The U.S. Postal Service (USPS), an institution that has long been a cornerstone of communication and delivery, is facing a wave of discontent from both customers and its own employees. Despite the agency’s ongoing 10-year transformation plan, the Delivering for America (DFA) initiative, implemented in 2021, recent reports suggest that frustrations are mounting, leading to protests and strikes by USPS workers across the country.

DFA Progress Report Amidst Unrest

On April 27, the USPS released its second-year progress report on the DFA plan, highlighting achievements such as stabilizing its workforce to enhance the employee experience. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy expressed optimism about the agency’s direction, stating, “As we enter the third year of our Delivering for America plan, there is a new energy and vibrancy at the U.S. Postal Service.”

Key accomplishments outlined in the report include converting 125,000 pre-career workers to full-time career employees since October 2020, aiming to counteract historical high turnover rates. The USPS emphasizes its commitment to creating a work environment that values employee safety and pride in the workplace, aspiring to be an employer of choice.

Strikes and Protests Across the Nation

Contrary to the optimistic tone of the progress report, postal workers in various parts of the country have initiated strikes, expressing dissatisfaction with working conditions. Cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Salt Lake City, and Charlotte have witnessed employees protesting, citing issues such as understaffing and poor working conditions.

According to Jane Duggan from the Michigan Postal Worker Union Retirees Chapter, staffing shortages are a significant concern. Workers claim to be mandated to work long hours, with some reporting 12 to 14-hour days, seven days a week. This shortage is said to lead to overworked employees, frustrated customers, and, ultimately, delays in mail delivery.

Russ Franklin, President of the Salt Lake City Area of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), stated, “We’re facing short staffing nationwide in the postal service, and what that does is it makes it harder for the workers who are there because they’re short staffed, customers are impatient, and yell at them.”

Mark Dimondstein, APWU President, highlighted the impact of staffing shortages on work environments, leading to high turnover rates and slower mail delivery. He stressed the need for addressing not only the hiring but also the retention issue, emphasizing the importance of improving working conditions to keep employees and enhance service quality.

Customer Impact and Postal Service Response

While the immediate effects of the strikes on customers are not fully clear, historical instances have shown that such actions can result in mail delays. Workers leaving their positions amid protests could exacerbate the situation, potentially affecting mail delivery.

In response to the unrest, the USPS clarified that its employees are not technically striking, as postal employees cannot legally strike. The reported “strikes” are described as “a few union protests” that occurred on April 28. The agency also contested claims of poor working conditions, stating that some complaints are not “based in reality.” The USPS maintains that it is actively working to create a safe and healthy environment for its employees through the DFA initiative.

As the USPS grapples with internal challenges and external criticisms, the future of the agency’s transformation and its ability to address the concerns of both employees and customers remain key focal points.