Statement from NALC President Fred Rolando on President Obama’s deficit plan
Not a Done Deal:
NALC vows to oppose 5-day delivery in Obama plan
Return of FERS surplus, other short-term relief a good start—but not enough
Monday, Sept. 19 — President Obama sent a deficit-reduction package Sept. 19 to the special joint committee of Congress established by the debt limit law to find ways to reduce the federal budget deficit. The package included a number of reforms to address the financial crisis at USPS.
We are both encouraged and disappointed.
We are encouraged that President Obama is attempting to creatively address the USPS cash crisis through the deficit reduction process and welcome his proposal to return the $6.9 billion postal pension surplus in FERS to the Postal Service as proposed in Rep. Stephen Lynch’s H.R. 1351.
But we are very disappointed that the administration opted for a deferral of the next two pre-funding payments ($5.5 billion each) instead of embracing a permanent reform based on the Lynch bill’s recovery of the even larger CSRS surplus. And we deeply regret that the administration has given in to pressure from the postmaster general and has proposed to eliminate Saturday mail delivery.
The NALC is carefully examining the various elements of the White House plan. It is important to remember that these are just proposals; they cannot become law unless Congress adopts them. We want to assure our members and all those who are interested in preserving the U.S. Postal Service that we will work with everyone involved, including members of the joint congressional committee, to build a strong Postal Service that will continue to provide exceptional service to the public six days a week.
PEN Editor – also see e-Activist message from NALC below:
Dear Supporter,
Chairman Darrell Issa of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee has called a subcommittee mark-up of his bill, H.R. 2309, for Wednesday, September 21, at 1:30 p.m. I am writing to ask that you call your member of Congress on the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy (contact information below). Ask him or her to SHOW UP at the mark-up to fight for the survival of the U.S. Postal Service and its customers and employees, and urge him or her to vote NO on the adoption of H.R. 2309, a radical proposal that does nothing to address the immediate financial concerns of the Postal Service. Instead, it seeks to dismantle the USPS, piece by piece.
Drastically downsizing the Postal Service is not the answer, especially when the real cost will be passed on to postal customers throughout the country. H.R. 2309 has only one co-sponsor, while H.R. 1351, a bill with 206 co-sponsors from both parties, goes right to the heart of the problem and offers real solutions for the Postal Service’s financial future without the use of taxpayer money.
H.R. 2309 fails to address the real cause of the postal financial crisis: a congressional mandate that requires the Postal Service to pre-fund future retiree health benefits at a grossly accelerated rate of $5.5 billion a year. No other agency or company faces such a burden. The bill also fails to return tens of billions of dollars in overpayments to the Postal Service’s portion of the CSRS Pension Fund. Instead, Chairman Issa is asking for:
- a shift to five-day mail delivery service at a cost of 80,000 jobs — many of them held by veterans of the armed forces;
- a new, unelected board to order massive post office and processing facility closures;
- a new, unelected control authority to micro-manage the USPS, with the power to override labor contracts;
- and provisions to intervene in postal collective bargaining and to tilt the process of binding arbitration in favor of management.
In addition to these radical proposals, we are told that new amendments will be considered at the markup this Wednesday that would further slash postal employment and attack workers’ pay and benefits:
- a phase-out of door-to-door delivery and a phase-in of cluster box delivery nationwide, including to the elderly and disabled; and
- damaging and grossly unfair cuts to OWCP benefits.
Congress cannot save the Postal Service by slowly killing it, piece by piece, and by attacking middle-class workers who live and work in all 50 states, red states and blue states alike. Please call your representative and urge him or her to stand up for America’s Postal Service and to vote against the passage of H.R. 2309. Americans deserve a real solution that saves the Postal Service — not one that simply destroys it.
Minority
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) 202-225-8050
Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11) 202-225-1492
Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-7) 202-225-5006
Majority
Rep. Dennis Ross, chairman (FL-12) 202-225-1252 (co-sponsor of H.R. 2309)
Rep. Justin Amash, vice chairman (MI-3) 202-225-3831
Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-4) 202-225-2676
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-3) 202-225-7751
Rep. Connie Mack (FL-14) 202-225-2536
Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-7) 202-225-6276
Rep. Trey Gowdy (SC-4) 202-225-6030
In Solidarity,
Fredric V. Rolando, President
National Association of Letter Carriers
Many of us on the ODL will be severely hurt if this 5-day plan goes into effect. At our office, many of us are working our day off to fill the void of understaffing thanks to our Lakeland district incompetence. Thanks to our president, our PMG, our clueless district – for not caring about mail delivery, but being obsessed with MSP’s, taking three bundles to the street, and a complete rift between management and the work force. I suppose we ODL people will have to look for Saturday and Sunday jobs just to make ends meet.
P.S. Go fly a kite.
Yep, just like I thought…you were waiting frantically to read my response – just as you are right now. You see, the difference between you and me is that I don’t want and I don’t need someone elses income being divided with me. But, that is exactly your belief and desire – if they’re richer than you then it just ain’t fair…they cheated some how. BS!
If you don’t have to worry about finances then why the hell do you, and your demo friends, worry about other peoples finances? such as in ‘share the wealth.’ Listen…please don’t answer that…I don’t want to throw up on my PC.
You? someone’s daddy? gawd, what a thought. I believe I may be correct in thinking that the best part of you ran down your daddy’s leg.
I got an idea….I’ll just call you (D)umbass:)
The only name that has ever bothered me was “kike’ until I came to understand that it was a southern term of jealously. Again your southern ignorance and stupidity are showing. You wish you could be in the position in life where I am. One thing at this point in my life I don’t have to worry about is finances. I may be collecting dividends off of your money, if you know what I mean. If you need another job call me. Until then keep being educated by Rush and Palin and Beck. You lost the election, get over it, let it go bub!
Until then, just call me (D)addy!!!
Did not call you a name dummy (now I am) – I was reminding you of what the ‘D” in your name stands for….again, it is dumbass. Nope, you’re the 47% bud and you are most definitely NOT independently wealthy…not possible…you don’t have a brain to think with so you will never be wealthy (sorry you for for that).
I feel sorta certain that I have, and am, contributing much much more to medicare, medicaid, and social security. You are probably, no matter what you say, less than 50 years old – a high school graduate only (or, a college slacker) – a yankee or from CA, WA, etc.
It also seems obvious that you cannot comprehend most of what you read or have read. Demos have are, and always have been, the spoiled brat in the room and in this nation. All they understand is gimmie gimmie gimmie.
I did not lose – you’re children lost. I am living and have lived a good life other than getting sick at my stomach reading and hearing jargon from the likes of you and your associates.
You are probably waiting by the computer to read what I have to say so you can post some more of your ignornant ramblings. Say it ain’t so and tell another lie. Or, you’ll wait a day or so to post and then deny you were dying to read my response. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Here’s one for you…why don’t you move to Denmark. Just had a neighbor move there and he tells me the income tax rate there is 50% and the health care is free. Sounds just like your kinda place. They’ll take good care of you bubba – so pack your bags, get in your mini-car, and drive across the big blue sea to a nation full of socialists just like yourself.
Now, go lick an obama poster or something.
Tsk…Tsk…name calling does not work here buddy. Your IDEA of democracy lost. Your FOX news and tea party (which failed you miserably) form of campaigning has failed you again as it will again and again. The majority of this society, as shown at the polls, are tired of a–holes like you who think you can bully us with mean words and name calling. Doesn’t phase me one bit as I do my talking at the polls. Also before I logged in here I checked our portfolios and bank accounts and the wife and I are still independently wealthy, not on assistance like you and the rest of these liars that live off of the system and live a life based on ignorance, hatred and fear. You are the 47% killing medicare/medicaid and social security they were referring to, but you just don’t have the guts to admit it. It has been my observation that most people that have this vitriolic modus operandi are usually the ones who themselves and their family members are on government programs of all types and are presently sucking the blood out of the system by trying to get something for nothing and accusing others, which is easy to do from a keyboard. But do me this favor when you lay down to sleep at night, remember that we won and you lost! Canada needs more taxpayers, have you explored that option?
Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim
OH….Just call me (D)addy!!!
I still know what the “D” stands for ole buddy….DUMBASS.
It matters not that YOUR SO-CALLED man won the election. All it proves is this FACT – the majority of this nation citizens have became dependent upon the working peoples taxes – in other words…your government – where’s my check – where’s my food stamps – where’s my free health care – where’s education – where’s my section 8 housing – etc etc etc etc…over and over and over again.
AND, they know for a fact that if they don’t CONTINUE to vote for their democrat suckers then their money pit will go away.
Your (D)addy…has won election again – sad to say – but it proves nothing more than what I just explained to you above. If your constituency – your suck buddies – your homies – or whatever else you call them – don’t somehow LEARN that this nation can’t keep paying for the leach citizens existence and remain the strongest nation on this planet…we WILL become a third world country that is dependent upon our government and that governent will fail under that mountain of debt.
Again – I still know what the ‘D” stands for…dumbass – dumb ‘goverment’ sucker – democrat know nothing – government dependent – and a long laundry list of other nanny state terms.
BTW: Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives – NOT just the blood suckers. Democracy DID NOT prevail – what prevailed was the dead voters – the miss vote miss counts – the back door voting machines – etc etc.
We will rise again and you, and your blood sucking coharts, will still be wining about getting something for nothing. Enjoy your win because in the long run you and your voting nuts have just ruined a big portion of your childrens future. Be happy about that Little d.
” Walter Robinson says:
September 24, 2012 at 8:25 am
I believe I now know what the ‘D’ in D Ray Spencer ”
Sorry for the delay, been partying since the election!
Now do you know what that “D” means?
Does It mean (D)efeated the Fox machine?
Or does it mean (D)emocracy prevailed on Nov. 6?
Or perhaps one party did not do a good job (D)ecieving it’s followers this past election cycle concerning the other party and the true economic progress that has been made despite opposition based on foolish hatred. And the best is yet to come as more evidence of long term economic improvement is slowly revealed such as our future dominance in oil production.
Whatever you thought the “D” meant, just call me (D)addy!!!
We all know there is enough blame to go around. A ” un-fun fact ” to deal with is this: H.R. 6407, the legislation we ( USPS ) realize causes the financial burden, was passed by voice vote in the House, and unanimous consent in the Senate. Therefore you will never be able to pin down how your elected representatives voted. That’s right the yays’ won out over the nays’. How in the world could we support or understand why such an unbeliveable display of unaccountability, that forces billions each year into a fund that has probably already been spent. Look it up, while Congress spends more time on naming post offices.
We’ll see what is means after Nov. 6. At that point you can make it mean whatever makes you pee your pants.
I believe I now know what the ‘D’ in D Ray Spencer stands for.
GO WALTER ROBINSON! PEOPLE PLEASE WAKE UP. !
All Faux News rhetoric!!! This do nothing congress will be out very soon. See you on November 6th.
What in the hell has Obama done for the postal service that insures you keep your job? nothing. What has he done for this nation? nothing. What has he done TO this nation? the list is too long to list.
PAEA was penned by both demos and republicans and voted into law by voice vote so none of these politicians could be blamed for voting for PAEA…naturally many democrats voted for PAEA…which was the demise of USPS.
Damn folks…keep this nation in mind…yes, we want to keep our jobs, and we will, but our nation is going down the damn drain and this potus is slamming it through. He admits he wants to share your wealth and mine – WTF!
STOP following the unions order and vote for YOUR choice of president and politicians…if you desire to keep this nation heading downhill toward being a socialist nation then nobody can stop you…but your children will eventually suffer the consequences of your actions.
No, I don’t like Romney very much either but he’s certainly a better choice than our current potus. If you like the other fella then vote for him – if you do you will regret it sooner or later.
You will lose more than Saturday with Romney, you will lose your job!!
Thank you D Ray Spencer! Well spoken. I agree with you. The prior administration were the ones responsible for the USPS financial woes. I will be voting for Mr. Obama also. I understand that the postal service may need reform, but our monies need to be back were they should be in the USPS. That surplus should be in a bank drawing interest, but I’m sure it has already been spent is the problem. Everyone does want to play the blame game and never take responsibility or put it on the ones who are really responsible. I think Mr. Obama has done a good job with an impossible situation he took on in 2008. Obama didn’t create these problems with our economy, the USPS, the wars, etc. He has tried to pass bills, but our Congress being split has keep most stalmate. Hate does beget hate and violence does beget violence.
I am voting for Mr. Obama, AGAIN! We would not be having this discussion if the s.o.b.’s in the prior administration had kept their special interest guided hands off of the USPS in the 1st place. But everything that bush and haliburton, i mean cheney, did was ok I guess. The USPS woes are being taken out of perspective by someones hatred for a man for whatever the reason. Play the blame game all you want and enjoy the fruits of your labor. It’s the blame game that has our U.S. consulates under attack around the world. Hate begets hate!!! Violence begets violence!!!
The front page of the Postal Record, Sept 2012 Vol.125/No.9 reads “NALC Endorses OBAMA Pages 6-9”.
Why does the NALC vow to oppose 5-day delivery in the “Obama Plan” and then turn around and give him their endorsment? Are we missing something here?
Does the NALC truly oppose what Obama wants to do the the Post Office?????
He DOES NOT have my vote.
I am a letter carrier who has opposed Obama from the beginning. The NALC is just like the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. You embraced the s.o.b. without vetting him. You embraced a snake and got bit, just like the Catholic Bishops. When are you going to wake up and realize who you’re dealing with?
Of course he is going to use the Postal Service as an example for cost cutting and tax cutting. You gave him the power to pretty much do what he wants. You and the Catholic Bishops are going to have to put the brakes on your support for Obama, otherwise more crap is going to roll down the hill. Just like the Catholic Church, the Postal Service has been a target for crticism on the mainstream media because they are such huge targets.
Mismangement by the Postal Service, the NALC and APWU and the U.S. House and Senate have now brought the chickens home to roost. The Ossiah now has complete aurhority. So what is the NALC going to do now? Whine like a little six year old and stomp your feet on the ground? Your pac needs to pull any and all money from Obama. Now!
In an economic crisis it does not serve the nation to lose over 80,000 good paying jobs and replace it with 80,00 people draining the unemployment system and many resorting to other types of public assistance. It takes middle class workers like us at the USPS to be able to spend our hard earned money for our economy to regain our once thriving status.