Postal Unions Launch Campaign to Stop Closings

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The American Postal Workers Union is launching a new campaign seeking public support to stop the closings of regional mail processing facilities here and in Akron, Dayton and Toledo.

A new website, MyMailOhio.com, launched this week, sets forth the argument postal unions have made since The U.S. Postal Service announced in May 2012 that it would consolidate 141 mail-processing centers and revise mail delivery standards. The postal service says the changes would achieve $2.1 billion in annual cost savings.

The union is urging its members, supporters and the public to write legislators in support of H.R. 784, a bill introduced in the House of Representatives that would restore delivery standards and keep the processing centers open.

“Right now, mail delivery has slowed, and it’s because of the changes made in deliverability standards earlier this year,” the website states. “This isn’t just about inconvenience. Slow mail delivery can take a huge toll on communities, from businesses that can’t ship products effectively to senior citizens who won’t get their utility bills on time.”

The website summarizes an economic impact study released in November that found 261 jobs would be lost in the Youngstown once the downtown mail processing center is closed in July. “The total labor incomes associated with these jobs are $15.9 million, twice the annual savings projected as a result of the proposed consolidation,” it states.

Processing centers in Toledo and Akron are scheduled to close in April; the Dayton center, like Youngstown, in July.

In addition to providing links for corresponding with members of Congress, the website urges the public to report slow mail delivery to the Postal Regulatory Commission. A link connects to the commission’s inquiry page where complaints are received, documented and potentially forwarded to the postal service for “additional resolution.”

The public is also asked to join “A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service,” a collection of 60 labor, nonprofit and community organizations opposed to the consolidations and delivery changes. This website includes an online pledge form (no monetary donations are sought) and a support video by actor Danny Glover.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.