Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) wants the Postmaster General to return the equipment that is being taken out of the William Street Mail Processing Facility in Buffalo.
An internal memo outlining the massive reduction in equipment indicates plans to remove 5 machines from the Buffalo facility between June 13, 2020 and September 30, 2020. Over a period of just three months, the Postal Service has intentions to pull 671 machines used to process the mail across the nation.
In a letter to Postmaster DeJoy, Higgins writes, “I am extremely concerned about the impact this purported change would have on the service and delivery of mail in the Western New York region. I strongly oppose such a move and, if this is already underway, I urge you to reverse it immediately.”
In addition to the removal of machines, the Postmaster has issued sweeping directives that undermine the traditional 1-2 day service standards which have been customary for the Postal Service. Higgins was among over 170 members objecting to these changes.
Western New Yorkers are very concerned about these changes. In the last two weeks alone, over 450 people have reached out to Congressman Higgins office expressing concern about the Postal Service. Some are business and residents experiencing delayed mail, others are local postal workers upset by the new protocols that diminish their ability to deliver mail swiftly and efficiently.
Higgins is a cosponsor of the Protect Our Post Offices Act and in May voted to approve the Heroes Act, both provide the $25 billion in emergency funding the USPS testified was needed to offset coronavirus-related losses.
Higgins has a history of fighting for the retention of Post Office services and jobs. In 2012, the Congressman successfully fought the proposed closure of the William Street Mail Processing facility in Buffalo.
