U.S. Postal Service accepts consolidation study

Richard Brust, Toledo postal worker, listens during The U.S. Postal Service's public meeting in December to explain why it wants to move mail processing out of the downtown Toledo facility. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The U.S. Postal Service has accepted a study that calls for the consolidation of area mail processing and distribution centers, including Toledo’s, as part of the postal service’s plan to save $3 billion a year, a labor official said Wednesday.

Arnie Cowell, president of Local 170 of the American Postal Workers Union, said the announcement does not mean the pending closure of Toledo or other facilities nationwide. That decision, which would be made by Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and the executive board, is not scheduled until May 15.

Mr. Cowell said Congress is also likely to weigh in on the decision and could act to forestall consolidations.

“There’s a lot that can happen between now and then,” Mr. Cowell said. “I haven’t given up hope yet.”

The Toledo mail processing site on South St. Clair Street employs nearly 360 people. If Toledo is closed, mail processing functions would be shifted to suburban Detroit and Columbus for an annual savings of $19 million, according to the post office.

The postal system has said sweeping changes were needed, including cutting its network of processing facilities by half and lowering service standards to two- to three-day service for first class mail.

Toledo employees were told of the latest decision during meetings that began Wednesday with a video by Mr. Donahoe.