USPMG Pat Donahoe

Other countries such as Canada, Sweden and Australia have reduced their Saturday services with a positive impact.

The bold move raised immediate legal questions in Washington as some lawmakers claim that Congressional approval is required.  Earlier attempts to change the current law have been met with objections and delays from Congress driving the USPS to make the change on their own.

Washington’s mandate, imposed solely  on the USPS, to pay over $5 billion a year for health benefits to future retirees remains a central point of contention and a driving factor to make radical change.

The decision to end Saturday delivery may be ultimately blocked by an act of Congress however, the announcement moves postal overhaul legislation to the forefront.  We’ll keep you posted on the latest as it happens.