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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat a postmaster from the Midwest has to say.
Link to tweet
Unrolled thread here:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1293190487705231361.html
Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸
Ive been communicating with a postmaster from the Midwest.
A week ago, he had no concerns about USPS ability to handle #VoteByMail volume this fall.
After the Trump/DeJoy sabotage at the agency, hes not so sure anymore.
Here is what he said verbatim today:
THREAD #DemCast
Sadly, I am growing concerned. Our plant here in [City A] has fallen behind by about 3 days. I am told [City B] plant is doing better, but is also behind. I spent 5 years in [City B], delays NEVER happened there. [Two other cities] are behind as well.
We are not given that information, but based on tracking parcels for our customers, we can see when parcels arrive at the plant. The only time we arent surprised to see that is the second week of December, when all facilities are overwhelmed.
If parcels are being delayed, flats and letters are being delayed. This is highly unusual. The end units are functioning as usual, but we are seeing what appears to be delaying of all mail.
As an aside: there are a good many Trump supporters in upper management. I expect those who were separated were not. If youre going to perpetrate nefarious activities, you will want like minded people on your side.
My gut feeling is the goal is twofold.
A. Undermine faith in USPS in an effort to discourage vote by mail.
B. Set up an environment where people begin to care less about privatization.
Since the naming of the new Postmaster General, there are a small group of Postmasters that I know well, we are watching and communicating regularly.
The sanctity of the mail, our commitment to our customers, the integrity of our process, and keeping our employees safe has always been the top priority for most of us. I have personally driven baby chicks to another state in order to ensure they made it alive and well.
Needless to say, this change is distressing. Until this week, I wouldnt have questioned our ability to fully handle election/political mail. Our standards at delivery units have not changed. All of our reports, certifications and audits are the same.
Our concern has become delays in mail arriving to our facilities. BUT rest assured, there are some of us who will not be quiet about what we see. Some will not, as the USPS has a reputation for retaliation against whistleblowers.
bucolic_frolic
(43,176 posts)In Transit, Arriving Late
Doremus
(7,261 posts)We have seen the cost of shipping double and triple since the end of last year. In many cases the postage cost to ship a package exceeds the cost of the item. A 3 lb 14" box to the west coast is $50 and more for us.
We can weather it until Biden gets in but I certainly hope USPS is at the top of his to-do list or we're sunk.
And I'm sure I'm only one of many thousands of others in our same predicament.
bucolic_frolic
(43,176 posts)It was all due to fuel charges! And health care for 75 years.
Well now gas is $2.10 a gallon and 75 years still ain't until 2095.
havent already done so, please contact your Congressman and Senators to let them know how they are hurting mail order businesses by slowing the mail down.
I myself am still waiting for an order placed on July 23rd. It has been mailed, but it has not been delivered yet. All it says is its delayed.
BarbD
(1,193 posts)Or however the saying goes ..... will stop the post office from delivering mail.
That is until Trump and his Republican enablers are attempting to destroy it.
aggiesal
(8,916 posts)Instead of Privatizing, I call it Profitizing.
Pendejo45 and the Republican enablers are trying to PROFITIZE the USPS.
Tommymac
(7,263 posts)llashram
(6,265 posts)sitting in Congress can do something about this, right? +++ for that Postmaster.
padah513
(2,503 posts)We only have the House, the McConnell Senate won't lift a finger, the DOJ is under Barr's corrupt leadership, and he takes orders from Trump.
one can hope there is some arcane but still relevant tool that can be used to enforce our Constitution and the USPS. Surely a Constitutional historian can show somewhere that one House of our Congress can cite and enforce leaving the USPS alone. The USPS has been used by the Republicans for years as a pawn to show the failure of a semi-government institution that has been around since Pony Express days. When and if let alone it functions very well. 2nd and 3 class mail, even with competitors have usually been in the black. And on-time delivery rates in mid-high 90% range
dalton99a
(81,514 posts)nuxvomica
(12,429 posts)Speaking to the issue of electoral targeting as opposed to just undermining faith in the USPS, if there were some way to gather data from around the country, we might see more delays in swing states than solid Blue or Red states. Of course, I am in a fairly solid Red district in a solid Blue state but for the granularity of targeting to be that high more people would have to know about it.
demigoddess
(6,641 posts)and then sell it. that is what I think.
Kaiserguy
(740 posts)recently that have taken over 3 weeks to get to me. One came from Georgia to PA the other from the midwest which I still haven't received. It has been in NY state for the last 8 days just sitting. I have never had these problem in the past and I do a lot of business by mail. I would think that this will hurt Trump far more than it will help him especially if we get the word out as to who is to blame and why.
usaf-vet
(6,188 posts)It will be like buying a pig in a poke.
For those that don't know this phrase:
With privatization how do any of us know what mail service will be like?
Will it be all mail we get now?
Will there be Saturday mail?
Will my local Post Office still be open?
Will my medicine still be delivered by mail?
What will it cost to mail a package?
Will there be small communities that do not get service?
How many employees will lose their jobs?
Will bills and legal documents arrive as scheduled?
Will, there be competing services and will you have to make a choice and live with it? Think insurance home and car.
Will there be rural delivery 25 miles+ from a post office?
What happens if your private provider declares bankruptcy and closed down?
AND THE LIST GOES ON and ON and ON.
The current service is the best OPTION. Lets' make it better not tear it down. The time was you could support a family working for the post office.
Do we want a system like the old privatized fire departments? If you join and are a member in good standing and have a fire they will try and put out the fire. If not your property will burn to the ground.
aggiesal
(8,916 posts)With Profitization, how do any of us know what mail service will be like?
This administration are trying to kill USPS so someone can make PROFIT on mail delivery.
usaf-vet
(6,188 posts)Cha
(297,276 posts)Cha
(297,276 posts)this with all these Birthdays in August!❤️