One of the issues involved in HR 756 is what is in it for the membership of the APWU? I came to work for the old Post Office Department in 1968, and left in 2012. I represented the APWU for a good part of that time. Our experience during that time should show us that we cannot base our decisions on what we expect. A signed contract that is clear and unambiguous is no protection. The APWU is throwing retirees under the bus for what amounts to speculation. I don’t believe that the membership of the APWU has anything to gain with this bill. The following Q&A supports that line of thought:
Q30: Why does the APWU support H.R. 756 when there is no language to restore overnight delivery standards?
The return of overnight delivery standards is an important goal of the APWU. However, pressing for it in this bill undermines its passage because neither the USPS nor the mailers agree to support this language. The reality we face is that no legislation will survive in the current political environment without the support of the four major postal unions, postal management and a significant portion of the major mailers. APWU’s effort to restore service standards will continue in other forms.
Q31: What about protection against further postal and plant closures?
If USPS finances are stabilized, there is less pressure to cut back on services. Conversely, if postal reform legislation is not passed soon, the Postal Service may look to implement further service cuts, such as eliminating delivery days, closing processing plants, reducing staffing, shuttering post offices and subcontracting more work – and services. Remember, a declining Postal Service is also an easy target for full-blown privatization.
The USPS is not going to reopen the plants they closed. They are not going to go back to overnight delivery. They are not going to hire more employees in the crafts represented by APWU. Their word is not going to mean any more to them than it did in the last contract, which was negotiated before brother Dimondstein was elected President.
The USPS has been turned into a delivery service for the mailing industry. They do not need overnight delivery. They do not want the USPS to hire more employees because that would mean higher costs for them. Those costs could not be pushed onto first class postage, in their entirety. They do not need more plants. They are non union for the most part, and they like it fine right now.
I can remember an argument I had with a representative of BNA books. I wanted them to send my local several arbitration books by Priority Mail. She wanted to send them by UPS. I told her I would have them the following day, and she said that she felt otherwise I called her the next day when I had the books, and she said that was the exception. She refused to believe otherwise. Senior management (the BOG and PMG) are responsible for the service cuts that put that idea in the mailer’s minds. They will not change their practices because they get out from under the prefunding mandate.
I could go on and on about the various PMG’s that ran the USPS during the 44 years that I worked there, but you get the idea. APWU management has made up their minds that they are going to support this bill. We are not going to change that. Numbers count, and 20% is less than 80%. My advice to those of you who agree with me is to write your member of Congress and U,S, Senator. Better yet, stop in and see them. There are two sides to every story and you want them to hear yours.
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Kuralt
Email: drkuralt@comcast.net
Union/Local: Springfield, MA Area Local
Office held if any: Past president and retiree member
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
San Francisco Local 2/Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
Vice President of San Francisco CA Retiree Chapter
We earned our health benefits in the FEHB. Retirees shouldn’t have things changed after the fact. No, No, No, on HR-756. This bill will also create a burden to Medicare. This bill was the created to save the U.S. Post Service on the backs of retirees on a fixed income.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Local #618, Terre Haute
I believe local and state officers will start to speak out against this legislation as time goes along. They will not want to be held accountable for the national’s stand on this bill.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU San Francisco Local
Office held, if any
SF Retiree Chapter secretary
Answers to 39 questions on Postal Reform 756
Six plus weeks to come up with this?
Even then questions were missed.
It’s a lot of sweet talk just to say,
Support the bill, it “SHOULD” be ok.
Pension overpayment is no longer on the table,
Cause backs of retirees will make this bill stable.
No open discussion, keeping us in the dark,
The contrast to past years is so very stark.
Yes, we’re divided, but the message we send
We need the truth now, so we can begin to mend!
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Pittsburgh PA Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
President Pgh Local 1974-1994, APWU DIR 1980-1983, President Retiree Chapter
The Retiree Department has only one officer…..the Director. The clear vibes from her are that she is in full support of the administration’s push for the laws. The so-called activists are all equal in stature and status. The recent Convention revealed again that most retiree activists are in lock step with the administration. I suspect that will be the same for these current issues. Just so long as those munches are provided at conventions and all craft meetings most activists are content with the status quo and will go along to get along. Discussion and debate at the upcoming all craft about these issues, if any, could be very interesting.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU. Oakland Ca
Office held, if any
Legislative Dir. (Ret.)
I have wondered for over a year where are the APWU activists? Why no struggle and debate among our officers on forced Medicare integration? Were we thrown under the bus or did we lie down and roll under it?
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Pittsburgh PA Retiree Chapter
Office held, if any
President Pgh Local 1974-1994, APWU DIR 1980-1983, member of the Constitution Committee, President Retiree Chapter
Dan, the APWU turned in it’s fighting history when Guffey et. al. gave back career employment, supported by most national officers and the RAFBC. The give back trend has morphed into a Frankenstein monster since the NALC appears to be willing to give back door delivery, costing that Association thousands of jobs, and the APWU is promoting hitting retirees hard based on a smoke and mirrors promise that somehow that sacrifice will preserve the USPS and turn back recent destructive plans, i.e., consolidations and facility closings. The fighting days influenced by the NPU have faded into history along with the dinosaurs (us) who have moved on and have little influence with the new breed. We are OK to fight the Staples fight, to be rewarded by this debacle. In any event it is good hearing from you.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
APWU Salem, OR Area Local / OPWU
Office held, if any
Past President
Excellent points and spot on. Selling out APWU and postal retirees and pure speculation and purposeless gains for current and future APWU employees. I can see no valid reason for my wife or myself remaining APWU members if as retirees we are going to be sacrificed for such ambiguous and meritless goals.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
Lake Geauga Area Local 1204
Office held, if any
Local President, former National Legislative Dir. Candidate.
Excellent article Brother. The Retirees deserve better from our National Officers. Don’t forget they ran a campaign stating they would fight and protect the retirees. I We need to do all we can to inform retirees and all the members. I’m doing all I can from here in Ohio.
Thank you for the great article.
Union and NAME of Local/Branch
WESTCT AREA
Office held, if any
Member
Great post brother!
“Tire tracks all across our backs…..”