On February 22, 2026, letter carriers across the country stood in solidarity as we rally together in a day of action attesting a need for a fair labor contract that would include higher wages and improve working conditions. As letter carriers, we have served this country, the Americans, our customers, since 1794. We are the backbone of the United States Postal Service which provides an inexpensive means of communication to its customers throughout the nation and we have shown our loyalty, our dedication and our commitment. Within the communities in Branch 132, not only have we delivered the mail, we have been the eyes and ears of the communities. We have been unsung heroes, the kind that do not wear a cape, as we have saved the lives of customers who we have found in distress along our routes. Letter carriers havediligently worked in all types of elements demonstrating that we are essential workers who never waiver. Our motto says, neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, nor gloom of night shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds. We can now add COVID to that! Through the service we deliver, we have shown that we deserve a fair contract that provides a living wage that will secure our ability to survive in this present economy. The truth is letter carriers work harder than ever and we deserve higher pay with full cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). Not only do letter carriers deserve higher pay but we also need an all-career workforce with full benefits for every letter carrier from the start of their careers. We need better work rules to protect us on the workroom floor and on our routes. We need strict penalties for management’s failure to enforce compliance with our national agreement. It is only our hope that the message was received loud and clear to all who have a hand in the negotiations. In closing, I would like to thank those who came out and participated in the rally. Thanks to President Chris Vargas of Branch 4065, Arlington Branch 2309 for sending some of their members to participate, the Dallas AFL-CIO, and the Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL). Special thanks go out to our speakers Former U.S. Representative and Current Candidate for U.S. Representative District 33, Colin Allred and Texas AFL-CIO Representative, Leonard Aguilar. With a fair contract, we can proudly serve the United States Postal Service and America!