USPS keeps Saturday delivery
Direct marketers using address verification will still be able to deliver marketing materials on Saturday, thanks to the federal government.
The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors met on April 9 to examine government measures to prevent the service's implementation of a new five-day national delivery schedule. Congress recently extended a Continuing Resolution bill to delay the agency's proposed plan to cease Saturday delivery by using restrictive language that binds the USPS to maintain the six-day system. The bill stipulates federal funding is dependent on preserving current delivery schedules. The plan to stop Saturday delivery came out of the need to cut the USPS budget, and ceasing operations for one additional day would save the service approximately $2 billion in annual costs.
Although the board still supports the transition to a five-day system, they announced plans to comply with the new legislation. However, the board maintains the position that the USPS continues to seek methods of reducing the service's declining financial condition and urges members of Congress to allow the service flexibility to cut its costs.
Donna Harman, president and chief executive of the American Forest and Paper Association, told The New York Times that the continuation of the six-day system will assist businesses with direct mail campaigns in maintaining their present marketing budgets.
"We were pleased with today's announcement that the USPS will delay its plans to eliminate Saturday mail delivery pending further Congressional action, as this reduction in service would have been shortsighted and harmful to their ability to serve customers," Harman said.
Direct mail marketers might still see a five-day delivery system come into effect if the USPS persuades the federal government it is the best plan of action.