This ad, “Walt Gale, ” features a 22-year veteran of the Colorado Springs mail processing plant who speaks about the critical services the Postal Service provides to all Americans.

This ad, “Voices,” features a wide array of Americans who rely on the Postal Service, whether for their small business or for delivery of their cancer medications. It shows the how the proposed cuts will damage the US economy while reducing the quality of service on which Americans rely on.

“Voices” is one of three new television spots that highlight the critical ways America depends on the Postal Service — and the devastating effect closing post offices and mail processing plants would have on our nation. Each of the three 30-second spots illustrates the significant dangers associated with cutting both services and jobs. The three spots will begin airing March 14 on national cable networks and the NBC Nightly News. The ad will run through mid-May, when massive cuts to America’s postal infrastructure will begin to take affect — unless Congress takes action.

This ad, “Michael Bazinet, ” tells the story of a small business owner in Bangor, Maine. Bazinet’s company — Creative Digital Imaging — relies on the critical services of the Eastern Maine processing plant. Bazinet speaks about the impact of reduced services, which would result in lost clients and potential layoffs.

The APWU is launching the next phase of its television ad campaign, with spots to begin airing on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News on Wednesday March 14, President Cliff Guffey has announced. The ads also will appear in a limited run on NBC Nightly News.

In the new ads, postal workers and customers talk about the importance of the Postal Service to our nation — and the devastating effect closing post offices and consolidating mail processing plants would have on our communities and our economy. The ads are slated to run through mid May.

The latest phase of the union’s public outreach campaign takes place at a critical juncture: A moratorium on closings and consolidations is set to expire on May 15. The moratorium is intended to give Congress a chance to act on legislation to resolve the USPS financial crisis — without imposing drastic cuts in service and jobs.

The ads underscore the union’s message: “America depends on the Postal Service,” said Guffey.

“From medicines, to checks and bills, the Postal Service is the backbone of a $1 trillion mailing industry that operates without one dime of taxpayer funds. It is funded by the sale of stamps and postage.

“But in 2006, Congress imposed a burden on the Postal Service that no other company or government agency faces, and it is driving the Postal Service toward insolvency,” the union president added. “Congress talks about job growth, but unless they take action, 100,000 jobs will be lost.” The Postal Enhancement and Accountability Act drains more than $5 billion a year from the USPS by forcing the agency to fully pre-fund healthcare benefits for future retirees — a burden faced by no other government agency or private business.

“Congress created this problem and Congress can fix it,” Guffey said.

“The ads are intended to build public awareness and support for congressional efforts to resolve the Postal Service’s financial crisis without cutting pay, reducing benefits, eliminating collective bargaining rights, or slashing service,” he said. Union members should continue to urge their Senators to support amendments to the 21st Century Postal Service Act (S. 1789), which is expected to come up for a vote in the Senate soon.

The APWU supports amendments that would maintain current service standards, halt the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs, and stop drastic reductions in service to the American people.

Support Amendments to S. 1789

The APWU is encouraging members to continue to contact their Senators to support amendments to the 21st Century Postal Service Act (S. 1789), which could be voted upon in the Senate soon.

The APWU supports amendments that would maintain current service standards, halt the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs, and stop drastic reductions in service to the American people.

Members can call their Senators at the Capitol Hill Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Tell them you oppose S. 1789 as it is currently written.

The White House announced on Friday that President Obama has nominated Dr. Katherine C. Tobin to serve on the Board of Governors of the US Postal Service. Tobin was first named to the BOG by George W. Bush in 2006. In 2009 she left to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Performance Improvement at the Department of Education.

Here’s the official announcement:

Dr. Katherine C. Tobin, Nominee for Governor, Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service

Dr. Katherine C. Tobin served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Performance Improvement at the Department of Education from May 2009 to February 2011. From 2006 to 2009, Dr. Tobin was a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, where she was Chairman of the Board’s Audit and Finance Committee. She was a Senior Market Research Manager at TNS from 2003 to 2005 and at Catalyst, a nonprofit working to advance women in business, from 1998 to 2003. In 1994, she founded the Leadership Institute, LLC, which advised corporations on market research and management issues. Earlier in her career, Dr. Tobin worked in management and development for a diverse group of educational and corporate institutions, including Manhattanville College, the University of Nevada, Stanford University, and Hewlett-Packard. Dr. Tobin earned a B.A. from Skidmore College, a M.A. from the University of Massachusetts’ School of Education, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University’s School of Education.