{"id":11987,"date":"2020-07-16T01:44:41","date_gmt":"2020-07-16T01:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/07\/16\/mail-delays-likely-as-new-postal-boss-pushes-cost-cutting\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T04:36:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T04:36:00","slug":"mail-delays-likely-as-new-postal-boss-pushes-cost-cutting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/congress\/2020\/07\/16\/mail-delays-likely-as-new-postal-boss-pushes-cost-cutting\/","title":{"rendered":"Mail delays likely as new postal boss pushes cost-cutting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Mail deliveries could be delayed by a day or more under cost-cutting efforts being imposed by the new postmaster general. The plan eliminates overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal workers and says employees must adopt a \u201cdifferent mindset\u201d to ensure the Postal Service\u2019s survival during the coronavirus pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late trips will no longer be authorized. If postal distribution centers are running late, \u201cthey will keep the mail for the next day,\u2018’ Postal Service leaders say in a document obtained by The Associated Press. \u201cOne aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that \u2014 temporarily \u2014 we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks,\u2018’ another document says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The changes come a month after Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major donor to President Donald Trump, took over the sprawling mail service. In a memo titled \u201cPMG Expectations and Plan,\u2018’ the agency said the changes are aimed at \u201cmaking the USPS fundamentally solvent which we are not at this time.\u2018’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The memo cites deep revenue losses from a decadelong decline in mail deliveries that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and says an overdue \u201coperational pivot\u201d is needed to ensure the agency\u2019s health and stability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this March 1, 2017, file photo, Elon Trustee Louis DeJoy is honored with Elon’s Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership in Elon, N.C. (Kim Walker\/Elon University via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Postal Service officials, bracing for steep losses from the nationwide shutdown caused by the virus, have warned they will run out of money by the end of September without help from Congress. The service reported a $4.5 billion loss for the quarter ending in March, before the full effects of the shutdown sank in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Single-piece, first-class mail volume fell 15 to 20% week to week in April and May, agency leaders told Congress. Losses will increase by more than $22 billion over the next 18 months, they said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bills approved by the Democratic-controlled House would set aside $25 billion to keep the mail flowing, but they remain stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. Congress has approved a $10 billion line of credit for the Postal Service, but it remains unused amid restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. <\/p>\n\n\n\t