KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A letter from Anderson County leaders said Monday that lawmakers still have concerns about a U.S. Postal Service review of a West Knoxville mail processing facility after the USPS said it "will not result in the closure of the studied facilities, or in any career employee layoffs."
The letters come after the Anderson County Commission asked the mayor to reach out to federal lawmakers about concerns with changes at the West Knoxville mail distribution facility. The U.S. Postal Service has said changes could come to the location, and the location's distribution operations could be relocated as part of its ten-year Delivering for America plan.
The plan is meant to modernize the delivery network and help the USPS save money. Rep. Tim Burchett (R - TN) has called for transparency throughout the process and asked to meet with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy about the plan.
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R - TN) also said in response to the Anderson County letter that there have been concerns among federal lawmakers. He joined with Burchett and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R - TN) to call for transparency.
He said the lawmakers received a five-page letter from the USPS about the plan, dated Jan. 9. It emphasized the plan would not result in closures of the Knoxville facility, and said it was part of an effort to make sure the USPS could continue providing services into the future.
"The Postal Service has been contending with a broken business model better suited to the year 2000 when mail volume was abundant than today when letter mail volume continues to decline. We must now turn around from an obsolete, illogical, and inefficient processing network, and a regulatory scheme seemingly intent on preventing any progress or prospect for success," that letter said.
On March 9, Burchett said he still had questions about the USPS' plan. He specifically said he wanted clarity on how part-time and seasonal workers may be impacted. His full statement is below.
"I sent my initial letter in December, and while I'm glad I got some sort of response, it did not answer all my questions and I still have not been able to get a meeting with Postmaster DeJoy as I requested.
There needs to be more clarity on how the modernization of these facilities could impact part-time and seasonal workers. I am troubled by Postmaster General DeJoy's apathy toward addressing how these changes will affect East Tennesseans' jobs, and I will keep pushing for a meeting where we can have a productive conversation about these issues."
Fleischmann also released a statement, available below.
‘Congressman Fleischmann appreciates the USPS’ commitment to keeping the Knoxville Processing and Distribution Center open. The Knoxville location is critical to providing regular, timely mail delivery to East Tennesseans and must remain open and fully operational. The Postal Service has committed to improving mail operations throughout Knoxville and East Tennessee – they must uphold their commitment and follow through.’