Postal workers in Portland are set to join mail carriers across the nation to protest against the Trump administration’s proposed significant cuts to the U.S. Postal Service. Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers are organizing to oppose federal actions aimed at drastically reducing the postal service’s workforce and restructuring the agency. In Portland, the gathering is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square, as per the association’s website.
The national association has stated, “The 295,000 active and retired members of the National Association of Letter Carriers have a message to deliver: Hands off the Postal Service.”
This protest coincides with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s plan to cut 10,000 jobs and billions of dollars from the postal service, reportedly guided by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, according to the Associated Press.
President Donald Trump mentioned last month that he is considering transferring oversight of the postal service, an independent entity, to the Department of Commerce. Critics argue this could result in higher prices and diminished services nationwide.
In a letter to Congress dated March 17, DeJoy informed legislators that the agency has faced challenges with the mismanagement of its retirement assets, compensation programs, and other ‘regulatory requirements’ affecting mail delivery. The postal service has experienced financial instability, reporting consistent losses in recent years.
The postal service employs 640,000 workers across the United States and operates with an annual budget of $78 billion.
Oregon employees affiliated with the letter carriers association will also assemble in Eugene, Keizer, and Medford, according to the association’s website.
— news from OregonLive