House ‘Mail Network Protection Act’ Gains Seven Co-Sponsors Prior to Holiday Break

Seven U.S. representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of H.R. 4236, the Mail Network Protection Act introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA). Introduced in the House on Nov. 15, the bill would require the Postal Service to bargain with postal unions before engaging in significant subcontracting. The union has been strenuously advocating such legislation for several months, including in congressional testimony in April and July. 

The seven co-sponsors are Yvette Clark (D-NY), Al Green (D-TX), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Patrick Murphy (D-PA), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), and John Tierney (D-MA). Congress is now on break until after New Year’s.

The APWU wrote to all members of the U.S. House on Dec. 18, asking them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 4236, and President William Burrus has asked union activists to make the bill a priority. “It is imperative that union members contact their representatives and let them know that this legislation is important to the future of the Postal Service and to postal workers,” Burrus said. [full story]

Rep. Lynch also had sought support from his colleagues, and in a letter on Dec. 11 had asked all members of the House to join him in sponsoring H.R. 4236. [full story]

The bill would affect private contracts involving mail processing, mail handling, or surface transportation of mail, provided that over a 12-month period it involved the equivalent of $5 million or 50 work-years. 

“Coupled with Rep. Lynch’s request for co-sponsors, our members’ appeals for support will help ensure passage of this important bill,” Burrus said. “The requirement to bargain over subcontracting will be beneficial for the Postal Service, postal workers, and the American public. Too often contracting out ends up costing the Postal Service more than if the work were performed by postal employees. Frequently subcontracting is ineffective and the contractors’ service to the public is poor.”