USPS may cut day of mail delivery

[Drakkon]

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/2...postversion=2009012817

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The U.S. Postal Service may be forced to eliminate a day of mail service because the economic downturn has led to plummeting volume and revenue, the postmaster general said in Senate testimony Wednesday.

Postmaster General John E. Potter told a U.S. Senate subcommittee he wanted to eliminate the requirement to deliver mail six days a week to every address in America.

If the recession continues to hammer at USPS revenue, six-day delivery may not be possible, Potter said. Federal law has mandated the six-day schedule since 1983.

In fiscal 2008, total mail volume fell by more than 9 billion pieces - 4.5% -compared to the previous year, Potter said. And the agency suffered a greater-than-expected net loss of $2.8 billion last year, he added.

I kinda wondered why they haven't pushed this sooner. It really doesn't make much sense these days to deliver 6 days a week. Email gives us many of our bills and notices that mail once did. Seems like a good idea to save a little money.


Not sure why this thread was brought back from the dead 3 years later. If there's a current events reason for another thread on this topic, feel free to start a new thread. -Admin DrPizza

 

[OCGuy]

It beats raising postage.

 

[Brainonska511]

I don't have a problem with stopping Saturday delivery. As long as the PO stays open on Saturdays for a little while so I can mail stuff out when I couldn't get there on a weekday.

 

[Lemon law]

My Mom grew up during the great depression, and when she was a teenager, the US mail delivered twice a day.

 

[Drakkon]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
I don't have a problem with stopping Saturday delivery. As long as the PO stays open on Saturdays for a little while so I can mail stuff out when I couldn't get there on a weekday.

Since they started the 24/7 do it yourself mail stations I haven't had this problem If you can apply a sticker and press buttons on a screen it is just as helpful as any PO employee.

 

[ProfJohn]

Seems like a good idea and a great way to save money.

Currently you need 6 mail people for every 5 mail routes. (One person to cover the days off) Go to 5 days a week and you could cut the work force greatly. Would only need extra people to cover vacation and sick days.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Drakkon

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
I don't have a problem with stopping Saturday delivery. As long as the PO stays open on Saturdays for a little while so I can mail stuff out when I couldn't get there on a weekday.

Since they started the 24/7 do it yourself mail stations I haven't had this problem If you can apply a sticker and press buttons on a screen it is just as helpful as any PO employee.

I haven't seen any of those around where I live.

 

[Fern]

They are in a sinking business (like the companies that sold & processed film for cameras). They need to do what they can to cut costs and adapt their business model to changing conditions (email and competitors like FedEx etc).

Personally, I see no attraction is receiving mail on Saturdays. But I see they looking at other costs to cut besides 6 day delivery, and that's a good thing IMO.

Fern

 

[bobsmith1492]

Isn't the USPS the only branch of government that is somewhat profitable? They seem to have a kind of common sense not typically attributed to the government.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I read from a different article that Tuesday may be the day taken out. The day with the least volume is the ideal choice, and apparently Tuesday is it.

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511

Originally posted by: Drakkon

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
I don't have a problem with stopping Saturday delivery. As long as the PO stays open on Saturdays for a little while so I can mail stuff out when I couldn't get there on a weekday.

Since they started the 24/7 do it yourself mail stations I haven't had this problem If you can apply a sticker and press buttons on a screen it is just as helpful as any PO employee.

I haven't seen any of those around where I live.

Likewise....they are news to me. Besides, they could still work within the postal system to reduce their backlog for things that ship out on Friday. Even when they aren't delivering directly on the routes, there is still plenty of work to do.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Isn't the USPS the only branch of government that is somewhat profitable? They seem to have a kind of common sense not typically attributed to the government.

Might wanna read the article.

They are running losses and it's expected to get worse.

Fern

 

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Isn't the USPS the only branch of government that is somewhat profitable? They seem to have a kind of common sense not typically attributed to the government.

The USPS was privatized and they are now a government-mandated monopoly. However, that being said doesn't make them directly a part of the government anymore. Besides, using "government" and "profit" doesn't really fly. The purpose of government and their many agencies is not to make a profit, but to provide a good/service for the people at large. They should be the ultimate non-profit. If a profit exists as you call it, it should be used to further improve the quality/quantity of said good/service, not give back to shareholders or act in ways that modern corporations do.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Isn't the USPS the only branch of government that is somewhat profitable? They seem to have a kind of common sense not typically attributed to the government.

The USPS was privatized and they are now a government-mandated monopoly. However, that being said doesn't make them directly a part of the government anymore. Besides, using "government" and "profit" doesn't really fly. The purpose of government and their many agencies is not to make a profit, but to provide a good/service for the people at large. They should be the ultimate non-profit. If a profit exists as you call it, it should be used to further improve the quality/quantity of said good/service, not give back to shareholders or act in ways that modern corporations do.

when was it privatized?

also, when i worked there, the usps couldn't keep additional revenue when they had a good year, so no saving the $$$

plus ridiculous upper management (local level) decisions - probably nearly fraudulent. lots of local high level managers suing when they are disciplined for sexual harassment, etc. it is a joke and now one of the higher up postal inspectors was caught for embezzlement

you would not believe the lack of quality manager at the po, mostly it is based things other than knowledge of the system.....use your imagination....

 

[scruffypup]

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Isn't the USPS the only branch of government that is somewhat profitable? They seem to have a kind of common sense not typically attributed to the government.

Might wanna read the article.

They are running losses and it's expected to get worse.

Fern

Um now they aren't, but there have been many years they were,... so he is correct in that it is basically the only part of the governmental system/agencies that has basically been self funded and able to run on its own revenue generated,...

The losses are very recent due to the economy and the tranisitioning of people using email instead of letters, ebills by companies to save costs, auto payments by customers, etc

The USPS will adjust, possibly raise some rates, cut hours, routes, days, whatever,... but this will effect low income and rural people more as time passes if the trend continues, or it will then become another govermental agency that is a drain on taxpayers,...

Do your part,.. send a letter, order a free magazine, subscribe to all the junk mail you can, make the company you are doing business with send you statements and bills through the mail again!!!! j/k

EDIT- The USPS is not privatized,... it is an independent agency of the US government,... so it still is part of the government and overseen by it, controlled by it, the president appoints members to the board,.. etc. Since the USPS is the second or third largest employer in the entire US,.. maybe Obama should send some of his stimulus there to SAVE jobs,.... just a thought

I found it on USPS website,...
"Are the second-largest employer in the United States with nearly 685,000 career employees. " should we have them layoff 50,000 or so?

 

[Elfear]

Kinda sucks for Netflix subscribers and the like but probably a good move overall for the nation.

 

[conehead433]

The postal service should just go ahead have every Monday off since they already have so many Monday holidays anyway. And maybe if they quit paying their drivers for 8 hours work when they get the job done in 6 hours taxpayers wouldn't be getting shafted. Of course they would just stretch it out to 8 hours. Here's a job for you, find one government agency or subsidized agency that is run efficiently, and good luck since they don't exist.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
My Mom grew up during the great depression, and when she was a teenager, the US mail delivered twice a day.

I ain't that old and I remember that being the case when I was a kid.

Anyway, the word 'service' in USPS has been a joke for years so I doubt I'll notice any difference if they do cut out a day or two.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31
It beats raising postage.

 

[sportage]

The rate to mail a letter via USPS is still the best deal around.
People are hard on the po but imagine having to pay $1.50 +
to mail one little letter thru some private non gov service.
And I doubt they would bring it to your home. Not with that volume.

No Sat delivery? Doesnt hurt me. Just wont get those utility bills
till monday, then you can have a pleasant stress free weekend. :thumbsup:

 

[LumbergTech]

how many people are having reduced hours or losing a job over this?

 

[scruffypup]

Originally posted by: conehead433
The postal service should just go ahead have every Monday off since they already have so many Monday holidays anyway. And maybe if they quit paying their drivers for 8 hours work when they get the job done in 6 hours taxpayers wouldn't be getting shafted. Of course they would just stretch it out to 8 hours. Here's a job for you, find one government agency or subsidized agency that is run efficiently, and good luck since they don't exist.

The USPS is the one that comes closest,.. it is not subsidized,... and for what they do, they are fairly efficient and organized,... some of you will say the service sucks,.. but I have never had any issues in my life with the service of USPS. Tell me how handling as much mail as they do per day is not efficient,...

Some fun facts about the USPS,...

Process and deliver more than 212 billion pieces of mail ? letters, cards, ads, bills, payments and packages ? every year. Which equates to:
700 million pieces per day
29 million pieces per hour
486,000 pieces per minute
8,000 pieces per second

Deliver mail to more than 300 million people at 148 million homes, businesses and PO Boxes in every state, city and town, and in Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

Add 1.8 million new addresses each year to our delivery network ? equivalent to the number of addresses in a city the size of Chicago.

Have annual operating revenue of nearly $75 billion.
Are the second-largest employer in the United States with nearly 685,000 career employees.

Pay $2.1 billion in employee salaries and benefits every two weeks.

Do not receive tax dollars for operations. We are a self-supporting agency, using the revenue from the sale of postage and products to pay expenses.

EDIT:
Source - http://www.usps.com/communicat...wsroom/postalfacts.htm

 

[kmmatney]

They should drop Saturday delivery to the remote places first, and keep 6-day delivery to high density areas. The current requirement is to deliver to every address 6-days a week. Dropping a day from the not-so-convenient addresses can save a lot of money right there (although maybe some people will cry foul).

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: scruffypup

Originally posted by: conehead433
The postal service should just go ahead have every Monday off since they already have so many Monday holidays anyway. And maybe if they quit paying their drivers for 8 hours work when they get the job done in 6 hours taxpayers wouldn't be getting shafted. Of course they would just stretch it out to 8 hours. Here's a job for you, find one government agency or subsidized agency that is run efficiently, and good luck since they don't exist.

The USPS is the one that comes closest,.. it is not subsidized,... and for what they do, they are fairly efficient and organized,... some of you will say the service sucks,.. but I have never had any issues in my life with the service of USPS. Tell me how handling as much mail as they do per day is not efficient,...

Some fun facts about the USPS,...

Process and deliver more than 212 billion pieces of mail ? letters, cards, ads, bills, payments and packages ? every year. Which equates to:
700 million pieces per day
29 million pieces per hour
486,000 pieces per minute
8,000 pieces per second

How much of that is junk mail? My mailbox gets at least 50% junk mail.

 

[bozack]

so long as they don't kill window hours on saturday I don't care

the rare occasion I am going to the post office is usually on a saturday for a last minute shipment.