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Postal Reform Update
House Panel Drafts Reform Legislation
Senate Action Expected Before End of May
News Service #7-2004, May 7, 2004 | PDF
The House Government Reform Committee is circulating a bipartisan postal reform bill that could be introduced next week and voted on by the panel at a May 12 meeting. The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act is expected to be introduced by Reps. Tom Davis (R-VA), John McHugh (R-NY), Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Danny Davis (D-IL).
Committee staffers are discussing the draft bill with interested parties - including postal management, the unions, mailing industry insiders, and USPS competitors - in an attempt to resolve several remaining issues. A "mark-up" of the bill, initially scheduled for May 6, was postponed.
The APWU has been evaluating the draft and expressing our concerns to legislators and staff, and is withholding final judgment on the bill until it is completed and formally introduced.
The draft bill would not restrict collective bargaining rights or impose explicit limitations on workers' pay and benefits. It would, however, replace fact-finding, a rarely-used part of the collective bargaining process, with mediation.
The draft bill also would speed up the postal rate-making process and give the Postal Service more flexibility to adjust rates. In addition, it would return the obligation of paying for the military service portion of postal workers' retirement benefits to the U.S. Treasury. The APWU supports these provisions.
Still unresolved is the issue of the excessive postage discounts granted to major mailers. A provision prohibiting "worksharing" discounts that exceed the costs the Postal Service would avoid if it performed the work in-house is listed in the draft among "Remaining Issues." The APWU supports such a provision; mailing industry executives oppose it.
"We are pleased that the Committee has rejected many of the anti-worker and anti-consumer proposals of the President's Commission on the Postal Service," said APWU President William Burrus. "However, we remain seriously concerned about the powers that would be given to a new Postal Regulatory Commission.
"Furthermore," he continued, "we believe excessive postage discounts - which subsidize the mailing industry at the expense of the Postal Service, postal customers, and postal workers - must be eliminated. We cannot allow corporate mailers to starve the Postal Service of the revenue it needs to provide the high level of service the American people demand and deserve."
Senate Bill a Concern
Meanwhile, interested parties are waiting to see what will be included in a bill that will be introduced by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), chair of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The bill is expected to be introduced by the end of May.
The union is concerned that the Senate bill will contain some of the Commission's anti-worker proposals. The Senate bill may include language that would reduce workers' compensation benefits; restrict the right of workers to file EEO complaints; and require the unions to negotiate for retirement and health care benefits for new employees.
The Senate bill also may grant greater powers to a Postal Regulatory Board, including the right to establish wage comparability for postal workers.
Dues Assessment Will Aid in the Battle
Echoing the sentiments he expressed 10 months ago, APWU President William Burrus has announced that the special dues assessment authorized by the National Executive Board to fund legislative battles will be implemented with a $2 deduction from members' paychecks during Pay Period 14-04. The assessment will be reflected on paychecks dated July 2.
"We have to be prepared to do everything in our power to defend consumers and workers," Burrus said. "We must do whatever is necessary to preserve our interests and the interests of the American public. The APWU simply has to be ready to loudly support or oppose whatever we encounter on Capitol Hill."
The special assessment of union members' dues was approved by the NEB on July 8. Passed in a nearly unanimous vote by the 12-member board, the assessment motion was introduced by Burrus and is authorized by Article 16.3 of the APWU Constitution and Bylaws. The board approved an $8 assessment per member, to be paid in $2 increments over the course of four pay periods. Only the first of the $2 assessments is scheduled.
"The goal is to raise enough money to finance a campaign that will thwart any legislation that would undermine postal services in America and provide further giveaways to the mailing industry," Burrus said. "We intend to do whatever it takes to prevent the destruction of the Postal Service."
"This special assessment should not be confused with the union's COPA fund-raising drive," Burrus said, referring to the APWU Committee On Political Action. By law, dues cannot be put towards political campaign contributions.
APWU Member Killed in Iraq
APWU member Lawrence Roukey, who worked in the Portland P&DC, was killed in action April 26 in Iraq. Roukey, 33, was a sergeant in the Army Reserves.
"This local lost a co-worker and a friend," said Scott Adams, general president of the Portland (ME) Area Local. "The members of this local are deeply affected. At this time our utmost concern is for Larry's family."
"We're all saddened by this loss," said APWU President William Burrus. "Many APWU members, their sons, and their daughters have answered the call to duty. We pray for their safe return and hope that no others have to make the ultimate sacrifice."
Roukey had been with the Postal Service since being hired as a part-time clerk in 1999. Last June, he switched to a maintenance job, both to become a regular employee and to spend more time with his wife, Ryann, his son, Nicholas, 2, and a stepdaughter, Sonya, 15.
Contributions can be sent to: Lawrence Roukey Family Fund, c/o William Keller, 10 Pine Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105.
