Local 323 Lauches 2025 Organizing Drive

The threats that we currently face are unprecedented. A threat to privatize the Postal Service, or alternatively place it under the Commerce Department, a threat to our collective bargaining rights and the Union, as well as threats that will impact our pay and retirement benefits which are currently under consideration by Congress. Add to that, the commencement of negotiations over the terms of our next contract, a new Postmaster General with unknown intentions, and the potential impact to our future prosperity is staggering. It has never been more important for Mail Handlers and MHAs to stand together and fight as Brothers and Sisters in the Union.

 

Unfortunately, there are Mail Handlers and MHAs throughout Local 323 who have chosen not to join the Union. We have reached to them personally and through the Mail, yet they still have not answered the call to Join the Union and Join the Fight. That’s why the Local Union is asking the most important person in the Union, you the Member, to help us with our recruitment efforts.

 

As an added incentive, the Local Executive Board has authorized an additional $50.00 on top of the $50.00 already provided for in the Bylaws of Local 323. Consequently, any Member who signs up a non-member will receive a check in the amount of $100.00 for the duration of the 2025 Organizing Drive. A list of Mail Handlers and MHA’s who are not Members of the Union as well as an 1187 form to sign them up is available from your Branch Union office or your Steward. An 1187 form is also available on the Local 323 website at www.local323.org. Use this form to enroll a non-member and provide the completed form to your Branch Office or the Local Office. You will receive a $100.00 check along with a thank you letter from the Union for each non-member you enroll. Payments will be sent once the dues withholding commences.

 

More About Your Union

Matt Lopez

2025 Matt Lopez - Local 323 Scholarship Program

The Local Union Council is pleased to announce the opportunity to apply for the 2025 Matt Lopez – Local 323 Scholarship Program. The Scholarship Program was established in the fall of 1995 and was renamed to honor Matt Lopez in 2018. Matt Lopez served the Local Union and the Minneapolis Branch for more than 25 years prior to his untimely passing in July of 2017. He was our coworker, our friend, our Steward, and he will forever remain our Brother.

 

The 2025 Scholarship Program provides a $800.00 per school year award beginning in September of this year. Scholarship payments may continue for up to 4 consecutive school years. Copies of the rules for the Scholarship Program and Official Application Forms will be provided to all Branches and made available at the Local 323 office by June 2, 2025.

 

Applications may only be submitted from June 2, 2025 through June 30, 2025.

 

Any graduating high school senior who is the son, daughter, or legal ward of a regular member in good standing may apply. Good standing is defined by Article V, Section 1, of the Uniform Local Union Constitution of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. Applicants must complete an Official Application Form and provide the required information. All applications must be received at the Local 323 office by 5:00 P.M. on June 30, 2025.

 

2025 Scholarship Rules and Application

Fillable Application Form

April Update - From the Local President

 

Our eyes remain focused on Capitol Hill as Congress continues to debate legislation and resolutions which have the potential to affect the Postal Service as well as the benefits we receive. There have been some positive developments; but the threat continues to loom large. So, let’s look at the current situation.

 

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March Update - From the Local President

 

Many Members have become concerned with what they see occurring across the Federal Government. They see thousands of people being separated from their employment, the elimination of collective bargaining rights, and the invalidation of collective bargaining agreements. Members are asking: is this going to happen to us? That’s a good question, and this month I’m going to address our current situation.

 

Last month my column began with the statement “We have entered a period of unprecedented uncertainty.” Since then, we have seen developments which indicate that Postal employees are in harm’s way. It is amazing how quickly the pendulum has swung. In slightly more than two months we've gone from what was likely the most Union friendly and worker friendly administration, to the most anti-Union, anti-worker administration in history. If you don’t believe me, just ask any Member of the American Federation of Government Employees.

 

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February Update - From the Local President

 

We have entered a period of unprecedented uncertainty. It began with an announcement from the Postmaster General that the USPS Board of Governors should start looking for his replacement. This was surprising as he had indicated in recent months that his intention was to remain as the head of the Postal Service. What followed was an article in the Washington Post that the current administration was poised to issue an Executive Order dissolving the leadership of the Postal Service and place it under the control of the Commerce Department. While to some degree the administration walked back that such an Executive Order was immediately forthcoming, continuing reports in the media indicate that it remains on the table. Many of these reports seem to suggest that the administration is exploring additional functions for the Postal Service unrelated to delivering the mail.

 

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January Update - From the Local President

 

2025 is off and running with several interesting developments. The most well-known, of course, is the announcement of the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) or Early Out. In addition, the Union has received a favorable arbitration decision in the Minneapolis Branch and the St. Paul Branch has recently received notice that Terminal Handling Services being performed by a subcontractor will be "insourced" into the St. Paul Plant. Indeed, these are some big-ticket items.

 

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