In response to your editorial regarding the Post Office, thank you. Most people do not seem to understand that the onset of email is not causing the demise of the post office. The pre-funding of the U.S. Postal Service retirees' medical benefits is the major factor. In fact, package delivery is up, which is why that is not being eliminated on Saturdays. Another little known fact is that the USPS is not allowed to earn a profit and can only raise postage at the rate of inflation. The federal government has set up the USPS for failure.

My husband has been with the post office for nearly seven years.  He is still not considered a "regular, full-time" employee. He has, for lack of a better term, the rank of TE (transitional employee).  With that, he receives access to health care under COBRA only.  He is required to take a “break in service” for one week every year, without pay and without being able to collect unemployment. He does not get paid for holidays.  About the only benefit he receives is accruing paid time off which he has to cash in each year at his break in service.  Now the post office wants to cut his hourly rate by $6 per hour.  So instead of fixing the problem, they are trying to fix the post office on the backs of the employees and their families.

I find it frustrating that the federal government bailed out the banking and automotive industries but continues to ignore the USPS.  Are the employees and families of USPS employees of so little importance to the U.S. government?  Are we saying that the employees of the banks and automotive industries are worth more?  Tell me, where are more people employed?

Stop blaming the changing times, and start doing what is right.

Jody Dietch

Orange