A protest group opposed to a post office program took to the streets near the Mall of Georgia encouraging passersby to boycott Staples, an office supply store chain.
Protesters took to the sidewalk along Ga. 20 near Woodward Crossing Boulevard in Buford in opposition to the company's "Approved Shipper Program" which allows the store, along with more than 500 other Staples locations -- and approximately 6,000 retail businesses in total across the country -- to offer some of the services the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) offers.
James Roberts, a retired postal worker, said Staples is taking money and jobs away from postal workers.
"They're using Staples workers to do postal workers' jobs (with) some kind of underhanded deal postal management made with Staples," said Roberts.
Officials with Staples said in an email statement that the approved shipper program is long-established program that can be found in independent outlets as well as national chains.
"Staples’ customers love the convenience provided by the U.S. Postal Service’s Approved Shipper Program, including location, extended hours and one-stop shopping for every product businesses need to succeed," the statement read.
Roberts said the campaign first began when Staples started a pilot program in 82 stores with the USPS to put actual post office locations inside Staples stores (using Staples workers instead of postal employees), a program that was discontinued in 2014.
"Stop Staples" alleges that the company made no changes when they transitioned between that program and the approved shipper program.
"We're trying to inform the public on what's going on. What (Staples) is trying to do is close the neighborhood post office, and you go and do your mailing at Staples," said Roberts.
Saturday
April 27th, 2024
7:02PM
