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Postal Service Gets It Wrong Again
Slashing the Network Won’t Save the
USPS
(01/01/12) Among the Postal Service ’ s major plans for solving the USPS financial crisis is to slash the mail processing network — to close or consolidate as many as 252 of approximately 460 mail processing facilities. Wrong again! The Postal Service notified the APWU on Sept. 14 that it would study the feasibility of consolidating more than half of its mail processing centers as part of a nationwide plan to cut costs. The next day, with great fanfare, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe announced the plan to the media, and presented it as an essential component of resolving the Postal Service’s financial difficulties. But the reality is quite different. In fact, the Postmaster General’s prescription would do more harm than good. [read more]
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APWU Locals Take
Sophisticated
Approach to Fighting Consolidation
(01/01/12) As the battle against the consolidation of mail processing facilities intensifies, APWU locals are taking an increasingly sophisticated approach to the fight. Rallies and information pickets have raised awareness of the effect consolidation would have on service, but some locals are taking their outreach a step further — building community coalitions, launching media campaigns, and using economic data to expose the negative effects of consolidation. “By taking a strategic approach to fighting consolidation, APWU locals are better able to refute USPS management’s claims about the benefits of consolidation,” said APWU president Cliff Guffey. [read more]
USPS
Announces Moratorium
On Post Office, Plant Closures
(12/13/11) The Postal Service has announced a five-month moratorium on the closure of post offices and mail processing facilities, in response to a request from 22 senators. The delay until May 15, 2012, is intended to give Congress more time to adopt legislation that would address the USPS financial crisis without drastic cuts in service. [read more]
Senators Seek
to Stop USPS Cutbacks
Is Your Senator on Board?
(12/09/11) 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. [read more]
USPS Plan Will Hasten Demise
Of a Still-Vital Institution
Degrading Mail Service Will Hurt, Not Help,
USPS
(12/05/11) “The Postal Service plan will hasten the demise of the USPS,” APWU President Cliff Guffey said in response to the agency’s announcement that it would seek an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission on plans to eliminate next-day delivery of first-class mail and periodicals. “The USPS should be modernizing and striving to remain relevant in the digital age, not reducing service to the American people,” he said. “Degrading service is a direct consequence of Postal Service plans to eliminate half of its mail processing centers,” said Guffey. [read more]
Finally, An Admission:
Cuts will Degrade Service
(11/01/11) In late September, the Postal Service admitted something they’ve been denying for years: Cutbacks in the USPS mail processing network will lead to drastic reductions in service to the American people. The Postal Service announced plans to eliminate 252 mail processing facilities on Sept. 14, and one week later published a notice of proposed changes in service standards in the Federal Register. [read more]
Battle Over USPS Future Enters Critical Period
Union Launches Petition Drive to Protect
Post Offices, Mail Processing Centers, Service Standards
(10/31/11) The battle over the future of the Postal Service — and our jobs — has reached a critical stage: Key senators are meeting behind closed doors in an effort to produce a compromise bill to address the USPS financial crisis. It is likely that any proposals they develop will be submitted to the congressional “super-committee” to be incorporated into the committee’s plan to reduce the nation’s deficit. “It is absolutely essential that we make our voices heard now — before any deal is cut that could adversely affect the future of the USPS and our members,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey. [read more]
Union Launches Petition Drive
To Save America’s Postal Service
(10/28/11) President Guffey is asking APWU members to collect signatures on a petition to Congress urging senators and representatives to oppose plans to close post offices, shutter mail processing facilities, and drastically degrade service to the American people. In a letter to state and local presidents dated Oct. 26, 2011, President Guffey wrote, “It is urgent that we bring as much political pressure as possible to bear against the Postal Service’s plans to dismantle its network of processing, distribution and retail facilities.” [read more]
Union Challenges Proposed
Changes to USPS Service Standards
(10/06/11) The APWU is challenging proposed changes to USPS service standards that would result from a major reduction in the number of mail processing facilities. The Postal Service announced plans to eliminate 252 mail processing facilities on Sept. 14, and one week later published an “advance notice” of the proposed changes in service in the Federal Register. “The APWU vehemently opposes the USPS proposal to eliminate 60 percent of existing mail processing facilities and to make corresponding cuts in service standards,” President Cliff Guffey wrote in a letter dated Oct. 5. “If adopted, this proposal would deprive postal customers of needed service, damage the economy, and drive customers away from the Postal Service. [read more]
APWU Battles Consolidation Onslaught
(09/01/11) The USPS is accelerating consolidation plans in the face of a looming financial crisis and growing calls from Congress to cut costs and eliminate “excess” network capacity. Since June, the APWU has received notification of the Postal Service’s decision to consolidate operations at more than 25 mail processing centers, and plans to conduct more than 15 more Area Mail Processing studies. There’s no let up in sight, but APWU locals are continuing to lead the fight against misguided consolidations. [read more]
Union
Files ULP
Charge Over USPS Refusal
To Provide Information
on Consolidations
(08/04/11) The APWU has filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) protesting the Postal Service’s refusal to provide the union with information regarding Area Mail Processing (AMP) feasibility studies. The union contends that management’s failure to provide the information constitutes a breach of its obligation to bargain in good faith. [read more]
Threats to Our Service:
The Proof is in the Numbers
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(07/01/11) After years of fighting tirelessly to debunk management’s claims that consolidations will result in improved efficiency and cost savings, APWU locals now have proof that network realignment has a negative impact on the mail service that communities rely on. An audit recently completed by the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that a consolidation in Lima, OH, resulted in delayed mail and a decline in on-time performance and customer service. [read more]
Updated Consolidation Toolkit
Available to Assist in Locals’ Efforts
(06/01/11) The APWU has produced an updated toolkit to assist locals in their efforts to bring attention to the negative effects consolidation would have on mail service. “We encourage union activists to get involved in the fight against the Postal Service’s plans to cut the postal network,” said APWU Vice President Greg Bell. “In many cases, the consolidation of postal operations would have an adverse impact on customer service, the community, and jobs. This material will help union activists inform their communities, elected officials, and the media.” [read more]
Public, Legislators
Join the Fight to Save Mail
Service
(04/13/11) The Postal Service’s assault on the nation’s mail processing network shows no signs of stopping — and APWU locals have responded by engaging elected officials, community leaders, and members of the public in the fight to save our service.
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February was a record month for consolidation announcements, as the USPS launched studies that could lead to the closing or significant downsizing of 20 mail processing centers. The previous record month was September 2010, during which the Postal Service announced 13 planned studies. [read more]
APWU Locals Demand:
‘Keep the Mail Here!’
(02/28/11) In response to the Postal Service’s efforts to reduce the nation’s mail processing network, the APWU has ramped up its fight against the cuts at locations across the country.
Locals have held public protests, contacted members of Congress, engaged members of the community and elected officials in their efforts, and rallied to save postal facilities. Using material prepared by the national union, members are demanding that the USPS stop cutting service, jobs, and the postal network. [read more]
