Postal workers make last minute dash before comment period ends
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - Postal workers stood at a street corner on Tuesday afternoon holding signs and handing out leaflets in opposition of the U.S. Postal Service's proposed cuts.
The workers are asking the public to write letters to Portland in opposition of the Postal Service's proposal to move the processing facility to Springfield.
The feasibility study by the U.S. Postal Service orginally called for loss of 68 local jobs in Springfield.
But if the processing facility were to move to Portland, the U.S. Postal Service said it is still unclear how many local jobs would be lost or transferred to Portland.
"At this point it is uncertain exactly how many employees would continue at that location if we decided to consolidate mail processing operations," said Kerry Jeffrey, the customer relations director with the U.S. Postal Service.
Gary Jarvis, Director of Research and Education for the local postal union, says the number of job losses could be as high as 180 in Springfield if all services were moved to Portland.
Jarvis says this move would be detrimental to the workers and customers in the area.
"It will make everyone in the 974 zip code area second class citizens because all of their mail will be forever delayed," Jarvis said.
Jarvis says he understands the U.S. Postal Service is facing tough times, but he says closing the processing plant will only make things worse.
"It will launch the Postal Service into a death spiral from which it won't recover," Jarvis said.
Post office customer Mary Ane Kemp just mailed her opposition letter on Tuesday.
"I think its supposed to keep going forever and I don't know who thinks we don't need it," said Mary Ane Kemp, a post office customer in Springfield.
With just days left until January 12th, postal workers are hoping to encourage the public to send out more letters before it's too late.
"Right now I truly believe that it is in the hands of the local community and to make their voices heard," Jarvis said.
The U.S. Postal Service will not make any cuts until the moratorium is lifted on May 15th.
Anyone who wishes to submit comments in writing can send them to the following address:
USPS Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact
P.O. Box 4759
Portland, OR 97208-4759
Public comments will be accepted through Jan. 12, 2012.
