T he recent NALC 70th

biennial Convention

was exceptionally

good for us here in

New York...All of our NY-

SALC resolutions were

accepted by the Executive

Council and passed, including

the one mandating NALC to

file a class action lawsuit to

eliminate the GPO and WEP

based on grounds that it’s unconstitutional..Kudos to Br.294 retiree

Steve Scherer for writing and pursuing action on this resolu-

tion..Thanks again, to our cosponsors..New Jersey SALC,

Conn.SALC, Kentucky SALC, New Mexico SALC, Br.53 FLA.,

and Br.183 CA…We were also victorious with our resolution to

eliminate the requirements for absentee ballots at the NYS AFL-

CIO convention in NYC on 8/21-23, a position that the State Fed’s

Director of Legislation and Political Director deemed crucial for

reinforcing our goals with all affiliates..It now appears that there

won’t be an extended session of the NYS legislature, so we’ll have

to start over again next year..With only 4 weeks left before the next

Congressional recess prior to the elections, I sincerely doubt that

we will see any action on the USPS bills (H.R .5714, S.2051), but

you never know, so stay alert!...Now, to the Fall Elections...The

following lists are the endorsements of the State Federation, AFL-

CIO...(THOSE CDs NOT LISTED ARE “NO ENDORSE-

MENT”) *PRESIDENT-Hillary R. Clinton * SENATE Charles

“Chuck” Schumer (*ENDORSED BY BOTH AFL-CIO & NY-

SALC) **Please be

advised that the

NYSALC endorse-

ments are based on

opinions of what our

locals have expressed,

and how incumbents

have voted on our

issues..they may be in

conflict with the

NALC endorsements,

which won’t be avail-

able until the October

Postal Record..

AFL-CIO Endorsed CD# NYSALC Endorsed

CD 1 Throne-Holst

CD 2 King

CD 3 Suozzi

CD 4 Rice

CD 5 Meeks

Meng, Grace (D) CD 6 CD 6 Meng

Velazquez, Nydia (D-WF-WE) CD 7 CD 7 Velazquez

Jefferies, Hakeem (D) CD 8 CD 8 Jeffries

Clarke, Yvette (D-WF) CD 9 CD 9 Clarke

*Nadler, Jerrold (D-WF-WE) CD 10 CD 10 Nadler

Donovan Jr., Daniel (R-C-I-REF) CD 11 CD 11 Donovan

*Maloney, Carolyn (D-WF-WE)CD 12 CD 12 C. Maloney

Espaillat, Adriano (D) CD 13 CD 13 Espaillat

Crowley, Joe (D-WF-WE) CD 14 CD 14 Crowley

Serrano, Jose (D-WF-WE) CD 15 CD 15 Serrano

Engel, Eliot (D-WF-WE) CD 16 CD 16 Engel

Lowey, Nita (D-WF-WE) CD 17 CD 17 Lowey

Maloney, Sean P (D-I-WF-WE) CD 18 CD 18 S. Maloney

Teachout, Zephyr (D-WF) CD 19 CD 19 Teachout

Tonko, Paul (D-I-WF-WE) CD 20 CD 20 Tonko

CD 21 Stefanik

CD 22 Meyers

Plumb, John (D-WF) CD 23 CD 23 Plumb

CD 24 Katko

*Slaughter, Louise (D-WF-WE CD 25 CD 25 Slaughter

Higgins, Brian (D-WF-WE) CD 26 CD 26 Higgins

Kastenbaum, Diana (D-WF-WE)CD 27 CD 27 Kastenbaum

This will be an extremely tough political battle this cycle, as we

work to elect new members to the House, while keeping our

“friends” in office..Personally, I don’t believe we’ve got the horses

to take back the House, so it’s imperative that we take care of our

Republican supporters..Since New York is not considered a Battle-

ground State for the Senate or President, we won’t be getting

much help in the way of releases, as most of those have already

been allocated by National..I have requested releases for some of

our races for the GOTV campaign; CD’s 19 and 23, as these were

endorsed by the State Fed and will have a ground game in place..I

ask all NYSALC branches and CDLs to volunteer as much as pos-

sible, for those candidates we have endorsed..I will still attempt to

get contributions from our LCPF for all endorsed rac-

es..VOLUNTEERS--PLEASE SEE THIS LINK FOR HATCH

ACT SPECIFICS https://www.nalc.org/government-affairs/

political-activity/letter-carriers-and-thehatch-act

***EXTREMELY IMPORTANT..PLEASE MAKE EVERY EF-

FORT TO MAXIMIZE OUR VOTING STRENGTH BY MAK-

ING SURE WE GET EVERYONE OUT TO VOTE ON NOVEM-

BER 8TH !!!!

This will be an extremely tough political battle this cycle, as we work to elect

new members to the House, while keeping our “friends” in office..Personally, I

don’t believe we’ve got the horses to take back the House, so it’s imperative that we take care of our Republican supporters..Since New York is not consid-

ered a Battleground State for the Senate or President, we won’t be getting much

help in the way of releases, as most of those have already been allocated by National..I have requested releases for some of our races for the GOTV cam-

paign; CD’s 19 and 23, as these were endorsed by the State Fed and will have a ground game in place..I ask all NYSALC branches and CDLs to volunteer as

much as possible, for those candidates we have endorsed..I will still attempt to

get contributions from our LCPF for all endorsed races..

***EXTREMELY IMPORTANT..PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO

MAXIMIZE OUR VOTING STRENGTH BY MAKING SURE WE GET

EVERYONE OUT TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8TH !!!!

George Mangold

Fall 2016 George T. Mangold, President GM-41

The Official Publication of the New York State Association of Letter Carriers – N.A.L.C. The Empire State

Letter Carrier Representing Letter Carriers in New York State and Puerto Rico

GREAT RESULTS, GOTV MODE ENGAGED...

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

NYSALC Executive Board 2

NBA Region 15 Larry Cirelli 3

NBA Region 11 Daniel Toth 4

Vice President Kenneth Montgomery 5

Director of Retirees John Walsh 5

Director of Legislation William B. Cook 6

Director of Education Mark Sobel 7

Editor Anthony Martucci 7

George T. Mangold – President

(Branch 357)

Kenneth Montgomery – Vice President

(Branch 210)

Kevin Van Kuren– Recording Secretary

(Branch 333)

Charles Heege – Treasurer

(Branch 36)

Rich Hansen– Delegate at Large

(Branch 137)

Andrew Weiner – Alt. Delegate at Large

(Branch 562)

William B. Cook – Dir. of Legislation

(Branch 358)

Director of Education – Mark Sobel

(Branch 294)

John Walsh– Director of Retirees

(Branch 29)

Tinnelly District – Jay Jackson

(Branch 29)

Central District – James Lostumbo

(Branch 134)

Southern Tier District – Genesee Valley

Jeff Potter

(Branch 333)

Niagara Frontier District

Lawrence Kania

(Branch 3)

Hudson Valley District – John Springman

(Branch 36)

Long Island District – Walter Barton

(Branch 6000)

Caribbean District – John K. Rivera

(Branch 869)

Anthony Martucci– Editor

(Branch 41 )

NY State Association of Letter Carriers Page 2

The Empire State Letter Carrier Fall-2016

George Mangold Larry Cirelli Daniel E. Toth William Cook

President NYSALC NBA Region 15 NBA Region 11 Director of Legislation

347 W. 41st Street 347 W. 41st Street 5445 Beavercrest Dr. Suite #7 P. O. Box 358

New York, NY 10036 New York, NY 10036 Lorain, Ohio 44053 Schenectady, New York 12301

347-813-9582 (212) 868-0284 (440) 282-4340 [518] 374-1046

(570) 369-4276 (fax) Cirelli@NALC.ORG Toth@NALC.ORG [518] 374-1047 (fax)

Gtm357@aol.com nalc358@gmail.com

The NYSALC Officers Executive Board/ Districts

Larry Cirelli

National Business

Agent

Region 15

The Empire State Letter Carrier Fall -2016

NY State Association of Letter Carriers Page 3

L abor Day has come and gone. I

had the honor of marching in two

Labor Day Parades, one in Pater-

son, New Jersey and one in New

York City. In joining my fellow brothers and

sisters in helping represent the NALC, we

were joined by numerous other unions at the-

se great events. The Parade in NYC was par-

ticularly an eye opener. There were dozens

and dozens of other unions there, on the day

before the 15th anniversary of 9/11. This got

me to thinking of where we were 15 years

ago and where we are now. 9/11

galvanized the Country together in a way

that has not been done since probably World

War II. There was unity and togetherness,

compassion and sympathy, pride in the

Country and pride in each other. Religion,

race, gender or sexual preference did not

come into play. We were all Americans, to-

gether as one. No divisions. I thought this

while marching in a parade that was showing

the same exact things. In the Labor Day Pa-

rade, we were not divided by race, religion,

gender or anything else. We were all Ameri-

can workers, proud of our jobs and united

TOGETHER

I though more about it and about the upcom-

ing elections. In this election, it seems that

people are trying to drive Americans apart.

They are trying to break up our unity, make

us weaker by separating us by religion, race,

gender or preference. By red state and blue

state. They are trying to make us weaker by

saying some of us don’t have the same rights

as others, or shouldn’t enjoy the same liber-

ties as others and the worse…if you don’t be-

lieve the same thing as I do you are wrong

and a danger to the Country.

I am not smart enough to know all the an-

swers. I am not smart enough to know all the

time who is right and who is wrong. I am

smart enough to know when people are hurt-

ing other people and taking the wrong road.

This election is going to be a game changer.

One that will impact our freedoms and our

jobs. One that may make inroads to destroy

Unions, our benefits and earnings. I know

that my brother and sister NALC members

will do the right thing. I’ll leave who you are

going to vote for up to you. But not voting is

not the answer. Not getting involved is not

the answer. Doing nothing is not the answer.

Together we have to stand or surely divided

we will fall. Vote and get involved. .

THINGS TO REMEMBER

5/17-19/2017 Washington Lobby trip

Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill 6/25-27/2017 NYSALC 62nd Biennial Convention

Sheraton at the Falls

I hope everyone enjoyed a safe and a relaxing sum-

mer season. It has been a tough summer for letter

carriers due to the excessive heat. We had an in-

crease of heat related injuries because of these op-

pressive temperatures. Although summer is coming to an

end, we may still experience high temperatures. I want to

remind everyone that symptoms of heat exhaustion may

include dizziness, irritability, nausea, heavy sweating,

headache, weakness and elevated body temperature. This

list is not all inclusive, but are major symptoms of heat

exhaustion. Going from one extreme to another, now is

also a good time to prepare for winter. We also need to

help our new employees plan their uniform item purchas-

es to ensure winter safety. I ask that we all participate in

helping our newer employees. As of August 29, 2016

(nationally) 39,501 CCA’s have been converted to career. Of

these newly converted employees, approximately 3,000 are

within Region 11. We continue to hire at a staggering pace. To

meet the demands of this mass hiring, the parties at the national

level have agreed to a uniform training module/process. This

new training will be rolled out nationwide in early October.

Below is a brief description of the course structure:

I want to thank our OJI’s and classroom instructors for all

of their efforts in training our future workforce.

I would also like to report to you that our 70th biennial con-

vention held in Los Angeles, CA was a resounding success.

The convention was attended by approximately 5,700 dele-

gates from all over the country. The business of the con-

vention is a democratic process that determines our collec-

tive bargaining, legislative and NALC constitutional posi-

tions. I was pleased to see that there were many “first tim-

ers” that attended this year’s convention. Many of the dele-

gates also spoke very highly of the training, quality and

selection of workshops. Region 11 had approximately 600

registered delegates. I look forward to Detroit, MI in 2018.

As of writing this article, we are within 60 days of the 2016

election cycle. As stated many times – this is the most im-

portant election in regards to the protection of the middle

class. Currently in Ohio, 10 letter carriers have been

“released” to work on pro-labor campaigns. It is expected

that more carriers will be released in New York and Ohio

as Election Day approaches. Our local branch leadership is

now organizing and preparing to roll up their sleeves to

make sure pro-labor candidates are elected. I am asking

each and every one of you not only to participate in as

many organized activities involving phone banks, canvass-

ing and “get out the vote” (GOTV) efforts, but also ask

your friends, family members and co-workers to assist us in

our efforts. In closing, I would like to recognize a pillar for

labor and the NALC. On the first day of the convention,

Executive Vice President Timothy C. O’Malley announced

his retirement effective August 19, 2016. In 1970, Tim first

started carrying mail in Philadelphia, PA at the age of 18.

He served in many positions at the branch level including

being elected branch president in 1989. In 1998, he was

elected Region 12 National Business Agent and in 2005 he

was appointed to serve as the Director of the NALC’s

Health Benefit Plan. From there he became the Executive

Vice President in 2010. I have known Tim since 2005 and

I believe that no one can sum up Tim’s tenure better than

what President Fred Rolando stated in a recent article. “I

can honestly say, there is nobody in the leadership in the

NALC who has earned more respect and more affection

than Timmy…he is a trade unionist’s trade unionist – and a

letter carrier’s letter carrier.” I wish Tim and his lovely

wife Sue a long, happy and healthy retirement!

Daniel Toth

National Business

Agent

Region 11

NY State Association of Letter Carriers Page 4

The Empire State Letter Carrier Fall-2016

Recap from Region 11

E very four years I watch in amazement the proceed-

ings that are the Presidential election and every four

years I say to myself it can’t get any crazier. Enter

Donald Trump, now I am saying it can’t get any

crazier, or can it.

This is a man that has refused to pay workers in contracts he

has made, he has sent work overseas for products he puts his

name on, he has filed bankruptcy when things get tough, he has

threatened workers when they discuss unions. When he makes

inappropriate comments in a press conference he comes back

with just kidding.

Now I am not making any accusations regarding Democrat and

Republican, I am merely stating my opinion that I do not be-

lieve him to be qualified to be President of the United States.

When discussing pressing matters of an urgent nature we do not

need a jokester who claims to be kidding if what he says upset

another head of state.

This is a man who has asked the question of why can’t we use

nuclear weapons, he only likes military people who were not

captured, he always wanted to get a purple heart, and he advo-

cates the use of waterboarding and even went so far to say he

would do worse. Mr. Trump even went so far as to say if Hilla-

ry was elected and she picks her judges the only way to stop her

is using the second amendment, later claiming he was joking

and later still saying that gun owners could vote against her. His

intent and words were clear.

Donald has made it clear he does not support a raise in the min-

imum wage and went so far as to say wages in America are too

high.

These are just some of the issues Mr. Trump brings to the

table. Hillary brings her own set of baggage as it were to the

race, however she has never had to explain anything she has

said as joking or didn’t really mean it. This hopefully is the

craziest election year we will ever see in our lifetime and we

need to elect a President that will represent our country without

antagonizing the rest of the world and hopefully without blow-

ing it all up with Nuclear weapons. The NALC has endorsed

Hillary Clinton because that is what the majority of members

who responded to our survey wanted. Let’s do what right this

November and vote like your life depends on it…..it just might!

NY State Association of Letter Carriers Page 5

The Empire State Letter Carrier Fall 2016

John Walsh

Director of Retirees Kenny Montgomery

Vice President

W e are just back from the national conven-

tion. I had the opportunity to help in the

retirement booth at the convention and

also sit on the retirement committee. It

always seems to be people close to retirement that come

to the booth. That makes all the sense in the world is to

me. I was one of those that did not make any plan prior to

retirement. As we age, we say, if I knew these things be-

fore ,I probably would do things differently. Knowledge

is a great thing with age.

I am telling those that are reading this article, that are not

retired yet, to take some time and seriously plan your re-

tirement. If you are under CIVIL SERVICE Retirement

you can still supplement your retirement with thrift sav-

ings or a Roth IRA. Those under the FEDERAL EM-

PLOYEES Retirement System already have the thrift sav-

ings plan. You can call the NALC headquarters for infor-

mation under either retirement plan and ask for the retire-

ment office. They will assist you . They can give you an

estimate of what you might get for your annuity. Don't

wait , PLAN your retirement!

THE CHOICE IS CLEAR

RETIREMENT

T he New York State Legislature that ad-

journed for 2016 on June 16th may be

called back into session after the general

election this fall. This lame duck session is

caused by the legislators voting for a 47% raise. Now

granted it has been since 1999 that the legislators

have had a pay raise, but most New Yorkers have

seen stagnant wages also. As a result their self-

serving vote to increase their wages for their part

time job is very unpopular. So, they may have to

come back into session to vote down this pay raise.

Now this creates an opportunity again to reform ab-

sentee ballot restrictions. As you remember we have

the support and cooperation of both the New York

State AFL-CIO and the NALC to promote the As-

sembly bill, A.3874B and the Senate bill, S.4456.A.

Again with the voters still at a high level of dissatis-

faction with their legislators, in this case, corruption,

voter reform may be looked at as a viable means to

demonstrate to their constituents that New York State

supports the right of citizens to vote.

In order to try to move this legislation along, we will

look for community partnerships. Together with citi-

zen support, we will move forward on voter reform.

As we move closer to the fall elections, President

Mangold will be engaging with New York State Let-

ter Carriers to make certain our members are voting

and will help get out the vote. First and foremost we

need to be registered to vote. Included with my arti-

cle is the New York State Board of Elections voter

registration form .

The voter registration deadlines are as follows:

November 8, 2016 General Election Deadlines

MAIL REGISTRATION (N.Y. Election Law Section

5-210(3))

Applications must be postmarked no later than Octo-

ber 14th and received by a board of elections no lat-

er than October 19th to be eligible to vote in the

General Election.

NY State Association of Letter Carriers Page 6

William B. Cook

Director of Legislation,

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

The Empire State Letter Carrier Fall -2016

CHANGE OF ADDRESS (N.Y. Election Law Sec-

tion 5-208(3))

Notices of change of address from registered voters

received by October 19th by a county board of elec-

tions must be processed and entered in the records in

time for the General Election.

You can register to vote with a mail in form. The

links are below for English and Spanish. These are

online applications that still need to be downloaded

and sent to your county board of elections.

http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYS-Voter-

Registration-Form.html

http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYS-Voter-

Registration-Form-Spanish.html

R eturning from the NALC National Convention, one

realizes that the greatest asset a union possesses is its

will to listen to all its members and not just the few

who approach the microphone. That is Democracy,

the belief that one opinion is no greater than another, that listen-

ing to other voices is the strength of unity and progress and that

at the end of the debate, collective minds prevail and work to-

gether as one to achieve the best for all the members, whether

they initially agreed or not. Our Union is based on the principle

that all voices have a place at the table and that discussion brings

clarity, meaning and direction.

Compared to the Presidential campaigns, unions and their princi-

pled objectives are shining stars. Unlike the workers’ democracy,

the ideals and thoughts of our political parties are hidden in me-

dia sound bites and lack of transparency. Neither candidate offers

what they expect others to give them and thus, none really appeal

to our true beliefs in electing leaders that care about the people

they pretend to talk about. Kissing babies as a photo op doesn't

mean that the majority of the working class will achieve a fairer

standard of living. Humiliating large segments of our society

doesn't ensure the rights of minorities as our forefathers sought in

the writings of the Constitution creating our great country. De-

flecting answers to reality show promises doesn't feed the mil-

lions living in poverty or houses the many living on America’s

streets. Lying at every turn or speaking in half-truths is not what

our democracy was founded on and not what we want to teach

our children. Can you imagine a daughter hearing the inane noise

from these politicians and asking what it means to her future and

her parents unable to respond intelligently other than to hide be-

hind that America is a democracy and it will survive whomever

wins on November 8th.

If nothing else, this election season has taught us that lying and

cheating and bullying and blaming and discord are the responses

to our hopes. Perhaps, just hopefully perhaps, it has also taught

us that it is time for the younger generations to step to the plate

and take the responsibility to defend our democracy and our inal-

ienable rights Jefferson and Washington and Ben Franklin envi-

sioned. 2016 will pass and so will the torch of leadership. Just

because you are older or have been on the job longer or make

more money should not mean you have the ability to lead. This

election season has proved that and maybe, this will be the lesson

our children learn and overcome before the cynics destroy our

last great hope, the hope of democracy.

The Empire State Letter Carrier Fall -2016

NY State Association of Letter Carriers Page 7

Anthony Martucci

Editor

A s Election Day 2016 quickly approaches, I find my-

self wondering what is to come. The stakes couldn’t

be higher; there is THAT much to lose. Donald

Trump, the Republican nominee, probably, no, defi-

nitely the most dangerous candidate for the office of President,

ever, has managed to insult everyone, even his own party, to the

point of disgust. Yet, when you look at the polls, it’s a close race.

This is where I am scratching my head. I can’t understand how

people are still enamored with him, despite all of the things he has

said and done. It seems that there is a populace that is angry, and

is growing angrier every day. What can be done? When you look

at the current Congress, there is one thing that stands out: they are

predominantly Republican. The same Republicans who have tried

to stop President Obama at every juncture, whether it was nomi-

nating people for positions, especially the judiciary, or passing

meaningful bills, (except the TPP, which is the only bill the Re-

publicans helped pass). They are obstructionists, plain and simple,

and the source, in my opinion, of everyone’s ire. So, here’s the

answer…The most prosperous times in this nation’s history, was

when it had a Democratic Congress AND Presidency at the same

time (look it up!), so, that is what we need to do. We do not have

the luxury of sitting this election out. This November 8th, help

elect Democratic candidates, especially the office of President,

(Hillary Clinton!) and make sure you, and your family and friends,

GET OUT THE VOTE!

GET OUT THE VOTE!!!

Mark Sobel

Director of Education

MY THOUGHTS AND THE

UPCOMING ELECTION

New York State Association of Letter Carriers 347 West 41st Street 2nd floor New York, NY 10036