[PEN: sorry, just saw this]
1/24/26 – The National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) is deeply concerned for the safety and
well-being of rural carriers, tens of thousands of postal employees, and the millions of
customers who rely on the Postal Service as Winter Storm Fern moves across large portions of
the country.
According to the National Weather Service, this significant and long-duration winter storm is
expected to bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New
England through Monday. Widespread travel disruptions, prolonged power outages, extensive
tree damage, and dangerously cold temperatures are all likely. Frigid conditions, strong winds,
and hazardous wind chills will expand across much of the East, Midwest, and Plains.
The next 24 to 48 hours are going to be incredibly difficult, and the impacts of this storm will be
felt well into next week and beyond. Rural carriers often serve as a vital lifeline for our
communities, especially during severe weather conditions, and we recognize the dedication and
professionalism they show even under the most challenging conditions.
Safety must always come first. We urge all rural carriers to take extreme caution and remain
aware of rapidly changing conditions. No delivery is worth risking your life or health.
The NRLCA stands with every rural carrier facing this storm, and we are grateful for your
commitment to serving the public. Our thoughts are with everyone in the path of Winter Storm
Fern, and we encourage customers to remain patient and understanding as postal employees
work through these dangerous conditions.
Your thoughts also should be on how to keep the USPS from using bogus scanner data to cut your members pay. It’s hard to go on when the weather is bad and it’s even harder when your employer is literally stealing from you. The USPS will figure some way to include the next few days of no volume into evaluations.