Politics & Government

Postal Workers Oppose Job Cuts, Support Alternative Legislation

A group of U.S. Postal Service employees gathered at the intersection of Padonia and Deereco roads to protest the Postal Reform Act of 2011 and to thank Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger for his support.

Postal workers across the country, including in Timonium, were out in force Tuesday to oppose federal legislation that could slash 120,000 post office jobs and cut delivery to five days a week. 

A group of U.S. Postal Service employees representing offices throughout the Baltimore region met outside  on Tuesday to protest the Postal Reform Act of 2011.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), is meant to cut $3 billion out of the USPS budget to help cover an $8 billion budget deficit. 

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Union officials, however, support alternative legislation that would repeal a provision in current law that states all postal service workers must pay into future retirement and medical benefits. 

“They haven’t taken anybody’s money since 1980," said Ruppersberger, a Baltmore County Democrat. "They have been forced, pursuant to a postal law, that we all got behind at the time thinking it was a good deal, and they have been putting in $85 million to help pay for future retirement and medical benefits. … If they didn’t have to do that, we’ve been told that they would be solvent.

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“They’re not a government agency, but people think that. Yet, they are an unsung hero in American history,” .

Statewide, 41 offices are slated for possible closure, according to The Baltimore Sun

“This is democracy in action. … We’re doing what we can to help you, but this isn’t just about you. It’s about jobs for Americans,” Ruppersberger told the protestors. 


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