Casey Pushes to Extend Moratorium on Postal Closures

Extending Moratorium Would Protect 10 Processing Centers in PA and Hundreds of Jobs 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to extend the current moratorium on postal closings so that Congress can finish work on legislation that could save processing centers across the country and in the Commonwealth. In Pennsylvania there are 10 processing centers and hundreds of jobs that could remain protected if USPS extends the current moratorium beyond the current date of May 15^th.

“Extending the USPS moratorium on closures would protect jobs across the Commonwealth and ensure Pennsylvanians can continue to receive reliable and effective mail delivery,” Senator Casey said. “Congress is very close to passing historic reforms that would cut costs, make USPS more efficient and protect jobs. USPS should extend the moratorium on closures beyond May 15^th so Congress can finish its work and pass the postal reform bill.”

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. He also introduced an amendment that would increase the likelihood that those facilities stay open by maintaining the 1-3 day delivery service.

Across Pennsylvania there are 10 processing facilities slated for consolidation. Nearly 2,500 jobs in Pennsylvania are potentially impacted by changes at these facilities. Below is a breakdown:

Senator Casey and a bipartisan group of 42 other Senators sent a letter to the postmaster general pushing for an extension of the current moratorium. The letter can be seen below:  

The Honorable Patrick R. Donahoe

Postmaster General

United States Postal Service

Dear Postmaster General Donahoe,

We write you today to urge you to extend the current moratorium on the closing of post offices and mail processing facilities.  As you know, the current moratorium is scheduled to end on May 15^th. 

On April 25^th, the United States Senate passed S. 1789, the 21^st Century Postal Service Act.  We believe this bipartisan legislation will provide the United States Postal Service (USPS) with the flexibility and tools it needs to get back on the road to financial stability.  The Senate included within this legislation a Sense of the Senate that the USPS should extend the current moratorium until enactment of the postal reform legislation.

While the USPS faces significant financial challenges, we believe that post offices provide social and economic benefits, particularly to rural communities.  Rural citizens depend on the mail to manage their lives and stay connected with their government.  A 2011 Commerce Department report shows that over 30 percent of U.S households did not have broadband Internet access at home and over 25 percent of households did not even use the Internet.  Postal mail remains the one universal service connecting the American people to commerce, government, news, and social and civic institutions.

Preserving and maintaining a viable Postal Service and its ability to continue to serve the entire nation is an indispensable element for the entire postal industry, its workers, and most importantly the many small businesses and communities around the country who depend on a strong and reliable USPS. 

We are deeply concerned that the closing of these postal facilities prior to postal reform legislation being enacted would be devastating to communities around the country.  This moratorium will provide the time needed to enact the reforms in the 21^st Century Postal Service Act.  Again, we strongly urge you to extend the current moratorium on the closing of postal facilities.

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