Sept. 27, 2012 UPDATED -- On Sept. 21, ABC World News Tonight named letter carriers “persons of the week” in a segment that focused on this year’s NALC Heroes of the Year. The piece mentioned several of this year’s honorees and what they had done, interviewed them, showed video from this year’s heroes ceremony with President Fredric Rolando presenting them with awards, talked to those rescued, provided historical context, and overall got across the message of carriers’ value and dedication to the communities we serve. (For more about the heroes event and news media coverage of it, click here.)

'Default' news

In Friday, Sept. 28's Associated Press story, NALC President Fredric Rolando was quoted saying that Congress needs to fix pre-funding and why Saturday delivery is important.

Reuters also released a story on Friday, with a quote from President Rolando citing the "artificial crisis" Congress has caused with pre-funding.

Huffington Post published a short story on Thursday, Sept. 27, about the so-called "default," quoting Rolando as well.

In Thursday, Sept. 27’s Washington Post, columnist Joe Davidson wrote about the Postal Service’s impending “default” on its scheduled Sept. 30 payment toward pre-funding the health benefits of future retirees. The first quotes in Davidson’s article are from NALC President Fredric Rolando.

Rolando also was quoted in a Sept. 27 story on CNN's website about the default:

“This ‘default’ is not a crisis. The Postal Service already has set aside $45 billion for future retiree health benefits—more than any other organization in America and enough to pay for decades of future retiree healthcare,” said National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando. “The payment in question results from an unnecessary congressional mandate—an obligation not required of any other company or agency in the country.”

On Sept. 25, three members of Red Wing, MN Branch 401—Dennis Bluhm, steward Bruce Brage and President Dewey Christianson—had their letter to the editor printed in The Republican Eagle.

On Sept. 20, Chattanooga, TN Branch 62 member Rufus Faircloth was the subject of a positive article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press about his longevity of service as a letter carrier.