News

12^th May 2009. Washington D.C.

The National Association of Letter Carriers [NALC] is the union of United States Postal Service city-delivery letter carriers in the United States. It was founded in the year 1889, August 30^th in Miwaukee, Wiscounsin. NALC has a total membership of 300,058 active and retired present and former workers engaged in delivery of letters. It was reported that out of its total membership, about 214, 084 are currently active. NALC has about 2500 local branches in the United States. Sis. Anjali Sinha Director UNIDOC (NCR of Delhi) and India Coordinator UNI MEI visited the NALC office in Washington D.C. on the 12^th of May 2009. and held discussions.

Among those with whom sis. Anjali had meetings included NALC’s Chief of Staff, Bro. James S. Sauber. Bro. James also works with UNI; Sis. Jennifer Alvarez Director of Legislative and Politcal Affairs; Bro. Stephen J. DeMatteo Research Analyst, etc.

Bro. James gave details on the status of workers in the postal sector in India and competition being faced by private currier services operators. The ensuing competitions had not only caused loss of work to the US Postal services but also have had adverse impact on the employees in the sector. A detail on the activities undertaken by NALC followed. Anjali on the other hand gave a brief on the postal services in India, stating that Indian postal services had been domain of the Government of India under the Department of Post. However, post al employees, more so those delivering letters in the rural India, have faced neglect and consequent exploitative working conditions. The entry of private courier services have further deteriorated the postal employees work conditions. However, the postal employees have structurally strong association and are engaged in seeking various protective measures for improving workplace conditions. The postal unions in India has among the widest network of association since it caters for the rural workers also.



There were discussions on the number of activities undertaken by NALC in United States and well as along with UNI Global union. Sis. Anjali explained the number of activities undertaken by UNI in India in the postal and logistics sector as well as in all the other sectors in India. Sis. Jennifer Alvarez explained her role as a legislative and political affairs director and how she would lobby to the government to get their bills passed. It was felt that the postal section of UNI be better utilized to disseminate information about development in the sector so that its affiliates can draw advantages for each other works. Later Sis Anjali met with other functionaries of NALC including research analysts who informed her about their role as research analysts and the number of research done in their sector. Hey also explained as to the manner in which these researches are utilized in NALC’s organizing or even lobbying campaigns. Sis. appreciated the worked being undertaken by NALC and thanked, on behalf of both UNI, UNIMEI and UNIDOC, for a detailed insight into NALC work.