EUGENE, Ore. — On April 8, a group of workers and supporters gathered outside the downtown Eugene Post Office to protest potential job cuts and threats to the future of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The rally, organized by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), came amid growing fears that the Trump administration’s proposed measures could severely impact the postal service, particularly with cuts that might lead to massive layoffs.
Daniel Cortez, the Legislative and Political Director for the Oregon APWU, spoke to the crowd about the urgent need to raise awareness about the possible dismantling of federal agencies, especially the USPS. Cortez emphasized that the rally’s goal was to alert the public to the risks facing postal workers and, by extension, the American people who rely on the service.
“We gathered here today to continue to raise the alarm at the threats that all federal workers are facing and that the American people are facing due to the reduction and dismantling of agencies,” said Cortez.
Cory Benitez-Egerton, the Eugene Local President for the APWU, also addressed the crowd. He highlighted that the USPS serves the public and is funded by the people, not outside interests or politicians. Benitez-Egerton stressed the importance of protecting the service, especially for those who depend on it for essential deliveries.
“What we’re out here today to remind the public is that this postal service is a service, not a business, and it’s run for the people by the people and funded by the people,” Benitez-Egerton said.
The rally took place shortly after breaking news regarding a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Trump administration to proceed with the firing of 16,000 probationary federal employees. Cortez expressed confusion and frustration over the decision, noting that it could set a troubling precedent for workers’ job security, including his own.
“It’s hard to understand what the Supreme Court was doing. Why does it make sense, especially when we’re talking about efficiency? Why does it make sense to have people on paid administrative leave instead of having them at work doing the job that the American people need them to do?” said Cortez.
Speakers at the rally warned of the long-term consequences of the proposed cuts. Benitez-Egerton explained that the USPS could be at risk of privatization, which could lead to fewer deliveries, increased prices, and delayed mail. He pointed to other countries where privatized postal services have reduced delivery frequency and raised costs for customers.
“We’d probably get deliveries maybe every other day, once a week like they do in other countries where they’ve privatized. They’re not going to want to pay to send medicine, barstools, letters to the top of the mountain or the bottom of the canyon,” said Benitez-Egerton. “It’s going to lower the standards, increase prices for the public, and delay mail across the world.”
Cortez expressed disbelief that such proposals were even being considered, especially after years of service challenges faced by the USPS. The idea of privatization seemed unthinkable to him just a few years ago.
“I personally have never seen the White House and key leaders and both chambers of Congress calling for the privatization of the postal service. Never would have thought,” Cortez said.
As the rally came to a close, participants were left with a sense of determination to continue advocating for the preservation of the USPS as a public service. The demonstration in Eugene was just one of many efforts across the country to protect the integrity and future of the nation’s postal system, which millions rely on daily for everything from personal letters to essential medications.
