Update 2-Postal Workers to Protest USPS Consolidation Plans
On Thursday, October 26, 2006, Postal Workers will 
hold informational pickets at post offices nationwide. The purpose of the picket is “expose the Postal Service’s ill-advised consolidation plan.” According to the American Postal Workers Union: “The U.S. Postal Service is proposing to close part of our local post office, which will reduce service for individual citizens and small businesses, The USPS was founded to serve all Americans, yet the plans to downsize were developed behind closed doors, without community input and without concern for community impact .” (See larger view of APWU flyer)
Here is a sampling of APWU Locals participating in the nationwide picket:
New: Pasadena, CA (PDF)| Providence, RI | Olympia, WA | Rapid City, SD | Alexandria,LA | Weirton, WV | Bronx, NY | McAllen, TX | Helena, MT | Long Beach, CA | Waco, TX| Boise ID | Columbus, OH | Flint, MI Lincoln, Nebraska (see comments below) OAKLAND, CA (PDF) - “the Oakland Local APWU will hold an informational picket line at the Oakland Main Post Office as part of a national day of picketing to inform the public and media about the USPS consolidation plan. All postal employees who have a stake in the future of the Post Office are encouraged to join us anytime off the clock between 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.” New: Elimra, NY - APWU Local 2255, “the local U.S. Postal workers union in Elmira, will hold an informational picket at 7 a.m. on Thursday outside the main Elmira post office on Clemens Center Parkway in downtown Elmira.U.S. Congressional candidate Eric Massa will attend the picket at 9 a.m. to show support for the effort and Elmira Councilman James Hare will also be in attendance.”Fort Myers, FL. - “More than 100 postal workers will picket plans to consolidate the Fort Myers’ Processing and Distribution Center.The protest is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the downtown Fort Myers Post Office, 1350 Monroe St.”Columbus, GA. - “Columbus is just one of one hundred and thirty nine communities the United States Postal Service has targeted for consolidation. Forty cities on that list already have seen that happen. The local union doesn’t want Columbus to be number forty-one. But the union won’t let this happen quietly. They will picket the Milgen Road Post Office Thursday.”Sioux City, IA - “Sioux City Postal Workers Union Local 186 has more than 140 members. The picketing event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. is expected to draw staff members from the offices of U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley. Iowa 5th District Congressman Steve King also will be represented.”
Several months ago APWU started sponsoring TV and radio ads to “inform citizens and community leaders about Postal Service’s consolidation effort.” Click below to view the video ad
October 25th, 2006 at 2:16 am
Providence, Rhode Island- The Providence Rhode Island Area Local 387 AFL-CIO currently has 866 members. An informational picket is scheduled from 10:30am to 2:00pm in front of the main post office 24 Corliss Street Providence, RI 02904. Local radio stations have already committed to coverage as well as TV stations in the area. Various local unions such as Local 251 of the Teamsters and the state chapter of the AFL-CIO have lent their support. Additionally a web site to post comments about consolidation plans, can be found at DailyKos
October 26th, 2006 at 2:27 am
ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2006 FROM 10:30AM TO 2:30 PM, WE WILL JOIN OUR LABOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN AN INFORMATIONAL PICKET AT THE DOWNTOWN POSTAL STATION AT 201 N. MCDOWELL ST. OUR INFORMATIONAL PICKET HOPES TO ENCOURAGE POSTAL CUSTOMERS TO ASK THEIR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES WHAT THEIR STANDS ARE AND TO ASK CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES THE SAME.
October 26th, 2006 at 4:14 am
Thursday, October 26, 2006, the Lincoln Nebraska Local APWU #112 will be holding an informational picket in front of the Main Post Office at 700 R Steet. The picket will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. We are ready to expose the USPS to the citizens of our great city. The Lincoln Postal Facility is on the list of 139 sites to be considered for consolidation. We will not go down without a fight.