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Grassroots Efforts Growing
(This article first appeared in the May/June 2003 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)
Bolstered by the Congressional Black Caucus and activist groups, the cause to preserve the U.S. Postal Service — and postal jobs — has become the focus of a nationwide campaign.
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) made its views known on the importance of preserving the nation's mail system in a letter to the President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service that was read into the Congressional record on March 12. The CBC noted that President Bush established the commission "on the premise that modern telecommunications, the Internet, electronic transfers and electronic bill paying may justify or require changes in the Postal Service."
"Millions of Americans," noted CBC Chairman Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), "especially those who are economically disadvantaged and older Americans, do not have access to these means of communications. For them, the Postal Service continues to provide the only practical and available means of communication and commerce. Any change to the Postal Service that would affect the continued availability of universal mail service at uniform rates would threaten to further erode their economic security."
The CBC took issue with advocates of privatization as well, writing, "For Americans in our rural areas and for many in our inner cities, a profit motive cannot support provision of essential services. This has always been and must remain the responsibility of our government."
The CBC statement also cautioned "against any change that would undermine the economic security of postal employees." Noting that the Postal Service employs hundreds of thousands of women, African-Americans and other racial minorities, as well as veterans, it warned of "the potential of reducing employment opportunities for veterans (who enjoy preferential treatment) and groups under-represented in private industry (women and people of color)."
Coalition Formed
A coalition chaired by a former member of the CBC was formed earlier this year. A national coalition of citizens' groups, the Consumer Alliance for Postal Services (CAPS) is chaired by former U.S. Rep. William L. Clay Sr. (D-MO), who served for many years on the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee. During 32 years in Congress, Clay was a great friend to postal workers and everyday postal customers.
Further coalition-building is a goal of CAPS, which is reaching out to many other consumer, civic, and labor organizations that have a stake in maintaining the Postal Service as a public service. Among the national organizations that have joined forces are the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the AFL-CIO, and the A. Phillip Randolph Institute.
The APWU and CAPS are reaching out to other national organizations. Many APWU locals are reaching out in their communities as well.
During the union's National Presidents' Conference in St. Louis at the end of March, APWU President William Burrus unveiled a grassroots action kit that is designed to help APWU state and local organizations build community opposition to detrimental changes in postal policy and operations. Also included is information to help locals build opposition to plant consolidation plans.
"We are encouraging our members to begin their outreach efforts immediately," Burrus said. "We cannot wait until the Presidential Commission releases its report.
