Yvette Kinard was elected to Editor of the Outlook in 2022. Yvette Began her career as a letter carrier and a member of Branch 36 in 2001. She was elected by her fellow carriers as a Shop Steward and appointed to Safety Captain in 2017. Her roles expanded as she became an On-the -Job instructor, and Formal Step A Designee in 2019. In 2020, Yvette was appointed to the position of Director of Education and her roles continued to broaden as she volunteered and was appointed to become a Employee Assistance Program Liaison (EAP). She continued to volunteer for work, and in 2022 was appointed as Food Drive Co-chair. Ultimately in 2022 Yvette was elected as Editor of the Outlook publication. In that same year Yvette was asked to train in the Dispute Resolution Process and was picked to serve on the Dispute Resolution Team, where she continues to defend the rights of all Letter Carriers.

Over the last few months, Branch 36 has mourned the loss of two substantial figures within our union. Pat McNally, 2nd Vice President – Financial Secretary of Branch 36, and the person who swore me in as a shop steward. Pat was a defender of carrier rights in the stations and during arbitration hearings. David Velazquez Sr., Director of Safety and Health, was a staple in our branch. David not only worked long hours ensuring the safety of all carriers; he also represented the members during various route inspections and wherever else he was needed. David showed me the importance of appreciating life and living every moment to the fullest. Both Pat and David trained and paved the way for many of the stewards today. They both will be truly missed. My sincerest condolences to their families, friends and to all members who knew these outstanding union brothers.

Spring is in the Air

Brothers and sisters, welcome to Spring 2026. Warm weather may be on the horizon, but we cannot get distracted from our priorities as a union. At this point I am sure everyone is aware of the attacks on the postal service and the executive order to end mail in ballots. I must be clear that any attack on the postal service is an attack on letter carrier jobs. Mail in ballots have been a staple in our elections for many years now. It gives the voters the ability to let their voices be heard. Eli¬gibility may vary state by state, but the core reasons we have vote by mail does not change. The process began as a way to give voting access to those people who have difficulties getting to the polls. The process later expanded in some states during covid as a way to prevent the spread of the virus. Whatever the reason, voting by mail has been great for the postal service and mail carriers. Regardless of your po¬litical stance, you must agree the benefits to both parties are off the chart. Blanket statements trying to paint the carriers or mail system as untrustworthy or unreliable are dangerous. I know I speak for every mail carrier when I say, we take our jobs seriously and ensure that every customer can depend on us.
The attacks on the postal service and carriers bring me to my point. GET IN¬VOLVED!! You have heard and read many benefits to contributing to the Letter Carrier Political Fund (LCPF) and they are all true. When things happen in Wash¬ington that could spell trouble for letter carrier jobs, we cannot sit by and take it. We must fight. We fight with our voices during rallies, we fight at the polls and we fight financially. Let’s face it, money talks in Washington. The people in power listen to dollars. It’s not just enough to tell them what we want, we must show them our strength and let them know if you do not protect us, we will back a candidate that will. Donating to LCPF, gives carriers the strength needed to combat bills that would impact us negatively and promotes the bills that will benefit us. Remember, money donated to LCPF does not just go to one political side. All money collected is used to benefit candidates that vote for things that will benefit the mail carriers. Donating to LCPF ensures that when the NALC speaks, the people in congress will listen. Stay safe, brothers and sisters and happy spring.

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