As part of the 2022 “Delivering for America” 10 Year Plan for the USPS Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy announced proposed operational changes for the USPS. These changes are intended to increase the financial stability of the USPS, improve the working environment for employees, and reduce delivery times. Included are plans to consolidate carrier routes.
DeJoy named 10 previously closed plants that will be reopened to consolidate sorting of mail and packages before the mail goes out for delivery. Because of these changes, letter carriers will pick up their deliveries at consolidated Sorting and Delivery Centers (S&DC). The purpose of these S&DCs is to reduce transportation and mail handling costs and provide Postal customers with additional services. The first round begins on September 24, 2022 with routes from 13 post offices moving into the Athens, GA Processing and Distribution Center.
In the past, letter carriers picked up their mail and packages at a local delivery unit which is often a retail postal facility. Letter carriers begin their routes from these units, delivering to homes and businesses. DeJoy, whose background is in logistics, has characterized this model as being inefficient. His plan is to use S&DC as well as future envisioned, much larger mega-centers. The first of the mega-centers will be built in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Indianapolis.
Not all stakeholders are enthusiastic about these changes. Edmund Carley, president of the United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA) has voiced concerns about the viability of jobs of UPMA members who work in facilities that will be left with only retail activities.
Though the USPS predicts a period of several years for completion of the changes, information is being distributed informing stakeholders of the initial consolidations beginning this year. A list of impacted sites can be seen HERE, as well as letters From APWU and James Lloyd of the USPS.
As time goes on, the effects of plans to consolidate carrier routes on postal lessors will become clearer. AUSPL leadership is monitoring the situation and preparing to advocate for the interests of AUSPL members.