USPS Inspector General Agreed to Independent Audit of Closure Decisions - Audit Has Been Stalled in Wake of Changes to the USPS National Consolidation Plan
Senator Calls for Immediate Resumption of Independent Review, Wants Facilities to Stay Open Until All Facts Are Known
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is calling on the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to immediately resume its stalled independent audit of the USPS’s decision to close processing centers, including those in Altoona, New Castle and Greensburg. These facilities are scheduled for consolidation this summer.
Earlier this year, the USPS OIG agreed to conduct an independent audit of the decision to consolidate processing centers in the Commonwealth. The independent audit has been stalled since USPS chose to alter its national plan for consolidating processing centers. However, recently, the USPS has decided to begin consolidations at facilities in Altoona, New Castle and Greensburg this summer.
In a letter to the USPS Inspector General, Senator Casey called for the audit to immediately resume and said these audits should be conducted prior to consolidations beginning. “The Postal Service’s decision to make significant cuts in Pennsylvania could have a tremendous impact on USPS’s customers and its employees,” Senator Casey said. “Before the USPS rushes through a process that will cost Pennsylvanians jobs and hurt the economy, the USPS OIG should complete its independent audit of these processing center consolidation decisions.”
Senator Casey has been a leader in ensuring that any reforms made to the U.S. Postal Service protect jobs in Pennsylvania. Earlier this year he called for an independent review of the numbers that USPS used to justify the closings of some processing facilities.
Senator Casey’s letter to USPS Inspector General David Williams is below:
The Honorable David C. Williams
Inspector General
Office of Inspector General
United States Postal Service
Dear Mr. Williams:
I am writing in regards to the impending consolidation of several United States Postal Service (USPS) Processing and Distribution facilities in Pennsylvania. I have been contacted by a significant number of the USPS’ customers, employees, and members of the business community who are concerned with potential impact of these consolidations.
I am aware that your office was conducting a review of the USPS’ national plan to reorganize its processing network, but that this review has been stalled by the USPS announcing changes to its plan. With the USPS now having announced consolidations in Pennsylvania, I ask that you review these proposals prior to enactment. Specifically, I have been informed by the USPS that the Altoona, New Castle, and Greensburg facilities will begin consolidations this summer, with the rest proceeding in early 2013.
With your review, I hope that we can ensure that any decisions reached by the USPS will accurately and effectively enhance their operations without harming its customers or its workforce. Your attention to this important matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.
United States Senator
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