DeLauro Angered over Postal Service’s Official Notice Wallingford Processing Center Will Close Early

Hundreds of Middle Class Jobs Will Be Lost

WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) releasedthe following statement on United States Postal Service (USPS)'s officialnotice that they will close the Wallingford Processing Center in September. Theclosure is expected to cost over 360 employees their job. The closure wasoriginally scheduled for February 2014.

"I am outraged at USPS's decision to consolidate one theregion's newest mail processing centers ahead of schedule. Our postal workersdo an extraordinary service for the community and they should be treated withthe respect and gratitude they have earned. That includes taking every opportunityto solve USPS' financial problems without destroying these good middle classjobs."

"USPS has unilaterally sped up with closing process,ignoring the many members of Congress who have tried to engage with them. Thiswill cost millions of Americans across the country their job, including manyveterans."

DeLauro has repeatedly asked USPS for answers about theiractions, including the accelerated closures, and advocated for alternativesolutions. She has strongly opposed closing mail processing centers, redefiningFirst-Class mail, and closing retail Post Offices, instead pushing Congress toapprove comprehensive legislation that would put USPS back on the path offinancial solvency. DeLauro is a cosponsor of the Postal Service ProtectionAct of 2013, which would remove the retiree benefits pre-funding burdenfrom USPS and transfer the billions in overcharges back to the Postal Service.