The U.S. Postal Service is navigating a period of uncertainty following the resignation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, have suggested that the Postal Service could be privatized, sparking significant debate.
Unions representing postal workers have expressed strong opposition to privatization, organizing protests nationwide. While these unions support modernization initiatives, including those implemented by DeJoy, they argue that privatization would negatively impact citizens, particularly the 51 million people in rural areas who rely on the Postal Service. National Association of Letter Carriers President Brian L. Renfroe emphasized this concern during a panel discussion at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
The future direction of the Postal Service may be influenced by the selection of the next postmaster general. The USPS Board of Governors, an independent executive body overseeing the organization, has enlisted a global consulting firm to search for the 76th postmaster general and CEO. Presently, the USPS employs approximately 640,000 workers who provide delivery services across diverse regions, from urban centers to remote islands.
In February, President Trump indicated that there may be a plan to place the Postal Service under the oversight of the Commerce Department, effectively restructuring it from an independent entity to a part of the executive branch. At a swearing-in ceremony for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trump stated the objective is to ensure the Postal Service operates effectively without incurring large financial losses. Although he did not explicitly mention privatization then, Trump has previously expressed interest in this option due to the competition from companies like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx.
Elon Musk has also voiced support for privatizing the Postal Service, advocating for privatization of sectors wherever feasible, as reported by the New York Times.
In response to these developments, postal workers have been conducting protests nationwide, carrying messages such as “U.S. mail not for sale” and emphasizing the critical public service role of the Postal Service. Renfroe noted that these demonstrations aim to inform the public about the significant potential changes facing the Postal Service, highlighting the essential nature of the organization as a public service.
Since a reorganization in 1970, the USPS has primarily been self-funded, with much of its $78.5 billion budget coming from customer fees. Challenges such as the decrease in first-class mail revenue and retiree benefit costs have contributed to $87 billion in losses from 2007 to 2020. However, a recent quarterly report showed a $144 million profit, attributed to DeJoy’s modernization plan. The previous year’s report indicated a $2.1 billion net loss for the same quarter.
Union leaders are hopeful that the next postmaster general will maintain the modernization trajectory and explore new services, such as basic banking, electric vehicle charging, and even U.S. Census work. Renfroe emphasized that the Postal Service’s extensive network places it in a unique position to offer a range of services to the public.
This article originally appeared on Fortune.com.