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In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from postal unions, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has entered into an agreement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial entity led by billionaire Elon Musk. The arrangement, which also involves the General Services Administration (GSA), aims to identify financial efficiencies within the United States Postal Service (USPS). However, unions representing postal workers view DOGE’s involvement as a potential threat to employee rights, data security, and the future of the Postal Service as a public institution.
Unions Reject DOGE’s Role in USPS
The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) issued a strong rebuke of DOGE’s involvement, questioning its legitimacy and warning that any attempt to undermine union rights would be met with resistance.
“There is no legitimate role for DOGE in the USPS or any other Federal agency,” the APWU National Executive Board said in a statement following a March 14 meeting. “The public Postal Service was created by Congress as an independent government agency with robust oversight from the Office of Inspector General, the Postal Regulatory Commission, and the Board of Governors, as well as Congressional Committees.”
The APWU made it clear that if DOGE attempted to gain access to private employee data, it would take legal action. “The moment there is any indication that DOGE is seeking access to personal and private information regarding employees, the APWU is prepared to take immediate legal action,” the statement continued.
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) also released a statement, with President Brian L. Renfroe reaffirming that the union is closely monitoring the situation.
“The safety of our members always comes first. That includes their information and data,” Renfroe said. “Prior to DOGE’s engagement with the Postal Service, we prepared for potential legal action if DOGE was to gain access to our members’ information in USPS records in violation of any applicable laws and regulations. We also expressed our concern over the privacy of our members’ information to Postal Service leadership.”
Renfroe acknowledged that some of the issues DOGE intends to address—such as misallocated pension liabilities and USPS’s investment strategy—are real concerns. However, he dismissed privatization efforts as the wrong approach.
“Letter carriers are lifelines to American communities who uphold our Constitutionally mandated service obligation by delivering to 169 million delivery points, including 51.5 million rural households and businesses, six and sometimes seven days a week,” he stated. “If DOGE wants to improve the Postal Service’s finances, the above actions will do just that. Misguided ideas like privatization will not.”
What Does the Agreement Cover?
Postmaster General DeJoy, in a letter to Congressional leaders, outlined the rationale behind the agreement, stating that DOGE could assist in solving “big problems” such as USPS’s financial struggles.
Among the proposals under discussion is a shift in how the USPS’s three retirement funds are managed. Currently, these funds are held in Treasury bonds, which USPS leadership argues results in missed investment opportunities worth “hundreds of millions in annual returns.” Additionally, the agreement reportedly includes voluntary early retirement incentives, potentially affecting around 10,000 employees.
However, critics argue that placing financial control in the hands of an entity not created by Congress, and led by a billionaire with no postal experience, raises red flags about the future of the Postal Service as a public institution.
Concerns Over Privatization
Both the APWU and NALC fear that DOGE’s involvement could be a backdoor effort to privatize the Postal Service—a long-running concern given DeJoy’s past statements about cutting costs and restructuring operations.
“Our collective bargaining agreement is between the APWU and the Postal Service,” the APWU asserted. “Any effort by DOGE, or any other entity, to weaken our union rights or target our contractual protections and working conditions, will be met with immediate and sustained resistance by postal workers.”
Renfroe echoed those concerns, stating: “We will continue closely monitoring the situation and will fight like hell against any attack on the rights and privacy of NALC members.”
With legal action on the table and union opposition mounting, the coming months may determine whether DOGE’s involvement in USPS represents much-needed reform—or an existential threat to the public Postal Service.