US Postal Workers to hold vigil, seek public support in stopping ‘devastating cuts’ to service

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Screen Shot 2014-11-14 at 7.45.35 AMMANCHESTER, NH – As a part of a national day of action Nov. 14, NH US Postal Workers will be passing out flyers and talking to the public at several Post Offices across the state. Afternoon leafleting will be followed by a Candlelight Vigil and Funeral Screen Shot 2014-11-14 at 7.56.03 AMProcession at City Hall Plaza from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to mourn the loss of speedy, reliable service. Postal workers want the public to be aware that unless they are stopped, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and the USPS Board of Governors are poised to make devastating cuts in service to the American people – cuts so severe that they would forever damage the U.S. Postal Service.

RELATED STORY: NH USPS Union vigil: ‘Cuts would destroy mail service’

On Jan. 5, the USPS is slated to lower “service standards” virtually eliminating overnight delivery – including first-class mail going from one address to another within the same city or town. Also beginning in January, 82 Mail Processing & Distribution Centers in 37 states are scheduled to close/consolidate.

This will impact service in every state. All mail throughout the country (including medicine, online purchases, local newspapers, bill payments, letters and invitations) would be delayed.

Our entire community would lose business opportunities associated with ecommerce, which relies heavily on the speedy delivery of items ordered online.

These cuts would cause hardships for the public and small businesses, eliminate jobs, and destroy the world’s most efficient and affordable delivery network. It will drive away opportunities and revenue. This same flawed strategy seeks to end Saturday and door-to-door deliveries, cut back post office hours, and make other reductions in mail service.

The Postal Service is NOT funded by taxpayer dollars. These reckless cuts are not necessary and will likely cost the postal service in the long run. The Postal Service, thanks partly to a rapid expansion of package delivery has earned an operating profit of over $1 Billion so far this year.

The Postal Service does not need to be torn apart or privatized. It can continue to provide universal service to all. The obstacles faced by the Postal Service were placed there in 2006, when they were operating with record profits. Congress mandated that the Postal Service pre-fund future retiree health benefits 75 years in advance – something no other public agency or private firm is required to do. That costs the Postal Service $5.6 billion a year.

Postal Reform is needed, not cuts in Service! Fifty-one senators and 160 House members have called for a one-year moratorium on reductions in service and the closing/consolidation of mail processing centers to allow Congress time to enact postal legislation that would improve, not degrade, postal service.

The Postmaster General and USPS Board of Governors should honor their request.

If you are concerned about this issue, call your representative and senators at 1-877-662-
2889 (the Capitol Hill switchboard) and tell them to support the moratorium on plant closings, so the U.S. Postal Service can continue to serve your community.

For more information, visit www.StopMailDelays.org.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!