'Not for sale': USPS workers hold day of action to warn of Trump's 'illegal takeover'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Thu 20 Mar 2025 11.39 EDT
First published on Thu 20 Mar 2025 11.21 EDT


US Postal Service workers and advocates are holding a day of action today in more than 150 cities as they brace for the Trump administration to launch an “illegal hostile takeover” which they warn will slash jobs, boost prices and shut down post offices. Donald Trump’s officials are weighing plans to transfer the USPS to the Department of Commerce, stripping it of its independence. The president and his allies have also signaled they are willing to privatize the service.

“This is the people’s postal service, emphasis on ‘service’,” said Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, in a statement on Thursday’s demonstrations. “If this administration succeeds in taking over the USPS, it will lead to higher prices and reduced service, especially in rural areas.”

Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, said: “The American people depend on the United States Postal Service, and it’s unacceptable for political interference to disrupt its operations. President Trump supports the hard work of these individuals and is solely working to make the entire federal government more efficient and uproot waste, fraud and abuse.” The USPS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

“This administration wanted to sell off the postal service for parts the last time they were in power, and it was deeply unpopular. This time is no different,” said Porter McConnell of the Save the Post Office Coalition, a network of 300 public interest groups. “Members of Congress have been hearing from their constituents by the thousands that the mail is getting slower and less reliable, all because back in 1970, Congress forced this public institution to turn a profit, even as its purpose in the constitution was to bind the nation together through communication.” Cities where actions are being held include Atlanta, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington DC.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/20/usps-postal-service-trump-protest

[CTyankee]

1. Trying to privatize the U.S. Mail has been going on for YEARS! Even before Trump, I remember repuke efforts to do this.

I have absolutely no problem with the U.S. Postal Service as it is today. Republicans want to take it over so some people can make a LOT of money at OUR expense!

[RazorbackExpat]

3. Nixon started the privatization process in 1971

when the U.S.Post Office became the U.S.Postal Service. From 1932 until 1958, the cost to mail a first class letter was 3 cents. The rate was changed to 4 cents in mid-1958, where it remained until 1963. Then it became 5 cents until 1968, when it became 6 cents. When the USPS came into existence on July 1, 1971, it became 8 cents, for a 100% increase since 1958.

[Wiz Imp]

5. An OIG survey administered during the COVID-19 pandemic found 91% of people in the U.S. held a favorable view of USPS

91% Favorability!!!!! For A Government Agency!!!!!

Privatization would definitely raise costs for customers while almost certainly providing lesser quality service.

https://www.uspsoig.gov/reports/white-papers/customer-perceptions-us-postal-service-during-covid-19-pandemic#:~:text=An%20OIG%20survey%20administered,is%20important%20(96%20percent).

[FirstLight]

2. I thought the Postal Service was part of the Congressional duties?

In the Constitution, it's listed under the federal duties like power of the purse, war, etc...? or am I way off?

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Here

(and a lot of the "bills" you see passed are "naming Post Offices" ) -

Article I

(snip)

Section 8.

The Congress shall have power

(snip)

To establish post offices and post roads;

(snip)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei

[Butterflylady]

6. During F47s first regime, I had to mail a package......

So I went to our local post office and while I'm standing in line, I noticed a picture of F47 on the wall next to one of the clerks. I also noticed a signature and some writing on the picture. When I got closer to the picture when it was my turn, I was able to read it. It said "to big red" and of course F47 signed it. What made me remember this, the clerk where the picture was a very tall and well built woman who had RED hair. She evidently wanted to make sure everyone saw it.

I left who was behind me go ahead of me because I did not want her to wait on me because I might say something that I shouldn't have and get thrown out of the post office.