USPS signs agreement with DOGE, agrees to cut 10,000 workers
U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy recently announced a groundbreaking agreement with the General Services Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that is set to transform the U.S. Postal Service. This agreement aims to cut 10,000 workers and billions of dollars from the Postal Service budget in an effort to address the agency’s financial woes and streamline its operations.
In a letter to Congress, DeJoy highlighted the urgent need for change within the Postal Service, citing a broken business model that was not financially sustainable. He emphasized the staggering losses the agency has incurred, amounting to nearly $100 billion, with projections of an additional $200 billion in losses. DeJoy described the task of fixing such a massive and heavily legislated organization as daunting, but necessary for its survival.
The collaboration with DOGE and the General Services Administration is expected to bring about significant efficiencies within the Postal Service. By identifying and addressing key issues such as mismanagement of retirement assets and regulatory constraints, the agreement aims to pave the way for a more sustainable and effective postal system.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about the potential negative impact of the cuts on communities across the country. Democratic Rep. Gerald Connolly warned that turning over the Postal Service to DOGE could lead to its privatization and undermine its essential services. He emphasized the importance of maintaining reliable mail delivery for all Americans, especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The National Association of Letter Carriers also expressed cautious optimism about the agreement, welcoming efforts to address the Postal Service’s challenges while firmly opposing any move towards privatization. President Brian L. Renfroe stressed the need for common-sense solutions that protect postal employees’ jobs and uphold the universal service that millions of Americans rely on daily.
As the Postal Service embarks on this transformative journey, it plans to reduce its workforce through a voluntary early retirement program, with the goal of cutting 10,000 employees in the next 30 days. This comes as part of a broader initiative to slash operating costs by more than $3.5 billion annually.
Despite facing pressure from various quarters, including calls for privatization from former President Donald Trump, the Postal Service remains committed to its mission of providing essential mail services to the American public. The collaboration with DOGE and the General Services Administration represents a pivotal moment in the agency’s history, as it seeks to adapt to changing times and secure its future in the digital age.
