Time to privatize the USPS...or turn it into a franchisor and sell territories ala UPS post and package stores.
Can’t really privatize it as the Constitution stipulates that it’s a function of the US Federal government.
The USPS is supposed to be supporting itself like a private business, but not post a profit. It's supposed to break even. It's also supposed to support the Federal employees retirement and health systems. I believe that is what the "default" payment statement is referencing. The USPS is supposed to be prepaying healht and retirement for years and years out into the future, if I'm understanding it correctly.
IF the USPS posts a profit, where do y'all suppose that excess cash goes? It's going to go into the general fund. IF the USPS posts a loss, it goes into the headlines.
Labor costs are 80% of total costs of running the "business?" Shocking, it's just like any other labor intensive business.
If the USPS was allowed to truly operate as a free business, it could keep profits, fund it's own retirement and health systems and save lots of cash. Because it's still tethered to the Government, it takes an act of Congress to make changes, literally.
While I admit the unions are always a problem (no layoff clause? really?), the Post Office's biggest problem is the cojoining with the hog-sucking federal government.
I also invite all of you anti-USPS posters to walk a mile in a mail carrier's shoes. Or seventeen miles. In 104 degrees and humid. Just a couple of weeks. Or in ten inches of snow for 17 miles. Or, like last winter here, 18 inches of snow.
Then decide if they're overpaid.