APWU Web News Article 026-2012, March 30, 2012
The APWU is asking state and local organizations to participate in two nationwide activities in April: Lobbying your senators at their home offices during the Easter recess, and informational leafleting on Tax Day, April 17.
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“Time is running out for Congress to enact postal legislation,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey. The moratorium on post office closings and plant consolidations expires on May 15. “Congress must address the Postal Service’s financial crisis to avoid drastic cuts in service and jobs,” Guffey said.
Meet at Your Senators’ Offices
From April 2, 2012, to April 13, 2012, Congress will be on recess. The 21st Century Postal Service Act (Senate Bill 1789) is expected to be brought up for a vote the week Congress returns. The APWU and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) are asking their respective state and local presidents to arrange meetings with senators at their state office(s) during the recess.
“In its current form, S. 1789 is unacceptable,” said Guffey. “It fails to address the Postal Service’s long-term problems. If it is passed as it is currently written, it will result in massive plant and post office closures. ”
The APWU and the NPMHU are urging senators to support amendments to the bill that will protect current service standards, resolve the retiree health benefit pre-funding requirement, allow USPS to recover overpayments to FERS, prevent the closing of small post offices, and maintain six-day delivery.
In a March 29 letter [PDF], the APWU is asking state and local presidents to contact their senators’ state office(s) to schedule an appointment to discuss postal reform. It is urgent that the Senate take immediate action to protect existing service standards. The Postal Service cannot eliminate hundreds of mail processing facilities and still meet its current service commitments.
Locals are urged to bring members and community allies to the meeting. If there is a large contingent, the APWU is suggesting that members rally outside the senators’ office(s), while a delegation goes in to meet with the senator and his/her staff. This is not a protest against the senators. Members are urged to wear their T-shirts from last year’s Sept. 27 day of action and to distribute flyers to passers-by.
Tax Day Informational Leafleting
On Tuesday, April 17 (Tax Day), the APWU and the Mail Handlers Union are asking locals across the country to conduct informational leafleting at as many post offices as possible, with an emphasis on those facilities that draw media coverage on Tax Day. (Typically these are offices that have extended hours for tax day, but the timing of the leafleting is up to the local.) The purpose of this event is to bring to the attention of postal customers and the public at-large the drastic cuts that management is planning if Congress doesn’t act.
Material
The two-sided leaflet [PDF] to be distributed at both events can be ordered online at http://www.kellydigital.com/q-store/store/default.asp?CompanyID=3689. The national union will cover the cost of printing and shipping. The number of flyers authorized for each location will be based on the number of members in that location. A press kit can be downloaded from the APWU Web site.
“Whether your plant or post office is targeted for closure or consolidation, the Postal Service’s plans threaten the jobs of every postal worker,” said Guffey. “Dismantling the network and slashing service will not fix the Postal Service’s finances. They will lead to the demise of the Postal Service by making its services less timely and less valuable,” he said.
“Locals are doing a fantastic job getting our message out at rallies, public input meetings, and in the media. We need to keep up the pressure on Congress to act now, before management does irreparable harm to the postal network,” Guffey emphasized.
Please join us for these April actions. If you require any assistance, contact the APWU Vice President’s office or the Communications Department at 202-842-4250, or the Legislative Department at 202-842-4211.
If Congress doesn’t do something to fix the USPS’s finances by May 15, the Postal Service plans to close 3,600 post offices, consolidate 223 mail processing centers, layoff 100,000 workers and force union stewards all over this land to return to the workroom floor to actually work for a living. Additionally, APWU will be forced to eliminate coordinator & advocate positions within APWU not to mention the fine looking ladies working at 1300 L street. So lets maintain union officials standard of living and right not to work!
WASHINGTON, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — National Association of Letter Carriers President Details Union’s Concerns about Legislation in Letter to U.S. Senators
Fredric V. Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), has formally called on the U.S. Senate to pass S. 1789 — the 21st Century Postal Service Act – because it is getting very late, it will provide long-term fixes. He said that while the measure “will provide resources to allow the Service to recover within a few more years, it will change the downward trajectory of this vital institution.”
The NALC and APWU will join forces in a demonstration March, for Tuesday , April 3rd, 2012, the buses will meet you in the parking lots , located at 1580 lake Street, in Elmira, NY , call your National or local for directions, all expenses will be paid.
In a letter sent today to each U.S. senator, Mr. Rolando stated, “S. 1789 appears to be based on the Postal Service’s Retirement Incentive strategy, which will alleviate the excessing of employees .
Mr. Rolando said NALC has “no choice but to Support S. 1789.”
Mr. Rolando noted that just last week, a USPS witness before the Postal Regulatory Commission acknowledged that a study ordered — but later stopped — by the Postal Service on its own plan for service reductions indicated that the “combined effects of all the service cuts under consideration, including the elimination of Saturday delivery (and 80,000 delivery-related jobs), would not be so severe if The Early Retirement Incentives were offered now.
Other key points from Mr. Rolando’s letter about the Decent Retirement Incentives in S. 1789:
It adequately addresses the single biggest cause of the Postal Service’s recent financial distress, the mandate imposed by Congress in 2006 that the Postal Service pre-fund future retiree health insurance benefits. That mandate — required of no other government agency or private business — has cost USPS $21 billion over the past five years. It is money that could have been used to offer the Early Retirement Incentives in April 2012, in a more lucrative way.
offer to CSRS is a joke, FERS will targeted, plant closings work this way, across the board includes ?, besides ckerks, then there will be openings for those who cannot retire or do not go etc.
Quit goofying around CLIFF GOOFY!! Most of your members anyway are Obama fans and are SOCIALIST!! Your union can’t do nothing for the workers anyway since the departure of the previous president who did more for the workers than any past, present, or future president will be able to achieve.
Why don’t you cry to your President Obama and those other liberal democrats who are destroying this country of ours!!!
florida postal worker —where did you get the info thats offering $25000 & 3 years added service for csrs employees?? To all csrs employees or just at the plants they plan to consolidate?
Surely we are passed the point of informing the public that we do not receive any tax money. Guppy, if that’s all you have to do, go take a nap. I’m so glad you are not using my dues money anymore.
PMG addresses Congress
Urges support for USPS plan to profitability
Posted 3/27/12 at 3:45 p.m.
PMG Pat Donahoe during this week’s House hearing on the Postal Service.
PMG Pat Donahoe went to Capitol Hill Tuesday to support the Postal Service’s plan to return the agency to fiscal solvency, and to tell them of the VERA plans ( Early Retirement offers for April 2012).
Donahoe told legislators during a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy the comprehensive plan USPS has developed will produce a reduction in annual costs of $22.5 billion by 2016. He said the plan provides a “clear path toward financial stability” for USPS, but these have to include the Early Retirement Incentives in April 2012.
The PMG urged Congress to consider the comprehensive plan favorably. He said its adoption would allow USPS to meet its universal service obligations and its employees would continue providing reliable and affordable service to the public. “We believe it’s a responsible approach that’s fair to our customers and our employees especially being able to offer more of a retirement incentive in April 2012,” he said.
PMG addresses Congress
Urges support for USPS plan to profitability
Posted 3/27/12 at 3:45 p.m.
PMG testimony
PMG Pat Donahoe during this week’s House hearing on the Postal Service.
PMG Pat Donahoe went to Capitol Hill Tuesday to support the Postal Service’s plan to return the agency to fiscal solvency.
Donahoe told legislators during a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy the comprehensive plan USPS has developed will produce a reduction in annual costs of $22.5 billion by 2016. He said the plan provides a “clear path toward financial stability” for USPS.
The PMG urged Congress to consider the comprehensive plan favorably. He said its adoption would allow USPS to meet its universal service obligations and its employees would continue providing reliable and affordable service to the public. “We believe it’s a responsible approach that’s fair to our customers and our employees,” he said.
Largest Postal Union Calls on Senate to Pass S. 1789 As Currently Drafted
WASHINGTON, March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — National Association of Letter Carriers President Details Union’s Concerns about Legislation in Letter to U.S. Senators
Fredric V. Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), has formally called on the U.S. Senate to pass S. 1789 — the 21st Century Postal Service Act – because it is getting very late, it will provide long-term fixes. He said that while the measure “will provide resources to allow the Service to recover within a few more years, it will change the downward trajectory of this vital institution.”
In a letter sent today to each U.S. senator, Mr. Rolando stated, “S. 1789 appears to be based on the Postal Service’s Retirement Incentive strategy, which will alleviate the excessing of employees .
Mr. Rolando said NALC has “no choice but to Support S. 1789.”
Rather than settle for harsh and counterproductive reductions in key services as other bills would do, Mr. Rolando said, “What the Postal Service needs is a business plan based on a comprehensive rethinking of the institution, one that asks for shared sacrifice from all stakeholders but also allows this vital national resource to grow and prosper in the years ahead and that is S.1789.
Mr. Rolando noted that just last week, a USPS witness before the Postal Regulatory Commission acknowledged that a study ordered — but later stopped — by the Postal Service on its own plan for service reductions indicated that the “combined effects of all the service cuts under consideration, including the elimination of Saturday delivery (and 80,000 delivery-related jobs), would not be so severe if The Early Retirement Incentives were offered now.
NALC represents 284,000 USPS letter carriers, about a quarter of whom are military veterans.
Other key points from Mr. Rolando’s letter about the Decent Retirement Incentives in S. 1789:
It adequately addresses the single biggest cause of the Postal Service’s recent financial distress, the mandate imposed by Congress in 2006 that the Postal Service pre-fund future retiree health insurance benefits. That mandate — required of no other government agency or private business — has cost USPS $21 billion over the past five years. It is money that could have been used to offer the Early Retirement Incentives in April 2012, in a more lucrative way.
Ever wonder what the
USPS costs taxpayers?
NOT A SINGLE CENT
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars, and relies on the
sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
What will you do if your post office closes?
If Congress doesn’t do something to fix the USPS’s finances by May 15, the Postal Service plans to close 3,600 post offices, consolidate 223 mail processing centers, layoff 100,000 workers, eliminate Pensions..
Why is this happening?
Because the USPS refuses to grant Early Retirement Incentives.
Congress created this problem
and Congress can fix it.
Call your U.S. senators and representative at 202-224-3121 (Capitol Switchboard). Tell them to
fix the USPS and Support S.1789 for Early Retirements Incentives, Give our members a chance
to retire with dignity.
e Postal ServiceTAKE ACTIONO
As Senate Prepares to Vote on Postal Reform
As the Senate prepares to vote on the 21st Century Postal Service Act (Senate Bill 1789), America’s postal workers are urging concerned members of the public to contact
their senators and let them know that Senate bill 1789 is acceptable in its current form.
As it’s currently written, the bill would give the USPS some short-term financial relief, and offer decent retirement incentives to craft employees
affected by these closings.
Call Your Senators:
202-224-3121
(Capitol Switchboard)
[Click here for direct #s]
Tell them you Support
Senate Bill 1789.
AMERICA
Depends on the Postal Service
This message brought to you by America’s postal workers
Make up your minds; first you are asking us to contact our senators to pass this bill , now you are telling us to do the opposite !
pass the amended s-1789…. FAR BETTER THAN THE ISSA-ROSS MONSTROSITY,
we wait to long, we are playing with fire,
this is decent…and offers $25,000 and 3 years for csrs employees…
works for me.