17 thoughts on “House Committee Approves Amendment To Restore Postal Service Standards”

1. Too little, too late! With our cancelers gone, local mail still has to travel to the gaining office and back to where it started. Brilliant idea!

2. I’m a very accomplished MPE within the Area that I serve. I have spent many days on the road moving equipment out of one plant and reassembling in another. I agree that the damage has already been done. The smaller P&DCs were so much more productive and efficient than the larger ones. Even if the delivery standards are turned back, the restoration of the closed P&DCs will not. In fact, I will say, in my home plant, we have taken on so much mail from surrounding towns, that we constantly have delayed mail. And I’m not talking about 4 to 5 days, I’m talking about 10 days and longer. The National Rationalization plan is not working. The Plan has caused the slowing of mail dramatically and has placed an unfair burden on our customers. To me its all about our customers, without them, we would all be jobless. I think that the leaders of the USPS in Washington D.C. have forgotten what’s printed on the back of their paycheck stubs when they receive it every two weeks.

3. Combine Pony Express dedication with today’s equipment and should never be a complaint !

4. Nothing is going to change

5. Now, on to the subject after that long rant (it felt good to type it up – a little cyber venting if you will). Again, we see progress restoring standards to the previous ones outlined in July 2012, led by whom? Mark Dimondstein and the APWU.
   There is no mention of NALC involvement. In fact, unlike years past where the NALC was the primary backbone of the four postal unions, that leadership role has shifted to the APWU thanks to the assertive efforts of Dimondstein, who has been a dynamo since he first started, going after Congress and management like a pit bull, refusing to back down, and showing real balls and integrity at least on the public forum. I applaud his efforts.
   But I’m a city letter carrier and a career long NALC member. We had a fine legacy of tough leaders, from the legendary Vince Sombrotto and his equally tough Bill Young. Then, Fred Rolando took over, and a pacifism and a seeming unwillingness to stand up and fight became the visible norm. If the NALC is operating behind the scenes with the same effectiveness, fine, but I’m not seeing it.
   We should never praise the PMG publically during such a time of duress for both management and craft, yet we posted articles that were approvals of PMG Brennan’s first couple of weeks in office, when it was obvious she was on the same destructive path her predecessor Pat Donahoe was on. We do not see the NALC seizing initiatives like the APWU is doing on, but waiting to see what it’s doing instead before issuing statements, at least on the surface.
   I fully realize that I may be totally wrong about this view – I’m not on the inside and would have no idea as a result just what does go on behind closed doors, so to speak. However, I can comment on the appearance of the NALC, and outside the Postal Record, there isn’t much. Perhaps this is my real concern – I feel that public pressure has been much more effective in keeping management at bay, and the NALC needs to step up its public role. I can’t do anything legislatively because my Representative and Senators are right wing Republicans who are long on cliches and dumbing themselves down to appeal to the simple minded while voting for every antiworker bill that they ever consider. But the NALC and the other unions can, and that’s why I still give to COLCPE. Time to get rough and mean again, gents.

6. Republicans never cared about their constituents except for votes and contributions. Democrats aren’t angels, either, but my own Rep voted against the amendment, and he’s a hard core Republican right out of the Bachmann/Perry ideology.
   What so many refuse to acknowledge or simply do not understand is that while pandering is rampant from both parties, nobody stoops lower and scrapes the bottom of the shit barrel than a Republican. They have done a masterful job of concealing their real goals and intentions thanks to the media, which is basically a propaganda machine and mouthpiece for both sides, the primary victim here journalistic truth and integrity. It has allowed our politicians to cater to racism and prejudice. It allows total and complete distortions of news to better serve the interests of those who control such outlets as FOX News, MSNBC, CNN and talk radio, which is totally dominated by the worst of the worst personalities, Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, Valentine and Ingram, to name a few.
   These are spin machines, told what to talk about, how to talk about it and paint scenarios that malign the opposite side whenever possible. Democrats typically don’t waste their time with these assholes, but GOP voters and the Christian right gobble up the hate and lies like it was Thanksgiving.
   A cross section of those most enamored with the GOP reveals much: rural areas with much lower education records, old men, zealous Christians and just plain mean stupid hate mongers who never bothered to teach themselves anything and for some strange reason have no ability to consider a topic with dignity or fairness.
   I have been verbally attacked when I wasn’t talking to these people who think I’m a far left liberal and suddenly start yelling at me about whatever issue has their dander up. I try to tell them they can believe whatever they want, I don’t want to get in an argument, but they will not shut up, and have followed me around trying to start a fight on many occasions. When somebody does differ with their opinion, they all to a “T” become insanely belligerent.
   So this is the kind of person the GOP wants – a sucker, afraid of anything that is out of their comfort zone, operates on cliches and buzzwords, and believes anything their precious lawmaker or spin doctor tells them.
   I couldn’t count the times when I posted something that didn’t even mention politics that some dumbass GOP jerk didn’t call me names on his post, insulted me and acted like the juvenile they ultimately are. Even after responses with pointed direct questions, they refuse or cannot answer because they don’t know how to respond in anything but childish behavior.
   And it goes without saying, their spelling and grammar is atrocious, facts are often wrong, and some other dunderhead is there to cheer his fellow idiot along. I had decided not to post political comments any more here, but after being attacked several times without provocation I had to say my piece, because, whether those GOP goons like it or not, I have the same rights to freedom of expression as they do, and damned if I’ll let them shut me up.

7. It is a start in the right direction. The horror story’s that we have been hearing with how slow the mail is moving etc. is really sad! It is a bi-partisan issue and cannot believe any representative would vote against this bill especially since congress helped create it by the postal mandate! Lets get this taken care of for the customers of the postal service and good paying job and benefits!

8. It’s 2 late 4 the Queens P&D.C., regardless. Flats r already totally gone and dbcs/dps r vanishing be 4 our eyes.

9. It will never happen. Like Larry Bel Air said the processing centers are gone and so are most of the experienced Postal Workers. They can not get the mail to the offices the next day with the transport system that is in place. All the old timers could see this coming but the public only cared when their mail didn’t show up. or did 2 days later. The word service is gone from the term Postal Service. Look at the long lines, the late expresses and priority and even Amazon is looking at drones again because we could not get the scan and delivery percentages they wanted. Upper management has started the end of the Post Office as it was once known, and their blind eyes and deaf ears won’t do anything even if their was a law passed.

10. At last a committee with the good of communication at heart ! GREAT !

11. If this amendment enacted, we’re going to be in deep doo-doo, facilities were closed, mail processing equipment were removed. we can hardly get the mail move as it is with the 24hrs op.

12. Like I’ve always been saying… Democrats aren’t looking to privatize the Post Office.. Every Republican on this committee voted ” NO “.. I guess Republicans don’t care about Rural America which they represent.. Why do you dumb racist bible thumpers keep voted these idiots in office. These are the same politicians that want to slash your Social Security and Medicare.. Wtf!!

    • Your point stands, TonyB, but I think you meant every NO vote was by a Republican. There WERE 6 Repubs that voted yes with all Democrats on this amendment. An important distinction, because we will need Republican support in both the House & Senate to pass this bill when it is put to a vote. So, thank you to the 6 Republicans voting yes. And thank you, rural America, for applying pressure on your representatives. Timely mail delivery is a service for ALL Americans.

      • PaulL

        Bravo, you’re Pro Union and Pro Conservative. In the whole scheme of things, isn’t being in the Union as a dues paying member or Union Officer, go against the Conservatism of management that would stand on principles that can easily be argued and won against, as it pertains to the craft employees? I never did find ANY in Postal Management to be too ‘sharp’ or aware of the facts when it came down to dealing with people. No, I didn’t hate all of management as I don’t hate all Conservatives. It’s the “Lemming” syndrome that both exhibit that destroys their credibility in the end.

        As long as you have those in management that are Conservatives, and embrace the sophomoric agendas of other Conservatives in Congress, then, nothing changes and it reverts back to “Do as I say, Don’t do as I do”. I suppose if Postal Management had a better way to challenge those that went into Supervision, then there would be a better end product. Of course the same goes for our Senators and Congressmen that pride themselves by being capricious with the “other” side.

        America the Beautiful I suppose.

    • Really??? I’m pro union and a conservative. Can you read? Six Republicans Voted “Aye” for this amendment. You just hate Republicans. Both Democrats and Republicans have good and bad sides to their thinking. All democrats don’t think one way, and all Republicans don’t think another. It’s the same problem we have with race relations. My wife and I are of different races. Grow up, try to research things without coming to conclusions first. This kind of attitude is what is what’s wrong with the people in this country.

      • Well, I must give credit where it’s due. You are one of the first conservatives whose opinion was actually sensible, except I don’t think we hate EVERY Republican – there have been some reasonable ones in years past who would have a conniption fit at the way the far right element has very nearly destroyed your party, wouldn’t you agree?
        The problem in many ways seems to be the extremism from both ends of the political spectrum. The far right and far left get all the press because they’re more fired up, and moderates, those who still want to make things work and understand that the divisiveness that has permeated this country since Reagan and the onset of mass media networks and the internet is killing all of us. I mention Reagan as a historical reference, not as a political reference. It was during his term in office that people started the PC revolution.
        You are absolutely correct in your assertion that conclusions should be reached with objective research minus the propaganda spin. We have to be able to agree on issues based on the merit of their situations, and bills that come before Congress. To merely support a bill or position because you’re a strict Democrat or strict Republican is foolish, and you’re playing right into Washington’s hands, who fuel the divisive machine to keep third parties out and control what information we receive through their spin machines.
        I have never given any politician a free pass based on party affiliation. I hate lots of stuff all the last several presidents have done, from Reagan to Obama, and believe it’s my responsibility and right to hold them all accountable.
        I wish there was a strong viable middle class/labor candidate, one who encourages unions, and tries to keep jobs at home instead of shipping everything to some sweat shop in the Pacific Rim.
        It’s nice to see somebody can carry on an intelligent discussion. What do you think of my post, PaulL? Interested in your opinion.

    • Very well stated!
      The truth is that it’s a game of ‘follow the leader’, in this case, the leader being some nut job in Congress irregardless of which side of the aisle he comes from. Interesting to see that all the ‘NO’ votes were of the Conservative persuasion. It is telling though, how many so called Conservatives do not really give two shi*s about the folks that rely on a dedicated Postal Service.

      I retired after 33 years, and still remember how sad management was even then, a bigger pack of liars, con men, and illiterates I’ve never met elsewhere. I hope this news is viable and indicative of a turn around.

Comments are closed.