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Pocono News Section
Public Meeting on Proposed Mail Processing Plant Closure
Public Meeting on Proposed Mail Processing Plant Closure - Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 5:35PM EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- There are plenty of concerns surrounding a meeting will shed light on the fate of the mail processing plant on South Main Street.
The U. S. Postal Service began an area mail processing feasibility study exactly 3-months ago today. Eyewitness News has obtained the initial findings of that study that will be discussed.
The study's 1-page preliminary highlights support shifting mail processing services at this Wilkes-Barre distribution center to two locations -- the Scranton facility on Stafford Avenue and the Lehigh Valley.
The findings show such a move would save $3.9-million. It would mean cutting or reassigning a projected 44 jobs that currently exist at the Wilkes-Barre facility -- although the post office, itself, would continue offering existing customer services.
Eyewitness News discussed the preliminary findings with Larry Newman of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. He’s the Vice President of Economic and Community Development. "Our real question, and one which we're looking to have answered is whether or not the efficiencies and cost savings achieved by the consolidation are outweighed by the economic damage that would be caused to the greater Wilkes-Barre area," he said.
Postal workers were busy picketing over the weekend trying to rally support for the public to attend the Tuesday night meeting and help save the Wilkes-Barre processing plant. The union claims not only will consolidation cost them jobs, but also will delay first class mail delivery for customers whose zip codes begin with 182, 186 or 187.
The meeting to discuss the findings of the area mail processing feasibility study begins Tuesday night at 7:00 at Genetti's on East Market Street in Wilkes-Barre. | |
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