Privatization: The Postal Service's Looming Crisis

PRIVATIZATION: THE POSTAL SERVICE'S LOOMING CRISIS

BUY NOW! The U.S. Postal Service is on the brink of a monumental shift. Privatization is looming, and it could mean the end of the USPS as we know it. This isn't just about losing a beloved institution; it's about the potential collapse of a critical infrastructure that supports millions of Americans. Let's dive into the chaos and see what's at stake.

PRIVATIZATION: THE DEATH KNELL FOR POSTAL WORKERS?

Privatization could mean a big sell-off of the entire USPS to the private sector. It could mean splitting the network into pieces, selling off the most profitable parts to corporations, while leaving the rest to fail. It could even mean contracting out most of the network. However they try to do it, the effect on postal workers would be similar.

YOU WOULD NOT HAVE A JOB WITH THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE.

YOU WOULD NO LONGER BE COVERED BY THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE APWU AND THE USPS.

YOUR WAGES, BENEFITS, COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS (COLAS), AND FINANCIAL AND JOB SECURITY WOULD BE GONE.

FAIR HIRING PRACTICES FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WOULD LIKELY CEASE.

YOUR FEDERAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS WOULD BE FROZEN AND WOULD NOT INCREASE. NEW, NOT-YET-VESTED WORKERS WOULD LOSE THEIR RETIREMENT.

YOU WOULD LOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE WITH THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT (FEHB) PLAN. YOUR NO-LAYOFF CLAUSE AND JUST-CAUSE PROTECTIONS AGAINST UNFAIR DISCIPLINE AND TERMINATION WOULD CEASE.

ALL YOUR BENEFITS, LIKE YOUR SICK, VACATION, AND HOLIDAY LEAVE, WOULD BE GONE.

YOUR RIGHT TO FILE GRIEVANCES WOULD BE LOST, UNLESS YOU ARE WORKING FOR A UNIONIZED PRIVATE COMPANY.

THERE WOULD BE NO RECURSE FOR UNSAFE WORK ENVIRONMENTS, HARASSMENT, AND MORE.

YOUR POSTAL SENIORITY AND RELATED BENEFITS WOULD BE GONE.

PRIVATIZATION: THE END OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE?

Efforts to sell off the Postal Service, in whole or in part, or to strip it of its independence or public service mission, would be of no benefit to the American people. Instead, it would drive up postage rates and lead to reduced service, especially to rural areas.

THE POSTAL REORGANIZATION ACT, THE 1970 LAW THAT CREATED THE POSTAL SERVICE AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY, INTENDED OUR WORK TO BE FREED FROM THE SHIFTING POLITICAL WINDS, AND DEDICATED TO SERVING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. WE HAVE FOUGHT – MANY TIMES – TO KEEP OUR SERVICE FREE FROM POLITICAL MEDDLING, BUT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A THREAT THIS DIRE. LET’S STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK, APWU!

PRIVATIZATION: THE ECONOMIC IMPACT

The privatization of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) would significantly impact the delivery of essential services such as prescription drugs, mail-in election ballots, and online purchases, with severe consequences for consumers and businesses.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DELIVERY

Rural access at risk. The USPS guarantees delivery to all addresses, including rural areas where 57% of post offices are located, despite only 16% of the U.S. population residing there. Privatization could lead to service cuts in these areas, as private companies prioritize profitable routes.

MAIL-IN ELECTION BALLOTS

Reliability concerns. USPS handles a significant volume of mail-in ballots, especially in states relying on vote-by-mail. Privatization could disrupt this process.

ONLINE PURCHASES AND LAST-MILE DELIVERY

Dependence on USPS infrastructure. Private shipping giants like UPS and FedEx rely on USPS for "last-mile" deliveries to homes, especially in rural areas.

FINANCIAL AND SERVICE CONSEQUENCES FOR CONSUMERS

Price increases. Privatization could lead to higher costs for consumers.

Reduced service quality. European postal privatizations led to 25–32% employment drops, reduced retail hours, and delivery access.

IMPACT ON BUSINESSES

Disruption of supply chains. Businesses reliant on USPS for bulk mail (e.g., pharmacies, banks, catalog companies) could face higher costs or delays.

Loss of universal service. A private USPS might abandon unprofitable routes, forcing businesses to find alternative (and likely costlier) delivery methods for rural customers.

POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES

Erosion of public trust. USPS’s role as a nonpartisan, universal service underpins public trust. Privatization could politicize mail delivery, as seen in the 2020 election controversies.

Inequitable access. Rural and low-income communities would bear the brunt of service cuts, exacerbating existing disparities.

PRIVATIZATION: THE BOTTOM LINE

Privatization would likely lead to reduced service reliability, higher costs, and uneven access to essential services like prescription delivery, election mail, and online shopping. While proponents argue privatization could improve efficiency, historical examples (e.g., Europe’s postal privatizations) and USPS’s recent profitability under DeJoy suggest that maintaining its public mandate is critical to ensuring equitable and affordable service for all Americans.

STAY AWAY FROM PRIVATIZATION!

The U.S. Postal Service is a vital institution that serves millions of Americans. Privatization would be a disaster for postal workers, consumers, and businesses. It's time to stand up and fight back against this looming crisis. The future of the USPS is at stake, and we can't afford to let it slip away.