From The National Association of Postmasters of the United States – eNAPUS Legislative and Political Bulletin
Two vastly different postal bills are pending before the House and Senate. The bills, H.R. 2309 and S. 1789, contain numerous divisive provisions; some are common to both. Consequently, they do not seem to be on the fast track. However, their paths to the floor follow different roadmaps and provide guideposts on how NAPUS and others may seek to shape the outcome
Even with the procedural disparities, both bills share a common and major deficiency; neither bill provides the USPS with a fair and equitable calculation of its pension liability – a $55 billion omission. Rather, H.R. 2309 and S. 1789 continue to impose a punitive pension liability on the USPS that seeks to offset the federal government’s failure to account for its own pension liability. This failure is bipartisan and the blame is shared with the White House
This past week, a new national survey found that Americans continue to strongly oppose USPS efforts to close post offices, and substantiates NAPUS arguments before the Postal Regulatory Commission relating to post office use. Also, on Friday, President signed into law legislation (HR 2112), which defers the $5.5 million retiree health prepayment until December 16.
To read about these issues please view the latest edition of the eNAPUS Legislative and Political Bulletin.
Can’t come up with round-trip tix to Wash DC? You can Occupy APWU HQ easily by filling out your PS 1188 today! Do it before the next round of dues increases and assessments coming round the bend brought to you by your union!
It is quite the can of worms. Given the mass exodus for competitor mailing concerns, maybe the post office has been used as a parasitic host. They place the virus of privatization in 2001, they negotiate a new Contract in 2006 – and they make sure the 5.5 Billion dollar debacle will topple the USPS in time. Meanwhile they’re positioning their new companies, readying for the privatization of the Postal Service.
2011- Cluster Fuck
2001 – Potter Creates the Mail Industry Task Force (MITF) with DPM Nolan and Pitney Bowes CEO Critelli co-chairs creating a platform for Postal Reform (Privatization).
2002-Critelli becomes Council President of the Mail Industry CEO Council (MICEO), allowing MICEO to lobby MITF which is championing Postal Reform (Privatization).
2002 – Nolan praises the work of the MICEO giving tacit USPS approval to Postal Reform (Privatization) ideas submitted therein.
2002 – Potter submits USPS Transformation Plan to Congress which was chock full of short- and long-term options for change in USPS operations and delivery practices, and was a partial basis for the landmark Postal Reform and Accountability Act (H.R. 6407) passed in late 2006.
2005 – Mail Express, Inc. a startup business-to-consumer lightweight package delivery company is created. (In 2010 renamed Streamlite, Inc.)
2005 – USPS Board of Governors Attacks Union Pay and Benefits.
2006 – Nolan and Critelli tout the importance of their Postal Reform (Privatization) plans.
2006 – Nearly dead H.R. 6407 rises, Lazarus-like, and somehow crawls onto the desk of Pres. Bush to be signed into law on Dec. 20.
2006 – H.R. 6407 the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) includes “pay for performance” language that enhances Potter’s retirement package (Super-size me, please), while saddling the USPS with 5.5 Billion dollar prefunding leading to present day fiscal insolvency.
2007 – Nolan who co-chaired the MITF from 2001 to 2006 leaves the USPS for Mail Express just three months after passage of H. R. 6407. Gail Sonnenberg also leaves USPS for Mail Express (According to Streamlite, Inc. Sonnenberg is credited with establishing “pay for performance” during her tenure as Vice President of Human Resources at USPS). 2010 – Dec. 3, Potter retires with a 5.5 Million retirement package, enhanced by the PAEA, and “Pay for Performance” bonuses.
2010 – Pitney Bowes spends one million lobbying the Post Office and another million lobbying the Postal Regulatory Commission.