USPS to cut 10,000 jobs in 30 days

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) plans to cut about 10,000 jobs in the next month as part of cost-saving efforts. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy confirmed this in a letter to Congress. The cuts will mostly happen through a voluntary early retirement program. DeJoy's plan includes working with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The USPS has around 640,000 employees and has faced significant financial challenges, losing approximately $100 billion since 2007. Recently, the agency reported a profit of $144 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, showing some signs of improvement. Changes in the postal service include a long-term plan to reform First-Class mail delivery and cut $3.5 billion in costs annually. The partnership with DOGE aims to help the USPS become more efficient. Critics have raised concerns that this collaboration may lead to privatization. They argue that privatization could harm reliable mail services, especially for people in rural areas. Some members of Congress, like Rep. Gerald Connolly, expressed worries about the potential effects of privatizing the Postal Service. They believe many Americans depend on it for essential services. Others, such as Brian L. Renfroe from the National Association of Letter Carriers, are cautious but open to assistance in improving the USPS. They highlight the need for practical solutions rather than privatization efforts that threaten jobs.