November 6, 2009

 

ELMIRA-- The clock is ticking for postal workers at the Elmira processing center.
     The anticipated notices have arrived; since federal workers can't be laid off, 35 workers will be transferred in 60 days.   
     Despite rallies and petitions, the postal service is going ahead with plans to move mail machines to Rochester and move employees up to 500 miles away.
     29 clerks and nine mail handlers got letters today letting them know they should find a new job with the postal service, or the service will find one for them.
     Clerks and mail handlers got the letters today, maintenance employees know theirs are probably on the way.  Letter carriers are the only local employees safe from being excessed.
     A spokeswoman with the postal service says the people who got letters are junior employees, they're doing it by seniority.
     The Elmira processing center has already lost one machine.
     The American Postal Workers Local 2255 Union President, John Dahl, says he'll keep fighting as long as there are still machines at the Elmira facility.
     “If we can keep the rest of the machines, that would be fantastic. But until the last machine is out of that office, I'm going to continue going to townships (to get) public support,” Dahl said.
     In the next 60 days, employees can either find a new job, another job with the postal service, or retire.
     At the end of the 60 days, the postal service will look at who's left and find jobs for them.
     If the employees have family here and really want to stay in Elmira - they'll have to consider another position at that facility.