U.S. Postal Service employees have announced their plans to protest implementation of the group's services in 27 Staples stores nationwide, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
According to The Charlotte Observer, the American Postal Workers Union is scheduled to hold 50 protests throughout the United States on Thursday - one of which will include the North Carolina city's post office at North McDowell Street.
The general president of the union group American Postal Workers Union, along with the rest of the group, are reportedly not fond of members being substituted with those not part of the group, but still get paid, AP reported.
"Staples employees receive minimal training, and the company's low pay results in high employee turnover," Leroy Moyer said.
Moyer also said that he felt USPS workers - not Staples employees - needed to run places with mail services, AP reported.
"Mail should be handled by highly-trained, experienced postal employees, who swear an oath to protect your letters and packages," Moyer said.
According to AP, Staples started offering postal services as a part of a trial run that's since grown to at least 80 locations.
A Postmaster General concerned about the issue at stake told the AP he feels the organization should adapt to the times, and not remain as one with separate buildings for customers needs.
"If we don't adjust, we'll become another outdated 20th century business - stuck with a rigid business model that doesn't work," Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said.
According to The Observer, the issue has gone on for months. A decrease in the amount of first class mail coming through and funding the group's retiree healthcare fund has caused the USPS to decrease $5 billion in the 2013 fiscal year following $16 billion in decreases in 2012.
USPS thinks putting the group's services in retail stores provides customers with more leeway and choices The Observer reported.
According to AP, post office workers might lose their jobs if Staples employees take over. Locations could also shutdown.
The USPS has focused on teaming up with businesses in efforts to slim costs and increase income.
