As I reported last Friday, we learned last week that a serious attempt was under way in Congress to craft a “compromise” postal reform bill. The NALC opposed both the House and Senate bills (H.R. 2309 and S. 1789) for sacrificing Saturday delivery (and 25,000 city carrier jobs) in order to maintain the destructive pre-funding policy adopted in 2006. We strongly oppose efforts to enact a postal bill during the “lame-duck” session of Congress.

My thanks goes out to all who have already contacted their senators and representatives to convey our opposition. If you have not done so yet, please do so now. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard now at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your representatives.

Another way you can communicate with your member of Congress immediately is to visit the Delivering for America website and sign the petition. Congress needs to know that the American public does not support cutting services and rushing postal reform during this post-election period.

Reports are emerging that key House and Senate staffers are meeting this week with a goal of getting by the end of the week an agreement on a compromise bill to present to Senate and House members next week. If we learn that such a deal is imminent, we will organize a national tele-town hall meeting to discuss strategies to stop this legislation.

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT. We must stop this back-room deal before it gets attached to must-pass legislation, such as the “fiscal cliff” law or the Hurricane Sandy relief bill. We need your help and we thank you for your continued vigilance.

In Solidarity,

Fredric V. Rolando, President National Association of Letter Carriers