Postal workers in Nashville sent a strong message to the White House on Sunday: no layoffs and no privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS). They joined thousands of other postal employees in over 260 protests nationwide, pushing back against proposed changes to the agency under the Trump administration.
For years, USPS has struggled financially, drowning in billions of dollars in debt. With 640,000 employees, the agency is at a crossroads as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, explores options such as moving USPS under the Department of Commerce or privatizing it entirely.
USPS workers argue that privatization would drive up costs for small businesses and consumers, while also threatening vital services—particularly in rural areas. “The folks that we deliver to every day—the baby formula, the medications—they rely on us,” said USPS employee Steve Lassan.
Government checks like Social Security also depend on timely USPS delivery.
While USPS is designed to be self-sustaining, it has faced financial struggles due to the decline of First-Class mail and rising operational costs. In 2022, Congress approved a $107 billion relief package, yet the agency remains in deep debt. USPS has already agreed to cut 10,000 jobs through voluntary retirements and slash billions from its budget, but concerns over further job losses persist.
Workers like Anthony Lauderdale Sr. emphasized the stakes: “With the postal service, we were able to attain a middle-class life.”
In an open letter to Congress, the U.S. Postmaster General outlined key financial challenges, including 31,000 costly building leases, stamp fraud, and burdensome federal regulations. As the debate over USPS’s future continues, postal workers remain firm in their fight to preserve their jobs, their service, and the institution’s 250-year legacy.
