Postal Workers Union to Protest 'Privatization of U.S. Postal Service' this Week

By Bay City News Service—     

Unionized workers this afternoon are planning to protest what they call the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service. 
 
According to the American Postal Workers Union, Staples has a deal to operate postal counters at more than 80 of its office-supply stores. They also say the U.S. Postmaster General would like to expand this plan to a total of 1,500 stores. 
 
Last month, Staples announced it will close 225 North American stores in 2015 amid declining sales. 
 
Union President Mark Simondstein said in a statement, "This proves, more than ever that it's a bad idea to turn public services over to a private company that can close stores at will, with no public input and no public comment." 
 
Union representatives also say they object to postal service jobs being performed by non-union employees who do not make a living wage. 
 
Upcoming Bay Area protests against the Staples deal are planned for: 4 p.m. today at 4863 Lone Tree Way in Antioch; 4 p.m. April 10 at 2710 Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon; 11 a.m. April 11 at 1230 Fitzgerald Drive in Pinole; 11 a.m. April 12 at 2353 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley and 11 a.m. April 12 at 1725 Airline Highway in Hollister. 
 
Calls to the postal service for comment were not immediately returned.