Thousands of Postal Workers Protest Ill-Conceived USPS Plans

In a nationwide day of picketing Oct. 26, APWU locals across the country protested Postal Service policies that put the demands of corporate advertising mailers ahead of the needs of individual postal customers and small businesses.

The picketing was part of the APWU’s campaign to expose the poorly conceived — and often well-hidden — network realignment plans and the serious negative impact they would have on mail service for consumers’ and small businesses.

Speaking at a rally in Baltimore, APWU President William Burrus said, “Locals around the country — along with a host of community leaders and elected officials — are taking part in this nationwide day of picketing to send a clear message to the Postal Service: We will not accept any more attacks on the nation’s mail service. It’s time to stop catering to the interests of big corporate mailers.”

Timed to take place right before this year’s mid-term elections, the day of picketing involved more than 100 APWU locals, from every corner of the country. They were joined at many of the events by community leaders and local, state, and federal legislators. The date, Burrus said, was selected to give local unions the opportunity to seek support from elected officials and candidates prior to Election Day.

The union president also urged locals to inform elected officials about the USPS consolidation plan and the negative effect it will have on service to their constituents. In a September 12 letter to every member of Congress, Burrus wrote:

“The Postal Service has failed to consider the concerns of the American people, denied them the information necessary to determine if the revised network will meet their needs, and excluded them from having real input in the decision-making process.” 

“By galvanizing community support of citizens, we are forcing the Postal Service to rethink these ill-advised plans, and our elected officials to question what is being done to a valued constituent service,” Burrus said. “These informational pickets are an opportunity to express our concerns and to let citizens express theirs.”

“Nov. 7 is another important opportunity to make our voices heard,” he said. “We must go to the polls on Election Day and elect leaders that will serve the American people.”

Locals are asked to send photos to: apwu.webmaster@att.net