Carper, Coons, Carney & Markell Write to PMG Urging Review of Hare’s Corner Proposal
Filed under: politics, post office closings, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
Officials highlight concerns regarding USPS’s proposal to revamp Delaware’s only mail processing and distribution center
February 3,2012
WILMINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the U.S. Postal Service, along with Gov. Jack Markell, Sen. Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney (all D-Del.) wrote to United States Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him to review the U.S. Postal Service’s proposal that would revamp Delaware’s only mail processing facility, causing a significant negative impact on Delaware. Specifically, the Postal Service has proposed transferring the mail processing functions from the Delaware Processing and Distribution facility at Hare’s Corner in New Castle, Del., to another facility in Bellmawr, N.J.
The letter highlights several concerns with the proposal and the process the Postal Service has employed when considering revamping the Hare’s Corner facility. It includes statements from businesses and state and federal agencies noting that this proposal would negatively impact their operations. It also urges the Postmaster General to reconsider the Area Mail Processing study that led to the current proposal, explore the concerns raised regarding the proposal, and consider the possibility of consolidating other operations into the Delaware Processing and Distribution facility. Read more
NALC: GOP playing politics with federal employee pay
February 01, 2012
Today, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 3835, a bill introduced by Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI) to extend for another year the freeze on federal employees’ pay. This legislation would freeze federal pay for federal employees and members of Congress for a third consecutive year. President Obama’s fiscal year 2013 budget includes a small increase for federal employees, a modest 0.5 percent.
The legislation takes advantage of members of Congress who support federal employees. Member of Congress who vote to increase the pay of federal workers will be forced to vote simultaneously for a pay increase for themselves.
On Tuesday, a “Dear Colleague” letter was circulated by Democrats in the House. It calls out the political pandering of the GOP, as H.R. 3835 “inappropriately groups Members of Congress who earn $174,000 per year with the men and women of our federal service. While we are not opposed to a freeze on Members’ pay for fiscal year 2013, we will not support a pay freeze for federal employees for a third consecutive year.” And in its closing, the letter suggests what the GOP should do to reduce the deficit, raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans and not freeze the wages of middle-class workers.
Source: NALC Activist Alert
CRS: The USPS’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress
Below is a summary from The Congressional Research Service’s report on “The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition:Overview and Issues for Congress”
This report provides an overview of the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS’s) financial condition,legislation enacted to alleviate the USPS’s financial challenges, and possible issues for the 112th Congress. It also includes a side-by-side comparison of two of the postal reform bills, H.R. 2309 and S. 1789.
Since 1971, the USPS has been a self-supporting government agency that covers its operating costs with revenues generated through the sales of postage and related products and services.
In recent years, the USPS has experienced significant financial challenges. After running modest profits from FY2004 through FY2006, the USPS lost $25.4 billion between FY2007 and FY2011.Were it not for congressional action, the USPS would have lost an additional $9.5 billion. Read more
Senator Sanders said he hopes postal reform legislation will protect 100,000 jobs in jeopardy
Filed under: politics, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
Addressing the National League of Postmasters on Monday at a conference in Crystal City, Va., Sen. Bernie Sanders was greeted with a standing ovation from local officials who welcomed his effort to block widespread closings of post offices and processing plants.
Sanders said he hopes legislation slated to come before the Senate next week will protect 100,000 jobs that are in jeopardy under a plan to close facilities around the country, including 15 post offices and two mail sorting centers in Vermont. Sanders also wants Congress to preserve overnight delivery of first-class mail and maintain Saturday mail service, both of which could fall under the budget ax as a result of drastic cost-cutting measures the Postal Service is considering.
Under an agreement with the Postal Service worked out by Sanders and other senators, closures and job cuts under study by the Postal Service were delayed until May 15 to give Congress time to consider reforms. Read more
NAPS: Senate May Consider Postal Reform Bill Feb. 6
Filed under: NAPS, politics, postal, postal news, postal reform
From the National Association of Postal Supervisors
CONTACT YOUR SENATORS TODAY
Urge Amendments to Senate Postal Legislation
Take Action!
Postal reform legislation is likely to be considered on the Senate floor very soon, possibly as early as February 6. NAPS is concerned that the bill approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (S. 1789) is defective in critical ways. Important changes are needed before the Senate passes postal reform legislation.
Alert your Senators and urge passage of legislation that preserves postal service to all Americans and builds a base for a more profitable operation. The Senate can restore the Postal Service to profitability by fixing the defects in the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act and kick-starting new growth initiatives.
Take Action. Contact your Senators today by clicking on the “Take Action” link. Take Action!
Editorial: Myth, Reality, and the U.S. Postal Service
Congressman says USPS financial problems due to failed management, poor business practices
Filed under: politics, post office closings, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
Congressman Mike Ross (D-Arkansas) Urges USPS to Explore Other Cost-Cutting Alternatives
Legislative Update: Saving Our Local Post Offices
January 9, 2012
Washington -Last year, the United States Postal Service dramatically increased its attempts to close post offices around the country in order to help save the agency money, primarily those in rural areas. In fact, almost 200 postal facilities could possibly close here in Arkansas. As I believe the Postal Service should consider other cost-cutting alternatives, I strongly oppose the closure of these post offices as it would disproportionately hurt people in rural areas and those on fixed incomes.
The U.S. Postal Service is a self-supporting government agency whose revenue comes from the sales of its products and services – not from taxpayers. Recently, the agency said it is losing more than $23 million a day as a result of the economic slowdown and an increase in electronic media, such as e-mail. However, I believe the Postal Service’s troubles are much more than the economy and the Internet. The financial problems plaguing the U.S. Postal Service are due to failed management, inadequate planning and poor business practices – problems that closing a few post offices simply won’t fix. Read more
President Obama Announces Recess Appointments to NLRB Posts
President Obama announced yesterday his intent to recess appoint three individuals to the National Labor Relations Board:
• Sharon Block, Member, National Labor Relations Board
• Terence F. Flynn, Member, National Labor Relations Board
• Richard Griffin, Member, National Labor Relations Board
President Obama said, “The American people deserve to have qualified public servants fighting for them every day – whether it is to enforce new consumer protections or uphold the rights of working Americans. We can’t wait to act to strengthen the economy and restore security for our middle class and those trying to get in it, and that’s why I am proud to appoint these fine individuals to get to work for the American people.” Read more
USPS’s Quasi-Moratorium On Post Office Closings
Filed under: APWU, politics, post office closings, postal, postal news, usps
Below is text of letter from USPS to APWU President Mr. Cliff Guffey
President
American Postal Workers
Union (APWU), AFL-CIO
1300 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005-4128
Dear Cliff,
This letter responds to your inquiry concerning the impact of the Postal Service’s December 13 announcement to delay the closing of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012 on those Area Mail Processing (AMPs) where a decision to consolidate has been made.
Please be advised that, for the following seventeen (17) sites, as implementation of the consolidation has begun, the implementation will continue:
• Frederick, MD P&DC into Baltimore, MD P&DC;
• Hickory. NC P&DF into Greensboro, NC P&DC;
• Bristol, VA P&DF Into Johnson City, P&DF;
• Lancaster. PA P&DF into Harrisburg, PA P&DC;
• Ashland, KY P&DF into Charleston, WV P&DC;
• Pikesville, KY CSMPC Into Charleston, WV P8cDC;
• Saginaw, MI P8cDC into MI Metroplex P&DC;
• Oshkosh, Wi P&DC Into Green Bay, WI pane;
• Flint MI P&DC into Ml Metroplex P&OC;
• Bronx, NY P&DC into Morgan, NY P&DC;
• Industry, Cf\ P&DC into Santa Ana, CA P&DC;
• Huntsville, AL P&DF into Birmingham, AL P&DC;
• Mobridge. SD CSPMC into Bismarck, NO P&OF;
• Butte, MT CSMPC into Great Falls, Mr P&DF;
• Helena, MT CSMPC Into Great Falls, MT P&DF;
• Lincoln, NE P&DF into Omaha, NE paDC; end
• Jamestown, ND CSMPC into Fargo, ND P & DC
The following ten (10) sites are affected by the announcement:
• Mansfield, OH P&DF into Cleveland, OH P & DC;
• Bluefield, WV P&DF into Charleston, WV P&DC/Johnson City, TN P&DF;
• Martinsburg,WV CSMPC Into Balt!more, MD P&DC;
• Wheeling, WV, P&DF into Pittsburgh. PA P & DC;
• Springfield MA P&DC mto Hartford, CT P&DC/Central MA P&DC;
• Utica, NY P&DF into Syracuse, NY P&DC;
• North Bay CA P&DC into Oakland, CA P&DC;
• Gainesville, FL P&Df into Jacksonville, FL P&DC;
• Bemidji, MN CSMPC into Saint Cloud, MN P&DF and
• Yakima, WA CSMPC into Pasco, WA P&DF.
If there are any questions concerning this matter please contact me at (202) 268-5421
Sincerely
Patrick Devine
A/Manager
Contract Administration (APWU) :
The following is information sent out to APWU members:
Impact of Moratorium on Approved AMPs (Area Mail Processing Study)
BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND ALL OTHERS CONCERNED:
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE OUR JOBS, BUT WE HAVE HELP NOW.
SO IF YOU EVER TALKED ON THE PHONE YOU BETTER PLAN ON LIVING ON THAT THING FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND MAYBE THE SENATORS WILL COME TO OUR RESCUE.
As you know the USPS on 12-13-11 boldly told all of America that any and all consolidations and post office closing were stopped until May 15, 2012. With this news many of us jumped for joy only to have the rug pulled out from under us when we got the news the USPS had lied to America when they stated the moratorium did not apply to Ashland, Pikeville, Bristol Tennessee, and Harrisburg Pennsylvania post offices. A few Day later on Friday, 12-16-11 after our national union representatives and myself raised a little hell we were told that the USPS was going to honor what they originally stated and that absolutely no post office would be consolidated or closed until after 5-15-12.
However, on the following Monday the USPS sent out the above attached memo identified as doc 44 above stating that Ashland and the other 3 were back on the chopping block.
The USPS on 12-21-11 expanded on their lie by sending a memo to the union stating that 15 more post offices had been added to the chopping block and that the moratorium did not apply to them either.
This is where our help comes from. We should all stay on the phones to ever congressman and senator you can for the next few days. With us and the other now complaining about the lies the USPS have told something may be done.
We should all ask they be charged with fraud in a government matter which is criminal.
To tell a lie this large giving people false hope is terrible and even worse when you consider they did it at christmas.
The PMG needs to be removed immediately if not sooner.
Some have said it is not worth the bother cause we are going to go anyway, but this is not true.
Remember, the longer you delay the better chance you have to stay.
Life turns on a dime. If we stay till May anything could happen. There might be an earthquake the gobbles up Charleston or the 75 billion could be released to the USPS which would stop all of this.
Senator contact info below or go to the link below for more senator congressman info:
http://capwiz.com/apwu/home/
Lance Coles
Statement on Delay of Closing or Consolidation of Post Offices and Mail Processing Facilities (Dec., 13, 2011)
The U.S. Postal Service, in response to a request made by multiple U.S. Senators, has agreed to delay the closing or consolidation of any Post Office or mail processing facility until May 15, 2012. The Postal Service will continue all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities during the interim period, including public input meetings. The Postal Service hopes this period will help facilitate the enactment of comprehensive postal legislation. Given the Postal Service’s financial situation and the loss of mail volume, the Postal Service must continue to take all steps necessary to reduce costs and increase revenue.
APWU is urging its members to contact the following Senators
Contact WV Senator Joe Manchin III
Washington, D.C. Office:
303 Hart Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-4801
Phone: (202) 224-3954
Fax: (202) 228-0002
Charleston Office:
300 Virginia Street East, Unit 2630
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Phone: (304) 342-5855
Fax: (304) 343-7144
Contact Kentucky Senator Rand Paul
Washington, D.C. Office:
208 Russell Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-1703
Phone: (202) 224-4343
Fax: (202) 228-6917
Bowling Green Office:
1019 State Street
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101
Phone: (270) 782-8303
Contact Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell
Washington, D.C. Office:
317 Russell Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-1702
Phone: (202) 224-2541
Fax: (202) 224-2499
Louisville Office: (more district offices)
601 West Broadway, #630
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Phone: (502) 582-6304
Fax: (502) 582-5326
Contact Ohio Senator Rob Portman
Washington, D.C. Office:
338 Russell Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-3504
Phone: (202) 224-3353
Fax: (202) 224-9075
Columbus Office:
37 West Broad Street, Room 300
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 469-6774
Contact Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown
Washington, D.C. Office:
713 Hart Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-3503
Phone: (202) 224-2315
Fax: (202) 228-6321
Cleveland Office:
1301 East Ninth Street, Suite 1710
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: (216) 522-7272
Fax: (216) 522-2239
Congressman Introduces Rural Postal Service Preservation Act
Legislation Would Ensure the United States Postal Service Continues Delivery Service to Rural Regions
Washington, D.C.— Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), today released the following statement after introducing H.R. 3744, the Rural Service Preservation Act in the United States House of Representatives:
“As the United States Postal Service’s financial picture continues to grow dim and options of reform are being discussed, I along with so many across the nation are increasingly concerned about the prospect of the postal service ending delivery to rural regions,” said Aderholt.
“As the postal service looks for reform and cost-cutting solutions, I believe rural Americans should not be singled out for postal cuts. To make sure that does not happen, I’ve introduced legislation that would ensure rural delivery continues and directs the postal service not to target rural postal employees for buy-out retirements.”
“This legislation is vital to the many rural communities of North Alabama and elsewhere across the country. I hope that my colleagues join me in recognizing the importance of this issue to America’s rural regions and support H.R. 3744,” concluded Aderholt.
Details of H.R. 3744
- Ensures that the current level of postal delivery service continue for five years from enactment.
- Requires any buy-out used to cut workforce of postal employees be apportioned 10% rural 90% urban.
- Requires that any postal office closures also be made in the same 10% rural, 90% urban differential.
- Defines rural areas with reference to the most recent decennial census and definitions of “rural” from the 2002 and 2008 Farm bills.
Aderholt currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security for the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is a member of the Committee’s Commerce, Justice and Science; and Agriculture Subcommittees, and also serves on the Helsinki Commission.
For more information about Aderholt’s work in Congress visit www.aderholt.house.gov.
source: Congressman Robert B. Aderholt Introduces Rural Postal Service Preservation Act.