Postal Unions Join Forces to Save America's Postal Service

Postal Unions Join Forces
to Save America’s Postal Service

Rallies Set for September 27 in Every Congressional District

          The NPMHU is joining forces with the three other postal unions to designate September 27 as a day of action to Save America’s Postal Service.

          Acting together, the NPMHU and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) 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).

          “It is crucial that Mail Handlers let all Members of Congress know the importance of the issues faced by the Postal Service, by its employees, and by the American mailing public,” said National President John Hegarty.  “The Postal Service faces serious financial problems, in large part caused by prior actions by Congress, and it is Congress that should adopt the obvious solutions, including H.R. 1351.  I urge all Mail Handlers and their friends and family members to join with our brothers and sisters in the other postal unions to organize and to attend the rallies on September 27.”

          The Lynch bill would prevent the financial collapse of the USPS – without closing thousands of post offices, eliminating hundreds of mail processing facilities, delaying mail delivery, laying off 120,000 workers, cutting postal workers’ pay, or ending collective bargaining rights.  Unfortunately, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has another idea, and apparently is blocking consideration of H.R. 1351.  As an alternative, Rep. Issa has introduced a bill that would destroy the Postal Service as we know it.  His bill (H.R. 2309), which is co-sponsored by Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL), would do nothing to correct the cause of the USPS financial crisis:  It would do nothing about the billions of dollars in USPS overpayments to its pension accounts, and it would do nothing to correct the 2006 congressional mandate that requires the Postal Service to pre-fund the healthcare benefits of future retirees.  No other government agency or private company bears this burden, which requires the USPS to fund a 75-year liability in 10 years – at a cost of more than $5 billion annually.

          At the rallies on September 27, the unions will be asking legislators to co-sponsor H.R. 1351. Where lawmakers have already signed on, the rallies will thank them for their support and ask them to pledge to do everything in their power to ensure its passage.

          Each union has volunteered to be responsible for specific congressional districts, and Local Unions already have begun to designate District Leads for various locations. The District Leads will secure permits (where necessary), contact the media, and make other arrangements.        

The unions have developed a common website to provide information about the rallies. All Mail Handlers are urged to visit saveamericaspostalservice.orgfor the latest news.