National Rural Letter Carriers' Association

The National Rural Letter Carriers' Association (NRLCA) is a nonprofit American labor union dedicated to representing rural letter carriers employed by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Founded in 1903, the NRLCA is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.

History and Purpose

The NRLCA was established to improve the working conditions and labor methods of rural letter carriers. It negotiates labor agreements with the USPS, addressing issues such as salaries and benefits for rural carriers. The association also plays a critical role in the grievance procedure for its members.

In 1962, under President John F. Kennedy's Executive Order 10988, the NRLCA became the first postal union to sign a national exclusive contract with the USPS. This marked a significant milestone in union history, as it required the union to demonstrate non-discrimination based on race.

One of the NRLCA's notable achievements was being the first postal union to reach a contractual agreement with the USPS in 1978, during a time when labor negotiations nearly resulted in a mail strike.

Membership and Structure

Membership in the NRLCA is open to those employed by the USPS in the rural carrier craft, including rural carrier associates (RCAs), substitute rural carriers, rural carrier reliefs (RCRs), part-time flexibles (PTFs), assistant rural carriers (ARCs), and regular carriers.

The NRLCA fosters a democratic process among its members, with opportunities for participation at county, district, state, and national meetings. The association publishes a monthly newsletter, The National Rural Letter Carrier, to keep members informed about postal and legislative issues.

Key Events and Leadership

In 2011, the NRLCA made history by electing Jeanette Dwyer, its first female president, at its 107th National Convention. Dwyer served until 2018 and was succeeded by Ronnie Stutts. She rejoined the board in 2020 to fill an unexpired term.

The NRLCA has also been involved in political advocacy through its Political Action Committee (NRLCA-PAC), established in 1975. The NRLCA-PAC focuses on lobbying Congress on issues affecting rural carriers, such as privatization and delivery frequencies.

References

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