Letter carriers protest plan to privatize Postal Service

Grand Island, NE — Letter carriers say the “U.S. Mail is not for sale”, as they rally against a plan to privatize the postal service.

Rain nor heat keeps letter carriers like Ken Nickerson from making their rounds, or protesting their future.

“Out here in the rain, cold rainy day,” Nickerson said. “Just to educate the public what could happen if we don’t stand together and protect the postal service.”

They’re afraid President Donald Trump will privatize the United States Postal service, after he raised concerns.

“He has a feud with the Washington Post, which the owner of the Washington Post owns Amazon, you know. So it just goes back to a Trump feud, with the post office caught in the middle.”

The postal service is one of several agencies being scrutinized, as part of a government reform process.

A government report says the USPS has posted losses for many years with “no clear path to profitability without reform.” A new model that adequately finances USPS while meeting the needs of rural and urban communities, large mailers, and small businesses is needed.”

The report says privatizing is the way to go, but letter carriers say that would be devastating in rural areas.

Nickerson said, “They’d be the ones hit most directly. Probably take a surcharge to take them out there to their farm or smaller town in general.”

They protested outside Congressman Adrian Smith’s Grand Island office.

In a statement, he says the post office must be modernized. However, Rep. Smith said, “My support for any reforms will be contingent upon ensuring the postal service continues to meet the needs of rural areas.”

The government report says mail delivery is way down in the internet age. Carriers don’t deny that, but say online shopping has been a boost.

“The post office is fine. E-commerce gives us the profits that we need through our parcel delivery business now,” Nickerson said.

Details of the White House plan are two months late, so specifics aren’t known.

Carriers say citizens would oppose the move if they knew about it.

Ken Nickerson said, “We hope the public will support us because we’ve always supported them.”

Letter carriers protested across the country on Monday. One of their issues is a 2006 law that requires the postal service to pre-fund retirement benefits. They say it’s not realistic and want a pay-as-you-go system.

Courtesy: NTV