Despite Challenges, USPS Gets a Big Thumps-Up From The Public

The United States Postal Service is entering the most challenging period of its history. But fortunately, it has immense public support.

According to a recent Gallup poll, the USPS has the “most positive image” among 13 high-profile government agencies. Conducted in November, the poll found that young Americans, in particular, stand behind the agency and firmly believe their workers are doing an excellent job.

When asked to rate the agency’s job performance, 81 percent of young Americans ages 18 to 29 said the USPS was outperforming expectations.

Gallup also polled the thoughts of Americans between the ages of 30 to 49 about the agency’s job performance. They agreed with their younger cohorts, with 75 percent finding that the agency is doing an “excellent” job.

For the poll, Gallup surveyed 1,020 adults, 18 and older from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Gallup polled these Americans either on their cellphones or landlines using random digit dialing, a popular technique that is utilized to conduct unbiased polls.

This good news comes as the agency contends with intense financial pressures stemming from structural deficits, contractual labor obligations, declining mail volume, and increased competition from other carries like Federal Express and UPS and other upstarts like Amazon.

America’s largest online retailer, Amazon, is experimenting with delivering packages via pilotless, remote controlled drones. The continual shift of traditional mail to digital delivery and other technological innovations is forcing the USPS to rethink its business and shipping models.

Congress has not been helping the situation either, as lawmakers continue to stall on passing comprehensive legislation that could inject new life into the still thriving and evidently publicly support agency.

“While the post office has been forced to address concerns over competitiveness and budget woes by consolidating installations, limiting Saturday delivery and increasing revenue through raising stamp prices, the overall image of the agency has remained remarkably positive,” according to Gallop. “This reservoir of goodwill may serve the Postal Service well as it strives to adapt to the changing world in which electronic communication and commerce are rapidly replacing the traditional mailed letter.”