Resolution in Support of APWU: “US Mail, Not For Sale” Campaign
Whereas, the public Postal Service has its founding principles in the U.S. Constitution, is a national treasure and consistently rates as the most trusted government agency and
Whereas, universal service and fair and reasonable postal rates provide all the people with equal access and equal service no matter who we are or where we live, and
Whereas, the operations of the Postal Service are funded by the users, not taxpayer dollars, and
Whereas, postal jobs have been a source of decent and dignified union jobs for workers of all nationalities including military veterans and others of diverse backgrounds, with equal pay for equal work, and
Whereas, while methods of communication are constantly changing, mail continues to be invaluable to individuals and businesses including letters, cards, periodicals, medicines, catalogs, packages and is vital to the success of ecommerce, and
Whereas, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on June 21st, 2018 unveiled a plan for privatization of the United States Postal Service, that is selling it to private, for profit companies, and
Whereas, in December 2018 the President’s Task Force released their plan to cut costs, including ending collective bargaining rights as a means to make the USPS more attractive for sale to potential private investors, and
Whereas, billionaire and corporate-funded “think tanks” from the Heritage Foundation to the Brookings Institution have promoted either full or partial postal privatization, and
Whereas, postal privatization would enrich a few private companies at the expense of the people of the United States and the public servants that make the Postal Service such a success, and
Whereas, privatized postal services will be based on whether a company can make a profit and would lead to increased rates, loss of universal service to 157 million addresses every day, and would hurt rural residents and urban center residents, and
Whereas, this Resolution is based on and consistent with the active decisions by the APWU National Convention, the highest authority of the union, as well as the mandate of the National Executive Board, therefore be it
Resolved that AFSCME DC 47 goes on record opposing the full or partial privatization of the Postal Service, and be it further
Resolved that AFSCME DC 47 engages the “U.S. Mail, Not For Sale” campaign to share information, promote the website https://usmailnotforsale.org/, collect pledge cards, educate members, the public and elected officials, and finally be it
Resolved that AFSCME DC 47 engages in the fight, joining with labor, community allies, elected officials and the public, in concrete actions to defend the public United States Postal Service.
