BECKLEY, WV — Postal workers across the country took action on Thursday, March 20, 2025, rallying against a proposed plan by the Trump Administration to dismantle the United States Postal Service.
Union Leaders Warn of Job Cuts and Service Disruptions
The protests followed a recent meeting of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) representatives in Washington, D.C., according to Chris Black, president of the West Virginia APWU.
Despite support from many postal workers for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, APWU officials revealed that outgoing U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy had reached an agreement with the Department of Government Efficiency to eliminate 10,000 postal jobs.
DeJoy, who was appointed during Trump’s first term in 2020, had previously implemented cost-cutting measures, including reductions in overtime and extended delivery times. However, these changes led to significant mail delays, according to union officials.
Black also noted that discussions were underway regarding a possible federal initiative to dismantle the USPS and sell portions of it to private corporations.
Impact on Rural Communities
“If the postal service is privatized, we’ll see price hikes and a decline in service, particularly in rural areas, which make up about 90 percent of West Virginia,” Black stated. “West Virginians will be among the hardest hit if this happens.”
Efforts to obtain comments from U.S. Senators Shelly Moore Capito and Jim Justice on Thursday were unsuccessful.
Beckley Rally Highlights Public Concerns
Black attended a rally at Beckley’s main post office, where APWU Steward John Bannister stressed the importance of postal services for local communities. He pointed out that many residents rely on the postal system for essential needs, such as receiving medication, operating small businesses on eBay, and handling package deliveries.
Bannister warned that privatization would disproportionately affect rural areas, which already struggle to attract private businesses.
“We all live in a rural area, and cutting back on postal services will leave us underserved,” Bannister said. “Deliveries could be reduced to two or three times a week—that’s not enough. People rely on the mail for checks and medications. We need to ensure they get them as quickly as possible.”
Community Members Join the Protest
Local residents attended the rally, holding signs and showing support for postal workers.
Among them was Wes Holden, a veteran, who expressed concerns about more than just the postal service.
“I’m a senior citizen, and now they’re threatening to take away my Social Security and Medicare, which I’ve paid into all my life,” Holden said. “I’m a decorated veteran. I served in the Army during the Vietnam era. Yet, none of the politicians we elected in West Virginia are veterans, and they don’t seem to care about us. That’s why I’m here today.”
Veterans and Postal Workers Fear Job Losses
Union officials emphasized that the U.S. Postal Service is the nation’s largest employer of veterans.
Holden also criticized billionaire Elon Musk, who Trump appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), for cutting federal agency budgets.
“I’m extremely disappointed in our Congressional representatives—Shelley Capito, Carol Miller, and Jim Justice,” Holden added. “They’re supposed to be protecting our jobs, not eliminating them.”
Lawmaker Demands Transparency on USPS Deal
On Tuesday, Democratic Congressman Gerry Connolly of Virginia sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster DeJoy, urging him to publicly disclose the details of his agreement with Musk.
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