Executive Vice President’s
Report

Parcel Delivery
With the upcoming inspection
process looming and the 3999’s
that are being done in our stations
we must brush up on the proper
procedures for the handling of
parcels. In the M-41 (322.31) it states
“For any parcel that does not fit
into the customer’s mailbox or
parcel locker (when available), an
attempt to deliver must be made
at the customer’s door. If no one
is available to receive the parcel,
follow the procedures in 322.11
and 322.312.” This requires the
carrier to attempt the package at the
door even with prior approval from
customers of where to leave them if
they are not home. Carriers are not
to merely drop and leave the parcels
whether there is an agreed upon
location or not.

322.11 When a carrier
is authorized to leave
ordinary parcels
a. Parcels must not be left in an
unprotected location such as a porch unless
the mailer participates in the carrier
release program by endorsing the package
“Carrier-Leave if No Response” or the
addressee has given written directions for an
alternate delivery location. Examples of
protected locations are a locked vestibule,
locked hallway, or with a doorman of an
apartment building, inside a storm door
of a residence, etc. Form 3849, Delivery
Notice/Reminder/Receipt, with the “It
is located _________” block completed
must be left in the mail receptacle location.
Parcels must not be left where adverse
weather can affect them.
b. By following the mailer’s or addressee’s
instructions, the Postal Service provides
customers with a more convenient way to
receive parcels. Carriers are not liable for
loss or theft where these instructions and
postal regulations are followed.
c. Mailers who participate in the carrier
release program understand that there are
areas where the Postal Service will not
leave parcels for security reasons. Mailers
also understand that carriers do not leave
packages without protection from inclement
weather. If there is not a suitable location
to leave a carrier release parcel, a Form
3849 must be left.
322.312 When the Carrier
is Not Authorized to Leave
Ordinary Parcels.
a. When someone is usually available
to receive parcels. When an ordinary or
unnumbered insured parcel is not delivered
on the first attempt and the carrier knows
that someone at the address is usually
available to receive parcels, do not leave
Form 3849, Delivery Notice/Reminder/
Receipt. Write the date and the carrier’s
initials and route number near the address
and return the parcel to the office. Place
the parcel in the gurney at the carrier’s
case. Attempt a second delivery on the next
delivery day. If the parcel is not delivered
after the second attempt, complete and leave
Form 3849. Legibly endorse the form with
the following information; Article number,
date, Sender’s name, Type of mail, Article
requiring signature at time of delivery,
Addressee’s name and address, amount due,
and Date and time customer can pick up at
the office.
b. When someone is not usually available
to receive parcels. If no one is available to
receive the parcel and the carrier knows
that someone at the address is not usually
available to receive parcels, complete and
leave Form 3849 after the first attempt.
Endorse the parcel near the address,
showing the reason for nondelivery, e.g.
N L (notice left), date attempted, and the
carrier’s initials and route number. Upon
returning to the office, deposit the parcel in
the designated place for undelivered parcels.
As we are partners in the Customer
Connect Program and with the
increased revenue and packages
that we help generate it is equally
important for us to follow these
provisions of the M-41.

Retiring?
There have been many articles
written to explain what to do to get
ready for retirement and how long
before the actual day you should have
these certain things done. This article
is to inform the “Retirees” what they
have to do the days after the “last
punch” day.
Article II, Section 1 of the
Branch 9 By-laws state, “It is
necessary to have filled out an 1187
to join the Branch. A form 1189
(Dues Check Off Provision) must be
signed by all retiring members within
Branch 9 who wish to retain their
membership in said organization and
health benefits program.” So every
member signed an 1187 to join the
Union, but when they retire they
must complete an 1189 to continueto be a member of Branch 9. In
the days after your “last punch”,
you will receive from the National
Headquarters Office of the Secretary
Treasurer of the NALC a letter and
within it will be a form 1189 to fill
out and return. In addition, you will
also receive a similar letter from the
Director of Retirees of Branch 9
with the same 1189 form included.
Only one form must be signed and
returned to continue to retain your
NALC membership.

It is very important for new retirees
to get this form 1189 filled out and
returned immediately to the Branch
9 Office. The Branch 9 President/
Vice President’s signature must be
on the form when we send it to
the National office for processing,
or it will be returned to us. If after
a time period the forms are not
received you will be dropped from
the Membership Roster and will
no longer have membership in the
NALC. If you lose you membership
you could also your lose your health
benefits (if your in the NALC Health
Plan). Once your Union Membership
and Federal Health Benefits are gone
you cannot get them back.

Darrell