Local postal workers wore black T-shirts yesterday in solidarity with mail handlers and sorters nationwide.

“This was a national day of picketing,” said David Wigley, president of New Castle Local 227 of the American Postal Workers Union.

He explained workers from about 100 unions across the country picketed facilities to protest U.S. Postal Service plans to consolidate 139 mail distribution sites.

The result, Wigley said, would be a reduction in jobs and delays in service.

The New Castle facility is not expected to be affected, he said, adding, there are about 145 members in the New Castle local.

Mergers under consideration could result in slower mail processing, Wigley said.

“We’re talking delays from one or two days to a week. This consolidation won’t benefit individuals or small businesses, and the public had no opportunity to participate in the decision.”

Wigley said the mergers are necessary to recover costs lost by the postal service for making deals that provided discounts for large corporate mailings.

Anyone interested in learning more about the situation may call the hotline at (877) OUR MAIL.