Printer-Friendly Page
 |
AFL-CIO News |
 |
Listen to Labor News |
Postal Reform Update
Effort to Drop Proposal for Labor Seat on Postal Board Could Fracture Coalition
Burrus Update #7-05, June 15, 2005
Efforts at postal reform continue at the legislative pace, which means slowly and with a bit of uncertainty. The House of Representatives could schedule floor debate on the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (H.R. 22) at any time, and a vote could follow shortly thereafter.
Action in the Senate is somewhat less certain, as the Bush administration continues to insist that the issues of military retirement costs of postal employees and the escrow account be decided consistent with the position favored by the White House.
The coalition of those favoring passage of reform appears to be holding, although conservatives have recently advocated the removal of a provision that would allow labor unions to select a representative to serve on the Postal Service Board of Governors.
This provision requires that:
(1) such office may not, in the case of any person commencing service after that expiration date, be filled by any person other than an individual chosen from among persons nominated for such office with the unanimous concurrence of all labor organizations described in section 206(a)(1);
Republicans and conservative groups who have expressed serious opposition to this provision are suggesting that “it would give Big Labor undue influence over the USPS, undoubtedly frustrating essential reforms including cutting the USPS’ massive workforce and closing underperforming facilities.”
The House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-VA) has reiterated support for the provision and says he intends to leave it in the legislation, despite the criticism.
The APWU expects that the final bill reforming the Postal Service will include a provision for a labor representative on the Board of Governors and we expect it to be included, as well as other provisions for which we have fought so hard. Removing the provision at this late date would be a breach of the trust built up over months of painstaking negotiations.
We have refrained from placing our friends in Congress in the difficult position of opposing legislation that is supported by others in the postal community. This issue may fracture that wall of solidarity.
William Burrus
President
