USPS To Hold Public Meeting On Consolidating Easton, MD Mail Operations
EASTON, MD – The U.S. Postal Service will hold a public meeting to discuss its proposal to move some mail processing operations from the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility into the Baltimore Processing and Distribution Center.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Easton High School in the Auditorium, 723 Mecklenburg Avenue, Easton, MD 21601. A summary of the proposal, the meeting agenda and presentation materials will be made available to the public on usps.com prior to the meeting.
With the deep decline in mail volume due to current economic conditions, the Postal Service has an excess of employees and equipment in some mail processing operations. A study was begun on March 16 at the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility to determine the feasibility of consolidating redundant operations to see if any efficiencies and cost savings would be achieved.
The study results support consolidating some mail processing operations that are currently being performed at the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility by taking advantage of available processing capacity at the Baltimore Processing and Distribution Center in order to increase efficiency and improve productivity.
While no final decision has been reached, Postal Service managers will give an overview of the reasons for the proposal and its possible outcomes, and will listen to community input and concerns. A summary of the proposal, a meeting agenda and presentation materials will be made available on usps.com.
Anyone who wishes to submit comments in writing can send them to:
CONSUMER AFFAIRS MANAGER
Baltimore District
900 E Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21233-9998
Public comments will be accepted through June 30, 2010.
Mikulski, Cardin, Kratovil Call for Postal Service to Schedule Public Information Meetings on Fate of Easton Mail Processing Facility
Delegation asks for at least four meetings, one each in Easton, Chestertown, Salisbury, and Ocean City
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski, Benjamin L. Cardin, and Congressman Frank M. Kratovil (all D-Md.) today sent a letter to Postmaster General John E. Potter, asking that the U.S. Post Office schedule additional public information meetings on the Area Mail Processing Study of the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility in Easton, MD.
The text of the letter follows:
May 19, 2010
Mr. John E. Potter
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, D.C. 20260
Dear Postmaster Potter:
In today’s difficult economy, families, businesses and local governments have been forced to make tough economic choices, and the U.S. Postal Service is no exception.
We respect the difficult economic decisions that the U.S. Postal Service is currently facing and we appreciate that the changing role of mail delivery services in today’s high-tech society further complicates the situation. However, we call to your attention a significant issue to many of our constituents: the Area Mail Processing Study of the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility in Easton, MD.
While we understand that a study is necessary and important, it is critical that residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore are given a voice in the process.
We think it is unacceptable that the U.S. Postal Service intends to hold only one public meeting prior to making a decision on the fate of the facility. Even though the facility is located in Easton, your decision will affect the entire Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore’s unique geography already limits capabilities for a quick mail turn around and closing the facility will slow down the process even more. The residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore demand and deserve to have a voice in a decision that will impact the future of the facility and mail delivery times throughout the area.
Given the regional impact of any proposed closure and the importance of postal services to citizens throughout the Eastern Shore, we strongly encourage you to schedule at least one public information meeting in each of the following cities: Easton, Chestertown, Salisbury, and Ocean City. We look forward to hearing back from you by June 1.
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
Benjamin L. Cardin
United States Senator
Frank M. Kratovil, Jr.
Member of Congress
USPS Puts AMP Study For Two Facilities On Hold
Area Mail Processing study for the following facilities are currently on hold:
Daytona Beach, FL P&DF to Mid-Florida, FL P&DC
Atlanta, GA P&DC to North Metro, GA P&DC
The Postal Service began an Area Mail Processing (AMP) study to determine if efficiencies could be increased by consolidating mail processing operations performed at the Daytona Beach, FL Processing and Distribution Facility with those performed at the Mid-Florida, FL Processing and Distribution Center and the Atlanta, GA Processing and Distribution Center with those performed at the North Metro, GA Processing and Distribution Center.
While conducting the study, the Postal Service determined that there are other factors that need to be addressed before proceeding with the study.
When the Postal Service decides to resume this study, all stakeholders will be notified.
Ohio Senator Calls For Investigation Of Proposed Consolidation Of Postal Facilities in Lima
The office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio issued the following press release:
February 18, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown called for an investigation on the effects of a proposed consolidation of U.S. Postal Service facilities in Lima. In a letter sent this week to David C. Williams, the Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Brown requested more information on the Area Mail Processing (AMP) Study that is being conducted in the Lima area.
“I remain concerned that USPS simply cannot maintain an adequate level of service if the consolidations occur, which would only serve to reduce the use of USPS in Ohio,” Brown wrote in a letter to Williams. “In addition to a degraded level of service, this consolidation could displace many workers and their families. Not only could many Postal Workers be forced to move great distances to preserve their jobs, but they would leave a social and economic void in the communities from which they have been uprooted.”
AMP studies investigate the potential to streamline USPS services by consolidating service locations. Brown previously requested data on the effect of an AMP decision. He wrote to the Inspector General to formally request that data, and express concern over the effect of an AMP decision on Lima families.
Full text of the letter appears below:
February 16, 2010
Inspector General David C. Williams
United States Postal Service
1735 N. Lynn St.
Arlington, VA 22209-2020
Dear Inspector General Williams:
I am writing in regard to the ongoing Area Mail Processing (AMP) Study in Lima, Ohio.
Over the past four months, I have raised a number of issues with the United States Postal Service (USPS) in Ohio about the proposed consolidation of USPS facilities in Lima. I remain concerned that USPS simply cannot maintain an adequate level of service if the consolidations occur, which would only serve to reduce the use of USPS in Ohio. In addition to a degraded level of service, this consolidation could displace many workers and their families. Not only could many Postal Workers be forced to move great distances to preserve their jobs, but they would leave a social and economic void in the communities from which they have been uprooted.
I have asked the Ohio USPS for data and analysis that would shed light on the impact of the consolidations, and have received neither. I am therefore formally requesting the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General conduct an audit of the AMP study in Lima, Ohio.
Please review this request and provide me with your comments. If you wish to discuss this request, please contact me or Patrick Jackson from my staff at (202) 224-2315.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
United States Senator