Post Office Closure Activity
Congress enacted legislation many years ago which in part briefly says that no small post office may be closed just to save money and rural customers were to be provided with a maximum degree of regular and effective service. In 2009, the Postal Service announced that they were considering closing more than 3,000 station/branch post offices (sub units of a large town or city). However, the Postal Regulatory Commission, which has oversight duties, issued an advisory opinion that customers of postal stations and branches should be afforded similar protections as rural folks when facing a closure. In 2011, the Postal Service published a list of nearly 3,800 post offices to be considered for closing and the Postmaster General has stated that he wanted to discontinue half the nation’s post offices by 2017!!
The Postal Service is on record as stating that they want to get out of “brick and mortar” buildings and provide service by alternate means. This includes contracting out retail services to existing private businesses located in the communities. Contract postal facilities are not full service post offices.
There are rumors that the list of the next 4000 post offices to be studied for closure is ready to be named. Some rumors have the cut off at $50,000 and less of walk in revenue. That will include many level 13 and even 15 offices.
If you should find your office on this list, please contact me. The only way to stop this from happening is through Congress. We need to get your customers and communities actively involved in contacting their local officials, Senators, and Representatives.
The LEAGUE has put together a package that is to be given to customers affected by a post office closing. It explains what they need to do if they want to keep their post office. Once you contact me at my HOME email address (pm12423@aol.com), I will forward the file to you. It is to be given to those customers that are willing take the point in trying to keep their post office open.
Please do not email me at work or conduct these activities while you are on the clock. These are non postal activities, don’t get yourself in trouble.
Bob
