Welcome to the Local 323 Web Site!

December Update - From the Local President

It’s not my job to gamble with your career.  Few of you have heard me say these words.  Those who have were the recipients of removals for which the grievances have been denied at step 1, step 2, and step 3, of the grievance-arbitration procedure.  These people have usually spent 6 months, 9 months, or longer, in a non-pay status as the grievance protesting their removal has moved its way towards an arbitration hearing.  Once an arbitration hearing has been scheduled it’s necessary to identify and assess the risks inherent in the process.  The events which may happen in an arbitration hearing are unpredictable and I’ve personally seen some extraordinary things occur.  Some have been to our benefit and some have been to our detriment.  More importantly, these unpredictable occurrences have often shaped the outcome.  If two things can be said with certainty about arbitration, they would be that the outcomes are unpredictable and that the results are final.  Continues …

November Update - From the Local President

The last several weeks I’ve been traveling throughout Minnesota attending the Labor-Management and Town Hall meetings pertaining to the Area Mail Processing or “AMP” studies.  The facilities I’ve visited most recently have been Rochester and Duluth as management has concluded that the business case supports consolidation.  While the AMP studies regarding these facilities have been forwarded to the area level for further review and approval, ultimately these studies must be sent to the national level for a final determination.  Continues …

Applications Available for Arthur S. Vallone Scholarship

The National Postal Mail Handlers Union is pleased to offer the opportunity for regular craft members of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, and members of their immediate families, to apply for scholarship assistance from the NPMHU Arthur S. Vallone National Scholarship Program. Specific eligibility requirements for the program are detailed in the attached scholarship application.

This scholarship program has been providing assistance to deserving recipients since 2001. In February 2005, the program was renamed in honor of Arthur S. Vallone. Arthur had served the NPMHU with distinction for over twenty-five years at his untimely passing in January 2005. Arthur was a true believer in the Union Movement, and a tireless advocate for Mail Handlers and all working people. His list of accomplishments and contributions to the NPMHU is lengthy. The National Postal Mail Handlers Union is proud to honor the legacy that Brother Vallone has left behind.

The downloadable scholarship application contains all of the eligibility and application requirements. The deadline for submission of completed applications is March 15, 2012.

Download the Scholarship Application

October Update - From the Local President

There are extraordinary events underway which will have a long-lasting impact on the Postal Service both nationally and at the local level.  National contract negotiations, area mail processing studies, and the now styled “great Postal debate” in Congress have brought levels of uncertainty to an all time high.  This is not only true for Postal employees, but also for the mailing industry and the American public. Continues ... 

Local 323 # 1 for Marketing the Mail Handler Benefit Plan!

During the recent open season seminar Local 323 was named Local Union of the Year. This award was given in recognition of the "outstanding promotional efforts" of Local 323 in marketing the Mail Handlers Benefit Plan during last year's open season. This represents the first time that Local 323's marketing efforts have landed this top honor. The Local 323 MHBP marketing team is currently gearing up for another successful open season.

Save America's Postal Service Rally Scheduled For September 27th

Mail Handlers will be rallying, along with all of the Postal Unions, on September 27th to support passage of H.R. 1351. The rally will occur at the district office of Congressman Keith Ellison.

Pictures from this event are available in the photo galleries.

Metro Area Branches Member Appreciation Day to be held September 18th

National Officers Install Local 323 Officers

2011 Local 323 Scholarship Awarded!

Local 323 on Capital Hill

Local 323 Vice President Kathy Schultz joined with Mail handlers from across the country in attending the NPMHU’s 2011 Legislative Conference in Washington, DC on May 10th and 11th. This conference involved a day of training followed by a day of lobbying on Capitol Hill.

The financial problems currently facing the Postal Service are primarily the result of the vast over-funding of the pension system by the Postal Service and the exorbitant payments extracted each year to pre-fund retiree health benefits. The clock is ticking and Congress needs to address these issues by September 30th.

Pictures from the Conference are available in the Photo Galleries.