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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USPS Appoints David Steiner as Postmaster General
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has found its next Postmaster General to lead the national courier as it steers through an uncertain future under the Trump administration. The USPS Board of Governors said Friday it selected FedEx board member and David Steiner for the gig. Pending a background check, he is expected to formally assume the position in July. More from Sourcing Journal Strike or Lockout on Horizon? Businesses Prepare for Canada Post Labor Dispute West Coast Port Union Slams Trump's 'Reckless, Shortsighted' Tariff Policy Shuffle Board: Woolmark Winner Now Jean Paul Gautier's First Successor Steiner will succeed former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who resigned in March, as well as Doug Tulino, the current acting Postmaster General. Tulino will return to his permanent position as deputy postmaster general and chief human resources officer at USPS. The appointment of Steiner comes as the USPS incurrent another massive net loss of $3.3 billion in its second quarter, with controllable losses totaling $848 million. The USPS is now in year four of a 10-year turnaround attempt, known as the Delivering for America plan, which Steiner will be tasked to carry out. Implementation of that reform, including a network consolidation that began last year, has been shaky as the agency sought to streamline mail processing and cut transportation costs. This resulted in delays across major metropolitan areas like Atlanta and Houston as well as rural zones, leading to multiple Senate committee hearings that grilled DeJoy on the state of the service changes. Beyond its performance, USPS is operating under the possible shroud of future privatization. President Donald Trump has long been a proponent of privatizing the government organization, and said recently he would consider merging the USPS with the Commerce Department. Privatization of the USPS would require congressional approval. In his first administration, Trump sought to privatize the postal service, but the movement didn't gain traction. For now, Steiner's statement suggests the agency would remain under government control. 'I deeply admire the public service and business mission of this amazing institution, and I believe strongly in maintaining its role as an independent establishment of the executive branch,' said Steiner. Steiner's biggest battle may come from USPS workers, with 10,000 recently cut through a voluntary early retirement program. USPS has 634,500 employees as of March 31, with over 90 percent being unionized, making it the largest union employer in the U.S. Leaders of two of the biggest USPS unions, the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), both spoke out against the appointment. APWU president Mark Dimondstein cited news reports claiming that the board would only consider a Postmaster General that had the approval of President Trump. 'No president, past, present or future, should have any say in who leads the independent Postal Service,' Dimondstein said. Dimondstein expressed his concern that Steiner was on the FedEx board, which he will leave upon taking his post at USPS. 'FedEx is not only a major competitor of the Postal Service in the package market, but are part of the chorus of billionaires, profit-driven corporations and Wall Street that advocate for major privatization of postal services,' Dimondstein said. 'By cowering to this administration, the BOG has likely chosen a 'fox to guard the hen house.'' FedEx also was the primary air cargo provider for USPS until that relationship ended in 2024, with competitor UPS filling the new role. For the NACL, they called the move a 'clear conflict of interest' for Steiner. 'It's an aggressive step toward handing America's mail system over to corporate interests,' said NALC president Brian Renfroe. 'Private shippers have been waiting to get USPS out of parcel delivery for years. Steiner's selection is an open invitation to do just that.' The union head also criticized Steiner's time as CEO of Waste Management, saying he 'built his brand on union-busting, slashing jobs, and replacing workers with machines.' Steiner led a turnaround at the company during his 12-year tenure, expanding it into America's largest waste services provider A third union, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, made a largely neutral statement on the appointment. President Paul Hogrogian acknowledged the labor group was 'anxious' to see how Steiner would negotiate with the union on pay, benefits and safety, and fight threats of privatization. 'I look forward to engaging with the unions and management associations to ensure that together we create a world-class employment experience,' said Steiner in his statement. With Steiner set to usher in a new era at USPS, the agency is proposing new shipping rates set to take effect July 13. The Board of Governors approved the adjustments last week. According to a filing submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission on Friday, the proposed changes include a 6.3 percent domestic price increase for Priority Mail; a 7.1 percent hike for USPS Ground Advantage; and a 7.6 percent jump for Parcel Select. Prices for Priority Mail Express, international services and other extra services will remain unchanged, USPS said. This would be the second time the cost to use the shipping services increased this year, with the first changes taking effect in January. The commission will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. If approved, the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp would increase from 73 cents to 78 cents. This will be the first of five stamp price increases through 2027. USPS delivered about 82 percent of First-Class Mail on time this quarter—down from 84 percent during the same period last year. On average, First-Class Mail arrived within three days. Price increases for USPS mailing services are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Shipping services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions, says to the courier. 'The USPS governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue,' the delivery firm said in a release.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Virginia postal workers and citizens rally against DOGE cuts to U.S. Postal Service
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — In support of the United States Postal Office, workers across the nation took action on Thursday, March 20, 2025, to rally against the Trump Administration's potential plan to break up the national postal service. The rallies come after an earlier meeting of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) representatives in Washington DC, said Chris Black, the president of West Virginia APWU. Although a number of the U.S. postal workers in the nation supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, according to APWU officials, outgoing U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy earlier announced a deal with the Department of Government Efficiency to cut 10,000 postal workers from their jobs. DeJoy took office under the Trump Administration in 2020 with plans to cut costs. He reduced overtime and late deliveries, but the move resulted in delayed deliveries, according to union officials. Black said on Thursday, there were discussions of a federal plan to break up the U.S. Postal Service and sell it to private companies. 'If this gets privatized, you're going to see increases of pricing, and lack of service in rural areas, which is about 90 percent of West Virginia,' said Black. 'West Virginians will get hit the hardest, if postal service is privatized.' Raleigh County Board of Education officer says opioid epidemic leaves critical need for special education funding 59News reached out to U.S. Senator Shelly Moore Capito and U.S. Senator Jim Justice on Thursday but did not receive immediate replies. Black was in Beckley on Thursday afternoon to attend a rally at the main post office in Steward John Bannister, who was also at the Beckley rally, said the postal workers at the Beckley office care about their clients; many who rely on them to provide service for medicine, local eBay businesses, and package deliveries. Privatization would harm rural regions, which often have a more difficult process of attracting private companies. Local farmer fears tariffs impact on products 'We all live in a rural area, and we will be underserved if they cut down what the post office is,' said Bannister. 'It will go down to two, three day deliveries. That's not enough. What if people have their checks, their medicines they're waiting on? We need to get it to them as fast as we can.' Citizens also showed up at the rally, holding signs and encouraging local postal workers. Wes Holden, a veteran who attended the rally, said his worry about the U.S. Post Office is one of many. 'Look at me. I'm a senior citizen, and they're threatening to take away my Social Security and Medicare that I paid into all my life,' said Holden. 'I'm a decorated veteran. I joined the Army when Vietnam was going on. None of these people in Congress, or none of these people from West Virginia that we elected, are veterans and they don't care about veterans. They don't care about the people in West Virginia. That's why I'm out here.' Summers County U.S.S. Cole Survivor Speaks Union officials said the U.S. Postal Service is the largest employer of American veterans. Referring to slashes to some federal agencies by billionaire Elon Musk, who Trump appointed to head DOGE, Holden said that he was 'very upset with what is going on with DOGE' and with elected officials. 'I'm very upset with our Congressional representatives, Shelley Capito, Carol Miller, and ,Justice,' he said. 'They're supposed to be protecting our jobs.' On Tuesday, Democratic Virginia Congressman Gerry Connelly sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster DeJoy, demanding that DeJoy release to the public the details of the 'deal' he had made with Musk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lima postal workers rally against privatization
Mar. 20—LIMA — Braving the cold and wind is nothing new for Lima postal workers, but they were doing so for a different reason Thursday morning. "It's just basically to bring awareness to what would happen if the administration removed our public service status that's in the Constitution and the Postal Service Act," local APWU president Mike McKitrick said at the union's rally to protect the post office. "We're here to give mail service to everybody on every address, no matter what. It doesn't cost a fee for us to deliver your mail, and we have the ability to deliver to every single household." At a media availability at the same time, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, said he preferred to leave any ideas in the hands of the House Oversight Committee. "I understand we want that to work well because it is mentioned in our Constitution, and I think we'll take a look at all of it and see what makes sense as we move forward," Jordan said. "I remember when they moved the distribution center from Lima 10 or 15 years ago. Everyone wants to get their mail in a timely fashion, but in the electronic age, it's a little different." McKitrick pointed to the moving of the distribution center specifically as one of the many things that have negatively impacted the efficiency of the post office, not just in Lima but across the country. He pleaded with the community to reach out to representatives. "Write letters to our state representatives and say we do not want to support this, and we are your constituents," he said. "We need you to help us with this fight because it isn't going to do any good if the mail service goes private, and we're paying for basic delivery of letters and parcels. It won't be good if we have to pay a subscription, but that's the reality of when anything goes private." USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced his intention to step down in February ( tenure, which started in 2020, saw the post office weather the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in mail-in voting and cuts designed to increase efficiency. Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399. Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘US Mail not for sale:' Dayton postal workers voice privatization concerns
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Local American Postal Workers Union members gathered outside of a United States Postal Service location in Dayton to make their voices heard. Don Adams, president of the local APWU, said members met outside of the USPS location on East Fifth Street in Dayton to protest possible cutbacks and closures of post office locations. According to Adams, postal employees are not in the job to make a profit, but rather to provide a service to the people. The USPS generates revenue from stamps and service fees rather than tax dollars. 'We actually fall beneath the Congressional action that allows and created the Post Office, and we shouldn't be allowed to be just privatized at the whim of anybody,' said Adams. 'We should be allowed to continue our service that we have.' Adams believes that changing USPS could negatively impact jobs and service delivery times, such as a delay of five to six times the speed mail currently arrives. When reached out to USPS for comment on the gathering, we received the following statement: We respect our employees' rights to express their opinions and participate in informational picketing while off the clock.' USPS spokesperson Adams recommended individuals who want to stand with them should contact their Congressional representative and tell them to 'keep the USPS the way it is.' The APWU said more than 250 gatherings were held Thursday across the nation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Postal workers protest in Donelson against USPS privatization
DONELSON, Tenn. (WKRN) — Postal workers were on the picket line in Donelson Thursday, protesting the Trump administration's plans to privatize the United States Postal Service (USPS). The protest was part of the American Postal Worker Union's (APWU) National Day of Action on March 20, where protests were organized across the country from New York City to San Francisco, according to the union's website. USPS agrees to work with DOGE on reform, planning to cut 10,000 workers Postal workers protested for hours in cold, rainy conditions at the Nashville Post Office on Royal Parkway. 'Our people come to work, rain, sleet or snow, and it doesn't matter, because it's a service. We're hear to serve the American people, and it's not about politics. We're not a political organization,' said Patricia Herron, president of APWU's Tennessee division. The nationwide gatherings come less than one week after Postmaster General Louis DeJoy agreed to work with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to address 'big problems' at the agency, per the Associated Press. According to a letter sent to members of Congress, DeJoy plans to work with DOGE to cut 10,000 workers in the next 30 days and billions of dollars from the U.S. Postal Service budget. Social Security requiring in-office visits for millions of recipients, applicants Meanwhile, union workers argue a public postal service is a democratic right. APWU said power should stay in the hands of the people — not billionaires, calling the Trump administration's move an 'illegal and hostile takeover.' 'Taxpayers don't pay us anything. We are self sufficient, we do a service,' Herron said. 'In times of disaster, we will be those people who deliver your vaccines…even during COVID we were considered essential.' Union workers said if the administration succeeds in the takeover, it could possibly lead to higher prices, reduced service and the loss of many jobs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
