photo credit: APWU
Karen E. Schenck – USPS District Manager, Chicago District responded to this article:
Members of the American Postal Workers Union from the Chicago area, joined by hundreds of labor and community activists, will protest on Saturday, April 5, in Elmwood Park, against a deal between the U.S. Postal Service and Staples to move mail services into Staples stores.
In October, the USPS announced a no-bid, sweetheart deal to open postal counters in more than 80 Staples stores. The Staples postal counters are less secure than public post offices and they are staffed with low-wage Staples employees.
The U.S. Postal Service and Staples plan to expand this “pilot” project to 1,500 Staples locations nationwide, while the USPS eliminates public post offices.
The Elmwood Park protest is the latest in a series of protests by postal workers and supporters against Staples’ program.
Postal workers planning Elmwood Park protest against U.S. Post Office outsourcing
Here is her response:
Dear [Elm Leaves] Editor,
Your published article of April 3, 2014 “Postal workers planning Elmwood Park protest against U.S. Post Office outsourcing” included several inaccurate statements. As the district manager of Chicago, I would like to set the record straight by submitting the following.
The Postal Service and Staples entered into a pilot program in which Staples provides postal services and sells postal products at 82 stores. There have not been any decisions about expansion of the program at this point. However, any expansion considerations will adhere to the applicable provisions in our collective bargaining agreement.
Staples joins with more than 65,000 retailers, including seven in the Elmwood Park ZIP Code 60707 and nearly 400 in the Chicago District, who currently provide expanded access to postal products and services. Neither Contract Postal Units, nor Village Post Offices, nor Approved Postal Providers have ever been staffed by USPS employees.
The policies and procedures that guide the U.S. Postal Services’ Retail Partner Expansion program ensure that Aviation Mail Security and Hazmat guidelines are adhered to when accepting and receiving letters and packages from customers.
The U. S. Postal Service has no plans to privatize. Our goal is to ensure the long-term viability of the Postal Service, and we believe making postal products and services available to customers where they live, work and shop will help us to realize that goal.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Sincerely,
Karen E. Schenck
District Manager
(U.S. Post Office) Chicago District
Letter to editor: U.S. post office responds to Elmwood Park protest news release
Here we go again. The Postal Service was used to save the airline industry, save FedEx and UPS both. Staples is going out of business so the USPS will be used to save that too. One of these days someone had better think about saving the Post Office. Get rid of Donahoe and get rid of the unions and let people do their job.
Karen E. Schenck a manager? I don’t think so. Just another “yes” women.
But if Staples employees steal your packages, the USPS will not be responsible and the OIG won’t investigate and prosecute.
Karen,
You are a true “team” leader! The POD is looking to shank you!
Stay strong and keep up the fight!
District Manager’s statement translation: “The bribes and kickbacks currently being offered to us by Staples, are not sufficient.
We continue in “negotiations” concerning them.”
Postal mgmt/eas = liars and thieves.
Why not? I don’t see any problems for serving the American people, no body like to stand in a long line and watching the slow motion windows jobs