{"id":3985,"date":"2012-03-27T23:17:59","date_gmt":"2012-03-28T04:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/?p=3985"},"modified":"2012-03-27T23:17:59","modified_gmt":"2012-03-28T04:17:59","slug":"senate-action-on-postal-bill-expected-in-mid-april","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/2012\/03\/27\/senate-action-on-postal-bill-expected-in-mid-april\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate Action on Postal Bill Expected in Mid-April"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Senate is expected to vote on postal legislation in mid-April, following a congressional recess, APWU Legislative and Political Director Myke Reid has reported. The postal bill, S. 1789, is expected to be the Senate\u2019s first order of business when lawmakers return to the Capitol on April 16.<\/p>\n

The APWU has been sharply critical of the bill in its current form. \u201cThis legislation will provide short-term relief but inflict long-term damage on the USPS,\u201d APWU President Cliff Guffey said. \u201cIt will force the Postal Service to dismantle its network and impose severe cuts in service to the American people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Numerous lawmakers, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have been advocating changes to the bill that would address many of the union\u2019s concerns. The APWU is urging senators to support several changes that would address the underlying cause of the Postal Service\u2019s financial crisis and prevent devastating cuts in service and the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs. (See below.)<\/p>\n

Guffey is calling on locals and state organizations to take advantage of the congressional recess to press the union\u2019s case with legislators. \u201cLocals and state organizations should begin contacting senators\u2019 offices immediately to request meetings to discuss the bill,\u201d he said. \u201cWe should involve as many members as possible in these activities,\u201d he said. More information and material will be forthcoming.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe clock is ticking,\u201d Guffey said. \u201cWe are approaching the end of the six-month moratorium on the closing and consolidation of mail processing plants and post offices, so it is crucial that our members impress upon their senators the importance of passing legislation that gets it right.\u201d The moratorium, which is intended to give Congress time to address the Postal Service\u2019s financial crisis without severe cutbacks in service and jobs, expires May 15. Postal managers have announced that they intend to begin implementing closures as soon as the moratorium expires, and to complete as many as possible by the end of August.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe union\u2019s national officers have been working non-stop to get our message across to legislators,\u201d Guffey continued. \u201cWe realize, however, that members of Congress are most receptive to input from voters in their districts. For that reason, it is essential that locals and state organizations reach out to their senators during the congressional recess.\u201d<\/p>\n

APWU Seeks Changes to Senate Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n

The APWU is endorsing amendments to:<\/p>\n