Now What!

· Our FEHBP premiums have doubled since 2000. Postal employees are now paying a greater share of the employer/employee contribution.

• Health care costs have soared! We are paying more for medical costs, co-payments, prescription drugs, and medical care than ever before.
  · Now “they” want to tax our health benefits! When will it stop?
  
  Some of our legislators have introduced legislation that will tax our health benefits; more for the government in the form of tax revenue and less for us! Bull-crap! If you sit still, we will be paying more, I guarantee that!

 

Each one of us, get off our lazy butt and do something about it! Speak up; make the phone calls: write the letters; donate your time; part with a few bucks.

I have told you time and time again, Congress understands money and votes. What don’t you understand about that?

All this other crap that you think is important to them takes a back seat to what gets them elected. You ... we ... have more power and influence that you think.

 

Perhaps, I am preaching to the choir. I don’t expect everyone to do as I ask; but seriously folks, don’t you see what is happening. Do you need prescription glasses? Congress is putting these money issues right in front of your eyes. How you can let this go unchallenged is beyond me. Can’t you see this?

 

Stop being penny-wise and dollar foolish; I can no longer afford your generosity of paying more for less ... and I can no longer afford to pay for your ignorance.

 

It never stops. Legislators just continue to peck away and take everything they can from us.

 

And on top of this, when the 2011 contract time comes around, the Postal Service will be want to give us less and take away what we have. Can you imagine what the 2011 contract talks are going to be like?

 

Guaranteed, the Postal Service will be looking for concessions ... and give-backs ... no question about it.

 

In 2011, we will be fighting both Congress and the Postal Service just to maintain what we have now. 

 

I’m probably just wasting my time as usual; typing away thinking that I will make a difference by motivating you to get up of your butt and be heard; by asking you to give a few dollars to COLCPE; and by asking you to do your part in effort to save our jobs, salaries, and benefits.

 

This won’t be my first disappointment and I am sure it won’t be my last. I would hope that all postal employees would heed my warning and take my advice.

 

Perhaps it will be business as usual for many of my

co-workers ... and I guess I’ll have to live with it as I have in the past. If I have to pay more and have my health benefits taxed, at least, I put my money where my mouth is and went down fighting.

 

Joseph R. Palmerson, President

NALC Branch 2128 Toms River

November 12, 2009

 

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