Uses Committee Seat to Improve Mail Service for Alaskans

U.S. Senator Mark Begich today demanded an immediate meeting with the U.S. Postmaster General (PMG) to discuss the  overwhelming number of complaints his office has received from Alaskans who have reported mail delays, understaffing at post offices, uncertainty surrounding post office closures, and reports of efforts to cut back Parcel Post shipping.

Sen. Begich used his seat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee – which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Postal Service and pending postal reform legislation – to insist these issues are addressed immediately.

“As a life-long Alaskan, I know how much communities around the state rely on the mail to deliver everything from medicine, to paychecks to Christmas presents,” Begich said. “The US Postal Service needs to step up, fix these problems and ensure that Alaskans have reliable mail service.”

In his letter Begich wrote:

“It is crucial we resolve these issues for Alaskans.  As a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, with jurisdiction over the Postal Service, I am committed to passing legislation to reform the Postal Service and to protect our post offices, services and workers.  I look forward to continuing to work with you on that legislation, and on the issues identified in this letter.  I understand the hard work Postal Service employees put in every day, as well as the unique challenges employees in Alaska face to deliver the mail in a timely manner.  However, the troubling issues highlighted above are unacceptable and we must resolve them right away.”

Begich detailed issues including:

Ketchikan Mail Flown to Juneau for Sorting:

There continues an outpouring of concern from Alaskans in Southeast, including residents, small business owners, and local officials regarding delays due to a change in mail processing.  The Postal Service has started flying mail originating in and destined for Ketchikan to Juneau for sorting and then back to Ketchikan for delivery.  Begich first wrote the Postmaster Generalin December 2013 about the issue and continues to seek a solution.

“This new process is just not working.  I would like to further discuss the importance of Ketchikan processing for mail originating in, and destined for, the Ketchikan area as well as assuring that southbound parcels from Ketchikan and nearby communities are shipped directly to the Seattle area rather than through Juneau,” Begich wrote.

Understaffed Post Offices in Skagway, Geist Road in Fairbanks, Kaktovic, and Craig:

Skagway: “For years, the Skagway Post Office has been understaffed, particularly in the summer tourist season when many retailers gain the income which they need for the rest of the year… it is long past time for a creative solution for staff recruitment, management, planning and housing.”

Fairbanks Post Office on Geist Road: “Understaffing is also a problem at the Fairbanks Post Office on Geist Road.  It is my understanding that our hardworking postal workers have even filed a grievance regarding this matter, and I am troubled by reports about lines at the counter of more than 25 people.  These crowds and long wait times remain common long after the holiday rush.”

Craig and Kaktovik: “I have continued to hear reports of understaffing and extraordinary delays in filling vacancies at the post offices in Craig and Kaktovik.  I request an update on what the Postal Service is doing to ensure these remote communities have access to their mail.”

Post Office Closures:

Douglas and Auke Bay: “Many residents and Postal Service customers are concerned about the status of the postal stations at Douglas and Auke Bay.  It is imperative that Alaskans in these communities receive assurance their post offices will remain open and that they will have the opportunity to have meaningful public comment before the Postal Service makes any decisions affecting service.

Clam Gulch: “I also recently heard that the Clam Gulch Post Office may close.  I wrote a letter to the Postal Service after receiving notification that land on which the post office sits is for sale by its owner, with the lease expiring in March 2014.  The Postal Service informed me it has initiated a study to examine alternatives.  This response does little to reassure me or the residents of Clam Gulch they will have access to a post office when the lease runs out.”

Bypass Mail Delays in Barrow and Quinhagak:

Barrow: “Two Native elders recently informed me they still have not received their Christmas presents because of delays in the mail.  In addition, representatives of the local government have contacted me about delays in the delivery of Bypass mail.  I request an update on this disruption of service in Barrow and what the Postal Service is doing to remedy the situation.”

Bethel: “In addition, the change in Bypass mail routing from Bethel to the Southwest Alaska village of Quinhagak, now being routed through Togiak, has reportedly resulted in serious delays in delivery, including groceries. I have had reports food is arriving rotten and unsafe for consumption… I urge you to look into whether this is in fact the case and to find a workable solution, including changing the routing back to direct service from Bethel to Quinhagak.”

Changes to Parcel Shipping

“As recently as this week, Alaskans have been notified by their local post offices that Parcel Post shipping is no longer available and that their only available option is to ship using Priority Mail.  If this change has in fact been made, Alaskans could be facing a rate increase of over 30 percent on packages, including some exceeding 50 pounds, and substantially higher grocery prices.  I ask for immediate clarification about whether the Postal Service has in fact eliminated Parcel Post shipping and, if so, whether this was a national change or one uniquely affecting Alaska.  My constituents and the Alaska Congressional Delegation should have the opportunity to comment prior to any decision so consequential for Alaska.”

Begich has routinely used his seat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to take on the Postal Service over issues affecting Alaska.

The full text of the signed letter is attached.