Fighting Privatization
The U.S. Mail is not for Sale!
Privatization is the transfer of public resources, institutions, and services to the private sector in a drive for maximum private profit. Privatization results in reduced services, higher costs for consumers and attacks on workers’ wages, benefits, and unions.
In 2020, the USPS generated over $70 billion in revenue – money that Wall Street and private corporations want.
Postal Privatization takes two forms; one is piecemeal privatization with corporate welfare discount postage rates creating a private sortation industry, subcontracting postal work and privatizing retail operations.
Second, breaking up and selling the entire public Postal Service. The Trump administration openly advocated selling the USPS in 2018. The APWU, along with its many allies, organized a successful fight back with rallies, political action, editorials, media interviews, social media, and advertisements.
Building "A Grand Alliance"
The United States Postal Service belongs to the people and the public overwhelmingly supports the public Postal Service and trusts postal workers.
Saving the Postal Service will largely depend upon the American people. In 2014 newly-elected APWU President Mark Dimondstein led in building “A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service.”
This coalition includes over 80 civil rights, faith based, union, rural, social justice, environmental and veteran organizations and proved crucial in the Stop Staples Fight, defending “Vote By Mail,” campaigning for strong Board of Governor nominees, and defeating the Trump Administration’s plans to destroy the public Postal Service.
Four "D's" of the Privatizers
1. DEFUND. Congressional legislation like the Postal Accountability Enhancement Act of 2006 added the burden of pre-funding future retiree health care costs that drained $5.5 billion per year out of USPS funds.
2. DEGRADE. Reduce and undermine services. Slow down the mail, close post offices and reduce hours. Understaff so work is not timely done.
3. DEMONIZE. Blame the service problems on unionized postal workers and the “public institution,” claiming the private sector can do it better and more efficiently.
4. DESTROY. Sell of The public Postal Service and turn it over to profit-making corporations.
Sending Sears a Message
In 1988, the USPS and Sears announced a plan to place private postal retail units in Sears Stores. The APWU responded by waging a boycott of Sears and urging members and allies to destroy their Sears Discover credit cards. Sears quickly backed off and the Postal Service withdrew that plan to privatize post offices.
U.S. Mail Not for Sale Stops Latest Privatization Threat
In 2018, the Trump Administration proposed wholesale privatization of the USPS. APWU and allies led a nationwide campaign to stop the privatization, including hundreds of mobilizations and ad campaigns like this one.