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NALC Branch 9: Rally urges action to stop assaults on letter carriers

From the Minneapolis Labor Review, February 17, 2024
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Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers rallied January 7 outside the downtown Minneapolis post office.
Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers rallied January 7 outside the downtown Minneapolis post office, calling attention to an increase in assaults on letter carriers nationwide, including the Twin Cities. Speakers included NALC president Brian Renfroe (right).

MINNEAPOLIS — Rallying January 7 outside the downtown Minneapolis post office, members of Branch 9 of the National Association of Letter Carriers called attention to recent assaults on letter carriers and urged action to combat the problem.

The nationwide issue — more than 2,000 assaults on letter carriers since 2020 — drew increased public attention locally in November, when two members of Branch 9 out delivering on their routes were robbed at gunpoint on consecutive days, first in Edina and then in Brooklyn Center. Neither one was physically harmed, but the experiences leave mental and emotional scars, union leaders said.

NALC’s national president, Brian Renfroe, spoke at the Minneapolis rally — one of several organized across the country — and called on the U.S. Postal Service to better protect its workers. He urged prosecutors to prosecute the crimes to the full extent of the law. Renfroe said just 14 percent of attacks against letter carriers since 2020 have been prosecuted.

“It’s unacceptable, it’s appalling and it’s out of control,” he said.

Fortunately, a suspect in the two local assaults was arrested. “They got the guy and he’s in custody,” reported Branch 9 president Scott Bultena. “It’s good to know that guy is off the streets,” he said. “Hopefully, they prosecute him and put him away for a while so it sends the message that you can’t do these things.” Bultena added, “it should be a federal offense.”

The January 7 rally drew about 100 supporters and media coverage from the Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, KSTP, Fox, MinnPost, and other news outlets.

“Our mission was to raise awareness,” said Joe Tiemann, Branch 9 executive vice president. “The public got to hear our position… It was a success. We got our message out and hopefully the people in charge of prosecuting these people will protect us while we’re out doing our jobs,” Tiemann said.