Copyright 1999 Federal News Service, Inc.
Federal News Service
FEBRUARY 11, 1999, THURSDAY
SECTION: IN THE NEWS
LENGTH:
873 words
HEADLINE: PREPARED STATEMENT BY
JOSEPH W.
CINADR
PRESIDENT
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POSTMASTERS OF THE UNITED STATES
BEFORE THE HOUSE GOVERNMENT REFORM
COMMITTEE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE POSTAL SERVICE
SUBJECT -
HR 22 - THE POSTAL MODERNIZATION ACT OF 1999
BODY:
My name is Joe Cinadr and I have been
serving The National League of Postmasters for the past five years as Vice
President, Executive Vice President, and now as President. I have also served as
Adverse Action Counselor and Vice President for the State Branch of Ohio for the
League. I appear before this committee today on behalf of our nation's
postmasters, retired postmasters and associate members of the League. I wish to
thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me the opportunity to testify before your
committee. I am very aware of the time you have devoted to these postal issues
and the resources and studies involved to produce this bill -- HR 22.
Postmasters are very interested in your legislation. In fact, they will be
here in our nation's capitol visiting the Hill the first week of March to
personally express then' opinions on this subject and many others to their own
congressmen and senators. I am aware that you and your staff are continuing to
negotiate with the U.S. Postal Service leaders and others to arrive at a final
legislative consortium. I anticipate we will have concrete suggestions once that
process is complete sometime after the next day of hearings on March 3, 1999.
Our primary focus is for the Postal Service to remain the best postal
service in the world and for postmasters to maintain their leadership role in
always striving for excellence. The result of any legislation passed on by this
subcommittee should be to allow us to continue to provide all Americans superior
universal service at a reasonable price.
We have asked and we ask again that
your bill allow the Postal Service the financial flexibility to continue our
success as demonstrated over the past four years and provide our customers with
rate stability. We also need the authority to offer volume discounts to be
competitive and engage in commonly accepted good business practices.
I was
reminded as I prepared this testimony, that almost everyone, some more
grudgingly than others, knows just how good the U.S. Postal Service is. A recent
Associated Press survey was very favorable to our postal service. We must
continue to exist and provide service in such towns as: Pierrepont Manor, New
York G-rover, South Carolina Fremont Center, New York Wayland, Ohio Suplee,
Pennsylvania Obernburg, New York, East Lynn, Illinois because no one else will
or even wants to try.
"Our postal service is a national treasure, a vital
organization made up of outstanding people". Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) said
what many of us are trying, in many different ways, to say.
We are concerned
that this bill could become a vehicle for undercutting the basic principles of
the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970.
I believe our success has heightened
the attention we are receiving -- the dollars we have made, the productivity
levels, the community involvement and yes, beating our competition -- all these
achievements have turned many envious eyes on us. We have served this country
well for over 224 years.
The Postal Reorganization Act passed in 1970 and
effective in 1971 was necessary to correct many serious problems. The results of
that legislation and the dedication of many postal employees have stood the test
of time. We are unexcelled as a postal service in this word. And we have been
successful because we fully understand our overriding responsibility to serve
the American public.
Too good, too successful, too business-like! The U.S.
Postal Service is the best and postmasters are major players in that success. We
ought to be imitated and rewarded, not penalized for our dedication and service.
I must question why we need more regulation, why we need others with little or
no postal experience or knowledge to make decisions that will impact our
futures, our pay and our benefits. We don't need to return to over-involvement
of Congress in the management of the U.S. Postal Service. The League opposes
attempts to involve Congress in postal rates or wage scales.
I have no
personal axe to grind with the leaders of our chief competitors, but I will
represent the postmasters who elected me. The issues are not taxes, tickets and
tags -- they are price and service. Our customers have three requirements: 1)
universal reach, 2) timely, reliable and consistent service, and 3) reasonable
prices. And we deliver on each of these requirements.
I believe this bill is
reregulating the wrong organization. We, the postal service and postmasters,
were challenged by our customers through then' congressional representatives in
the late 1960% to become more business-like. Now that we are, the message
appears to be we are too efficient, too cost conscious, too competitive!
As
a postmaster, I believe I am a vital part of the United States Postal Service.
I'm very proud to be President of the National League of Postmasters. I'm here
to guarantee the future of both organizations. I look forward to our postmasters
visiting the Hill on March 2nd and you hearing first hand their positions and
opinions. Postmasters are contributing members of our communities and the
country. We intend to be here long after some of our detractors have come and
gone.
Thank you for this opportunity to express my opinions.
END
LOAD-DATE: February 12, 1999
