Montana News

Montanans react to Saturday delivery announcement

Posted: Feb 7, 2013 8:35 AM by Tara Oster - MTN News

KALISPELL - The financially struggling U.S. Postal Service announced plans to save $2 billion by ending Saturday first-class mail delivery.

Some Kalispell residents said they wouldn't be too affected by their Saturday mail service ending.

Others were concerned about the employees who may have one less day of work, but one man said it could be good for them to spend more time with family on the weekends.

"I wonder how much the government's going to be able to pocket out of this, or I wonder if they'll rework their pay, save money in the economy, but I think if [employees] get more time to their family that would be good," said Sean McShane.

Judy Stevenson said she wasn't surprised, "because that's the way the economy's been going, but no mail on Saturday I don't care."

"It doesn't bother me so much," said Ryan Hunter. "I don't need mail to arrive on Saturday and if it saves the Postal Service some money, I'm ok with it I guess."

Hunter also expressed concern about the nation losing services due to a 2006 congressional mandate, which requires the Postal Service has to pre-fund healthcare benefits for future retirees. Many Post Office officials have said it's caused them numerous financial troubles.

Senator Jon Tester today criticized the U.S. Postal Service's proposal to cut mail delivery, stating, "Six-day mail delivery lets folks run their businesses and get everyday necessities, and this decision will further slow down mail delivery in Montana and hurt Montana businesses. Six-day mail delivery lets folks run their businesses and get everyday necessities, and this decision will further slow down mail delivery in Montana and hurt Montana businesses. "

Tester, a member of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, says the Committee will hold a hearing on the future of the Postal Service on Feb. 13.