USPS Letter Notifying Union of Its Intent to Conduct AMP Study At Wilkes-Barre Mail Center

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Notification Letter from Edward Burke,USPS District Manager, Central Pennsylvania Performance Cluster

January 6, 2009

Bill Smith
Branch President, Mail Handlers Local 308
300 South Main Street
Wilkes Barre PA 18701-9997

Dear Mr. Smith:

This letter is an informational notice of the intent of the U. S. Postal Service to conduct an Area Mail Processing (AMP) study of the mail processing at the Wilkes-Barre P&DF for possible consolidation of some operations into the Scranton P&DC.

An AMP study involves a review of mail processing and transportation operations of a postal facility. The reason for the study is to review mail volume and determine capacity needs in order to increase efficiency and improve productivity. In doing so, we will be able to continue to provide universal service at a reasonable cost for a long time to come.

The U. S. Postal Service is facing one of the most difficult challenges in its history. There has been a continual decline in single-piece First-Class Mail volumes over the past decade. The current economic downturn has led to an even greater decline in volume with the loss of over 9 billion pieces this past year alone. The Postal Service has to realign its processing and delivery network to match its resources with mail volume. The reality is we have an excess of equipment, staff and facilities to process a declining volume of mail. Consolidating some postal operations only makes logical business sense given the economic realities. It would be fiscally irresponsible not to do so.

This letter is solely intended to provide you with information that we plan to conduct the study. If the business case supports consolidation, a public meeting will be held to allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback. Community input will be considered before a decision is made as to whether or not the proposed consolidation should be implemented. This letter is not intended as notice of future changes in mail processing and is not a notice of impact on employees. I will provide you with the appropriate notice, if any is required, when a decision is made.

If you have any questions concerning this AMP feasibility study please contact Paula McKee, Labor Relations Manager at (717) 257-2284.
Sincerely,

Edward B. Burke
cc: Eastern Area Vice President; HQ Vice President Labor Relations CPA HR Manager; Ray Daiutolo, Sr.; CPA Labor Relations Manager