NALC Presdient William Young released the following message:

My thanks to all of you who responded to my call over the weekend to contact Senators Bill Nelson, Ben Nelson, Mark Pyror and Blanche Lincoln. At present, Senator Harkin’s amendment to the Labor-HHS appropriations bill that would make it easier for FedEx workers to organize a union remains in the draft Labor-HHS appropriations bill. A related provision will be included House appropriations legislation as well. We are now well-positioned to win this important battle for a stronger middle class and a level playing field for the Postal Service in the express delivery business.

Earlier this week, we activated the state association’s legislative phone tree to request activists in your states to contact Senators Inouye, Stevens and Cochran regarding Senator Harkin’s amendment to the Labor-HHS appropriations bill that would make it easier for FedEx workers to organize a union. My thanks to all of you who responded.

It is not known at this time when the appropriations legislation will be taken up on either side of the Capitol. Other spending disputes between Congress and the White House (on the Iraq war and domestic spending) have stalled consideration of the legislation for now. If these disputes cannot be resolved, Congress may forgo the appropriations process altogether and enact a continuing resolution to keep the government running through the rest of the year. In any event, I will keep you informed.

Please suspend calling the Senators’ offices until I contact you again. Thank you again for your activism and your commitment to improving the lives of all working Americans.

In Solidarity,
William H. Young
President