USPS Commits to Take Fresh Look at Postal Plans
Plans to Consolidate Postal Facilities Remain in “Deferred Status”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Postal Service (USPS) on Friday responded to U.S. Rep. McSally’s calls to update studies used to propose the consolidation of postal facilities around the country, including the Cherrybell Postal Processing facility in Tucson. In the response, Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman confirmed that the current studies will be updated and reviewed before any future decisions are made, something Rep. McSally called for in a letter earlier this month. The USPS response also confirmed that previous plans to close down facilities continue to be deferred.
“I’m pleased to see the Postal Service commit to take a fresh look at the situation around the country before making any new decisions related to Cherrybell,” said Rep. McSally. “This commitment is what we fought for last year in appropriations legislation and earlier this month, and is an important victory for Southern Arizona. I’ve worked to highlight in Congress and locally the devastating impact closing Cherrybell would have. As the Postal Service moves forward to revisit its information, I’ll continue to advocate for our community’s needs.”
Earlier this month, Rep. McSally was joined by 33 lawmakers in a letter to Postmaster General Megan Brennan calling for a new look at plans related to the consolidation of postal facilities around the country. The letter followed Rep. McSally’s successful efforts to include in appropriations legislation that was signed into law language encouraging the Postal Service to update past studies used in its decision-making.
Bipartisan group of 33 lawmakers call on USPS for updated plant consolidation plans
Last year, Rep. McSally participated in a roundtable with Councilmember Richard Fimbres and local leaders to coordinate local and federal efforts in support of the Cherrybell Facility’s continued operation. Rep. McSally also toured the Cherrybell Processing Center and led a bipartisan effort by members of the Arizona delegation to call on Postmaster General Brennan to see the facility’s impacts first-hand.
Arizona Delegation Deliver Survey Results to PMG showing Negative Impacts of Cherrybell Facility Consolidation
A PDF of the Postal Service’s response can be found HERE
[gview file=”http://mcsally.house.gov/sites/mcsally.house.gov/files/USPS%20Responds%20to%20U.S.%20Rep.%20McSally%20Letter.pdf” save=”0″]
3/21/16 TUCSON – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Tucson) released the following statement after confirming with U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that any plans to close the Processing and Distribution Center in Tucson/Cherrybell remain on “deferred” status.
“USPS’s continued extension on any closure or consolidation of the Cherrybell Processing Center emphasizes the argument that I have made for five years now: That closing this facility will be harmful to our region, to our economy and to our neighbors who work there every day,” Rep. Grijalva said. “There is no good reason to proceed with consolidation plans, especially in high-growth regions like Tucson which need more resources to fulfill our postal needs – not less. Today’s confirmation from USPS is welcome news, but we will continue to fight for Cherrybell until they announce once and for all that the distribution center, and the nearly 250 jobs within it, are safe ill-conceived and arbitrary consolidation.”
Rep. Grijalva introduced legislation in 2012 and again in 2015 ensuring zip codes with high population growth – including Tucson – would not be subject to postal closures. In Feb. 2013, he sent a letter to Postmaster General Donahoe urging transparency and the recognition of the Tucson community’s adamant opposition to the facility closure. In Oct. 2014 he led a letter signed by all five Arizona Democrats urging Postmaster General Donahoe reconsider consolidating the Tucson facility in light of USPS’s lack of an impact analysis and public engagement on planned service standard changes. In March 2015 he joined five members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation in sending a bipartisan letter urging USPS enact a moratorium on continued consolidations. In Aug. 2015 he led a letter to Postmaster Brennan informing her of an extensivecommunity survey regarding the impacts of the consolidation of the Tucson. Additionally, he has cosponsored numerous bills to prevent the closure.
Arizona Congressman to Re-Introduce Bill Preventing Post Office Closures In High-Growth ZIP Codes
OIG: Staffing, outdated operating plan created delayed mail at consolidated North Houston P & DC
Doesn’t help the Mail Processing Plants that have already been closed around the country. The previous closures have already NEGATIVELY slowed & deteriorated the mail delivery NATIONWIDE. If USPS closes anymore facilities, the public will not stand for it. The public is already fed up with their mail delivery being as degraded as it has been.
Such information of a continued “indefinte” halt 2 all future USPS mail-processing plant closures/consolidations, could only lead 2 two conclusions. The Queens,NY P&D.C. is totally cursed,or the higher-ups in Queens,NY;both management and the (local) unions r equally exceptionally STUPID? Queens,NY,flats and letter-sized into the Brooklyn,NY P&D.C. was the only major consolidation NOT suspended, as of May 2015. And this consolidation was completed; effective August 1,2015.
This is a positive step in the right direction. However, does this “update & review ” include public meetings? I have been to two of these dog & pony shows, one for Wilkes-Barre and the other for Scranton, both in Pa. At the meeting in Scranton on November22, 2011, the public was told no decision has been made. We came to find out that the consolidation was signed off “approved” on November 4, 2011. Now we know management would NEVER lie because they’re professionals. ( But at what?) Customers and other stakeholders questions went unanswered at both. The question is this: will the USPS, which claims to have allegedly lost $5 billion for the last few years, waste more money on their executives and P.R. people to do the same thing that was done at other public meetings? What needs to be done is for Megan Brennan to step up and cancel the remaining deferred consolidations .The Network Rationalization plan is a blatant failure, along with load leveling and the 24 hour clock. The network has been almost destroyed from within this company, and we have to save what’s left before it’s too late. End these disasters now by canceling them is how I feel. Any response Megan?
Only a bill signed by Obama banning any more closures will for sure stop Megan Brennan from continuing her mentor,Donahopeless’s initiative to further degrade service and set it up for privatization and that looks doubtful,Brennan won’t respond to any more meaningless House resolutions.