By Elsa Maxey
Post offices in Fort Bend County are not immune from what could be a nationwide postal service default, a total shutdown that could take place unless Congress intervenes, according to reports.
Accounts also state that the head of the U.S. Postal Service said that as early as this winter, mail service may no longer exist. Financial issues the postal service has been facing have been no secret, and with the rise of emails and online bill paying, their profits have been affected. That also includes the growing use of UPS and FedEx as alternatives and some are beginning to wonder whether the postal service is needed or wanted anymore.
The U.S. Postmaster General has been calling for changes to keep the postal service operations going, according to reports. Among the changes is the elimination of Saturday deliveries. So, what’s wanted from Congress that residents may want to communicate to U.S. Congressman Pete Olson?
A bailout does not look like the sort of thing being sought from Congress. But instead a call for Congress to pass a law that nullifies a contract that does not allow layoffs, say sources in the know. The Postmaster General reportedly would like to layoff 120,000 workers, but he cannot do it without federal statutory approval.
As reported, a $5.5 billion retiree health care payment this month from the post office may not be forthcoming, and the post office is also expected to run out of money to pay workers next year. Among the many possible questions that arise about a place without the postal service is what alternatives those primarily using P.O. boxes will have.