Last week, Link published an article regarding the federal anti-lobbying statute as it relates to USPS employees. It’s important to note that the law only applies to the “use of postal resources.” The law prohibits employees — acting in their official capacity — from encouraging stakeholders to intercede with Congress. source: USPS News Link
Here is what USPS originally posted:
It’s nobody’s business
Public disclosure policy and lobbying restrictions
USPS has rules — designed to protect both the Postal Service and employees — that prohibit the communication of confidential, proprietary, and non-public information, as well as information that would violate anti-lobbying laws. These rules are important, in times such as these, when legislative action has dominated discussions concerning the Postal Service. USPS wants its employees to understand the parameters of anti-lobbying laws and public disclosure.
Employees should not discuss non-public aspects of their work, or any other postal work with anyone other than those directly involved. Sales or cost data, and unreleased financial statistics are examples of such information.
The “Anti-Lobbying Act,” 18 US Code 1913, prohibits the use of postal resources to influence others to speak with Congress about postal issues.
The Government Relations office manages communication to Congress on the Postal Service’s position on issues and legislation, and postal employees may respond to Congressional inquiries through authorized channels. This information may be discussed with USPS stakeholders ― including members of the public. However, employees are prohibited from urging these stakeholders to intercede with Congress.
Anti-lobbying law violations are punishable by civil penalties and are investigated by the Government Accountability Office, which refers cases to the Justice Department for possible enforcement.
Click here for specific examples of what is and is not permissible by the anti-lobbying laws
I think it is time for USPS employees to march on Washington.. I am so tired of hearing the lies that come out of the mouths of these idiots who run the USPS.. The biggest waste is at the top.. They should be fired.. They blame everything except themselves.. I have always been proud to be a postal worker and work with great people.. We are average people who pay taxes that is what congress needs to remember as they decide our fate.. We don’t work for them they work for us.. Vote everyone out who doesn’t stand by us the employee..
APWU,NLAC,MHL, where are you? Are you going to let the USPS run roughsod all over their employees who are fighting hard to keep their jobs and the Postal Service opened? American citizens, thi s will affectt all of us if the Postal Service closes! We cannot afford Fed-ex and the United Parcel service to deliver our mail on a daily basis. Neither company delivers to every household, like the Postal Service does!
@Oopsy perfect!!!! You hit the nail on the head. I don’t think something written in 1913 will stick. Not to the 1st amendment. Just go to the video archives of Potter and Donahoe and I have counted 37 blatant lies in the congressional hearings where they are both under oath. Last I heard it was treason to lie to congress.
Dear USPS mgmt;
You quit lying to the public and Congress, and we employees will quit telling them the truth, whenever, however, and whereever we like.