Postal workers, supporters rally against cutbacks
By Carrie Napoleon Post-Tribune correspondent September 27, 2011 10:08PM
Jennifer Workman, a worker at Rule Carrier Associates, in Crown Point, holds a sign during a rally to support America's postal service on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at the Old Courthouse, in Crown Point. | Scott R. Brandush~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 11, 2011 3:54PM
CROWN POINT — A little weather did not deter about 100 postal workers and their supporters who gathered on the downtown square Tuesday as part of a nationwide Save our Postal Service Rally.
Shouting chants of “five days is the wrong way” and carrying signs reading “Save America’s Postal Service” participants rallied behind speakers who called for legislators to pass House Bill 1351, a measure designed to allow the postal service to tap the billions of dollars in pension overpayments to meet the agency’s financial obligations.
“Four hundred ninety rallies are going on right now as I speak,” said Sharon Patterson, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 1624 to the cheers of those gathered.
Patterson, who was joined by representatives from AFL-CIO, building trades, education and social services, called on those attending to sign a petition and tell their legislators to support the bill, which they say would put the Postal Service on sound financial footing. The bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Steven Lynch, D-Mass., and has been signed by U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind.
“I know I’m in Crown Point, Indiana,” said Gary Mayor Rudy Clay. “This issue is bigger than Crown Point, it’s bigger than Gary, it’s bigger than Lake County. It’s as big as the U.S.”
Postal workers and their supporters are pushing against plans to close or consolidate local post offices around the country and drop Saturday mail delivery.
Ben Barnes, president of the American Postal Workers Union Gary Area Local 266, said the postal service is the only agency public or private required to advance fund 75 years of its pension in 10 years. It is that mandate, he said, that has depleted the agency’s funds.
If the postal service did not have to prefund its pensions, it would not have lost money these past five years.
“This consolidation … does not have to take place,” Barnes said to cheers.
Ruth Needleman, professor and director of leadership and social justice at Calumet College St. Joseph, described the move to consolidate and close post office branches and cut services as an attack on the working class.
“I want my neighborhood post office. I want all postal workers, all workers, to have decent paying jobs with health care and good pensions,” she said.
Linda Seren was among those who attended the rally. A 17-year postal veteran from Schererville, Seren said she and her co-workers provide a valuable service to the community and work as eyes and ears on the street keeping people connected.
“I take pride in my work. All the carriers take pride in their work,” she said.
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