Rep. Ellison Statement on Move to Privatize Postal Services

Statement

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after participating in a protest in Roseville, MN as part of a national day of action against a deal to move United States Postal Service (USPS) services into Staples retail stores.

"The privatization of the Post Office would deny the high quality mail service Americans have come to expect and threaten middle-class jobs that disproportionately go to veterans. While it might make sense for corporate shareholders, it doesn't make sense for working Americans.

"The Post Office employs over 500,000 Americans who deliver letters and packages in the rain, sleet, and snow. Since 2012, 80 Staples retail locations have opened USPS counters. The counters are operated by Staples employees, not Postal workers. Moving post office jobs to Staples replaces good jobs with high-turnover jobs that pay lower wages. Thirty nine percent of postal workers are from communities of color and forty percent are women. Opening more USPS counters in Staples retail locations would hurt these communities.

"The Postal Service delivers half of the world's mail. It's efficient and trusted, especially in rural communities where the Post Office is the only place people can send mail and receive packages. But 90 percent of the 3,830 post offices currently slated for closure are in poor rural areas. If the Staples deal is expanded, postal workers and Americans living in rural communities will be hurt.

"Since 1775, the United States Postal Service has pushed our nation forward. Now, some are trying to destroy it. It's time to stand up against the privatization of the Postal Service."

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