November 18, 2009

U.S. Postal Service managers held Wednesday's public meeting to answer questions and address concerns about possibly closing the Charlottesville Processing and Distribution Facility. However, many angry and discouraged postal workers feel that officials have already made up their minds.

If the distribution center, off of Airport Road in Albemarle County, is closed, all local mail will be sent to Richmond to be sorted.

No cameras or audio equipment were allowed inside Wednesday's meeting. Inside the auditorium, officials said the changes wouldn't affect mail delivery, but long time postal workers were in protest.

"It's going to add at least one day, if not two days to the delivery service," said Robert McKeen, who works at the distribution center.

If the distribution center closes, 68 positions will be lost.
However, USPS Communication Coordinator Cathy Boule says no one will be laid off.

"We're almost 250 years old and we've never laid off a career employee," said Boule. "And we're pretty proud of that. We are able to re-position people where we need them."

"If I have to go, it's going to mean I have to travel two hours down to Richmond every day," explained McKeen. "Then drive two hours back to Ruckersville. Or I'm going to have to sell my house and move it down to Richmond."

Throughout the meeting, managers repeated they need to consolidate the facilities in order to be more efficient and save money. No matter who it affects, postal workers maintain closing the facility is not a good idea.

More than 120 people showed up to Wednesday's meeting. No decision was made Wednesday on the future of the distribution center. Boule said the decision won't happen for a few months.