Volume XXXI No. 12           June 14, 2001

Key Principles Must Be Included

APWU National Executive Board Endorses Postal Reform

On May 24, 2001, the APWU National Executive Board endorsed the concept of postal reform as outlined one week earlier by APWU President Moe Biller in his May 16, 2001 testimony before the House Government Reform Committee.

In his testimony, President Biller summarized APWU's position on postal reform as follows:

". . . I want to outline the principles the APWU considers of fundamental importance should Congress consider legislation to change the Postal Service.

"1. The rate-making process as it presently exists takes too long. Either the present rate-making process must be compressed into six months or less, or it should be replaced with a different process.

"2. Legislation must protect universal postal service, including six-day delivery of mail. This is essential both for the public welfare and for the financial health of the United States Postal Service.

"3. We support the provision of pricing flexibility for the Postal Service. As close observers of the antiquated postal rate-making process, and of the marketplace, we are convinced that the Postal Service has been forced to operate in a highly competitive market with one hand tied behind its back. Additional pricing flexibility is warranted; and

"4. The right to engage in collective bargaining for wages, hours and working conditions must be protected. Postal workers will not accept an effort to go back to 1970. Any such effort, if it were accomplished, would be counterproductive. We have opposed in the past, and will continue to oppose, legislation that places an artificial cap on postal wages. Such legislation would strike at the heart of free collective bargaining."

APWU Supports Congressional Resolutions

APWU is supporting resolutions in the Senate and the House of Representatives that call for preserving six-day delivery. To find out how you can help, see the "Stand Up! Fight Back!" poster that accompanies this bulletin.

Alabama State Convention Delegates Raise $7,000

Kansas State Convention Collects $8,521 for COPA

APWU locals and members attending conferences, seminars and conventions have stepped up their fundraising efforts for APWU's Committee On Political Action. With the possibility of postal reform legislation on the horizon, a strong COPA fund is vital to APWU's efforts to make sure postal workers are protected.

Members attending the Kansas State Convention decided they were ready to "Stand Up & Fight!" " they beefed up the COPA fund with $8,521.84. Alabama State Convention delegates also made a substantial contribution, giving $7,000 to the COPA fund.

The following group contributions have been reported since the last News Service contributions list:

Kansas State Convention..... ....................... $8,521.84

Topeka, KS Local.............. ....................... 3,133.84

Wichita, KS Area Local...... ....................... 1,383.00

Western Area Supply Center Area Local...... ....................... 411.00

Kansas Kaw Valley Area Local.............. ....................... 224.00

Manhattan, KS Local.............. ....................... 150.00

Fort Scott, KS Local.............. ....................... 102.00

Kansas Kaw Valley Area Local Auxiliary ....................... 100.00

Kansas Kaw Valley Area Local Retirees ....................... 100.00

Alabama State Convention..... ....................... 7,000.00

Montgomery, AL Area Local ....................... 5,100.00

New York State Educational Conference.... ....................... 5,106.00

Washington State Convention..... ....................... 2,400.00

Alaska State Convention..... ....................... 1,215.00

New Jersey Shore Area Local.............. ....................... 1,088.00

Salmont, CA Area Local...... ....................... 1,025.00

Hawaii State Convention..... ....................... 1,005.00

AR, IA, MO Tri-State Convention..... ....................... 626.00

Rochester, NY S/C Area Local.............. ....................... 422.00

Greater Cincinnati, OH Area Local...... ....................... 324.00

California Area Local.............. ....................... 294.00

Charleston, WV Local....... ....................... 285.50

National Auxiliary Executive Board............. ....................... 260.00

Wyoming State Convention..... ....................... 256.00

Long Island, NY Area Local ....................... 228.00

Akron, OH Metro Area Local.............. ....................... 200.00

Secretary-Treasurer Seminar in

  Fargo, ND.... ....................... 143.00

Southwest Florida Area Local.............. ....................... 90.00

Richmond, VA Local Auxiliary ....................... 80.00

Glens Falls, NY Local........ ....................... 20.00

Acknowledgment for Group Contributions

Important: For correct handling and acknowledgment, send all group contributions to COPA, APWU Accounting Department, 1300 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Individual contributions should be sent to APWU/COPA, PO Box 96542, Washington, DC  20090-6542.

Contributions or gifts to COPA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.