Funding Bill Postpones Pre-Funding Due Date

The government funding bill Congress approved over the weekend included a reprieve for the Postal Service: It delays until August the due date for the USPS to make a $5.5 billion payment to pre-fund healthcare benefits for future retirees.

“We are pleased by the postponement, but we recognize the urgency of passing legislation that will correct the underlying cause of the Postal Service’s financial difficulties,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey.

“Congress can act at any time to pass a bill that would severely damage the USPS — or it can resolve the crisis,” he said. “We cannot afford to let our guard down.

“We will do everything in our power to encourage lawmakers to act responsibly and protect service to the American people. We encourage our members to contact their senators and representatives and urge them to support legislation that will bring stability and growth to the U.S. Postal Service.”