e-Team Report, May 18, 2012

Urge House Members - Start with Senate Bill

This week, after the moratorium on closing and consolidations ended, USPS management decided to go forward with what they labeled a “modified” consolidation plan. Essentially, the plan is still the same and calls for the closing of hundreds of processing facilities. However, the only difference is a new timeframe for these closures. Between this week and the end of August of this year, the postal service plans to consolidate 48 plants. USPS will move forward with another 92 plants starting next year and finish their consolidation plan by the end of 2014, shutting down another 89 plants.

Changes are starting to happen now. It is essential that you contact your member of congress to urge them to consider postal reform legislation immediately. Be sure to ask them to use the Senate bill (S.1789) as a starting point, not Congressman Issa’s (R-CA) H.R. 2309.

Urge your representative to begin consideration of S.1789 and reject H.R.2309. We are asking our APWU state and local leaders to meet with members of congress while they are home in their respective congressional districts over their Memorial Day recess. To find your member of Congress’ district contact information please, click here.

To read more on the APWU’s website, click here.

Republicans Vote for Pay Cut for Postal, Federal Workers

The House of Representatives voted for a 5 percent cut in postal and federal workers’ pay on May 10 by approving an increase in employees' pension contributions. Republican members of the House provided all 218 votes in favor of the measure, while 183 Democrats and 16 Republicans opposed it.

“Gotta Vote”

There is a new website available that has compiled voting information in one place for all states. The “Gotta Vote” website allows the viewer to click on your state to find all the information needed in order to make sure you have all information needed to vote in the upcoming presidential election.

This site is a one stop shop for state by state voter information. ”Gotta Vote” will help voters register, provide information about what types of identification is needed to bring to the polls in November in order to be eligible to vote, allow you to sign up for reminders regarding important voter registration and absentee ballot deadlines, and finally, can even help find your local polling facility on election day.

To go to the “Gotta Vote” website please, click here.

Voter Empowerment Act Introduced

Just this week, House Democrats introduced the Voter Empowerment Act. The goal of this legislation is to protect voters from restrictive voting measures that have been enacted in states across the country. Specifically, this bill targets open access to the ballot box, ensures integrity in the voting process, and protects the accountability of voting machines through strict standards to make sure every vote is counted properly.

To read more about the bill, click here.