Neighborhoods across the Philadelphia region are experiencing significant delays in receiving their mail, with some residents going upwards of three weeks without packages and letters, leaving them without medication, paychecks, and bills. https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/usps-tracking-in-transit-late-mail-delivery-philadelphia-packages-postal-service-20200802.html

Valerie Rice, of Overbrook Park, said her mail only arrives once every two weeks. She receives medication for her autistic grandson through the mail, but now it doesn’t come. “I try to stay by him & pray for life that I have what I need to take care of him,” said Rice, 65.

Policy changes at the hand of a new Trump-appointed Postmaster General eliminate overtime, slash office hours, & order mail carriers to leave mail behind — things which carriers said are sacred tenants of their job. These are exacerbating staff shortages due to COVID-19.

Carriers said they’re being forced to prioritize delivering Amazon packages. They said their stations are overflowing with parcels, & that piles of first class mail are sitting on the floor, often unscanned. One works 90 hours per week, but still can’t finish his route.

A Delaware County carrier of 20 years said if a carrier is out for the day, their route often goes undelivered because there aren’t enough people to fill in. He said OT hasn’t been cut from his office, but if it is, it will be detrimental. “The mail wouldn’t go out,” he said.

An expert said the current changes are part of the Trump administration’s quest to turn the public against the post office— the most beloved & trusted public agency— and ultimately privatize It. Union leaders said it’s working— customers are beyond frustrated.

Experts also said the actions violate Title 39, the 1970 act outlining the USPS' role. One line: "The costs of establishing & maintaining the Postal Service shall not be apportioned to impair the overall value of such service to the people." Take a read: https://www.21cpw.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Postal-Reorganization-Act-1970.pdf

This thread is gaining a lot of traction. I had heard about changes in the post office through national outlets, but hadn’t seen anything in Philly. Then a reader emailed me — Robert Young Sr., one of the subjects— asking if I could help him figure out why his mail wasn’t coming.

He was desperate, & angry. I called around just to ask what was up, & in the process, discovered an entire crisis. Dozens of other residents started calling me with similar stories.

Subscribe to your local paper! This story started with a reader. I hope they get their mail soon.