The Postal Service, On The Verge Of Collapse, Is Begging For Funding

Huffington Post ^ | 4/10/20 | Sara Boboltz

[Libloather]

The U.S. Postal Service will run out of operational funds by the end of September unless Congress intervenes, Postmaster General Megan Brennan told members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in a Thursday video conference.

Mail volume has dramatically slowed during the coronavirus crisis due to widespread business closures, and the USPS is bracing for a steep drop in revenue. But its postal workers remain on the front lines of the crisis, handling prescription drug shipments, lab test materials and medical supplies that are crucial to efforts to contain the virus. Mail-in voting has also allowed the democratic process to survive in the era of social distancing.

The Postal Service, which employs 650,000 people, is asking for $75 billion in aid from the government, and, according to The New York Times, another $14 billion to pay off debt related to a retirement benefits program - a whopping $89 billion total.

Yet because the Postal Service technically operates under the executive branch, and President Donald Trump has displayed a bizarre hostility to it since taking office, it seems likely that the agency will receive some pushback.

[Drango]

They need to go to a M W F schedule

[Fresh Wind]

Keep in mind that whenever government agencies "beg for money", they ALWAYS ask for more than they really need because they expect their request to be cut. Such requests are always built upon panicky predictions of dire consequences if the money doesn't appear.

This accomplishes several things. The cuts give the agency cover when the problems don't disappear with the added funding, and it gives the politicians plausible (though bogus) talking points supporting a claim of "fiscal responsibility".

Once the negotiations reach a conclusion, both sides can claim victory, at least until the process begins again for the next fiscal year.

[Migraine]

Dissolve this union, then let’s talk.

“Under the new 2018 – 2021 National Agreement, employees will receive four retroactive pay raises. The current rates went into effect on February 29, 2020 and will be reflected for the first time in earnings for Pay Period 09-2020. Pay Period 09 begins Saturday, April 11. Pay checks will be dated for May 1, 2020. Retro pay covering the period from September 24, 2018 through April 10, 2020 will follow.”

Dissolve this union, then we will talk.

[Undecided 2012]

My God-mother is in lockdown in assisted living. She and my Mom were best friends for 80 plus years. Although I’m out of state my brothers and sisters visited periodically but now they’re not allowed. At 90 she’s still quick witted, much better than Biden that’s for sure. My Mom was all Irish and she is full Italian. See sometimes even way back when we got along.

[Rashputin]

I'd rather the Fedz bail out the USPS than the companies clamoring for billions after spending billions buying back their own stock so the officers can sell their shares for a high price.

I still have to depend on the USPS for some things and their Priority Mail, or When It Fits, It Ships, are not only competitively priced with Fedx and UPS it's as reliably on time except for extreme weather interruptions that impact everyone.

If you sell on Ebay, there a lot of people who prefer USPS deliveries for whatever reason.

As for Saturday delivery, I thought it was already gone.

[raybbr]

Yeah, the USPS. isn’t the best government system but it’s in the Constitution and it would take an Amendment to eliminate it. Never going to happen.

[DAC21]

"Keep in mind that whenever government agencies "beg for money", they ALWAYS ask for more than they really need because they expect their request to be cut. Such requests are always built upon panicky predictions of dire consequences if the money doesn't appear"

Just like obnoxious whinny Governor's and Ventilator requests.

[wejjr235]

Give postal service the same treatment Pelosi gave small business this week when Payroll loan money was needed by the SBA.

[Oneanddone]

“.....another $14 billion to pay off debt related to a retirement benefits program - “

So they are wanting to take money from working taxpayers and give it to retired gov’t workers who no longer provide any useful work/benefit for the USPS or the taxpayer?

Outlawing all public unions and pensions would be a good start.

[Popman]

Huff Post article ???

Did the DNC write it?

[upchuck]

650,000 employees?

Let's see, that's:

* 207 employees per county (650,000 / 3141) Link.

* 13,000 employees per state (650,000 / 50)

* .0018 employee per US person (650,000 / 350,000,000)

What was the number of employees in 2000? Should be a bunch less than 650,000 given email and online everything. But I bet it's not, primarily because the employees are unionized.

Let's at least end Sat delivery and cut an appropriate number of employees.

[Jim Noble]

I was a letter carrier before I was a doctor, and I switched from the Post Office Department to the Postal Service in 1971.

Carrying the mail is a legitimate, Constitutional function of the Federal Government (as it is in any real nation). Competing on an even basis with Fedex and UPS is not.

[high info voter]

WE DON’T NEED PEOPLE DELIVERING TRASH AND SPAM ITEMS TO OUR HOMES 6 DAYS A WEEK!!!

[a fool in paradise]

cut out Wednesdays
m-t-th-f-sat

[Chickensoup]

I love the US mail.

I am no where near 87.

[texican01]

Easy solution. Post Office should deliver only first class letters instead of hundreds of pounds of 10 cent junk mail (mostly political solicitations) to my address each year!

Incidentally do not post Huff-post septic crap which is spewed out from multiple body orifices of perverted treasonous Communists

[I want the USA back]

Businesses has had its balls sliced off, and the USPS is feeling it. This was predictable. The geniuses in government created the problem, let them solve it.

[Raycpa]

How about we put the sba under the post office to deliver the disaster aid checks.

[nevermorelenore]

The Postal Service has become obsolete

[dp0622]

You LOVE it?

Well that’s an odd word to use but it’s good to be in love :)