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Postmaster General Louis DeJoy shared his “very positive vision” of a 10-year reorganization plan with other Postal Office personnel at a news conference Tuesday, March 23, 2021. He announced a revitalization plan of the United States Postal Service (USPS) steadily crumbling mail delivery services.
The plan includes these adjustments:
- office closures
- shorter hours
- increased delivery times for first-class mail
- higher postal rates
DeJoy’s Plan Found Mixed Reactions
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) stated that his concern is for the people who rely on local post offices for personal, financial, health, and business-related mail deliveries, etc., especially in places already at a disadvantage. These changes would drastically affect them negatively.
In December 2020, the USPS’ dependable delivery rate dropped significantly low to approximately 38 percent but rose to 82 percent in March 2021. Congress has received customer complaints regarding the late arrival of cards, letters, bills, and medical supplies shattering the USPS 96 percent high-quality delivery rate, which it has not attained in close to five years.
Kristin Seaver, the USPS executive vice president, feels that only a small number of the country would be affected by the delivery changes, with a 20 percent decrease in delivery time nationwide.
The American Postal Workers Union felt that anything that would hinder mail delivery or close offices, would not be good, but welcomed the idea of revitalizing products and services.
Biden Nominates Three to USPS Board of Governors as DeJoy Testifies on Mail Crises
Biden nominated 3 people to the postal board of governors. This board, nominated by the previous administration, has the power to replace the current postmaster general. Some Democrats are calling on Biden to do exactly that while getting rid of the entire board.
The Save The Post Office coalition suggested DeJoy stick to making his own retirement plans.
Written by Brenda Robinson
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
NPR: DeJoy Announces 10-Year Reorganization Of U.S. Postal Service; by Brian Naylor
NPR Podcast: What A Piece Of Work Is The Post Office
The Washington Post: Biden Nominates Three to USPS Board of Governors as DeJoy Testifies on Mail Crises; by Jacob Bogage, Christopher Ingraham, and Hannah Denham
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Greg Gjerdingen’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Senator Claire McCaskill’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License