United States Postal Service workers rally against privatization

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — United States Postal Service workers gathered outside of the Federal Building in Chattanooga to say, “U.S. mail is not for sale.”

On Monday, rallies by all four postal unions were held throughout the country. Workers say they were recently told by the post master general that the postal service is in jeopardy of being privatized.

Demonstrators wanted to urge Congress to make sure that doesn’t happen. They say if it is privatized, service would be degraded and pricing would be at risk.

“It will jeopardize not only mail service, but the loss of approximately $5 million here locally to our local economy through the loss of these jobs,” said Judy Stocker, with the American Postal Workers Union.

“If you get privatization of the mails, they are going to want to make a profit. Whereas we are non-profit right now. You will be paying $1, $1.50 a letter instead of 50 cents or so,” said Michael Ramsey, a retired postal service carrier.

There is a House Resolution and Senate Resolution calling on Congress to keep the postal service an independent agency of the federal government.