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Retired postal worker Jamie Partridge, who is on a hunger strike, and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) explain why they’re protesting plans to cut mail s...
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And welcome to our microphones congressman Dennis Kucinich.
And also Jamie -- -- -- hunger strikers he's a retired postman.
-- tell me about this postal strike they the hunger strike that's going on -- what you're looking to accomplish -- -- -- -- -- those that hunger strike to say the Postal Service.
We are -- Mostly postal workers mail handlers clerks and letter carriers.
-- and so truck drivers.
And -- some veterans and seniors and occupy activists around the country from -- from California Colorado from Indiana from Maryland and were.
We're trying to.
Two.
Joseph why aren't.
Like starving herself that congress does -- local Serbs and we're trying to we're trying to turn up the pressure on congress -- It's simple services and stupid for years and -- services is going deep into debt.
And congress created problem convert protected.
You're sitting in front of congress as we speak to congressman Kucinich.
Just what can be done what should be done -- -- Republicans have some bills there'll ice that has a -- when he's not busy.
Investigating the Obama administration.
What is the answer to the problem to solve this financial crisis with a post office worry.
There's a bill sponsored by my friend mr.
lynch which -- supporting.
Which would affixed the overpayments that have been made.
To this civil service retirement system account.
And would stop and I mean really stop in its tracks.
This.
Policy that was put in place in 2006.
Which pre funded.
Pre funded health care benefits -- future retirees.
To this afternoon a five point five.
Billion dollars a year which is really.
You can't -- -- about this but it's really central.
To the financial problems the Postal Service I mean they actually created the crisis.
And then blame the postal workers -- And -- we have to do is reverse that -- you make some changes in the Postal Service to modernize -- without cutting.
Workers out.
Increased services and you know what we don't have a problem.
Jamie what the -- argument is you know the Postal Service.
Is now forced to make billions of dollars in prepayments.
For a future benefits ahead of time that's great.
Yes 75 years in advance refunding health benefits for cherry.
75 years and then that's 10% of the also budget.
There for folks that are not only don't work for the Postal Service yet they're not even born yet.
And other agency has is that no business would do -- certainly not a recession.
-- and it's it's.
Brothers percentage mentioned it's it's a manufactured crisis.
Why are they doing this why did they decide on this this policy.
-- -- from my point is this is step towards privatization and -- -- apostles service and capita output and jealous that I -- -- like so many other things around this town.
And I think.
The postal workers who courageously fighting to -- They're willing to put their health line going to say like are you gonna start the Postal -- we're -- -- the whole country know by starving ourselves.
Until the moral force of their effort -- reaches the level public awareness that forces congress to act on behalf of the American people.
Five point five billion dollars -- I understand it is do -- shortly infected two separate retiree payments both.
Five point five billion dollars.
Which of course there's gonna bankrupt even further the Postal Service.
That's correct it under and in September.
We're caught them both -- general not to make those payments.
He's he's scheduled cut from closer to begin on July 1 he's gonna start -- first class mail and -- frustration -- half the mail processing plants.
In the country and have both options the country will receive cut for point 5% to 5% in hours.
It'll of the impact.
40040.
Elimination of 40000 jobs and -- her words were caught on the -- in general to suspend those closures and cuts and to.
To refuse to make those payments to call the call congress.
On the air on their interaction.
And -- -- to step up for the postal Postal Service.
It's the start and -- and being crippled and there's there's no rational reason.
It's.
The other instances it is very.
It's an -- step toward privatization ignored this -- 67 billion dollar industry.
There which would have been preferable without this ritual mandated.
And you know the church -- sort when they would love to get hold them profitable portion but.
That private industry can not do -- also -- that social services universal service.
Reaching 150 million every family.
In the in the air -- defense maintain and outback collapsed into the bottom Grand Canyon at -- -- -- -- portable.
Rates and -- -- respectable not.
What you privatize congressman of course a profit motive takes over and you get less services and the people early -- will be the American people.
Allen you're absolutely right and -- spell it out greater detail.
Let's say you're living in a rural area.
No question about it what happened two proposals service customers with Japanese and cable subscribers.
That difficulty getting service or they're paying a premium board rate to cooperate buckle up for certain classes of mail.
And they'll be an attempt not only increase the -- the cut service.
And that the profits will skyrocket -- from and other corporations -- mega mergers.
And before you know it people will ask -- if they want any question about.
Postal Service policy under corporate ties to -- model.
Who knows they may have to go to.
Germany Japan or China to defined person who's in charge -- Jamie you are putting your health on the line as a constant pointed out in order to.
Bring attention to this how you -- -- Well targeted.
At.
All of them -- -- my my mental acuity is not what it.
It could be but -- you want it.
Well -- also congress Edward were.
We're presenting ourselves and look at -- people in the and we're saying.
Or starving because you're starving the -- How Long Will this keep up how much -- Will you keep the hunger strike going.
-- what we're going to be going.
For a number of more days this week.
We're going to but tomorrow going to.
-- -- a rally at the at the Washington Post because we're gonna look at at this that the newspaper of record in and the view is that recruitment and thus spreading misinformation and about -- are lingering in the dark and their competitors.
Aren't important bills civil.
We toward privatization they're there if you can talk a near term about the frequent mandate in the pension surplus -- We're -- do well in terms of -- people call them to calm enough to tell the truth.
But then he I think we're older.
And we're gonna -- big rally on Thursday to callable at the also recorders -- Call the pulse center general that the conclusions and -- don't you come up for par comfort that they want -- -- I suppose triple.
All right Jamie -- -- national coordinator for the CPW you one of the ten strikers.
Congress Kucinich once again on the right side history this privatization mania.
We gotta stop but before death takes over other industries -- do even more damage right.
Well.
All all of the government from a local.
County state and federal level.
Is under threat.
To this effort to.
Capitalize.
The resources of the United States of America.
Privatize them.
Turn them in their ongoing businesses without regard to the urgency of the service for the broad base of American people.
Increase the cost of this services.
Cut the services.
Make a profit.
Public you know we have an obligation.
To understand that government.
Provides for all people.
And whereas corporations that necessarily do that no matter what the corporation -- And governments that are provided -- -- corporations are there to make a profit and frankly.
Those two objectives are often mutually exclusive.
And that's why we have to remember that the fight that these postal.
Service employees are undertaking.
Has significance for all Americans certainly for the Postal Service but it's also -- stand on behalf.
Of a government that we can call around.
Congressman thank you again for your time thanks to be -- there's nineteen -- we thank you as well and wish you good health going forward.
They.
