Web News Article #: 32-2018
03/23/2018 – On March 22, The Postal Service Reform Act of 2018 (S. 2629) was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The APWU recognizes the efforts of the four bi-partisan Senators who worked to craft and co-sponsor the proposed legislation – Tom Carper (D-DE), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO). “The APWU appreciates their efforts to achieve postal legislative reform that is fair to the APWU members, postal workers in general, the public Postal Service and postal customers,” said Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard.
Much of the Senate bill is based on the foundation of H.R. 756, a bill introduced in the House of Representatives, which the APWU supports (while still seeking some improvements). is currently stalled in the House.
The new Senate bill also includes a number of elements from the Improving Postal Operations, Service and Transparency Act, introduced in the last Congress by Sen. Carper.
There are many positive elements in this proposed legislation that the APWU supports as a basis for further legislative action. This includes addressing the unfair and absurd pre-funding mandate for future retiree health care costs, imposed on the USPS by Congress in 2006.
The key to passing needed postal reform is strong bi-partisan support. The APWU will continue to work with representatives of both political parties as we remain actively engaged to achieve quality postal reform.
The APWU Legislative & Political Department will keep you informed and involved as this new Senate bill works its way through the legislative process.
Source: APWU
Related: NALC lauds bipartisan effort to advance postal reform legislation
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
American Postal Workers Union, Springfield MA Area Local 497
Office held, if any
Retiree member and Past President
Email Address
drkuralt@comcast.net
At one time the USPS was pushing it’s own health plan. It didn’t go anywhere.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
American Postal Workers Union, Springfield MA Area Local 497
Office held, if any
Retiree member and Past President
Email Address
drkuralt@comcast.net
I began working for the Post Office Department in 1968. I was President of my local for 7 years and VP for 14 years. Clerk Craft Director for two. The Post Office Department was reformed in 1971 and became the USPS. Reform was never about taking employees out of FEHBP. Upper management in USPS may have had wet dreams about getting us out of FEHBP but they never said that out loud.
The APWU that I was a part of would never had gone along with it. We would not have gone along with forcing members into MEDICAID with the threat of being forced out of FEHBP if we didn’t go along with it.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
NALC - Branch 223
Office held, if any
shop steward (long ago)
As a 33+ year Mailman, I saw many changes over the years & the Decrease in the Number of Mailmen/women, Sadly the issue or the Number of people at the Post office That Don’t “Touch the Mail”…ie Management, there was a time when they Published the Bonuses that Management Received, based on the Performance of the Office, Sadly this hasn’t changed…Managers still get Rewarded on how well they Push the Clerks & Mail Carriers… IF you want to Save jobs.. Cut Out 50-75% of the People that have NOTHING to do with Production OR Delivery of the US Mail & a 10-15% Pay cut, from Top to Bottom. Its also sad that the % of New Hires “CCA’S” that don’t have the Knowledge of Customer Service, I truly believe CCA’s & Poor Management Will be the End of the USPS as I knew it
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU - Oakland Local Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
President
Jeanne, It sure sounds good to be for both. Provided that would help us, it would be available to us. Please realize if you’re for Postal Reform you’re automatically against us remaining in FEHB.
Postal Reform main point is getting rid of the FEHB as we have it, so check what you support and base it on facts.
Supporting causes with our heart is great, however we must Think with our Head.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU - NWIAL
Office held, if any
past Steward
I am for reform but against taking Postal Workers out of
the FEHB pool.