Clayton Smith, Legislative Liaison
Hope everyone is having a happy and safe summer. We must keep our eye on Washington. Hope everyone called their Reps on federal call in day, if not it is not to late, you can still make that call and tell your Senator and Congressman that the administration budget is not fair for USPS worker due to raise in pension contribution, elimination of the annuity supplement and reduced COLA for retirees. With all this it is easy to see why need to give to the letter carrier political fund.
Remember the Labor Day Parade is on September 4th. Call office for details.
Senator Casey 202-224-6324
Senator Toomey 202-224-4254
Congressman Brady 202-225-4731
Congressman Evans 202-225-4001
Congressman Meehan 202-225-2011
Congressman Fitzpatrick 202-225-4276
Congressman Boyle 202-225-6111
In Solidarity,
Clay Smith
215 460 1794
(February 23, 2017)
We are in the 115th Congress. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee introduced two bills- H.R. 756 Postal Reform Act of 2017 and H.R. 760 Postal Financial Improvement Act of 2017, These Bills address the Retirees Health Pre-funding burden and restore the rate increase that expired last year. This will help stabilize USPS economy. We are taking a new strategy by trying to move the bills out of Committee and then address the amendments that we don't agree on down the road. We are working on getting members of Congress to support HR 28 Door to Door Delivery, HR 15 Six Day Delivery, HR 31 Restore Service Standards. The NALC will be watching every step along the way. We need to be alert. Get the NALC app to keep updated and give to the letter carrier political fund. If you need help signing up call the Union Hall (2158244800) and they will assist you.
Clay Smith
Legislative Liaison
(November 08, 2016)
Election Day, it's our civic duty and right to vote. Please, in this most important election, do so. We are in need of meaningful postal reform. If we can gain a worker-friendly Senate, it will help us reach that goal. That is why the NALC has endorsed Katie McGinty for U.S. Senate. We also have a chance to elect a friend of the Postal Service in Hillary Clinton for President. Put aside the personalities of the candidates, look at the issues. Donald Trump is for Right to Work, against Unions, against Equal Pay, and for Going After Federal Employees Pay, Pension, and Healthcare. There is only one choice for Letter Carriers and their families: Hillary Clinton for President and Katie McGinty for Senate. So you, your family, and friends should exercise you right to vote on November 8th.
Clay Smith
(March 01, 2016)
Most important election in our lifetime. We have heard this many times but I think we can say this is the most important. The NALC has endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. There is a lot of issues in this campaign but we believe Hillary Clinton is the best choice for letter carriers and working people. Secretary Clinton answered our questionnaire about letter carrier issues (Donald Trump didn't), she believes in a strong postal service, six day delivery, collective bargaining, raising the minimum wage, important issues for workers. Donald Trump hasn't said much about the post office but in his economic plan he mentions cutting federal spending, that usually means coming after our pension and health care. In the Senate race the NALC is endorsing Katie McGinty. I have spoken personally to Katie McGinty and she also believes in a strong postal service, six day delivery and collective bargaining. Her opponent Pat Toomey does not. He never voted favorably for a postal bill. He believes in right to work and does not support collective bargaining. We understand there is a lot of issues but for our jobs there is a clear choice, Hillary Clinton for President and Katie McGinty for President. Please take your family, friends and neighbors to Vote. Please Vote on November 8. Polls are open 7am to 8pm. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFE. VOTE NOVEMBER 8.
Clay Smith
Legislative Liaison Branch 157
(January 01, 2016)
Happy New Year
2015 was somewhat of a good year for the USPS. Postal reform is being discussed and the USPS made an operational profit.
2016 is going to be a very interesting year in the political world.
Our goals for 2016 are:
1. Make sure every member and their family member are registered to vote.
2. Get involved. Do a labor event. We will be holding our annual Columbus Day Walk, on Monday, October 10, for our supported candidates.
3. Stay informed, if you are not already, become an E-Activist.
4. Contribute to the Letter Carriers Political Fund (job insurance). 5 dollars a pay is reasonable.
Let's make 2016 a Good Year for us.
In Solidarity,
Clay Smith
(November 01, 2015)
Tuesday November 3, 2015 is election day in Pennsylvania. In an off year election voter turn out is low. In Pennsylvania we can make history by going to the polls and electing labor friendly Judges for the first time in Pennsylvania history. Why is this important? Judges can make decisions as important as Congress (Right to Work, School Funding, Collective Bargaining) most importantly districting. Now in Pennsylvania Districts do not represent communities but are made in a way certain Candidates have an advantage. Our responsibility is to go vote on Tuesday November 3 and bring family members to vote. It's a simple game plan, We go to the polls, We Win.
Endorsed Candidates
Jim Kenny (Philadelphia) Mayor
PA Supreme Court
David Wecht
Kevin Dougherty
Christine Donohue
VOTE NOVEMBER 3
(January 01, 2015)
Happy New Year!! I want to thank everybody for their efforts in 2014, however, no postal reform was passed in 2014. Therefore, we have to start the conversation over again in 2015. We were able to maintain Six Day Delivery in the 2015 fiscal year.
That's the good news, we were also able to keep out some bad appropriations. Postmaster General Donohue however, moved forward
with plant closings. They affect the timely delivery of mail and the placement of workers, not a sensible solution.
There is a change in committee assignments. Representative Jason Chaffe (R-UT.) will take Darrell Issa's position. He indicated that he wants a better relationship then what we had with Issa. We'll See? Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI.) will replace Tom Carper as Chairman of Homeland Security. Johnson is not a friend of the NALC, so the battle will continue. Our best asset is us, the Letter Carriers of the United States. Be professional and get the word out that the USPS is not broke, we just need a sensible Postal Reform Bill.
H.R. 12 has just been introduced. It is for the continuation of six day delivery. Locally, Chaka Fattah is the first Congressman to sign on. Call your Rep. today and ask them to sign on to H.R. 12.
If you are not an E-Activist please sign up and give to COLCPE.
(June 01, 2014)
Happy Summer Everyone! Some good news on the political front, the proposal to eliminate a day of delivery to fund the highway trust fund never got support, it made no financial sense and was based on unknown future events. Thanks to all E-Activists who contacted their Congressional people. Also Darral Issa Bill seems to have no support which is good for the NALC.
H.R. 30 has now 224 sponsors. H.R. 30 is to keep the continuation of six day delivery. On June 25th language mandating six day delivery that was left out of the appropriations bill was reinstated by voice vote of the full House Appropriations Committee.
President Rolando thanked Representative Serrano (D) and Representative Latham(R) for their Bi-Partisan support. Also Representative Fattah (D) Philadelphia was on the committee and supported the NALC 100%. This measure is expected to pass the Senate.
We have been playing defense but we have been able to keep six day delivery. In the fall they will probably take one more run at us, but hopefully this time next year we will be talking about meaningful postal reform. Check your E-Activist!!
Have a Safe Summer.
Clay Smith, Keystone Branch 157, Legislative Liaison.
(May 15, 2014)
Tuesday May 20th is PA Primary Day. Democratic and Republican candidates run to represent their party in the general election in November. The key races are for governor and who will represent the 13th Congressional District. There are also some PA Senate and House races. The NALC has not endorsed any candidate (the usual policy) but voting is very important. NALC endorsements are made strictly on letter carrier issues. The important thing is to educate yourself on what candidate will be best for you and your family. You can research the candidate by going to their website, trying to talk to them personally or call their office to see what their positions are on issues important to you. Voting is a right we should all exercise. An educated voter is good for the country.
Fraternally,
Clay Smith
(January 01, 2014)
Hello everyone Welcome to our website. Kudos to Ed Morgan for setting it up. The Legislative site will keep you updated on what is going on in Washington that effects our job. The best way is to be an E-Activist because you get up dates on whats happening and what to do ex(call Senators or Congress). All you have to do is go to the NALC website to sign up or call the Union Office 215-824-4800 for information. Right now there is a Bill in committee Senate Bill S.1486 (Carper/Corburn) this is a BAD Bill. It includes eliminating six day delivery and door to door delivery. It does not address the prefunding issue which is the cause of the financial problems of the USPS. If not for the prefunding the USPS would be making an operational profit, we have to watch and be ready to act on this Bill, our jobs depend on it. Become an E-Activist and give to COLCPE.
Clay Smith
Legislative Liaison