July 11, 2003 Consolidation Area Vice Presidents Jon Steele, Alexander Lazaroff and Al Iniguez said the changes are part of an evolving process. "As workload and staffing levels continue to change, our administrative structures must change with them," they said. "We are achieving ever greater efficiencies in moving the mail. We have to bring similar efficiencies to our support activities."

Page 1 of 5 Next   [ Home ] July 11, 2003 Five of USPS's 85 district offices are being consolidated WASHINGTON — Five of USPS's 85 district offices are being consolidated into nearby districts, announced the Area Vice Presidents for the Northeast, Eastern and Pacific Areas today.  In the Northeast Area, the administrative functions of the Springfield, MA, District are being absorbed by the New Hampshire and Middlesex-Central (MA) Districts. In the Eastern Area, the administrative functions of Ohio's Akron District office will be absorbed by the Cincinnati and Cleveland Districts, and those of Pennsylvania's Lancaster District will be absorbed by the Philadelphia and Harrisburg Districts.  There also will be a limited shift of some administrative functions of the Harrisburg District to the Philadelphia District.  The Pacific Area's Long Beach District functions will be absorbed by the Los Angeles and Santa Ana Districts, while San Jose District functions will be consolidated into those of the Oakland, Sacramento and Van Nuys Districts. The reporting relationship changes will take effect July 26. The five District offices will be closed Nov. 14, 2003.  The Area Vice Presidents of the affected districts said it has become necessary to adjust field administrative functions to increase efficiency in the face of declining mail volume.  The AVPs said the changes will not affect service. Mail processing and customer service operations for the communities served by the affected districts remain unchanged.  Approximately 538 nonbargaining and 128 bargaining unit employees are affected throughout the five districts. Bargaining unit employees will be reassigned consistent with provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreements between the Postal Service and its unions.  For nonbargaining employees, placement opportunities will include limited competition for local vacancies among those affected and similar, limited competition for positions in the gaining districts. A key transition manager is being named in each of the affected districts to assist employees in identifying job placement opportunities.  USPS also has petitioned the Office of Personnel Management for voluntary early retirement authority for affected nonbargaining employees. No incentives will be offered to employees who may be eligible for early retirement.  USPS is working to ensure that affected employees have maximum opportunities for placement. Nonbargaining employees who remain unplaced will be subject to a reduction in force, which will be effective Nov. 14, 2003.  Area Vice Presidents Jon Steele, Alexander Lazaroff and Al Iniguez said the changes are part of an evolving process. "As workload and staffing levels continue to change, our administrative structures must change with them," they said. "We are achieving ever greater efficiencies in moving the mail. We have to bring similar efficiencies to our support activities."  The three AVPs praised the achievements of employees in the affected districts and expressed their pride in the performance of employees in the districts, saying they have delivered an outstanding record of service for customers.