Statement from Daniel Heins, National President, United Postmasters and Managers of America
Posted by Frank Augustosky on 09/02/20September 2, 2020
Statement from Daniel Heins, National President, United Postmasters and Managers of America
“The United Postmasters and Managers of America applaud the recent hearings at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as well as the House Committee on Oversight and Reform with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. We are humbled by the commitment of Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who want to ensure that the USPS works effectively to do its part in carrying out the 2020 election. The Postmaster General made it clear that the USPS is up to the task to carry out this November’s election with prompt and reliable processing and delivery. As Postmasters, Managers and Supervisors, we strongly concur with him that USPS is up to the task and knows the dedication and focus that all USPS workers will bring to ensure that any American who wants to vote by mail can do so with confidence.
The success of the United States Postal Service is essential to every single household and business in the United States that depends on the delivery of everything from bills and payments to packages to greeting cards to lifesaving medications on a timely basis. This responsibility will continue to be crucial to the USPS’s long-standing commitment to the timely and efficient delivery of all the mail that is presented for delivery.
In his short tenure, the Postmaster General has begun some much overdue changes to bring further efficiency to the USPS. While change can be upsetting, particularly in the middle of a major public health crisis and a consequential election, if carried out properly, those changes should have a positive effect on mail delivery.
UPMA strongly supports the additional $25 billion in funding for the USPS to navigate the Covid-19 crisis. The House approved this legislation last week. In the Senate, Senators Collins and Feinstein have sensible legislation to provide $25 billion in support for USPS that has garnered strong bipartisan support. Funding to support the essential work done by the USPS must come in the next Phase IV Covid-19 response package or sooner.
Congressional action is now necessary. UPMA will continue to work with Congress to explain that money alone will not solve the problems the USPS is facing. We must reform to account for falling first-class mail volume, increased parcel volume, outdated facilities, and vehicles that are well beyond their functional life-cycle, requiring replacement. To do this and continue the service commitments to the American people, we have consistently said that Congress needs to pass comprehensive postal reform. Legislation needs to restructure the unfair burden of pre-funding, allow the USPS to have the necessary flexibility in rate-setting, and which would allow for innovation in seeking new revenue channels creating a strategy that ensures that the USPS can thrive in this modern business environment.
UPMA looks forward to working with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to refocus the discussion on passing postal reform legislation to ensure the longevity of this vital American institution.”