Senate Authors of Postal Reform Seek Delay Of Postal Closings From Postmaster General
Filed under: politics, post office closings, postal, postal news, usps
WASHINGTON – The four authors of Senate postal reform legislation Tuesday released a letter they sent to the Postmaster General asking him to delay the closing of post offices and mail processing facilities until reform legislation is signed into law.
In a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, the four Senators asked that he extend the moratorium on closings that is due to expire May 15 until Congress has passed a final bill to prevent the wholesale closing of regional mail facilities and local post offices and save the iconic institution that delivers over 500 million pieces of mail a day and sustains over 8 million jobs.
Last week, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the 21st Century Postal Service Act (S. 1789), authored by Sens. Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Tom Carper, D-Del., and Scott Brown, R-Mass. The House has not yet passed a bill. The four Senators have also written to House Leaders asking them to act swiftly so the two chambers can reconcile their bills and send final reform legislation to the President to sign. Read more
House Timeline Not Linked to End of Postal Closure Moratorium on May 15
Filed under: post office closings, postal, postal news, postal reform
From National Association of Postmasters “eNAPUS Legislative and Political Bulletin”
NAPUS members anxiously fol-lowed the Senate deliberations on S. 1789, the Lieberman-Collins-Carper-Brown postal relief bill. Nobody said it would be pretty — and it wasn’t.
The 191-page bill puts the USPS on better financial footing than it currently finds itself. At the same time, S. 1789 provides a safety net to preserve universal mail service for postal-dependent communities.
One of the major issues the Sen-ate addressed at the outset, and will be raised again on the House side of the Capitol, is the Con-gressional Budget Office’s (CBO) irresponsible estimate that the postal legislation will have an impact on the federal budget. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) provid-ed one of the most cogent critiques of the CBO’s projection, pointing out the only reason why S. 1789 “scores” is because the USPS deposits its rate-payer reve-nue in on-budget accounts. Fur-thermore, Collins underscored the fact that no taxpayer funds are generated though postal accounts and no postal expenses are taxpayer paid. Consequently, the Senate was able to waive a budget point-of-order raised by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), by a 62-37 majority. No matter which version of postal reform the House takes up, it will also have to grapple with arcane and unfair CBO analysis. The House PAYGO rules require bills that “score” to be offset by either spending cuts or revenue-raisers.
Generally, the major adopted Senate amendments fall into three categories: those that pro-tect post offices, those that mod-erate mail processing plant closings, and those that restrict post-al executive compensation. One other noteworthy adopted-amendment deletes the section of S. 1789 that would have re-quired the USPS to move away from door mail.
Moreover, the bill seeks to re-duce costs by encouraging retire-ment, providing cash or retire-ment credit. The goal is to re-duce the postal workforce by 18% through 2015.
Rep. Gohmert Addresses Map Error Made by USPS on Closing of Tyler Postal Processing Facility
Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) spoke on the House floor concerning the United States Post Office’s decision to close one of east Texas’ postal processing facilities. He addressed the map error made by the management at the USPS.
PMG Donahoe: Post office closings to be spread out
Filed under: post office closings, postal, postal news, postal reform
Postmaster Patrick Donahoe On C-Span Newmakers
The Senate passed legislation this week to preserve post office services as the agency faces financial problems. The 37th Postmaster General, Patrick R. Donahoe, joins us this week on Newsmakers.
He discusses the Senates bill, if and when it will move forward in the House and changes the agency plans to make in the future with regards to consolidation of post offices. He also talks about an array of options for restructuring the national mail system, which is losing $25 million per day.
Our guest reporters are Bernie Becker of The Hill and Michelle Jamrisko of Bloomberg News.
The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill to postpone for one year the Postal Service’s own plan to save money by closing 3,700 post offices and consolidating hundreds of processing centers. The bipartisan Senate bill aims to save money through early retirements of some 100,000 employees, and it would restructure the USPS health care benefit system.
The House has not yet acted, and most Democrats there oppose a proposal by Rep. Darrell Issa for a commission that would close many post offices and processing centers.
The Postmaster General says he needs to cut $22 billion in operating costs by 2016. His plan calls for ending Saturday mail service, overnight mail, and shutting many post offices.
Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe on Newsmakers | C-SPAN
Related links
U.S. Postal Service Statement on Election Mail Process- n December, the U.S. Postal Service formed an agreement with Congress that no consolidation or closing of any postal facility will occur prior to May 15, 2012. Therefore, most closures or consolidations would have to take place starting after May 15, 2012, and be completed by August 31, 2012. Further consolidation of facilities would then continue in early 2013. The pursuit by the Postal Service of the significant consolidation of its national network of mail processing facilities is contingent upon its adoption of a final rule changing its delivery service standards. For primary elections after May 15, the U.S. Postal Service is instituting a state-by-state outreach program to address the questions and concerns of election boards, political candidates and mailers. In addition, for states that are promoting vote by mail, the proposed plan to study 3,600 Post Offices around the U.S. for possible…
PMG Donahoe: Post office closings to be spread out – UPI
USPS puts Consolidations on “Hold”
Filed under: APWU, politics, post office closings, postal, postal news, usps
Northwest Illinois Area Local,American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO
Earlier this month USPS officials met with Postal Employees at the Carol Stream Mail Processing Center in Illinois and informed them of the following:
Carol Stream Meets with Employees..
Carol Stream met with employees on tour 1 and tour 3 in a series of one hour meetings to present information on staffing changes they will make when service standards change on 5-19-12, unless congress stops it. Mr. Colao and his staff worked up a power point presentation that aided in providing information on what is happening on the plant consolidations, what jobs will be posted for CS mail processing, and what the timeline of events will be for the staffing changes planned for 5-19-12. The change in service standards will change mail processing from a tour 1 to a tour 2 operation and bids will be shifted accordingly. Employees were given a hand-out listing the bids that will be posted in each unit as they left. As Mr. Colao said they want to give employees as much time as possible to review the new jobs because they will begin retreat right canvassing on 4-2-12.
But recently the Postal Employees were told:
USPS puts Optimization Plans on “Hold”
Employees are by now aware that the staffing changes planned for 5-19-12 are on hold. Carol Stream In-Plant Manager John Colao stopped canvassing for tour 2 retreat rights and has not issued any abolishment letters at CS. CS will continue to get Fox Valley LO-11 mail. Palatine Plant Manager Chuck Sciurba called me on 4-19-12 to confirm that the changes are on hold per Headquarters and no staffing changes will occur on 5-19-12. He confirmed that all Palatine abolishment letters will be rescinded. The consolidation of Chicago PARS mail to Palatine is also on hold. The reason that USPS has placed optimization plans on hold is because the Senate is discussing S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act. The 79 amendments submitted as of 4-19-12 have been reduced to 39. There is talk of an early out being offered but no official announcement.
Senator Baucus to PMG: Make Good on Promise to Consult us Before Shutting Down Montana’s Rural Post Offices
Filed under: politics, post office closings, postal, postal news, usps
Postmaster General Commits to Consulting Baucus on Any Changes to Montana Postal Operations
(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus is urging Postmaster General, Patrick Donahoe to make good on his promise to consult with him before making any changes to Montana’s postal operations.
“The Postmaster promised me in Ingomar that no decisions affecting Montana post offices would be made without discussing it with me first. While I’m glad Postmaster Donahoe came directly to Montana to hear from us, it’s just as important that he make good on the promises he made during the trip,” said Baucus. “We’ve had to fight to make our voices heard and we’re going to keep having to fight to make our voices count as the Postal Service irons out its fiscal situation.” Read more
USPS to Senator Tester: No closures during Primary Election season
Filed under: post office closings, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
Senator said consolidating mail processing facilities could delay absentee ballots
April 13, 2012
(MISSOULA, Mont.) – In response to a request by Senator Jon Tester, the Postal Service will not close the Butte, Helena, Kalispell or Wolf Point mail processing facilities in Montana during the state’s upcoming primary election season.
Tester last month told the head of the Postal Service that closing mail sorting facilities could prevent absentee ballots from reaching polling locations by Election Day. The Postal Service previously agreed to suspend closures until at least May 15 and again during the general election season this fall. Tester said the closure moratorium should include this year’s primary elections in Montana.
Montana holds its Primary Election on June 5.
Tester, who led the charge to successfully convince the Postal Service to change course and keep Missoula’s processing facility open, said that the Postal Service’s decision is a step in the right direction, but that the fight to keep the mail processing centers would continue.
“Closing mail processing facilities during an election season would delay ballots and prevent Montanans’ voices from being heard,” Tester said. “This decision is welcome news, but we have more work to do to make sure these facilities remain open to meet the needs of rural America.”
Forty-seven percent of Montana voters cast absentee ballots in 2010, a threefold increase from 2000.
There are nearly 635,000 registered voters in Montana. To be accepted, Montanans’ absentee ballots must be returned to county election offices by the time polls close on Election Day. Ballots postmarked on Election Day, but not received, are not accepted.
“The U.S. Postal Service plays a valuable role in helping to facilitate fair and well run elections in Montana,” Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch
said. “An untimely change to the mail processing system could potentially impact voter participation, voter confidence, and the dissemination of important election-related materials.”
The Postal Service’s response to Tester also says that the closure of mail processing facilities nationwide will depend on the organization reducing the current requirement to deliver mail in 1-3 days to 2-3 days.
Tester vowed to continue working on legislation that would preserve the faster delivery standards – something the Postal Service says would require most processing facilities to be kept open nationwide.
The Senate may begin considering postal reform legislation next week.
USPS Reverses Decision To Close Dallas Mail Processing Plant
The U.S. Postal Service has changed its mind about closing the Main Post Office at I-30 and Sylvan in Dallas.
The Postal Service had said it would move Dallas mail distribution and processing to Fort Worth.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins says the consequences of that cost-cutting move were unacceptable.
Jenkins: “That would have resulted in ultimately the loss of over a thousand jobs. And of equal importance, it would have resulted in slow downs in our mail and hardships on everyone who uses the Post Office.”
Jenkins credits the reversal to elected officials, business executives and labor representatives lobbying against closure.
Jenkins says the jobs and next-day mail delivery are safe, for now, but the Postal Service will continue to look for ways to cut costs.
BJ Austin, KERA News
“APWU” WE ARE HERE TO STAY
I would like to report to you that the Dallas P&DC has been taken off the list. The decision, based on the AMP study, to close the Dallas P&DC in February 2012, has been reversed. The affected employees will be officially informed sometime next week.
We (Dallas Area Local) have spent the last few months writing letters, giving interviews with local TV, radio stations and newspapers. We collected over 5000 petitions, held rallies (picketed), attended Dallas City Council meetings, met several times with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and her staffs as well as Senator Royce West. We have met with City Council Members, Dallas County Judges and Community Leaders. One of the most compelling meetings was held in our Union Hall, where civic and community Leaders met and Congresswoman Johnson made a point to attend and pledge her complete support for our cause. She genuinely recognized not only the impact on you, the employee, but also the impact on the community.
On Behalf of the Officers of the Dallas TX Areal Local, I would like to say thank you, for those who participated with the gathering of signatures, showing up at the demonstrations, but most of all for contacting your Representatives. Too many of our members are complaining that we are not doing enough, you don’t see the Officers, you don’t know what’s going on and you listen to all the rumors. If you don’t hear it directly from one of your full-time Officers, or see it in print, with my signature, it’s just a rumor or speculation. Trust me, we are working for you, but we need you to work with us.
The fight is still not over, the moratorium on post office closings and plant consolidations expires on May 15, 2012. APWU’s National President said “Whether your plant or post office is targeted for closure or consolidation, the Postal Service’s plans threaten the jobs of every postal worker. 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”.
We will be involved with informational picketing on April 17, 2012, TAX DAY, in front of the Dallas Main Post office and we will visit Our Senators during the Easter Recess. We encourage everyone to call their offices during that time.
Yared Wonde
President
Dallas, TX Area Local APWU AFL-CIO
USPS Preparing to “Drastically Downsize” Staffing At Four Plants on 5-19-2012
PostalReporter Contributor: Tour 1 Compression, “Drastically Downsized”4 Plants Staffing Changes on 5-19-2012
Cleveland Local APWU
ATTENTION: APWU MEMBERS
FYI
By Danny Pride
The Cleveland Area Local attended an area meeting concerning the consolidation of Akron into the Cleveland P&DC, under 12.5.B.2 of our National Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The Postal Service has taken the position that they will issue 60-day notifications to Akron employees and be able to detail/reassign these 74 employees by June 30, 2012. Akron employees would be unassigned regulars for 180 days (Dec 2012) at which time Cleveland would post 74 bids to be openly offered to Cleveland, Akron & excessed clerks. Bids would be awarded by seniority.
The Cleveland APWU position is: all excessed clerks must be returned to Cleveland P&DC first, before anyone is allowed into Cleveland. Immediately post 74 bids to Cleveland clerks and excessed clerks. Any residual bids would be offered to the Akron clerks. Read more
Senator Merkley to Introduce Amendment to Save Rural Post Offices
Filed under: politics, post office closings, postal, postal news, usps
From the office of Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley:
March 28, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley today announced that he will be offering an amendment to major legislation overhauling the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to save rural post offices now targeted for closure. Merkley’s amendment would require that a post office closure cannot result in more than a ten mile distance between post offices, measured on roads with year-round access.
The amendment is co-sponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
“Small towns in Oregon depend on post offices for reliable mail delivery, critical services and economic opportunities. They are the heart of our rural communities. Closing these post offices would be a tremendous blow,” said Merkley.
“Rural America is fortunate to have Senator Merkley fighting to keep post offices in our more remote towns and communities, where travel is often difficult. Continued Postal Service in the hinterland will protect the health, prosperity and relevance of our citizens in today’s world where medicine, commerce, and in some cases, our votes are passed through the mails. We urge Congress to support Senator Merkley in this vital effort,” said Joe Laurance, Douglas County Commissioner.
Last year, the USPS announced it was considering closing 3700 post offices across the country, 41 of which were in Oregon. Merkley and others urged the USPS to reconsider the closures; subsequently, 21 Oregon post offices were removed from the list. Twenty now remain, eleven of which are more than 10 miles from the next nearest facility.
Recently, Merkley joined a group of senators urging the Postmaster General to consider other cost savings measures that would close the USPS budget shortfall without closing rural post offices. The postal service bill is expected to be debated on the Senate floor later this week or shortly after the Senate’s April home state work period.