The public sector has gotten a bad name because much of what passes for government today is a way to enrich the wealthy at our expense. Through government, Corporate America receives its long list of welfare in tax breaks, subsidies, and cost-plus contracts. Reclassification has nationally already contracted out most mail sorting to low-wage private presort companies, which specialize in barcoded mail. Local examples are Postal Services Inc. and Mailmovers in Seattle, and Laser Direct in Kent. These private companies are also taking full advantage of millions of federal dollars spent by the USPS on developing the new automated sorting technology, which includes scanners, remote video, and software to run them.
Tax breaks are another game.
Understandably, APWU workers are scared of the downward pressure on their own wages, and have voted to increase their dues by 20 cents a workday for a campaign to organize the private sorting houses. The reform was implemented by the Board of Governors of the USPS, which consists mostly of businessmen and includes no labor representation. Given this sort of leadership, it's not surprising that one privatization plan to turn the USPS into a private employee-owned firm has repeatedly failed in congress, due to lack of support from the private sector. Despite terrible odds, two successes have occurred in union organizing. PSI management did not return a phone call requesting an interview.