May 6, 2013
By Neal Tepel
Newburgh, NY. – The United States Postal Service is planning to eliminate mail processing from the Mid-Hudson Processing Plant, located in Newburgh, NY. This change will include moving mail 96 miles away to Albany to be processed. This will reduce services significantly and eliminate over 100 jobs. The USPS is expected to complete this downsizing of services by September 30, 2013.
In an attempt to save Mid-Hudson operations and halt the elimination of jobs, the American Postal Workers Union has initiated a formal complaint to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).They are seeking the enforcement of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) and to force USPS to update all Area Mail Processing (AMP) studies since population has increased in the area. The adjusted documents will allow for a more realistic picture of local needs. The union is also requesting public hearings to gain feedback from local residence.
On Wednesday, April 10th, employees from the plant attended the PRC meeting with hopes of trying to get the USPS to see that what they plan to do will ruin mail delivery nationwide. The meeting was taped and is available on the PRC’s website.
Since the last AMP study, there have been many cost saving changes to plant operations including retirements and downsizing. Postal consolidation and cost saving measures across the country has saved millions but in some cases radically reduced quality service. In addition, the present APWU contract allows for the hiring of Postal Support Employees at a lower pay scale and the post office has hired over 24,326 PSE’s nationwide.
