2019: Another Year of Change
As we begin the New Year, we see a change in the makeup of the Congress. Previously, all three parts were controlled by a Republican majority. The House, the Senate and the Presidency.
In 2019, the House will be under the control of the Democrats. With this split, there will either be an effort to reach decisions by consensus or compromise. Otherwise, there will be impasse and deadlock. Some would advocate that deadlock is good because nothing gets changed. Can American politics and its constituents survive when there is deadlock?
Probably the worst case scenario in my opinion, would be a deadlock because nothing gets done. If that occurs, then the American people will suffer. I say this because the infrastructure in this country needs to be addressed and we cannot afford to delay action for another 2 years.
Roads and bridges and airports are crumbling. Will our Congress and President “fiddle like Nero when he allowed Rome to burn?”
The National deficit is also another problem. The tax cuts that were granted to the wealthy and business have increased the deficit and the only way that we will be able to reduce it is by “raising taxes” at some point in time. Those who have gained the most should be required to help the most. As interest rates rise, the government debt will grow even larger unless we begin reducing it.
The NALC and its members also need to have the problems that face the Postal Service addressed. Can a divided Congress solve those problems with “pre-funding of health benefits.”
Even if Congress crafts a solution, will a President who seems intent on “privatizing” the Postal Service support it. The next two years may be the turning point where the Country moves forward or simply stagnates. Is the current government “shut-down” the sign of things to come?
In addition to these issues, the NALC will begin negotiations sometime in June of 2019 because in September our current National Agreement will have expired. It seems like we just negotiated a contract but the reality is it took us over 19 months to negotiate and ratify the last one. It runs from 2016 to 2019.
The difficulty with 2019 may be if we are in a “booming” economy or a recession. Will unemployment be low? Will Wall Street be profitable? Who knows? Much of this, however, will be based on what the Congress and the President not only say but what they do.
2019 will be the year of action or inaction. Unfortunately, as it comes to a close, we will be in the beginnings of the next Presidential run-off. We must all keep our “eyes” on what occurs or does not occur in 2019.
Finally, we also need to be watching the “new” National leaders of the NALC. There are several “new” National resident Officers who were either appointed in early 2018 and then elected in October of 2018. Negotiating a “new” contract in 2019 will be a test for all of them. In addition to the National resident Officers, of the 15 National Business Agents, 3 of these were recently appointed in 2017. Another 10 were either elected by acclamation(not challenged) at the July 2018 National Convention or elected in October of 2018.
We must all wish them success in the challenge of negotiating a “new” contract and be prepared to support President Rolando and all of the Officers if the need arises whether it be for negotiating a “new” contract or legislative activities that are sure to occur in 2019. Their success is our success. In Unity there is Strength. I will close by wishing all a Healthy, Safe and Happy New Year and “new” beginnings for us All. Yours for the Union!
