Rural Workers Warn of Job Losses, Reduced Services in Open Letter and Baton Rouge Demonstration
Baton Rouge, La. — On Sunday, April 27, rural letter carriers from across Louisiana held an informational demonstration in Baton Rouge and released an open letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy, and the Louisiana congressional delegation, urging them to oppose the privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS).
The letter calls for support of House Resolution 70 and Senate Resolution 147, bipartisan measures asserting that the USPS must remain a public institution, shielded from efforts to privatize its operations.
“This isn’t a hypothetical. Privatization is at our doorstep,” said Tameka Brown, a rural carrier from Baton Rouge. “If it happens, rural families, seniors, and veterans will pay the price. We’re calling on every Louisiana elected official to stand up before it’s too late.”
Rural Impact at Stake
The demonstration, held outside the Perkins Road and Bluebonnet Boulevard post office, featured signage, flyers, and petition drives. Carriers informed the public of the potential consequences should privatization efforts move forward—higher costs, reduced rural service, and the elimination of good union jobs.
Only Rep. Troy Carter has publicly backed the House resolution so far. The rest of Louisiana’s federal delegation, including Speaker Johnson, has not taken a public position.
“Louisiana’s leaders face a clear choice—stand with rural communities and postal workers, or let Wall Street dismantle the Postal Service for profit,” said Don Maston, President of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association.
National Developments Raise Concern
The demonstration comes amid reports of growing privatization momentum. A leaked Wells Fargo memo allegedly outlines a plan to sell off USPS’s most profitable operations, hike rates by as much as 140%, and eliminate union positions.
Adding to the uncertainty, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has announced his resignation. Reports also indicate that former President Trump may push to move USPS under the Department of Commerce, a move critics say would threaten its independence and open the door to privatization.
A Growing Movement
The event in Baton Rouge is part of a broader campaign to protect rural postal service, defend labor rights, and preserve access to affordable, reliable mail service across the country.
The full letter and additional advocacy resources are available at: www.ProtectPostalService.com