The Bloomington rally was one of dozens across the U.S. over the weekend in support of the USPS.
(George Hale, WFIU/WTIU News)
Mail workers are rallying against proposals to privatize the United States Postal Service.
At the Monroe County courthouse Sunday, postal workers from Bloomington and nearby cities called on lawmakers to reject recent efforts to privatize the service.
"Our universal service obligation is under attack," said Joshua Peterson, president of the south-central Indiana chapter of the National Association of Letter Carriers. "We come to your house every day. As letter carriers, we're proud of the work we do.”
Workers marched around the square carrying signs in support of the USPS and criticizing billionaire Elon Musk's inquiries into USPS operations.
A rally at the Monroe County courthouse Sunday drew workers from Bloomington and nearby cities calling to protect American mail. (George Hale, WFIU/WTIU News)
After sweeping cuts in other federal agencies reviewed by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, some postal workers fear their jobs are next.
Last week, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy agreed to allow DOGE officials to search for potential "efficiencies" at the service.
President Trump said last month that the U.S. Commerce Department might take over the service, which the U.S. Congress created as an independent agency.
At the downtown Bloomington rally, union members called on U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin to support a House resolution urging Congress to "take all appropriate measures to ensure that the United States Postal Service remains an independent establishment of the Federal Government and is not subject to privatization."
"We need her support," said Peterson, the chapter president. "We need as much support all across the country. Their communities don't want a privatized postal service."
Houchin's office didn't immediately return messages over the weekend.
A rally at the Monroe County courthouse Sunday drew workers from Bloomington and nearby cities calling to protect American mail. (George Hale, WFIU/WTIU News)
The postal union held rallies in Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Evansville, Fort Wayne, South Bend and other cities in Indiana this weekend and last week.
"If they was to privatize, it would not be the people's post office anymore," Hiatt said. "Right now, it's all Americans. It's everybody's post office. The postal service belongs to all the people."
The USPS is the second-largest employer in the United States.
