Challenges and More Challenges

November 3, 2023

Challenges and More Challenges
By Chuck Mulidore
NAPS Executive Vice President

As we approach the end of another year, we continue to hear that the United States Postal Service is facing a number of challenges in the 21st century, including declining mail volume, increasing costs and competition from the private sector. We have heard this now for many years; the refrain continues moving into 2024.

However, we also recognize the USPS remains an essential service for millions of Americans. Postal supervisors, managers and postmasters play a critical role in ensuring the mail is delivered on time and efficiently. As EAS employees, we are responsible for leading and motivating our employees and teams overseeing operations, resolving customer issues and driving the performance of all our employees. NAPS plays a key role in advocating for the USPS and its workforce through legislative activity on Capitol Hill.

We know the challenges and opportunities facing the USPS. I will offer some thoughts on how postal supervisors can help ensure the future success of the organization to ensure all EAS employees can work at this uniquely American institution as a career. The USPS is facing a number of challenges, including:

• Declining mail volume—Mail volume has been declining for years, as more and more people communicate electronically. This has led to a decrease in revenue for the USPS.
• Increasing costs—The cost of delivering mail is increasing due to factors such as rising fuel prices and inflation.
• Competition from the private sector—The USPS faces competition from private companies, such as FedEx, UPS and Amazon, that often are able to offer faster, cheaper and more convenient delivery services.

Despite these challenges it faces, the USPS also has a number of opportunities, including:

• Growth in package delivery—The growth of e-commerce has led to an increase in the number of packages that need to be delivered. The USPS is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend because of you driving service performance.
• Partnerships with other organizations—The USPS is partnering with other organizations, such as Amazon, to offer new services and generate additional revenue.
• Some rationalization of plant and delivery networks, although the USPS needs to be much more transparent with its stakeholders, such as NAPS, to make this process a success.

Postal supervisors will play a critical role in ensuring the future success of the USPS by:

• Leading and motivating their employee teams—Supervisors need to create a positive and productive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. This only can happen when senior USPS leaders create a positive environment of respect for EAS employees who ultimately will decide the fate of the Postal Service.
• NAPS advocating for the USPS—Supervisors need to advocate for the USPS at all levels of government and become engaged with lawmakers to ensure a successful, transparent and efficient Postal Service.

I encourage all EAS employees to get involved in their local NAPS branch and stay informed about the issues facing the USPS. Remember, due to the courage of NAPS by suing the Postal Service, NAPS is the only postal management organization that represents all EAS employees who work in the Postal Service. Together, we can make a difference and ensure the USPS remains a viable and essential service for millions of Americans.

I want to wish all of you a safe, healthy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday and remind you that you are indispensable to your family. So, take care of yourself this upcoming holiday season.