LEGISLATIVE ISSUES — CAN A LAME DUCK FLY?

JUST WHEN it appeared passage of the 1,000-pound gorilla known as postal reform appeared a fait accompli for Congress, in steps the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) throwing a curve ball that would make Roger Clemens blush.

As the hours leading up to Congress’ election day break ticked off, the NALC somewhat surprisingly voiced its displeasure with some elements of the bill dealing with workman’s compensation. The NALC, a large and respected union, weighed in just late enough in the process to prevent a vote from being taken on legislation that would have updated the 30+-year-old, antiquated business practices of the United States Postal Service (USPS).