NPMHU members are facing unprecedented times. Despite the USPS being the most trusted federal agency, often it feels as if our work is undervalued and unappreciated by elected officials. We’ve seen attacks against our rights as workers, the service we provide, and the constitutionally protected institution we work for. We need a leader who will stand with us. We need Joe Biden.
Over the past four years, NPMHU members have faced direct threats on their livelihood from the Trump Administration. We saw a White House Postal Task Force that attacked postal labor, recommended taking away our collective bargaining rights and increasing the cost of our retirement benefits. The Task Force also made efforts to undermine the Postal Service itself, calling for moving away from a six-day delivery; expanding third-party partnership, which could lead to privatization; and, increasing postal rates, pricing customers out of the market.
President Trump further attacked the Postal Service in the media, calling it a “joke.” Our union knows how dedicated mail handlers and all postal employees are to their jobs; we take our work seriously. We ensure that every single American household and business receive their mail. We deliver needed medication to the elderly and our veterans. We make sure Social Security and Medicare checks get out on time. We deliver home goods to the house-bound during the pandemic. We keep family and friends connected.
Joe Biden has a history of supporting the United States Postal Service and postal workers and has committed to supporting the dedicated men and women of USPS. As a Senator, he fought against privatization; spoke out on the need for a six-day delivery; and has committed to protecting the universal service obligation, ensuring that every American, regardless if they are in urban, suburban, or rural areas, gets the same quality service. Joe Biden will support putting the Postal Service on a sustainable path forward and will ensure quality service continues.
Additionally, Joe Biden is a proven advocate for members of the labor movement, understanding its value to the growth of the middle class with the development of paid-leave, health and retirement benefit provisions, and the 40-hour work week. In contrast to the Trump Administration’s attacks on collective bargaining rights through the use of executive orders, Joe Biden will be a leader who will support and protect the men and women of labor.
Furthermore, Joe Biden picked a pro-postal, pro-labor running mate with Senator Kamala Harris. Currently, she’s the co-sponsor of several pieces of legislation protecting USPS from privatization; supporting the organization rights of public sector employees; and aiding the Postal Service through emergency appropriations in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
We’re facing a turning point in postal history. We need strong leadership that will have our backs. I urge every member of NPMHU to support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, just as they’ll support us.
