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Letter carriers blast Postmaster Donahoe's plan to cut six-day mail delivery.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
NEW YORK — If you received a greeting card over the Passover-Easter holiday thank a letter carrier – it may be your last opportunity to do so.
Letter carriers "Delivering For America."
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
It's been all over the news: the U.S. Postal Service is drowning in red ink and only drastic cuts can save it. Even the Postmaster General, Patrick Donahoe, is getting into the act, announcing that six-day mail delivery will end in August. But a growing number of voices are saying that, drastically cutting services is not the answer. On Sunday, March 24, 3000 letter carriers and their supporters held a rally in midtown to raise objections and consciousness. They were joined by labor leaders and elected officials.
Poughkeepsie letter carriers standing with Branch 36 (NYC).
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
The U.S. Postal Service is in fact facing serious fiscal problems. But postal union members, and many other outside observers, feel the "crisis" is artificial, a contrivance designed to further privatization — and union busting.
The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA), H.R. 6407, was signed into law by George W. Bush. The law requires the USPS to fund the present value of future health care benefit payments to retirees, 75 years into the future, and to complete this pre-payment within 10 years. According to Wikipedia this is "a requirement to which no other government organization is subject. Thus, in addition to the weak economy and the diversion of mail to electronic means, the mandates of PAEA have had a considerable impact on Postal Service finances. In 2012, the USPS had the third year in a order of losses from operations, which amounted to $4.8 billion."
Using his voice to raise consciousness:
a member of NALC Branch 36.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
Charlie Heege, president of Branch 36 of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), expressed the feelings of many of the protesters when he said, "Dismantling our post service by closing and selling off our neighborhood post offices is wrong for all New Yorkers."
Charlie Heege (right), vice president of Branch 36.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
The strategy Postmaster General Partrick R. Donahoe advocates is one of cutting services — starting with six-day mail delivery — and closing post offices. Heege and others feel that six-day mail delivery is essential to small businesses and to seniors who don't have internet access or who have mail-order prescription plans. The working poor would also be adversely affected as internet access is a luxury that some cannot afford. In addition, many neighborhoods rely on the presence of letter carriers, who provide a sense of security due in part to their knowledge of the normal goings-on. The closure of post offices is also problematic as the bulk of these closures (or downsizings) target low income neighborhoods or rural areas. Heege and his NALC faithful were joined in the Manhattan rally by a large number of postal clerks, members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) who recognize that any service cutbacks or post office closures will cost jobs.
Cutbacks and closures will cost jobs — union jobs.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
Speaking at the rally, Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, told the letter carriers and APWU clerks that other New York unions supported their efforts to save the Postal Service — and regarded the cutbacks and closures as part of a broader union-busting and privatization trend.
"Your two and a half million brothers and sisters of the New York State AFL-CIO are in this fight with you," Cilento said.
Congressional Rep Grace Meng, (NY – 6 CD) spoke at the rally — amid the din of honking horns.
Rep. Grace Meng speaking at the rally.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
"All those people, as you know, are honking in support of you and in support of six-day service," Meng told the crowd.
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY – 10 CD) said that he will stand against what he regards as an anti-labor lobby led by Republicans.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler speaking at the rally.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
"We're wise to their tricks. The labor movement is wise to their tricks … we will stop them, we will protect six-day mail service, we will protect the post office, we will protect all the jobs, and we will repeal the mandate for 75 years pre-funding of pensions because we need the pensions. We need the pensions. And we need decent financing for the pensions but we won't let them use the pension system as an excuse to destroy unions, to destroy the federal services, to destroy
your jobs — or any jobs," Nadler said.
Assembly Member Richard Gottfried.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
Assembly Member Richard Gottfried (75th AD) said that cutting public services, not police or military, helped only FedEx, UPS, and their allies in the drive for privatization of the Postal Service.
"There are a lot of people in politics today who are detertmined to cut back on public services, to cut back on everything that is funded by the government except maybe for the police and military," he said.
The rich will not be affected, according to Gottfriend, because, "…you know, UPS and Fedex are not going to cut back, so the people with the money are going to keep getting all the services that they can pay for. It's working people, and the people who provide the services for working people, who are going to get cut back and ground down."
Victoria Pannell, a 13-year-old Activist from Harlem, said that, "Most of the post offices that were being considered to close were located in rural areas where poverty rates are higher than the national average. Once again, the poorest of the poor will suffer the most."
The cutbacks and closures will not only hurt the poor, but will harm many other working people, according to George Mangold, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
NALC president George Mangold.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
"When you start dealing in the private sector you're talking about hundreds of thousands of jobs — in the printing industry, in the mailing industries, in all the other industries combined. This would be a catastrophic loss, nationwide," said Mangold.
Bill de Blasio, NYC Public Advocate.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
NYC public advocate Bill de Blasio sees a connection between cutbacks and unemployment.
"One of the reasons we have the unemployment we have in this country is because somehow it became okay for all the levels of government, and all the public services, to cut back workers, and now look what it's done to us as a country," de Blasio said.
NYMAPU president Jonathan Smith.
(Photo: Thomas Altfather Good / NLN)
Jonathan Smith, President of the New York Metro Area Postal Union (NYMAPU – the largest APWU local in the U.S.) said that Congress stole money for war, and is now looking to close post offices in poor areas — by design.
"This is a community issue, this is a moral issue. Sometime the fight comes down to right and wrong. And the postal service works, and it was working until Congress decided to steal to supply war. Let's tell the truth. And it's mighty funny that all the post offices that they want to close are in the poorest communities. That's not by accident," Smith said.
If the labor leaders and politicians' forecasts are accurate next year's Passover-Easter cards may have to be sent electronically to some areas. If the recipient doesn't have internet access, they'll be out of luck. And their letter carrier or postal clerk may be out of a job.
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James Brunker
La Paz - Bolivia
James Brunker - Fine Artist
Member Since: 01/24/2009
All images © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or use in any form (print, website, uploading to social media sites, Pinterest etc) without prior written permission strictly prohibited.
Thank you for visiting my photo art gallery! Originally from the UK, I have spent most of the last 15 years working leading expeditions, photographing and traveling throughout Latin America and am now based in La Paz, Bolivia. Hopefully my images will give you a taste of the amazing diversity that Latin America has to offer, and will bring back some good memories for those who have already traveled here! Please note that the watermarks do not appear on the fine art prints, only on the website preview images.
Thousands of high quality stock photography images from many parts of Latin America and elsewhere, covering a wide range of subjects are available and searchable on-line in my Magical Andes Photography Image Library. Many have been published worldwide in travel guides, magazines, text books and other publications. All can be licensed for editorial and commercial usage, please get in touch for more details. I am also available for commissions, and cover news and sports events in Bolivia for an international press agency.
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Ports and harbours
A selection of images that feature ports and harbours. More port photography images can be found in my Magical Andes Photography Image Library, if you would like prints of any images that are not already in my FineArtAmerica gallery please let me know and I will upload them for you. All images © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or use in any form (print, website, uploading to social media sites, Pinterest etc) without prior written permission strictly prohibited.

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November 15 – Happy Birthday Joe Ostrowski
This lefthander, the only former or current Yankee who celebrates a birthday on November 15, was born in West Wyoming, PA in 1916. It took him a while to get to the big leagues. After graduating from college in 1938, Ostrowski was a high school teacher for three years and then signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox. After two seasons of minor league ball, he spent 1943, '44 and '45 in the US Army Air Force. In 1947 he was traded to the Browns' organization and he made his big league debut with St. Louis as a 31-year-old rookie the following season. He evolved into an important part of the Browns' bullpen during the next three years and then was traded to New York in the deal that ended the pinstripe career of Snuffy Stirnweiss.
Ostrowski pitched for the 1950, '51 and '52 Yankee World Championship teams, making his biggest contribution during the 1951 season, when he won six games and saved five more. He made his only World Series appearance that same season, finishing Game Three against the NY Giants by pitching two innings of shutout ball to preserve the Yankee victory.
Ostrowski wore glasses during his playing days which made him look very professorial while on the mound. Since he actually had taught high school before beginning his pro career, his teammates gave him the nickname "Professor." After a poor year in 1952, the Yankees released the then 35-year-old southpaw after that season. He spent one more season pitching in the minors and then returned to the classroom and taught at the high school level for the next 25 years. He passed away in 2003.


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Currently, a crop top plus a maxi skirt has been my no fail combination of an effortlessly chic ensemble. Just like always, I loved the ease that these threads gave me as I faced a dragging school day at Taft. Minimal accessories did the trick and my hair up in a bun showed off my cool ear cuff just right.
What I wore: Fifi Lapin graphic printed crop top, Green Keep Calm and Carry On ring and Coral satchel [Bangkok], Salmon pink maxi skirt [Local department store], Vintage large frame sunglasses [Ray-Ban], Gold spike ear cuff [Young Wild Free], House of Harlow inspired necklace [Hailey and Five], Light Pink beaded bracelet [Orange Soda], Ditsy Rose Slingback Heels [Forever 21]


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The Entrepreneurial Finance Lab (EFL) offers an internship program to motivated students and young professionals interested in the social impact startup space. We are seeking an undergrad or recent graduate to join our team. We are looking for both part-time and full-time interns to work out of our Boston office. Part-time interns must work a minimum of 10 hours a week, and full-time interns must work 40 hours a week. Both full-time and part-time interns must be willing to commit at least four months of work. For more information and to apply, visit: http://www.efinlab.com/efl-fall-internship
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August 3rd, 2012
Spencer has always be very clear about school – it's the only time she ever wants to see the letter 'A' by itself. But since the evil 'A' has been so distracting, Spencer has put her academic future at risk. But things may change when Spencer and Aria find help in an unlikely source.
Check out this exclusive clip from Tuesday's brand new episode of Pretty Little Liars, airing at 8 pm ET on MUCH. Catch up on episodes, recaps, galleries and more here!
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Posted on Friday, August 3rd, 2012 at 6:46 pm by Allison and is filed under Pretty Little Liars.