Ep 211: How the US Postal Service became a political football

How did the US Postal Service become a political football? And what happens next? Analysis from John Callan of Ursa Major Associates: Pre-paying pension obligations No governors on the US Postal Service board 2018 taskforce report and hints at privatisation President Trump and Amazon - and Jeff Bezos The USA's stoush with the UPU over terminal dues Megan Brennan's retirement as USPS Postmaster General - did she jump or was she pushed? The make-up of the US Postal Service board of governors Relief funding for the US Postal Service during the pandemic (CARES Act) and the terms of that "loan" President Trump's pressure on the USPS to increase parcel rates The influence of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Parcel volumes, revenues and margins… and the revelation that Amazon is a profitable parcel for the US Postal Service! Appointment of the new Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy: The executive search agency's shortlist How DeJoy's name was put to the USPS Board DeJoy's background in logistics USPS Governor David Williams' resignation The USPS executive reorganisation Trucks leaving on time! And reducing overtime payments to employees. Eliminating street posting boxes Lack of clear communication from the USPS on changes to delivery DeJoy's management style Consultation and the decision-making process Congressional hearings Failure of Congress to deliver reform Postal ballots / voting by mail Will DeJoy continue in the face of this political furore? After all the political fighting is over, what happens next? Will any of these politicians carrying on about the USPS be able to address the core issues affecting the USPS? Privatisation of the US Postal Service (through work sharing, or outsourcing) If DeJoy resigns or is forced out, who would take over? And in closing… gopost (the USPS parcel locker network) and the concept of a carrier-agnostic universal parcel locker service (refer episode 208)