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The National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 40, was established in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 6, 1889 as the Cleveland Letter Carriers' Association. Although no national association of letter carriers existed at this time, representatives of the Cleveland association met with representatives of other independent associations in 1890 to form the National Association of Letter Carriers; Cleveland received its official charter from the national organization on August 28, 1890. At this time the branch was known simply by its branch number, 40; in 1898, the name of Branch 40 was changed to the Forest City Branch, and in 1965, the name changed again, to the William C. Doherty Branch.

Branch 40 has been in the forefront of many developments in union activity and benefits, both nationwide and locally. the first Mutual Benefit Association to insure letter carriers and their families was formed in Cleveland in 1891. On December 15, 1899 Branch 40 carried out its first mail collection completely by automobile. In 1905 delivery service was changed from personal to box delivery only. Another innovation came in 1913 when the first parcel post service in Cleveland went into effect. In 1920 and again in 1935 Branch 40 was in the vanguard of the lobbying which obtained passage of the Postal Retirement Act (1920), and the act reducing the postal work week to 40 hours (1935).

Branch 40 has also participated in activities to promote the formation of stronger unions of all types. In 1937 it was active in a mail delivery boycott of the Chicago firm of Donnelly and Sons on the grounds that it was a non-union shop. In 1940, Branch 40 and the national organization were active in urging other unions to support United States neutrality in the European war.

the branch as also prepared publications and sponsored social events for its members. In 1928, Branch 40 published its first magazine, The Postman ; it lasted only one year under this title, remaining dormant until 1953, when it was revived under the name Mailbag 40 ; it still exists under this title. The Branch also sponsors an annual picnic and dance. the Branch 40 band was established as teh Letter Carriers Band in 1890, and is one of the oldest union bands in the nation.

The union's first strike took place in 1970 over a wage dispute with the federal government. The strike was carried out by postal workers across the country, including Branch 40, in defiance of National Association leaders. The strike lasted for two weeks in March of 1970, and resulted in a massive mail back-up and a fourteen percent pay raise for letter carriers and other post office employees.

Branch 40 of the National Association of Letter Carriers is still an active and viable participant in Cleveland's trade union movement and plays a significant role at the national level.

The National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 40, was established in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 6, 1889 as the Cleveland Letter Carriers' Association. Although no national association of letter carriers existed at this time, representatives of the Cleveland association met with representatives of other independent associations in 1890 to form the National Association of Letter Carriers; Cleveland received its official charter from the national organization on August 28, 1890. At this time the branch was known simply by its branch number, 40; in 1898, the name of Branch 40 was changed to the Forest City Branch, and in 1965, the name changed again, to the William C. Doherty Branch.

Branch 40 has been in the forefront of many developments in union activity and benefits, both nationwide and locally. the first Mutual Benefit Association to insure letter carriers and their families was formed in Cleveland in 1891. On December 15, 1899 Branch 40 carried out its first mail collection completely by automobile. In 1905 delivery service was changed from personal to box delivery only. Another innovation came in 1913 when the first parcel post service in Cleveland went into effect. In 1920 and again in 1935 Branch 40 was in the vanguard of the lobbying which obtained passage of the Postal Retirement Act (1920), and the act reducing the postal work week to 40 hours (1935).

Branch 40 has also participated in activities to promote the formation of stronger unions of all types. In 1937 it was active in a mail delivery boycott of the Chicago firm of Donnelly and Sons on the grounds that it was a non-union shop. In 1940, Branch 40 and the national organization were active in urging other unions to support United States neutrality in the European war.

the branch as also prepared publications and sponsored social events for its members. In 1928, Branch 40 published its first magazine, The Postman; it lasted only one year under this title, remaining dormant until 1953, when it was revived under the name Mailbag 40; it still exists under this title. The Branch also sponsors an annual picnic and dance. the Branch 40 band was established as the Letter Carriers Band in 1890, and is one of the oldest union bands in the nation.

The union's first strike took place in 1970 over a wage dispute with the federal government. The strike was carried out by postal workers across the country, including Branch 40, in defiance of National Association leaders. The strike lasted for two weeks in March of 1970, and resulted in a massive mail back-up and a fourteen percent pay raise for letter carriers and other post office employees.

Branch 40 of the National Association of Letter Carriers is still an active and viable participant in Cleveland's trade union movement and plays a significant role at the national level.