Thousands of dedicated postal workers took to the streets on July 28 for a National Day of Action to remind the public and elected officials in Congress that the USPS is a public service, not a business, and that it belongs to the American people and needs to be protected.
At more than 90 events across the country, thousands of postal workers and retirees from hundreds of APWU locals and states took to the streets with the support of labor allies and the public for the Protect Our Public Post Office July 28 National Day of Action.
APWU National, in conjunction with U.S. Mail Not for Sale, a worker-led campaign sponsored by the APWU, coordinated with locals, states, and other supporters to organize the day of action to stand up against corporate attacks on public postal services, promote common-sense solutions to financial challenges, and defend Vote-by-Mail. Rallygoers held signs that said, “Protect Our Public Post Office,” “USPS Is a Service Not a Business,” and “Don’t Destroy Our Post Office.” They also chanted, handed out postcards for people to send to their representatives in Congress about why they support a public Postal Service, and distributed informational flyers and posters to the public.
The USPS is a public service, legally mandated to serve every home and business, no matter how rural or remote, and is not designed to make a profit. However, the Postal Service is under financial pressure due to outdated laws and is facing a crisis. Corporate interests are taking advantage of this situation by calling for service cuts and post office closures that would only benefit them. The financial issues could be resolved if Congress increased the Postal Service’s borrowing authority, allowed the Postal Service to place its pension investments in more diversified investment funds, and recalculated the Postal Service’s share of Civil Service retirement obligations, which the government has been overcharging for more than 50 years.
Vote-by-Mail is also increasingly under attack. Recent efforts to restrict, undermine, or delegitimize Vote-by-Mail threaten voter access and public confidence in U.S. elections. There are numerous safeguards throughout the process, and studies consistently show that voter fraud is extremely rare. Postal workers deliver election mail with the same dedication and professionalism we bring to every piece of mail. Recent election data shows that 99% of ballots are delivered from voters to election officials within five days.
“We know how well the Postal Service can work. We also know just how well postal workers can move the mail and serve America when we’re given the proper tools,” said APWU President Jonathan Smith. “And this is especially true for Vote-by-Mail. Postal workers have safely and reliably delivered election mail for generations. There is no cause or evidence to believe otherwise. Americans rely on it when they cannot make it to the polls on election day,” Smith added.
“The bottom line is that the Postal Service needs investments, not cuts. It is not failing because Americans don’t use it. It’s been held back by outdated laws and financial restrictions that Congress can fix. Making these changes would give the USPS the time and space to make the necessary investments it needs to evolve into the Postal Service of the future that we all deserve without cutting service or closing post offices. And Americans deserve a Postal Service where its own leadership believes in its public mission and supports our vision. Customers want reliable delivery, not privatization or reduced service,” Smith concluded.
Hundreds of local news stations and newspapers covered the rally, and photos and videos from workers and supporters at actions on the ground flooded social media, ultimately reaching millions of postal customers and voters. At the end of the day, we sent the message that a vibrant public Postal Service with proper funding and supportive leadership, and robust Vote-by-Mail programs across states means stronger communities, a stronger democracy, and a stronger America.
Find fact sheets, flyers, posters, and more from our action at apwu.org/july28.
The post Protect Our Public Post Office: Postal Workers Advocate for Financial Reforms, Defend Public Postal Services, Vote-by-Mail in National Day of Action first appeared on APWU.