e-Team Report, Feb. 1, 2013

Upcoming Senate Hearing on Postal Finances

As has been previously reported, Republicans and Democrats were unable to reach a consensus on comprehensive postal reform legislation in the last Congress.

In this new Congress, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, have pledged to negotiate a compromise and finally pass postal reform legislation.  Said Carper, “I think we narrowed our differences. . . . In terms of negotiations, we’re in the red zone.”

In order to move the ball on postal reform, Sen. Carper is scheduling his committee’s very first hearing on the financial difficulties facing the Postal Service and how to address them.

To read more about the upcoming postal finances hearing, please click here.

Who Is Your Legislative & Political Grassroots Coordinator?

Grassroots Coordinators are here to help support local presidents, legislative directors, and APWU members with matters related to federal legislation, COPA fundraising, and political activities that affect postal workers.  Check the map below to find your Grassroots Coordinator!

Janice Kelble
Office:         603-934-5022
Mobile:        603-513-8176
E-Mail:        jkelble@apwu.org 
Matt Kent
Office:         202-216-2657
Mobile:        202-285-3167
E-Mail:        mkent@apwu.org
Melissa Matos
Office:         202-842-4286
Mobile:        202-230-8508
E-Mail:        mmatos@apwu.org

USPS Job Cuts Weigh Heavily on Minorities and Veterans 

Cuts to the U.S. Postal Service labor force have had distinct effects on many segments of the American workforce.  The Postal Service is one of the largest employers of all minorities, led by African-Americans who make up 20 percent of postal workers and in some urban areas represent 75 to 80 percent of postal employees.  For many minority groups the Postal Service offered jobs that provided security, decent pay and benefits that allowed workers to adequately provide for their families and build vibrant communities.  The decimation of postal and other public sector jobs continues to effect other populations as well, such as veterans.  Veterans make up 22 percent of the postal workforce and nearly a third of those are disabled.  For groups like African-Americans, other minorities and veterans, instability at the Postal Service will continue to have negative consequences.

For more on the effects of USPS job cuts and minorities and veterans, please click here.

Postal Reform Can’t Wait!

As an editorial appearing this week in The Buffalo News noted, comprehensive postal reform can’t come soon enough!  The editorial is correct to note that unnecessary burdens placed on the Postal Service by Congress have stifled its ability to compete effectively and threaten its continued operation.  The Buffalo News commented on the urgent need for Congress to intervene and Save America’s Postal Service: “Few would dispute the fact that even with advances in technology, the Postal Service remains necessary. Congress must act now to keep the system viable.”

To read the editorial in full, please click here.

AFL-CIO’s Favors Comprehensive Immigration Reform that Strengthens Labor Rights for All

Currently, there are an estimated 10 to 12 million undocumented workers in the United States.  These workers are often exploited by unscrupulous employers that benefit from workers’ undocumented status by avoiding wage, tax, health and safety laws which drive down standards for all workers: undocumented, documented and native-born.  The AFL-CIO favors comprehensive immigration reforms that strengthen organized labor for American and foreign-born workers by including status adjustment for current undocumented persons; improving –not expanding—the administration of work authorization and temporary worker programs, and; rational operational control of the border.  Sensible immigration reform, promoting unity and recognizing the common bond of all workers ensures that the workforce in the U.S. will not be weakened by pitting workers against workers.

For more on the AFL-CIO’s principles for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, please click here.