The union busters in Congress who are trying to strangle the last gasps of life out of the middle class have a challenge going up against the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). They plan to divide and conquer us. Well they better have a new plan as that's not happening.
Having just returned from the NALC National Convention in Minneapolis it is clear that despite our deep regional diversity this union is united. We understand the formidable tasks ahead of us and stand in solidarity against the forces that seek to destroy us.
The political battle against is going to be fierce. I spoke to carriers from across the country. From our nations biggest cities to our small rural towns, it seems both carriers and the American public are in agreement, that the Postal Service is a trusted and valuable part of American life.
Delivering mail is not a partisan activity. Letter Carriers do not care about the political leanings of our patrons and the people we deliver to couldn't care less about our views on politics. It's a basic and valuable government service.
Our country is polarized by many issues but there is no disharmony on the issue of mail delivery . Congressman Issa and his union busting followers have run into a wall on H.R.2309, aka the Postal Destruction Bill. Rural voters whether Democrat or Republican are not too happy that their Post Office is going to be closed. City dwellers whether Republican or Democrat are not too happy they will no longer get mail delivery to their door. The elderly whether Democrat or Republican are confused on how they will mail a letter or pick up their mail when their mailbox is at the end of the street. Small Business owners whether Republican or Democrat are trying to figure out how they will cope with not getting mail on Saturday.
An onerous annual $5.5 billion pre funding mandate by Congress has created this crisis. It's an unparalleled mandate that no other business or government agency has to comply with.
If the USPS was a non government and non-union workplace. Issa and his followers would be quick to hold the Postal Service up as an example of what is great about America. The USPS is our nations second largest employer and is the most efficient andleast expensive postal service in the world. It does this without a penny of tax payer money. Instead Congress has manufactured a crisis that has caused extremist politicians to act in a manner that accelerates the crisis and not solve it. Letter Carriers and the American public will not be divided and conquered this time.
Originally Posted at the NH Labor News with images from the NALC Convention.
Post written by Bill Brickley for the NH LABOR NEWS
Bill is a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, serving on the NH Letter Carrier Executive Board as CD1 Legislative Liaison. Also serves on the NH AFL-CIO Executive Board. Former NH Area Coordinator Amnesty International and NH Labor News Blogger Follow him on twitter @BillBrickley