WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Senator Tina Smith has sent a scathing letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy following a United States Postal Service (USPS) Inspector General (OIG) report that exposes severe management failures leading to significant postal service disruptions in Bemidji and the broader Minnesota-North Dakota District. The report reveals that these failures resulted in around 80,000 pieces of delayed mail and overwhelmed post offices.
The OIG investigation found that the Bemidji Post Office received just eight days’ notice before their package volume doubled, without confirmation that the facility had adequate staffing or resources. Additionally, local postal workers were not properly trained to handle the increased workload. These issues were attributed directly to national and district management missteps, leading to untenable working conditions for postal workers and significant delays in mail delivery.
“The findings of the Inspector General’s report are deeply troubling and highlight severe mismanagement within the USPS that has led to unacceptable delays and unnecessary hardships for postal workers and Minnesotans,” stated Senator Smith. She emphasized that reliable postal service is essential for accessing medications, paychecks, and staying connected with loved ones, urging USPS leadership to take immediate corrective action.
