Letter: Postal employee opposes privatization

Concerning the April 13 editorial "Building a better Postal Service," here's a response from a U.S. Postal Service employee. Yes, the volume of first-class mail has declined and the possibility of discontinuing Saturday delivery is very likely. And downsizing is on the way with the closing of the mail processing plant in Olivehurst. This process has started and it's nationwide.

Although the USPS says that you may relocate to another job site, nothing is guaranteed. As far as privatizing is concerned, who would take it over, one or many companies with different rates, different shipping policies, and no government oversight? Think of the cost of the mailers you send through bulk mail and the cost per item and how much a private company would charge.

If my job is impacted, the first thing I would do to downsize my wallet is unsubscribe to your paper. Didn't your parent company, Freedom Communications, declare bankruptcy recently?

Daniel R. Shields

Yuba City

Editor's note: The April 13 editorial endorsed several reforms that would put the Postal Service in a better position for potential privatization. Freedom Communications is emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy declared last September.