The United States Postal Service (USPS) workers, retirees, and supporters gathered across dozens of cities nationwide to protest the Trump administration’s efforts to privatize the USPS. The protests were organized by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), which represents over 200,000 USPS employees and retirees.
On March 20, hundreds of demonstrators showed up in front of Manhattan’s James A. Farley Building in New York City, holding signs that read “The Post Office Belongs to the People Not the Billionaires” and “Hands Off Our Mail.” The protesters chanted slogans such as “Whose Post Office? The People’s Post Office” and “U.S. Mail. Not for Sale!”
US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy signed an agreement with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which includes plans to lay off 10,000 workers within 30 days through a voluntary early retirement program. This move has drawn criticism from lawmakers and unions, who argue that it will lead to higher prices, reduced service, and job losses.
APWU President Mark Dimondstein expressed his concerns about the agreement, stating that lawmakers and corporations have been trying to gut the agency for decades. He believes the real motive behind the agreement is to profit from the public sector at the expense of private companies.
The protests also highlighted the importance of maintaining access to affordable banking services, as many low-income people are unbanked or underbanked. Dimondstein argued that expanding the postal service could provide a new opportunity for financial services.
Retirees and union leaders spoke out about their concerns, emphasizing the need for better pay, benefits, and working conditions. They stressed that the USPS represents a living wage job where workers can buy their own homes or cars.
While other unions are hosting protests across the nation, employees and retirees were not the only people at the rally. Civilians showed up in solidarity to express their support for the USPS as an American public good.
Source: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/what-doge-is-getting-wrong-about-privatizing-usps