Senators Seek to Stop USPS Cutbacks

Twenty senators are asking Congress to impose a six-month moratorium on USPS plans to consolidate more than 250 mail processing plants, close thousands of post offices, and eliminate overnight mail delivery, in order to give lawmakers an opportunity to consider postal reform legislation.The senators have asked Majority Leader Harry Reid to include language in the next appropriations bill that would prevent the USPS from closing or consolidating mail processing facilities or rural post offices for the next six months.

Noting that postal reform legislation is pending in both chambers, they wrote, “While we may have very different views on how to financially improve the Postal Service, we all believe that democratically elected members of the Senate and House have the responsibility to make significant changes to the Postal Service.

“Unfortunately, we are concerned that the Postal Service may preempt Congress on this matter by closing or consolidating nearly 3,700 mostly rural post offices, over 250 mail processing facilities, and eliminating overnight delivery for first class mail before postal reform legislation is enacted. While some of these changes may be needed, we believe that it is very important to give Congress the opportunity to reform the Postal Service in a way that protects universal service while ensuring its financial viability for decades to come.

APWU President Cliff Guffey praised the effort. “We have been very concerned that USPS management would implement irreversible changes before Congress has a chance to act,” he said.

The union president had a question for every APWU member: Have your senators signed the letter? If so, thank them. If not, ask them to support the effort.

Signing the letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid were 19 Democrats and one Independent. They are (alphabetically by state):

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) 
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) 
Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) 
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) 
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA) 
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)  
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) 
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) 
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) 
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) 
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) 
Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) 
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) 
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) 
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) 
Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) 
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) 
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) 
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)