On a strict (7-4) party-line vote, Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy approved a version of HR 2309. The bill would stop Saturday mail service, establish an oversight board with the power to overturn collective bargaining agreements, reduce operations and service standards and more.

“This bill is totally without merit and should not see the light of day,” said National President John F. Hegarty.  “It is a blueprint for an ideological agenda of busting the unions -- similar to recent backward actions in Wisconsin -- and privatizing the Postal Service.”

Hegarty added, “The Republican Party says it wants to create jobs. The truth is, they want to destroy decent, union jobs and benefits. This bill alone, if it were to become law, will cost more than 100,000 postal workers their income and modest retirement.”

Democrats on the Subcommittee, led by Reps. Steve Lynch (MA), Gerry Connolly (VA), Danny Davis (IL) and Elijah Cummings (MD) attempted to amend the bill.  Each amendment, including amendments that were fashioned around issues the Republicans said they supported, was defeated as Republicans fell in line behind their Chairman, Darrell Issa (CA).  At one point Cummings, who is the top Democrat on the full Committee, implored the Republicans to “create jobs, don’t eliminate them.”

“We have to move quickly.  We’ve got two opportunities to make these Republicans pay,” noted Hegarty. “On September 27, I urge all mail handlers to rally with our union brothers and sisters at their local Representative’s office. Also, call or send a message to your Representative that you oppose this job killing, Postal Service destroying bill.

Please visit www.saveamericaspostalservice.org  for more information on the nationwide rallies set for September 27th.

Issa has tentatively scheduled October 5 as the date for the full Oversight and Government Reform Committee to try to pass the subcommittee’s misguided bill.