In South Burlington Sunday Vermont letter carriers used their day off to hear from their representatives in congress about why six day a week service matters.
"What we believe is that Leahy in Danville, Vermont in that trailer park at the end of the dirt road deserves mail delivery six days a week as much as our friend on park avenue," US Senator Bernie Sanders said.
"You're our friend. Our neighbor," US Senator Patrick Leahy said.
Vermont's letter carriers have a friend in the Capitol in US Senator Bernie Sanders who introduced a bill to save six day service by fixing the postal service's budget woes.
At the center of the issue is the requirement that the post office fund the next 75 years of health benefits for future employees in ten years.
"The pre-funding is not about making the health benefits secure. It's really about bringing down the postal service," US Representative Peter Welch said.
"We have got to get rid of that onerous burden and that's what our legislation does," Senator Sanders said.
On top of cutting the pre-funding the three lawmakers want the postal service to earn more revenue by allowing notarization in rural offices, alcohol shipment and parcel service.
Vermont letter carrier association president Jill Charbonneau says Saturday mail delivery is crucial for the state's 300 carriers and the postal service.
"You cannot grow a business by closing your doors," Charbonneau said
She says keeping customers loyal helps business stay on track.
"Not only about jobs but also about customer service. In order to grow the business you really need to provide service," Charbonneau said.
USPS plans on stopping Saturday mail service on August 5.
