Wilmington postal workers voice opposition to privatization of USPS

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Dozens of people gathered outside the U.S. Post Office on North Front Street in downtown Wilmington today to protest a proposal that could change the future of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

The rally comes in response to comments made by President Trump, who proposed taking over the USPS and potentially transferring it to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Daniel Matthews, president of Wilmington’s Local 145 American Postal Workers Union (APWU), stressed that the Postal Service has operated as a self-sustaining entity for 250 years. It funds itself through the sale of stamps, postage, and shipping fees, and does not rely on taxpayer money. Matthews believes privatization could harm consumers and benefit competitors. “To make it valuable for somebody to invest in, they would have to raise the prices between thirty and 140 percent, and the benefactors of such would be FedEx and UPS.”

Matthews also discussed the emotional importance of the USPS, especially during times of crisis. He explained how the Postal Service helps bring communities back to normal after disasters. “It’s what brings normalcy back to a community. When they’ve been hit with any type of disaster… everybody, when they get that first letter, they are like, ‘okay, we’ll be good.'”

Crystal Dixon, a letter carrier at the Myrtle Grove location for nearly 20 years, voiced concerns about the impact of potential cuts to USPS. She fears that these changes could lead to job losses and reductions in benefits for employees like herself. “We realize that with the stroke of a pen, our benefits, our jobs, could actually be gone.”

Dixon also pointed out how customers could be impacted by privatization, with potential disruptions to service. “If they privatize it, you might not get it for like seven days. It might be three, four; you might not get seven-day service.”

Matthews also said that since the USPS is funded through the sale of stamps and services, privatizing parts of the system or turning them into for-profit ventures could make personal services, like sending letters, too expensive or even unavailable.