Report: Postal union plans protest at Staples stores

Washington, D.C. -- The American Postal Workers Union will stage a protest in Staples stores across 27 states on Thursday, in objection to the office supply retailer’s opening of in-store postal counters staffed by Staples employees.



In 2013, Staples launched its postal pilot program, introducing in-store postal services that today includes about 80 stores. According to a report by the Associated Press, the union objects because the program replaces well-paid union workers with low-wage nonunion workers.



The union says the program could result in postal layoffs and the closing of post offices, and said in a statement that postal workers "have taken an oath to protect the sanctity of the mail," unlike poorly trained retail workers. The union wants the counters staffed by uniformed postal workers, according to the report.