Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Postal Activists Speak Out Against Risky USPS-Staples Deal

John J. Dennie, retired mail carrier, post activist & organizer New York City
Shirley Dunaway, reitred postal worker & activist, New York City, 

New York, April 6, 2015 --As part of a rolling series of one-hour protests outside Staples stores throughout the five boroughs, former postal workers Shirley Dunaway, long-time organizer John J. Dennie, and other ardent activists trying to save post office jobs, were out in front of Staples at Broadway and 8th Street at lunchtime, the deafening roar of the subway under the sidewalk. They are protesting a deal cut by former Postmaster General Patrick O'Donoghue about a year before his retirement with Staples management to instal what Dennie calls fake mini post offices in all 1500 branches of Staples throughout the country. These neo mini stations would be staffed by minimum or low wage workers with only 4 hours of training, not by postal service employees, who must complete 80 hours of training before they are allowed to serve the public. While all postal workers are unionized, belonging to one of four unions, a war of attrition on USPS mail workers has been going on for several years by reducing hours and services offered and closing numerous mail processing plants, requiring long rerouting of mail to the great detriment of quality of service. NB Since the USPS-Staples deal began, hours of operation have been reduced at nearby post offices. Meanwhile Staples, a struggling company, has closed 170 stores nationwide without notice and with no input from the community. The deal has replaced living wage jobs at USPS with minimum or low wage jobs for unskilled workers at Staples.The closure of Staples branches seems to indicate that not only mom&pop small business is suffering from exorbitant and skyrocketing rents, but also franchises. For more info and to get involved text POSTAL to 91990 and sign the petition at StopStaples.com.

Postal Activists Oppose USPS-Staples Contract