Thread by @Celeste_pewter, Ok. *clears throat* I appreciate the enthusiasm for USPS’s merchandise, which IS [...]

Ok. *clears throat* I appreciate the enthusiasm for USPS’s merchandise, which IS very cool. I have a growing collection of their toy cars.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗣" title="Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes" aria-label="Emoji: Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes"> BUT PLEASE BE AWARE... it’s NOT the primary way to help #SaveUSPS. It’s a SUPPLEMENTAL way to help.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗣" title="Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes" aria-label="Emoji: Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes">

Ok. *clears throat* I appreciate the enthusiasm for USPS’s merchandise, which IS very cool. I have a growing collection of their toy cars. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable=

BUT PLEASE BE AWARE... it’s NOT the primary way to help #SaveUSPS. It’s a SUPPLEMENTAL way to help.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗣" title="Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes" aria-label="Emoji: Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes">" title="Ok. *clears throat* I appreciate the enthusiasm for USPS’s merchandise, which IS very cool. I have a growing collection of their toy cars. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗣" title="Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes" aria-label="Emoji: Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes"> BUT PLEASE BE AWARE... it’s NOT the primary way to help #SaveUSPS. It’s a SUPPLEMENTAL way to help.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗣" title="Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes" aria-label="Emoji: Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes">" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>

1. I think what& #39;s getting lost right now is that one of the primary reasons USPS has financial issues, is because they have to pre-fund retirement benefits.

The @NALC_National broadly supported cancellation of the debt to Treasury in 2018. https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/its-the-prefunding-stupid">https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc...

As you can see from the release, NACL calls out incorrect facts:

"...the real driver of postal finances is the congressional mandate to prefund retiree health premiums decades in advance."

It& #39;s a 2006 mandate (thanks GOP!

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😐" title="Neutrales Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Neutrales Gesicht">) which = 90% of prerecorded losses since 2007.

So, buying things from their store adds to their revenue and is great (seriously!) but it doesn& #39;t actually solve the longer-term problem.

It& #39;s also not a sustainable action; I don& #39;t think most consumers are buying more than one crop top, and USPS needs more $ than that.

And as a side-note (and to speak to the original tweet):

I& #39;m going to point out USPS has partnered with a clothing company before, and it generated hype at the time. But it again, didn& #39;t solve the actual problem - pre-funding. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/forever-21-usps-collaboration-us-wanting-ship-country-61793436">https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/stor...

This Forever 21 x USPS collection has our stamp of approval

Forever 21 just launched a spring and summer collaboration with USPS.

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/forever-21-usps-collaboration-us-wanting-ship-country-61793436

2. And now, with all of the issues being:

a. Caused by #COVID and
b. Trump& #39;s Postmaster General,

I promise that the most effective and *necessary* way to save the USPS *continues* to be calling your elected officials.

Eg. From yesterday: https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/politics/usps-mail-in-voting-2020-election/index.html">https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/3...

New postal policies may affect 2020 mail-in voting, union leader says

New, recently implemented US Postal Service procedures -- which have led to delays across the country in mail delivery -- could affect mail-in voting for the November election, a union leader warned.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/politics/usps-mail-in-voting-2020-election/index.html

3. So here& #39;s what we can do.

a. Continue calling electeds about the terms outlined for the #USPS in the #HeroesAct.

Remember, the terms of the legislation - which passed the House in May - provides $25 billion to USPS, including PPE + pandemic pay.

https://m.npmhu.org/media/news/heroes-act-provides-relief-for-postal-employees">https://m.npmhu.org/media/new...

Leadership is negotiating this weekend, trying to get to a deal. Yes, hangup is on the Senate side.

But I would say it& #39;s worth calling your representatives in both chambers and remind them: USPS has to be included, under original HEROES Act terms. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-congress-pelos-idUSKBN24X3SY">https://www.reuters.com/article/u...

House Speaker Pelosi arrives at Capitol Hill for coronavirus aid talks

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived at Capitol Hill on Saturday for talks to hammer out a coronavirus aid bill, saying she was not interested in a short-term deal.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-congress-pelos-idUSKBN24X3SY

b. I definitely encourage everyone to remind electeds the first COVID bill only gave USPS a fraction of their requested $.

They requested $75 billion:

a. $25 billion in direct funding
b. $25 billion in unrestricted borrowing authority from Treasury
c. $25 billion in grants

But they only received $10 billion, because the Trump Administration rejected the $75 billion request.

So, Senators took a bipartisan action to do what they could in the scope of the CARES Act: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/11/post-office-bailout-trump/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...

The $10 billion also came with a LOT of strings - USPS only just finished working out an agreement with this Administration on the $.

How long have we been in crisis mode, exactly? https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2020/07/usps-treasury-reach-agreement-on-10b-coronavirus-pandemic-relief-loan/">https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-ov...

USPS, Treasury reach agreement on $10B coronavirus pandemic relief loan | Federal News Network

The agency reached an “agreement in principle” with Treasury and the USPS Board of Governors unanimously approved the agreement Tuesday.

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2020/07/usps-treasury-reach-agreement-on-10b-coronavirus-pandemic-relief-loan/

4. Continue to support @OversightDems& #39;s information for request ( https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/senior-democrats-request-information-on-postal-service-s-operational-changes),">https://oversight.house.gov/news/pres... but start calling for hearings.

Senior Democrats Request Information on Postal Service’s Operational Changes

Washington, D.C. (July 20, 2020)—Today, senior Democrats on the Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy requesting information on two documents that appear...

https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/senior-democrats-request-information-on-postal-service-s-operational-changes

Ask for specific hearings on the memos about slowing down service, and the consistent rumors staff are now hearing about offices being closed. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/postal-service-may-close-offices-cut-service-ahead-of-election-2020-07-29?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo">https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pos...

Postal Service may close offices, cut service ahead of election

The U.S. Postal Service is considering closing post offices across the country, sparking concerns ahead of an anticipated surge of mail-in ballots in the...

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/postal-service-may-close-offices-cut-service-ahead-of-election-2020-07-29?siteid=yhoof2&yptr=yahoo

And then:

Ask for Oversight/House Intelligence hearings with public testimony from the Postmaster General on how USPS will be prepared to handle vote-by-mail in the fall WITHOUT delays, which is what a lot of people now fear.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/31/us/politics/trump-usps-mail-delays.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/3...

5. With the understanding not all of you are going to agree with the purpose of the bill itself, call electeds and say you support the Maloney Amendment in H.R. 7617.

https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-chairwoman-maloney-s-amendment-to-prevent-the-postmaster-general

(The">https://oversight.house.gov/news/pres... language is here: https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/116th-congress/house-report/461)">https://www.congress.gov/congressi...

House Passes Chairwoman Maloney’s Amendment to Prevent the Postmaster General from Making Drastic...

Washington, D.C. (July 31, 2020)—Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7617, which included an amendment offered by Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and...

https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-chairwoman-maloney-s-amendment-to-prevent-the-postmaster-general

6. Continue support USPS staff.

* Follow accounts like @NALC_National union, and support their efforts.

I& #39;ve now worked with them twice in a professional capacity, and they are fighting HARD to support the employees they represent.

* Keep buying stamps,
* Keep checking in with your carriers (as much as you& #39;re able) and ask if they need anything

Hand-sewn masks? Pocket hand sanitizer? Cleaning supplies? Gatorade on hot days?

My carrier always proudly shows me the masks people have given him, and it& #39;s -

- a reminder that we can each play a role in showing essential works like USPS staff that we care about them, and how to hel.

* Consider sending a thank-you note to your carriers/your local office. Small gesture, but lets them know we& #39;re thinking of them.

P.S. I forgot to add possibly the most obvious (I think I& #39;ve just said it so many times over the years, I assume people know):

Please CALL your electeds about this. I know it& #39;s additional work. But you can call + leave a VM over the weekend.

Negotiations are happening NOW.

Let& #39;s make sure electeds know that we& #39;re watching and they need to ensure USPS is being included in these discussions.

Calls are the most effective/time-sensitive way to make that happen.

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