Cedar Rapids postal workers question, comment on consolidation proposal

The jobs won't disappear, but they also won't stay here for about 200 workers at the Cedar Rapids mail processing center, if the postal service decides to move the facility to the Quad Cities.

"We have excellent service," said Dan Skemp, president of Local Postal Workers Union 166.  "They feel like they're being picked on because of our size."

Postal employees packed the Hotel Kirkwood Ballroom to hear the results of a Postal Service consolidation study that estimates $3.6 million in savings if the Cedar Rapids mail processing facility combines with the facility in Milan, Illinois.

"Just making sure that what resources we have are used to the extent that we can have the overall good for the post office," said Cedar Rapids postmaster Sandra Bolin-Townes.

Dramatic drops in revenue has already led the postal service to make $1 billion in cuts. The Cedar Rapids processing center is one of 500 being looked at for consolidation across the country.  The postal service says relocating will not be the only choice for employees.

"Those employees impacted would have opportunity to have jobs in Cedar Rapids or towns nearby," said Post Office District Manager Jim Herrmann.  "Whether Cedar Rapids makes it all the way through the process, we'll have to see how it goes."