USPS to propose 5-day mail schedule, major cuts

[Behshad]

Snail mail might soon get even slower.

The U.S. Postal Service plans to propose Tuesday an adjusted mail service schedule, which will likely cut Saturday delivery. The agency will also suggest closing some branches and expanding its use of self-service kiosks in grocery stores and other popular retail spots, as part of its effort to work its way out of a mountain of debt.

USPS posted a $3.8 billion loss in its 2009 fiscal year, the latest in a multiyear string of whopping losses. Mail volume was down 12.7% for the year, a trend the agency expects to continue over the next decade as more consumers opt for online bill payments and message delivery.

The Post Office was $10 billion in debt as of Sept. 30 -- not far off from its $15 billion debt limit, which the agency expects to hit in its 2011 fiscal year.

The challenges hurting USPS's bottom line are reflective of a "macro change in society," Postmaster General Jack Potter said at a press conference Monday previewing the proposed changes. "All posts around the world are challenged, just as we are, by the diversion of hard copy to electronic medium."

The Post Office, an independent government agency, does not receive taxpayer dollars and is funded entirely by its own revenue. However, the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 constrains the agency's operations. It prohibits USPS from closing small branches based soled on economic factors, and prevents the agency from expanding its services beyond postal delivery.

Post offices in some countries, including Italy and Japan, have boosted their sales by offering ancillary services, like banking. But unless Congress steps in, USPS cannot expand beyond the postal-mail realm.

USPS has already begun taking the axe to its budget. The agency made $6 billion in cuts last year, reducing its workforce by about 40,000 employees and chopping overtime hours, transportation costs and other expenses. Congress passed legislation allowing the organization to cut retiree health benefit payments by $4 billion.

Despite those measures, the agency still expects a net loss of $7.8 billion in fiscal 2010.

USPS employs about 600,000 workers, about half of whom will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years. Potter said the agency has historically overpaid into its pension fund, and would reap significant savings if it stopped prefunding its retiree health benefits.

The Post Office plans to announce the specifics of its proposed new business model on Tuesday. Its plans will then go before Congress for review. A significant postal price hike is also under consideration, although the price most consumers care about -- the rate for a first-class stamp -- is locked in at 44 cents for 2010.

"At the end of the day, I'm convinced that if we make the changes that are necessary, we can continue to provide universal service for America for decades to come," Potter said. "We can turn back from the red to the black, but there are some very significant changes that are going to have to be made."

[Ehwmatt]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular six-day mail service in this country any more. It really is. Democrat, Republican, Independent, whatever you are, it's gotta be sad to see all of our services, even the government-run ones, go to shit in this country.

[Behshad]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular mail service in this country any more. It really is. Democrat, Republican, Independent, whatever you are, it's gotta be sad to see all of our services, even the government-run ones, go to shit in this country.

Would you care to share with us how you really feel!?

[Ehwmatt]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular mail service in this country any more. It really is. Democrat, Republican, Independent, whatever you are, it's gotta be sad to see all of our services, even the government-run ones, go to shit in this country.

Would you care to share with us how you really feel!?

I gotta be careful not to step on any toes man

[Arianddu]

You get post delivered on Saturdays?

Bloody hell! Spoiled brats.

[Behshad]

You get post delivered on Saturdays?

Bloody hell! Spoiled brats.

not for too long,,,, but it dont bother me much,,, I have minimized my mail by doing almost all bills online,,, the only thing that will get affected is my Netflix!

[Ehwmatt]

You get post delivered on Saturdays?

Bloody hell! Spoiled brats.

not for too long,,,, but it dont bother me much,,, I have minimized my mail by doing almost all bills online,,, the only thing that will get affected is my Netflix!

Exactly what I had in mind dude! I love when my disc arrives on Saturday when i got nothing to do

[Deb]

You get post delivered on Saturdays?

Bloody hell! Spoiled brats.

LOL, I know. Canada has always been Monday to Friday too. We've never had Saturday delivery.

[Behshad]

You get post delivered on Saturdays?

Bloody hell! Spoiled brats.

LOL, I know. Canada has always been Monday to Friday too. We've never had Saturday delivery.

[bluejeangirl76]

You get post delivered on Saturdays?

Bloody hell! Spoiled brats.

LOL, I know. Canada has always been Monday to Friday too. We've never had Saturday delivery.

Beginning to wonder if that isn't at least part of the reason our postal system is jacked up.
Other countries have never utilized Saturday delivery and I notice their post office system isn't eleventy jillion dollars in debt.

[mikemarrs]

i'd like to keep on getting mail six days a week.there has to be some way to slash costs.first thing to go would be all the worthless junk mail they stuff in your box.

[Moon Beam]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular six-day mail service

6 day mail service

[Behshad]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular six-day mail service

6 day mail service

Arent you the same person who laughed when someone mentioned seven day showers ?

[Michigan Girl]

"USPS employs about 600,000 workers, about half of whom will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years."

This blows^^^ me away ... This means employment for approx. 300,000 in the next ten years, if they
stay in business!!

[Rockindeano]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular six-day mail service in this country any more. It really is. Democrat, Republican, Independent, whatever you are, it's gotta be sad to see all of our services, even the government-run ones, go to shit in this country.

Hey, all the fuckin republicans don't want to pay a penny in taxes. There is your answer. Don't worry though, it is unlikely the Democrat controlled Congress, who must approve the reduction, will do so in a recession. No way they cut jobs in a recession.

[Ehwmatt]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular six-day mail service

6 day mail service

haha, we probably aren't far from "6 day mail service." talk about a misnomer... oops on my part!

[Rockindeano]

"USPS employs about 600,000 workers, about half of whom will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years."

This blows^^^ me away ... This means employment for approx. 300,000 in the next ten years, if they
stay in business!!

Before you slam the USPS too much, think about this. Before email really came on the scene the postal service was making money every year. And now, while they are losing money, who cares? If you can find a better deal anywhere on anything than sending a stamped letter from say Tampa to Seattle for 42 cents,or whatever it is, let me know. The USPS is a good and decent government service. All the Cons out there who desire private operation of everything from prisons to highway upkeep, are notably absent from the letter carrying business. This is one of those things you pay taxes for and it is a killer deal.

[Ehwmatt]

"USPS employs about 600,000 workers, about half of whom will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years."

This blows^^^ me away ... This means employment for approx. 300,000 in the next ten years, if they
stay in business!!

Before you slam the USPS too much, think about this. Before email really came on the scene the postal service was making money every year. And now, while they are losing money, who cares? If you can find a better deal anywhere on anything than sending a stamped letter from say Tampa to Seattle for 42 cents,or whatever it is, let me know. The USPS is a good and decent government service. All the Cons out there who desire private operation of everything from prisons to highway upkeep, are notably absent from the letter carrying business. This is one of those things you pay taxes for and it is a killer deal.

Hey, I don't disagree with any of that. The trouble is the tax money being diverted from a good thing and going to garbage prone to scams

[Moon Beam]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular six-day mail service

6 day mail service

Arent you the same person who laughed when someone mentioned seven day showers ?

Please explain Behshad because me no comprende or maybe I just don't remember.

[Behshad]

It's just really sad that we can't even have regular six-day mail service

6 day mail service

Arent you the same person who laughed when someone mentioned seven day showers ?

Please explain Behshad because me no comprende or maybe I just don't remember.

Dunno what you guys call it up there , but here it's called a Joke ....

[Ehwmatt]

PeePeeBarfait?

[Moon Beam]

Dunno what you guys call it up there , but here it's called a Joke ....

Ok ever witted one I just didn't get it is all....(blows raspberry at Behshad)

[hoagiepete]

"USPS employs about 600,000 workers, about half of whom will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years."

This blows^^^ me away ... This means employment for approx. 300,000 in the next ten years, if they
stay in business!!

Before you slam the USPS too much, think about this. Before email really came on the scene the postal service was making money every year. And now, while they are losing money, who cares? If you can find a better deal anywhere on anything than sending a stamped letter from say Tampa to Seattle for 42 cents,or whatever it is, let me know. The USPS is a good and decent government service. All the Cons out there who desire private operation of everything from prisons to highway upkeep, are notably absent from the letter carrying business. This is one of those things you pay taxes for and it is a killer deal.

Why should we pay taxes for this in the first place? If I mail a letter, I should pay for it...whatever the fair market cost is. Why should my tax money pay for your letters to be mailed? Why should my tax dollar be used to subsidize all the junk mail that I receive? Sounds like a great place to cut to me.

By the way, why can't USPS compete with UPS, Fed Ex and the others on package shipment? Better question is...why are they trying to?

[Rockindeano]

"USPS employs about 600,000 workers, about half of whom will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years."

This blows^^^ me away ... This means employment for approx. 300,000 in the next ten years, if they
stay in business!!

Before you slam the USPS too much, think about this. Before email really came on the scene the postal service was making money every year. And now, while they are losing money, who cares? If you can find a better deal anywhere on anything than sending a stamped letter from say Tampa to Seattle for 42 cents,or whatever it is, let me know. The USPS is a good and decent government service. All the Cons out there who desire private operation of everything from prisons to highway upkeep, are notably absent from the letter carrying business. This is one of those things you pay taxes for and it is a killer deal.

Why should we pay taxes for this in the first place? If I mail a letter, I should pay for it...whatever the fair market cost is. Why should my tax money pay for your letters to be mailed? Why should my tax dollar be used to subsidize all the junk mail that I receive? Sounds like a great place to cut to me.

By the way, why can't USPS compete with UPS, Fed Ex and the others on package shipment? Better question is...why are they trying to?

Ok Pete, I'll play along. Try sending a letter from Topeka to say, Charlotte via Fed Ex or UPS for 43 cents. Good luck. You'll pay 11.50. Junk mail is a pain in the ass, but it's paid for by the sender. perhaps they should raise the junk mail rates up? I still think the USPS provides a great service to every American for the cost. It costs literally dollars a year per citizen.

[Behshad]

USPS is paying the price of slacking... sure theyre good enough for a $.42 letter to be mailed, but they totally suck in the shipping packages department. Worse tracking system and not that reliable when it comes to delivery times. UPS and FEDEX totally blow USPS away...

[Rockindeano]

By the way, why can't USPS compete with UPS, Fed Ex and the others on package shipment? Better question is...why are they trying to?

That's a better question. The USPS has it's new flat rate shipping out now. I would think that will do very well vs FedEX and UPS. It's cheaper and the same speed and also, it delivers on....Saturday for the same price. Fedex and UPS charge extra for Saturday delivery. On second thought maybe if this works for the USPS, they should compete against the other carriers.

[Behshad]

By the way, why can't USPS compete with UPS, Fed Ex and the others on package shipment? Better question is...why are they trying to?

That's a better question. The USPS has it's new flat rate shipping out now. I would think that will do very well vs FedEX and UPS. It's cheaper and the same speed and also, it delivers on....Saturday for the same price. Fedex and UPS charge extra for Saturday delivery. On second thought maybe if this works for the USPS, they should compete against the other carriers.

Price isnt just everything.... USPS takes longer for the same service, plus their tracking system is way behind. You wont get an update until after you got the package in your hands,,, Its like watching the weather report for last week

[StevePerryHair]

By the way, why can't USPS compete with UPS, Fed Ex and the others on package shipment? Better question is...why are they trying to?

That's a better question. The USPS has it's new flat rate shipping out now. I would think that will do very well vs FedEX and UPS. It's cheaper and the same speed and also, it delivers on....Saturday for the same price. Fedex and UPS charge extra for Saturday delivery. On second thought maybe if this works for the USPS, they should compete against the other carriers.

That flat rate shipping isn't really new. What I'm wondering is why it took them THIS long to advertise it.

[bluejeangirl76]

Price isnt just everything.... USPS takes longer for the same service

Want to know why?

[bluejeangirl76]

That flat rate shipping isn't really new. What I'm wondering is why it took them THIS long to advertise it.

Desperation.