The U.S. Postal Service is bracing for significant changes, with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announcing plans to cut an additional 10,000 jobs in the coming months, compounding the 30,000 positions already lost since 2021. This financial strain has led to growing concerns among employees and unions regarding the future of the independent agency.
A national effort to combat these changes is underway, with postal employees rallying this Sunday, March 23, 2025, at noon in Perry Square, Erie, Pennsylvania. Among the participants will be State Rep. Pat Harkins from Erie, who supports the fight against potential privatization and job cuts in the Postal Service.
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), which represents many of the agency's 635,000 employees, is leading the charge to protect jobs, uphold the obligation to universal service, and resist privatization attempts that could threaten jobs. Harkins, along with others, highlights the crucial role postal services play, expressing concern that major changes could disrupt service quality and accessibility.
As reported by USA Today, the Postal Service suffered a staggering loss of $9.5 billion last year, revealing deep-rooted financial troubles. A contributing factor is the steady decline in first-class mail volume, which has plummeted by 55% over the last two decades. This changing landscape highlights the Postal Service's need for support, especially as it operates without taxpayer funding and relies on revenue generated from stamp sales and shipping fees.
DeJoy has hinted at more drastic restructuring, having authorized the General Services Administration and the newly established Department of Government Efficiency – led by entrepreneur Elon Musk – to identify further operational inefficiencies. President Donald Trump echoed concerns in February about possibly merging the Postal Service with the Commerce Department, a move many cite as detrimental to postal service standards.
Harkins, who previously worked for UPS, recalls back in the day when the company encouraged employees to lobby for postal privatization. "I don't think it's a good idea," he said, asserting that privatization would ultimately eliminate the essential universal service that guarantees mail delivery to every address at a fixed price. As he points out, mailing a letter from Erie to Los Angeles costs just 73 cents, a rate that could drastically change under a privatized model.
Under a privatized system, Harkins foresees a future where companies pick and choose what services to offer, undermining the universal service mandate critical to ensuring accessibility across diverse communities. The NALC is staunchly opposed to these privatization discussions, calling it a risk to the jobs of over 640,000 postal workers, as well as to the service's mission to provide universal coverage.
As the rally approaches, workers aim to draw attention to their cause, emphasizing the need for protection against looming threats and the vital role the Postal Service plays in American life. "We’re here to fight for [postal workers]' jobs and the service we provide to the public," Harkins added.
The outcome of these efforts remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: postal workers and their advocates are determined to keep the conversation going about the future of the USPS and its essential role in connecting communities throughout the nation.
