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On the night of Monday, March 10, the Postmaster General (PMG) and Deputy PMG met with members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the United States Postal Service Headquarters. Mail Handlers have seen the DOGE team dismantle federal agencies, impacting services provided to Americans across the country, and are therefore rightly concerned about the potential impact on the work of the Postal Service generally and the work of the more than 54,000 dedicated mail handlers across the country. Our response will be guided by the following principles.
First and foremost, the independence of USPS – and its governance by the Board of Governors – must remain.
Second, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) will fight any attempts to privatize our work. Our processing and distribution work is vital within the postal network, and privatization or subcontracting of our jobs would jeopardize not only the earned pay and benefits of mail handlers across the country, but also the flow of service that postal customers and the public at large rely upon every day. Privatizing the Postal Service will threaten customers’ ability to receive packages and letters ranging from Social Security checks, necessary medications, government correspondence, and mail from loved ones.
Finally, while we have been told that the Postal Service will not grant DOGE access to employee records and data, should this not be the case, the NPMHU stands ready, along with the other postal unions, to take all necessary action to protect the privacy of our members.
The NPMHU will remain cautious and vigilant and is prepared to fight against any ill-conceived attempts by DOGE to dismantle this American institution.
The Washington Post has reported that the Trump Administration is contemplating issuing an Executive Order firing the Postal Board of Governors and placing the United States Postal Service under the control of the Commerce Department.
Such a change would be the first step in destroying the Postal Service – an institution central to more than 166 million households and businesses. The Postal Service, through the work of its 640,000 employees, is responsible for ensuring that every American receives packages and mail ranging from Social Security checks, necessary medications, government correspondence, packages, and mail from loved ones. The Postal Service is an institution that is ingrained in our Constitution and older than the United States of America itself.
On behalf of the more than 54,000 mail handlers across the country, we will not stand by while the Trump Administration attacks this critical public resource. Firing the Board of Governors and seeking to privatize the work of the Postal Service will do nothing other than harm the American people who rely on the Postal Service every day.
The reported Executive Order does not serve the United States Postal Service and it does not make America great.
Please use the link below to send a prepared message to your elected officials.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE HATCH ACT.
All NPMHU members are encouraged to take part in the political process. However, you must remain aware of the restrictions on political activities that are imposed by the Hatch Act. While postal and federal employees are allowed to participate in a wide range of political activities, no political activity can be done while on postal property or on postal time and ".gov" email accounts cannot be used to register. For more information and further guidance on the Hatch Act, please visit the NPMHU website.
Coming upon five years of leading the United States Postal Service, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced his plans to step down from the roll. While we did not always agree, we worked together for the betterment of the Postal Service and all its employees, especially all Mail Handlers.
As the Board of Governors works to find his successor, it is important to remember the intrinsic value of the Postal Service and the demands it has from the public. The Postal Service employs over 640,000 men and women throughout the country – over 50,000 of which are Mail Handlers – and delivers to over 166 million homes and businesses. Members of this Union do their part to ensure delivery of packages, bill payments, vital medications, government correspondence, and letters to and from loved ones.
Our next leader must meet the universal service obligation that delivers the mail on time while also protecting the postal workforce. This means the Board of Governors should look for a leader who understands it must remain a public entity that should not be subject to privatization at any level. A privatized Postal Service will do nothing but drive up prices that make service unattainable for most and alienates those in remote areas. Mail Handlers are dedicated to fulfilling the constitutional mandate of the United States Postal Service, and our Postmaster General should be too.Coming upon five years of leading the United States Postal Service, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced his plans to step down from the roll. While we did not always agree, we worked together for the betterment of the Postal Service and all its employees, especially all Mail Handlers.
As the Board of Governors works to find his successor, it is important to remember the intrinsic value of the Postal Service and the demands it has from the public. The Postal Service employs over 640,000 men and women throughout the country – over 50,000 of which are Mail Handlers – and delivers to over 166 million homes and businesses. Members of this Union do their part to ensure delivery of packages, bill payments, vital medications, government correspondence, and letters to and from loved ones.
Our next leader must meet the universal service obligation that delivers the mail on time while also protecting the postal workforce. This means the Board of Governors should look for a leader who understands it must remain a public entity that should not be subject to privatization at any level. A privatized Postal Service will do nothing but drive up prices that make service unattainable for most and alienates those in remote areas. Mail Handlers are dedicated to fulfilling the constitutional mandate of the United States Postal Service, and our Postmaster General should be too.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution opposing privatization of the United States Postal Service on January 28, 2025. If adopted, the resolution, H. Res. 70, would express the sense of the House of Representatives “that Congress should take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the Federal Government and is not subject to privatization.”
Representatives Steve Lynch (D-MA-08) and Nick LaLota (R-NY-01) are the lead sponsors of the resolution, with Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) as the first cosponsors.
H. Res. 70 is a direct response to the growing rhetoric around privatizing the Postal Service. While there has been growing concern over the finances of the USPS, calls for privatization fail to recognize the fact that the Postal Service is constitutionally obligated to serve every single American business and household. USPS employs over 640,000 men and women across the country; serves 166.6 million delivery points; and, is the backbone of a $1.58 trillion mailing industry. Such service has been a mainstay of the nation’s systems for communications and commerce.The National Postal Mail Handlers Union urges all members of the House of Representatives to cosponsor this resolution.
The recently announced Voluntary Early Retirement and One Time Retirement Incentive has generated many questions from our members. The NPMHU and the Postal Service have jointly agreed on a series of questions and answers to assist our members with understanding the options that are being offered.
Memorandum of Understanding
Re: One time Retirement Incentive
Questions and Answers1. Who is eligible for the Retirement Incentive?
Answer: Employees in the NPMHU bargaining unit who are already eligible for retirement or Who meet the criteria by OPM for Voluntary Early Retirement (VER).
2. Who is not eligible for this Retirement Incentive?
Answer: Employees who have received a Notice of Removal or a Letter of Decision, as of the effective date of retirement or voluntary resignation, employees who separate via Disability Retirement and employees who separate via transfer to another federal agency.
3. What is OPM's Criteria for VER Eligibility?
Answer: OPM's eligibility for an "Early Out" -a Voluntary Early Retirement-are based on minimum age and service requirements of at least 50 years of age with at least 20 years of creditable Federal service or any age with at least 25 years of creditable Federal Service. An employee must have at least 5 years of creditable civilian service to be eligible for a voluntary early retirement. This means service in a federal government position that is not an elected position and not military service.
4. Does an employee's accumulated sick leave count toward eligibility for the VER?
Answer: No, unused sick leave cannot be used to meet service eligibility for the VER. Unused sick leave can be used to increase service credit that is calculated by OPM in determining the monthly annuity in retirement.
5. Does accumulated earned annual leave count towards retirement eligibility or benefits?Answer: No. Unused earned annual leave is paid out upon retirement.
6. Can military veterans who have not previously bought back their military time now do so in order to reach eligibility criteria?
Answer: Yes, but the buyback of military time must be completed before the cutoff dates of the retirement incentive offer contained in the MOU.
7. Does this MOU apply to employees covered under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employment Retirement System (FERS)?
Answer: Yes
8. How will employees be notified of their eligibility?
Answer: The USPS will mail two separate mailings to the address of record for every VER eligible employee no later than January 31, 2025. Full-time eligible employees will receive a letter with information on the VER requirements, their annuity estimate and a notice of retirement package mailing. The second mailing will include all required documents needed to take advantage of the VER and incentive. Part Time employees will need to request their annuity by contacting HRSSC at 1-877-477-3273, option 5, by email at jj7nb0@usps.gov or by fax at 202-268-0110. The letters will not include an explanation of any penalties. Any penalties will be described in the VER webinars and in more detail during the retirement counseling sessions.
9. If an employee retired prior to the January 13, 2025 date of the MOU, are they eligible for the incentive?
Answer: No
10. If an employee's paperwork tor retirement was submitted prior to the January 13, 2025 date of the MOU, but has an effective date after January 13, 2025, are they eligible for the incentive?
Answer: Yes, but the retirement date must be prior to April 30, 2025. If the already planned retirement date is later than April 30th, the employee will have the opportunity up to March 7thto change the effective date to April 30th to become eligible for the one-time incentive.
11. Are there any reductions in retirement benefits if an employee retires under the terms of this MOU?
Answer: There are no reductions for a Civil Service (CSRS) employee who retires under the incentive and timeline terms of this MOU. However, there may be reductions for certain FERS employees. There is a small group of FERS employees who are eligible for "optional" retirement due to reaching the minimum retirement age but do not have the number of years for full retirement. If an employee retires in this category, there will be reductions in their retirement. There is no annuity reduction for FERS employees who meet the OPM eligibility requirements and accept the Voluntary Early Retirement (Early Out).
For employees who meet the VER eligibility requirements and have not yet reached their minimum retirement age (MRA), the Social Security Supplement for such employees will not commence until a FERS covered employee reaches the MRA. In addition, Management letters to eligible employees will contain basic eligibility requirements and information for group and individual counseling. Once an employee attends a group counseling session, they may request an individual counseling session if they have additional questions about potential penalties unique to that individual.
12. How will an employee find out the full financial impact of taking an early out?
Answer: The full financial impact of the VER will vary based on the service history and age of the participating employee. Participating in the retirement counseling sessions offered as part of this MOU will provide information on potential impacts. The decision to accept an early out opportunity is an important one with financial implications and underscores the importance of engaging in the counseling process. Employees may also contact Shared Service at 877-477-3273 (Option #5) for further information.
13. During both group and individual counseling sessions, will the USPS representatives give advice on whether taking the offer of early retirement is beneficial or not for an individual?
Answer: No, the decision of whether to take an "early out" retirement is strictly that of the individual employee. The role of the USPS and their counselors is to provide accurate facts including financial implications, not to determine whether retirement is beneficial or not for an individual.
14. Will there be any break in health insurance coverage for those who choose to retire under the terms of the MOU?
Answer: No. If an employee is already covered under PSHP/FEHB, health coverage in retirement will be handled the same as with any other retirement process. Once an eligible employee retires, the premiums are deducted from retirement annuities on a monthly basis.
15. Will the USPS continue to contribute to the TSP accounts once an employee retires under the terms of the VER?
Answer: No, once an employee retires, whether through optional retirement or through Voluntary Early Retirement, the TSP contributions end.
16. Are there any caps or limits on who is eligible to receive the incentive?
Answer: No, there are no caps or limits. The incentive will be provided to all eligible employees who elect to take advantage of the offer.
17. How will disputes that arise in regard to this MOU be handled?
Answer: Any disputes will be referred to the National Administrative Committee for discussion and resolution.
RE: One Time Retirement Incentive (pdf)
The NPMHU and the USPS have reached an agreement on the terms of a One Time Retirement Incentive. The parties have agreed that the Postal Service will make lump sum incentive payments totaling $15,000 (less applicable taxes and deductions) to eligible full-time career employees who choose optimal retirement or retire pursuant to a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER). Part-time career employees shall be eligible for a prorated amount based on their paid hours. Attached is the January 13, 2025, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which sets forth the terms of this agreement.
To be eligible to retire under a Voluntary Early Retirement (VER), there are minimum age and service requirements. The requirements are:
- At least age 50 with at least 20 years of creditable Federal service OR
- Any age with at least 25 years creditable Federal service.
- An employee must have at least 5 years of creditable civilian service to be eligible for an early voluntary retirement.
More detailed information will be widely circulated to all eligible mail handlers, directly from the Postal Service, during the coming weeks.
Although we are pleased to provide this opportunity to the membership, please be advised that Local 301 and the NPMHU neither encourages nor discourages anyone from taking this opportunity. Retirement is a very important and personal decision, and mail handlers should proceed very cautiously to evaluate what this offer means to them personally.
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
According to the Postal Service, a National Day of Observance has been declared to honor the death of former President, Jimmy Carter. The Postal Service will suspend regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity on Thursday, January 9, 2025. There will be limited package delivery on January 9th to ensure the organization does not experience any impacts to its package delivery operations that may negatively affect customers or business partners.
All Postal Service facilities-including Headquarters in Washington, DC, and area and district administrative offices-are included in the National Day of Observance. Local managers will advise employees on staffing levels to maintain operations and prepare for the resumption of regular activities Friday, January 10.
Pay and leave administration for the National Day of Observance is governed by section 519.4 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) as well as, the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding between the USPS and the NPMHU (enclosed). Mail Handler Assistant (MHAs) will receive pay for actual work hours performed on the National Day of Observance and will not receive Administrative Leave.
USPS facilities are required to fly the flag at half-staff through sunset Wednesday, January 29, to honor President Carter, who died on December 29 at age 100.
Please see attached documents for additional information (pdf).
Should you have any questions, contact the Contract Administrative Department.
The National Postal Mail Handlers Union has been fighting the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and advocating for all postal retirees with repeal of both of these bad policies with the Social Security Fairness Act for the past twenty years.
GPO and WEP were developed in the 1970s to compensate for public sector retirement programs that do not utilize Social Security benefits – including postal employees within the Civil Service Retirement System – in order to ensure retirees were not taking advantage of the system. However, provisions of the policy have created a funding gap for those who also worked in the private sector where they earned Social Security, or if their spouse earned Social Security benefits.
This created an undue burden for many spouses and widows. A Social Security widow's benefit is reduced by $2 for every $3 earned if the widow is eligible for a pension based on a public sector job that was not covered by Social Security.
Additionally, inequity created by WEP reduced the Social Security benefits postal retirees receive based on the number of years they served in the United States Postal Service that did not require their payment of Social Security taxes, affecting nearly one million Social Security beneficiaries.
Over 2 million beneficiaries are affected by the WEP while over 723,000 people are affected by the GPO, including myself.
The NPMHU is grateful for the work of Representatives Garret Graves of Louisiana and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, and Senators Sherrod Brown and Susan Collins of Maine for sponsoring this legislation, and their relentless work on the issue. It is because of their dedication, NPMHU retirees can enjoy their retirement knowing their spouses and dependents will have the full benefits they earned during their long careers.
RE: National Arbitration Decision: PostalEase Fraud (pdf) We are writing to inform you of a recent national arbitration decision issued by Arbitrator Dennis Nolan in a grievance brought by the National Association of Letter Carriers, which concerned the Postal employees who did not receive their paychecks as a result of the breach of the Postal Service’s PostalEase system.Read More...
Over the past two national election cycles, the United States Postal Service, Mail Handlers and all postal employees have shown dedication to American democracy.
In the 2018 midterm elections, 30.4 million votes out of 120.3 million total votes cast were mail-in or absentee ballots. However, during the 2020 election season, the Postal Service saw an increased use of vote-by-mail in all states due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, USPS processed and delivered 135 million ballots to and from voters. Despite this drastic increase, Mail Handlers and our fellow postal brothers and sisters delivered 97.9% of ballots within 3 days and 99.7% of ballots within 5 days. These numbers improved during the 2022 elections: 98.96% of ballots were delivered within 3 days and 99.82% were delivered within 5 days.
I have the utmost confidence in the Postal Service for providing a secure and reliable election process. Make no mistake, any allegations that the Postal Service is not capable of delivering mail-in ballots are unfounded and only work to undermine the democratic process.
