The California Federation of Teachers will vote whether to keep purchasing school supplies from Staples Office Supply stores on Monday, amid controversy about the retailer housing United States Post Office services.
Federation teachers typically buy $1.3 billion worth of school supplies every year for their classes, but this could change if the educators vote in support of a bylaw indicating the group must refrain from using Staples for their classroom needs.
The president of the American Postal Workers Union told Bloomberg Businessweek he didn't see a problem with people heading to Staples for their mailing needs.
"I'm a liberal, and I really don't like the union-bashing right wing nitwits in this country, but good God, these union guys make it hard. What in hell could possibly be wrong with making it easier to buy stamps and ship a package via USPS by having this available in stores like Staples?" Mark Dimondstein said.
The general president of the American Postal Workers Union, along with the rest of the group, are reportedly not happy about members being substituted with employees outside of the postal servicfe, but who still receive payment, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
The group held 50 protests in the United States Thursday, including one at Charlotte, N.C.'s flagship post office on North McDowell Street.
According to The Observer, the issue has gone on for months. The USPS lost $5 billion during the 2013 fiscal year, after a $16 billion decrease the previous year - this decline could be attributed in part to a slump in first class mail circulation, in addition to reduced funding.
According to AP, post office workers might lose their jobs if Staples employees take over. Locations could also shutdown.
The USPS has focused on teaming up with businesses in efforts to slim costs and increase income.
"Staples employees receive minimal training, and the company's low pay results in high employee turnover," Leroy Moyer, general president of the APWU in Charlotte told AP.
Moyer also said that he felt USPS workers - not Staples employees - needed to run places with mail services, AP reported.
"Mail should be handled by highly-trained, experienced postal employees, who swear an oath to protect your letters and packages," Moyer said.
