GARLCA State Chapter
Established
August 14, 1904
The purpose of this Association shall be to improve the methods used by
Rural Mail Carriers, and to cooperate with the Postal Service and the National
Rural Letter Carriers' Association and the public for the good of the service, to
promote a fraternal spirit among the members, and to benefit their conditions
of labor. It shall not affiliate with outside or striking organizations.
In 1893 Thomas E. Watson a Congressman from Georgia, pushed through
legislation for an RFD system. It took until October of 1896 before the first
rural route was established in Charlestown, West Virginia. Shortly thereafter
four more routes were formed in West Virginia and the service soon expanded
to other states.
The first Post Office in Georgia with Rural Free Delivery was Quitman which
was established in December of 1896. The next office to follow was Starrsville
in Newton County just south of present day Covington in October of 1898.
Others that followed before 1900 were Athens and Rome.
On August 14, 1904 the Rural Letter Carriers' of Georgia was established as
State Chapter No. Sixteen, of the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association.
This Charter was issued by President, F. H. Cunningham and Secretary W. F.
Tumber in Lockport, New York.
This Association has represented the rural craft for over a century through
many crises and continues to represent us through troubled waters today.
Benefits such as being able to work over a 40 hour route, paid holiday, annual
and sick leave, health insurance, seniority rights, wage increases, pensions,
overtime pay, and EMA pay for private owned vehicles are just some of the
benefits fought for and won by this union.