e-Team Report, April 20, 2012

Tell Your Senators to Support Key Amendments to S. 1789

Dear APWU e-Team member:

On Monday, April 23, the United States Senate will begin debate on S.1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012 and as many as 39 amendments proposed by Senators.  Votes on the bill and all amendments are likely to follow on Tuesday, April 24.  It is imperative that you immediately contact your two Senators and urge them to support three amendments of vital interest to APWU members and the American people. Following the votes on the amendments, we will follow up with you with instructions on whether we will support or oppose final passage of the bill, as amended.  While we oppose many of the amendments offered, and support others, the primary amendments we are concerned with are as follows:

1. Amendment #2042 by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT),  Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Max Baucus (D-MT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Amendment #2042 maintains current delivery standards for four years.  The amendment would not prevent all consolidations, but it would stop the USPS from implementing their previously announced “slash and burn” strategy.
2. Amendment #2056 by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Al Franken (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Carl Levin (D-MI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).  This amendment would modify the process for closing or consolidating post offices and postal facilities.  In addition, the amendment gives the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) the authority to “affirm or reverse” the determination of the Postal Service.
3. Amendment #2034 by Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Al Franken (D-MN), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Dan Inouye (D-HI), John Kerry (D-MA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).  Senator Akaka’s amendment deletes Title III of the bill which would devastate thousands of postal and federal employees who were unfortunately injured at work through no fault of their own.  Amendment #2034 would replace this language with provisions similar to bi-partisan legislation adopted by the House of Representatives which actually improves some benefits for injured postal and federal workers.

Click here, to send both of your Senators a quick message supporting these amendments today!