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Home My WebLink About2006-02-01-R RESOLUTION NO. �' A Resolution requesting that the U.S. Congress prohibit the U.S. Postal Service from moving its facility for processing mail originating in the 725 area in the Batesville, AR Post Office to Little Rock, AR until the effect of such proposal on costs and delivery standards is fully investigated. Whereas, the United States Postal Service has proposed the consolidation of the originating mail for the Batesville and 725 zip codes into the Little Rock Processing and Distribution Center(P&DC), and WHEREAS,this consolidation does not serve the public's best interest because of the likely degradation of service and WHEREAS, the service standard from Batesville to Little Rock is not cost effective, and zip code areas 725 will be negatively affected, and WHEREAS, the economy of the local communities would be negatively impacted 4 as a result of the relaxation of overnight delivery standards for those communities in the 725 zip codes. WHEREAS,the GAO, in its April 2005 report, set forth a specific criteria that the Postal Service should follow when consolidating or closing facilities, and WHEREAS, that process was not followed. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: SECTION 1. That the City Council does hereby demand congressional intervention on this proposal until a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation can be conducted on the feasibility study concerning the increased cost of transportation and the relaxation of delivery standards for those communities now served by the Batesville Distribution Center. SECTION 2. That if a GAO investigation discloses increased costs in transportation, and/or delayed processing or impaired processing, or delivery of • originating mails or a reduction of the delivery standards for those communities now served by the Batesville Distribution Center then Congress shall intervene and place on hold any consolidation efforts for the 725 zip codes until such concerns are addressed and corrected. SECTION 3. That the Postal Service be directed to follow the recommendations set forth in the April 2005 GAO report which propose that a set of criteria be established for evaluating decisions and keeping stakeholders informed, and that a process be developed to measure the results and actual costs savings resulting from those decisions. SECTION 4. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately. • xq- • Arkansas Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO February 17, 2006 Mayor Joe Biard Municipal Building 500 East Main Street Batesville, AR 72501 Dear Mayor Biard: The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to consolidate mail process operations performed at its Batesville Mail Processing and Distribution Center here in Batesville, as part of an ill-advised cost-cutting scheme. This consolidation could have a dramatic effect on postal service in the area, including substantial delays in mail delivery. In addition, it could have a serious effect on the local economy as stable, middle-class jobs are eliminated. For many people in our district - especially senior citizens - the U.S. ,Postal Service provides the only inexpensive and reliable means for communicating with friends and family and conducting business. For those on the wrong side of the "digital divide", delayed or curtailed postal services could have a negative social and economic impact. The root cause of the Postal Service's financial difficulty is a flawed postal rate structure that grants below-cost discounts to large business mailers and advertisers. Other contributing factors include the requirement that the USPS 'pay for the military retirement costs of its employees - unlike all other federal agencies - and the requirement that it place in escrow overpayments to the Civil Service Retirement Fund. 1 hope we can count on your support in our efforts to stop the plans to curtail operations at Batesville. I will be happy to provide further information and to discuss these issues with you at your convenience. ZO 39dd aIVNd3_103�nj L0IE99ZOLB OZ:CT 90OZ/LZ/Z0 Duties of Possible Impacted Workers The Primary duty of these workers are the responsibility of sorting primary outgoing mail. Everything is postmarked, which we would lose, should we be consolidated. Letters are cancelled, flats(large envelopes), and packages. They are then sorted by rip codes, whether express, priority, first class or bulk business mail. This type of mail leaves two times during the day, an express truck around noon, then another at 7pm, If all the mail leaves at 7pm unworked by Batesville employees, imagine the turn around time for the mail getting to where it needs to go. All area 7251Jighway Contract Drivers bring mail in from all the surrounding;post offices_ This mail is also worked at the Batesville office, such as a letter that 1 may mail at Evening Shade, where I live, would then go to Batesville to be worked to the designated area that I mail it too, a bill or Birthday Card perhaps. If this bill or card is not worked at Batesville, under the new consolidation plan, it will be worked maybe 24 hours minimal time, then sent most likely back to Batesville or who knows where? This can happen to you and 1, our neighbors, friends, Churches, clubs, organizations, businesses. Please help us to stop the consolidation plans_ G0, Debbie McKenzie APWU, President Batesville Local#660 P.O. Box 2713 Batesville, AR 72503 Work 870-793-6828 Home 870-266-3342 Fax 870-266-3107 email: Debbiejean@centurytel.net If you would like please ask the USPS's plans and how they are cost effective with E. W. Waldemayer, Jr. District Manager 420 Natural Resources Drive Little Rock, AR 72205 501-228-4100 and our local Post Office at Batesville, ask for the Officer in Charge 870.793-6828 b0 39dd dIdNb3-133and L0Z£99ZOL8 OZ:CT 9002/IZ/Z0 Duties of Possible Impacted Workers The Primary duty of these workers are the responsibility of sorting primary outgoing mail. Everything is postmarked, which we would lose, should we be consolidated. Letters are cancelled, flats(large envelopes), and packages. They are then sorted by zip codes, whether express, priority, first class or bulk business mail. This type of mail leaves two times during the day, an express truck around noon, then another at 7pm. if all the mail leaves at 7pm unworked by Batesville employees, imagine the turn around time for the mail getting to where it needs to go. All area 725 Highway Contract Drivers bring mail in from all the surrounding post offices. This mail is also worked at the Batesville office, such as a letter that I may mail at Evening Shade, where 1 live,would then go to Batesville to be worked to the designated area that I mail it too, a bill or Birthday Card perhaps. If this bill or card is not worked at Batesville, under the new consolidation plan, it will be worked maybe 24 hours minimal time, then sent most likely back to Batesville or who knows where? This can happen to you and 1, our neighbors, friends, Churches, clubs, organizations,businesses. Please help us to stop the consolidation plans. k& G v'* �Q Debbie McKenzie APWU, President Batesville Local#660 P_O_ Box 2713 Batesville, AR 72503 Work 870-793-6828 Home 870-266-3342 Fax 870-266-3107 email: Debbiejean@centurytel.net if you would like please ask the USPS's plans and how they are cost effective with E. W. Waldemayeir, Jr. District Manager 420 Natural Resources Drive Little Rock, AR 72205 501-228-4100 and our local Post Office at Batesville, ask for the officer in Charge 870-793-6828 b0 39Vd NIdNV3-103and LOTE99ZOL8 bT:ET 9002/TZ/Z0 02/28/2006 14,20 5012284299 MARKETING-USPS PAGE 01 MANAGER,CONSUMER AFFAIRS ARKANSAS DISTRICT UNITED STbM POSTAL SERVICE February 28, 2005 Mr. Joe M. Biard, Mayor City of Batesville 2475 Franklin Batesville AR 72501-7734 Dear Mayor Biard: Thank you for the invitation to speak before the Batesville City Council, regarding our Area Mail Processing study. As stated in our letter to you dated January 4, 2006, the reason for the limited study is to address shifting mail volume and to manage capacity while improving efficiency. The study has not been completed and, therefore, we are unable to provide you with any further information at this time. We realize the employee, service, and community concerns associated with this study, and we will give these concems full consideration. If you have further questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me at 5011228-4280. Sincerely, n' ��2t Ma a ngel 420 NATuawL REBougcEB DRrvE Lrru ROCK,AR 72206-9831 501/228-4280 FAx:501/228-4299