|
|
|
|
LAST UPDATED 08/05/2005 05:13 PM
TIPS FOR CONTACTING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Cartoon from Northeastern Wisconsin Area Local, APWU
Postal Reform: A Long Way From Those Early, Rosy Days Burrus Update #11-05, Aug. 5, 2005 The latest chapter of the long-running saga of postal reform began with repeated pronouncements that the USPS business model would be unable to sustain a sound Postal Service in the 21st century. We were inundated with statistics detailing the perils that would confront the nation’s mail system if reform legislation was not enacted. To some it became a crusade. Key congressional leaders accepted assertions by postal officials and influential constituents about the looming danger, and developed legislation to address their concerns. The large mailers were outspoken advocates for a new law, because they viewed it as a means to control their postage costs. Others in the mailing community adopted the hyperbole of reform and repeatedly informed the world that if postal reform legislation were adopted, salvation would be close at hand. Well, much has changed since the rosy days when postal reform replaced sliced bread as the greatest idea in the history of mankind (at least in the mailing community). The USPS Board of Governors has issued a carefully-crafted statement explaining “the extreme difficulties the Postal Service would have meeting consumers’ needs in the event new legislation were enacted that was revenue neutral and that at the same time gave the Board very limited authority to govern the organization as an efficient business enterprise.” The White House has demanded that any postal reform bill be “revenue neutral,” and the House and Senate bills limit the Board’s authority to govern the organization. Now that we are on the brink of realizing the dreams of those who cried from the mountaintop for “reform,” the very agency that they are purporting to save is saying, “thanks, but no thanks.” In fact, postal management is now saying that if there were no reform legislation they would do just fine. What happened to the imminent demise of a $900 billion business that represents 9 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product? What are these people smoking? Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die. Those who purported to be saviors of the United States Postal Service evidently wanted reform, but only their own brand of reform. Postal management wanted reform as long as the USPS received a monetary windfall and they retained control; large mailers wanted reform only if they were assured their postage costs would be reduced, and some postal unions and associations wanted reform as long as their rights and opportunities were left unchanged. As we have previously warned: Be careful what you ask for. William Burrus White House postal plan missing Senate stamp of approval (GovExec) We Can't Get There From Here (PostCom.org) House Passes Postal Reform Bill (July 29, 2005) The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly, Tuesday, to pass their version of Postal Reform. Debate lasted about 2 hours and the final tally was 410 in favor, with only 20 opposed. The Bill, HR 22, allows the Postal Service access to money, currently held in escrow, that represents an over-funding of the Civil Service Retirement Fund and shifts responsibility for military pension funding back to the federal treasury. The Bush Administration opposes both of these measures and has threatened to veto any Bill that is not revenue neutral. Additionally, the White House has sought reductions in Collective Bargaining rights and Workers Compensation payments. On the latter, the Administration has promised lawmakers that they will be making proposals for a comprehensive overhaul of OWCP regulations, leading to speculation that they will move to cut benefits for all federal workers injured on the job and not just for Postal Workers. White House proposals are expected to get a closer evaluation when the Senate debates their Postal Reform Bill. That is expected to occur after the August recess. Both Bills call for a study on the necessity and practicality of Universal Service and 6-day delivery. House approves postal overhaul bill (GovExec) House Approves Postal Reform Bill The DMA Applauds House on Postal Bill Vote White House position on Postal Reform (pdf) NPMHU: House Passes Postal Reform after Defeating Harmful Amendments S.662 IS--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act HR 22 RH--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (July 26, 2005) The House Rules Committee, yesterday, accepted 4 amendments for debate as Postal Reform is slated to reach the floor, but, importantly, rejected an amendment which sought to cut Workers Compensation benefits for Postal Workers. The APWU thanked its members for a weekend barrage of e-mails to Representatives opposing the regressive addition to the pending legislation. Language which would cut OWCP benefits still appears in the Senate version of the Bill. Much of the debate still centers on Military pension funding. The House Bill currently calls for the shifting of that obligation back to the federal treasury, a move the White House opposes. However, one of the accepted amendments would allow the Postal Service to use $27 Billion currently in escrow to fund healthcare obligations. The White House has indicated a willingness to accept a compromise similar to this, provided the USPS pick up all future Military retirement funding. Capital Hill insiders caution that, whatever happens in the House and Senate, the final Postal Reform legislation is likely to be crafted by the Joint Committee which will have to reconcile the two Bills once passed in their respective houses. That Bill, they say, is likely to be written along lines closer to what the White House has sought all along. That Bill will likely resemble more the recommendations of the President's Commission, rather than what initially reaches the floor. House Rules Committee Approves Four Amendments (APWU.org) House Committee Adopts Postal Reform Bill (PostalReporter.com) Summary of Amendments (house.gov) White House floating compromise on postal overhaul bill (GovExec)
President's Commission Final Report and Recommendations Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs S.662 IS--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act House Committee on Government Reform HR 22 RH--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act Postal Reporter (Lu's News) Pennsylvania Postal Workers Union Reform Page San Antonio Area Local's Reform Page 21st Century Postal Worker (Discussion) CAPS (pro-postal service consumer group) PostalReform.com (pro-reform, anti-postal service) International Paper Postal Reform (Private Mailers' site to facilitate Congressional lobbying) PostCom Web Site (Private Mailers' News and Advocacy site) How A Bill Becomes A Law (from PostCom.org) Mail & Jobs Coalition (Private Mailers' News and Advocacy site)
Postal Reform Update (7/23/05) The White House Wants Changes in Postal Reform Bills Senate Committee Approves Postal Reform Bill Votes on Postal Reform Bills Imminent Postal Reform on the Agenda, as Congress Returns Senate Panel Approves Postal Nominations Senate Committee Leaders Committed To Postal Reform Postal Reform Bills Move Forward Action on Postal Reform Legislation Expected Soon If Everyone Paid Their Fair Share, Postage Costs Could Remain Stable Consolidations/Closings are Coming Fast (Yes, Even Here) Rep. McHugh Introduces Postal Reform Bill PMG Threatens Rate Increase if Employee Benefits Not Restrained Stage Set for Congress to Pass Postal Reform Legislation Concerned Postal Workers Prepare for National Day of Postal Worker Solidarity Mailers Cautiously Optimistic on Postal Reform APWU Studies Draft, Imposes Dues Assessment Ohio Postal Workers Fight to Keep Jobs, Service House Committee Approves Postal Reform, Senate Draft Released First Look at Postal Reform Bill Postal Reform: The Battle Wages Behind The Scenes Aggressive Timetable Set For Postal Reform Consumer Group Gets Its Say, But Who's Listening Joint Hearing Elicits More Self-Interest Shut the Postal Service Down, FedEx CEO Tells Senate Postal Reform Focuses On Workforce Issues The Word For The Day Is "Meltdown" APWU Sends Postal Reform Comments to Senate Committee Senator Collins Pledges Postal Reform Legislation Our Struggle Moves To The Halls Of Congress Its Our Mail, Says Consumer Group Ad
Postal Reform Update (7/23/05)--Your Action Needed, Now! When the story below was written, no floor debate or vote was scheduled for Postal Reform Bills in the House and Senate. A day later, however, House leaders reported that they intend to bring their Bill to the floor this Tuesday (7/26). Additionally, the APWU Legislative Department reports that an amendment will be offered seeking to cut Workers Compensation benefits for Postal employees. The language will be similar to language already in the Senate version. APWU asks that you go to the APWU Congressional Information Center to e-mail your Representatives about this regressive addition to the Postal Reform Bill. The following e-mail text has already been provided. "It is expected that HR 22, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, will be considered on the floor of the House on Tuesday, July 26, 2005. An amendment is being offered that would seriously impact employees who, through no fault of their own, are injured while performing their postal jobs. The leaders of postal reform – Republicans Tom Davis and John McHugh and Democrats Henry Waxman and Danny Davis – oppose this amendment. We urge you to join with them and also vote against this amendment when it is considered, which again, may be as early as Tuesday morning, July 26. Thank you for your consideration." House to consider postal bill next week (GovExec) The White House Wants Changes in Postal Reform Bills NEWS ANALYSIS by Martin Johns (July 21, 2005) Having been voted out of their respective Committees in the House and Senate, Postal Reform Bills now await action from legislators on the floor, with many changes still possible and, indeed, likely before a final passage and the ultimate "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" from President Bush. The White House has now fully reviewed the pending Bills and stands ready to veto Postal Reform unless the changes they seek are made. Topping the White House wish list is the revenue they like to apply to their budget deficits in the form of over-funding of Civil Service Retirement commitments. Included, here, is some $27 Billion dollars in military service pensions. The pension burden for military service time is shouldered by the federal treasury, except for veterans who now work for the Postal Service. Both Bills shift this burden back to the treasury, and the White House has stood alone in seeking to keep this expense on someone else's ticket. The White House has relaxed their position only to the extent of requiring the Bills to be "revenue neutral." But a shift in these pension responsibilities would make that nearly impossible. The Bush administration has also stated that they want the more liberal work-sharing language, that which allowed for discounts exceeding costs avoided, returned to the Bills. Though enforcement provisions are somewhat vague, the APWU lobbied hard for language that would restrict the Postal Service from offering "below cost" discounts to private mailers ("we lose on every piece, but we make it up in volume"). Additionally, the White House would like to see language making it easier to cut employee benefits. All in all, the Bush Administration favors the Senate version of the Bill, which includes a provision cutting Workers Compensation benefits for Postal Workers. This would be accomplished by inserting the words "except for Postal Workers" in existing Workers Compensation laws. The Road Map to Postal Reform (NAPS via PostalReporter.com) Senate Committee Approves Postal Reform Bill (Senate Press Release, June 22, 2005) The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today approved postal reform legislation introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE). The Collins-Carper Postal Accountability And Enhancement Act represents the first major overhaul of the USPS since 1970. Senator Collins is the Chairman and Senator Carper is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the USPS. The Committee today approved the postal reform legislation by a vote of 15 to 1. It must now be considered by the Senate. [FULL PRESS RELEASE] Postal measure clears Senate panel; floor action uncertain (GovExec) Mailing Industry CEO Council Applauds Senate Committee Action on Postal Reform Legislation Pitney Bowes Applauds Continued Momentum of Postal Reform Legislation Opinion: Role models for USPS (Boston Herald) (June 18, 2005) US Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE), one of the leading proponents for Postal Reform, reportedly told industry leaders, this week, that there is "zero chance" Postal Reform will be enacted, though the Senator's staff reports that the comments were made in jest. Carper's reported comments were made following an attack by conservative Republicans on the pending legislation in a piece, being widely circulated, entitled, "What Every Conservative Needs to Know About Postal Reform." Mike Pence (R-IN), Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) authored the piece which calls the House Reform Bill "yet another bailout of the Postal Service." A Committee mark-up for the Senate Bill was slated for June 22, but speculation now is that Susan Collins (R-ME), Chairperson for the Senate Committee considering the measure, will postpone action indefinitely. The primary bones of contention for conservatives are still those provisions of the proposed legislation that would free the Postal Service from paying military pensions and over-funding the Civil Service Retirement fund. No other Federal agency is burdened with military pensions, but conservatives argue that the Postal Service's mandate is to be fully self-supporting. CSRS over-payments are currently being held in escrow; the USPS would like to have access to those funds while the White House prefers to leave them in escrow, making the Federal deficit appear smaller. Additionally, conservatives say the reform Bills do not do a thing to "restrain" and/or cut employee pay and benefits. House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) says the House Bill will go to the floor as is, but Gene Del Polito, President of the Association for Postal Commerce, puts odds of enacting Postal Reform at about 15%. Mailers Disappointed Over Reform Developments (DirectMag) What Every Conservative Needs To Know About Postal Reform (pdf) Effort to Drop Proposal for Labor Seat on Postal Board Could Fracture Coalition (APWU) Conservatives still waiting for response to concerns on postal overhaul (GovExec) House leader aims to allay conservatives' concerns on postal bill (GovExec) Votes on Postal Reform Bills Imminent Votes on Postal Reform Bills Imminent NEWS ANALYSIS by Martin Johns (June 15, 2005) A Committee vote on the Senate's Postal Reform Bill could be held as early as next week, while the House version could get a full floor vote later this month or early in July. Reports indicate Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, has scheduled a Committee vote on the Senate's Bill for June 22nd. Although the Bill is expected to be voted out of Committee, it may face the same onslaught of criticism currently being thrown at the House Postal Reform Bill.
Criticism of both Reform attempts centers on issues considered key to workable reform. Holding up action, in both the House and Senate, are provisions which would relieve the Service of military pensions and permit the Service to stop over-funding the Civil Service Retirement Fund. While both the House and Senate Bills contain such provisions, the Bush Administration is adamantly opposed, because doing so would make the federal deficit appear larger. Critics of such provisions confess that no other Federal agency is burdened with military pensions, but argue that the Postal Service's mandate is to be fully self-supporting. More recently, Private Mailers and others have launched anew their attacks at rank-and-file employees and the Unions that represent them. These groups have long maintained that the pending Bills did not do enough to "restrain" or cut employee salaries and benefits. Americans for Tax Reform and the National Taxpayers Union, meanwhile, have both written House leaders to protest a provision of the Bill that would include a representative approved by labor on the revamped version of the Board of Governors. "To guarantee labor unions a seat on the postal governing board," ATR says, "would give Big Labor undue influence over the USPS, undoubtedly frustrating essential reforms including cutting the USPS' massive workforce and closing underperforming facilities." Conservative House Republicans have expressed outrage at the provision and, as well, have never stopped campaigning for stronger anti-worker language. APWU President Bill Burrus has expressed concern that these 11th hour protests threaten to destroy the "coalition" believed needed for passage of Postal Reform legislation. "Removing the provision [allowing labor to approve a BOG member] at this late date," Burrus said, "would be a breach of the trust built up over months of painstaking negotiations." The Senate Bill already contains language cutting Workers Compensation benefits for Postal Workers. Ironically, the same Senate Committee is also currently considering a measure which would make OWCP benefits easier to obtain for other Federal workers. Effort to Drop Proposal for Labor Seat on Postal Board Could Fracture Coalition (APWU) Conservatives still waiting for response to concerns on postal overhaul (GovExec) House leader aims to allay conservatives' concerns on postal bill (GovExec) House to vote on postal overhaul bill (GovExec) National Taxpayers Union Letter Americans for Tax Reform letter (pdf) NAPUS Legislative Update (pdf) Postal Reform on the Agenda, as Congress Returns As Congress returns from the Memorial Day recess, Postal Reform is one of several items atop its agenda, along with Social Security reform. Key Republicans, including Senator Susan Collins (ME) and House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (MO), have listed Postal Reform as one of the key issues that must be addressed this year. Holding up action, in both the House and Senate, are provisions which would relieve the Service of military pensions and permit the Service to stop over-funding the Civil Service Retirement Fund. While both the House and Senate Bills contain such provisions, the Bush Administration is adamantly opposed, because doing so would make the federal deficit appear larger. Private Mailers and "privateers" have stepped up their anti-worker campaigns, lobbying to force the Union to negotiate on health and other benefits currently guaranteed by law. These lobbyists also strongly favor provisions to cut OWCP benefits for Postal Workers. Americans for Tax Reform, meanwhile, have written House Speaker Dennis Hastert to complain that the pending legislation would include a labor representative on the Board of Governors. "To guarantee labor unions a seat on the postal governing board," ATR says, "would give Big Labor undue influence over the USPS, undoubtedly frustrating essential reforms including cutting the USPS' massive workforce and closing underperforming facilities."
Senate Panel Approves Postal
Nominations (picture of C. Gallagher
from USPS.com) (APWU.org) On May 25, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the nominations of Carolyn L. Gallagher and Louis J. Giuliano to serve on the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, and Tony Hammond to serve on the Postal Rate Commission. In 2003, Gallagher served as the chairwoman of the Workforce Subcommittee of the President’s Commission on U.S. Postal Service, which recommended that Congress:
In response to written questions submitted by Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-CT), Gallagher said that she supported the Commission’s view that legislation should be passed to prohibit the USPS from agreeing to no-layoff protection for future employees. [FULL STORY] Senate Committee Leaders Committed To Postal Reform (Senate Press Release) Washington, DC – Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tom Carper (D-DE) stressed their commitment to getting comprehensive postal reform legislation approved by Congress and signed into law this year. Senators Collins and Carper have introduced legislation to reform and strengthen the United States Postal Service (USPS), which is the linchpin of a $900 billion mailing industry that employs more than nine million people. Senator Collins is the Chairman and Senator Carper is a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over the USPS. [FULL STORY] Postal lobbyists plot next round for overhaul legislation (GovExec) Mailer Groups Hope to Get USPS Reform Moving (Direct Mag) Non-Profits Declare Victory on Rate Battle (The NonProfit Times) Postal Reform Bills Move Forward Postal Reform Bills are moving forward, once again, with the House Bill moving out of committee and heading to the floor of that body while the Senate Bill is scheduled for Mark-Up on April 20. The proposed Bills have not changed much from last year's versions, and the White House continues to oppose provisions requiring the federal government to assume costs associated with military pensions. The Senate Bill still contains provisions cutting Workers' Compensation benefits for Postal Workers. A Self-Supporting Postal Service (Postcom) Committee backs postal reforms (FedSmith) White House adamantly opposed to Senate postal bill (GovExec) Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs (4/14 Hearing Summary) TESTIMONY OF JOHN E. POTTER, POSTMASTER GENERAL/CEO, Action on Postal Reform Legislation Expected Soon Action on Postal "Reform" Legislation Expected Soon Burrus Update # 3-2005, March 11, 2005 Legislation to overhaul the Postal Service is on track to be presented in the Senate soon, and discussions between the White House and the Senate and House committees with jurisdiction are ongoing. [FULL STORY] The Crisis Is Not Over by Steve Albanese, APWU Assistant Legislative Director There seems to be a state of complacency falling over members of our union. Many believe that the recommendations of the President's Commission to reform the Postal Service are dead. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Those proposals are still very much alive as the 109th congress begins its work. Representative John McHugh of New York introduced HR-22 on the very first day of the new congress. [FULL STORY] Consolidations/Closings are Coming Fast (Yes, Even Here) If Everyone Paid Their Fair Share, Postage Costs Could Remain Stable (APWU.ORG) Recent media reports about the price of a first-class stamp going up to 41 cents overlooked a simple truth: the increase could be avoided or mitigated if high-volume mailers – the big advertisers and corporations who send millions of pieces of mail each year – paid their fair share. These mailers receive deep postage discounts for filling America’s mailboxes with credit card offers and other solicitations. In fact, while individuals and small businesses currently pay 37 cents to mail a first-class letter, corporate mailers often pay as little as 9 cents.
Over the years, the mailing industry has established and expanded
so-called “worksharing discounts” for mailers who pre-sort their mail, but the
discounts far exceed the costs the USPS would incur if it sorted the mail
itself. Postal Service ends fiscal year $3B ahead (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) House Committee Leader Cries "Death Spiral" Again Mailing Industry Leader Outlines Principles for Postal Reform White House Says Reform Must Cut Employee Compensation, Raise Executive Salaries (FedTimes) Postal Reform--Your Job Prospects (from 101 Facts, Scranton PA Local via Postal Press Association) WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR Consolidations/Closings are Coming Fast (Yes, Even Here) NEWS ANALYSIS by Martin Johns (February 21, 2005) In light of recent reports that Standard 087 flats have been taken out of Monmouth--and that they will not be returning--Red Bank Local members have wondered whether this move is a bad omen for the future of the Monmouth P&DC. Make no mistake, with or without a Postal Reform bill, the United States Postal Service fully intends to proceed with their "Transformation Plan." This means that operations will be "consolidated" and facilities closed...all across America. Yes, even here. Plant Manager Joann Betts told Red Bank Local officers that there are no plans to remove machinery from Monmouth at this time. She promised, if changes were proposed, the Union would be notified in accordance with the contract. Conversely, the USPS has told the Mail Handler Union of their "tentative" consolidation plans and has even intimated that Monmouth may be on the mysterious and, as yet, unseen list of plants designated for closure. As in other cities, Monmouth's future is largely dependent upon workers alerting their neighbors and friends and upon workers writing their local, state and national political leaders. The Eatontown economy, for example, would lose millions each year were Monmouth closed. The Postal Service has never addressed the added costs of transporting mail, when consolidations and closures occur. When the Annex on Industrial Way was closed last July, Service officials promised tremendous financial savings without substantiating those claims. As we now know, the promised savings never materialized. Instead, the USPS continued to pay about 1/4 million dollars to rent a vacant building. Karen See, President of the Mansfield Ohio Area Local, offered suggestions (in a posting on 21st Century Postal Worker) to members worried that their facilities are on the Postal hit list. "Right now, today," said See, whose own facility has recently been under seige, "find out when your city councils and county commissions meet. All of them. Go attend one so you will know the rules if you need to attend one and speak about consolidation. Each council may have different rules. Go to every one that is served by your office." Concludes the Ohio Local President, "Prepare now so you are ready to take action immediately." As here, USPS authorities in Ohio (and Michigan, and California, and...) maintain that "no final decision has been made." Such statements tend to dissuade members from taking action until it is too late, whether that is their designed purpose or not. While posting huge profits, in recent years, and announcing, this week, the largest quarterly growth in 15 years, the Service continues to maintain that "the sky is falling." William Burrus, President of the American Postal Workers Union, testified before the President's Commission last year that reported drops in mail volume were likely the result of a poor economy rather than new technology. This is consistent with the history of USPS volume. At that time, others (including Commission members) testified it would be at least a year before the truth were known. Those witnesses, however, went on to testify that the nation could not afford to wait but, rather, must act quickly to head off the crisis. A crisis they, themselves, had admitted might not even exist. The most recent USPS Quarterly Report seems to support Mr. Burrus' testimony. Even the Service attributes the quarter's growth to the improving economy. Yet, in their next breath, the USPS continues to assert declining volume, stating the growth in recent months is more aberration than trend. Time will tell who is correct. Very little time, at that. So, again we ask, why the rush to Postal Reform? Letters should immediately be sent to your elected representatives, including local Councilpersons and State Assemblypersons. TIPS for Contacting Your Representatives
The Honorable Gerald Tarantolo E-Mail: mayor@eatontownnj.com Congress may be last hope for post office (Ohio) Mansfield (OH) Update: Postal report confirms workers' concerns (2/10/05) Mansfield (OH) Update: Furniture Moving, Workers Feel Mail Will Be Next (2/6/05) 100 Jobs in jeopardy (Michigan) Postal Service seeks efficiency (Michigan) Marina P&DC (California) to be SOLD--1200 Postal Workers Affected (PostalReporter.com) Are APCs (Kiosks) To Replace Postal Clerks? NY Union Thinks So Best Quarterly Growth in 15 Years for USPS Postal Service filing for rate increase Mailer Groups Outraged About Postal Pension Changes White House, Congress Seek Compromise on Postal Reform Postal liberalisation rich pickings for big companies (UK) Rep. McHugh Introduces Postal Reform Bill (APWU.org) Postal reform legislation was the first order of business for Rep. John McHugh (R-NY) when the 109th Congress convened on Jan. 4: He introduced a postal reform bill (H.R. 22) that is based on a measure approved by the House Government Reform Committee last year (H.R. 2468). The measure was co-sponsored by Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA), Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), and Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL). [FULL STORY] Postal union rips labor rules in Bush reform proposal (GovExec) Postal Reform High Priority for New Congress WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR "Reform Wars" to Return in 2005 In the wake of the Bush re-election, mailers are turning up the heat in their efforts to compel "comprehensive postal reform." Mailers worry that they'll face a massive rate increase in 2006 without reform now. Previously lobbying for passage of the existing Senate and House bills, the Privateers now want stronger measures taken. Gene Del Polito, from the Association for Postal Commerce, tells Congress of their bills, "Your babies are ugly." Del Polito feels, "the House and Senate reform bills will have to be significantly overhauled, if comprehensive postal reform is to remain a possibility." In a recent editorial appearing in the Los Angeles Times, Sam Ryan of the Lexington Institute says the USPS is "a lumbering government agency that survives only because of its federally enforced monopoly." Ryan has been a leading voice for full-scale privitization of the Postal Service. APWU President Bill Burrus, at the Installation of Officers, told those assembled, “Postal reform will certainly be on our agenda again. The major mailers began advancing their cause the day after the election, suggesting that the pending bills be dropped and that new bills be drafted. In 2005 they will once again seek to make deep cuts into our collective bargaining rights to enhance their profitability.” The Administration, for their part, has expressed that they will veto any Bill that results in an increase of the Federal deficit. Currently, the Postal Service is the only government agency responsible for paying retirement benefits to former military personnel for time spent in the armed forces. Additionally, the Postal Service has been overfunding the Civil Service Retirement Fund. Those overpayments are applied against the budget deficit. The Administration is opposed to reforms in these areas. Postal Service, mailing industry hope for overhaul by spring (GovExec) (added 11/27) IT'S TIME TO ATTEND TO THE NATION'S POSTAL BUSINESS White House position on Postal Reform (pdf) Postal Revamping Returned to Senders (washingtonpost.com) PMG Outlines Streamlining Efforts (FedTimes) WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR (October 9, 2004) The simple answer is "NO!" While Postal Reform Bills have not been scheduled for floor votes, and although Congress is scheduled to recess, both the House and Senate Bills have passed through their respective Committees. That means lawmakers need not retreat to "square one" when the 109th Congress convenes in January. Passage during the current (108th) Congress, however, has been termed "very unlikely" by Direct Marketing Association CEO John Greco. Direct Mailers have been lobbying hard to get a vote on the Bills in recent weeks, fearing a massive rate hike without reform. While Postmaster General John Potter has promised there will be no rate hike before 2006, he has been equally insistent that the next rate increase could be massive if employee wages and benefits are not restrained. Meanwhile, William Young, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers told NALC members it was President George Bush who "drove a spike through the heart of postal reform legislation." According to Young, the Administration is opposed to those parts of the Bills that would shift certain financial responsibilities back to the Federal government, such as military retirement payments. The USPS is the only Federal agency responsible for those payments, at present, thanks to legislation signed by President Bush. Young extolled his members to flood the White House and Congress with e-mails demanding Postal Reform. Young describes a potential rate hike as a "lethal injection" for the Postal Service. For the third consecutive year, the Postal Service reports finishing in the black, posting a profit of over $656 Million for the most recent fiscal year. Current Status of Postal Reform Bills DMA Chief to Members: Postal Reform Looks Dead...For Now NALC President Young Blames Bush for Bills' Blockage Mailers Make Late Push for Postal Reform (DM News) WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR PMG Threatens Rate Increase if Employee Benefits Not "Restrained" Update 7/17/04 The Time is Right for Meaningful Postal Reform, writing in the Federal Times, former member of the Presidents' Commission on the USPS opines that Postal Reform must deal with the workforce issues. Walker regurgitates the Commission's recommendations, including "ensuring wage and benefits comparable to those in the private sector." The Commission concluded that Postal Workers are over paid and over compensated, and that downward adjustments are required. (May 28, 2004) Speaking before a
function of the Postal Customer
Council, a While praising lawmakers for including reform of the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) funding, Potter told the group such reform will not prevent massive rate increases, so long as Postal Worker pay and benefits are not restrained. "[N]either bill provides the opportunity for relief from our major cost drivers - wages and benefits," said Potter. "We believe any price cap index must take all cost drivers into consideration." Potter concluded that the Senate Bill was preferable to the House Bill and urged Mailers to "stay involved." APWU President William Burrus, noting that the Senate Bill would permit expansion of below-cost discounts to Private Mailers and would cut benefits of employees injured on the job, terms the Senate Bill "unacceptable." "[W]e will fight for the adoption of the House version," Burrus says. Private Mailers are openly attacking the APWU for their position. Cary Baer, a direct marketing consultant, says, "Clearly, the carriers are the backbone of the USPS. It’s too bad that the other and largest postal union, the American Postal Workers Union, seems to be fighting the postal service and mailing industry at every turn." Baer opines that many mailers want to keep rates low for a few years longer and then dump the USPS in favor of the internet. Concerned Postal Workers frames the issue this way: "Ultimately," they say, "the Postal Reform fight is about corporate profits versus public service...The Postal Service works for every American, no matter where they live, no matter how rich or poor. We want to keep it that way." As the group prepares for a National event in August, Postal Workers in Ohio and Texas held informational pickets, this week, warning of potential dangers of the pending legislation. Senators have announced that Committee Mark-up for their version of Postal Reform will occur on June 2, 2004. Remarks by PMG Potter - May 26, 2004 Legislation Could Swell Rates, Says Postal Chief (washingtonpost) More Collection Boxes Gone (El Paso Times) May 31, 2004 Military Pay and Thrift Savings Plan Head Congressional Agenda (washingtonpost) June 1, 2004 Senate Mark-up June 2 (GovExec) News Analysis: Postal Mortem (GovExec, 5/15/04) WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR Stage Set for Congress to Pass Postal Reform Legislation (APWU.ORG) The current battle over postal
"reform" has now entered a critical stage, as legislation recently approved by
key congressional committees now awaits passage by the full House and Senate.
Lawmakers in both chambers have rejected - at least for now - most anti-worker
proposals made by the President's Commission on the Postal Service, but our
struggle is far from over. Concerned Postal Workers Prepare for National Day of Postal Worker Solidarity Commentary by Martin Johns If you could change the
world for the better, would you do it? If you could help secure your job, your
wages and benefits--for yourself, your children and future generations--simply
by being somewhere for one afternoon, would you do it? Why These corporations,
companies that use and compete with us, argue that mail is in decline. We move
over 200 billion pieces a year. They argue we are losing money. Since the
Reorganization Act in the 70s, we have, as mandated, “over the long haul” broke
even or made a profit (strangely coincidental, we only seem to lose money in
contract years). Most of our “debt” was inherited from the days when we were a
completely government agency with no such mandate. They argue that the Internet
is rendering the USPS obsolete. The only studies ever done on the subject show
that the impact of the Internet is negligible. Indeed, every advance in
communication made since the telegraph was supposed to signal the demise of the
Postal Service. We’re still here, and thriving if the truth be told. What has
changed is that Standard Mail is now about 50% of our volume. So it is high time
these modern day robber barons pay more than 17% of institutional costs. (May 17, 2004) As LeRoy Moyer completed his March on Washington, to raise money for COPA and awareness of Postal Reform, the Mailing Industry CEO Council was launching an ad campaign, inside the Beltway, to push Postal Reform through. And a group of Concerned Postal Workers, seeking to protect Universal Service for Americans and the jobs and benefits of American workers, took a step forward when they launched a new web site. Earlier in the week, the House Committee on Government Reform completed mark-up on the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (HR 4341) as The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee released a Discussion Draft of their proposed Postal Reform Bill. CEO Council ads are appearing in Washington based publications, such as Roll Call, and are designed to influence legislators to pass Postal Reform. Formed in 2002, the CEO Council seeks to unify and promote "mail's role in business and commerce" and includes leaders of many of the largest Private Mailing interests, including R.R. Donnelley Logistics, Time Inc., Pitney Bowes, and the Direct Marketers Association. The CEO Council also has the backing of the United States Postal Service. The committee of Concerned Postal Workers, a group of postal Union leaders based in the northeast, was formed earlier this year in the hopes of engaging postal workers and citizens in the battle to preserve the USPS as a public service. "To date," says one member, "the American people have been exposed to a barrage of stories that only give one side of the argument. Americans like their Postal Service, but they keep hearing its in a 'death spiral.' This is not a dying industry. We move well over 200 billion pieces of mail a year. Some mailing giants just aren't paying their fair share. Ultimately, the Postal Reform fight is about corporate profits versus public service." The committee of Concerned Postal Workers, this member says, hope to carry a positive message. "The Postal Service works for every American, no matter where they live, no matter how rich or poor. We want to keep it that way." Postal Reform Overdue (The Victoria Advocate) May 16, 2004 WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR Mailers Cautiously Optimistic on Postal Reform (May 26, 2004) Awaiting final mark-up of the Senate Postal Reform Bill, and with commitments from both the House and Senate to bring the measures to the floor this year, Private Mailers are expressing cautious optimism that Postal Reform could soon occur. Gene Del Polito, President of the Association for Postal Commerce and a vocal proponent of Postal Reform, says that, given the similarities between the two bills, Reform "really may happen this year." Meanwhile, at a New York Conference, Direct Marketers CEO Robert Wientzen told Private Mailers assembled there, "We need Postal Reform and we need it now." Wientzen urged Mailers to stay informed and not become complacent. A group of Concerned Postal Workers is also worried about complacency. In an editorial on 21st Century Postal Worker, one member of the group says, "To me, it appears our legislators wanted to put forth a somewhat vague Reform Bill now—one they believed could be passed—and then bypass the legislative process entirely on the more controversial issues." Despite the fact that the Bills put forward have avoided specific language advocating many of the President's Commission's most draconian proposals, the Bills leave the door "wide open" for cutbacks in employee benefits and customer service in the near future. As Concerned Postal Workers prepare for a national mailing to Union locals, their website relates, "the proposed legislation still represents a significant threat to Universal Service." The Postal Service moves over 200 billion pieces of mail each year and made a profit of over 4 billion dollars last year, and $2.5 Billion for the first half of this year. Snailmail struggles in an electronic world Senate Bill Introduced (Senate Press Release) S.2468--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PDF) Summary of the Senate Bill (PostCom.org) Senate lawmakers introduce postal reform bill (Forbes) Business Coalition and Letter Carriers Back Senate Bill (Senate Press Release) Postal Reform Makes It Onto Congressional Agenda Postal Unions Raise Concerns About Senate Bill (GovExec) CAPS Urges Senate to Protect Mail Service (pdf) Pitney Bowes Welcomes Introduction of Senate Postal Reform Legislation Mailing Industry CEO Council Welcomes Introduction of Senate Postal Reform Legislation UPS Supports Senate Postal Reform Legislation APWU Studies Draft, Imposes Dues Assessment (May 8, 2004) As Union leaders evaluate the good, bad and ugly of the recently released House Postal Reform Discussion Draft, APWU President William Burrus enacted the Dues Assessment passed by the National Executive Board last July. The first $2 assessment will occur in Pay Period 14 (reflected in pay checks dated July 2). The total assessment could reach $8 over 4 pay periods, but only the first is scheduled. Red Bank Local members are reminded that the Local is assuming the assessment, as voted by the Local Executive Board. Expressing some reservations over unresolved
issues in the House Bill, Burrus said, “We are pleased that the Committee has
rejected many of the anti-worker and anti-consumer proposals of the President’s
Commission on the Postal Service. However, The APWU is also concerned about the coming Senate Bill, which is expected to contain many of the President's Commission's anti-worker proposals. Meanwhile, the Private Mailing Industry has focused their ire squarely in the direction of Postal Workers. Gene Del Polito, President of the Association for Postal Commerce, said earlier this week, "If postal reform dies, the single most responsible party will be the APWU and those who allowed the organization to maintain its intransigence." Polito, who has been an outspoken proponent of reform and equally outspoken against Postal Workers, was quoted on Postcom.org. Polito is on record as believing the House Draft is too weak to help the Postal Service. He also strongly opposes the "worksharing" provisions of the Draft. Filling the Mailbag on Postal Bills (DMA) 5/10/04 Small-Town Post Offices Are Crucial Part of Rural Communities (Clovis News Journal) 5/11/04 Postal clients give stamp of approval (Expanded Hours a Hit) 5/11/04 The Struggle For Postal Reform (DMA) 5/11/04 NPMHU: Grassroots Efforts Working added 5/12/04 Ohio Postal Workers Hold Info Rally Legislature looking to overhaul Postal Service (mansfieldnewsjournal) May 31, 2004 (May 11, 2004) According to Mansfield Area Local
President Greg See (left), the planned move of processing from Mansfield to
Akron has been put on hold...at least for
In an e-mail, today, See reports, "As of 1 pm, the consolidation has been placed on hold pending review at the headquarters USPS level." See reports he has collected 3 city Resolutions against the move, with a fourth expected tonight. Additionally, the Local membership has authorized up to $10,000 to obtain a court injunction, and funding for any other necessary expenditures. Describing the Local Union meeting (i.e. levels of participation and passion), See said, "It was great, Brother!" Plans to shift postal work from Mansfield to Akron on hold (The Advertiser-Tribune) Plan to move mail halted--for now (mansfieldnewsjournal) May 12, 2004 Congressman Michael G. Oxley Applauds "Stay of Execution" Ohio Postal Workers Fight to Keep Jobs, Service Coming to your town, soon.
With Postal Reform Bills expected this week in the House and Senate, the Postal Service is moving ahead with elements of its Transformation Plan that do not require Congressional action. The battle lines have been clearly drawn; consumers and workers on one side and Postal management and Big Business on the other. Just when did the United States Postal SERVICE decide SERVICE was no longer its mission? In Mansfield, Ohio, the battle
is now being played out on the ground. The USPS plans Mansfield is fighting the
move. Political leaders, local press, and citizens are joining
Officials say a similar
consolidation, elsewhere in Ohio, resulted in residents having their water shut
off because of the delay in mail delivery. "The Service is going down," said one Mansfield worker. Carrying a sign that read "Don't Cancel Us Out," she added, "It's amazing to me that, after all these years, you're looking at closing Post Offices that serve neighborhoods." Today, Mansfield, Ohio. Your Post Office could be next. Are we paying attention? (pictures courtesy Greg See, Mansfield Local President) 5/7/04--USPS Ignores Public, Politicians--Approves Consolidation (mansfieldnewsjournal) 5/8/04--First-class mail gone (mansfieldnewsjournal) 5/9/04--Editorial: Mail move handled poorly (mansfieldnewsjournal) 5/10/04--Eyes on postal service (mansfieldnewsjournal) Officials to ask feds to save post office jobs (mansfieldnewsjournal) Fighting to keep jobs (mansfieldnewsjournal) Ohio Plans Picket, Letter Campaign, to Keep Processing Local Postal Reform: The Battle Wages Behind The Scenes Consumer Group Gets Its Say, But Who's Listening WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR House Committee Approves Postal Reform, Senate Draft Released (May 13, 2004) By a vote of 40-0, the House Committee on Government Reform, yesterday, approved the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (HR 4341). That Bill will now be referred to the full House of Representatives. Meanwhile, The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee has released a Discussion Draft of their proposed Postal Reform legislation. In approving the House Bill, legislators received widespread praise for their efforts from Private Mailers. Noting that the Bill is far from perfect, mailing groups nonetheless applauded this "first step" toward comprehensive Postal Reform. One key provision, reform of Civil Service Retirement funding, was added to the original Draft version. APWU President William Burrus also reacted favorably. “We are pleased that while approving a bill that will improve USPS efficiency, the House Committee rejected many of the anti-consumer and anti-worker proposals made last summer by the President’s Commission on the Postal Service,” Burrus said in a Press Release last night. “We are also pleased that Committee members voted to prohibit excessive ‘worksharing’ discounts that subsidize the mailing industry." At the same time, Burrus expressed reservations and concern over the Senate's Discussion Draft and urged Senators to follow the lead of the House. The Senate Draft appears to be more permissive in allowing "worksharing" discounts that exceed costs avoided and contains at least one very strong anti-worker provision--limiting the pay and benefits employees injured at work may receive. In essence the Senate would exclude Postal Workers from FECA, inserting separate (and lesser) provisions for them. Both the House and Senate support the creation of a Postal Regulatory Commission, vesting almost total oversight and authority in this politically appointed panel. The APWU has previously opposed such a Commission, if its authority is to be as broad as was first proposed by the President's Commission. Legislation to Overhaul Postal Service Will Go to House Floor (washingtonpost) added 5/14 House Postal Reform Bill Voted Out of Committee added 5/14 POSTALMAG Reviews Highlights of House Bill added 5/14 Postal Reform Bill Could Net USPS Billions (FedTimes) Postal Service overhaul clears first hurdle (GovExec) House Postal Bill Has CSRS Fixes; Senate Draft Released (DMNews) Senate Postal Bill Forthcoming (Direct) RR Donnelley Lauds Congressional Leaders added 5/14 League of Postmasters Praises Government Reform Committee added 5/14 NAPUS Applauds House Committee added 5/14 Pitney Bowes Commends House Government Reform Committee Mailing Industry CEO Council Applauds House Government Reform Committee Newspaper Association of America Comments DMA Statement: Discussion Draft Of Senate Postal Reform Legislation UPS Supports Comprehensive Postal Reform Legislation WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR First Look at Postal Reform Bill Update (5/11/04)--As reported, today, by Fed News Online, mark-up on the House Postal Reform Bill will take place at a meeting of the House Committee on Government Reform on Wednesday, May 12. Meanwhile, Postalreporter.com reports Private Mailers are intent on striking provisions from the Bill which would limit discounts to costs avoided. The Mailers claim selling service below cost is just good business sense. .............HUH? Committee on Government Reform media advisory (pdf) Postal Reform -- One Step Forward Two Unresolved Issues Back (GAIN) (May 4, 2004) The House Government Affairs Committee, today, posted a Draft version of a postal overhaul Bill that, it is anticipated, will be marked up before the end of the week. While the Draft is silent on most "workforce" issues (Senator Susan Collins has stated that "workforce" changes will be central to the Senate Bill), it would establish a Postal Regulatory Commission. As recommended by the President's Commission Report, such a panel would have the power to determine all things Postal, from postage rates to Postal Worker pay and benefits to the very definition of "universal service." The President's Commission Report, for those who recall, argued that universal service should be maintained..."where appropriate." And, they said, the envisioned PRC would determine what was appropriate. The Bill also contains some language on worksharing agreements, language that has already upset the Private Mailer community. If the subject of Postal Reform lands in a House/Senate Conference Committee, it now seems likely the Bill will resemble the President's Commission Report more than the Bills of either chamber. "Discussion Draft"--Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act DST, Hallmark: USPS needs first-class reform (5/5) House Bill Calls for New Postal-Rate Setting Board (FedTimes) Bill Mark-Up Expected Thursday (GovExec) Proposed legislation threatens rural post offices Postal Reform: The Battle Wages Behind The Scenes News Analysis by Martin Johns (April 26, 2004) While it may seem quiet
on the Postal Reform front, the battle behind the scenes is in full gear.
Early this month, The Senate Governmental
Affairs Committee held their last Postal Reform Hearing. Mere
weeks later, Congressional Whips for both major parties, speaking before the
Direct Marketing Association, stated that Postal Reform Both the House and Senate are expected to introduce proposed legislation in the next week or so. Senator Collins has already stated adamantly that she intends to change the postal workers' compensation system. This is likely to include attacks on postal worker pay and benefits, as well as changes to the Collective Bargaining process. House members say it is unlikely the bill in that chamber will contain aggressive "workforce" changes. Representative John McHugh (R-NY) has stated a commitment to changes in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) funding, something virtually everyone agrees is necessary, but the Bush administration is strongly opposed to those changes (preferring to use the overfunding as a means to make the federal deficit look smaller). The House Whips told Direct Marketers that the White House tends to win such battles. As for the Postal Service, their lobbying efforts very much mirror the findings of the President's Commission Final Report and Recommendations. While their 50 page set of "amendments" are benign at the start, they conclude with recommendations to exchange mediation for binding arbitration, in contract disputes, as well as subjecting all benefits to the process (currently, many benefits provided by the Postal Service, including Health and Retirement benefits, are mandated by law). The Postal Service expresses dismay that the current law forces them to offer a total benefits package "favorable" to employees. Repealing these statutes, they argue, would permit the USPS to establish new criteria for employee eligibility for benefits and the amount of employer contributions. The Postal Service also wants to cut payments to employees injured on-the-job and force such injured employees to retire at an earlier age. The Postal Service recommendations represent a total withdrawal from commitments made to Postal Union leaders. Postmaster General John Potter had promised Union Presidents he would not seek or support changes to Collective Bargaining in exchange for their support for greater flexibility in setting rates. The USPS breaking a promise made to their employees? How unusual. Reform Bills Coming Soon (DMNews) April 30, 2004 Postal Overhaul Proposals Expected Next Week (GovExec) April 29, 2004 Our America Is In Trouble (Moe Lepore, Boston Metro Area Local) Postal Service offers overhaul bill wish list (GovExec) April 23, 2004 USPS House "wish list" (.doc) from Postcom.org USPS Senate "wish list" (.doc) from Postcom.org Senate Set for Postal Reform (Direct) April 23, 2004 Postal overhaul bill unlikely to move this year (GovExec) April 22, 2004 WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR "Aggressive" Timetable Set For Postal Reform (APWU.org)--Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-ME) has announced that she and Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) plan to introduce postal reform legislation by the end of this month. “We are trying to keep an aggressive timetable because we’re committed to getting postal reform legislation enacted this year,” she said at the conclusion of the committee’s eighth public hearing on the subject. Collins’ statement followed April 7 testimony by David Fineman, chairman of the USPS Board of Governors, and George Omas, chairman of the Postal Rate Commission. The witnesses told lawmakers they favor a speedier, less litigious rate-setting process that gives more flexibility to adjust prices. The April 7 committee meeting was her panel’s final hearing before taking up legislation on proposals made last July by the President’s Commission on the U.S. Postal Service. Although no formal announcement has been made about a timetable for introducing a postal reform bill in the House of Representatives, legislation is expected to be introduced soon there as well. Once bills are introduced, votes could be scheduled with little advance notice. APWU members are urged to be vigilant, and to keep an eye on union bulletin boards and pay regular visits to www.apwu.org. Commentary: Postal Reform Necessary "Aggressive" timetable set for postal overhaul legislation (GovExec) Senate Committee Testimony from Hearing of April 7, 2004 Collins Wraps Up Hearings on Postal Reform WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR Consumer Group Gets Its Say, But Who's Listening News Analysis and Commentary by Martin Johns With one more Postal Reform Hearing set for The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, April 7, sources say that both the House and Senate will have their Bills introduced by month's end. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the Committee's Chairperson, has stated emphatically that she intends to change the postal workers' compensation system. This is an obvious signal to all that the current Administration fully intends, as it was always suspected, to sacrifice the pay and benefits of Postal Workers to preserve below-cost discounts for large mailers. You can be sure that "service" will also be sacrificed long before these private mailers are ever asked to pay a penny more towards institutional costs. Currently, private mailers account for better than 50% of all volume, yet contribute only about 17% of institutional costs. Rates for private mailers can be as low as 6 cents per letter. Even for First Class Mail, private mailers pay between 10 and 15 cents less than the 37 cent stamp price. (source: USPS rate card) In the Joint House/Senate Committee Hearing on March 23, former Congressman William Clay, Sr. of the
Consumer Alliance for Postal Services
was permitted to submit testimony. This is the first and only time, in
half a year of government hearings, that anyone
Mr. Clay was quite eloquent in exposing the true motivation behind the "urgency" for Postal Reform. "[T]he general assessment of my membership," said Clay, "is that the [President's] Commission’s primary interest, certainly reflected in the witnesses it chose to hear, was the concerns of those business entities that are either large volume users of mail service or compete with the Postal Service." Clay stated that the Commission based their recommendations on this "parade" of business interests and, in so doing, ignored the will of the American people (as expressed in the Commission's own survey), as well as experience that shows that "outsourcing" results in higher costs and poorer service (the Emery Priority Mail fiasco being just one example). "They [private mailers] would sacrifice the muscle and bone of our postal system as long as they don’t have to pay a penny more to dump their credit card solicitations on the American public. The big mailers don’t want to pay any more and if truth be known, they are not paying a fair share even now," said Clay. Clay cautioned House and Senate members that bowing to the wishes of these corporate entities would likely result in redefining the average citizen out of "universal service." But was anyone listening to what Mr. Clay was saying? Judging from the positions taken by Senator Collins and Representative John McHugh (R-NY)...apparently not. Lawmakers begin drafting postal overhaul legislation (GovExec) Giving and Taking Away In Washington (Direct) Its Our Mail, Says Consumer Group Ad WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR Joint Hearing on Postal Reform Elicits More Self-Interest News Analysis by Martin Johns What may have been the final hearing on |
(picture
from Senate Committee web site)
coalition of Private Mailers and CEOs, Postmaster General John Potter (right),
Wednesday, threatened a huge rate increase if Postal
Reform Bills in the House and Senate are passed "as is."
wouldn’t you? This is the question Concerned Postal Workers are asking their
Brothers and Sisters across America.
we remain seriously concerned about the powers that would be given to a new
Postal Regulatory Commission.
now. As reported in the story
and links immediately below, the Postal Service decided Thursday to take the
operations from Mansfield, in spite of public and political protest. This
decision came swiftly after USPS assurances that the Service was merely
investigating the possibility and had no immediate plans to consolidate.
Turned out it was a done deal.
to take processing operations from Mansfield and move them to another site,
possibly Akron. "Without community support and political pressure,
it's going to happen," says Local APWU President Greg See. Even in
the best case scenario, mail will be delayed and jobs in Mansfield will be lost.
Pay attention. This battle will be coming to your town, soon, very soon.
Postal
Workers standing up for jobs and service. On Sunday, May 2, those workers
staged an informational picket in Mansfield, braving rain and 40 degree
temperatures. A letter writing campaign is also underway.
"We're not going to take it lying down," said Mayor Lydia Reid.
would be unlikely to occur this year, because of the election cycle, which
shortens the Congressional session. Just a day later, Senator John Sununu
(R-NH) (pictured at right) told Direct
Marketers that Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) was "excited" about prospects
for reform. Meanwhile, the United States Postal Service sent their reform
"wish list" to both the House and Senate.
representing the interests of
the average American (the ones who pay 37 cents per letter) has had a say.
That it was a token gesture on the government's part is made obvious by the fact
this testimony was not even included on the