USPS Board of Governors Prevents New Delivery Schedule in August

As part of recent action to fund government operations for this year, Congress approved language that prevents USPS from implementing the new delivery schedule that was proposed to launch in August. The new schedule would include package delivery Monday through Saturday and mail delivery Monday through Friday.

The USPS Board of Governors met April 9 to discuss this action, and has directed the Postal Service to delay implementing the new delivery schedule. The delay will continue until Congress and the president approve a law that will allow USPS to make changes that would include the authority to adjust its delivery schedule. This decision by the Board of Governors means that for the time being, we will continue delivering mail and packages six days a week.

In addition, the Board has directed Postal Service management to take other actions, including seeking to reopen negotiations with the postal unions and consultations with management associations, taking administrative actions to reduce costs, and evaluating further options to increase revenue, including an exigent rate increase, to raise revenues across current product categories and products not currently covering their costs.

The Board views a new delivery schedule as a necessary part of a larger five-year business plan to restore the Postal Service to long-term financial stability, and continues to support legislative goals identified in that plan.

The Board urged Congress to quickly pass comprehensive postal legislation, including provisions that would give the Postal Service the ability to establish an appropriate national delivery schedule.

More information on the Board of Governors’ decision is available in a Newsbreak posted on employee bulletin boards.