DELAURO ON US POSTAL SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

New Haven, CT — Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) released the following statement on United States Postal Service's announcement that it intends to transfer all mail processing operations from Southern Connecticut into Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA.

In anticipation of modification of the current overnight service standard for First-Class mail, the United States Postal Service conducted an Area Mail Processing study and recently determined that efficiency and productivity would be improved by transferring all mail processing operations from Southern Connecticut into Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA. In December 2011, the Postal Service agreed to impose a moratorium on closing or consolidating post offices and mail processing facilities prior to May 15, 2012, to allow Congress and the Administration an opportunity to enact an alternative plan.

Congresswoman DeLauro has strongly opposed the closings of retail Post Offices and five day delivery currently being considered, as well as the redefinition of First-Class mail. DeLauro recently spoke at the Wallingford distribution center's public hearing opposing the consolidation or termination of operations and discussing alternative solutions. The Congresswoman is a cosponsor of the USPS Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011, which would remove the retiree benefits pre-funding burden from USPS and transfer the billions in overcharges back to the Postal Service.

"I am very disappointed by the conclusion of USPS' study to consolidate one of the newest mail processing centers in the region. Our postal workers do an extraordinary service for the community. It is only proper that they are treated with the respect and gratitude they have earned. And that includes taking every opportunity to solve USPS' financial problems without destroying these good middle class jobs. I will continue to fight in Wallingford and in Washington to do right by our postal workers."