U.S. Postal Service to Drop Saturday Mail in August

art February 6, 2013 at 02:15 pm

Who cares about Saturday delivery. I just hope this means that I can start getting my mail instead someones' from down the street.

Michael Liskey February 6, 2013 at 02:36 pm

They should keep Saturday, but go to every other day delivery. Split the cities in half so half the city gets mail on M,W,F the other half T, Th, Sat. You could cut the delivery labor force in half.

stan February 6, 2013 at 03:04 pm

Bad business model.Hallmark has it right.The Postal Service is a function of government like Fire dept,Police,and Military,therefore using the logic applied to 5 day delivery,do we do the same with these functions of these agencies?

Matt February 6, 2013 at 03:42 pm

The USPS is "not" a function of the government. They do not get any funds through taxation like fire, police, and military. The USPS gets funds through stamps, postage, and other products. Stamps and postage just increased for the second year in a row. I would rather not pay .60 for a stamp to continue Saturday mail. The article is very vague and leaves a lot for interpretation.

Frank Castronova February 6, 2013 at 05:13 pm

The United States Postal Service is independent of the government and has been since 1971.

Larry February 6, 2013 at 05:36 pm

We often do not get any mail on Saturday and if we do it is very light. I agree with the cost savings of ending mail delivery on Saturdays.

The Duke of Royal Oak February 6, 2013 at 07:17 pm

Then what about Sundays?

The Duke of Royal Oak February 6, 2013 at 07:21 pm

Ending Saturday deliver should have happened 10 years ago. With e-mails, fax's,internet bill paying etc. the imending need is no longer there.

Jim Horton February 6, 2013 at 08:42 pm

As a proud 33 year USPS employee and Postmaster I feel I must comment. While the USPS receives no subsidies and acts independent from the US Government, they cannot make any substantive changes without congress approval. Whether todays announcement is an effort to "force their hand" is another story. Postal reform legislation was introduced years ago to allow USPS more freedom, but it sat stalled in committee and was left to die.
Stopping Sat delivery is expected to save 2 Billion per year but lost 25 billion last year. Random facts .... they have reduced their workforce by over 35% in the last 6 years, on-line banking and other transactions have eroded the profitable 1st class volume by a 1/3 in last 5 years, the ONLY organization required to pre-fund retiree health care obligations at the tune of 3.2 Billions per year (Yes, it is 1,500 over funded as of now). FED EX and UPS make money each year but have been allowed to gut the USPS of many if not all of their profitable products and as private companies are allowed to change as the business climate changes ... despite being "independent" the USPS is saddled by government bureaucracy and slow to change. In addition, nor are they mandated to deliver to every home, every day which is costly. How costly???.. USPS vehicles drive 3.2 million miles per day! Just imagine what just a penny increase in fuel does to the bottom line, let alone that fuel costs have doubled in the last 5 years. I could go on ... but limited space.

John February 6, 2013 at 10:21 pm

Actually, the Post Office is an governmental agency specifically delineated in the U.S. Constitution. Article I, Section 8, Clause 7 of the Constitution empowers Congress "To establish Post Offices and post Roads."
The United States Post Office was created in Philadelphia under Benjamin Franklin on Wednesday, July 26, 1775. The purpose of the USPS has always been to facilitate interstate communication, as well as to create a source of revenue for the early United States. So, yes, the USPS is a function of government.

EBC February 6, 2013 at 11:04 pm

I am absolutely fine the post office ending delivery on Saturday. I usually only get mail 3-4 times a week anyway and the large majority of it is junk mail. We pay all of these increases in mailing costs to keep people employed so they can deliver junk mail.

Angela February 6, 2013 at 11:37 pm

Art, I'm with you. We get other's mail about once a week. I actually called the P.O. to point out the carelessness that we've come to expect. I received a message from the supervisor, called her back and have not received a return call. (It's been a week). Luckily for my neighbors, I'm honest enough to deliver it to them myself. I do most of my business online so I won't even notice if mail delivery goes away on Saturday.

kidcat24 February 7, 2013 at 04:19 am

Every time a worker has pay cut it's less money in the economy for small business.

kidcat24 February 7, 2013 at 04:20 am

And Big Business

movinon February 7, 2013 at 06:52 am

I agree with the Duke. It's an institution that has about run it's course. I found a post card the other day from 1962 with a 2 cent stamp on it. Here is my 2 cents;For all the bad attitude you can get from a postal employee in Fenton, I don't care if you all lose your jobs. I pay my bills online. Except for the package delivery, I see no point...poof! goodbye

Debra L. Van Buren February 7, 2013 at 07:49 am

The potential loss of 80,000 jobs is an outrage! Surely there are other cost-cutting measures that can be instituted to alleviate this proposed and/or planned course of action to stop mail delivery on Saturdays beginning in August. Postal carriers work hard for their money, and are dedicated to providing the residents and businesses they serve with a very much needed and appreciated service. Alternatives other than cutting off Saturday deliveries must be considered and acted upon. Nothing less will suffice.

Shay February 7, 2013 at 02:54 pm

Fires, robberies, shootings, heart attacks, traffic accidents, assaults, etc. don't take Saturday and Sunday off. I want the fire, police and military to work weekends. I could care less if postal workers do... That's comparing apples to oranges IMO.

Frustrated Old Man February 7, 2013 at 04:39 pm

I think I could easily get by with having my mail delivered one day per week. Seriously.

Laura Harrison February 7, 2013 at 05:04 pm

One less day to get junk mail. And my delivery on Saturdays has gotten lighter for the last year or so.

Margaret Betts February 8, 2013 at 02:41 pm

And have more people needing assistance?

Debra L. Van Buren February 10, 2013 at 07:48 am

I agree that the USPS is at an unfair advantage. Too bad others do not see it this way. Government bureaucracy is having a stifling effect upon the dedicated employees, and their future. Good work and loyalty deserve better. Your comments were well received by me, and please go on ...