NATIONAL
Amid rallies against cuts, Postmaster resigns
(Nov. 14, 2014) — Those participating in today’s rallies in Seattle, Tacoma, Wenatchee and across the nation to oppose additional cuts at the U.S. Postal Service, now have something to celebrate. U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe announced this morning that he is stepping down, effective Feb. 1, 2015.
That’s welcome news for the unions representing postal employees.
“Over the summer, delegates to the American Postal Workers Union national convention voted unanimously for his resignation,” reads a statement issued this morning by APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “We hope that the next Postmaster General will reverse Donahoe’s policies of lowering standards, reducing hours, outsourcing work and diminishing a great American institution. We call on USPS’ Board of Governors to immediately freeze Donahoe’s policies and to do no more harm.”
TAKE A STAND! Join members of America’s four postal unions and their community supporters TODAY (Friday, Nov. 14) in a National Day of Action urging Donahoe and the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors to Stop Delaying America’s Mail!
Tacoma — from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Processing and Delivery Center, 4001 S. Pine St. See today’s News Tribune story.
Wenatchee — 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Wenatchee Area Local, 301 Yakima St.
Seattle — 4 to 5 p.m. at the Terminal Station & Seattle Carrier Annex, 4th Ave. & Lander St. Sunset is at 4:30 p.m., so bring flashlights, bike lights and other blinking lights to light up the signs and the rally!
On Jan. 5, 2015, prior to his resignation, Postmaster General Donahoe and the USPS Board of Governors are poised to make devastating cuts in service to the American people — cuts so severe that they will forever damage the U.S. Postal Service. In an Oct. 16 letter calling for the National Day of Action to stop the cuts, the presidents of the four postal unions — the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) and National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) — said:
► The USPS is slated to lower “service standards” to virtually eliminate overnight delivery — including first-class mail from one address to another within the same city or town.
► All mail, including medicine, online purchases, local newspapers, church bulletins, bill payments, sale notices, throughout the country will be delayed.
► Beginning Jan. 5, 2015, 82 Mail Processing and Distribution Centers are scheduled to close or “consolidate operations.”
These cuts will cause hardships for customers, drive away business, cause irreparable harm to the U.S. Postal Service, and lead to massive schedule changes and reassignments for employees. They are part of a flawed management strategy that has unnecessarily sacrificed service and failed to address the cause of the Postal Service’s manufactured financial crisis.
The unions have set up a website — www.StopMailDelays.org — to share information and resources.
CHECK OUT THE UNION DIFFERENCE in Washington: higher wages, affordable health and dental care, job and retirement security.
FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN TOGETHER with your co-workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and a voice at work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!
