By Paul Tuthill
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Springfield, MA – The U-S Postal Service, which lost 5 billion dollars last year, is reviewing thousands of post offices and hundreds of mail processing centers for possible closure or consolidation. Critics of a change proposed in western Massachusetts say the result would be that so-called snail mail would get even slower WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports..
The U-S Postal Service is proposing to eliminate first class mail handling at its processing and distribution center in Springfield. The result would be the end of next day delivery for most letters mailed in the Pioneer Valley, and the loss of 170 jobs. The change could save 14 million dollars annually, according to Christine Dugas, a spokesperson for the Postal Service.
A final decision will be made in a couple of months. A public comment period on the proposal ends on November 23rd.
Andrew Coyne who manages his family's business, a neighborhood variety store in Springfield says loosing next day mail delivery will have an impact.
Springfield City Councilor Kateri Walsh has filed a resolution for a vote Monday night to protest the possible changes at the mail processing center.
City Councilor John Lysak also questions the logic behind eliminating one day mail service in large area of western Massachusetts.
Postal Service spokesperson, Christine Dugas, says the closings and consolidations being considered would improve service by making it more efficient and less costly.
The proposed changes at the Springfield mail processing center would eliminate 170 jobs. These are union jobs with benefits according to Eileen McGrath of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees..
The Postal Service has also proposed closing 5 of the 8 post offices in Springfield.
Reporting from WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau, on the campus of Western New England University, I'm Paul Tuthill..