New Post Office plan could add delays to rural North Idaho deliveries

Area members of the American Postal Workers Union are fighting a plan that would delay rural deliveries.

“Every community deserves top-quality postal services,” said Sheri Butler, associate offices director of the Inland Empire Area Local No. 338. “We are ready to take our fight from the bargaining table to the streets if necessary. The fate of the People’s Post Office is at stake.” 

Butler lives and works in Coeur d’Alene. She said the most pressing issue faced by postal workers is the Regional Transportation Optimization plan, set to take effect next year. 

Under the proposed plan, customers within 50 miles of the Postal Service’s largest processing facilities — the vast majority of mail and packages — would receive faster delivery service. But outlying areas, including places like Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint, could see a day added to delivery timetables. 

“Overall, more mail will move quicker than before and the vast majority of mail will keep the same service standard,” said a recent USPS fact sheet. “While some end-to-end products may experience an additional day, the efficiency of the new network is expected to advance much of this volume. Additionally, no First-Class Mail will be delivered later than 5 days within the continental United States.” 

Butler said the proposed changes are discriminatory and will harm customers in rural areas. 

“We want community members to know that the employees of the USPS care deeply about the People’s Post Office and all the communities we serve,” she said. “We are fighting for a public service for all, not a private business for those who can afford it.” 

Union members will gather at noon in Spokane, in coordination with fellow postal workers across the country, to demand “better staffing, improved service and a fair contract that recognizes the essential role of postal workers” in communities, according to a news release.

“For too long, postal workers have been stretched thin, making miracles happen in understaffed facilities,” a news release said. “This has taken a toll on their health, safety and ability to provide the service the public deserves.” 

The American Postal Workers Union represents more than 200,000 postal workers across the United States. Local organizers estimate that 30 to 40 demonstrators from North Idaho and Spokane will be present today. 

The union’s key demands of postal management include reinstating the public comment period at every quarterly meeting of the Postal Board of Governors, better staffing and services and fair dealing at the bargaining table. 

In Idaho, other rallies are set to occur in Boise, Caldwell and Idaho Falls.