(C) Daily Montanan
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Postal Workers Union president sounds alarm on privatization [1]
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Date: 2025-07-23
The president of the country’s postal union is sounding the alarm on privatization of the service.
And in Montana, some residents might soon start seeing TV commercials from the American Postal Workers Union seeking to “alert the public” of privatization attempts of the service.
The ad campaign, which is in eight states, follows a Wells Fargo Equity Research document to investors which includes plans to close post offices as well as higher prices for those using the service.
It also includes an end to the “Universal Service Obligation,” which is essential that all postal users receive a minimum level of service at a reasonable price and requires six day-per-week mail delivery.
“There is an intensified effort really coming from the billionaires and Wall Street about privatizing the public United States Postal Service,” APWU president Mark Dimondstein said in an interview with the Daily Montanan. “Which means either breaking it up in whole or piecemealing it out whole or in part to private companies that then decide who gets mail under what conditions, based on whether somebody can make a profit.”
The document from Wells Fargo details five steps that would need to be taken in order for the service to be privatized, starting with new legislation. It would take a Congressional Act and signage by the president for that to happen, the document states.
The document also said that $400 billion in pension and healthcare liabilities need to be addressed. The USPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Our sense is these liabilities would likely be moved to another entity (likely to the US taxpayer where they arguably are now) since potential buyers and/or investors would be reluctant to assume such a large legacy liability, but could be addressed through a parcel sale/IPO or real estate monetization,” the document states.
The Postal Service is currently funded by its own revenue. Other steps outlined in the report include employees losing jobs.
“Especially amid recent DOGE efforts on federal cost control, it is likely that employees receive a type of deferred buyout offer to leave or layoffs could ensue,” the report says.
It also said the USPS would need to raise its prices on parcels 30%-140% to “reach pricing parity with parcel competitors.”
In Montana, mail has been an issue that’s caught the attention of some legislators, including U.S. Senator Steve Daines. He’s penned letters to the Postmaster General and has also issued numerous statements expressing concern with service in the state.
Daines office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Dimondstein described the Senator as someone who gets the issue.
“He understands what it means for the constituents of such a rural status as Montana,” Dimondstein said. “He certainly expressed, as we did, some of the concerns around service.”
There’s also been issues with air mail in the state. In 2023, the Missoulian also described various issues with mail in Missoula.
Earlier this year, in another report, the newspaper stated some postal employees were dealing with fatigue, burnout and work weeks up to 80 hours.
President Donald Trump has described the postal service as “a joke” and the appointment of David P. Steiner, a former FedEx executive, to the position of Postmaster General. These moves have the APWU concerned.
The ads will run in Alaska, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota and nationally on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX.
“This is really part of our foundation, part of how the country was built, and it’s going to help propel us forward,” Dimondstein said. “And in that sense, it’s a source of pride for the entire country, certainly a source of pride for those who do the work and serve the people.”
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[1] Url:
https://dailymontanan.com/2025/07/23/american-postal-workers-union-president-sounds-alarm-on-privatization/
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