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Branch 43 Bulletin January 26, 2012     MDA BOWL AGAINST DYSTROPHY:       There’s still room available for the 12th Annual Branch 43 Bowl Against Dystrophy (BAD) this Sunday, January 29th.  Registration begins at noon and bowling starts at 1:00 p.m. Make plans to join us again at Fairfield Lanes as we kick off another year of fundraising for MDA.  Prizes will be awarded for the most money raised.  Traveling trophies will go to the station with the highest score and the most team participation. For details either call the office.     POSTAL SERVICE DECLINES TO EXTEND CONTRACT TALKS:       On Friday, January 20th, the USPS declined to extend collective-bargaining negotiations with the National Association of Letter Carriers, triggering an impasse that will automatically send the matter to mediation under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. If no consensual agreement is reached in a 60-day period of mediation, the issues will be submitted for final and binding resolution before an “Interest Arbitration” panel, which under law must consider all the evidence presented by the parties.   Fredric Rolando, President of NALC, issued the following statement: “I am disappointed by the Postal Service’s decision. We have been making steady progress in negotiations, right up through this afternoon. Our negotiations have been innovative, professional and productive and have been conducted at the highest level. “Now that the formal litigation process has begun, we will pursue a negotiated agreement through mediation and prepare to vigorously defend our members in Interest Arbitration, if it reaches that step. “Notwithstanding this turn of events, NALC continues to believe that a negotiated agreement is in the best interests of the parties, the businesses that rely on us and the nation we serve. We will continue to negotiate in good faith as mediation takes place under the law’s dispute-resolution process even as we prepare for binding arbitration, and we will work with Congress on vitally needed reforms. We also will work with our external expert advisers to advance a new business model that will revitalize and preserve the USPS as a vital element of the nation’s business and cultural infrastructure.”   STEWARD SEMINAR:       The first steward seminar for 2012 is scheduled for Thursday, February 16.  Food will be served beginning at 5:30 and the training will start at 6:30. According to the branch bylaws, stewards are required, or send an alternate, to one of the two seminars to fulfill the set requirements.  This seminar is especially important for the newly elected stewards as there will be specific training on the grievance- arbitration procedure.     BRANCH MEETING:       The February Branch meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m.   Fraternally, David L. Kennedy President