The Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe’s announcement on Feb 6 about plan to cancel Saturday mail deliveries by August has drawn fire from lawmakers.
A few reactions from Senators:
Sen. Thomas Carper (D., Del.), chairman of the Senate committee that oversees the Postal Service, said he intends to pursue new legislation to overhaul Postal operations, after a bill he wrote failed to clear the previous session of Congress. “Come August…if we’re still here debating these issues, we have failed—I have no intention of failing,” Mr. Carper said. “The post office can’t continue to lose $5 billion a year going forward.”
Since 1983 Congress has insisted mail be delivered on Saturdays. “Apparently you believe you have the legal authority despite what Congress has said,” Sen. Carl Levin (D., Mich.) said.
Sen. Mark Pryor (D., Ala.) asked Mr. Donahoe to provide a legal justification for the move. The Postal Service said a measure temporarily funding the government opened a window to cut Saturday mail.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R., Okla.) said Congress must stop micromanaging the Postal Service. “We to need to give the post office the flexibility necessary to be successful,” he said.
source: Senator to Press for Overhaul of U.S. Postal Operations
Senators Challenge Postal Plan to End Saturday Delivery
Unauthorized proposal would hurt rural communities, cost jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A group of 24 senators, led by Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico, are challenging the postmaster general’s authority to discontinue Saturday mail delivery later this year without congressional approval.
In a letter to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, the senators acknowledge the financial challenges the Postal Service is facing and urge him to work with Congress to address these problems through bipartisan reform, such as the Senate legislation passed last year.
They also point out that a shift to five-day service could lead to further declines in mail volume and revenues, worsening the U.S. Postal Service’s overall condition.
Senators Tom Udall, Martin Heinrich, Tom Harkin, Al Franken, Jeff Merkley, Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow, Mark Begich, Ron Wyden, Jon Tester, Sherrod Brown, Max Baucus, Bernie Sanders, Jeanne Shaheen, Mazie Hirono, Joe Manchin, Jack Reed, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Sheldon Whitehouse, Michael Bennet, Mark Udall, Brian Schatz and Heidi Heitkamp sent the letter to the postmaster today.
They note that recently the Postal Service itself has recognized it lacks the power to terminate six-day service.
“[A]s recently as last year, the Postal Service did not believe it had the authority to end six-day delivery without legislative action by Congress. For example, in the USPS’s ‘Plan for Profitability,’ released on February 6, 2012, savings for five-day delivery were categorized under the heading of ‘legislative initiatives’,” they wrote.
“Furthermore, you personally delivered testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on September 6, 2011 where you noted that ‘Congress must act … [to] allow the Postal Service the authority to determine delivery frequency.’”
They also point out the move is a violation of existing law under the Continuing Appropriations Resolution of 2012.
“[W]e believe your proposal does not comply with the existing statutory requirement to continue six-day delivery and rural delivery mail services at no less than the 1983 levels. ”
Such a move would impact 70,000 jobs and negatively affect the rural communities they represent.
“With the national unemployment rate at 7.8 percent, moving to five-day delivery will hurt middle class families,” they said.
The text of the letter is below:
February 15, 2013
Patrick R. Donahoe
Postmaster General & Chief Executive Officer
United States Postal Service (USPS)
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, D.C. 200260
Dear Postmaster General:
We write to express our concerns regarding the recent announcement that the Postal Service intends to end Saturday mail delivery service later this year. We understand the Postal Service faces serious financial challenges, and we remain committed to working with you to find a solution to the Postal Service’s long-term financial viability as we did last year to pass bipartisan postal reform legislation through the Senate. However, we believe a piecemeal strategy that focuses on cutting services and forgoes a critical competitive advantage is not the solution. Instead, we need a comprehensive postal reform bill that allows the Postal Service to modernize while protecting its crucial obligations and services.
First, we believe your proposal does not comply with the existing statutory requirement to continue six-day delivery and rural delivery mail services at no less than the 1983 levels. As such it is in violation of P.L. 112-175, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, which extends the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012, P.L. 112-74. Section 101(a) of P.L. 112-175 specifically extends the funding levels of the FY12 appropriations law, “under the authority and conditions provided” in the previous funding resolution, except as otherwise stated in the CR. The CR does not contain language abrogating the FY12 provision, which requires the USPS to maintain six-day delivery.
It appears that as recently as last year, the Postal Service did not believe it had the authority to end six-day delivery without legislative action by Congress. For example, in the USPS’s “Plan for Profitability,” released on February 6, 2012, savings for five-day delivery were categorized under the heading of “legislative initiatives.” Furthermore, you personally delivered testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on September 6, 2011 where you noted that “Congress must act … [to] allow the Postal Service the authority to determine delivery frequency.”Accordingly, we request that you provide a detailed legal justification for this proposed change.
It is our understanding that this change is driven by an effort to reduce costs. However, it is unclear that the shift to five-day service will benefit USPS in the long-term. In fact, a 2012 USPS-commissioned survey found that service cuts resulting in a 7.7 percent reduction in volume will lead to a $5.2 billion loss in revenue the first year alone. Similarly, an earlier 2011 GAO report found that moving to five-day service would put mail volumes and revenues at risk. In other words, it could help push the USPS further down the spiral. Specifically, GAO noted that USPS may have overestimated savings by as much as $500 million and that USPS may have underestimated the reduction in volume likely under five-day service. Businesses that currently utilize USPS services have raised concerns that reducing services will decrease the value of mail, especially periodicals who stated that they “will most likely accelerate shifting their hard copy mail to electronic communications or otherwise stop using USPS if it is unable to provide reliable service as a result of these changes.”
Importantly, moving to five-day service will result in the loss of approximately 70,000 jobs. Of these, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association projects that a minimum of 20,000 would affect rural communities. With the national unemployment rate at 7.8 percent, moving to five-day delivery will hurt middle class families.
The change to five-day service is not simply a move to deliver mail on the next day; it will require an overhaul of mail collection and processing times that may affect estimated savings and hurt USPS in the long-term. The Postal Service has made several other unilateral decisions, such as terminating overnight mail delivery in the Midwest and Mountain West and accelerating consolidations that run the risk of making the Service irrelevant in large portions of the country. With members of Congress making progress on a comprehensive bill, further changes would set the precedent for a piecemeal approach and potentially further delay much needed legislation. We urge you to reconsider your decision and not take this action unless authorized by Congress. USPS-commissioned survey found that service cuts resulting in a 7.7 percent reduction in volume will lead to a $5.2 billion loss in revenue the first year alone. Similarly, an earlier 2011 GAO repOlt found that moving to five-day service would put mail volumes and revenues at risk. In other words, it could help push the USPS further down the spiral. Specifically, GAO noted that USPS may have overestimated savings by as much as $500 million and that USPS may have underestimated the reduction in volume likely under five-day service. Businesses that currently utilize USPS services have raised concerns that reducing services will decrease the value of mail, especially periodicals who stated that they “will most likely accelerate shifting their hard copy mail to electronic communications or otherwise stop using USPS if it is unable to provide reliable service as a result of these changes.
cutting the saturday is to cut out most overtime
starting may all ss checks and gov checks have to be all direct deposit..we can not keep on the street on saturday for bulk mail..not closing on saturday will shut this down..maybe we will have just first and second class on monday..but it has to be done ..it should of been done some time ago..if there is enough mail we will add routes but the next plan is to stop all walking routes..if you really want to stay open on saturday then all walking routes have to end
Did anyone ever think of firing a PMG whose only objective is to line his pockets, feed his fat ego, and send the Postal SERVICE into a downward spiral.
The Postal Service is what it’s name implies, a service not a business. Ideally it operates to break even. Agreed, 16 billion in losses is unsustainable. Of course 11 billion is directly attributable to the pre fund requirement. New ways to generate revenue are needed, as you imply Congress stands in the way. USPS explored the online bill paying market. After all USPS is widely acknowledged as the Federal Governments most trusted agency. Think of the revenue opportunities, the potential to create jobs here in America. But Congress claimed it would do harm to banks and credit unions so the idea was shot down. Just one example.Cutting a day of delivery is intended to eliminate jobs, weaken the unions and accelerate the demise of this organization. We’re in the Tea Party cross hairs.
A corporation that cannot generate revenue to cover expenses eventually files bankruptcy. Cost reductions
stratergies are employed to reduce cost; new products are introduced to generate revenue and increase cash flow BUT the bottomline in the private sector is at some point when all attempts fail to create a balance sheet that is operating at a positive bottomline, action has to be taken.
Major retailers cannot exist loosing millions of dollars ddaily and 16 billions annually as USPS repeats year after year with no means in future to reduce debt. Congress the governing authority of this independent government agency fiddles while USPS burns.
If anyone truly believes 5 day delivery would benefit USPS, I respectfully disagree. Two days in a row off is appealing, but at what cost? I agree with Scott. When hired many years ago Saturdays’ were part of the equation. Does anyone see any major retailers closing on a specific day. Almost all are open 7 days per week plus most Holidays’.The point is if one retailer closes consumers will find another. It wasn’t long ago when Congressman Issa called for the immediate layoff of 100,000 Postal Workers starting with the most senior people. This particular issue is not about saving the Postal Service but destroying it. If this plan is implemented, what happens when they’re unhappy with the projected savings. What will they come after next? How much is going to be left? Then you’ll be able to enjoy 7 days in a row off.
There should not be one letter carrier in favor of eliminating Saturdays. If you do its only because you are selfish and just want weekends off. You had no problem accepting Saturdays when you were hired. This is your career at stake! NEVER give back anything because once you do it opens the door for more to be taken away. Go get your 8.00 an hour job if you want weekends off
why don’t they look at the big picture, why does the post office so many people making over a 100k a year, sitting in offices, trying to come up with things to make the job harder than it needs to be, why is there a station manager in every station, making 80 -90 thousand a year, when they have to call down so they can make a decision, if we go down to 5 day delivery the supervisors still work six days, we lose the overtime we count on, but management still makes the same.
71 % of 1002 polled say they favor 5 day delivery if it means no raise in postage rates. Do people really think rates will not increase if 5 day happens? You can get the results you want by wording poll questions to reflect the outcome you want. I agree with Tj Smith that not ALL carriers are against 5 day but I hardly think a sample of 1002 people is a good representation of all affected by a switch to 5 day. I also believe at least 71% of carriers think 5 day is wrong at this time.
The Union keeps stating that ALL Letter Carriers are against the move to 5 day delivery. Have they ever taken an employee poll? Just curious? I think they would be surprised.
why is it all of the people who want to stop saturday delivery have 20 or more years??? dont you idiots know there might not be a “seniority” save my job first list?? wonder how you would feel then???
There’s a lot of Morons stupid postal employees who vote for GOP every election when we all know the postal problems is all George W and his crooks and few greedy senators who 2006 came with prefunding bullshit result.Go ahead and vote for Rep Issa and his fellow crooks Republicans and STOP whining you Morons! As for Scott I’m saying that is truth and fact that they have been ruining this country for eight years and yet you have postal worker brainwashed and believe this people, I think it’s time to work up people!
Senator Mark Pryor is from Arkansas, not Alabama. I think Donohoe will continue the process to convert to five day delivery and basically leave no choice as far as rescinding his decision. The Congress will be somewhat hogtied by their own slow motion pace, when action last year could have spared the Postal Service a lot of hassle. I hate pleading devil’s advocate, because I think Donohoe is killing the USPS incrementally, but on the other hand, I can understand taking action after giving Congress every opportunity to do something and asking them over and over again with no response.
I am not considering five day delivery a done deal, but very likely. As for Pack Mule, if you want people to consider your opinions with any respect, don’t call your prospects morons. You have no room to talk, after letting George W. Bush ruin this country for eight long years and refusing to accept responsibility for it. It’s the overwhelming attitude you possess along with other GOP fans that turn people off more than your position. But, then again, GOP voters don’t know how to constructively converse. Every GOP person I know is ready for a fight, and flies off the handle at the slightest provocation. Grow up.
Politicans have a problem in dealing with reality. Congress should do it job and allow to the postal service to reduce delivery to 5 days a week. The 21st century is a more technological world in all areas compared to the 20th century. Tne need or demmand for postal services has declined as electronic mail has replaced hard copy as is illustrated by massive decline in 1ST CLASS VOLUME resulting in massive financial losses as revenue from this product is declining and will continue to do so. 6 day street delivery is a total waste; the cry by the politicans is the groups that will be hurt resulting from 1 day less delivery. Politicans primary concern is their self interest and what they or their party can gain from actions that their aim is to gain political favortism regardless of long term results.
5 day mail delivery hurts no one except gasoline-energy distributors as decline in Postal vehicles would reduce income from USPS. The attempt by groups of politicans in not allowing Congress to do its jobs in restructing the USPS is comparable to not allowing the use of electricty and returning to oil lamps or candles or not allowing use of gasoline vehicles and seeking political action to return to wagons or buggies powered by mules or horses.
Who in the long run will pay the billions of dollar losses
encountered by the USPS resulting from politicans ignoring the facts of reality. 16.1 billion loss in 2012 and some political game playing politicans want to let USPS continue to loose money providing services not in demmand.
Craft employees as well as line management know the truth of the situation and would like to see action taken to preserve jobs for the long terms. Polticans remove your blindfolds and insure Congress does its job to eliminate waste and non effective cost operations.
Every last one of them a commie, And they don’t even have the common sense to hide the union favoritism, quoting the rurals, like they actually got THEIR membership a decent contract,lol. It’s ALWAYS the “sky is falling ” with these people, listen, not everyone gets a trophy or a cupcake, Democrats, when are you actually going to live in the real world, and understand that things do change sometimes- THEY HAVE TO. By your reckoning, we would still be delivering with horse and buggies, because GOD FORBID we take advantage of something modern like the AUTOMOBILE. Not to mention QUALITY OF LIFE of the “working class” that you like to spout on about. How come working saturdays is ok for the letter carrier, but not YOU or your staff? not to mention our so called union “leaders” who have weekends off. I guess our families and friends don’t count, huh? Not as long as you get that union cash for your campaigns. Well, want to know a little secret? If god forbid, 6 day is kept, you won’t have to worry about whether or not the unions will have cash to contribute to you, because I, along with MANY other carriers will do what we should have done a long time ago, save our dues money and put it to good use elsewhere, like REPUBLICAN candidates…morons…..
senators please allow us 5-day delivery to save postal, there’s not enough volume to justify 6-day!!!
Lets be real folks. Has any business that has cut its days of service to its customers done better? Hell NO! I’ve witnessed this on my route through this recession. It’s the inevitable death spiral. Facts are and not one of you naysayers can dispute this, that the mandated funding for future retirees by Congress and the downturn in the economy has caused the USPSs financial problems. If we remove the mandated law Congress forced on us, where would we be now? Well, we wouldn’t be having this ill-advised idea to wreck the Post Office. My opinion is instead of taking away service, to instead take advantage of our low prices compared to our competitors and offer more. This will not change how much we spend since we already deliver to every address throughout America. We will simply offer more service such as increased delivery of packages, more services within our many Post Offices. I can think of many other ways to be creative.
The fat pmg announcing 5 days delivery just want congress to aid him more cash for the regular 6 days mail delivery.
We cut Sunday delivery decades ago and now Saturdays. At this rate we’ll cut Fridays in the year 2040. Keep pitching that “slippery slope fallacy” argument that soon we will only deliver one day per week! It’s time for NALC to get the hell out of the way. 5 day is the ONLY way!!!!!
You dont grow a buisness by cutting service.FSS was a huge waste of money and a total failure.
Democrat senators doing the unions bidding. Typical. They have been punting this problem for years. Cut Saturdays and watch all the old guys leave.
You people are nuts! Ending sat del leads to loss of assignments for thousands of floaters (techs) and most importantly….. the law says 6 day delivery. If you eliminate that law then today sat goes tomorrow Tuesday goes and so on. Soon cusps will be part time job! Wake up! NEVER GIVE BACK WHAT U GOT. I’ve seen other unions give an inch and wind up getting really screwdriver later
Overhaul the EAS contract so they do not get per diem when they offer to work in another office. I know of supervisors getting $1,000 extra per week for lodging, food, etc. and then they just pocket that money. If they want to work someplace else, let them pay for the experience. And, make them work a full day and if they leave, take annual or sick leave. A lost of supervisors work a partial day and then skip the rest of the day without taking leave. Then they turn in that leave at the beginning of the year for dollars when they weren’t even working. That would save another billion.
there are 4 carriers in my small office who haven’t worked a saturday in years. they eliminated saturday delivery years ago
time to stop saturday delivery, 71% of america sees this as doing the right thing. i’ve been a carrier for 28 years our office has 36 routes if we get a sweetener to retire i know 8-10 carriers will leave. thats 20-30% of carriers….if every office is the same that would be voluntary workforce reduction of up to 50,000 jobs. that could free up a net increase of paying jobs with the new carrier assistant jobs.
Iworked 11 hours Saturday Feb.16th. Had 8ft. of mail,63 parcels.Cant wait for no Saturday delivery, so I can work 14 hours on Monday at time and a half and penalty overtime. Feed me more! Feed me more!
Will someone please vote the idots that signed the letter OUT of office?
Has anyone thought that Saturday collections are the down day of the week and businesses being closed, then close the windows, but for delivery Tuesdays are the slows day of the week make that a alternative, if sales are down use that but delivery on Saturdays are just as busy as Thurs. and Fri. it’s just that OT and replacement players are the real issue. Also, processing plants will not keep up with the three day weekend every weekend, being the consolidations that are occuring (and it’s not working very well)are getting heavier, this can only come to the conclusion, that the unaccountable management is trying to get the USPS mail ( letters. flats, and Packages) down low enough that they can immediate jobs but still maintain bonuses!
We will still deliver parcells on saturday,so that means still 6 day service,more people rather get a package anyway than the junk we deliver on saturdays.
CUT SATURDAY DELIVERY, You congressman are only concerned with re-election
and money from postal unions. Im a 20 year postal carrier.
The vast majority of customers, remember them………the ones that pay our wages, favor 5 day delivery. A carrier of almost 30 years, it makes NO $$ SENSE to walk door to door delivering mail, as noted on day one. Most customers, business and mailers included, see this a positive move and residents would welcome picking up their mail in a secured lock box on the block. Exceptions will be made for hardship, of course. Also, this will lesson the injuries to carriers, such as slips, trips and dog bits. We could absorb more routes, allowing the PO to save more $$. Most of managements priorities have been ass backwards as of late (such as discipline for missing MSP, but not for missing Express Mail deadline….. go figure). However, it is time to do what we can to move in a positive direction in this age of email. Yes, I agree, go with evaluated routes. That too is a no brainer. Remember, Carriers will NOT be laid off, as if this goes through as planned, I see a VERA coming by mid April. And yes, I’ll be the first to take it, otherwise, gone in Jan 2014.
withou walking routes not much need for all the management
with no more walking routes we wouldnt need the expense of uniforms
you cant run a business by paying people when there is no work..shut down saturday, put all boxes on the street and give the city carriers the option to go with an evaluated route
So why does Congress not stop the advance payments on Health and retirement benefits now,start advertising on trucks and open the P.O up to more ways for income?It’s the 21 century we need to stop the use of rubber band and string on bulk mailings,it jams the APPS machine and damages the mail,and causes overtime at the 21 NDC’s. In August more ideas from congress could be done,but something needs to be done NOW.