Dear Donald Trump: Don't Destroy the Postal Service | Opinion

The administration's reported plan to demolish the United States Postal Service (USPS) would adversely impact an institution that millions of Americans rely on daily. Across the country, more than 165 million households and businesses count on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to provide an uninterrupted service, six to seven days a week, delivering everything from medications and magazines to ballots.

The U.S. Postal Service is the cornerstone of our nation's mailing industry—an industry supporting more than 7.9 million jobs and a $1.9 trillion industry. It's not just a mail carrier—it is a lifeline for rural communities, small businesses, and individuals. The plan to dissolve the USPS leadership and absorb the Postal Service into the administration is a terrible idea that would have devastating consequences on workers, businesses, and communities nationwide.

As the union representing nearly 300,000 active and retired letter carriers, we at the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), know firsthand that this plan would be disastrous for Americans. Letter carriers are the backbone and the heartbeat of the USPS. Without their essential contributions, the postal service wouldn't exist.

As one of the most trusted institutions, the USPS serves Americans, regardless of their location, whether in urban centers or rural communities. The reported plan to privatize mail services threatens to undermine the affordable, reliable service provided to all Americans, regardless of income or location.

Privatization would put the jobs of 640,000 postal employees at risk, including more than 73,000 veterans. Not only is the USPS the leading employer of veterans but its dismantling would have a direct impact on letter carriers and the universal service they provide. Instead of privatizing, we should focus on strengthening our mail service.

But there's more that needs to be done. Issues of fair compensation, stronger safety protections, and secure retirement also need to be addressed. These are essential for maintaining the integrity of a public service that millions of Americans depend on. The Trump administration has an opportunity to fix misallocated pension liabilities that were not resolved during President Joe Biden's term.

Despite their indispensable public service, NALC members face increasingly challenging work. That's why we are fighting for not only higher general wage increases but also calling on Congress to pass the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (H.R. 1065/S. 463). Several years ago, an assault on a letter carrier was almost unheard of, but today, there is a disturbing uptick in violence. Since 2022, five letter carriers have tragically been murdered on the job, and many of the perpetrators have escaped prosecution.

Extreme weather is another increasingly significant threat. Letter carriers are expected to deliver in record breaking heat waves and freezing temperatures, often without adequate protections or breaks. That's why we are fighting to get the necessary workplace safety protections that letter carriers need to perform their duties safely.

Our fight is about much more than the rights of letter carriers—it's about ensuring that mail delivery remains safe, reliable, and affordable for all Americans in times of rapid change. Policymakers must listen and take meaningful action to protect all those who serve our communities daily.

Fair wages, safety protections, and retirement security are not radical demands. They are the simple foundation of protecting a trusted public institution. That's why we are standing up for our letter carriers and defending the USPS. We call on all Americans who rely on the mail service to join us in supporting the strengthening of our most trusted public service. This fight is for all of us. Let's ensure that letter carriers are recognized for their work and secure the future of our postal service.

Brian Renfroe is a second-generation letter carrier and president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, the union representing 295,000 active and retired city letter carriers employed by the United States Postal Service.

The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.