[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6900]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            MASSACHUSETTS STATE LETTER CARRIERS' ASSOCIATION

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today I would like to honor the 
efforts of my long time friends at the Massachusetts State Letter 
Carriers' Association (MSLCA) as they continue to fight for job 
security, fair pensions, health care, and reforms to the national 
postal system. I would also like to applaud Massachusetts president, 
Frederick Celeste, and the National Association of Letter Carriers as 
they continually seek to improve and develop a mail service that 
efficiently delivers both in Massachusetts and nationwide.
  Soon Massachusetts' proud 11,000 Letter Carriers will be gathering in 
Washington, D.C. for their annual convention. These hardworking men and 
women provide the Bay State with a vital service each day. Letter 
Carriers have been the backbone of the communications and commercial 
infrastructure of our nation since its inception. On behalf of all 
Massachusetts residents, I would like to thank the Letter Carriers 
Association for remaining vigilant in the fight to further improve the 
postal system.
  The Letter Carriers' Association has always fought for decent wages, 
cost of living adjustments, job security, and benefits for its brothers 
and sisters, while constantly striving to forge a more effective 
partnership with the United States Postal Service and the federal 
government. Throughout my career, I have always been grateful for the 
tremendous help I have received from the Letter carriers.
  This year, The Letter Carriers of New England are rallying around an 
agenda to secure fair benefits to provide security for their families 
and their future. They are fighting for adequate social security 
benefits through the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Social 
Security Benefits Restoration Act. The Carriers are working to secure 
long-term care insurance for federal employees, and are guarding 
against rate hikes in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan by 
opposing inserting medical savings accounts. I look forward to 
continuing to join with the Letter Carriers in opposing the 
privatization of the Postal Service.
  Mr. President, The American public has an overwhelmingly favorable 
view of their letter carriers. In fact, 89 percent of the American 
public gives the Postal Service a favorable rating, higher than any 
other federal agency. In addition, 75 percent of Americans identify 
that the Postal Service is doing an excellent or good job. I think that 
it is time that we say, if it is not broke, don't fix it.
  The Letter Carriers have recently won some victories for their 
brother and sisters. In September, 1999, an Arbitration Board, in 
conjunction with an agreement between the Postal Service and the NALC, 
upgraded all letter carriers from Grade 5 to Grade 6 federal employees. 
The recent pay raise and cost of living adjustments reflect the 
concerted lobbying and negotiating efforts of the Letter carriers' 
leadership, including National President Vincent Sombrotto.
  Mr. President, I would like to thank the Letter Carriers for their 
service to the public. There is much to celebrate. As we focus on the 
fights that lay ahead, I look forward to joining with the Letter 
Carriers to protect our families and our future.

                          ____________________