US Mail - Not for Sale
On October 8th, 2018, the National Association of Letter Carriers in coordination with other Postal Craft Unions held “rallies” throughout the United States in an effort to bring to the attention of the American public, President Donald Trump’s possible attempt to “privatize” the Postal Service.
President Trump alleges that the Postal Service has too much debt. What he does not say or maybe does not know is that the Postal Service’s debt is largely because of what Congress did in 2006. In 2006, the Congress passed the Postal Service Accountability and Enhancement (PSAE) Act which mandated that of all the Federal and Government agencies, only the Postal Service would be required to prefund their Retiree Health Benefits, 75 years into the future. No private company could afford to do that!
For the first couple of years, the Postal Service contributed over 5 Billion dollars a year and amassed as much as a $50 Billion dollar surplus into the fund. Then in 2008-09 a massive recession sent the American economy into a tailspin. After reaching a total of $50 Billion dollars the Postal Service stopped contributing. Over the past several years, no contributions (5 Billion a year) were made and that is why it appears the Postal Service is hemorrhaging massive deficits.
President Trump is either unaware of the PSAE Act or he is dead set on destroying the Postal Service. The mandate of the Postal Service has always been to “break” even. Private businesses, however, only have one “goal”. That goal is to make a “profit”.
Anyone who says they can deliver mail better than us will only deliver to where they can make a “profit.” They will “cherry-pick” certain parts of the American landscape and by-pass or never deliver to other parts (unless they use the Postal Service). That’s what Amazon and United Parcel Service (UPS) do right now.
Low and middle income areas will not get “private” delivery. A private company will maintain a “local” delivery but not a National system at a “low” rate. Privatization, would only compound the financial problems of the Postal Service because it would only be left with those delivery parts that would be unsustainable. There would a of the further loss of revenue because private companies would “skim” the profitable parts. It would become a “death” spiral.
The Postal Service provides “universal” service to all. It still binds the country together because of its nationwide system. Its rates for certain types of mail are still the same whether it “goes across the street” or “goes across to the other side of the country.’
The Postal Service’s work force of over 500,000 employees is made up of approximately 35% who are former Veteran’s. It is still one of the largest employer’s in the country.
President Trump’s idea, in the opinion of this writer, would severely impact middle class Families and Veteran’s. Many postal workers would lose their jobs and be subject to a “lay-off”. There is truly “no substitute” for this nationwide organization.
Several States have already adopted “vote by mail” which allows even greater number of Americans to participate (approximately 80%) in our democratic processes. Many Letter Carriers are involved in their communities and look out for our Elderly every day. We have a special connection with the public that no private company can provide.
Presently, 219 members from both parties in the House of Representatives support HR-993 which opposes “privatization”. That’s a majority. The Senate has a companion piece of legislation, S-663 which is endorsed and “opposes privatization” by both New York Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.
The October 8th, “RALLY” on Long Island occurred in front of the Huntington Station Post Office. Approximately 250 letter carriers and other craft workers participated. There were several references to the “RALLY” in NEWSDAY, as well as, coverage from Channel 12. I wish to thank those groups for their helping us spread the word to the public and our elected officials.
I also want to thank all of our members and their Families and the other crafts for making the “RALLY” a success.
Finally, I want to remind all that Election Day is November 6th and that we should all be exercising our right to “VOTE” and to “Remember what is at Stake.” Remember, the “U.S. MAIL –IS NOT FOR SALE!” Remember that also when you cast your VOTE on NOVEMBER 6th.
This is the end of the year issue so I wish all of our Veteran’s a “Thank You for Your Service!” I also extend to all of You and Your Families a Happy Thanksgiving and a Joyous Holiday Season and New Year. God Bless!
