Mail Delays Causing Concerns

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Senator Tina Smith is calling for the US Postal System to do a better job of delivering the mail without delays.

Smith said she is hearing that mail delivery is inconsistent and that sometimes people are waiting for critical packages, such as those containing prescription medications.

Smith and Senator Amy Klobuchar have introduced legislation that would require the post office to implement recommendations made following an inspector general’s report completed earlier this year.

Smith said one problem is that there are many unfilled positions at post offices throughout the state and in the Northland. Smith said, “My view is that the Post Office should be doing a better job of planning for what they know is going to be a surge in demand at this time of year when so many packages are being delivered.”

At a listening session held last week in Bemidji, residents and former post office employees told Smith how the shortage of employees is leading to some employees “just giving up the ghost.”

She says she is doing everything possible to put pressure on postal service leaders to do better. Smith also said that the mail carriers you do see deserve our thanks and support for their hard work.