Thousands of postal workers are protesting across the United States in response to renewed efforts by President Donald Trump to privatize the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The protests, which have taken place in cities including Washington, D.C., New York, Cleveland, and Los Angeles, are part of a growing nationwide backlash to what union leaders and workers call a direct threat to one of America’s most trusted public institutions.
Postal Workers Push Back Against Privatization Plan
The protests follow Trump’s latest executive actions and a partnership between the USPS and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, aimed at cost-cutting and restructuring. Critics say the changes signal a shift toward privatization that could result in mass layoffs, higher prices, and reduced mail service—especially in rural communities.
“Hands off the postal service,” shouted hundreds of postal workers and supporters in Cleveland on Sunday, many wearing red shirts that read “Fight Like Hell.”
According to the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), more than 260 rallies were held nationwide in recent days. Union President Mark Dimondstein warned that privatization would hand over public infrastructure and funding to private interests, potentially jeopardizing universal service and increasing costs.
“You’ll only get products if somebody can make a quick buck doing it,” Dimondstein said.
Trump’s Push to Privatize the USPS
During a recent public event, Trump again criticized the USPS, calling it a “tremendous loser for this country” and reaffirmed his desire to place the postal service under the Department of Commerce—a move seen by critics as a step toward privatization.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has already raised postage rates multiple times since 2021, announced the USPS would cut 10,000 jobs by mid-April, with further cuts under consideration. He also welcomed assistance from DOGE to examine pensions, workers’ compensation, and lease renewals at 31,000 USPS retail locations—steps that could lead to facility closures and mail delays.
Wells Fargo Memo Fuels Privatization Concerns
A leaked internal memo from Wells Fargo has further fueled fears. The memo outlines a blueprint to privatize USPS by:
- Selling off profitable divisions, like package delivery
- Slashing union jobs
- Raising postage prices by up to 140%
- Reducing services in rural areas
The document candidly admits that privatization would lead to “less job security, loss of union protections, and higher healthcare costs.” It also proposes the government assume pension liabilities—leaving new private operators with a cheaper, non-union workforce.
Public Support and Union Resistance Grow
Despite efforts to dismantle USPS, polls show broad public support for maintaining the agency as a public service. Protesters argue that postal privatization would especially hurt low-income and rural Americans, as well as veterans and African Americans—two groups that have historically found stable employment in the USPS.
“No one is making money from the post office,” said one protester. “If you’re looking to privatize it, then someone is looking to make money—and people will suffer.”
Union leaders are calling on Congress to intervene. Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA) has demanded a hearing into Trump’s plans, citing a “backroom agreement” between DeJoy and DOGE.
What’s at Stake
If privatization moves forward, advocates warn:
- Mail delivery could slow in rural areas
- Prices could spike for basic services
- Union jobs could be replaced by low-wage, non-union labor
- The USPS’s independent status could end
With Trump’s plans now public and Wall Street eyeing USPS’s $88 billion in real estate assets, labor organizers say the fight has only begun.
“They know we have the power to stop them,” said one APWU member. “We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again.”
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