Columbus postal workers went to the picket line Thursday.  They say it's to keep customers from experiencing delays in their mail. 

The workers went to work Thursday morning informing customers about a possible nationwide consolidation plan targeting 139 processing centers that includes Columbus.  But if the processing center closes in Columbus, workers say to expect some delays.  "If customers put a letter in the mail in Columbus going to another person in Columbus, it could take up to 4 days instead of just one day," said Tracy Arnold, American Postal Workers Union. 

This is all part of plans outlining postal facilities for consolidation.  Under consolidation, when you drop your mail off in a mail box, it will be sent to Macon to be processed and then sent back to Columbus for delivery.  But some customers are not happy about possible mail delays.  "I don't like the idea of my mail having more mileage than I do in a week," said Susan Stephenson, Columbus Resident. 

Postal workers say going to the picket line is not a strike.  It is to inform customers about this national plan.  "We want to let customers know the postal service has a plan for consolidating this office in Columbus and hopefully they will speak out with us," said Clive Cannon.  

The South Georgia District postal service say it has not plans right now to consolidate the Columbus processing center.  They say if a consolidation plan is put in place in Columbus no one would lose their jobs.  They say workers will be put in another position or transferred to another location.