GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Protesters lined the streets of Grand Junction on Thursday, holding signs and voicing frustration over sweeping changes to the United States Postal Service (USPS). The rally, dubbed “Hands Off Our Public Postal Service,” mirrored similar demonstrations across the country, where postal workers and community members raised concerns about deteriorating service and potential privatization.
Concerns Over Regional Transportation Optimization
A major point of contention is the upcoming implementation of Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) in May 2025. Critics argue the plan will weaken mail service for millions who rely on timely deliveries.
Shane McDonnell, Vice President of the Western Colorado Area Local #600, explained how shifting processing operations to Denver could lead to longer wait times. “Right now, some of our mail already goes to Denver and gets processed. If they send more of our processing operations there, that will cause a lot of the local mail to be rerouted all the way to Denver, processed, and then sent back here. That’s already taking a little bit of time,” McDonnell said. “With the addition to the Regional Transportation Optimization, it will not even start into the mail stream for at least another day or two.”
USPS has attempted to reassure customers that these changes will not impact delivery times. However, skepticism remains high among those who have already noticed delays in essential deliveries, including medication and vital documents.
Rising Costs, Declining Standards
Another key issue is the frequent postage price hikes. USPS has raised rates twice annually in recent years, but service quality, critics say, has not improved in tandem.
- Implementation of RTO may cause delays for local mail delivery.
- Postage rates have been rising twice a year, adding to consumer costs.
- Mail service reliability remains a growing concern, particularly in rural areas.
Bill Roberts, a Grand Junction resident, pointed to personal struggles with mail delays. “I ordered some about three weeks ago. It took ten days to get here,” Roberts said. “And I ran out of medicine. I had to go without it for three days.”
The frustration echoes a broader national trend. Rural communities, in particular, fear they will bear the brunt of declining standards while paying more for service that is no longer meeting their needs.
Fears of Privatization Loom Large
Postal workers are also warning of a possible shift toward privatization, which they argue would lead to job losses and diminished service for less-profitable rural regions.
“We are concerned that it would affect the service across our nation, the dismantling of the Postal Service, rural Colorado especially. For the fact that delivering in rural communities is not profitable,” said Eric Salazar, Branch President of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
If privatization were to take hold, it could jeopardize the jobs of approximately 600,000 USPS workers, many of whom belong to labor unions. The impact on rural communities, where private carriers often charge significantly higher fees, could be particularly severe.
USPS Defends the Changes
USPS has maintained that the adjustments are part of a larger strategy to modernize its network while improving financial stability. The agency issued a statement saying that the RTO plan is part of a broader $40 billion, 10-year initiative under the Delivering for America (DFA) strategy.
The statement read in part: “By implementing this strategy, the Postal Service aims to optimize transportation network usage, reduce the total number of trips, and lower costs and carbon emissions. The Postal Service does not anticipate these efforts will negatively impact customer service.”
Yet, for many Americans, these assurances ring hollow. The growing disconnect between official statements and real-world experiences has fueled the protests, leaving postal employees and the communities they serve uncertain about what the future holds.
