Local union president Debby Szeredy and Chris White, from Cong. Hinchey's office,(seen here at a September rally) have worked together to propose solutions to the postal service's financial woes.
By Nancy Peckenham
Just days after holding a public hearing on the future of the Mid-Hudson Mail Processing and Delivery Center at Stewart Industrial Park in Newburgh, the U.S. Postal Service announced Monday that it intends to move ahead with planned “operational efficiencies, which include closing nearly 250 mail handling plants nation wide. The Newburgh facility, is on that list along with 11 other mail handling plants in New York State. The Newburgh center employs 234 people.
By closing half of the nation’s 500 mail processing centers and reducing services, the post office estimates it will save $2 billion annually.
Orange County Executive Ed Diana (center) was among the public officials who opposed closing the mail processing center.
Under the plan, mail that is currently processed in Newburgh will be sent to Albany. Some workers expect that they will be offered positions in Albany as well, if they are willing to make the 180-mile roundtrip commute.
Distance will also impact how quickly first-class mail is delivered. The Postal Service also said it is lowering its delivery standard. First-class mail can now be expected to arrive on a two-to-three day standard.
Changes are expected to begin in March 2012. Public comment on the changes may still be submitted to the Postal Service.
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