(WIBC.com photo:  Reed Parker) --

Letter carriers and union members protested outside the offices of both U.S. Senators Thursday to save the U.S. Postal Service.

Listen:

The union members say they're actually protesting Senate Bill 1789, which they claim will essentially dismantle the postal service by eliminating door-to-door delivery and continuing to pre-fund health insurance benefits, which have led to the service's bleak financial situation. The postal service was mandated in 2006 to make annual payments of $5.5 billion to pre-fund health insurance.

Union members say they support Senate Bill 1853, which they claim would transform the postal service. Retired South Bend letter carrier Tony Flora says the postal service should be allowed to process documentation and submissions done by other government agencies and that they should be allowed to deliver things they now aren't allowed do, such as beer and wine delivery by mail.