Jim Lawhorn, Secretary-Treasurer, Cumberland Area Local APWU, AFL-CIO

As the Founding Fathers deliberated over the wording of our nation’s Constitution, they were careful to highlight the importance of reliable postal communications. Article 1, Section 8, clearly expresses the need to establish post offices across the new nation. For over two centuries, that ideal has held true - every single American citizen benefits from the same reliable mail service.

All too soon, though, the benefit of prompt and reliable postal delivery could be coming to an end for the citizens of Cumberland, if Washington has its way. The fact is, our area’s postal service is under attack; the United States Postal Service has announced a plan to consolidate our local postal facility and move operations all the way to Frederick.

Over a year and a half ago, the USPS told the Cumberland office that all the mail was going to be moved to Frederick. The USPS said it was not a matter of “if” but rather of “when.” The time is rapidly approaching when that process will begin.

What does the impending consolidation mean for the citizens of Cumberland? It means serious disruptions to the mail service we rely on. We will likely see mail being collected earlier and arriving later in the day, even into the evening or night. It means probable delays of up to a week in the time it takes to send and receive our mail. Checks and important medications may not reach their destination when they are needed; credit ratings will feel the brunt of late bill payments and birthday cards and gifts will arrive late.

This consolidation plan will also negatively affect Cumberland’s local economy. By shutting down parts of our local mail sorting facility and moving operations so far away, we will likely see the loss of up to 40 local jobs. In addition, small business owners will suffer from slower and less reliable mail service. In order to compete with large companies and producers, smaller companies must be able to provide customers with expedient and reliable services. Week-long delays will limit the ability of small business owners of our area to compete.
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