Normally during the holiday/winter season activity slows down somewhat for local/state union representatives.  Not so this winter.  Things have been happening at a pretty hectic pace for quite awhile and there is no slowdown in sight.

Postal management is intent on continuing their plant consolidation plan with 82 more closings scheduled in 2015.  Four plants in Ohio are still under the gun - Akron, Youngstown, Toledo and Dayton.  We are fighting to save these places and we have solicited the assistance of the Ohio AFL-CIO.  In the next few weeks we will debut a website that will help us get the message out to the public about how mail service will be adversely affected if the four plants are consolidated.  The site is being designed by a firm associated with the Ohio AFL-CIO and is being financed by the local unions, the OPWU and our national union.  

Part of the combined effort will be a series of "robocalls" that will specifically target groups like senior citizens, veterans, faith-based organizations, and bulk mailers.  The Ohio AFL-CIO has generously agreed to finance the first 40,000 calls.  We need the public to get upset about their loss of mail service so that they will contact their elected officials.  Hopefully when congress people start hearing from them more attention will get paid to this most important issue.

Delivery Standards Changed

On January 5 the USPS changed the overnight delivery standards and now one day first class mail service now has become two to three day service.  This was done despite the somewhat loud protest from members of Congress who wanted to keep the delivery standards that were in place from July of 2012.  Reports from around Ohio certainly indicate that the processing of mail has slowed considerably.

House Resolution 54

On January 25 a bipartsian coalition of a dozen U.S. representatives took a stand for prompt, reliable mail service.  Reps Dave McKinley (R-WV) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced the resolution that expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Postal Service should take all appropriate measures to restore service standards in effect as of July, 2012.  So far, two Ohioans have signed on as co-sponsors:  Marcy Kaptur and David Joyce.

PMG Donahoe Leaves

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe has taken retirement and left the USPS.  He also took along a $4 million+retirement package, then said that he felt postal employees should not feel they are entitled to a postal retirement!!  Wow - can you believe the gaul of this guy!  Good ridance.  The problem is that his replacement is not going to be any better.

$889 Million Pledged!

I wonder how many of you are aware that the infamous Koch Brothers have pledged to donate $889 million in the 2016 election.  These guys want all Democrats out of office.  Does this prove the need for campaign finance reform?

Contract Negotiations

Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement for employees represented by the APWU will begin on February 19.  Our current contract expires in May.  Our national negotiating team is trying a somewhat different approach in that they are attempting to involve our members more.  The theme of negotiations is going to be "Our Postal Service - Yesterday - Today - Forever". Should be a very difficult negotiating process.

Terry Grant, President OPWU AFL-CIO