As this bulletin was going to print, the Postal Service announced its list of 257 mail processing facilities to be studied for possible closing or consolidation in 2012.  Most of these facilities will be the subject of an Area Mail Processing study by postal management, as well as input from the mailing public, before final decisions about closing or consolidation are made.  A smaller number of facilities that do not handle originating or destinating mail will be studied as “non-AMP sites,” according to the Postal Service.

Postal managers have provided stand-up talks to employees in all facilities, with the message dependent on whether and how the particular facility may be affected by this so-called Network Optimization process. 

As noted, at this point these are studies only.  This will be an ongoing process that not only will involve input from all interested stakeholders, including the NPMHU and its Local Unions, but also hearings and other possible reactions from Congress, proceedings before the Postal Regulatory Commission, and discussions at the bargaining table during National negotiations.  The National Office is fully prepared to assist Locals, Branches, and others that may determine that a particular closing or consolidation should be opposed, and will work with all of the Local Unions on behalf of the membership that may be affected.        

More information will be circulated as it becomes available.