Conservative government imposes new contract on postal workers

[Lars77]

Run time: 05:31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kam53ak2ro   Posted on YouTube: June 24, 2011 By YouTube Member: TheRealNews Views on YouTube: 142   Posted on DU: June 24, 2011 By DU Member: Lars77 Views on DU: 835

 

[vroomvroom]

1. Although i am one of the unlucky few with critical mail stuck in Limbo I agree with CUPWs

I have important mail that is just sitting in limbo because of this protracted fight so i would really love to get my hands on them but the reasons for the strike....i am with CUPW. Thank goodness for the NDP supporting them in parliament

[tclambert]

2. In the US, postal workers are not allowed to strike.

The laws forcing them to work and hobbling their collective bargaining were put in place long ago.

Meanwhile Darrell Issa (R-California) wants to cut a day of service, cut wages and benefits, and cut jobs from the USPS, citing "out of control labor costs" and wanting to avoid "taxpayers bailing them out again." Postal workers make in the $30 to $60K range, depending on seniority and hours. The Bush Recession reduced mail volume some, meaning the cost per letter increased (mail carriers still go to every mailbox when you have 4 letters instead of 5). Politicians won't allow the Postal Service to pass the increased cost on to the customers. They want postal workers to absorb the losses.

On Issa's second rationale, avoiding "taxpayers bailing them out again," the USPS has not received one penny of taxpayer support in 40 years. They went self-sufficient in 1970. They could continue to support themselves, but can't get permission to raise rates by a nickel.