Email from Congressman Michael Grimm re USPS’s Financial Situation

Thank you for contacting me regarding the United States Postal Service (USPS). It’s good to hear from you.

I realize the United States Postal Service is in a difficult financial situation. Unfortunately, the USPS ran a loss of $8.5 billion in 2011 and reported a $15.9 billion loss in 2012. While the USPS has made attempts to achieve cost savings there is still much to be done as they are currently operating at a loss of $25 million per day.

As you know, on April 9, 2013 Representative Gerry Connolly (VA-11), introduced H.R. 1431, the Postal Employee Appeal Rights Amendments Act of 2013, which would extend the right of appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board to any career or non-career USPS employee who is not represented by a bargaining representative and is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered! by the Executive and Administrative Schedule.

While I believe that the USPS must undergo serious and aggressive systemic reform in order to balance its budgets, reign-in its unfunded pension and benefits program, and maintain its services and facilities at adequate levels, I do not believe that this must take place by sacrificing the rights and privileges of postal employees. H.R. 1431 is currently before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. While I do not serve on this committee, you can rest assured that I will keep your views in mind should H.R. 1431 come before the full House of Representatives for a vote.

Rest assured, I will keep your views in mind as legislation regarding the United States Postal Service moves through the House of Representatives. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and concerns. I invite you to follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/repmichaelgrimm and Twitter @repmichaelgrimm or visit my website at www.grimm.house.gov. Should you have any further comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,