can help make your summer vacation affordable. Find these and other money-saving benefits from Union Plus here.

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Change your address? Make sure your union can stay in touch with you. Call or write the Membership Department if your address changes.

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Contract-related or work rule question? Letter carriers who need information and assistance should contact the National Business Agent in their region. Locate your NBA here.

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Updated Route Inspection Kit (12/06) available here. (Route Inspection Kit for Windows Vista available here.)

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Route protection materials online available here.

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Online form for bylaw changes available here.

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Jointly issued details of MIARAP agreement now available: A training document jointly developed by the NALC and the Postal Service (M-01703), which details the parties' mutual understanding of the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement, Re: Modified Interim Alternate Route Adjustment Process - 2009 (M-01702), is now available. M-01703

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                                PREVIOUS      NALC       NEWS

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President Young at the Rap Session  

Rap Session draws 1,600 union leaders: The Modified Interim Alternate Route Adjustment Process (MIARAP) was among the hot topics during the National Training Conference and Rap Session held in Las Vegas over the April 25-26 weekend. The 1,600 local NALC leaders at the conference had their choice of four workshops on Saturday, with roughly 1,000 attending the two route adjustment sessions. About the same number sat in on the two City Delivery/CAU briefings. During the Sunday morning Rap Session, President Bill Young told participants that MIARAP “is the future and we all need to support it.” Fielding questions from the floor, Young addressed numerous topics during the two-and-a-half hour session, including the issue of five-day delivery, which he warned could be “the death knell” for the USPS. Bulletin article

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Congressional testimony on five-day delivery: President Young told the House subcommittee for the Postal Service that cutting mail delivery to five days a week could have disastrous consequences. See video excerpts of his testimony here. Also see the NALC Bulletin and the May Postal Record for a full report .

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H.R. 22 would help save the Postal Service: Contact your House representatives and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. In his recent testimony (see above), President Young said the legislation could help USPS weather the economic crisis. He also was interviewed on Federal News Radio about the bill. Press Release | Testimony | Interview | H.R. 22 Fact Sheet | Bulletin

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Voluntary Early Retirement update: The Postal Service has extended the deadline to elect the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) option for eligible carriers to June 19. More

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NALC and USPS agree to Modified Interim Alternate Route Adjustment Process: The NALC and the Postal Service have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement on a Modified Interim Alternate Route Adjustment Process for 2009. Jointly issued details regarding each provision of the agreement will follow. M01702 | Bulletin article
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Food Drive  

 

Food Drive 2009: More than 1,400 branches have registered for the annual drive on Saturday, May 9. Watch the promotional video here. Also, the Postal Service has announced that its Priority Mail service will lead the way in supporting the drive this year. Food Drive page | Bulletin

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Save on summer trips with Union Plus: Summer is right around the corner and now is the time to start planning your vacation. With programs to save on theme park admissions, vacation tours, rental car discounts and a motor club, Union Plus can help make your vacation affordable during this rough economic patch. You can find these and other money-saving benefits from Union Plus by going here.

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Change your address? Make sure your union can stay in touch with you. Call or write the Membership Department if your address changes.

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Contract-related or work rule question? Letter carriers who need information and assistance should contact the National Business Agent in their region. Locate your NBA here.

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Updated Route Inspection Kit (12/06) available here. (Route Inspection Kit for Windows Vista available here.)

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Route protection materials online available here.

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NALC and USPS agree to Modified Interim Alternate Route Adjustment Process: The NALC and the Postal Service have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement on a Modified Interim Alternate Route Adjustment Process for 2009. Jointly issued details regarding each provision of the Agreement will follow. Click here to review the Memorandum of Agreement itself. M01702 | Bulletin article

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Legislation to improve FERS, TSP benefits passes in House: The House approved legislation April 1 that addressed two long-standing disparities in treatment between workers in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS) and those in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The bill provides service credit to employees covered by FERS for unused sick leave when determining their retirement benefits—as under CSRS. The bill also gives FERS employees who leave federal service and withdraw their retirement contributions the same right CSRS employees have to “buy back” their service credit by re-depositing their contributions when they return to federal service. More

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NALC and APWU win key ruling in OIG case: NALC and the APWU scored an important preliminary victory in their lawsuit against the Postal Service and the Office of Inspector General (OIG). In a ruling issued March 30, U.S. District Court Judge Denny Chin denied a motion by the defendants to dismiss the case. The suit will now proceed for consideration of the merits. More

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H.R. 22 would help save the Postal Service: President Young told a House subcommittee that legislation modifiying how USPS funds retiree health benefits could help the Service weather the current economic crisis. “The Great Recession we face today threatens to destroy the most trusted and universal connection most Americans have with their national government," he said. Young encourages NALC members to contact their House representatives and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 22. He also was recently interviewed on Federal News Radio about the bill. Press Release | Testimony | Interview | H.R. 22 Fact Sheet

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Early retirement offer will cover city carriers: The Postal Service has informed President Young that city letter carriers will be included in its new Voluntary Early Retirement offer. The timing for VER applications and deadline for action has not been set, but it will have the same terms as the 2008 “early out” program, Young said. That means there will be no financial incentives, and annuities will be reduced for those who take the offer. Other details are pending. See The Postal Record report on last year’s VER here, and the initial USPS announcement here.

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Battle for EFCA heats up: The legislation to make it easier for workers to form unions was introduced March 10 in both the House and Senate. NALC believes the legislation is vital to pulling the nation out of the economic crisis and rebuilding the middle class. More | Bulletin article

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Young responds to WSJ letter: In a letter to the editor of The Wall Street Journal, President Young declares that the Postal Service's experience with collective bargaining is evidence that, if passed, EFCA will work. His letter contradicts one from a formal postal manager, which was published in the paper March 16. More

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Change your address? Make sure your union can stay in touch with you. Call or write the Membership Department if your address changes.

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Route protection materials online available here.

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Five-day delivery not the best economic solution: President William H. Young has released a statement in response to media reports that Postmaster General Jack Potter is seeking to curtail the Postal Service to five-day delivery. "The continued appearance of letter carriers delivering the mail to the doorstep of every home and business and bank and credit card company six days a week is absolutely essential to economic recovery." In his statement, Young makes the case for an alternative economic solution: H.R. 22. Statement | H.R. 22 | Bulletin

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CIGNA PPO Locator Information: Is your doctor or hospital part of the CIGNA HealthCare PPO Network? Click here to go to the Health Benefit Plan page and access the CIGNA PPO Provider Locator. Or call the PPO Locator number, 877-220-NALC (6252), or the special Open Season PPO Locator number, 800-564-7642. For general info on NALC Health Plan benefits, call 888-636-NALC (6252).

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Save money with Union Plus: Union Plus can help you keep your New Year's resolutions. From health club discounts to credit counseling, you can start 2009 off on the right foot. Find these and other great money-saving benefits from Union Plus.

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JiB JaB - BiG Box Mart

Click on link below to watch!

YouTube - JibJab - Big Box Mart

 While this video is funny, it is however sadly true.

In this cartoon, an honest factory worker learns the truth about his favorite department store: that there's a very high cost for everyday low prices. Namely, outsourcing to foreign countries and unemployment!

 

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Branch Items from the July 2009 Postal Record

 

  - Danny Laffan, Branch 193 President 

Many thanks to Food Drive Coordinator Theresa Hernandez and Vice President Laurie Duarte for their outstanding work on the food drive this year.  Branch 193 offices collected 190,465 pounds of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara County.  That total represents a 94% increase over last year’s effort.  That’s remarkable!  Great job Theresa and Laurie and everyone who participated in the food drive. The fruits of your labor will feed many families during this difficult time.  We tried a couple new strategies this year.  We sold t-shirts to help advertise the food drive and we invested in the purchase of plastic bags that were distributed on routes with mainly mounted delivery.  Both strategies seemed to work very well.  One carrier told me how good it felt to turn onto a street and see blue bags full of food lining both sides of the street.  Once again, thanks to everyone who helped in the collection of this food.  I look forward to see what next year will bring.

 

Declining volume has presented many challenges for letter carriers.  It is my hope that the new route adjustment process will eliminate some of the negative interaction occurring between letter carriers and their supervisors.  Budgets keep getting cut back and we are seeing more and more pressure placed on carriers to meet unrealistic expectations. Branch 193 wishes retiring National President Bill Young good health and much happiness in his retirement.  President Young has been an outstanding leader throughout his career.  From the barnstorming Director of Education for the California State Association in the seventies to the poised confident National President testifying at Congressional Hearings, President Young has always carried the best interests of letter carriers in his heart and mind.  Thank you Bill and God bless you!

                                                   

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A MILLION MILE AWARD RECIPIENT!
Click Here to View

 

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Milpitas Carriers Reach ONE MILLION DOLLAR$  in Customer Connect!

Click here to see Featured Station

 

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                                           Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California

  

We welcome more information to share through YOUR articles* and pictures*. If you would like to add an article or picture(s) on this website, please contact Branch 193 President Danny Laffan @ 408-288-8138 or write to:

1060 Minnesota Av. Suite #9, San Jose, Ca. 95125

*All articles and pictures must be approved through the Branch President before appearing on website.

 



    NALC President:
   William H. Young

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Executive Vice-President
   Fredric V. Rolando

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   Vice-President
   Gary H. Mullins
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NATIONAL LINKS

NALC Homepage

Latest News

National Archived Bulletin

Contract Administration

City Delivery

Legislation and Political Action

NALC Health Benefit Plan

Safety & Health

Department of Retirees

Postal Record

Contact National

 Click on Carrier Guide to Read

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 Click on Postal Record
 to Read Cover Stories

              Jan, 2009

 

             Feb, 2009

 

          March, 2009

 

           April, 2009

 

           May, 2009

http://www.nalc.org/news/precord/ArticlesPDF/0609-rap.pdf

           June, 2009

 

 

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"NEITHER SNOW NOR RAIN

 NOR HEAT NOR GLOOM

OF NIGHT, STAYS THESE

 COURIERS FROM THE

 SWIFT COMPLETION OF

 THEIR APPOINTED

ROUNDS."      

                               --- HERODOTUS

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DISCLAIMER:

This website is offered to all Branch 193 Letter Carriers as a "Resource" and "Reference" Guide only.
DO NOT always rely on what you read as things can easily be misinterpreted or mislead you into thinking differently.
DO NOT
take matters into your own hands to resolve issues. ALWAYS contact your Union Steward, President or Vice President to handle contract disputes or other issues. Use this information to help you work smarter not harder and to become more knowledgeable on your job functions and rights as a Letter Carrier. Branch 193, it's Web Designers or Web Maintenance Personnel hold no liability for mis-information on this website or it's links. Website information is linked to the NALC website, Branch 193 Bulletin as well as other websites.  We are not liable nor condone questionable material or information posted on other websites. As with any Internet site, websites can be hacked into and information changed or modified.  ALL security measures have been taken to the best of our abilities with Yahoo and PSG Web Services. ANYONE with questions regarding information posted on this website are encouraged to contact the local branch office. All photos and information on this website are property of Branch 193, National and other Union websites. Any Branch or Union member wishing to copy photos or information may do so as long as credit is given to Branch 193  as well as obtaining permission without violating copyright laws.


Contact  NALC Branch 193 at: 408-288-8138

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