FLINT -- Several dozen postal workers rallied in Flint Tuesday afternoon. They were part of an effort across the country to bring awareness to the possible cuts to the agency and a proposed law many workers say would solve the U.S. Postal Service's financial situation.
Demonstrators say cutting hundreds of thousands of jobs, Saturday mail service and smaller post offices would only help put an end to the U.S. Post office altogether.
They say the agency's main problem is having to fund 75 years worth of future retiree health benefits in just 10 years which started in 2006 when a law was passed requiring the agency to make the payouts.
In the last four years the agency has seen $20 billion net loss and many say that's due to the pre-funding of health-benefit premiums.
"We can't keep paying into a fund that is already way overfunded to the tune of $100 billion," said Paul Gillie President of the National Association of Letter Carries Local 256.
They are now trying to drum up support for a proposed bill that would cut or lower those payments to future health care benefits. If it passes, workers say there would be no need to make cuts.
"We are not asking for a bailout. This is postal money," said Alex Murray, a spokesperson for the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 256.
It all hits a little too close to home for Curtis Walker, who's worked for the post office for 18 years and has several family members, including his wife, that also work for the post office.
"I love my job. I love the post office and I want to stay with the post office. I'm 48 years old and I don't want to look for another job at this stage of my life," said Walker.
