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Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Postal Reform
Burrus Update #19-03, Sept. 17, 2003
On Sept. 17, the Governmental Affairs Committee of the U.S. Senate conducted the first of a series of hearings on postal reform. James A. Johnson, co-chair of the President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service, was the sole witness. After making opening remarks, he fielded questions from Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-ME) and other senators.
The presentation by Mr. Johnson confirms the union's original assessment of the commission report: It was fundamentally dishonest, purporting to represent progressive and modest reform when in fact it recommends radical change that would seriously erode service to the American public.
Despite a spirited defense of postal workers by some of the senators in attendance, Mr. Johnson did not depart from the recommendations that would drastically alter conditions of employment for bargaining unit employees.
On the subject of plant and small office closings, Johnson was less than forthcoming, saying it was not the intent of the commission to encourage the wholesale closing of offices or deny citizen involvement in such decisions. On the subject of employee wages, he said it was the intent of the commission to apply changes only to new employees when, in fact, the commission recommendations would empower the Postal Regulatory Board to reduce the wages of current employees.
Mr. Johnson repeatedly referred to the many witnesses who testified before the commission that postal employees are paid a "premium." He failed to mention that the overwhelming majority of witnesses testifying on that subject were representatives of the large mailers who see reducing postal wages as a way to hold down their own postage costs.
Sen. Collins announced there would be future hearings with testimony from the postmaster general, labor union officials, and representatives of the large mailers.
This is the beginning of the legislative process to consider postal reform. The report of the President's Commission will be the prime subject of review, but it is anticipated that many of the recommendations will be given significant scrutiny before inclusion in legislation.
The American Postal Workers Union continues to object to any changes that would result in the closing of plants and small offices serving rural America; that encourage contracting out and worksharing at a cost greater than when the work is performed by postal employees, and that empowers a politically appointed regulatory board with the authority to modify universal rates, the mail monopoly, universal service and employee wages. Of course, we also oppose any changes that would deny postal employees the right to engage in free collective bargaining.
Goodbye Old Friend
With deep sadness, the American Postal Workers Union acknowledges the passing of Patrick J. Nilan, our long-term Director of Legislation and staunch advocate for the rights of postal employees. I was privileged to participate in his funeral services and, on behalf of all our members, paid tribute to his contributions over a long and productive career.
We shall miss him.
William Burrus
President
