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'Demoralized' Indiana Postal Workers Urge Congress For Funding

Indiana election officials estimate voters could submit 1.3 million to 1.8 million mailed ballots for this fall’s election.
Indiana election officials estimate voters could submit 1.3 million to 1.8 million mailed ballots for this fall’s election.

The Indiana Postal Workers Union says mail carriers are disturbed by recent delays in delivery times as a result of national postal service policies. The union is urging Congress to give funding to the United States Postal Service.

Doug Brown, president of the Indiana Postal Workers Union, says during the pandemic, mailing of first class letters decreased significantly, even as packages remained steady. The loss in revenue prompted the U.S. Postal Service to suspend overtime and additional truck runs that help understaffed offices run efficiently.

“It’s demoralizing because we are in a culture that delivers every piece of mail: every package, every day,” he said. “When we’re told you have to delay the mail it’s upsetting for postal workers. We want to deliver for America.”

Brown says mail sorting machines are slated for removal in cities across the state with some already disassembled or idled. As of Tuesday, removals have been temporarily suspended until after the election.

But without additional funding, he said it’s very possible mail-in ballots could be delayed. 

Contact reporter Justin at  jhicks@wvpe.org or follow him on Twitter at @Hicks_JustinM.

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Justin Hicks covers statewide workforce development and employment issues. Before moving to Indiana, Justin was a freelance journalist and audio producer in New York City covering a variety of topics from crime to classical music. Justin is a graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute and Appalachian State University.