USPS clears rumors about cutbacks

The Postal Service handles
more than 44%
of the world’s mail volume
—delivering more mail
to more addresses and
to a larger geographic
area than any other
postal administration
in the world.

Photo by: photo courtesy of U.S. Postal Service

Recent rumors and exaggerations about United States Postal Service (USPS) layoffs and route decreases have been circulating in state and local news media, but USPS representatives said the cause for concern isn’t any greater than the concerns of any other business during a tough economy.
Although changes are in the works for the USPS, Frey said that customers shouldn’t notice any differences in their routes, especially the rural routes in Vermilion Parish.

USPS spokesman Grey Frey said a Shreveport news media is responsible for incorrectly publishing reports that the USPS was laying off some 40,000 employees, which Frey said, is completely untrue.

“It’s a difficult time,” for USPS, Frey said about the recent reports that the USPS has finished the fiscal year with a $2.8 billion net loss, which he said is due to a failing economy and lost mail volume. As a result, Frey said some retail post offices may have to adjust their operation hours to accommodate for the loss, but adds that the postal service is working to look for new ways to service their customers in the most efficient ways possible.

“We’re looking everywhere we can to find ways to maintain the security and timeliness of postal routes,” he said. Frey added that the USPS does not receive any federal tax money or subsidies, therefore what they make, they use to sustain the business. “If less (money) is coming in then we’ll have to live with it for now,” he said.

Frey explained there is some confusion about cutbacks, which he said only refer to some retail locations, or the adjusting of city carrier routes, which are being evaluated in order to save carriers time as well as getting customers their mail in a timely and consistent fashion.

The USPS, he said, “has to find ways to save some money (while having) the least negative impact on our customers.” As a result, Frey said some retail locations may have to change their hours, but not during holiday times. He added that some locations might even have extended hours of operation to accommodate holiday shipping.

In order to address financial concerns, Frey guaranteed the USPS is continually incorporating technology into their operations, which will help the post office be more efficient and save money. Customers can now order their stamps and packaging online, in stores or banks, or at select 24-hour self service stations.

One example Frey gave was that city carrier routes are being evaluated with the intention of re-organizing routes which will eliminate the need for carriers to deliver to multiple routes on any given day. The evaluation, partnered by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), is set to be in effect in January, and Frey assured that any changes to be made will not take place during the holiday season.

In addition to maximizing efficiency, the USPS is evaluating the need of some of its employees, but Frey said the number is not as extreme as it was reported by some news media. Personnel changes, if made, will only effect temporary or contract employees, not full-time or part-time career employees.

“We’re working hard to maintain our finances and employees, (without sacrificing the integrity of the Postal Service),” Frey said.

As a result of difficult financial times, the USPS will raise their prices on Sunday, Jan. 18 for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service and some international shipping products. Overall, shipping services prices will increase an average of 5 percent. The new prices are available at www.usps.com/prices (click “New Shipping Prices” box).

The Abbeville Post Office will maintain their normal hours of operation throughout the holiday season, open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Abbeville postmaster said that customers can also take advantage of scheduled parcel pickups during the holiday season.

For more information about mailing or receiving, call 1-800-275-8777 or visit www.usps.com to find out about alternative shipping methods.

Article written by Rachel Worthy, Abbeville Meridional