Branch 193
                                 San Jose, California

     Homepage:

 

  Branch 193 President:
       Danny Laffan

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Branch 193 Vice President:
      Stan Halfacre
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Branch 193 2nd Vice President:
       Laurie Duarte
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NALC BRANCH 193 PAGES

Homepage

Current Branch Bulletin - July/Aug

Branch Bulletin Archives

Safety - Updated!

Membership & Political Action - Updated!

Calendar of Events - FAMILY PICNIC info

Branch Photos & News - CONVENTION!

NALC Video's + Weingarten Rights Card

PS-Forms

Retiree Corner - Updated!

Retro Photos - Updated!

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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Grievance & Reference Links

Grievance Assistance Page

NATIONAL AGREEMENT

USPS MANUALS & PUBLICATIONS

M 39

M 41

E L M

M R S

J-CAM

F M L A

CSRS  & FERS HANDBOOKS

M S P B

O P M

O W C P

E E O C

DOIS OVERVIEW / SURVEY

DOIS  % TO STANDARD FORMULA

WEINGARTEN RIGHTS

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T S P Home Page

Social Security Online

Pacific Postal Credit Union

U S P S

Liteblue  
Federal Times

*Local Agreement & By-Laws,
     See your Shop Steward


 

AFL-CIO

Shop Union Made

AFL-CIO Boycott List

Stop Sweatshop Labor

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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Click here to Contribute to COLCPE, NALC's Political Action Fund.
Help elect friends
of Letter Carriers
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     BRANCH 193
       OFFICERS



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

Al D
enison............................Treasurer
Gene Lorenzo....................Sgt at Arms
Guillermo Martinez-Legislative Liaison
Tom Stewart............................Trustee
Laurie Lykam-Halfacre............Trustee
Jas Nijjar.................................Trustee
Joe Rosa..................................Trustee
Guillermo Martinez..................Trustee
Christine Hernandez......HBP/MBA Rep

 

     BRANCH 193
 SHOP STEWARDS


Almaden Valley -- Dan Degn &
                             Pam West
Bayside  ------------- Al Navarette &
                             Bob Foster
Berryessa------------ Henry Semillano &
                            Lawrence Wenceslao
Blossom Hill --------Steve Munyon &
                             Bill Cunningham
Cambrian Park --- Herman Echevarria/
                             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 --------------  Mike Campbell &
                             Lin Zhou
Morgan Hill --------  Angel Montelongo
Parkmoor ----------- David Judd & vacant
Robertsville  -------- Paul Allen & 
                              Theresa Hernandez
St. James Park ---- Chris North &
                              Kelvin Kamachi
Saratoga ------------- Candice Wurthmann
Seven Trees -------  Herb Olivera &
                              Moe Bedolla
Westgate ------------- Tommy Rivera &
                              Barbara Estrada
Willow Glen -------- Leo Torres &
                             Bob Krauth
Collection Officer Vera Martinez-Krauth


  
   

 

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Other NALC Website Links
     
    Just click on the Link!

  

   Mailmanstuff.com

     Branch 214  - San Francisco

 

 

 

NALC BRANCH 193

2008 EXECUTIVE BOARD

& Past Branch 193 President, Tony Cortese (D)

 

Website is best viewed in Internet Explorer

 

Welcome to Branch 193's Website! Enjoy, Utilize and Educate yourself with all of the information and tools provided. Check out our Branch Photos Page & our NEW Grievance Assistance Page! BUY UNION MADE!

 

            Latest News and Resources From National:

 

Add your voice for free choice: Join the campaign to get the Employee Free Choice Act passed in the next Congress—it’s important to you as a union letter carrier. As President Bill Young noted in a recent e-Activist message: "EFCA, which provides for card-check union recognition and first-contract arbitration, will assist NALC at the bargaining table for years to come by helping to restore the middle class labor standards that made America great. We have to once again make 'union pay and benefits' the rule, not the exception." To join the campaign, go here and sign onto the petition.
e-Activist message | NALC petition page

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Young addresses clerks: On August 19, four weeks after APWU President Bill Burrus spoke to the letter carriers convention in Boston, NALC President Bill Young returned the favor at the clerks gathering in Las Vegas. "Something’s got to change, and we’ve got make it happen," Young said. "The men and women of the NALC are ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men and women of the APWU to make sure that it does."

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Cost-of-living adjustment will be $1,498: The next regular cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) under the 2006-2011 National Agreement will be $1,498 annually, based on the Consumer Price Index for July. The COLA is effective the pay period beginning August 30 (pay date September 19). More | Bulletin | Pay Chart

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More on ‘early outs': President Young told delegates at the NALC Convention in Boston that “very little has been decided” about the possibility the Postal Service will extend to city letter carriers its pending “Voluntary Early Retirement” program for clerks, mail handlers and their supervisors. Bulletin

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Obama promises to fight alongside NALC: In a July 21 letter, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (IL) vowed to stand with the union to "build an America where we value the labor of every American." He also thanked NALC for its endorsement. Full text of the letter is here.
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Boston Convention closes: With the banging of the gavel on Friday, July 25, the 66th Biennial Convention has adjourned sine die. Click here for all of the daily updates of the convention's business.
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Headquarters rededicated as Vincent R. Sombrotto Building: In a moving ceremony at its convention in Boston, NALC formally rededicated its headquarters as the Vincent R. Sombrotto Building in honor of the president emeritus. Convention Chronicle

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'Honorary delegate' Clinton moves Obama endorsement resolution: Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), endorsed for president by NALC last summer, addressed the union's convention in Boston and was named an honorary member and convention delegate. She then introduced a resolution to endorse Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) for president.

                                            Video | Chronicle newsletter | Photos | Press Release | Bulletin

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President Young defends universal service: Young reminded Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) members that universal, six-day postal service is a bedrock of communication among Americans that should not be changed just because European countries have opted for a deregulated, less-inclusive system. More
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Flood victims eligible for PERF grants: Active and retired postal employees in several states hit by flooding and severe storms in June are eligible for grants from the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund to help rebuild and repair their homes and property. More
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President Young addresses early out rumors: "Until the Office of Personnel Management has acted upon its request for a VERA for letter carriers, it is premature to discuss any early out options." Bulletin article
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FERS sick leave reimbursement bill moves forward in Congress: Under a bill passed by the House July 30, employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) would receive credit for unused sick leave toward their retirement annuities. Proponents hope the Senate takes up the bill in the fall. More

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Leadership Academy: Applications for classes in 2009 are now being accepted. Forms must be postmarked by September 30. Previous applicants must reapply. Application | Postal Record article
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Contribute to COLCPE, NALC's political action fund.
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Contract-related or work rule question? Letter carriers who need of information and assistance should contact the NBA in their region. Locate the correct NBA here.
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2006-2011 National Agreement: PDF version, with bookmarks and interactive page links, is available 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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President Young addresses early out rumors: "There are many rumors on the Internet about a pending early out for letter carriers. I have been advised that the USPS has requested permission to have a VERA for letter carriers and expects an answer at the end of this month. Until the Office of Personnel Management has acted upon that request, it is premature to discuss any early out options. We will continue to monitor the situation and will alert our members as soon as OPM has acted on the USPS' request.
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‘Contracting out’ moratorium extended: President Young has obtained agreement from the Postal Service to extend the moratorium on delivery subcontracting called for by the Article 32 Committee Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the National Agreement through September 30, the end of the USPS Fiscal Year. More
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AFL-CIO endorses Obama; NALC abstains pending convention vote: On June 26, the AFL-CIO endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) for president following a vote of presidents of its 56 affiliated unions. NALC President William H. Young, a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council and its Executive Committee, abstained from voting until NALC members have a chance to vote on the endorsement at the Boston Convention. More
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Contract-related or work rule question? Letter carriers who need of information and assistance should contact the NBA in their region. Locate the correct NBA here.
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 Contribute to COLCPE, NALC's political action fund. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

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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.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the time and effort put into developing this website by our retiree and now Webmaster Dan Taormino.  Dan has done an excellent job.  He leads through example; he has a strong desire to help his brothers and sisters in this great Union.  He always has been and continues to be a great asset to Branch 193 and we appreciate his efforts.

Danny Laffan - Branch 193 President

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Branch Items from the July 2008 Postal Record

- Danny Laffan, Branch 193 President

Low mail volume continues to create problems on the workroom floor. Discussions about the amount of under time available on any given day have turned non-productive from the carrier’s perspective.  More and more supervisors are telling the carriers how much time they will pivot.  Carriers are resorting to skipping lunches and breaks to avoid being confronted by these supervisors who assign more pivot time than carriers can finish in eight hours.  This is unacceptable and must stop. 

Carriers are responsible to give their best estimate of the time that will be needed to complete their assignment.  When your estimate is less than eight hours management may assign you additional work (pivot) to bring your day to eight hours.  Management may not assign you more than eight hours work and instruct you to complete it in eight hours.  When you become aware that you will not be able to complete the assignment in the time allotted, you must notify management of the need for additional time.  This can be accomplished by submitting Form 3996 before you leave the office or by calling the office from the street if you become aware of the need for more time after you leave the office.  This is your responsibility and you must fulfill your responsibilities to do your job properly.  Once notified of the request for additional time, management must make a decision and give you further instructions.  You must follow the instructions given.  Management may not tell you to finish the assignment but the overtime is not authorized.  Authorization of overtime is inherent in the instruction to complete the assignment. People tell me that it is easy for me to write these words but I don’t understand.  Trust me, I do understand and it is not easy. Know your rights and stand up for them!

 

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Branch Items from the June 2008 Postal Record

- Danny Laffan, Branch 193 President

Thanks to all those who helped make this year’s food drive successful.  Special thanks to Food Drive Coordinator Laurie Duarte and her able assistant Robertsville Station Steward Theresa Hernandez for the great job they did getting all the offices banners, posters, post cards and whatever else they needed.  It is not an easy task coordinating the efforts of the different agencies that are involved in the food drive.  Laurie and Theresa did an excellent job once again.  As I visited stations on Saturday, most carriers indicated they collected less food than last year.  I could speculate regarding what causes a drop in donations; however, I believe it is better to appreciate the donations we get and realize that this nationwide effort goes a long way in feeding the hungry through the summer months.  In time, we will know if we collected more or less this year but what really matters is that we continue to help to stamp out hunger in this country.  Thanks again to everyone who helped with this year’s food drive.   

 We are expecting our first encounter with temperatures in the high nineties this week.  It is important to remember to keep yourself properly hydrated when delivering in this high heat.  Replacing fluids we lose as we go about the business of delivering the mail is critical in avoiding the negative effects exposure to heat can have on our bodies.  Listen to the signals your body sends to you and take the time to take care of yourself. (see safety page on website) Summer will soon be upon us.  Many of us have planned vacations with family and friends.  Enjoy your time away from work and make sure that you take the time to familiarize everyone with potential safety hazards as you travel away from home.  Have a great summer!

 

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Branch Items from the May 2008 Postal Record

- Danny Laffan, Branch 193 President 

 

We have heard that mail volumes have been on a decline over the past few years; however, many of us have not given much consideration to what impact that would have on us.  Some units are now experiencing the challenges that decreases in cased volume can bring.  Lower mail volumes can create less than eight hours of work on our routes.  We are responsible to identify how much under time exists on our route when we have less than eight hours of work.  Carriers are required to give their best estimate and fill their day to eight hours by pivoting either in the office or on the street.  The problems arise when our estimate does not match up to the numbers that the DOIS program generates. 

Management has programs in place that rate each office by how much of the DOIS estimated under time is captured.  Supervisors pressure letter carriers to carry more pivot than can be done in eight hours.  Carriers will cave in to that pressure and skip breaks and lunches so they don’t have to explain the need for additional time to the supervisor.  Those carriers who are skipping breaks and lunches need to realize that they are creating a nightmare for themselves. When management looks at the time required to complete your assignment it will be up to fifty minutes short of reality if you have skipped your breaks and lunches.  If you think management will make an adjustment to that time you are going to be disappointed.  The only adjustment you will see is an addition to your route. Do your best and take pride in the work you do.  Give a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.  Do not allow yourself to be manipulated.  Remember the route you are creating is your own.

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Contract COLA: $956

The accumulation toward the third regular cost of living adjustment for letter carriers under the 2006-2011 National Agreement was $956 in June following the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for May 2008. The actual COLA will reflect the increase in the CPI between January and July 2008. It will be payable the second full pay period following the release of the July 2008 index Note: Although the COLA formula included in the contracts of all four postal unions is identical, the NALC’s second COLA of $458 annually is $21 less than the COLA payable to APWU- and NPMHU-represented employees, who will receive a COLA of $479 annually. The one-penny-per-hour difference stems from a difference in the contracts’ base months, which results in different COLA amounts due to rounding rules. The base month for the NALC COLA clause is May 2007, while the base month used by the APWU and the Mail Handlers is July 2006.

2009 Retiree COLA: 4.5%

The accumulation toward the 2009 retiree COLA was 4.5 percent in June following the release of the May Consumer Price Index. The actual COLA will reflect the difference between the average Consumer Price Index for the third quarter of 2007 and the average CPI for the third quarter of 2008.

2009 FECA COLA: 3.4%

The accumulation toward the 2008 FECA COLA was at 3.4 percent following the release in June of the May 2008 CPI. The 2009 FECA COLA will be based on the increase in the CPI between December 2007 and December 2008 and will become effective on March 1, 2009. The 2008 FECA COLA of 4.3 percent became effective March 1.

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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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                 Past News and Resources:

NALC speaks out against murder of union members: Joining other unions around the world, President Young sends a letter demanding the government of Colombia act to end repression, intimidation and murder of trade unionists in South American nation. More.
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Union Plus discounts: April is the perfect time to start thinking about educational services. Or, it's always a good time to take advantage of discounts on books. These are only two of the many other great savings offers available from Union Plus. More
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COLCPE Contests: NALC President William H. Young has announced two contests designed to foster fund-raising for COLCPE. The winners will enjoy either a trip to this fall's World Series or a new flat-screen TV. More
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Second contract COLA is $458: The second regular cost-of-living adjustment for letter carriers under the 2006-2011 National Agreement is $458. The increase is effective for the pay period beginning March 15 and will be reflected in paychecks on April 4.
More
| Note on COLA differences for postal employees | Paychart
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Q&A on transitional letter carriers: The NALC and USPS have agreed upon an initial, joint “questions and answers” document covering key aspects of the wages, hours and working conditions for transitional employees under the National Agreement. This document is the only source of the national parties’ joint agreement.
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Updated Route Inspection Kit (12/06) available here. (Route Inspection Kit for 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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Contribute to COLCPE, NALC's political action fund.
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Contract-related or work rule question? Letter carriers in need of information and assistance should contact the NBA in their region. You can locate your NBA here.
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NALC files suit to stop invasion of privacy by OIG: The NALC and the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) filed a joint lawsuit in federal court January 17 against the Postal Service and the USPS Office of Inspector General seeking to stop OIG agents from obtaining confidential medical information about employees without their knowledge or consent. In addition to the suit, President Bill Young said the NALC would continue to fight the abuse of power by the OIG in every way possible. Bulletin
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Q&A on transitional letter carriers: The NALC and USPS have agreed upon an initial, joint “questions and answers” document covering key aspects of the wages, hours and working conditions for transitional employees under the National Agreement. This document is the only source of the national parties’ joint agreement.
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NALC charts The Road Ahead: The Postal Record magazine takes a look at what lies ahead in 2008 for the union here.
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Updated Route Inspection Kit: Update your NALC Route Inspection Kit with the most recent changes to the program. The December 1, 2006 update can be downloaded here.
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Route protection materials online: Chapters from the workbook designed to help carriers during route evaluations can be found here.
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Online form for bylaw changes: Use this convenient form to submit proposed changes to the Committee of Laws. You should only submit this form after the bylaw has been read, voted on and approved, as well as signed by a branch officer.
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Three ways for NALC members to contribute to COLCPE: Forms and instructions to download to make a regular donation to NALC's political action fund can be found here.

 

 

 

  

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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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

           June, 2008

 

            July, 2008

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Up
Today! Click on Picture.

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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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