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Postal workers protest consolidation plan
By John Ramsey
Rocky Mount Telegram
Friday, October 27, 2006
A handful of U.S. Postal Service workers picketed in Rocky Mount on Thursday as part of a nationwide protest against consolidating post offices.
The Postal Service in July announced a plan to consolidate up to 139 plants.
The George Street Post Office in Rocky Mount is not on the list, but the picketers said they wanted to use the day to inform the public of what's happening around the country.
"Our objective is to keep everybody informed that the Postal Service is making decisions without informing the public," said George Folk, president of the Rocky Mount branch of the American Postal Workers Union. "Like any service where there are changes, people need to be informed."
The only change in North Carolina mentioned on the list has already happened, as first-class processing was moved from Kinston to Fayetteville earlier this year.
"We are always looking at the most efficient way to operate the Postal Service," said Enola Rice, North Carolina spokeswoman for the Postal Service. "At this time, we don't have plans for consolidation in Rocky Mount."
The Rocky Mount plant serves as the midpoint between Elizabeth City and Raleigh. The Postal Service usually prepares its lists for consolidation studies on five-year intervals, Rice said. The process includes feasibility studies to see if the consolidation will benefit the Postal Service.
"It's not randomly done," Rice said.
The small group of picketers Thursday in Rocky Mount stood at the entrance of the post office and at the nearby corner of Marigold and George streets from about 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Folk said his group gave out roughly 300 "Save Our Service" fliers.
The "Save Our Service" campaign has also included television and radio ads, he said.
