Letter Carriers jump into electoral arena for pro-post office candidates

WASHINGTON – With the key mid-term election two weeks away, the Letter Carriers took the unusual step of singling out for support only lawmakers who are strong supporters of postal union members and of efforts to increase USPS revenues, cut its onerous health-care cost mandate, and protect workers, rather than fire them. The group is bipartisan.

 “When you cast your ballot on November 4, it will be important for you to know who in Congress supports a strong USPS and who understands the value Letter Carriers bring to the communities we serve,” the union said.  Endorsed candidates, all posted on its website, also support six-day delivery and door-to-door delivery.  Several endorsed candidates oppose anti-postal incumbents.

The union endorsed approximately 50 candidates nationwide, including about a dozen Republicans.  Most of those represent New Jersey or New York U.S. House districts, but the most-prominent – and one of the few senators – is Susan Collins of Maine. If she wins, and her seat is rated “safe,” and if Republicans take over the Senate, Collins is expected to chair the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, which handles USPS-related legislation.

NALC also endorsed Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, the House’s most-senior Republican, who represents an union-heavy state and has voted with workers more frequently than the average Republican. NALC based its endorsements on evaluations from its legislative staff.

Photo: National Association of Letter Carriers member on the job. NALC official Facebook page