The fast-track rate case schedule the U.S. Postal Service proposed to the Postal Rate Commission is in danger of being derailed because of a postal labor union's concern about its due process rights.
Late last week the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) asked the PRC in legal papers to extend the proposed schedule from early March to at least early April. This would give it more time to prepare oral and written legal arguments opposing the settlement agreement reached between others in the case and the USPS.
The USPS, which proposed its expedited schedule last week, is expected to file papers with the PRC opposing the union's request in the next few days. A ruling on both proposals is expected shortly.
"The due process rights of the APWU as a participant in this case require that adequate time be allowed to fully develop the record on the issues of concern to the APWU" for full consideration by the PRC, said the union in its filing.
The labor group noted that while it is aware that the USPS and the rate case participants want to conclude the case in time for the new rates to take effect [July 1], the APWU is concerned with the need to provide due process to fully consider the arguments it and other parties will raise about the settlement agreement.
The APWU is the only one of the 62 participants in the case objecting to the settlement agreement signed earlier this month by 55 other participants.
In that agreement, raising rates by an average of 8.7%, the USPS said it would delay implementing the new rates at least until July 1 when Standard Mail rates would go up by 7.3%; the rates for periodicals would increase by 10%; Priority Mail rates would jump 13.5%; Express Mail rates would rise by 8.2% and the price of a first class stamp would go up to 37 cents from 34 cents.
