SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — President Donald Trump said that privatizing the U.S. Postal Service could increase efficiency and make the service more cost-effective. However, many Central New Yorkers are voicing their opposition, pointing out the potential consequences of Trump’s idea.
Josh Luden, the field coordinator for the Central New York Labor Federation, said that a privatized post office will harm multiple demographics. He said that the move would inevitably take away thousands of jobs from Americans.
“The post office is employing hundreds of thousands of people nationwide who have good union jobs and are able to have a good middle class life because of those jobs,” Luden said.
Luden said that the people who rely on the USPS to receive medications, especially seniors, will be harmed by Trump’s idea as well.
“Seniors that need medication, those premiums are gonna go through the roof because someone is gonna have to pay all this extra money to go drive it out to wherever a senior might live,” Luden said.
Luden also said that the proposal could threaten mail-in voting, which is an essential part of the election process for millions of Americans.
In addition, Central New York USPS rural mail carrier Eman Kunz said that residents in unpopulated regions will be disproportionately affected by the transition.
“Underserved populations are going to be the ones hardest hit, especially rurals, and other areas that are considered unsafe where it’s not financially positive to serve them every day,” Kunz said.
On Sunday, the National Association of Letter Carriers hosted a rally outside the James Hanley Federal Building in downtown Syracuse to protest the president’s proposition.
Although Trump’s idea is only a verbal proposal, many residents in Central New York say they will continue to fight against privatization.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Trump’s idea to privatize U.S. Postal Service faces backlash in Central New York
Aidan Cohn: President Donald Trump says privatizing the United States Postal Service could make the service more cost effective. However, NCC News reporter Evan Fay reports that many Central New Yorkers are not onboard with the proposal.
Evan Fay: Privatizing the USPS has the potential to cause serious consequences for New York residents. Central New York Labor Federation Field Coordinator Josh Luden says Trump’s proposal will harm residents who rely on the post office to receive medications.
Josh Luden: Seniors that need medication, those premiums are gonna go through the roof because someone is gonna have to pay all this extra money to go drive it out to wherever a senior might live.
Fay: Luden says mail in voting will also be impacted if Trump follows through with his idea. USPS rural mail carrier Eman Kunz says Americans in unpopulated areas will likely face consequences as well.
Eman Kunz: Underserved populations are going to be the ones hardest hit, especially rurals, other areas that are considered unsafe where it’s not financially positive to serve them every day.
Fay: As Trump’s idea to privatize the post office is just a verbal proposal, many Central New Yorkers say they will continue to fight it. Evan Fay NCC News.