Changes on the way as the Postal Service wrestles with budget shortfall

“I am going to take some packages out of the back.”

Fargo mail carrier Keith Johnson has already seen the changes. Routes around town are being consolidated.

“8-900 deliveries.”

When colleagues quit or retire, their jobs are not filled. For the carriers, it means more walking, more deliveries on bigger chunk of town.

“We are going more with less and fewer.”

At the post office in Fargo there are 25 fewer workers than a year ago. A hiring freeze remains and openings are just not filled. The problem is the economy.

“Just a volume drop and the volume dropped so much there is less to handle in the office and are spending more time on the street.”

Another reason for the decline more of you are paying your bills on line rather and talking with each other on email rather than sending a card thru the mail.

“Big business also, all the mailings you used to get. Big business just can't afford million dollar mailings they did in the past.”

For the carriers, the writing is on the wall. No turn-around and more red ink at the post office means what for them.

“Unknown of what is going to happen to the Postal Service.”

The decision to end Saturday service is expected within the year. Congress has to approve it. Rates could be on the increase for those mailing out newspapers and magazines.

Tags: reporter stories, kevin wallevand, national, mail, fargo, news