What I learned with the Letter Carriers
On Saturday, I had the honor of attending the Letter Carriers Union Convention in Meredith, New Hampshire. I went to listen and learn more about the work letter carriers do every day and the role they play in keeping communities connected.
Letters and mail connect us all. When I lived in the Marshall Islands for 3.5 years, there were no phone calls or emails. Letters were my only connection to loved ones and the outside world. That experience shaped how I look at mail today. I’m still excited by a letter in the mail, because I understand the connection behind it.
At the convention, I heard directly from letter carriers about their work and the responsibility it requires. Our mail system depends on consistency, reliability, and trustworthiness of our mail carriers. What stood out in hearing from them, was not just their pride in their work, but how deeply they understand the systems they work within and the communities they serve.
Letter carriers also spoke about the potential of postal banking, an idea long supported by postal unions. They described how expanding basic financial services through post offices could strengthen the Postal Service while offering a trusted, accessible alternative for workers and communities who lack reliable banking options. Hearing how practical this idea is, especially from people who work inside the system every day, reinforced my belief that postal banking is a policy I will fight for in Congress.
Throughout these conversations, it was clear that letter carriers aren’t just identifying challenges. They are thinking critically about solutions. Their lived experience gives them insight into what works, what doesn’t, and what needs support from Congress.
Much of their work is invisible to the public, despite connecting us all. Their voices and ideas deserve to be heard and represented in Washington.
I always welcome opportunities to listen and learn from new perspectives, and I am grateful for the conversations and insights shared at this convention. These are the voices and ideas I intend to bring with me to the work ahead in Washington.
