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Urgent Call to Action:
Contact
Members Of Congress
During Memorial Day Recess
(05/21/12) The APWU and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU)
are asking their locals and state organizations to meet with their U.S.
representatives at their district offices during the Memorial Day congressional
recess, May 21 to May 29, to urge them to act now to save the Postal Service
from financial collapse. “APWU members should urge House members
to act on postal reform as soon as they return, and use the Senate bill
as a starting point for discussion,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey. [read
more]
'Modified' Consolidation Plan Is More of the Same
USPS Union Members Must Fight Back, House Must Act Now
(05/17/12) USPS management announced on May 17 that it would
begin implementing a “modified” consolidation plan immediately,
but the “new” plan employs the same essential strategy as
the old plan: Impose drastic cuts to service and the mail processing network,
and eliminate tens of thousands of jobs. The only difference is that the “new” plan
will take a little longer to complete. [read
more]
Members of Congress
Seek Extension of Moratorium
(05/11/12) More than 100 U.S. representatives have signed a letter
to Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe, urging him to extend the moratorium
on the closure of post offices and mail processing facilities, and asking
him to refrain from cutting hours at rural offices.
[read
more]
APWU Urges House:
Address
Postal Reform Now, Start With Senate Bill
(05/10/12) As the May 15 expiration of a moratorium on the closure
of post offices and mail processing facilities approaches, the APWU
is urging the House of Representatives to address postal reform immediately,
and to use the Senate bill as a starting point. The USPS’ May 9
announcement about keeping rural offices open isn’t binding and
won’t solve the USPS financial crisis, so we must keep fighting,
the union says. [read
more]
APWU Statement
On USPS Announcement
About Rural Post Offices
(05/10/12) The APWU is continuing to analyze the Postal Service’s
May 9 announcement that it will allow rural post offices to remain open,
but with reduced hours. “We applaud the proposal to allow greater
community input on rural postal services and to keep offices open," said
APWU President Cliff Guffey, "but we are disappointed by the decision
to reduce hours at these offices." [read
more]
Fox News, Wrong Again!
(05/09/12) Fox News may have set a new record for inaccurate reporting
this week in a story about the Postal Service. The story, which was
broadcast on May 8 and posted on Fox’s Web site, frantically warns viewers
and visitors that because of a bill approved by the Senate, “taxpayers
may be on the hook for Postal Service losses.” The Web posting even
has a handy “taxpayer calculator” that shows visitors “how
much the bailout will cost you.” [read
more]
PMG: We Never Used the Word ‘Closure’
(05/04/12) In an interview televised on C-SPAN on April 27, Postmaster
General Patrick R. Donahoe down-played the threat of post office and
mail processing plant closures and suggested no major changes would
take place anytime soon. “‘Closure’ is a word we’ve never
used,” he said. Really? [read
more]
Senate Approves Postal Bill,
Action Now Moves to House
(04/27/12) “With the moratorium on the closure of mail processing
plants and post offices set to expire on May 15, we must now turn our
attention to the House. We expect to face very tough challenges there,” said
APWU President Cliff Guffey. “But we will do everything we can
to get a good bill. We call on our members, small businesses, individual
customers, and lawmakers to re-double our efforts to Save America’s
Postal Service.” [read
more]
Potential Consolidation List Not Reliable, Union Says
(04/26/12) A “potential consolidation list” developed
by the Postal Service and provided to members of the Senate on April 24
has generated a lot of interest at postal facilities across the country,
but it is not an official management proposal or reliable list, the
union is warning. [read
more]
Senate Approves Amended Postal Bill,
Next Up: The House of Representatives
(04/25/12) The Senate passed an amended version of the 21st Century
Postal Service Act (S. 1789) on April 25 by a vote of 62-37. “Although
the bill is flawed, the amended version is far better than the original,” said
APWU President Cliff Guffey. “That is a result of the tremendous
effort of APWU members, postal customers, and elected officials who
appreciate the importance of the Postal Service to American life. Thank
you for your hard work.”
[read more]
Senate to Vote on Postal Reform Bill
APWU Members Must Let Senators Know Where We Stand
(04/24/12) The Senate will vote on the 21st Century Postal Service
Act (S. 1789) on Tuesday, April 24, with action expected to begin after
2:15 p.m. Senators will be asked to consider a revised version of the
legislation, which the bill’s sponsors introduced on April 17,
along with up to 38 other amendments. [read
more]
Senate to Debate, Vote
On Postal Bill Starting April 23
APWU Members Must Let Senators Know Where We Stand
(04/20/12) The Senate will debate the 21st Century Postal
Service Act (S. 1789) beginning on Monday, April 23, with voting
set to begin on Tuesday, April 24, as a result of an agreement
by Senate leaders. Senators will be asked to consider a revised
version of the legislation, which the bill’s sponsors introduced on April 17, along with up to 38
other amendments. “It is crucial that APWU members let their senators
know where we stand on this important bill,” said APWU President
Cliff Guffey. “With the moratorium on the closure of mail processing
plants and post offices set to expire on May 15, we must do everything
we can to improve the legislation,” he said. [read
more]
Senate
Leaders Announce Agreement
On Amendments to Postal Reform Bill
(04/20/12) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced an agreement
April 19 to consider 39 amendments to the postal reform bill (S. 1789),
with debate on amendments beginning on Monday, April 23. A cloture vote
to end debate is expected Monday evening. If the motion passes, voting
on amendments will begin on Tuesday, April 24. The APWU is reviewing the
amendments, said Legislative and Political Director Myke Reid. “We
will call on union members to contact their senators about the most important
amendments,” he said. [read
more]
Senate May Consider Amendments to Postal Bill
(04/19/12) The Senate could begin consideration of amendments to
S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, on April 19. Seventy-nine
amendments were filed as of a 1 p.m. deadline on April 18, and they run
the gamut from provisions that would eliminate workers’ protection against
layoffs, to language that would extend the moratorium on consolidations,
to provisions to protect the benefits of injured workers. “The revised
version of S. 1789 is better than the original version, but we continue
to have serious concerns about several issues,” said APWU President
Cliff Guffey. [read
more]
Postal Workers Picket As Senate Begins Debate
(Updated
4/19/12) Members of the APWU and Mail Handlers Union rallied in front
of post offices around the country Tuesday to alert the public to looming
service cuts if Congress doesn’t act to fix the Postal Service’s
finances by May 15. [read
more]
Senate to Resume Consideration of Postal Bill
(04/18/12) The Senate is expected to resume consideration a revised
version of S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, with proceedings
broadcast and Webcast live on C-SPAN. The APWU denounced the original
version of the bill, saying it would lead to degradation of service and
the closure of hundreds of mail processing centers and thousands of post
offices. [read
more]
Senate to Consider Postal Bill Today, April 17
(04/17/12) The Senate is expected to consider a revised version
of S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, on Tuesday, April 17,
with proceedings broadcast and Webcast live on C-SPAN. The revisions
were announced late in the day on April 16. “We are analyzing the new provisions
carefully and will comment once we have completed our review,” said
APWU President Cliff Guffey. The APWU denounced the original version
of the bill, saying it would lead to degradation of service and the closure
of hundreds of mail processing centers and thousands of post offices. [read
more]
April 17 Plans Move Into High Gear
(04/13/12) Plans for April 17, Tax Day, are moving into high gear,
with hundreds of locals organizing activities. That day, the APWU
and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union will conduct informational
leafleting at post offices around the country to highlight an urgent
message: Congress must act now to avert a Postal Service disaster.
A moratorium on the closure of post offices and mail processing plants
expires on May 15, and postal officials have said they intend to
begin consolidating more than 200 mail processing facilities and
3,600 post offices if Congress fails to act by the deadline. The
APWU has posted a list of locals that will participate in the April
17 activities to Save America's Postal Service. [read more]
As Deadline Nears, APWU Keeps Up the Fight
(05/01/12) Time is running out. We are quickly approaching the May
15 expiration of the moratorium on the closure and consolidation of mail
processing plants and post offices. The moratorium is intended to give
Congress the opportunity to pass a bill to address the Postal Service’s
financial crisis — without drastic cuts in service and jobs. [read
more]
USPS Misrepresentations
Lead to Barrage of Criticism
(05/01/12) The Postal Service’s top management, including Postmaster
General Donahoe, has been drawing fire from all sides in recent months,
after a series of disturbing and embarrassing revelations. Criticism
of postal management started mounting after the USPS filed a request
with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for an advisory opinion on
plans to degrade service standards — to eliminate overnight delivery
of most first-class mail and periodicals, and generally slow delivery.
Prior to the September request, postal managers had been telling legislators
and affected communities that consolidating mail processing facilities
would not affect service. [read
more]
(05/01/12) With the expiration of a moratorium on the consolidation and closure of mail processing plants and post offices approaching, there has been a tremendous amount of activity about postal legislation on Capitol Hill — and a tremendous amount of activity in the APWU Legislative and Political Department. The impending end of the moratorium has forced politicians and interested parties to step up their efforts to solve the USPS financial crisis. [read more]
APWU Public Outreach Campaign Continues
(04/10/12)
With tax filing deadline quickly approaching, the APWU will re-air
its Ever Wonder ad beginning April 11, with spots airing on
Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, and Headline News. The union’s 30-second
ad describes the enormity of the job postal workers do, and ends with
a simple question and response: Ever wonder what this costs you
as a taxpayer? Not a single cent. The ad informs the public about
the work APWU members perform, and dispels the persistent myth that
our work is funded by taxpayers. The airing of the ad is timed to coincide
with two nationwide union-sponsored activities this month. [read
more]
One Week Left; Lobbying Efforts Take Off
(04/09/12) APWU locals and state organizations are responding enthusiastically
to the call to lobby their senators during the congressional recess,
which began April 2 and ends April 13. In addition to rallies and meetings
with senators during the break, locals will conduct informational leafleting
at post offices around the country on Tax Day, April 17. With time
getting short, APWU President Cliff Guffey is urging all APWU members
to get involved.
[read
more]
Union
Calls for April Actions
To Save the Postal Service
(03/30/12) 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. “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. [read
more]
Senate Action on Postal Bill Expected in Mid-April
Use This Time to Advocate Union’s Position, APWU Says
(03/27/12) The Senate is expected to vote on postal legislation
in mid-April, following a congressional recess, APWU Legislative and
Political Director Myke Reid has reported. The postal bill, S. 1789,
is expected to be the Senate’s first order of business when lawmakers
return to the Capitol on April 16. [read
more]
USPS Explanation of Secret Study
Is Misleading, Inaccurate, Union Charges
(03/26/12) The Postal Service’s recent attempt to justify
the decision to keep market research secret is misleading and inaccurate,
the APWU has charged. The research, which was conducted in August and
September 2011, indicates that revenue losses from the USPS plan to degrade
service standards could eliminate any potential savings from consolidating
or closing 223 mail processing centers. [read
more]
Senate Vote on Postal Bill Could Be Taken on Monday
(03/23/12) An amended version of a controversial postal bill (S.
1789) is tentatively scheduled for a vote during the week of March 26,
and could be brought to the Senate floor as early as Monday, APWU Legislative
and Political Director Myke Reid is reporting. Details of the final bill
are unknown, however. The bill’s sponsors have been meeting to
discuss possible amendments, but have not released information about
their discussions.
[read more]
USPS Market Research on Consolidations:
Revenue Losses Could Wipe Out Savings
(03/22/12) In testimony before the Postal Regulatory Commission
on March 21, a USPS witness made a startling admission: The Postal
Service’s initial research on the network consolidation plan
indicated that it could result in revenue losses of $5.3 billion, with
net revenue losses as high as $1.9 billion. Revenue losses of that
magnitude would virtually wipe out any cost savings derived from the
plan. The testimony, which was elicited during cross-examination by
APWU attorney Jenn Wood, undermines the rationale for the Postal Service’s
plan to close or consolidate half of the nation’s mail processing
facilities.[read
more]
OIG Blog On Postal Solution
(03/16/12) The USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) is sponsoring five
week-long blog discussions on “the elements of a postal solution.” APWU President
Cliff Guffey was invited to present ideas on the topic, “What would an
optimized Postal Service infrastructure look like in the 21st century and beyond?” Click
here to view his response.
A Stunning Admission:
USPS Hasn't Considered
Combined Effect of Proposed Changes
(03/13/12) In response to a motion filed by the APWU, the Postal Service
admitted March 9 that it has not considered the combined effect of several
of its major proposals, including plans to: Degrade service standards;
end overnight delivery for first-class mail and periodicals, and slow mail
delivery in general; Consolidate more than 220 mail processing facilities;
Close 3,600 post offices; Eliminate Saturday mail delivery, and Raise postage
rates. [read
more]
APWU Launches Next Phase
Of Television Ad Campaign
(03/13/12)
The APWU is launching the next phase of its television ad campaign, with
spots to begin airing on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News on Wednesday March
14, President Cliff Guffey has announced. The ads also will appear in
a limited run on NBC Nightly News. In the new ads, postal workers and customers
talk about the importance of the Postal Service to our nation — and
the devastating effect closing post offices and consolidating mail processing
plants would have on our communities and our economy. The ads are slated
to run through mid May. [read
more]
[where and
when to see the ads]
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APWU Members Must Continue the Fight!
Of 264 facilities studied for closure, 223 were approved for
consolidation. Six are still being studied. Only 35 consolidations were
disapproved – at this time.
(02/23/12) The Postal Service’s announcement on Feb. 23 that
it has approved 223 mail processing plants for consolidation leaves union
members just one option, APWU President Cliff Guffey said: We must continue
the fight! “That means getting Congress to act now to Save America’s
Postal Service,” he said. In “stand-up talks” with employees
on Feb. 22, managers emphasized that consolidations would not take place
until after May 15, when a six-month moratorium on consolidations expires.
The moratorium was intended to give Congress “the opportunity to
enact an alternate plan,” postal officials pointed out. [read
more]
USPS Notifies Employees of Consolidations
APWU Continues to Oppose Plan
To Slash Service, Jobs, Network
(02/22/12) As the Postal Service notifies employees whether their
mail processing plants will be consolidated beginning in mid-May, the
APWU is fighting back. The union is continuing to oppose USPS plans to slash
service, eliminate 35,000 jobs, and destroy the mail distribution network.
In “stand-up talks” in offices all around the country
on Feb. 22, postal managers informed employees about the future of their
plants, but refused to tell the unions how many plants would be consolidated
and which plants they are. The USPS says it will notify the unions and
media on Feb. 23. [read
more]
UPDATE: The USPS has provided the APWU with copies of the “stand-up
talks” and the text of a video given to employees on Feb. 22.
The Postal Service did not provide the APWU with lists of the facilities
that fall in the various categories.
USPS Five-Year Plan: Doomed to Fail
(02/17/12) The Postal Service’s latest five-year plan, which
it announced with great fanfare on Feb. 16, is “a warmed-over menu
of proposals that are doomed to fail,” said APWU President Cliff
Guffey. “The Postal Service cannot cut its way to financial health.
The USPS must modernize, improve service, and offer new products in order
to succeed,” he said. [read
more]
Senators Seek Changes to Postal Bill
(02/15/12) Twenty-seven senators have signed a letter to the sponsors
of the 21st Century Postal Service Act (S. 1789) asking them to approve
amendments to the legislation that the APWU supports. The bill – which
the APWU says is “unacceptable in its current form” — is
expected to be brought to the Senate floor for a vote in the next few
weeks. APWU President Cliff Guffey is asking union members to contact
their senators and urged them to support the amendments to S. 1789 that
are outlined in the letter. [read
more]
Haven't Contacted Congress?
It Only Takes a Few Clicks
(02/13/12) If you haven’t done so already, now is definitely
the time to contact your senators and representatives and let them
know where you stand on critical legislation affecting APWU members,
said President Cliff Guffey. “We encourage union members to call, write, and visit their legislators,” the union president said. “There is also an easy, online way to express your views.” All it takes is a few clicks. [full
story]
APWU Members Urged to Take Action
As Senate Considers Postal Reform
(02/06/12) Postal reform is a hot topic in Congress as the Senate prepares
to vote on the 21st Century Postal Service Act, and APWU President
Cliff Guffey is urging union members to contact their senators and let
them know: Senate bill 1789 is unacceptable in its current form. As
lawmakers review the bill, Guffey is asking union members to let their
senators know that S. 1789 must be amended. [read
more]
Senate
to Vote on Postal Bill
APWU Members Must Take Action NOW!
(01/27/12) The APWU has learned that the Senate will consider postal
legislation very soon, and President Cliff Guffey is asking union members
to contact their senators immediately and tell them that the 21st Century
Postal Service Act (S. 1789) is unacceptable in its current form. “The
stakes couldn’t be higher,” Guffey said. As currently written,
the bill would give the USPS some short-term financial relief, but also
would inflict long-term damage to the nation’s mail system, he said. [read
more]
Postal
Workers Have the Right
To Speak Out Against Facility Closures
(01/18/12) Recent notices posted by management have generated questions
about APWU members’ right to participate in activities opposing
the closure of postal facilities. Off-the-clock, postal employees have
the right to: circulate petitions, participate in public meetings, encourage
others to attend public meetings, encourage local merchants and business
organizations to speak out against postal closings, and to contact elected
officials to urge them to oppose postal closings. [read
more]
Do You Know Where
Your Legislators Stand?
(01/01/12) Lately, USPS management seems hell-bent on destroying
the Postal Service — and some members of Congress have appeared
eager to help. In December, however, in response to protests by postal
workers, small businesses and community leaders, 22 senators persuaded
the USPS to adopt a five-month moratorium on the closure of post offices
and mail processing centers. The moratorium is intended to give Congress
more time to adopt legislation to address the Postal Service crisis. [read
more]
Postal Service Gets It Wrong Again
Slashing the Network
Won’t Save the USPS
(01/01/12) Among the Postal Service ’ s major plans for solving
the USPS financial crisis is to slash the mail processing network — to
close or consolidate as many as 252 of approximately 460 mail processing
facilities. Wrong again! The Postal Service notified the APWU on
Sept. 14 that it would study the feasibility of consolidating more than
half of its mail processing centers as part of a nationwide plan to cut
costs. The next day, with great fanfare, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe
announced the plan to the media, and presented it as an essential component
of resolving the Postal Service’s financial difficulties. But the
reality is quite different. In fact, the Postmaster General’s prescription
would do more harm than good.
[read
more]
PRC
Blasts USPS Retail Closure Plan
(12/30/11) The Postal Service plans to close a many as 3,600
retail facilities is based on questionable data, Postal Regulatory Commission
(PRC) recently concluded. In a Dec. 23 advisory opinion, the PRC challenged
the methods with which the Postal Service developed its “Retail Access
Optimization Initiative,” charging that the USPS lacked sufficient
data for determining which closures would reduce costs the most and that
it lacked sufficient data and analysis to make the best decisions. [read
more]
Sen.
Akaka, Rep. DeFazio
Introduce Postal Bills
(12/20/11) Several bills were introduced in Congress this month
that would help resolve the Postal Service’s financial crisis
and improve service to the American people, APWU Legislative and Political
Director Myke Reid reports. Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) introduced the
Postal Investment Act of 2011 (S. 2014) on Dec. 16, which is intended
to strengthen the USPS and provide the agency short- and long-term
financial relief.
[read
more]
Funding
Bill Postpones
Pre-Funding Due Date
(12/20/11) The government funding bill Congress approved over the
weekend included a reprieve for the Postal Service: It delays until August
the due date for the USPS to make a $5.5 billion payment to pre-fund
healthcare benefits for future retirees. “We are pleased by the
postponement, but we recognize the urgency of passing legislation that
will correct the underlying cause of the Postal Service’s financial
difficulties,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey. [read
more]
USPS Announces Moratorium
On Post Office, Plant Closures
(12/13/11) The Postal Service has announced a five-month moratorium
on the closure of post offices and mail processing facilities, in response
to a request from 22 senators. The delay until May 15, 2012, is intended
to give Congress more time to adopt legislation that would address the
USPS financial crisis without drastic cuts in service. [read
more]
Senators
Seek
To Stop USPS Cutbacks
Is Your Senator on Board?
(12/09/11) Twenty senators are asking Congress to impose a six-month moratorium
on USPS plans to consolidate more than 250 mail processing plants, close thousands
of post offices, and eliminate overnight mail delivery, in order to give lawmakers
an opportunity to consider postal reform legislation. [read
more]
USPS
Plan Will Hasten Demise
Of a Still-Vital Institution
Degrading Mail Service Will Hurt, Not
Help, USPS
(12/05/11) “The Postal Service plan will hasten the demise of the USPS,” APWU
President Cliff Guffey said in response to the agency’s announcement that
it would seek an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission on plans
to eliminate next-day delivery of first-class mail and periodicals. [read
more]
Sen.
Sanders’ Bill Addresses USPS Crisis
(11/21/11) Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) recently introduced
the Postal Service Protection Act (S. 1853), a bill that would go a long
way toward resolving the USPS financial crisis, Legislative and Political
Director Myke Reid reports. [read
more]
Watch Your Mail, Tell Your Legislator:
Vote
No on H.R. 2309
(11/16/11) A bill that would destroy the Postal Service as we know
it was approved by a key congressional committee on Oct. 13, and could
come up for a vote in the full House at any time. It is urgent that APWU
members ask their legislators to vote no on H.R. 2309. To help APWU members
send the message to Congress, the union will be mailing a brochure to
every union member’s home in the coming days. President Cliff
Guffey is asking union members to sign the postcard included in the
brochure and mail it to their legislators. [read
more]
Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Damage
Senate
Panel Approves Postal Legislation
(11/09/11) A Senate committee approved postal legislation that would
severely weaken the USPS, by a vote of 11 to 6 on Nov. 9. The 21st Century
Postal Service Act (S. 1789) would give the USPS short-term financial relief,
but it also would force the agency to dismantle its retail and mail-processing
network, APWU President Cliff Guffey said.[read more]
In New TV Ad Postal Unions Honor
Military Veterans, Oppose House Bill
(11/07/11) The APWU has launched a new TV ad that salutes our nation’s “real
life heroes” and points out that a bill pending in the House of Representatives
would force the USPS to fire tens of thousands of military veterans.
[read
more]
Senate
Committee
To Vote on 21st Century Postal Service Act
(11/07/11) The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs will begin its mark up on Nov. 9 of the 21st Century Postal Reform
Act (S. 1789). The bill provides short-term financial relief to the USPS,
but also would inflict long-term damage to the nation’s mail system. [read
more]
Senators
Introduce Postal Legislation
Union: Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Damage
(11/03/11) The 21st Century Postal Service Act, introduced by four
senators on Nov. 2, provides short-term financial relief, but also would
inflict long-term damage to the nation’s mail system, President Cliff
Guffey said. “The bill will force the USPS to dismantle its network
and impose severe cuts in service to the American people. This will drive
away customers and weaken the Postal Service,” he said. [read
more]
Senators
Announce Postal Bill
(11/02/11) Four U.S. senators unveiled postal legislation on Nov.
2 that will have important implications for APWU members. Sens. Joseph
I. Lieberman (I-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Thomas Carper (D-DE) and Scott
Brown (R-MA) outlined major provisions of the 21st Century Postal Service
Act, which combines features of earlier legislation sponsored by Sen. Carper
and Sen. Collins. APWU Legislative and Political Director Myke Reid said
the union is analyzing the legislation. [read
more]
USPS Financial Crisis Deepens
Union Members Must Be Vigilant, Active
(11/01/11) As the Postal Service's financial crisis deepens,
winning support for a legislative resolution continues to top the union’s
agenda. Our struggle has intensified over the last several months, and
union members will have to remain vigilant and actively involved for
the foreseeable future — to save our jobs, our pay, and our benefits.
[read more]
Legislative Battle Rages
(11/01/11) The fight over legislation to reform the Postal Service
has raged in recent months, with members of both parties introducing bills
in the House and Senate, debates ensuing, and votes taking place. Throughout
this period, we have been extremely active, meeting with members of Congress
and their staff to advocate the views of the APWU. [read
more]
Battle
Over USPS Future
Enters Critical Period
Union Launches Petition Drive to Protect Post
Offices,
Mail Processing Centers, Service Standards
(10/31/11) The battle over the future of the Postal Service — and our jobs — has
reached a critical stage: Key senators are meeting behind closed doors in an
effort to produce a compromise bill to address the USPS financial crisis. It
is likely that any proposals they develop will be submitted to the congressional “super-committee” to
be incorporated into the committee’s plan to reduce the nation’s
deficit. [read more]
Union
Launches Petition Drive
To Save America’s Postal Service
(10/28/11) President Guffey is asking APWU members to collect signatures
on a petition to Congress urging senators and representatives to oppose
USPS plans to close post offices, shutter mail processing facilities,
and drastically degrade service to the American people. In a letter to
state and local presidents dated Oct. 26, 2011, President Guffey wrote, “It
is urgent that we bring as much political pressure as possible to bear
against the Postal Service’s plans to dismantle its network of
processing, distribution and retail facilities.”
[read more]
 |
(10/17/11) A video of the union’s fight to save America’s Postal Service can be viewed online. Fighting for Our Lives was first shown at the APWU All-Craft Conference. It is available in DVD format for showing at union meetings and other events. [read more]
House Panel Approves
Postal Destruction Bill
Amendment Prevents Bargaining to Limit Layoffs
Union Vows Fight to Save America’s Postal Service
(10/14/11) The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
approved an amended version of the Issa-Ross postal bill on Oct. 13 by
a vote of 22-18. All but one Republican (Rep. Todd Platts of Pennsylvania)
voted in favor of the bill; Democrats voted against it. The APWU has
denounced the bill, H.R. 2309, as a “reckless assault on postal
services and postal employees.” [read
more]
 |
(10/12/11) The APWU has united with a prominent veterans’ organization
and other postal unions to urge members of the House Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform to vote no on H.R. 2309 when the committee
deliberates on Oct. 13. The bill would force the Postal Service to
lay off workers, including tens of thousands of veterans.
[full
story]
House Committee to Vote on Issa Bill
(10/11/11) The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
will vote Oct. 13 on a bill that the APWU has denounced as “a reckless assault on postal services and postal employees.” The
bill, H.R. 2309, is sponsored by Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA)
and Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL). [read
more]
Union
Challenges Proposed
Changes to USPS Service Standards
(10/06/11) The APWU is challenging proposed changes to USPS service
standards that would result from a major reduction in the number of mail
processing facilities. The Postal Service announced plans to eliminate
252 mail processing facilities on Sept. 14, and one week later published
an “advance notice” of the proposed changes in service in
the Federal Register. [read
more]
 |
(09/30/11) They chanted. They cheered. Donning red, white and blue “Save America’s Postal Service” t-shirts, postal workers and concerned citizens carried signs and marched in front of congressional offices across the country to tell the real story about the Postal Service’s financial crisis and to build support for legislation that would restore stability to the USPS. “We don’t need a bailout! We just want to get the mail out,” postal workers chanted. Ralliers encouraged people to sign petitions while passing motorists honked and waved to show support. [read more] | [more photos & news coverage]
 |
(09/29/11) APWU President Cliff Guffey appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal cable TV program this morning. The union president spoke at length about the real cause of the USPS financial crisis and why Congress must pass legislation to provide financial stability for the nation’s mail system. [watch video]
 |
(09/28/11) When APWU President Cliff Guffey appeared on “The Ed Show” on MSNBC on Sept. 27, he got an enthusiastic introduction from the host, Ed Schultz. [read more] UPDATE: The Ed Show addressed the struggle to save America's Postal Service again Sept. 28.
 |
(09/27/11) Postal workers and supporters held rallies at 492 locations on Sept. 27 to Save America’s Postal Service. The rallies, which were held in every congressional district, were designed to tell the American people the real cause of the Postal Service’s financial crisis and to build support for H.R. 1351. [full story MORE PHOTOS & News Coverage]
APWU
Calls on Rep. Issa
To Correct Misstatements
(09/26/11) APWU President Cliff Guffey has called on Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)
to correct inaccurate statements he made on Washington Journal, a public
affairs program that airs on C-SPAN. [read
more]
Last
Minute Preparations Underway
For Rallies to Save America’s Postal Service
(09/25/11) APWU locals are gearing up for the nationwide day of action
to Save America’s Postal Service on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at locations
across the country. Together, the APWU and the National Association of
Letter Carriers, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and the National
Rural Letter Carriers Association will rally in every congressional district
in the country to tell the real story about the Postal Service’s
financial crisis and to build support for legislation that would restore
financial stability to the Postal Service. [read
more]
Issa’s ‘Postal
Destruction’ Bill
Passed by House Panel
Bill Would Authorize Layoffs,
Force Out Senior Employees First
(09/21/11) A bill that would destroy the Postal Service as we know it passed
a House subcommittee on Sept. 21 by a vote of eight to five, along party lines.
Republicans voted in favor of the bill; Democrats voted against it. The bill,
H.R. 2309, was co-sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), chairman of the House
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL), chairman
of the postal subcommittee. [read
more]
APWU Praises Obama Effort,
But Long-Term Solution
is Needed
(09/20/11) President Obama submitted a deficit-reduction package
to a special joint committee of Congress on Sept. 19, which includes
several proposals intended to address the Postal Service’s financial
crisis. [read more]
APWU Launches Phase 2
Of Television Ad Campaignl
(09/19/11) The APWU has launched Phase 2 of its television ad campaign,
in conjunction with the National Association of Letter Carriers and the
National Postal Mail Handlers Union, APWU President Cliff Guffey announced.
Spots will air on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News. The ad will run for approximately
two months. [read
more]
Union Denounces USPS Plans to Dismantle Mail Processing Network
(09/15/11) APWU President Cliff Guffey condemned USPS plans to study
252 mail processing facilities for possible closure, saying widespread
closures would “dismantle the mail-processing network.” On
Sept. 14, the USPS released a list of offices where studies will take
place. [read
more]
H.R. 1351 Gains Attention on Capitol Hill
(09/14/11) Saving the Postal Service from financial collapse
seems to be getting attention on Capitol Hill: H.R. 1351 — a bill supported
by postal unions, management associations, and the mailing industry to
address the USPS financial crisis — has become one of the top three
bills searched for on the Library of Congress’ legislative research
Web site. [read
more]
Congressmen
Denounce
USPS Bid to Break Contract
(09/12/11) Two U.S. Representatives have denounced Postal Service
legislative proposals to abrogate its collective bargaining agreements
with postal unions. In a sharply-worded letter to Postmaster General
Patrick Donahoe, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA),
condemned management’s proposals to dissolve “no lay-off” provisions
in union contracts and to remove postal employees from federal retirement
plans and the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). [read
more]
Postal
Unions Join Forces
To Save America’s Postal Service
Rallies Set for Sept. 27
in Every Congressional District
(09/06/11) The APWU has joined forces with the three other postal
unions to designate Sept. 27 as a day of action to Save America’s
Postal Service. Together, the APWU and the National Association of
Letter Carriers, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and the National
Rural Letter Carriers Association will rally in every congressional
district in the country to build support for H.R. 1351, a bill introduced
in the House by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA). [read
more]
 |
(09/06/11) Testifying before a Senate panel on Sept. 6, APWU President Cliff Guffey urged Congress to take action to prevent a collapse of the Postal Service, and he denounced USPS proposals to abrogate the union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. “The Postal Service needs access to the overpayments it has made to retirement programs,” Guffey told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. [read more]
APWU Testifies to Congress:
Fix USPS Finances, Save Postal Services
(09/01/11) At a pair of congressional hearings in May and June, APWU
president Cliff Guffey told lawmakers they must act soon to address the
cause of the Postal Service’s financial crisis — not slash
customer service by dismantling the retail and mail processing network.
At a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal
Service and Labor Policy, Guffey took issue with the title of the hearing
GOP lawmakers had given it: “Postal Infrastructure:
How Much Can We Afford?” “The ‘we’ in this
question is postal customers, not taxpayers,” Guffey said, refuting
the myth that taxpayers fund the nation’s mail service, and that
the USPS may need a “bailout.”
[read more]
Tell Your Legislator:
Save
USPS, Stop Layoffs, Support H.R. 1351
(08/12/11) APWU President
Cliff Guffey has condemned Postal Service legislative proposals that
would permit the USPS to layoff 120,000 employees and remove postal
workers from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and from
federal retirement programs. “This
is a clear attempt to abrogate our contract and destroy postal collective
bargaining,” Guffey said. “Crushing postal workers and
slashing service will not solve the Postal Service’s financial
crisis,” he added. [read
more ]
USPS
Seeks Legislation
To Allow Layoffs, End Federal Benefits
(08/12/11) APWU President Cliff Guffey
has condemned Postal Service legislative proposals that would permit the USPS
to layoff 120,000 employees and remove postal workers from the Federal Employees
Health Benefits Program and from federal retirement programs. “This
is a clear attempt to abrogate our contract and destroy postal collective
bargaining,” Guffey said. “Crushing postal workers and
slashing service will not solve the Postal Service’s financial
crisis,” he added. [read
more]
(08/11/11) APWU President Cliff Guffey has condemned USPS legislative proposals that would destroy the collective bargaining rights of postal workers and interfere with the union’s contract, which Postal Service and the APWU agreed to in March. Guffey made the statement in response to USPS announcements that it would seek congressional support for legislation to eliminate protection against layoff from collective bargaining agreements; remove postal workers from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), and separate USPS employees from federal retirement programs. [read more].
Tea
Party Building
Support for Issa Bill
(08/04/11) “Tea Party” groups are building public and congressional
support for H.R. 2309, legislation sponsored in the U.S. House of Representative
by Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Dennis Ross (R-FL) that APWU President
Cliff Guffey has called “a reckless assault on postal workers and
the Postal Service.” [read
more]
APWU to Washington Post:
Destroying
Unions Won’t Fix USPS
(08/02/11) APWU President Cliff Guffey has a simple message for the Washington
Post: Destroying unions and attacking workers’ rights won’t
solve the Postal Service’s financial problems. In a letter to the
editor published Aug. 1, the union president disputed a July 28 Washington
Post editorial that endorsed H.R. 2309 — a bill introduced by
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL) that would mandate
massive service cuts and give an unelected “solvency authority” the
right to unilaterally renegotiate labor contracts.
[read
more]
APWU
Rejects Issa’s Call
To Cancel Ad Campaign
(07/18/11) The APWU has rejected a call from Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)
to cancel a union-sponsored television ad that has been airing on CNN,
MSNBC, and FOX News. “The APWU stands by the ad, which dispels the
myth that the USPS is funded by taxpayers,” APWU President Cliff
Guffey wrote on July 15. The union’s 30-second ad describes the enormity
of the job postal workers do, and ends with a question and response: Ever
wonder what this costs you as a taxpayer? Not a single cent. [read
more]
APWU
Ad Campaign:
Phase Two
(07/18/11) The APWU has launched the second phase of its advertising
campaign, with a radio spot, President Cliff Guffey has announced. The
radio ad began airing July 18 and will run for three weeks on news and/or
talk stations in Washington DC and other markets. [read
more]
APWU
to Launch TV Ad Campaign
(07/07/11) The APWU will launch a television ad campaign on July 11,
with spots airing on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX, President Cliff Guffey has announced.
The union’s 30-second ad describes the enormity of the job postal
workers do, and ends with a simple question and response: Ever wonder
what this costs you as a taxpayer? Not a single cent. “We believe
it is important to inform the public about the work APWU members perform,” Guffey
said. “We also must dispel the persistent myth that our work is funded
by taxpayers. [read
more]
Postal Jobs, Pay, Benefits
Threatened by Congress
(06/29/11)The Postal Service is in danger of financial collapse, and
could close its doors as early as July 2012. A battle is raging on Capitol
Hill over what to do about it, and one thing is clear: Our jobs, our pay,
and our benefits are in jeopardy! Two very different plans are under consideration
in the House of Representatives. [read
more]
Rep. Issa’s Bill:
A Reckless Attack
On Postal Services, Postal Employees
(06/24/11) Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), the powerful chairman of
the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has introduced
a bill, H.R. 2309, that is “a reckless assault on postal workers and the Postal
Service,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey. “The bill would
drastically reduce service to the American people by establishing a commission
that would order $1 billion worth of post office closures in the first
year and $1 billion worth of facility closures in the second year,” he
said.
[read more]
APWU President:
‘We
Will Take Every Step Necessary
To Ensure Retirement Benefits Are Protected’
(06/22/11) The American Postal Workers Union is working fervently
to make certain that the Postal Service’s decision to suspend employer
contributions to FERS does not negatively affect the nation’s postal
employees, President Cliff Guffey said on June 22. “We will take
every step necessary to ensure that retirement benefits are protected.
We are currently evaluating the best course of action.”
[read more]
APWU,
Mailing Groups
Urge Legislators to Support H.R. 1351
(06/16/11) The APWU, along with dozens of key mailing industry groups
and labor unions, urged U.S. representatives to support crucial legislation
that would restore financial viability to the Postal Service. “We
urge you to act now to free the Postal Service of the unnecessary and unsustainable
statutory requirement that has destabilized the Postal Service’s
finances and poses an immediate and serious threat to the U.S. economy,” the
organizations wrote in a June 14 letter that was sent to every member of
the House of Representatives.
[read
more]
Postal Infrastructure: How Much Can We Afford?
Guffey Asks, Who’s the ‘We?’
(06/15/11) Testifying before a House panel on June 15, APWU President
Cliff Guffey began by taking issue with the title of the hearing, “Postal
Infrastructure: How Much Can We Afford?” “A key point to
bear in mind is that the ‘we’ in this question is postal
customers, not taxpayers,” Guffey told the Subcommittee on Federal
Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy. The union president
pointed out that the Postal Service receives no subsidy from the federal
government, only payment for services rendered. [read
more]
Guffey to Testify on USPS Network
Before House Subcommittee
(06/13/11) APWU President Cliff Guffey will testify before a House
Subcommittee on June 15 about the retail and mail processing network
of the Postal Service. The hearing will be broadcast on the committee’s
Web site beginning at 1:30 p.m. The hearing will focus on the “extent
that these networks need to be right-sized to meet diminishing mail volume,” said
Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL), chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce,
U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy. [read
more]
 |
(06/06/11) Recent headlines that predict the Postal Service will collapse within one year demonstrate the importance of APWU members getting involved in legislative affairs, President Cliff Guffey said. “To ensure the survival of the Postal Service — and our jobs — I urge each and every member to make a commitment to legislative action,” he said. [read more]
Guffey to Senate Subcommittee:
Legislators
Must Apply
Pension Overpayments to Pre-Funding Bill
(05/17/11) In testimony before a Senate Subcommittee on May 17, APWU
President Cliff Guffey urged legislators to take immediate action to
restore financial stability to the cash-strapped agency. “This is not a request
for a subsidy or bailout of the Postal Service,” Guffey said at
the hearing before the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management,
Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
[read
more]
Guffey
to Testify
on Postal Finances
Before Senate Subcommittee
(05/13/11) APWU President Cliff Guffey will testify before a Senate
Subcommittee on May 17 about the USPS financial crisis and the steps
needed to restore financial stability to the cash-strapped agency. The
hearing will be broadcast on the committee’s Web site beginning
at 10:30 a.m. [read
more]
Tell
Congress: Support H.R. 1351!
(05/05/11) APWU members are encouraged to contact their members of
Congress and urge them to support H.R. 1351, an important measure that
would restore financial stability to the Postal Service. The bill “would
correct the overfunding of the Postal Service’s pension accounts,
and would allow the cash-strapped agency to use any surplus to meet its
retiree health benefits pre-funding obligation. [read
more]
Guffey to Congress:
USPS
Will Continue as 'Vital Public Service,'
But Needs Relief from Pre-Funding Mandate
(05/04/11) “We expect the Postal Service to continue as a vital
public service agency funded solely by postal customers for the foreseeable
future,” APWU President Cliff Guffey told a House Committee in a
May 3 statement. “However, the USPS needs immediate and short-term
relief from the unique and unreasonable requirement that it pre-fund retiree
health benefits,” he said. [read
more]
Two
USPS Reform Bills
Introduced in Congress
(04/11/11) Two legislators have introduced postal reform bills designed
to restore stability to the cash-strapped agency and help it survive
tough times. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced H.R. 1351, which would
correct the overfunding of the Postal Service’s pension accounts.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced H.R. 1262, which would modernize
the Postal Service business model.
[read more]
White
House Budget
‘Recognizes Seriousness’ of USPS Crisis
Proposals Face an Uphill Battle
(02/15/11) President Obama’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year
2012, which was released Feb. 14, “recognizes the seriousness of
the Postal Service’s financial condition and proposes beginning steps
to address it,” APWU President Cliff Guffey said. The White House
budget proposal would return to the Postal Service over 30 years $6.9 billion
the agency overpaid to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS),
and reduce the USPS obligation to pre-fund retiree healthcare benefits
by $4 billion for Fiscal Year 2011.
[read more]
APWU Urges Commission
to Make
Repeal of Pre-funding Mandate a Priority
(02/02/11) Repealing a provision of the Postal Accountability and
Enhancement Act is “so critical to the welfare of the Postal Service” that
it should be the exclusive focus of a report to the president and Congress
on the effectiveness of the law, the APWU wrote to the Postal Regulatory
Commission on Feb. 1. The provision, which requires the Postal Service
to pre-fund health benefits, costs the Postal Service more than $5 billion
annually and has driven the USPS to the brink of insolvency. [read
more]
|
APWU,
Postal Unions
Urge Obama
To Fix USPS Pension Overfunding
(01/13/11) The APWU and other postal
unions and management associations have asked President Barack Obama to
take “immediate action to save almost 100,000 good, middle-class
jobs and stabilize the financial condition” of the Postal Service. [read
more]
It’s Not a ‘Bailout’
APWU
Blasts Deficit Commission Proposals
(11/29/10) APWU President Cliff Guffey is urging the National Commission
on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, also known as the Deficit Commission,
to reject recommendations in its Dec. 1 report regarding the Postal Service,
which he said were based on inaccuracies. “The most troubling example
of these inaccuracies is the use of the word ‘bailout’ to describe
legislative actions taken in 2009,” the union president wrote in
a Dec. 2 letter to the commission’s executive director. [read
more]
OIG Calls for Reduced Prefunding Requirements
Says Current Payments
Result in Massive Overfunding
(12/01/10) The USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) concluded
in a recent report that the Postal Service prefunds its pension and retiree
healthcare benefits at levels that are substantially higher than other
government agencies, the military, and private-sector businesses.
[read more]
