USPS To Move Jackson Processing To Memphis
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The United States Postal Service continues to slim down its operations, and its latest efforts will affect postal customers served by the downtown Jackson postal facility. The announcement comes after a five-month study conducted by the postal service. Officials said the study cited a need to cut costs, and that “consolidating operations is necessary if the postal service is to remain viable to provide mail service to the nation.” David Johnson has worked for the postal service for about 14 years, and said he is one of more than 40 people who will lose their jobs in September when the Jackson facility closes. “I’ve lived here all my life and this is going to be pretty hard because they say some people may get to transfer to other facilities, but the closest facility would be Memphis, and that’s a two-hour drive one way,” Johnson said. And he said Memphis may have jobs, but those are not guaranteed. Postal officials said the Jackson facility will still be open for customer service. Because Memphis is so far away, Johnson said the postal service will have to change delivery standards from next-day local delivery in West Tennessee to two to three days. “And what this means is you’re going to be paying for first-class mail service, but you’re going to get second or third-class service because you mail a letter, it’s going to take up to three days to get across the street,” he said. And that could make it tough for some people who pay their bills by mail. “Sometimes now it takes longer than it should, but once it does this, it’ll be even harder, especially for people who depend on getting their once-a-month checks through the mail,” said Jackson resident David Davis. Officials said they cannot close any post office or distribution facility until after May 15. Employees said they were told by management that the Jackson facility will likely shut down in September. The postal service also plans to close centers in Chattanooga and Johnson City.
