The future of the mail processing center in Grand Junction, Colorado, is uncertain as the United States Postal Service (USPS) considers overhauling its operations in the state. The proposed changes could result in job losses, mail delays, and reduced service quality for the residents of Grand Junction and surrounding areas. Many locals are opposed to the plan and have organized a rally to voice their concerns and show their support for the postal workers.
USPS Plans to Streamline Its Network in Colorado
The USPS is conducting a study to evaluate its processing, transportation, and delivery networks in Colorado. The study is part of a $40 billion program to upgrade and improve its facilities nationwide. The initial findings of the study, released on February 14, suggest that the USPS could save money and increase efficiency by transferring the outgoing mail operations from the Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center to the Denver Processing and Distribution Center. This means that the mail collected in Grand Junction would be trucked to Denver for sorting and then trucked back to Grand Junction for delivery.
The USPS claims that the proposed changes would not affect the delivery standards or the service levels for the customers in Grand Junction. However, many locals are skeptical and worried about the potential impacts of the plan.
Grand Junction Mail Center Provides Vital Services for the Community
The Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center, located at 602 Burkey Street, is one of the largest mail facilities in western Colorado. It handles mail for more than 100 zip codes in 22 counties, covering an area of over 50,000 square miles. The center employs about 120 workers, who process and deliver mail for residential and business customers, as well as government agencies, educational institutions, and medical facilities.
The center also provides a convenient and accessible location for the customers to drop off and pick up their mail, packages, and passports. Many customers prefer to use the drive-up mail boxes at the center, which are open 24/7, rather than the ones at the post offices, which have limited hours and parking spaces.
The center is especially important for the rural and remote areas of western Colorado, where mail delivery is often the only reliable way to receive essential items such as medications, checks, bills, and ballots. The center also serves as a backup for the other mail facilities in the region, such as the ones in Glenwood Springs and Montrose, in case of emergencies or disruptions.
Grand Junction Locals Fear Job Losses and Mail Delays
The proposed changes at the Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center could have negative consequences for the local economy and the quality of life. According to the postal workers union, the plan could eliminate anywhere from 12 to 20 jobs at the center, affecting not only the workers but also their families and the businesses they patronize. The plan could also reduce the hours and the services available at the center, forcing the customers to travel farther or wait longer for their mail needs.
Moreover, the plan could cause significant mail delays and delivery problems, especially during peak seasons, bad weather, or road closures. The mail that would normally be sorted and delivered within Grand Junction would have to travel an extra 500 miles round trip to Denver and back, adding more time and risk to the process. The mail that would be sent or received from other parts of the country or the world would also have to go through Denver, creating more congestion and backlog at the already busy facility.
The mail delays could have serious implications for the customers who depend on timely and accurate delivery of their mail, such as seniors, veterans, small businesses, and voters. The mail delays could also affect the reputation and the revenue of the USPS, as more customers could switch to alternative delivery services or online options.
Grand Junction Residents Rally to Support Postal Workers and Local Mail Service
In response to the USPS plan, many Grand Junction residents have expressed their opposition and their support for the local mail service and the postal workers. On Monday, February 19, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., a rally was held at the Grand Junction Processing and Distribution Center, where members of the community joined the postal employees to hear more about the proposed changes and to show their solidarity.
The rally was organized by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 600, which represents the workers at the center. The union has been advocating for the preservation and the improvement of the local mail service, as well as the protection of the workers’ rights and benefits. The union has also been encouraging the public to participate in an online survey to give their feedback and opinions on the USPS plan.
The rally was attended by several local leaders and representatives, such as Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland, Grand Junction City Councilor Anna Stout, and State Senator Ray Scott. They spoke in favor of keeping the mail operations in Grand Junction and praised the postal workers for their dedication and their service to the community.
The rally also featured signs, banners, and chants from the participants, who expressed their appreciation and their concerns for the local mail service. Some of the slogans included “Save Our Mail”, “No Mail No Service”, and “Don’t Mess With Grand Junction Mail”.
The rally was a demonstration of the strong bond and the mutual support between the postal workers and the customers in Grand Junction. The rally also sent a clear message to the USPS that the people of Grand Junction value their local mail service and want to keep it in their town.
