April 2003

The Delegation met with more than seventy-five congress persons and senators. In several instances, our lobbyist met with staffers. As there are many issues, legislators must rely on their staff to talk with their constituents, research issues, and then report their results. But it is our legislators that vote on your issues and it is our responsibility to see that they are informed and urged to vote on our behalf.

I was again amazed at the number of meetings that our legislators have each day with groups that want them to represent their interests. Because of the many daily meetings scheduled for our Representatives, our meeting times were very limited. Our emphasis the first day was on House Bill HR-735 and Senate Bill S-380. Both Bills addressed overpayment by the Postal Service of its CSRS retirement obligations. Passage would save the Post Office billions of dollars each year by reducing its payments into the CSRS Fund. The Senate passed S-380 and the House adopted and passed HR-735.

We cautioned our congressional leaders that passage of S-380 was, at most, a quick fix for postal service problems. Falling postage revenue resulting from reduced mail volume complied with growing delivery points (approximately two million additional deliveries each year) spells financial disaster for the Post Office.

This leads to the next message we took to Congress.

We expressed our concerns with the commission President Bush appointed to report on the future of the Postal Service. The commissions report is due by July 31, 2003. It is very important that we get our

message to Congress now. We believe any postal reorganization legislation must contain language that retains our collective bargaining and arbitration process. Postal reform must contain continuance of our universal service mandate. It is a constant that our customers have become to rely on and is the corner stone of the Postal Service.

We have also requested that any legislation contain pricing and product flexibility. Current regulations require long delays in adjusting the cost of postage and services. Other companies that compete for postal services are not under such restrictions.

We must also have the flexibility to timely develop products and services as the opportunities arise. We pointed out the need to improve revenue possibilities as the internet captures revenue previously generated by 1st Class mail service. As business moves to reduce their costs (by both sending bills and receiving payments via E-mail and internet) further revenue will be lost. We must have the flexibility to adjust.

As the Postal Service’s delivery points increase to two million per year, we must be able to increase revenue to cover such additional costs. It is very important for each postal employee to understand that we, your Branch representatives, went to Congress to express your needs.

However, it is just as important that the message we delivered to Congress is supported by calls and letters sent by you confirming the need for: (1) Preserving Collective Bargaining. (2).Maintaining the universal service mandate. (3) Pricing and product flexibility.

If you have any questions on these or other legislative issues, contact a Branch officer. They will be able to answer your questions or have someone contact you who can.

I also attended the State Rap Session held in Pasadena last month. It was attended by several other branch representatives who I am sure benefited from the several classes.

As with every time I have attended several classes in the past, I always look for additional information that will aid our Branch.

I found most interesting a class given by Regional Administrative Assistant Ed White. It covered management’s regulations on employee staffing.

I have requested staffing statistics for Bakersfield and each of its stations. As time allows, I will review the staffing to insure all regulations are followed.

NALC National President William H. Young addressed those in attendance with a slide presentation that pointed out the future prospects of the Postal Service.  It painted a bleak picture for the financial future of the Postal Service. It addressed the declining revenue and rising costs. President Young stated he wanted to make the presentation available for each Branch.

As I left for Washington DC, I became aware that Mike Gonzales had passed away. Mike has been retired for several years. I remember him as a Carrier who was dedicated to his patrons and the Postal Service. He was a Carrier that went about his business quietly and professionally. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

As I close, let me urge you to participate in the "11th annual “Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive”. Our national effort is a very critical part of food banks in every community across this nation!

In Solidarity,

F. A. THOMASY