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RURAL CARRIER NEWS

2025 Rural Carrier Year in Review

A look back at the rural carrier universe in 2025

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USPS electric vehicle fleet behind schedule with $3B in taxpayer funds spent — and only 612 trucks built

WASHINGTON — The US Postal Service’s promised all-electric fleet is still woefully behind schedule, with more than $3 billion in taxpayer funding out the door and just 612 of the expected 35,000 battery-powered delivery trucks built, according to a letter sent to Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and obtained by The Post. Former President...

The Public Postal Service and Rural America

Introduction Unlike for-profit carriers, USPS has a universal service obligation requiring the agency to provide affordable deliveries to every U.S. address. Since it does not rely on taxpayer support, USPS covers the cost of this obligation with revenue from more profitable parts of the system. Rural communities benefit enormously from this...

Lower flags for Pearl Harbor Day

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, an annual commemoration of the 1941 attack, will be observed Sunday, Dec. 7. Postal Service facilities are required to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff this day. To fly the flag at half-staff, hoist the flag to the peak for an instant and then lower it...

Know the difference between an HMO and a PPO?

The Postal Service wants employees to understand the four types of health plans available during this year’s open season. The plan types are: • Health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, that provide care from in-network physicians and hospitals located in particular geographic or service areas; • Preferred provider organizations, or PPOs, that offer...

USPS is delivering its new fleet

The Postal Service’s $9.6 billion upgrade of its delivery fleet is proceeding apace. The organization plans to roll out 106,000 new vehicles by 2028, including 45,000 battery-electric next-generation delivery vehicles and 21,000 commercial-off-the-shelf battery-electric vehicles. Additionally, USPS is upgrading infrastructure at its facilities with the addition of charging stations for the...

Step 4 – RCAs working over 12 hours

On several occasions, the most recent being September 24, 2025, the parties discussed the above-captioned grievance at the fourth step of our contractual grievance procedure. The issue in this grievance concerns whether Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM), section 432.32 was violated when leave replacements worked in excess of 12...

Close friend says he helped pull Allen Park postal worker’s body from machine, slams ‘toxic’ culture

ALLEN PARK, Mich. – A close friend of the Allen Park postal worker who died at the facility said he helped pull his friend’s body from the machine, and he also slammed the company’s “toxic” culture. Nicholas John Acker, 36, of Trenton, was was found dead in a machine at a postal...

This rural carrier helped a woman escape a house fire

Eaton, OH, Rural Carrier Annette Smith was delivering mail recently when she spotted smoke billowing from a home. She parked her vehicle and joined a group of neighbors trying to help. As one of them called 911, others banged on the door to alert any residents who might be home. They...

ATTENTION RURAL CARRIERS: RADAR Report Must Be Pulled and Posted Daily

Attention Rural Carriers: Management must pull and post the RADAR Report daily. The requirement is daily, not just during the Mini Mail Survey but every day.  If management doesn’t pull and post the report, notify your DR or ADR.

NRLCA – Cost-of-Living Raises Effective September 6, 2025

Pursuant to the release of the July 2025 Consumer Price Index - Urban Wage and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), and in accordance with Article 9.1.E , the third COLA adjustment of the 2024-2027 National Agreement will result in a $790.00 increase for eligible rural carriers. This COLA adjustment will be...

Step 4 – RCAs working over 12 hours

On several occasions, the most recent being September 24, 2025, the parties discussed the above-captioned grievance at the fourth step of our contractual grievance procedure. The issue in this grievance concerns whether Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM), section 432.32 was violated when leave replacements worked in excess of 12...

Implementation Update on the USPS Processing Network

The Postal Service presented its 10-year plan, Delivering for America, back in March 2021. The Office of Inspector General has done numerous audits of the plan, and it’s been reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission in two Advisory Opinions (N2021-1 and N2024-1), a Public Inquiry (PI2023-4), and other proceedings as well. In September 2025, the PRC asked the Postal...

Flexible spending accounts have multiple benefits

A flexible spending account may be a good option for Postal Service employees who wear eyeglasses, visit the dentist more than twice a year, or have other needs. These accounts, also known as FSAs, allow employees to set aside money on a pretax basis to pay for health care and...

Ralph Lauren to offer USPS-inspired collection

The Ralph Lauren clothing and home goods brand has worked with USPS to release a three-item limited licensed collection honoring the Postal Service’s 250th anniversary. The Polo Ralph Lauren USPS collection’s double-breasted wool twill coat ($1,298), leather satchel ($998) and mesh wool cap ($79.50) are inspired by letter carrier uniforms from different...

RCA passes away after accident on the route

A Richmond postal carrier was critically injured last week when her United States Postal Service truck crashed on County Line Road. According to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, the single-vehicle crash took place on the afternoon of Sept. 16 in Casco Township. It caused County Line Road between 28...

Sunday/Holiday Parcel Delivery Work List Sign Up Period Begins September 13th, 2025

The Sunday/Holiday Parcel Delivery List posting starts on Saturday, September 13th, 2025. The RDWL must be posted through Friday, September 26th, 2025, and will be effective on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 Art. 30.2.P (in part)-An office-wide list will be established for substitutes, rural carrier associates, and rural carrier relief employees who desire to work...
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2024-2027 National Contract
Handbook PO-603
Employee and Labor Relations Manual

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