Rally planned prior to meeting on Champaign post office's future

Mar. 11—CHAMPAIGN — Concerned community members are inviting the public to attend a gathering prior to the U.S. Postal Service's public-input meeting on the future of the post office at 2001 N. Mattis Ave. in Champaign.

The "Save the Post Office Rally" is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday at the "Eternal Flame" sculpture on the University of Illinois Quad. The site is a short walk from the University YMCA at 1001 Wright St., where the Postal Service's public-input meeting starts at 6 p.m.

"Supporters of the post office and community members opposed to the current consolidation plan spearheaded by (Postmaster General) Louis DeJoy are encouraged to come out on Tuesday to learn about the negative effects of the United States Postal Service's current consolidation plan and its impact on the Champaign-Urbana area," organizers said in a release.

The rally is being hosted by the Champaign-Urbana DSA Labor Working Group, and sponsors include Save the Post Office: CU and the Party for Socialism and Liberation Champaign-Urbana.

The group cited delivery times and impacts on employees as areas of concern regarding proposed changes to the Champaign Processing and Distribution Center.

More information about the facility review is available at about.usps.com/what/strategic-plans/mpfr/ welcome.htm, including a report on the Postal Service's initial findings.

The agency wrote in its report that the initial findings support turning the Mattis post office into a Local Processing Center and Sorting and Delivery Center. It also said the case supports "transferring mail-processing outgoing operations" to a distribution center in the south Chicago suburb of Bedford Park.

The Postal Service wrote that there will be no career-employee layoffs as a result, but due to "the transfer of outgoing operations," there would be an estimated net loss of 20 craft positions and one management position. However, it said it expected that an increase in services and functions may call for additional jobs and "mitigate" some of the estimated reductions.

It added that all reassignments for union employees will be made in accordance with their respective contracts.

The report also outlined planned improvements, with officials saying the agency plans to invest between $15 million and $20 million in the local post office.

"Retail and other services currently available will not change," it wrote, adding that delivery times also should not change.

Those who are not able to attend Tuesday's meeting can submit comments at surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr- champaign-il, according to Postal Service spokesman Tim Norman. Written comments must be received by March 27.

"The public's input will be considered prior to a final decision," he said.

U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, and Mary Miller, R-Oakland, expressed concerns about the plan in an open letter to DeJoy last week, and the Champaign County Board has unanimously approved a resolution opposing the changes, said County Executive Steve Summers.

The county resolution, which was approved in late February, also called on the Postal Service to host its public meeting at a time and location that would "allow for maximum public participation to hear concerns and answer questions."

"The Champaign County Board calls on the U.S. Postal Service to take our concerns into account during their facility review of the Champaign P&DC and to refrain from making any changes that would eliminate postal jobs in Champaign County," board members wrote.

They also called on President Joe Biden to consider appointing two new postal governors to "defend the public postal service and provide a counterweight to the postmaster general and his 10-year plan."

Summers said the county is working with Budzinski's office and local mayors to oppose the changes.

Additionally, the local chapter of the American Postal Workers Union and other local stakeholders are calling on "all constituents and community leaders" to attend Tuesday's public-input meeting.

"The future of the United States Postal Service, including the way mail is processed here in Champaign and most of Central Illinois, jobs and more are serious issues at stake," union President Brian Cunningham said.