Associated Mail & Parcel Centers Blog

Now is the time to act to protect your business and create awareness of the industry’s abilities to partner with the USPS.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has issued its non-binding advisory opinion, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) has issued its cost reduction estimate and now it goes to Congress to decide whether Saturday delivery of the mail is good for America and the USPS. AMPC has given its opinion in a number of venues, including a testimony before the PRC, letters to Congressional leaders and to the Postmaster General. We have presented our position to the USPS Leadership Team.  Click here to listen to Postmaster Patrick Donahoe’s response to AMPC’s presentation.

Our opinion is that five-day delivery can be a great opportunity for the mail and parcel industry – if it is done right. Our solution for the USPS is to partner with USPS Approved Shippers to allow for restricted delivery on Saturday to CMRA’s and PO Boxes.

The key here is that we cannot allow the Post Office to deliver to PO Boxes and not to Private Mail Boxes (PMBs). It is our position that that would constitute unfair competition.

Now is the time to address the issue, protect our industry and explain how we can help the USPS survive. We do this by writing to the House and Senate Sub-Committees that will be making the decision on five-day delivery. As an industry we need take the following steps to let them know we are out here:

• Edit the Form Letter as you see fit and add it to your letterhead. If you don’t have a letterhead, create one. It makes a significant difference.

• At the minimum write letters to the Chairman of each committee. The Ranking Minority Leaders and Susan Collins are important, as well. Write other committee members if they represent your district or state. Five Day Campaign Contact Information Page.
• Use the proper form of address as presented on the Five Day Campaign Contact InformationPage.

• Emails are easy, but they do not create the impact of a tall pile of letters on a Congressman’s desk.

• Fax or use the USPS to mail your letters.  (Local addresses have been added due to the delay in mail to Congress.)

• Send the same letter to your local Representatives and Senators

The vast majority of letters to Congress from businesses over this issue will be to state arguments against the idea of eliminating Saturday. From what the PRC has told us, the vast majority of letters to Congress from private citizens will be to support eliminating Saturday delivery. Ours will be the only letters that offer a solution to the dilemma. Your letters are important and they will be noticed. Now is the time to act as an industry.

Associated Mail & Parcel Centers (AMPC) members pay dues to support the organization’s efforts to support their businesses. The money pays for a staff to develop benefits, programs, discounts, research, education, and advocacy for the members. Joining AMPC is easy. To help us support your industry and business, go to www.ampc.org and sign up.

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