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Despite the possibility that local mail could shift from being processed in the Marysville area to Sacramento, local postmasters said Thursday service would not slow in western Nevada County.
Employees in the U.S. Mail Processing Center in Olivehurst fear losing some of their approximately 140 jobs there. They also have said the switch to Sacramento would slow mail service in the 959 ZIP codes of northeastern California.
No employees in the Grass Valley and Nevada City post offices would lose their jobs if the switch happens, according to postal officials here.
“I don't think it's going to affect anything,” said Paul Berube, the officer in charge of the Nevada City Post Office. “It don't think it will impact our offices or our ability to deliver mail.”
The national Postal Service edict to cut costs due to a decline in mail and dwindling revenues parallels what many businesses have been experiencing in recent years, Berube said.
The Postal Service may close the Olivehurst facility to save $4.5 million and take advantage of equipment in Sacramento that regional postal officials say is being under-utilized.
The equipment is “state of the art” according to Berube.
“I expect seamless to better service,” said Grass Valley Postmaster Richard Beress. “It will help outgoing mail because it will go direct to Sacramento.
“Our mail is being processed on Saturdays in Sacramento anyway, so it's not a new thing,” Beress said. “The Sacramento plant is more efficient than the Marysville plant.
“In today's environment, we have to save money anywhere we can, unless it impacts service, and I don't think this will impact service,” Beress said. “They have more than enough machinery in Sacramento to handle it.
“We'll also get direct trucks” from the Sacramento mail sorting center, which could speed things up, Beress said.
Dwindling mail volume has led to three Grass Valley area mail routes being combined with others in recent years, Beress added.
Kevin Knab, who lives in Alta Sierra and has worked at the Marysville area plant for 10 years said, “it's typical Post Office: Stepping over a dollar to pick up a nickel.”
Knab said his figures show the Marysville area plant is more efficient than Sacramento's.
Knab said he fears many colleagues without seniority will lose their jobs, although the Postal Service has said they will be reassigned within the system.
“I know two single moms who will be first on the list,” Knab said.
Some employees have said the plan already endorsed by Sacramento District Manager Rosemarie Fernandez is simply a way for the postal service to justify a major equipment expense.
Postal union leader Rick Page thinks the mail-sorting facility might have started on the road to reprieve during a public hearing about it Wednesday in Marysville.
With representatives of U.S. Congressman Wally Herger and Senator Barbara Boxer showing concerns for local jobs at the meeting, the situation could be turning, Page said. “I fell pretty confident,” he said.
Local public officials and sorting facility employees grumbled through much of the presentation on a closure study by postal service officials, before asking pointed questions and making even more pointed comments.
The study is set to be completed by Jan. 10, with public comments accepted through Dec. 31. Fernandez said a final decision isn't expected until late January or early February.
Contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller at dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237. Contact Marysville Appeal-Democrat reporter Ben van der Meer at 749-4709 or bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com.
Employees in the U.S. Mail Processing Center in Olivehurst fear losing some of their approximately 140 jobs there. They also have said the switch to Sacramento would slow mail service in the 959 ZIP codes of northeastern California.
No employees in the Grass Valley and Nevada City post offices would lose their jobs if the switch happens, according to postal officials here.
“I don't think it's going to affect anything,” said Paul Berube, the officer in charge of the Nevada City Post Office. “It don't think it will impact our offices or our ability to deliver mail.”
The national Postal Service edict to cut costs due to a decline in mail and dwindling revenues parallels what many businesses have been experiencing in recent years, Berube said.
The Postal Service may close the Olivehurst facility to save $4.5 million and take advantage of equipment in Sacramento that regional postal officials say is being under-utilized.
The equipment is “state of the art” according to Berube.
“I expect seamless to better service,” said Grass Valley Postmaster Richard Beress. “It will help outgoing mail because it will go direct to Sacramento.
“Our mail is being processed on Saturdays in Sacramento anyway, so it's not a new thing,” Beress said. “The Sacramento plant is more efficient than the Marysville plant.
“In today's environment, we have to save money anywhere we can, unless it impacts service, and I don't think this will impact service,” Beress said. “They have more than enough machinery in Sacramento to handle it.
“We'll also get direct trucks” from the Sacramento mail sorting center, which could speed things up, Beress said.
Dwindling mail volume has led to three Grass Valley area mail routes being combined with others in recent years, Beress added.
Kevin Knab, who lives in Alta Sierra and has worked at the Marysville area plant for 10 years said, “it's typical Post Office: Stepping over a dollar to pick up a nickel.”
Knab said his figures show the Marysville area plant is more efficient than Sacramento's.
Knab said he fears many colleagues without seniority will lose their jobs, although the Postal Service has said they will be reassigned within the system.
“I know two single moms who will be first on the list,” Knab said.
Some employees have said the plan already endorsed by Sacramento District Manager Rosemarie Fernandez is simply a way for the postal service to justify a major equipment expense.
Postal union leader Rick Page thinks the mail-sorting facility might have started on the road to reprieve during a public hearing about it Wednesday in Marysville.
With representatives of U.S. Congressman Wally Herger and Senator Barbara Boxer showing concerns for local jobs at the meeting, the situation could be turning, Page said. “I fell pretty confident,” he said.
Local public officials and sorting facility employees grumbled through much of the presentation on a closure study by postal service officials, before asking pointed questions and making even more pointed comments.
The study is set to be completed by Jan. 10, with public comments accepted through Dec. 31. Fernandez said a final decision isn't expected until late January or early February.
Contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller at dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237. Contact Marysville Appeal-Democrat reporter Ben van der Meer at 749-4709 or bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com.
