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Monopoly – It Is Not Just a Game

(This article first appeared in the July/August 2008 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

As we approach the end of the second phase of the USPS Transformation Plan, we are under constant attack from internal and external antagonists. The realignment of postal operations is an endless source of disruption to the lives of workers, both at home and at work.

One reason the bosses give for their wayward staffing plans is the need to be competitive. But more often than not, the poorly developed plans of Area and District honchos lead to a deterioration in service. Many customers end up venting against postal workers when, in fact, we have little say on operations.

To add injury to insult, outside “competitors” and government agencies (e.g., Federal Trade Commission) advocate for the elimination of the so-called “first-class mail monopoly” (aka the Private Express Statutes) and the “mailbox monopoly.”

These monopolies are the framework of the postal system. It is no surprise that in survey after survey, Americans say that the government agency they most trust is the U.S. Postal Service. They cite the quality of service: 95 percent reliability, with millions of addresses and with so many citizens on the move — Amazing!

But there are some who propose that anyone and everyone should be allowed to deliver to home mailboxes. President Bush’s Postal Commission and the FTC claim the “mailbox monopoly” limits consumer choice, is inefficient, and inconvenient.

Some even claim that these monopolies serve only to protect the job security of postal workers. The fact is that these monopolies protect the public. A mailbox should represent the sanctity of the mail, confidence in the postal system, and a time-honored and unhampered means of communication. Our “competitors” would love to gain access to our mailboxes, but so would crooks. Can you imagine the hassle you’d have to go through when leaving for vacation? What kind of hold could be placed on thousands of competitors?

The impact on postal workers would be devastating. There would be little if any need to mail anything if anyone and everyone had the right to dump stuff into mailboxes.

Private Express Laws

The private express laws that restrict mail delivery to the U.S. Postal Service offers protection for the public and job security for postal workers.

On Page 286 of the APWU-USPS Collective Bargaining Agreement, it says: “In the event Congress repeals or significantly relaxes the Private Express Statutes this Memorandum [against layoffs] shall expire upon the enactment of such legislation.”

If this were to happen, you wouldn’t have to worry about changing reporting times, different off days, reassignments to jobs 100 miles away, or denial of light duty or sick leave — you would be out of a job!

Be on the alert! When your union calls upon you to protest, make calls, write letters, visit Congress, etc., be ready to be counted. Do not rely on local, state, or national union officers alone. We all must take steps to protect not only our jobs but the very Postal Service we and our loved ones use! Can you be counted on?

Stand, Debate, and Deliver

No doubt you are hearing a lot about conventions this year. The Republicans and Democrats will have mega-media events and the fate of our country hangs in the balance. But there is, of course, another significant convention… Yours !

Yes, the APWU is meeting in convention in August. It is the “highest ruling body” of your union. The convention is run by all of us. Especially you! You elect the delegates, either by voting for a fellow union member at a local meeting or by electing officers who serve as “automatic” delegates.

The union’s national constitution dictates the order of business at the convention. Out of several thousand delegates a handful are selected to form a Rules Committee to set the format and activities. Even those rules are debated and voted upon by all the delegates. A regulated democracy is on display.

A Credentials Committee assures that the constitutional requirements of who can be seated as a delegate are met. If there is a dispute, it is put to a vote to all 2,000-plus delegates.

The Impact on You

This year, the convention is in Las Vegas, but what happens in Vegas at this convention will not stay in Vegas.

Convention mandates on collective bargaining matters are to be given full consideration for contract talks in 2010.Constitutional changes that effect your representation, voting rights, member rights, and financial liabilities also are put into effect. As a postal worker in a certified union, you will abide by the decisions made by the delegates.

So, when representatives from your local return with reports about the gathering, be sure to read them. Question the delegates from your local: Hold everyone accountable to you, the dues-paying member.

Regional coordinators Liz Powell, Sharyn Stone, Bill Sullivan, and Mike Gallagher and I will all be working on the convention floor, taking part in the debate, voting on all the issues, and otherwise serving as your regional representatives. It is not always easy, but some things have to be said, and we are confident that we are acting in the best interests of the membership.

Our convention will be followed by the historic Democratic Convention. The Republicans also meet to formulate their party planks.

Delegates at all three of these conventions will make on-site decisions and determine the paths to take. You, however, are the ultimate referee on these matters… a super delegate, if you will.

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