WTOC-TV: News, Weather & Sports for Savannah, GA | USPS employees nervous about possible Savannah center closing

USPS employees nervous about possible Savannah center closing

The future of the United States Postal Service distribution center in Savannah is in serious doubt.

Employees found out Tuesday that a study was complete suggesting the facility be shut down and mail in Savannah be filtered through distribution centers in Jacksonville and Charleston. WTOC first reported the study's findings Tuesday, as the livelihoods of more than 200 people are now in limbo.

USPS officials stress this is just a study and no final decision has been made. Employees are stressed out, saying the news was like the carpet being snatched from under them.

"You're not talking about picking up and moving next door. You are relocating your life," Lisa Murray told WTOC.

For 20 years, the USPS has been Murray's life. 

"I love the post office. I love working for the post office," she said. "I have been here 20 years. This was my first serious job." 

Murray, along with more than 200 other postal service employees, had their lives turned upside down Tuesday afternoon. Murray says they knew about a study investigating ways to save money at the Savannah distribution center, but didn't really think closing it down was an option.

"We'd be losing a lot of jobs," she said. "This isn't just Savannah being affected. It's the entire area and the Lowcountry."

U.S. Postal Service officials tell WTOC, and they emphasized, this is just a study. No decisions have been made. They claim the nationwide savings from closures like one in Savannah would save the postal service three billion dollars annually nationwide based on data provided by teams from Savannah and Jacksonville.

"I think they have a vested interest in keeping the mail there in Jacksonville. I don't think they have Savannah's best interests at heart," Murray said.

The U.S. Postal Service also says there will be no change in service if this plan goes into effect, but employees say there is no way taking mail from Savannah to Jacksonville or Charleston, more than 120 miles away, won't disrupt service in some way.

"Right now, Savannah to Savannah is overnight. I don't see how that could remain," she said. "It doesn't promote using the post office here. I think they are hurting themselves."

Meanwhile, as a final decision looms , employees have to think about their future while a fight to keep the facility open has begun.

"Our only recourse would be to relocate or quit or retire," Murray said. "Let's not stand for this. Let's keep our mail here."

Employees, most of which are under union contracts except more than 50, who would fall under reduction of work force procedures, have begun to rally together, notifying the unions  and making appeals to lawmakers. They plan on protesting the proposed closing of this distribution center.

There will be a public meeting on at 6 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Southwest Chatham Library. Employees are urging the public to come and voice their concerns.

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