Budzinski, Postal Caucus Co-Chairs Convene Roundtable with Union Leaders on Improving Delivery Rates

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus, convened a roundtable with leaders from postal unions to discuss how the caucus can support them in protecting postal workers and improving mail delivery for constituents.

"I was thrilled to bring together leaders from America's postal unions for the first roundtable of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus this week," said Congresswoman Budzinski. "The hard work of postal employees is what makes USPS a trusted service for millions of Americans and ensuring the future of the postal service begins by supporting its workforce. As we face distinct challenges like lagging delivery rates and rural post office closures, I will continue to work with my fellow co-chairs to fight back against the misguided Regional Transportation Optimization plan and deliver the reform necessary to ensure USPS meets the needs of our communities."

"Delivering mail in rural America comes with challenges that are often overlooked," said Congressman Bergman. "In Northern Michigan and the UP, postal workers travel long distances across small towns and rural roads to serve their communities. They're not just delivering mail - they're delivering medications, checks, and a lifeline for seniors, Veterans, and families in remote areas. As the Congressional Postal Service Caucus looks at the future of the Postal Service, we must keep the people who serve these communities front and center."

"Prompt and reliable mail and package deliveries are essential for our families' well-being, small businesses' financial stability, and communities' economic growth. That service would not be possible without the thousands of dedicated professionals who deliver mail," said Congressman Pappas. "It was great to join postal union leaders and Postal Service Caucus members for a roundtable discussion to talk about how we can continue to strengthen mail service and support these dedicated workers."

In Quarter 1 of Fiscal Year 2026, the Postal Service reported a $1.3 billion net loss - marking a nearly $1.4 billion decrease in revenue compared to Quarter 1 of Fiscal Year 2025. Furthermore, the nationwide average on-time mail delivery rate is just 78%. A top driver of this issue is the implementation of the Regional Transportation Optimization plan, which has decreased service in rural areas and slowed outgoing mail. At the same time, the Postal Service faces a decline in mail volume, threatening its long-term solvency and ability to compete with private delivery services like UPS and FedEx.

Labor unions are on the forefront of reversing these concerning trends that jeopardize the future of USPS. Organizations represented at the meeting included the National Association of Letter Carriers, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, the National Association of Postal Supervisors, the American Postal Workers Union, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, and United Postmasters and Managers of America.

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