{"id":6066,"date":"2013-04-25T21:50:19","date_gmt":"2013-04-26T02:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/?p=6066"},"modified":"2013-04-25T21:50:19","modified_gmt":"2013-04-26T02:50:19","slug":"postal-service-protection-act-gains-support-in-congress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/2013\/04\/25\/postal-service-protection-act-gains-support-in-congress\/","title":{"rendered":"Postal Service Protection Act Gains Support in Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Legislation to restore financial health to the U.S. Postal Service has gained more support in Congress, thanks in large part to the efforts of APWU members who have contacted lawmakers.<\/p>\n

As of April 24, 20 senators and 120 representatives have signed on as co-sponsors of the Postal Service Protection Act<\/a> (S. 316 in the Senate, H.R. 630 in the House).<\/p>\n

The legislation would \u201cgo a long way toward solving the Postal Service\u2019s financial crisis,\u201d said APWU President Cliff Guffey. \u201cIt would make many of the planned cutbacks in service unnecessary; give postal employees a greater sense of security, and give the American people a Postal Service they can count on for the future,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Guffey called on union members to continue reaching out to lawmakers who have not yet signaled their support for the legislation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur members must make sure that lawmakers \u2014 and the public \u2014 realize that widespread plant closings will delay mail by two to three days all week long, in cities and towns across the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlant closures have already forced the USPS to eliminate 25 percent of overnight mail delivery,\u201d Guffey noted in an April mailing to APWU members. \u201cAnother round of closures will cripple service, further weaken this great American institution, make it less relevant, and make it less competitive.<\/p>\n

As key lawmakers in both chambers are said to be close to reaching a bipartisan agreement on postal reform, APWU Legislative and Political Director Myke Reid said, \u201cAdditional support for the Postal Service Protection Act can help convince lawmakers that Congress must act soon to pass a responsible bill that will improve service, protect postal workers, and strengthen the Postal Service in the digital age.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Postal Service Protection Act would:<\/p>\n