e-Team Report, Jan. 17, 2014

Congress Approves HR 3547 -- Awaiting Presidential Signature

On January 16th, the Senate overwhelmingly passed an omnibus spending bill by a margin of 72-26 which funds the government through the end of September. The $1.1 trillion legislation also sailed through the House on Wednesday and is expected to be signed quickly by President Obama.  The bill will prevent yet another government shutdown which was set to begin this weekend.  Missing an opportunity to fix last December’s budget deal, this appropriations bill fails to extend much needed jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed, cuts to veterans’ pensions, or damaging pay cuts to future federal and postal employees.

In passing the 1582 page, two-inch thick document at legislative light speed, some issues concerning the Postal Service were included. The language as to six day delivery which has been in the appropriations bill since 1987 was carried over like many other “riders” from the last bill.  A rider is an amendment tacked on to a larger bill that is not directly related to the purpose of the larger bill. The APWU attempted to include language to guarantee delivery standards in an effort to restore prompt service to the American people mandated by the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970; however this was not a normal appropriations process. The negotiations were conducted in extreme secrecy and rules were put in place that required chairs of both Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over any new rider to approve its inclusion.

This made our task extremely difficult but that did not deter the APWU from continuing to fight for delivery standards that will keep the USPS a vital part of American infrastructure and a provider of working class jobs.  We will not stop our pursuit of delivery standard legislation that will pull the USPS out of the financial death spiral entered into by slowing down the mail and destroying revenue.

Ranking Member of Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee to Retire Mid-Term

Dr. Tom Coburn (R-OK), the ranking member of the Senate committee that has jurisdiction over postal reform legislation, announced he will retire in January of 2015.  Last August, Coburn, along with Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) introduced S. 1486, the Postal Reform Act of 2013, which is opposed by APWU and other postal unions.  The APWU will continue to meet and work with Senator Coburn in the hopes of passing progressive postal reform.

Legislative Update

S. 316/H.R.630, Postal Service Protection Act

Introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (D‐VT) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D‐OR).

Eliminates the pre‐funding mandate. Refunds overpayments the USPS made to federal retirement systems. Ends mail slowdown by re‐establishing overnight service standards for first‐class mail. Allows the USPS to develop new products and services that will generate new sources of revenue. Gives the Postal Regulatory Commission authority to prevent post office closures based on the effects on the community and employees.

Status: Referred to Committee. APWU supports this bill.

H.R. 961, United States Postal Service Stabilization Act

Introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D‐MA) 

Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to recalculate the Postal Service’s pension liabilities to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) using postal specific salary and demographic assumptions. Refunds overpayments the Postal Service made to federal retirement accounts. Expresses the intent of Congress that postal‐specific assumptions should apply to allocations of past, present and future benefit liabilities between the USPS and the Treasury

Status: Referred to Committee. APWU supports this bill.

H.R. 2459, Protect Overnight Delivery Act

Introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D‐CT) 

Repeals service standards implemented by the United States Postal Service on July 1, 2012. Restores overnight service standards to those that were in effect on Dec. 11, 2011. Protects mail processing plants from closure.

Status: Referred to Committee.  APWU supports this bill

H.R. 3801, Issa’s 5-Day Delivery/Military COLA Bill   

On December 19 Rep. Issa introduced H.R. 3801 which would end Saturday letter delivery and use the “savings” to restore the cost-of-living adjustments for military retirees that were cut in the Budget Act

Status: Referred to Committee (The bill has no co-sponsors). APWU opposes this bill.

S. 1486, Carper-Coburn Postal Bill

Fails to provide adequate relief of the unreasonable level of prefunding for health care benefits of future retirees.  Will result in the elimination of thousands of postal jobs and allow serious degradation of mail service standards after a two year delay. Allows the USPS to slash postal workers’ pension and healthcare benefits by making many of these employee benefits subject to interest arbitration. Imposes cruel and discriminatory reforms to the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) by reducing benefits for injured workers with dependents, and forcing injured workers into retirement as soon as eligible.

Status: Awaiting markup in Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.  Markup of S. 1486 has been cancelled three times. APWU opposes this bill in its current form.

Not proceeding with markup is a good sign that the members of the committee believe there is yet work to be done, however it also means postal reform continues to be stalled.

H.R. 2748, Issa’s Postal Bill 

Prohibits USPS and unions from negotiating protection against layoffs in future contracts. Immediately increases employees’ health insurance costs. Slashes compensation for injured employees with dependents and forces them into retirement. Imposes 2-3 day service standards for first-class mail. Closes additional post offices, stations, branches, and mail processing facilities. Prohibits customers from appealing closure of a post office, station or branch if private contract postal unit within 2 miles. Creates “competition advocates” to promote contracting out. Maintains limits on postage rate increases, preventing USPS from increasing revenue

Status: Reported by the Committee to the House, Not scheduled for a House Floor vote. APWU opposes this bill.