The U.S. Postal Service has changed its mind about closing the Main Post Office at I-30 and Sylvan in Dallas.

The Postal Service had said it would move Dallas mail distribution and processing to Fort Worth.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins says the consequences of that cost-cutting move were unacceptable.

Jenkins: “That would have resulted in ultimately the loss of over a thousand jobs. And of equal importance, it would have resulted in slow downs in our mail and hardships on everyone who uses the Post Office.”

Jenkins credits the reversal to elected officials, business executives and labor representatives lobbying against closure.

Jenkins says the jobs and next-day mail delivery are safe, for now, but the Postal Service will continue to look for ways to cut costs.

BJ Austin, KERA News

“APWU” WE ARE HERE TO STAY
I would like to report to you that the Dallas P&DC has been taken off the list. The decision, based on the AMP study, to close the Dallas P&DC in February 2012, has been reversed. The affected employees will be officially informed sometime next week.

We (Dallas Area Local) have spent the last few months writing letters, giving interviews with local TV, radio stations and newspapers. We collected over 5000 petitions, held rallies (picketed), attended Dallas City Council meetings, met several times with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and her staffs as well as Senator Royce West. We have met with City Council Members, Dallas County Judges and Community Leaders. One of the most compelling meetings was held in our Union Hall, where civic and community Leaders met and Congresswoman Johnson made a point to attend and pledge her complete support for our cause. She genuinely recognized not only the impact on you, the employee, but also the impact on the community.

On Behalf of the Officers of the Dallas TX Areal Local, I would like to say thank you, for those who participated with the gathering of signatures, showing up at the demonstrations, but most of all for contacting your Representatives. Too many of our members are complaining that we are not doing enough, you don’t see the Officers, you don’t know what’s going on and you listen to all the rumors. If you don’t hear it directly from one of your full-time Officers, or see it in print, with my signature, it’s just a rumor or speculation. Trust me, we are working for you, but we need you to work with us.

The fight is still not over, the moratorium on post office closings and plant consolidations expires on May 15, 2012. APWU’s National President said “Whether your plant or post office is targeted for closure or consolidation, the Postal Service’s plans threaten the jobs of every postal worker. Dismantling the network and slashing service will not fix the Postal Service’s finances. They will lead to the demise of the Postal Service by making its services less timely and less valuable”.

We will be involved with informational picketing on April 17, 2012, TAX DAY, in front of the Dallas Main Post office and we will visit Our Senators during the Easter Recess. We encourage everyone to call their offices during that time.

Yared Wonde
President
Dallas, TX Area Local APWU AFL-CIO