West Hudson Valley News

Postmaster DeJoy’s plan threatens postal service across region 

ROCK TAVERN, NY  – Congressman Pat Ryan joined representatives of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NYRLCA) to fight back against Postmaster General DeJoy’s plan to consolidate mail sorting centers in the Hudson Valley, threatening reduced customer service, safety issues and post office closures. 

“If Postmaster General Louis DeJoy thinks he can mess with the post offices in the Hudson Valley, he is sadly mistaken,” said Representative Pat Ryan. “Hudson Valley families deserve only the best service from their post office, but DeJoy is threatening reduced customer service, increased wait times, and post office closures. This is completely unacceptable for both postal workers and the residents of this community. I will keep fighting alongside my friends in labor to make sure every post office stays open, our postal workers are protected,  and there are not any service delays.” 

“The APWU is extremely concerned about the proposed transfer of the S&DC, specifically as it relates to diminished customer services, increased safety issues, and the possibility of selling and relocating post offices,” said Diana Cline, President of American Postal Workers Union Local 3722.  “Congressman Ryan has been working very hard to get answers from leadership in Washington and we want to thank him for getting involved, protecting the people’s Post Office and preserving mail service for our communities.  Constituents in District 18 can know they have a true representative in Congress with Pat Ryan as your Congressman!”

A copy of Ryan’s original letter to Postmaster General DeJoy appears below: 

June 16, 2023

Dear Postmaster DeJoy, 

I write to you today to express my deep concern with the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) proposal to introduce Sorting and Delivery Centers (S&DCs) in the Hudson Valley and put our local post offices at risk of closing. 

At its best, the post office serves as a connection between communities, friends, and loved ones and a lifeblood for small businesses who cannot count on the service of parcel delivery competitors. The USPS’ S&DC plan for Newburgh will upend the current postal service on which we all rely, threatening reduced customer service, increased wait times, and post office closures.

I urge you to reconsider this plan with an eye to the needs of our community, who emphatically oppose this change. Moving mail sorting away from our local post offices would surely lead to downsizing and reassignment which risks the wholesale closure of a branch. That is a disservice to Hudson Valley residents, and it is a disservice to hard-working union members across the region. We must reassure the public that they can trust their local post office will stay fully staffed and open for years to come. 

Mail carriers from my district are also particularly concerned about the delays to service, added hours in commute time, and the destabilizing effects this plan will have. Under this proposal, a mail carrier who currently starts their day by collecting mail at the Beacon Post Office would be required to cross the bridge spanning the Hudson River just to collect the day’s mail. Our community knows that the journey can be long and there are additional risks posed by driving mail trucks on the highway or long distances in the snow.

At a time when we should be finding ways to strengthen our postal workforce and deliver exceptional service to our communities, it is imperative that USPS halt their plan to bring S&DCs to the Hudson Valley. I urge you to prevent fallout from this ill-conceived idea and assure every postal worker and constituent in my district that no post office will close. 

I implore you to hear these concerns and take immediate action to reverse this detrimental plan. Our postal workers and mail carriers deserve fair rules that set them up for success and deter burnout and frustration, and our community must know you will forgo any plan that could lead to post office closures. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter. 

Original source can be found here.