National Association of Letter Carriers: A History of Service and Advocacy

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has a rich history that spans over 150 years. Founded in 1889, the organization has been a driving force in the postal industry, advocating for the rights and interests of letter carriers.

The NALC has always been committed to providing excellent service to the public. In fact, letter carriers have been a part of American communities for so long that they're often considered a symbol of trust and reliability.

As the organization grew, so did its membership. Today, the NALC represents over 200,000 active and retired letter carriers across the United States.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is a labor union that represents over 300,000 postal workers in the United States.

Founded in 1889, the NALC has a rich history of advocating for the rights and benefits of its members.

The NALC is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, a federation of labor unions that represents millions of workers across the country.

NALC members deliver mail and packages to homes and businesses every day, often in challenging weather conditions.

With a strong focus on community service, the NALC has a long tradition of supporting charitable causes and participating in local events.

NALC members are known for their dedication to their work and their commitment to providing excellent customer service to the public.

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The National Association of Letter Carriers is hard at work serving its members. They have a strong presence in the United States, with 1,575 branches throughout the country.

The organization serves more than 290,000 active and retired letter carriers and other employees of the U.S. Postal Service. This is a significant number, and it shows the association's commitment to supporting its members.

Their programs are designed to promote the welfare of every member, and they work to obtain and secure the rights and benefits of those they serve.

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Our organization serves a large and dedicated community. We have a strong presence in the US, with 1,575 branches across the country, as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Our programs are designed to support the members of the US Postal Service, with a focus on mutual benefit and securing their rights and benefits. We strive to promote the welfare of every member.

We serve a significant number of active and retired letter carriers and other employees of the US Postal Service, with more than 290,000 individuals benefiting from our programs. This is a testament to the impact and reach of our organization.

Here are the years for which we have data available:

Laying the groundwork for the future is crucial for any organization, and the NALC is no exception. In 1971, a nationwide rank-and-file movement led by Vincent Sombrotto of Branch 36 was formed with goals of giving members the right to vote directly for national union officers and ending a proxy system.

This movement was a significant step towards empowering members and making the union more representative of its members' needs. Vincent Sombrotto was elected national president in 1978, ousting incumbent president J. Joseph Vacca.

Sombrotto's leadership had a lasting impact on the NALC, enhancing the union's lobbying power with Congress and the Executive Branch, as well as its stature within the trade union movement.

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The National Association of Letter Carriers has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century.

Letter carriers were the first postal workers to form their own union, with attempts to organize a national union in 1870, 1877, and 1880.

The Milwaukee Letter Carriers Association decided to time their call for another national meeting to coincide with the annual reunion of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1889. This strategic move allowed letter carriers who were veterans to take advantage of reduced train fares.

On August 29, 1889, delegates unanimously adopted a resolution to form the National Association of Letter Carriers.

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The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. In 1889, the Milwaukee Letter Carriers Association held a national meeting that led to the formation of the NALC.

The first national meeting was held on August 29, 1889, and it was a significant moment in the union's history. Delegates unanimously adopted a resolution to form a National Association of Letter Carriers.

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The NALC started with 52 locals, called branches, and 4,600 members in 1890. By 1892, the number of branches had grown to 335.

The union's early focus was on forcing postmasters to honor federal law mandating an eight-hour day for federal employees. This effort paid off in 1893, when the NALC won a Supreme Court decision and $3.5 million in back overtime pay.

NALC's membership continued to grow, reaching 175,000 members in 6,400 local branches by the mid-1960s.

The 1970 strike was a pivotal moment in postal history. It began on March 18, 1970, when letter carriers in New York City's Branch 36 went on strike.

The strike was sparked by a 4.1 percent pay raise offered by President Richard Nixon, which the NALC deemed unacceptable. President Nixon's compromise tied a pay raise to the concept of an independent postal authority to bargain with postal unions.

Letter carriers and their families in big cities like New York City were nearing the poverty level, which further fueled the strike. A House committee approved a bill reflecting the Nixon-Rademacher compromise, leading to calls for a strike in New York's Branch 36 and other branches.

The strike was approved by a vote of 1,555 to 1,055 in Branch 36, and picket lines went up at post offices throughout Manhattan and the Bronx. Over 200,000 letter carriers and other postal employees across the country joined the walkout within two days.

President Nixon called out 25,000 soldiers to move the mail in New York City. The strike ended after eight days when local NALC leaders assured strikers that an agreement had been reached, even though their word was premature.

Round-the-clock negotiations began and a satisfactory agreement was reached on April 2, which was quickly approved by Congress.

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The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has a strong presence in politics, with a long history of supporting the Democratic Party, although they've also backed individual Republican candidates. This is likely due to the union's focus on labor rights and postal reform.

NALC's expertise lies in lobbying, rather than traditional labor-management relations and collective bargaining. This is because the Postal Service is an "open shop", meaning no one can be forced to join the union as a condition of employment. Despite this, over 93% of working letter carriers are NALC members, making it the collective bargaining agent for all city carriers.

The union's political action fund, the Committee on Letter Carrier Political Education (COLCPE), aims to elect members of Congress who support NALC priorities. Contributing to COLCPE is voluntary, as federal law prohibits unions from using dues money for political purposes.

The AFL-CIO has 56 affiliates, each representing a different union or labor organization. These affiliates are a crucial part of the AFL-CIO's structure and play a significant role in shaping the organization's policies and priorities.

The largest affiliate of the AFL-CIO is the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.4 million workers in a variety of industries, including transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing. This is a significant number, and it's clear why the Teamsters are a major player in the AFL-CIO.

Other notable affiliates of the AFL-CIO include the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Auto Workers (UAW), and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). These unions have a combined membership of over 12 million workers, making them a powerful force in the labor movement.

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The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is a unique union that has been involved in politics for decades. The union has largely supported the Democratic Party, but has also supported individual Republican candidates.

The NALC's involvement in politics dates back to the 1960s, when President Lyndon B. Johnson vetoed a postal pay raise. The union was critical of Johnson's decision, showing that they're not afraid to speak out against their own party.

One of the key ways the NALC gets involved in politics is through its political action fund, called the Committee on Letter Carrier Political Education (COLCPE). The stated goal of COLCPE is to help elect candidates who support letter carrier jobs.

The NALC has a voluntary membership model, meaning that no one is forced to join the union as a condition of employment. In fact, over 93% of working letter carriers are members of the NALC, showing how effective the union's membership model is.

The NALC also offers a range of benefits to its members, including a retirement community in Nalcrest, Florida, and a mutual benefit association that sells life insurance to members.

Here are some key facts about the NALC's membership and politics:

The NALC's commitment to its members is evident in its efforts to support their jobs and benefits. By working together, the union has created a strong and supportive community that benefits its members in many ways.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) is deeply committed to community involvement.

They have a long history of organizing food drives, with their annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive being one of the largest in the country, collecting over 80 million pounds of food in 2019 alone.

NALC members often participate in charity walks and runs, raising thousands of dollars for local charities and organizations.

The NALC also supports the United States Postal Service's (USPS) Operation Santa program, which helps bring holiday joy to children in need.

NALC members volunteer their time and resources to help others, with many participating in local community service projects.

Their efforts have a significant impact, with the Stamp Out Hunger food drive alone providing millions of meals to those in need.

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The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) offers its members a range of benefits and compensation to support their careers and personal lives.

NALC members receive a competitive salary, with median annual earnings ranging from $50,000 to over $100,000 depending on location and experience.

The NALC also offers comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as life insurance and disability benefits.

NALC members can also take advantage of the Postal Service's pension plan, which provides a guaranteed retirement income after 20 years of service.

In addition to these benefits, NALC members can participate in the Postal Service's Thrift Savings Plan, a 401(k)-style retirement savings plan that offers matching contributions.

The NALC also provides its members with access to a range of other benefits, including paid time off, sick leave, and family leave.

NALC members can also take advantage of the Postal Service's education assistance program, which provides financial support for continuing education and professional development.

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