Trump, Musk actions raise fears of privatizing USPS. Middle Georgia postal workers push back

A group of Middle Georgia postal workers are sounding the alarm about potential threats to mail delivery as President Donald Trump’s administration weighs changes to the U.S. Postal Service, stoking fears of privatization.

Members of the National Association of Letter Carriers, a union representing postal workers, gathered Sunday in Macon as part of nationwide protests against Trump’s pushes to privatize USPS. The union members, who are employees of USPS offices in Macon and Warner Robins, warn that cuts could have major ramifications for businesses and people living in rural areas.

“It would become a private entity for others to make money off of, but it’s supposed to be a self-contained organization,” said Ronnie Buie, a letter carrier and president of a local NALC chapter.

Postal workers and advocates’ concerns over the postal service being privatized have grown since Trump took office and vowed to heavily reduce federal spending. In February, Trump proposed putting USPS under the control of the Commerce Department in what would be an executive branch takeover of the agency. USPS has been independent since 1970.

The agency has struggled in recent years, losing nearly $10 billion in fiscal year 2024. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy was pushing for a 10-year overhaul of the postal service — he argued higher postal rates and other changes were essential to reduce financial losses.

Cries to protect USPS grew even louder on Monday after DeJoy, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, resigned. Trump and Elon Musk, who spearheads the Department of Government Efficiency, have floated the idea of privatization, according to multiple media reports.

Postal workers in Macon and Warner Robins said privatizing the postal service could pose a threat to Middle Georgia citizens and businesses, who rely on affordable service and rural routes.

Nerissa Buie, Ronnie Buie’s sister who is a letter carrier in Warner Robins, said people living in rural areas rely on USPS to deliver essential items like ballots, bills and medicine.

“A lot of people can’t afford to get to us, they depend on us to get to them,” Nerissa Buie said. “People live so far out that it’s not feasible for them to come into the city when we can come and service them and supply what they need.”

She said the Warner Robins post office makes more than 31,000 deliveries each day to rural areas — just as many deliveries as it makes to people living in town.

Unlike a private company, USPS is required to deliver to rural areas and not charge additional fees for service.

According to a 2022 report by the Office of the Inspector General for USPS, while only 16% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, 57% of post offices are located in rural areas. Additionally, the report said rural areas make up about 88% of the area served by USPS, and the federal government has historically taken rural areas into account when making decisions about USPS because of their dependence on the service.

Many private companies don’t have offices or delivery centers in rural places because they aren’t profitable, and rely on USPS for “last mile” delivery, which is when USPS delivers packages from major mail hubs to their final destination.

Ronnie Buie said privatizing USPS could put these services in jeopardy and cause higher prices and inflation for businesses and households alike.

“If privatization comes along, it’s going to affect us all,” Ronnie Buie said.

USPS did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

This story was originally published March 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM.