|
Issue
An efficient and effective postal system is vital to printers. Does the
USPS have the legal framework to be a good partner or should changes be
sought to allow for important, necessary improvements?
Status
Postal reform legislation was proposed in the 106th and 107th Congresses
to address some of the concerns of major mailers. Unfortunately, the legislation
was doomed by the failure of the sponsors to move the bill at the proper
time and opposition from private shipping companies, unions and newspaper
publishers. The legislation would have made numerous changes to the rate
setting process of the Postal Service, but perhaps the most significant
change would be to allow negotiated rate agreements with major mailers.
Printing companies that were able to present savings through consolidated
mailings or mail processing efficiencies could negotiate with the Postal
Service for lower rates. While such negotiations tend to favor larger
mailers, even smaller companies with postal expertise could benefit. Additionally,
the ability of mailers to negotiate better deals for themselves and their
customers should result in generating a larger volume of mail.
The image
of the Postal Service on Capitol Hill ranges from invisible to negative.
This has complicated reform efforts. As a result, attention has shifted
from a focus on reform legislation to the establishment of a presidential
commission to recommend changes in the USPS.
Concerns
While PIA endorsed postal reform legislation, it has been difficult for
PIA to be active. The printing industry is divided into two groups —
those who depend on the Postal Service and those who are forced to use
it. As a generalization, smaller companies do not feel as positively about
the USPS as larger companies do because there are relatively few discounts
available to them. Smaller companies have been unhappy with the various
USPS ventures into private market areas.
Increasing
problems in the Postal Service have caused a shift in the view of printers
toward the agency. Large direct mail and magazine printers have increased
their attention to postal issues while medium and smaller companies have
begun to realize how the industry is tied to a successful mail distribution
system.
Position
PIA supports postal reform. However, PIA believes the Postal Service should
not enter into new services that directly compete with the private sector.
PIA endorses a Presidential Commission on postal reform as the best possible
method of achieving reform in the shortest possible time.
|
