USPS Closing 223 Processing Centers Throughout United States

The United States Postal Service announced on Thursday its plans to shut down 223 processing centers, nearly half of the agencies centers nationwide.

The announcement comes at a time when USPS officials are attempting to cut out $15 billion in costs and the movie is expected to slow delivery times for first-class mail.

The closure will also mean the loss of more than 35,000 jobs with closures starting as early as mid-May.

While many works are likely to lose their positions the postal service is hoping to shift many of its workers into other roles within the agency, possibly offering some of those workers relocation to other states when possible.

Speaking to CNN Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said of the closure plans:

“This is an important part of the network consolidation. We know how to move people and find landing spots.”

Along with closing 223 processing centers the agency has also requested that Congress allow for a $.05 hike in first-class stamp pricing which would increase the cost of sending a first-class letter to $.50.

While the post office believes slower service and no Saturday deliveries will help the agency save money opponents to the proposal say it will lead to less business and ultimately less revenue for the postal system.

Whatever the case may be the agency lost $3.3 billion during the uber-busy holiday shopping season which doesn’t bode well for its future.

Do you think the USPS can turn around a failing system by creating massive layoffs, cutting out government mandated health and retirement programs for employees and slowing delivery times in the name of cost cutting or is an entirely different approach needed?