Postal workers fear privatizing

Rachael Levy

Tuesday, July 2, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

About 400 Las Vegas postal workers protested plans to contract out portions of the U.S. Postal Service, warning that it could increase the chances of lost or mangled mail.

The American Postal Workers Union Local 761 picketed Monday evening outside Southern Nevada's Postal Service headquarters at 1001 E. Sunset Road. Members oppose Postmaster General Marvin Runyon's efforts to semi-privatize many of the jobs held by federal workers.

"We're trying to save the Postal Service," said Colleen Carney, director of special delivery and union picket chairwoman. "We believe rural people wouldn't get mail if it wasn't for the Postal Service."

Runyon has tried to streamline the Postal Service -- a year older than the republic itself -- since the early 1990s. But his efforts to reverse its reputation of poor service have met resistance among the ranks and from lobbying groups.

The Postal Service is a quasi-independent agency with the power to control its rates. It operates without the assistance of taxpayer money.

Nationwide, American Postal Workers Union members gathered Monday to voice their opposition to Runyon's plans. On June 19, Las Vegas members of the National Association of Letter Carriers held a similar protest.

There was a party-like feel to Monday's picket line as union members waved signs to the beat of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." A few sprayed each other with water from squirt bottles.

"We're not going to yell 'union, yes!' and 'management, no!'" local President Bill Harrell said. "We're trying to make this a happy thing. The public needs to get rid of this guy (Runyon) as much, if not more, than we do."

Las Vegas Postal Service spokeswoman Dee Dee Terrano said the agency does not resent the workers' action, but takes pride in the fact they care so much that mail delivery is done correctly.

Terrano emphasized that the Postal Service already contracts out $3.4 billion worth of work. Contracted trucks, airplanes and railroads delivered 2.5 billion pounds of mail last year, she said.

Fear of privatization "is way too premature," Terrano said. "Nothing at this point in time is set in stone."