FedEx board member Steiner is picked to be next USPS postmaster general amid talk of privatization

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 5:16 pm

**FedEx Board Member David Steiner Tapped to Lead USPS, Raising Privatization Concerns**

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is set to welcome David Steiner, a current board member of FedEx and former CEO of Waste Management Inc., as its 76th postmaster general. Announced Friday by the USPS Board of Governors, the appointment has sparked immediate concern from postal unions who fear it signals a push towards privatization of the nearly 250-year-old institution.

Steiner, who is expected to join the USPS in July pending security and ethics clearances, will take the helm as the agency navigates significant financial challenges and a changing landscape. The USPS, largely self-funded, faces pressure from declining mail volume and competition from private shipping companies. President Donald Trump and his advisors have previously floated the idea of privatizing the USPS, further fueling union anxieties.

Postal unions, including the National Association of Letter Carriers and the American Postal Workers Union, have voiced strong opposition to Steiner's appointment. They argue that his background with FedEx, a major competitor of the USPS, presents a conflict of interest and could pave the way for corporate interests to take over aspects of the mail system. Union leaders have expressed concerns about potential job cuts and the potential end of the universal service obligation.

Steiner, in a written statement, expressed admiration for the USPS's public service mission and his commitment to maintaining its independence. The USPS is currently implementing a 10-year modernization plan, "Deliver for America," aimed at cost-cutting and efficiency improvements. However, the plan has faced criticism for causing mail delays and postage increases. The future of the USPS, including potential privatization or a shift under the Department of Commerce, remains a topic of intense debate.

Keywords: USPS, Postmaster General, David Steiner, FedEx, Privatization, Postal Unions, U.S. Postal Service, Mail Delivery, Postal Service, Louis DeJoy, Deliver for America, Postal Reform, Postal Service Privatization, Postal Service Modernization, Postal Service Finances, Brian L. Renfroe, Mark Dimondstein, Amber McReynolds, Donald Trump, Elon Musk

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