Key senator suggests letting USPS cut Sat. mail if volume or revenue dips to a certain level

Sen. Tom Carper

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), chair of the Senate committee that oversees the U.S. Postal Service, says the service doesn't need to end Saturday delivery of first-class mail to save money, but needs to work harder to increase profits, Angela Greiling Keane reports for The Washington Post. Carper told Keane, “I’m attracted to the idea of a volume trigger that will incentivize postal employees to work harder, sell harder and incentivize mailers to mail more." The trigger would allow USPS to cut Saturday service if volume or revenue fall below a certain level.

USPS spokesperson David Partenheimer told the Post that the agency was open to Carper's idea: “This is a very interesting and creative solution that Chairman Carper’s developed, and could be part of a comprehensive legislative package to resolve our financial situation.” The service has proposed ending Saturday delivery except for packages, on which it makes a profit.

Postal unions aren't thrilled with either idea. Jeanette Dwyer, president of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, told Keane, “Bottom line is, you ought to be talking about how to increase your business. The Postal Service was never intended to be a business that made huge money. It was intended to be a service to the American public. That’s why it was created.” (Read more)