https://www.nalc.org/news/fight-like-hell
Rally Against USPS Privatization to Take Place in Hagerstown on March 23
On March 23, 2025, letter carriers in Hagerstown, Maryland, will gather to protest efforts to privatize or restructure the U.S. Postal Service. The event, part of a nationwide day of action led by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), aims to send a unified message: “Hands off USPS!” Rallies will be held across the country as NALC members and supporters push back against proposals they say threaten the integrity of the Postal Service, the jobs of 640,000 employees, and critical mail services relied upon by millions.
In Hagerstown, NALC Branch 443 and Branch 638 will host a rally at 44 W Franklin Street, beginning at 12:30 PM. The demonstration is expected to draw postal workers, retirees, and community members concerned about potential job losses, increased shipping costs, and reduced mail services, particularly in rural areas. According to NALC, any move toward privatization could endanger the livelihoods of 7.9 million people employed within the $1.92 trillion mailing industry.
NALC contends that the Postal Service, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and operating as a self-sufficient agency for over five decades, should not be subject to restructuring efforts they deem illegal and unconstitutional. The organization warns that proposed changes could disrupt service to 51.5 million rural households and businesses, raise costs for consumers, and erode one of the nation’s most trusted public institutions.
The upcoming rally is part of a broader effort by the 295,000 active and retired members of NALC to protect the Postal Service’s universal service obligation.
Each day, USPS delivers 376 million pieces of mail to nearly 169 million delivery points nationwide. The NALC argues that privatization would threaten the stability of the postal workforce, which includes 73,000 military veterans, and weaken the agency’s ability to serve all Americans efficiently.
The National Association of Letter Carriers, founded in 1889, has long advocated for city letter carriers’ rights and working conditions. The organization remains a leading voice against legislative and policy changes that could compromise the integrity and accessibility of the U.S. Postal Service.