Government affairs

This week, the Trump administration released its $2.6 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget proposal, setting the stage for the Republican-led House and Senate as they begin work to set priorities through Sept. 30, 2026. The proposal comes while Congress continues work on its FY 2025 reconciliation package.

The White House budget calls for eliminating “official time,” and more specifically, “steward time” at the United States Postal Service. NALC’s collective bargaining agreements (CBA) with USPS have longed provided for payment of stewards for performing steward activities permitted under the CBA. This provision is found in Sec. 714 under the "General Provisions Government-Wide" chapter of the Technical Supplement to the 2026 Budget Appendix released by the White House.

“This budget proposal is a calculated attack on our collective bargaining rights, letter carriers, and our union,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. “Any attempt like this to infringe upon what we have bargained in good faith will be met with the fiercest of resistance from hundreds of thousands of America’s letter carriers, postal employees, and the hundred of millions of Americans we serve every day.

 “This is particularly concerning as we prepare for an incoming postmaster general with a troubling anti-union background and further justifies growing concerns about handing over our public service to private shipper.”

The FY 2026 request calls for a 22.6 percent cut to non-defense spending, a $163 billion cut from current year spending, which is expected to trigger major cuts to discretionary programs.

Every year, budget season typically begins with a mandate from the White House to set federal spending and policy priorities. As has unfolded under previous Republican “trifectas” (single-party control), the GOP sought to reduce federal spending and increase corporate tax breaks.

While the Postal Service is not taxpayer-funded, there are always implications from White House directives, as included in the FY 2026 budget request.

“NALC stands ready to protect the rights of our members, the agreement we have collectively bargained, and the thousands of dedicated shop stewards who enforce its terms daily. We will keep fighting like hell against any agenda that attacks us or our rights,” Renfroe said.

“Letter carriers are not new to these budget battles, despite the Postal Service not being taxpayer funded. It’s ultimately up to Congress to reject this budget blueprint of destruction. We call on all members of Congress of both parties to declare this portion of the budget proposal dead on arrival.”  

Please continue visiting NALC’s Legislative Action Center to contact your members of Congress on our most pressing issues.