Nearly half of processing centers could be closed, including seven in Michigan
GAYLORD, MI -- The United States Postal Service announced some major cutbacks Thursday, and with it, 35,000 people nationwide could potentially lose their jobs.
The Postmaster General says the changes are needed to help control an $8.5-billion deficit.
Included in the changes is a plan to cut half of its processing centers, including seven in Michigan.
Gaylord and Traverse City centers were not on the list released, but that doesn't mean they're in the clear.
The Postal Service Spokesperson said all centers will be looked at.
"Looking at our revenue, looking at our operations, looking at hours, it's a very comprehensive study," said USPS Spokesperson Sabrina Todd.
35,000 positions and 250 of the nation's 580 processing centers are under the gun in an attempt to save $3-billion. The Postmaster General released a list today, and Detroit, Iron Mountain, Lansing, Jackson, and two centers in Saginaw will be studied to determine if it's feasible to shut them down.
“Hoping this will improve our efficiency, improve productivity," said Todd.
Michigan Postal Workers’ Union President John Marcotte, who works in the Gaylord processing center, was surprised when he saw the list for the first time.
“They told us we're on the list, they told us three or four times, there were people from district, we're on the list, and I get the list from my national president from Washington for the union, we're not on the list," he explained.
But according to the postal service, nobody is in the clear when it comes to possible cuts.
“Gaylord is currently under review already, so these are just additional. All I can speak to us they are all under review, all under a study," said Todd.
And that includes Traverse City. Postmaster Judy Zimmerman is staying confident.
“Anything that comes in the future, the post office will remain viable," she says.
Something Marcotte says he couldn't disagree more with. He says with fewer centers, and fewer workers, it won't be long until mail fails completely.
“To take a network, to slower, less efficient, more time, lower delivery standards, that's the end,” he said.
This obviously isn't a process that happens overnight, but the postal service hopes to have all studies done by 2012 and then take a look at the potential options.
To see the full list of facilities under consideration for closure CLICK HERE.
