Your Hard Work Is Paying Off

(This article first appeared in the July-August 2015 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)

Thank you to all involved in our effort to win a majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate for prompt, reliable service standards. I encourage every member to join the cause.

Working together, APWU locals, state organizations, retiree chapters, auxiliary members and national officers have brought the Postal Service’s great mail slowdown to the attention of Congress. Bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for mail service standards that our communities need and deserve is strong and growing – thanks to your hard work.

In the House of Representatives, we are approaching 200 co-sponsors of H. Res. 54, which calls on the Postal Service to restore the service standards that were in effect in July 2012. Nationwide, our members have been meeting with representatives of both parties and have helped the APWU gain co-sponsors and push back against delayed mail and plant closures.

The day-to-day efforts of the Legislative and Political Department have been aided by union members, locals, state organizations, retiree chapters and the auxiliary, engaging Congress in many ways. This is helping build momentum for prompt, reliable service standards.

Every member’s effort makes an impact and I am asking all of you to help. Visit http://www.apwu.org/house-resolution-54 for the information and resources you need to join the fight to put service back into the Postal Service.

The Senate approved a non-binding motion by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to instruct budget conferees to include a fund for halting postal plant closures, restoring overnight mail standards, and protecting rural services in the budget bill (S. Con. Res. 11). It was approved by a resounding vote, 85-11 vote.

“There is a huge concern, particularly in rural America, about the closing down of the processing centers,” said Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY) on the motion to instruct conferees. “It takes at least an extra day to get the mail.”

These non-binding instructions are a clear indication that the Senate understands how the wrong-headed plan of slowing down the mail and closing mail processing facilities is negatively impacting communities nationwide. The effort to secure prompt, reliable mail service standards is truly bipartisan. This is a rare issue that members of Congress can support, regardless of party affiliation.

Fast Track to Nowhere

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) covers 12 countries that account for nearly 40 percent of the global economy – the U.S., Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

“Fast Track” authority provides special rules and supersedes the normal congressional process. It means members of Congress would have to vote on the 1,200-page trade deal as written, with almost no debate and with no ability to amend it.

It allows for secret negotiations on behalf of corporations and prevents citizens, community groups and unions from being made aware of the content until it’s too late. The APWU and the AFL-CIO strongly oppose Fast Track Authority and TPP.

Trade with less-developed countries has resulted in an average annual wage loss of 5.5 percent – or about $1,800 – for a full-time worker without a four-year college degree, which is a majority of the employed workforce. This total wage loss amounted to $118 billion.

A deal has been struck in the Senate to pass fast track, which set up a fight in the House of Representatives over giving President Obama fast track authority for TPP.

The APWU will continue to oppose Fast Track and TPP with our local, state, retiree and auxiliary organizations. For information on H. Res. 54, Fast Track or any other legislative issue please visit www.apwu.org or call 202-842-4211.