As all NPMHU members are aware, the Postal Service is a vital resource to every American household and this is especially seen now during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic, however, has created significant financial stress to the USPS as well as health risks for its employees.

To ensure the problems the Postal Service faces remains in the public eye, NPMHU President Hogrogian and NoVA P&DC Branch President/Local 305 Recording Secretary Dwight Burnside, along with leadership from the AFL-CIO and other postal unions leaders, spoke to reporters on how congressional action is necessary for the Postal Service’s sustainability through the end of the fiscal year and what is currently being done to protect postal employees on the job.

In a resulting article from Gov Exec, it was noted while members of the House of Representatives have shown past support for the Postal Service in stimulus legislation, the Trump Administration has disapproved of any assistance for the most popular federal agency. “While past administrations have been indifferent to the Postal Service,” said [NPMHU President] Hogrogian, “this administration has been outright hostile.”

Roll Call reported on President Hogrogian’s comments on the existance of the Postal Service hinges upon receiveing finanical relief in the next round of stimulus. USPS is not only facing operational jeopardy, but leadership has also had to react to the health risks COVID-19 has created for employees. To this point, Branch President Burnside commented, “management is making genuine efforts to provide safe working conditions.”

Pressure for USPS Funding Ramps Up as Budget Outlook Worsens, Gov Exec

Postal union leaders on Wednesday cautioned the package uptick was temporary, predicting the volume increase would subside as retail stores reopen across the country. They vowed to unleash lobbying efforts on lawmakers to ensure Congress includes a cash injection for the Postal Service in its next round of stimulus payments.

“Not more debt, not more loans,” said Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union. “Appropriated relief.”

National Association of Letter Carriers Executive Vice President Brian Renfroe said his organization has launched television and digital advertising to “mobilize voters” to pressure lawmakers into assisting the Postal Service. The union officials said they would focus their efforts on Republican senators who represent rural states, as well as on House Democrats to ensure they “do not cave” this time around. The Democrats had pushed for $25 billion for USPS in the last stimulus package, but backed down to demands from the White House.

“While past administrations have been indifferent to the Postal Service,” said Paul Hogrogian, president of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, “this administration has been outright hostile.”

‘Out of Money by Early Fall’: Postal Unions Press for Pandemic Relief, Roll Call