The United States Postal Service on Thursday announced the result of a five-month study of mail processing operations in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
As a result, the U.S.P.S. will consolidate its operations in an effort to save money and become more efficient.<\/p>\n
The changes include closing Reading’s mail processing facility and moving the operations to Harrisburg; Scranton’s operations will be transferred to the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
“The [Berks County] Commissioners opposed this move because we believed then, and still believe, it is short-sighted and question whether it will save the postal system any money,” said Commissioner Christian Leinbach, R-Berks Co. “As a result, some jobs will be lost, postal patrons will pay more for poorer service and the end the postal system will continue to struggle financially.”<\/p>\n
No changes are currently being made to the retail units, business mail entry units, and vehicle maintenance units at the closing facilities, official said.<\/p>\n
The Postal Service has experienced a 25% decline in first class mail volume since 2006, officials said.<\/p>\n
“The decision to consolidate mail processing facilities recognizes the urgent need to reduce the size of the national mail processing network to eliminate costly underutilized infrastructure,” said Megan Brennan, the U.S.P.S.’ chief operating officer. “Consolidating operations is necessary if the Postal Service is to remain viable to provide mail service to the nation.”<\/p>\n
Specific dates have not been set for the transition. Until then, residential and business mailers will continue to be served through the current facilities.<\/p>\n
The Postal Service has imposed a moratorium on closing or consolidating post offices and mail processing facilities prior to May 15, 2012, to give Congress and the administration the opportunity to enact an alternative plan.<\/p>\n
Implementation of the announced consolidation, officials said, is contingent upon the outcome of pending rulemaking for a proposal to revise existing service standards.<\/p>\n
A list of mail processing studies and their status is available at usps.com\/ourfuturenetwork<\/a>.<\/p>\n