ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Big news Friday involved the United States Postal Service (USPS) – An agreement that could move the agency toward privatization.

Last year, Georgia’s Postal Service ranked last among all U.S. mail services. With the worst on-time performance for two-day first class mail in the country. Critics blame inefficiency, and now the U.S. Postal Service will be part of the federal government’s downsizing.

10,000 USPS employees’ jobs are on the line after the postmaster signed an agreement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This comes as President Donald Trump carries out his plan to reduce the federal workforce.

The U.S. Postal Service is agreeing to work with DOGE on a reform plan that would not only cut 10,000 workers, but also billions of dollars from the U.S. Postal Service budget. The Postmaster General said it’s all to solve several big issues that have held the billion-dollar agency back.

South Georgians are now reacting with mixed emotions.

“It’s sad that a lot of people are losing their jobs, some having to relocate,” said Sonja Dollison, an Albany resident.

Some residents said the cuts may improve the agency, which has faced challenges for years.

“I think the cuts could be a positive impact over time, but the way this administration is going about cuts right now is going to be a significant negative impact in the short term,” said Carl Reinheimer, a Lee County resident.

Back in December, state representatives challenged the mail service to improve mail deliveries after months-long delays. At the time, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said only 75% of deliveries were on time. Outside of surface-level problems, in a letter sent to Congress on Thursday, DeJoy mentions other internal issues like mismanagement of the agency’s retirement assets.

“I think there has to be some changes to the Post Office. The United Postal Service is such an integral part of our nation,” Reinheimer said.

Right now, about 640,000 employees are employed with USPS, but in the next 30 days, that number will drop as employees are let go through a voluntary early retirement plan.

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