American Postal Workers Union to “Vigorously Oppose” Staples/Office Depot Merger

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NH Labor News

Washington – The American Postal Workers Union announced today that the 200,000–member organization will “vigorously oppose” the merger between Staples and Office Depot. “We will urge the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to block this monopolistic and unlawful merger now, just as they did 17 years ago,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “And we call on Congress to weigh in with the FTC and the Department of Justice to stop it.

“A Staples takeover of Office Depot would lead to higher prices for consumers and store closings that would affect employees and customers alike,” Dimondstein said. “There are new grounds to block this combination as well,” he added.

In the past year, over the objections of the APWU, consumer organizations, civil rights advocates and teacher groups, Staples has begun offering mail services at its retail stores. In doing so, Staples has replaced highly-trained USPS workers with its own unskilled, low-wage employees. Concurrently, the USPS has reduced hours in some post offices and encouraged customers to use Staples stores instead.

In documents obtained by the union, the Postal Service outlined plans to transfer USPS work to Staples in order to reduce employment and hours of service to the public in neighborhood post offices. “The transfer of living-wage jobs to low-wage, poverty-level jobs is not in the public interest,” Dimondstein said. “Staples is an anti-worker corporation, and we don’t want to see its reach expanded. We will vigorously oppose this merger. It’s bad for workers and bad for consumers.”

FULL story at link. For more information visit http://stopstaples.com/




Read more: http://nhlabornews.com/2015/02/american-postal-workers-union-to-vigorously-oppose-staplesoffice-depot-merger/

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DUer Matt Murray runs the NH Labor News BTW.

The American Postal Workers Union represents 200,000 employees of the United States Postal Service. The union is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

1. I don't understand how

they can do this. I'd think everyone should be trying to stop this........

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Everyone except the Republicans.

I think they'd like this a lot, esp. since they hate the post office and would love to undermine it.

[Faryn Balyncd]

3. Teddy Roosevelt would enforce the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Just like he did to J. P. Morgan's railroad trust.

[malokvale77]

4. I hope they prevail

I hate Staples. I get all my office supplies from Office Depot.

We are fast running out of choices.

[winterwar]

15. Staples just made a huge offer to buy Office Depot

So now there might be one less if the deal goes through. If so we will terrible options for office supplies. Not much competition after that.

[Auggie]

36. Heh ... I hate Office Depot and buy only from Staples.

Silly world.

[PatrynXX]

37. Office Depot... as in they are still around??

like Office Max or Office Superstore before that... just going bye bye so if Office Depot doesn't merge now it'll be even worse when it goes bankrupt

[Auggie]

38. Yes ... this thread is about Office Depot being purchased by Staples

[Hoyt]

5. I'm a big supporter of Post Office, but not sure this is the way to compete.

I would never use Office Depot or Staples for my postal needs.The Post Office is my preference. Used to ride with my grandad in the 50s on his rural route. But, I'm not sure Post Office or related groups should have a say except as individuals. Sorry.

[Daemonaquila]

6. Aw HELL no.

Give 'em hell, APWU!

[randr]

7. Remember Bain Capital?

Owners of Staples? Who tried to offer postal services at their stores?

[rurallib]

9. Just going to check and see if Bain still owned Staples

bet the Mittster is counting his millions

[LiberalEsto]

34. I thought Staples was owned by the Kochroaches n/t

[cstanleytech]

8. Why dont they just support the merger instead

providing that the new company agrees to go union?

[progressoid]

12. Ha.

You seriously think the new company would agree to allow unions? They have both been very anit-unions in the past.

[cstanleytech]

13. Nope I doubt they would to be honest but it wouldnt hurt the union to try that tactic as

it might put the companies in a tight spot and it could help kill the deal if they wont go along with the idea.

[fasttense]

22. You don't know if the union has already tried.

Assuming that the union never offered to unionize those stores is a big assumption.

Every time a corporation merges with another, jobs are cut in half.

[cstanleytech]

23. Yes I know, thats how my brother lost his job of 18 years with Bi-Lo

after they bought out a few other grocery chains in the state.
But that aside I still believe that the union should consider trying that tactic if they have not done so yet and besides if the company agrees to support forming a union for its employees its a huge win imo for the employees.

[WillyT]

10. K & R !!!

[George II]

11. I'll pay more at a local stationery store than buy anything from Staples

[winterwar]

16. thank you

If only more people had that mentality. My friends think I'm crazy when I admit I'll spend extra on a different website just to avoid dealing with bad companies. Nobody gets my money until I know what they are about.

[appalachiablue]

24. I do it, always have used small companies for work & myself. I like the small size & quality service

Avoid big box stores except Target once & Costco with a friend. What's been done to the USPS to break it is criminal, forced to pay retirement benefits years in advance during W & not allowing it to bring in revenue through services & products like notarizing. Starve the beast-
A couple years ago I remember a relative calling a radio show to say when her cousin ordered a replacement prosthetic the quotes for shipping from NE to AZ with Fed Ex & UPS were around $800. The US PO cost was only $150. It's the neoliberal privatization game & ultimate race to the bottom.

[blkmusclmachine]

14. All for the Post Office.

[Arcadiasix]

17. A local Ace hardware a few miles from does US postal

If the post office wants to compete they better start being open to 9pm like they are. People pay for convenience.

[Scuba]

18. This merger is about one thing ... OK, two things. First, money and second ...

... well, ultimately the second thing is about money too, but not quite as direct a path ...

[Enthusiast]

20. PLUS ONE, a whole bunch!

[Android3.14]

26. Well this is another example of misinformation

The postal unuions represent about 600,000 workers.

The APWU "represents over 200,000 employees and retirees of the United States Postal Service who belong to the Clerk, Maintenance, Motor Vehicle, and Support Services divisions. It also represents approximately 2,000 private-sector mail workers."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Postal_Workers_Union

The largest union (and most ineffective, I might add) is the National Education Association with 13 times as many members at 2,700,000.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_trade_unions_in_the_United_States

It's not you, Scuba. I figure you saw this and it sounded right and that's why you posted it. But I fucking hate misinformation.

[Scuba]

29. I did not know this. Thanks Android, for setting the record straight.

[Android3.14]

33. No worries

I appreciate and enjoy your contributions.

[brooklynite]

19. How many people here pay their bills on line today?

taking business away from "highly-trained USPS workers"?

[rhett o rick]

27. Do you have a point? nm

[blackspade]

31. Not I.

[Omaha Steve]

39. I do

I also use Netflix several times a week in both directions by USPS.

I use emails, fax, and buy from E-bay.

Marta's Christmas present was belivered on 12-22-14. One day before the record below.

Dec 22, 2014 3:23pm BELLEVUE, NE 68005 Delivered
Dec 22, 2014 11:05am BELLEVUE, NE 68005 Out for Delivery
Dec 22, 2014 10:55am BELLEVUE, NE 68005 Sorting Complete
Dec 21, 2014 11:16am BELLEVUE, NE 68005 Arrived at Hub
Dec 17, 2014 8:42pm GARDEN CITY, NY 11599 Departed USPS Facility
Dec 17, 2014 2:52pm GARDEN CITY, NY 11599 Arrived at USPS Facility

OS


USPS delivers record number of packages: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/12/23/package-postal-service-delivery-holiday/20813279/

http://usat.ly/16NV6hf via @usatodayideo: http://usat.ly/16NV6hf via @usatoday

Natalie DiBlasio, USA TODAY 3:25 p.m. EST December 23, 2014

The U.S. Postal Service delivered 28.2 million packages Monday, breaking its own record for most parcels ever delivered in a single day in its 237-year history.

The number of packages slid past the record the USPS set a week before, spokeswoman Sarah Ninivaggi said. On Dec. 15, USPS delivered 27.9 million packages, she said.

"The times are changing," Ninivaggi said. "You can see how much people are going online to buy their Christmas gifts."

Monday's deliveries marked a 10.5% increase over the same day last year and 9.5% higher than the busiest day in the 2013 holiday season.

FULL story at link.

[Enthusiast]

21. Kicked

and recommended a whole bunch!

[Android3.14]

25. And then they stamped their feet

Come on APWU, do something about it.

"Vigorously opposed"? Whatever.

[rhett o rick]

28. I support the APWU. nm

[blackspade]

30. I want the USPS to stay the USPS.

I ship and mail no other way.

[Township75]

32. "Highly-trained usps workers"

😆

[jtuck004]

35. Leaving many with almost no way around enriching Mi$$ RobMe.

And they said he lost.

[alp227]

40. Thom Hartmann mentioned you in discussing this article!