NALC

BRANCH 3

U.S.A.

MMAARRCCHH 22001166 VVoolluummee 7700,, NNuummbbeerr 33

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONSOPENED on FEBRUARY 19th at NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

National President Fredric Rolando and theNALC Executive Council met with PostmasterGeneral Megan Brennan and postal service re-presentatives to begin negotiations. In his open-ing statement President Rolando addressedmajor workplace issues including the inadequateworking conditions, compensation and benefitsof the non-career workforce. He also addressedworkplace issues beyond staffing, safety andservice. He suggested that “permanent and sus-tainable improvements” be made to improveworkplace culture “plagued by stress and dys-function”.

As we head into these negotiations we standon firmer ground. City Letter Carriers have donethe impossible, we beat both UPS and FedEx inon time delivery during Christmas rush twoyears running. We have done that without theproper staffing, the necessary equipment and inmany cases for our CCAs, without complete on-the-job training.

City Letter Carriers have been successful ingetting our message out to both our customersand Capitol Hill. City Letter Carriers haveincreased revenue, not just by the CustomerConnect program, but also Amazon Sunday.

The two tier workforce will be addressed andhighly debated during this negotiation cycle.Changes will be made. Some we will like, somewe will not. Your vote will matter. Stayinformed.

~ Your editor, Jody Kotowski

President Rolando’s opening statement can be foundin it’s entirety on PostalReporter.com

THE BUZZ2 MARCH 2016

BRANCH 3 OFFICERS

President, Lawrence Kania . . . . . . . . . 863-5292nalcbr3@aol.com

Executive Vice-PresidentSusan Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308-9583

mailadjust@aol.comVice-President, David Grosskopf . . . . 432-9592

mail3man@aol.comSec.-Treas., Kim Fitzgerald. . . . . . . . . 997-6139Asst. Sec.-Treas., Mark Seifert . . . . . . 578-8508Trustee, Pete Preziotte. . . . . . . . . . . . . 930-2028Trustee, Robert Speidel. . . . . . . . . . . . 861-6620Trustee, Becky Stockman . . . . . . . . . . 574-4181Trustee, Doug DiTondo. . . . . . . . . . . . 867-9006Trustee, Mike Levering. . . . . . . . . . . . 491-2509Editor, Jody Kotowski. . . . . . . . . . . . . 706-8136

branch3buzz@gmail.comSgt.-At-Arms, Zebediah Robson . . . . 341-3046Insurance, Judy Kersten . . . . . . . . . . . 863-8642Director of Retirees, Kent Hankin . . . 685-4648

President Emeritus, Robert J. McLennanRuss Barbera and Jerry Kazmarczyk

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONSBylaws

Don Ford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631-4776CharityAnn Dyson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 949-6637

ConventionKent Hankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685-4648

FellowshipMelissa Cummings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380-1454

Health, Death & WelfareJudy Kersten . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 863-8642

Information / EducationPete Preziotte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 930-2028

LegislationDoug Fordyce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 864-5528

Muscular DystrophyBecky Stockman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 574-4181

NewspaperJody Kotowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 706-8136

OrganizationRory Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585-590-6754

SafetyTony Vilardo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440-9650

BRANCH 3 REPRESENTATIVESArbitration Advocates

Susan Lewis, Doug FordyceHealth & Safety Rep.

Tony Vilardo, Doug DiTondoSocial & Recreation, Welfare

Kent HankinAlternate - Nicole Marasco

EEOJohn Walton, Judy Kersten, Mark Leon

EAPLinda DeLuca, Judith Kersten

AFL-CIO DELEGATESLarry Kania - Bob Ohlenschlager - Don Ford

John Wozniak - Don Karp - John WaltonKent Hankin - Susan Lewis - Zeb Robson

Branch 3 Website: branch3nalc.com

BRANCH 34845 Union Road, Buffalo, N.Y. 14225

(716) 631-3940

BUFFALO STATIONSUnion Stewards 2015-2018

Amherst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renee Gronowski, Tom RybackiBlasdell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chip IsaacsCentral Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nanci Trzepkowski, Theresita MoralesCheektowaga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Speidel, Doug DiTondoEastside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mo VanKeuren, Jim Porzio, Keith PuchalskiHiler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda DeLucaNiagara Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill ZeughardtNorthside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Traci Hoffman, Ryan FalgianoSouthside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Hoefer, Chris JacksonWestside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard ByingtonWest Seneca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Kozub, Scott MillerWilliamsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Falgiano, Nicole Marasco

ASSOCIATE OFFICESAkronAlden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe PalumboAngolaArcadeAttica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan KaralusBatavia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joel EmersonBolivarCattaraugusClarenceCubaEast Aurora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim FatigEden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom KeeslerFranklinvilleFredonia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve DudekGowanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt LesefskeGrand Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris AmatoHamburg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ed GouineJamestown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John McCracken, Angelo VolpeLakewoodLancaster/Depew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave McCann, Mark SeifertLewiston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sean MagorienLockport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard KerrMayvilleMedinaMiddleportNewfaneNiagara Falls - LaSalle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael LeveringNiagara Falls - Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicholas AbelOlean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kris LindermanOrchard ParkRandolph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dawn SheltersSalamanca. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kris LindermanSilver Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen NordineSpringville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colleen GouineTonawanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert KlimekWestfield

The Buzz is a publication of Branch 3, NALC, AFL-CIO. The Editor, President andExecutive Vice-President reserve the right to edit any submission for content, clarityand length. All submissions are due by the 3rd Friday of the month. Anonymous sub-missions will not be accepted. Content may be republished by any union trade maga-zine as long as proper credit is given to Branch 3 and the author.

Last month, three of the major postal unions traveleddifferent avenues regarding contract negotiations. OnFebruary 11th, the National Rural Letter CarriersAssociation entered into a tentative agreement. The newagreement covers 3 years with contractual wage increasesof 1.2%, 1.3% and 1.3% each year. The COLA’s will alsoremain in effect. The agreement establishes a new noncareer workforce known as Assistant Rural Carriers. ARCsmay only perform Saturday, Sunday, and holiday duties.They must apply for any desired RCA positions and maynot automatically convert to an RCA vacancy.

On February 17th, the American Postal Worker’sPresident Mark Dimondstein opened the APWU’s interestarbitration case in an impassioned presentation to the inter-est arbitration panel. It should be noted that he clearly indi-cated that he is not interested in another concessionary con-tract negotiated by his predecessor which saved the USPSapproximately 4 billion dollars. Most importantly he reiter-ated that his members are clearly opposed to the establish-ment of the third tier workforce demanded by the USPS. Inclosing he stated to the arbitration panel: “Management’sdrastic and regressive economic proposals demanding anew round of severe concessions, the elimination of theCOLA, creation of a new lower third tier of career employ-ee with reduced benefits amounting to a four tier wage sys-tem, higher percentages of non-career employees and lessjob security, are not only unwarranted by any legitimatemeasure, but are an insult. And they exacerbate the prob-lem of vast income inequality.”

Just a few days later, on February 19th, The NationalAssociation of Letter carriers opened their formal negoti-ations with the USPS in the Vincent Sombrotto building. Inhis opening statement President Orlando laid the ground-work for what our union hopes to achieve during negotia-tions:

“The men and women letter carriers of the UnitedStates Postal Service have earned a reasonable increasein their wages and protection of their health insuranceand other basic terms and conditions of employment.This will not be a concessionary agreement. We shouldnot waste our valuable time, energy and resources, oryours, in pursuit of that which will not be.

Elements of our collective-bargaining agreementsthat have stood the test of time should not be tamperedwith. COLAs, no lay-offs clauses and contracting-outprovisions are not Holy Scripture, but to letter carriersthey are close. We would be well advised to approachthose existing provisions with great respect and cau-tion.”

CONTRACT TALKSPresident Rolando also discussed

the problem of the turnover rate of ournon- career workforce (CCA’s). Thiswas on the heels of a report which stat-ed that the attrition rate of non-career employees doubledlast fiscal year to 40%. Of all the crafts involved the CCA’shad the highest attrition rate of almost 54%. Simply stated,one half of all CCA’s either resigned or is separated within1 year. These numbers clearly place our union in a strongposition when attempting to negotiate better wages andbenefits for our CCA’s. It is also encouraging to see that theleadership of the APWU appears to have the same vision asour leadership.

The last time the major unions negotiated a contract thePostal Service was in serious financial trouble. The USPSwas calling for the elimination of Saturday delivery andplanning on closing plants. We were also constantly beingattacked by members of Congress calling for our extinc-tion. Luckily things have changed to the positive.

For the third straight year the USPS showed an operat-ing profit for the first fiscal quarter. This year they made a1.3 billion dollar profit for the first fiscal quarter. Theincrease profits are directly attributed to the increase ofalmost 16% in the parcel business due to online purchases.Overall our negotiating position has been strengthened bythe increases in business and profits.

For the last few months local management has beenusing a new program that monitors a carriers street time.The program is very simple. It calculates the total numberof pieces of mail delivered on your last 3999 and expectsyou to meet that street time every time you have the samevolume. If you have a lower volume it mysteriously calcu-lates a saving in street time which is filled by assigningdowntime.

Presently there is NO program that can dictate eitheroffice time or street time. Management uses these pro-grams to coerce carriers to work faster. They show you apiece of paper that says you have a half hour of under time.If you don’t do it you can get in trouble. First of all it hasbeen established that one 3999 does not establish ANYdemonstrated performance. Especially when the 99 wasdone in summer. The program does NOT calculate parceltime, walking or weather conditions. Our contract statesthat a route should be 8 hours based on YOUR perform-ance and not what some computer states, so don’t let man-agement turn you into a robot. Work at your pace and not amachines pace.

~ In Solidarity, Larry Kania, President

THE PRESIDENT LAWRENCE KANIA

THE BUZZ 3MARCH 2016

THE BUZZ4 MARCH 2016

will actually take to deliver your routeon any given day. There is no comput-er program, no matter how new andimproved, that can predict with any accuracy, how yourday will be; there are too many variables. Letter carriersknow that even on the lightest day, a route will take longerwhen there is ice and snow on the ground. A computer doesnot take that in to account. Then, we have supervisors whohand out under time before parcels are distributed. If itwasn’t so annoying, it would be comical. When you can’tfind an inch of space to fit another box in the back of yourLLV, it’s nearly impossible to convince a carrier that theyhave under time. I suppose we should give managementsome credit for sticking to the script even as the stage propsare falling all around them.

Now, bless their hearts, management is trying some-thing “new”. A pilot program is being tried out in one ofour offices in which management is using the times from asingle 3999 along with volume numbers from any givenday and instructing carriers based on-you guessed it-anoth-er computer program. It’s deja vu all over again! Each andevery time they decide to try something new and improved,they tend to forget that we still work under a negotiatedagreement. It is still necessary to work carriers on the over-time list up to twelve hours before they can force a non-ODL carrier to work overtime in another route. Their testprogram doesn’t change the contract. Their wishful think-ing doesn’t change the contract. Their hallucinations don’tchange the contract. You cannot be held to, nor disciplinedfor, their their pipe dreams.

At the risk of creating another deja vu moment, I shallrepeat what a carrier’s duty is. You must make manage-ment aware when you know you will not be able to com-plete your assignment (and any additional duties assignedas under time) in eight hours. The proper way to do this isby filling out a PS form 3996. You must follow the instruc-tions you are given. You must work safely and profession-ally. That’s it. There never was and there never will be anyprovision in our collective bargaining agreement that saysyou must work faster if you are given more work. Therewill never be a provision that mentions a “sense ofurgency”. There will never be language that says to worksafely only if you have the time. If (when) you are forcedto work overtime and you are not on the overtime desiredlist, inform your steward that you want a grievance to befiled. After that, I get to experience my favorite ‘I’ve donethis before’ moment: when I get to close out your grievancewith payment to the forced non-ODL carrier and ODL car-riers. I love that feeling. C’mon, make it happen.

~ In Unity and solidarity,Susan Lewis, Executive Vice President

DEJU VU ALL OVER AGAIN

A week or so ago, I was having a conversation withsomeone I don’t know well, someone I’d only spoken toonce or twice before. Suddenly, as I stood in front of him,I was overcome with a feeling that I had experienced theentire event before, the place, the words, the facial expres-sions-everything. The deja vu was so overwhelming that Icouldn’t pay attention to the present because I was mental-ly reliving the imagined-past. Recurring dreams hold asimilar creepy place in my life. When I’m particularlystressed, I have the same dream I’ve had since I was eightyears old: I’m crouched behind a concrete cylinder in thefront yard of my grandmothers house, throwing rockstoward the neighbors yard while the sky turns to yellowand orange and a high pitched, ungodly, noise rings in myears. I usually wake frightened and bathed in sweat in spiteof having no inkling what the dream represents.

Nothing and no one can bring on a recurring nightmarelike working as a letter carrier. If you haven’t had one yet,you will. You’re on an unfamiliar route and no matter howfast you’re moving, you’re not getting any closer to beingfinished. Or, you fall asleep in your vehicle, wake up in thedark and still have the entire route to deliver. These dreamsseem to be the postal equivalent of showing up to school inyour pajamas, unprepared for a test. I once asked a retireewhen they would stop. He told me that ten years out fromcarrying, he still had them on occasion. Ah, something tolook forward to.

As for the deja vu, in the post office, when you get thatfeeling, it’s probably because you actually did experienceit before. For starters, that conversation you have with yoursupervisor about how long it’s going to take you on anygiven day- it never changes. You could have it in yoursleep. “Boss, I’m gonna need a half hour today; I’ve gottwice as much DPS as usual and a hamper full of parcels.”Boss: “I think you’ll be fine. Call me later.” It’s as infuri-ating as it is predictable. Then, every stand-up talk andevery announcement sounds exactly the same as the onesthat came before: “This is the worst performing office inthe district/area/country.” “We need to get off the radar.”“You need to show a sense of urgency out there!” Blah,blah, blah. This is why they can get carriers to be 204b’swithin months of their hire dates; they’ve heard the ‘moti-vational ‘ speeches so frequently that they believe that’s allthere is to being a member of management. If I were slight-ly more bold I’d ask to see where the ring was installed.Pull the string and get a canned response.

The icing on the cake has to be how management recy-cles old garbage, gives it a different name, and decides it’sgoing to be the next big thing. If you’ve worked here longenough to remember POST and DUVRS, you weren’tshocked by DOIS. It’s the SSDD. You’re also probably sea-soned enough to know that no matter the name, it’s a man-agement tool that cannot and does not dictate the time it

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT SUSAN LEWIS

should thoroughly investigate his or her vehicleand fill out a vehicle repair tag and/or hazard report when neces-sary. Any/all fluid leaks need to be reported so that the source ofthese leaks can be identified and repaired. Any of those leaks couldbe causing the fires or vehicle breakdowns for example. I recom-mend that you look closely at the area under your vehicle. As youpull out of your assigned parking space, look to see whether thereis any fluid leak of any type. If so, fill out a hazard report and/or avehicle repair tag and let your union representatives know that youare concerned and that you have reported a potential vehicle haz-ard.

Union stewards must be attentive in making the determinationthat a vehicle reported as defective is not reassigned to anotherunsuspecting employee. At times management does reassign defec-tive equipment to another employee. If a steward finds out thatdefective vehicles or equipment are being reassigned to unsuspect-ing employees, he or she needs to protect the rights of all employ-ees by initiating a grievance (Articles 14 and 19) explaining indetail what supervisors and or managers have done.

With letter carriers properly performing the Expanded VehicleSafety Check, with a partner, and documenting any problems theyencounter on the appropriate forms it puts management in a posi-tion to make sure said problems are corrected. With letter carrierssimultaneously notifying their stewards of the existence of suchproblems and stewards tracking the assignment of equipmentand/or vehicles, together we can ensure that letter carriers safety isthe forefront of everyone’s concern. Check those vehicles andreport any problems!!!

~ In solidarity,David J Grosskopf Jr., Vice-Pres., Tonawanda

THE BUZZ 5MARCH 2016

VICE PRESIDENT DAVID J. GROSSKOPF, JR.

I CAN SKIP INSPECTING MY VEHICLE RIGHT?For most of you the Postal Service provides you with an LLV

to deliver your assigned duties daily. This fleet of vehicles, at thispoint, in most cases is decades old and in the last stages of theirusable longevity. Most carriers are aware of the stories across thecountry of LLV’s catching fire and the general mechanical prob-lems associated with vehicles age. Our harsh winters put thesevehicles through their paces. As part of your daily duties, normallyafter immediately clocking in, you are required to do the following:

M-41: 832 Inspecting Vehicle

832.1 Inspect vehicle as described on Notice 76, ExpandedVehicle Safety Check (see Exhibit 832.1) for deficiencies,body damage, or inoperable items. See section 842 forreporting defects.

Notice 76 contains no less twenty seven (27) different individ-ual tasks to perform when checking and inspecting the LLV youhave been given for your daily delivery duties. In most cases thesevehicles are twenty plus (20+) years old. Ask yourself, do you real-ly want to get into a vehicle this old without properly inspecting itfirst? Most people will obviously answer no. Use Notice 76 and apartner to check every vehicle you are assigned before you attemptdelivery with the vehicle. The Postal Service is required throughthe Postal Operations Manual in Section 736 Fleet Maintenance toprovide the following:

The VMF is responsible for providing quality and timelymaintenance to the Postal Service fleet as outlined in theguidelines established by Vehicle Maintenance,Headquarters.

If you’re Expanded Vehicle Safety Check challenges theemployer’s failure to properly maintain and service vehicles, sub-mit a 1767, Hazard Report, and/or a Vehicle Repair Tag (Form4565) to document re-occurring problem(s) with aspects of thevehicle.

The USPS created PS Form 4546-B, titled “United StatesPostal Service Preventive Maintenance Inspection GuidelinesLight Delivery Vehicles.” The purpose of the form is to identifywhat elements are required of routine maintenance and to docu-ment that the maintenance was performed. If there is a problem weshould be requesting proof that the vehicles are being properlyserviced. If this is not taking place, we need to investigate why thevehicles are not being properly maintained. Among the items listedon the form 4546-B is the following:

14. Floor and under dash wiring34. Fluid leaks and engine mounts41. Exhaust systems, converter, and muffler43. Body hold downs, hoses, and wires56. Fuel lines, fuel system, and linkage60. Wiring and hoses

These directly correlate with Notice 76 and the twenty seven(27) checks you should be performing. Each and every carrier

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Authorization form. Be sure to sign anddate the form, Section E, and return thesigned form to the Plan. You should com-plete or update this form if you have not done so in the past 2years. The form can be accessed online atwww.NALCHBP.org or contact the union office.

Remember, this is especially important for members whohave children on their plan who turned 18 or are older, evenmore so if your child is away at college and/or does not live inthe immediate area. Just being the parent does not make youraccess to your ‘adult’ child’s health care related informationautomatic. For those who carry another FEHB plan, it isadvised that you contact them concerning their disclosure pol-icy. Protect your family and yourself when medical issuesarise.

~ Judy Kersten, Health & Insurance Representative

Members enrolled in the NALC High Option Plan can takea free Health Risk Assessment (HRA) online. It is availableunder the ‘personal health records’ tab at www.NALCHBP.org.The HRS is an online program that analyzes your health relat-ed responses and gives you a personalized plan to achieve spe-cific health goals. Your HRA profile provides information toassist you in reaching good physical and mental health.

When you complete the HRA, you may either choose to beenrolled in the CignaPlus SavingsSM discount dental programand we will pay the CignaPlus SavingsSM discount dental pre-mium for the remainder of the calendar year in which you com-pleted the HRA provided you remain enrolled in our Plan, youmay choose a CVS gift card, or choose a wearable activitytracking device. See your options below:

• One covered member completes the HRA, you may choose one of the following:

Self only CignaPlus SavingsSM discount dental program,a $40.00 CVS gift carda wearable activity tracking device

• Two or more covered family members (including the member) complete the HRA, you may choose one of the following:

Family CignaSavingsSM discount dental program,a $40.00 CVS gift card per person (limit 2 cards per enrollment), ora wearable activity tracking device (limit 2 devicesper enrollment)

Note: You must be 18 years or older to be eligible to com-plete the HRA. Individuals age 13 and older can access otherservices offered by CareAllies/Cigna.

CignaPlus SavingsSM is a discount dental program thatprovides members access to discounted fees with participatingdental providers. For more information on this program, call 1-877-521-0244 or visit www.cignaplussavings.com.

Just a Reminder.........The HIPAA Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance

Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 originally went intoeffect in 2003. The Privacy Rule generally prohibits yourhealth plan from discussing your personal information withanyone other than you or someone you have designated as your“Personal Representative”. Medical providers and healthplans must share health care related information for the pur-poses of treatment, payment, and health care operations.However, most Health Benefit Plans will not disclose protect-ed health information of an enrollee or covered family mem-ber age 18 or older unless there is a personal representativeauthorization on file for that person.

The NALC Health Benefit Plan follows this procedure.Each family member age 18 or older that wishes to name a per-sonal representative must complete a Personal Representative

INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE JUDY KERSTEN

FROM NALC HEALTH BENEFIT HIGH OPTION

MDA FUNDRAISERMonday, May 9th7:00 to 9:00 pm

Painting with a Twist1054 Union Road, Southgate Plaza

BYOB and light snacks ~ $35.00Visit: www.painting with a twist.com/buffalo-west-seneca/

to reserve your seats online

Contact Rose Becker 239-9290 orBecky Stockman 574-4181 with any questions

DDaattee:: Sat., May 21st - 7:00 til 11:00 pm

WWhheerree:: DiTondo’s, 370 Seneca Street

CCoosstt:: $30 per person

IInncclluuddeess:: 4 Hr. Open Bar/Dinner | 50/50

CCoonnttaacctt:: Call Colleen Patterson 867-7910

CHEEKTOWAGA’SRETIREMENT PARTY FOR

Larry Nowak - Ed Bucella - Carol Hanel

THE BUZZ 7MARCH 2016

Marc Panepinto, 60th district (north Buffalo, Hamburg) hasintroduced S. 5442, a bill that is nearly identical to theKennedy legislation. I will be speaking to both Senators aboutcombining their efforts on these bills, but for now we need youto contact them and ask them to co-sponsor both bills. Andit’s very important that you contact your WNY RepublicanSenator, Ranzenhofer, Gallivan, Young or Ortt and tell themhow important it is that they sign onto these bills. In the NYSAssembly the bill to support Vote by Mail is A.9097. We needto contact every WNY Assembly representative and urge themto support the bill. If you need assistance determining whoyour Senator or Assembly person is, call the Branch 3 office.Once you know your representative, after you’ve looked upWashington Monthly on your computer, it’s easy to look upyour State rep to get their phone number, send him/her anemail, or even better, send them a letter through the PostalService. I contacted NY State Association of Letter CarriersPresident George Mangold about this issue and he has askedall NY State branches to get involved in this effort. NY Statelegislators are in session right now; now is the time for themto hear from you. Thanks for your support.

~ In Unity and Solidarity,Robert J. McLennan, President EmeritusBranch 3 NALC, Buffalo/WNY

During my 18 years as your President, there was NY Statelegislation introduced almost every year to expand Vote byMail. Obviously that would be very good for the US PostalService and all NALC members. The first class mail businessis always welcome but the prestige and importance of theUSPS and the letter carriers handling mail as important as theballot would be an important part of our strategy to combatfuture proposals to cut service. Even more importantly, anymovement toward allowing more of our citizens to be able tocast their ballot in our elections would be a very positivedevelopment in protecting and expanding democracy in theUnited States.

I’d like to bring your attention to the cover story of theJanuary/February edition of a publication I receive, TheWashington Monthly. It’s titled “VOTE FROM HOMESAVE YOUR COUNTRY: Universal Vote By Mail CanRevive the Franchise and Change the Political Map. So Whythe Resistance?” by Phil Keisling.

It’s very easy to obtain the article; just google WashingtonMonthly and its right there near the top. In all the years we’vebeen pushing this issue, I’ve never seen a more compellingargument to change the way we vote in this country.Washington, Oregon and Colorado have been the test statesfor Vote by Mail. It works, it’s secure and many, many morevoters get involved in elections. One example is Oregon in2014. Oregon’s active voter turnout rate was 71%, which was23% higher than the national average. Take a little time toread this article and become informed of the facts concerningVote by Mail and I think you’re going to want to talk about itwith friends and family. In this country, the political establish-ment spends a lot of time and energy trying to make it difficultto vote because in their gerrymandered districts, they don’treally want a great voter turnout. They just want their base tocome out and re-elect them.

In New York State, it’s been the Republicans who havekilled Vote by Mail every year that it’s been introduced. Sincethe Republicans are in the majority in the Senate in NY (wecan change that if more of us vote), they bury the legislationin the election committee and refuse to allow it to come to avote. And this current bill in New York is only a half meas-ure; it would retain the current format for those who choose itbut it would create a system where every voter who wanted toVote via the USPS could do so; no questions asked.

Sen. Tim Kennedy of the 63rd district (most of the Cityof Buffalo, Lackawanna and Cheektowaga) has introducedS.4353 to allow Vote by Mail. Sen. Kennedy has alwaysbeen one of the greatest supporters of Labor and working peo-ple and he recognizes the importance of making democracy aprinciple we actually try to achieve, not just talk about. Sen.

PRESIDENT EMERITUS ROBERT J. McLENNAN,CDL-26th Congressional District

SENATOR TIM KENNEDY SPONSORS VOTE

BY MAIL LEGISLATION

DDaattee:: June 11th - 6:30 til 10:30 pm

WWhheerree:: DiTondo’s, Seneca Street

CCoosstt:: $50 per person

IInncclluuddeess:: Cocktails - 4 Hr. Open Bar

Dinner - 50/50

CCoonnttaacctt:: Call or Text Tim Augustine

392-7682

Friends ~ Family ~ Fun

WEST SENECA’S“Hanging Up The Mailbag”

RETIREMENT PARTY FORJack Johnson - Cindy Tomaschko- Bob Snow

Mark Andrzejczak - John Buranich - Ken Pawlowski

THE BUZZ8 MARCH 2016

55 YEAR PIN: Ted Larson, NormanBealer, Richard Bailoni, Rocco Merante,Merle Parkhurst, Richard Nowak, ThomasHodge, Jesse Lewis, Joseph Sikorski, RobertMacDonald, Salvatore Iannello and DonaldMcElligott.

50 years (Gold Cards): James Scanlon, Allen Macomber,Walter Stetz, Joseph Denesha Jr., Salvatore Liberatore, FrankKotlowski, Joseph Dexter, Clarence Kader Jr., Donald Mang,Edward Prabucki, Melvin Force, Morton Williams, GeraldZiemianski, Thomas Huefner, Jerome Peck, John Locurcio andNorman Dressler.

2015 Retirees: Mark Andrzejczak, Elliot Arce, Patrick Bapst,Thomas Bauer, Glenn Bixby, Randall Bland, Louis Carcaci,Donna Dzialak, Douglas Fordyce, Diane Fuller, David Goddard,Noel Gonzalez, Russell Hahn, Gordon Haight, David Holland,John Johnson, Jeffrey Leo, Dennis Loftus, Daniel Matuszewski,John McDonald, Kevin McDonough, Larry Nowak, RonaldParker, Kenneth Pawlowski, Peter Preziotte, William RobidouxJr., Timothy Sands, Richard Shaw, Robert Snow, Gary Snyder,Kenneth Stevenson, Lisa White, Anthony Wiggins, DarrellWilcott, James Zerkowski and Barbara Zuffoletto.

We have had three members who were to be honored passaway since the first of the year: Edward Kazmierczak - GoldCard, Walter Yaggie and John Tutaro - 55 year pins.

I would hope that the membership appreciates what thesemembers have done for all of us. God bless each and every mem-ber with good health and a long retirement. See you on May 15th.

~ Kent Hankin, Director of Retired Members

This has been a bad week. I have gone to three funerals forfriends’ fathers. Each one of them was a World War II veteran. Ihave gotten to know them personally because my father is also aWorld War II veteran. But what I heard at these MemorialServices made me want to cry. These were the men of the great-est generation. I listened as the people talked about them. Howthey would stand up for anybody being wronged and it made methink about the union. We have an Old Timers Appreciation Daycoming up in May. The people being honored on that day are tothe NALC and the Post Office the greatest generation. There aresome who were World War II veterans, Korean War veterans andmaybe some Vietnam veterans but they were the ones whowalked the picket line to give us our benefits.

These men have given everything to this union for 50 plusyears. This year we are honored to have two members gettingtheir 70 year plaques. I urge all of the members to come and talkto all of these members. Because what we have today is what theyfought hard for us to get.

Attached is the list of all the Honorees and the retirementclass of 2015.

70 YEAR PLAQUE: Stephan La Barber and BrewsterMonroe.

65 YEAR PIN: Michael Lamancuso, William Liddell, JosephRaniero and Daniel Anthony.

60 YEAR PIN: Chester Stuben, Richard Miller, EugeneGoepel, Paul Prusinowski, Thomas Smith, Mike Shannon,Chester Gawel and Albert Schattner.

DIRECTOR OF RETIRED MEMBERS KENT HANKIN

The object of this association is to protect in all ways theinterests of retired letter carriers, renew old friendships, talkover old times, to promote good will and fellowship by meansof planned get-togethers and in general try to advance the wel-fare of all our members mentally, morally and spiritually. Wecall and write our Congressmen and Senators when legislation isgoing to effect the Postal Service, the Union or active and retiredcarriers. We attend rallies as a show of support and we vote.

We are looking for more retirees to join the Association.The dues are only $20.00 per year.

Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month,with the exception of June, July, August and December.Meetings are held at the Magruder’s Restaurant, 4995Broadway, Depew. We have a small meeting at 12:30 and theluncheon right after the meeting for a small fee.

Any retirees interested in joining the Burn-Connor’sAssociation can come to any of the meetings which are held onthe fourth Wednesday of the month.

If interested call: John Wozniak - 685-3893, Gary Marzolf- 464-3831 or Kent Hankin - 685-4648.

~ Fraternally yours, John Wozniak, Secretary

BURNS/CONNORS ASSOC.

35 Years:Mark Zmitrewicz -- Stanley McKay

30 Years:James Klein -- Carolyn Pilarz -- David Napora

James Slomba -- James KrakowiakWilliam Wiewiorski -- Marie Wheatley

Grag Kingsland -- Marilyn Lee -- Jay CymermanNicholaus Abramow -- Dennis Doyle -- Dennis Resutek

Gerald Hall -- Paul Oczek -- Donald HaynesLeonard Callari -- Kenneth Kidd

Francis Wesselenyi -- John Szematowicz

25 Years:John Sanchez Jr. -- Lawrence Steszewski

Cathleen Evan -- Allison Ayer -- John ArndtDiane Bierma -- Mark Cline -- Erwin Wegener

FEBRUARY NALC MEMBERSHIP PINS

THE BUZZ 9MARCH 2016

ANDRE

WIGGINS

NALCMEMBERSHIPPINS FROMDECEMBER

3030 YEARMEMBER

PETE

PREZIOTTE

2525 YEARMEMBER

NEW MEMBERSLonzo Hawkins Nicole Hartel

Christopher Fleck Greggory Schaefer

Joel Ortiz Erik Westfield

Marteea Martinucci Michael Worthy

Shannon Arcadipane Precious Lyman

Matthew Lerow

DEATHSEdward Kazmierczak

Walter Yaggie(Life Member)

John Tutaro(Life Member)

RETIREMENTSBernadette Boinski (Depew)

Edwin Buccella (Cheektowaga)Timothy Hoffman (Eastside)

James Owczarczak (Williamsville)Ronald Parker (Amherst)

Lynnda Purucker (Williamsville)William Snyder (Blasdell)

Charles Wayne III (Central Park)James Zerkowski (Williamsville)

THE BUZZ10 MARCH 2016

WWhheerree::Leonard Post2450 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga

CCoosstt:: $25 per personRSVP by March 28th

IInncclluuddeess:: Buffet Style Dinner - 6:30 PMOpen Bar: Beer, Wine & Well Drinks

CCoonnttaacctt:: Melissa - 380-1454 (Cheektowaga)

Marge - 208-4849 (Cheektowaga)

Dom - 951-0753 (Niagara Square)

Marie (retired) - 652-7286Sue R. - 602-4714 (East Side)

RETIREMENT PARTY FORCHRISSY SMYNTEK

“Long-Time East-Side Carrier”

and Cheektowaga Station

BRANCH 3’s 78th ANNUAL

Old Timers Appreciation Dayand Installation of Officers

SUNDAY, MAY 15thLUCARELLI’S, 1830 ABBOTT ROAD | MEAL AT 1:30, CEREMONY TO FOLLOW

Doors Open at 1:00 PM

ALL LIFE MEMBERS ARE FREE. CALL THE OFFICE FOR YOUR TICKET

Tickets Prices are:Retired Members . . . . . . . . . . $10.00Active Members . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00Guest of Members . . . . . . . . . $30.00

COME AND THANK THESE MEN AND WOMEN FOR WHAT WE HAVE NOW - Last day to purchase tickets is MAY 6th.

To get tickets contact the Union Office.

There will be NO TICKETS SOLDat the door.

DDaattee::Saturday,April 2nd

6:00 to10:00 P.M.

16th ANNUAL NALC BRANCH 3MDA GOLF TOURNAMENT

“Striving to make this a better day for those less fortunate.”

SUNDAY, JUNE 26th$85 per golfer

$340 per foursome$30.00 for Dinner Only Option

CHESTNUT HILL COUNTRY CLUB1330 Broadway, Darien Center

LAST DAY FOR SIGN UP IS MAY 15TH ... ONLY 20 FOURSOMESPAYMENT RESERVES YOUR SPOT, SO PLEASE SIGN UP ASAP

For more information please contact:Dale Danner at 716-863-9666 or dale19zephyrs@msn.comBecy Stockman at 716-574-4181 or bekstock28@gmail.com

Please send all checks or money orders, along with the golfer’s names andcontact information to Dale Danner, 134 Wellington Road, Buffalo, NY 14216.

8:00 am Shotgunstart with

Scramble format

Lunch at the turn.

Dinner after golf

Prizes during the tournament.

THERE WILL ALSO BE ACHINESE AUCTION, RAFFLES, AND

GOLF CONTESTS AT AN ADDITIONALFEE ... ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THEMUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION

• The membership passed the Executive Board recommendation to donate $100 to the Cleveland Hill Fire Department.• Membership pins were presented to Pete Preziotte (25 years) and Andre Wiggins (30 years).• Committee Reports:

- The membership passed the motion made by sister Judy Kersten to suspend the reading of the yearly committee reports for laterreview and acceptance as written.

- Bylaws: Chairman Don Ford read two proposed changes to the Branch bylaws which will be published in the March edition of theBUZZ and presented for a vote at the March membership meeting.

- Legislation: Chairman Doug Fordyce advised that a bill in Congress (H.R. 4661) would prohibit unions from deducting dues frommembers' pay. We oppose this union busting measure. Vote-by-mail legislation in New York State (S.5442 & A.9097) has our sup-port. The Congressional lobbying trip to Washington is April 14-16. Members were encouraged to provide their email addresses forinclusion on the NALC E-activist list.

- Branch President Emeritus Bob McLennan encouraged members to let their elected representatives know that we support vote-by-mail legislation. Members were also asked to read the article in the Washington Monthly publication which can be accessed online regarding the success of vote-by-mail programs and increased voting rates.

- Fellowship: Chairwoman Melissa Cummings advised that Old Timers' Night will be held at Lucarrelli's Banquet Facility on May 15.- Convention and Social & Recreation: Chairman Kent Hankin advised that Casino Day will be March 13th. Branch delegates to the

Biennial National Convention will be lodged at the Sheraton Hotel in Los Angeles as the first choice. The Marriott Hotel is thesecond choice.

- MDA: Chairwoman Becky Stockman advised that Amber Schrader will be our designated "Branch Buddy". A "Painting with a Twist" benefit will be held May 9 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Southgate Plaza. The annual Golf Tournament will be held at Chestnut Hill GC on June 26. The membership passed the following recommendation:

- To donate $300 to the Annual MDA Golf Tournament.- Food Drive: Chairwoman Nicole Marasco advised that the annual NALC Food Drive will be held on May 15. Volunteers are need-

ed to assist with food pickup. More drop-off locations may be added. • Old Business:

- President Larry Kania advised that the cost of replacing the carpeting in the Branch office increased by about $1200 due to floor tile removal that necessitated asbestos abatement procedures. The update to the office computer software program will be complet-ed soon.

• New Business:- President Kania advised that 14 CCA carriers will be converted to FTR status in Buffalo, 1 in Bolivar, and 1 in Jamestown. There

are 7 E-reassign postings for Buffalo and 1 for Lancaster this month. Additional conversions for these positions may occur nextmonth.

- Annual Leave requests for the Prime Time period should include PS Forms 3971 to verify same. - A CCA class was held on January 28 at the Donovan Post. Another class will be held in a few months. - Our case regarding 8/40 note violations was presented at arbitration. Management should not require nature of illness information

from your doctor. Notify the union office if this occurs. Only the time frame of your 8/40 limit is needed. Remedy can be soughtboth through the grievance process and with EEOC.

- A favorable decision was received from a national level grievance regarding "make whole" remedies. Such remedy can include morethan 440 hours for lost annual leave that would have accumulated while a carrier was put out of work.

- President Rolando testified before a Congressional committee. The Postmaster General agreed that we should be out deliveringevery day of the week. USPS would generate a profit of $1.3 billion without the onerous pre-funding mandates for retirement andfuture health care costs.

- Our sister union, NRLCA, resolved their contract with USPS and created a new lower tier carrier position with less pay, no benefits, and limitation to a Friday through Sunday schedule each week. The clerk union, APWU, is scheduled for arbitration. Itis unlikely that we will be able to settle without arbitration.

- A Region 11 training seminar will be held in Cincinnati June 4-6. - Management is using a new program to measure your street performance and assign

undertime based upon your PS Form 3999 street time data. NALC does not recognizethis program and our contract has language to protect carriers from the use of theseunreliable work standard measuring programs.

- We are supporting John Plumb who is running against Tom Reed in Congressional District NY-23.

- Ryan Owczarczak would have won $190 in the "if you are here" raffle. Next month's drawing will be for $200.

The next General Membership Meeting will be held March 16th.

THE BUZZ MARCH 2016 11

General Membership Meeting - February 17, 2016

NEW MEMBER

Nicole Hartel

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12:30 pm Burns-ConnorsRetirement Assoc. meets @ Magruders

THE BUZZ12

BRANCH No. 3, N.A.L.C.4845 Union RoadBuffalo, N.Y. 14225(716) 631-3940

Non - Profit Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DBUFFALO, N.Y.Permit No. 487

West Seneca Printing, Inc.

Change Service Requested“Time Value Mailing”

SUBSCRIPTION: $10.00 YEARLY CIRCULATION - 2500 MONTHLY

Please notify Branch 3 when you move

MARCH 2016

View The Buzz on-line at www.branch3nalc.com

UNION MEETINGNOTICE

MARCH 16th

6:00 pm Officers Meeting6:30 pm Stewards Meeting7:30 pm General Membership

Meeting

2450 Walden AvenueCheektowaga, N.Y. 14225

MARCH 2016 Monthly Calendar of EventsSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9:30 am Amherst &Kensington Retireesat Wehrle Family Rest.

11:45 am TonawandaRetirees Luncheon at Half Moon Cafe775 Oliver St., N Tona

6:00 pm Officers Meeting6:30 pm Stewards Mtg.7:30 pm General

Membership Meeting

The Deadline for submissions to the Buzz is the 3rd Friday of every month.

9:00 am SouthtownsRetiree Brkft at Alton’s -Transit & Seneca

10:00 am HilerStation Retirees atHowling Rooster Cafe, 299 Kenmore Ave.

6:00 pm Officers Meeting

APRIL

7:30 pm AFL-CIO Mtg.

RETIREMENTPARTY FOR

Jim Zerkowski, Dave Goddard, Dan

Matuszewski, Lynnda Purucker, Jim

Owczarczak, Karla Schwendler

9:00 am Chktg Breakfast Holiday Showcase

9:00 am Jamestown RetireesBreakfast at Friendly’s

9:00 am Chktg Breakfast Holiday Showcase

9:00 am Jamestown RetireesBreakfast at Friendly’s

9:45 am WilliamsvilleRetiree’s Brunchat Milo’s5877 Main St.

9:00 am SouthtownsRetiree Brkft at Alton’s -Transit & Seneca

RETIREMENTPARTY FOR

CHRISSY SMYNTEK