In its latest effort to cut costs amid declining mail volume, the struggling U.S. Postal Service on July 28 froze hiring for all administrative positions.

Anthony Vegliante, the Postal Service's executive vice president and chief human resources officer, said in a memo issued that day that promotions and non-competitive placement of non-bargaining unit employees were also suspended. He said there will be no exceptions to the freeze, which will stay in effect "until further notice."

Postal Service spokesman Mark Saunders said the move was an effort to match the agency's resources with its workload. Standard mail volume has declined by 20 percent since fiscal 2007. First-class mail volume — the Postal Service's traditional moneymaker — has declined 19 percent since fiscal 2001, and is expected to decline by another 37 percent over the next decade.

The Postal Service will still be able to hire and promote letter carriers, mail handlers, and other bargaining-unit employees.