U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) recently opposed federal plans to consolidate postal sorting and dispatch operations in southwest Michigan into one location, citing negative impacts on residents, carriers and aging populations.
“The plan to consolidate mail operations could cause delays in delivery, especially during the tough winters we have in our area,” Rep. Upton said on Monday. “I urge the Postal Service to follow its rules on public comment and to reconsider this plan, which jeopardizes mail in our communities.
“Just because we count on them to deliver in rain, sleet, and snow, doesn’t mean we should make that job harder,” said the congressman in a statement.
In a Nov. 7 letter sent to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Rep. Upton wrote about his deep concerns regarding plans by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to implement the “sorting and delivery center” consolidation and realignment, which he said will significantly impact many communities throughout southwest Michigan.
“I am very alarmed over proposed major changes that could disrupt delivery of mail in multiple counties that I represent,” wrote Rep. Upton. “The idea that a good number of carriers would be required to drive long distances from their delivery communities adds substantial time to a workforce already impacted by worker shortages and morale.”
The lawmaker also wrote that he’s “troubled” by the failure of USPS to comply with provisions of federal law that require it to provide affected communities with adequate notice of logistics facilities consolidation and realignment, and that such communities be given ample opportunity to provide input.
Only after taking into account public input, based on the required information, may the Postal Service make its decision on a facility consolidation or realignment,” he wrote.
Rep. Upton urged DeJoy to suspend implementation of the sorting and delivery center initiative, pending the outcome of a comprehensive and transparent review.
“It is my hope that after such review, you too will agree that these changes will negatively impact the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of Michiganders who rely on their local postal office to carry out their correspondence in a timely manner,” he wrote.