New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU) President Clarice Torrence and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization (AFLCIO) are pushing for a grassroots move, spearheaded by the newly formed Bronx Coalition to Save Our Post Offices, to protect large mail processing centers in the Bronx from being closed.

“Union leaders insist that in the past similar studies have generally ended with the closing of postal facilities. We’re preparing for a battle.”

The union insists the threat in the Bronx is part of a national plan by the postal service to close mail-processing plants. The closure of mail processing stations in the Bronx will disrupt mail service for residents and businesses, causing some local merchants to go out of business and displace over 2,000 postal workers.

According to Torrence, Bronx residents who use the U.S. Postal Service can expect to see an increase in the delivery time because mail would have to be rerouted into Manhattan for sorting and distribution before it could be sent out of the city to its point of destination. “This process could add an extra one to one-and-a-half days to the delivery time,” Torrence noted.

Asked what kind of success the grassroots campaign can expect, Torrence replied that a couple of years ago when a similar move was made in Staten Island, an outraged union and community coalition mobilized and protested, and ended up being able to “put a stop to it.”

Torrence and her community allies hope the same happens here. So far they have received indications of support from Congressman Jose Serrano (D-Bronx) and Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York).

At 12 p.m. on March 22, the coalition will hold a rally in front of the Bronx General Post Office Building on Grand Concourse between 149th and 150th Streets, where they will present Serrano with the petitions bearing the thousands of signatures they’ve collected supporting their efforts.

U.S. Postal Service spokesperson Pat McGovern insists the union and others “are making some pretty big assumptions. Right now this is only a study. There have been no conclusions made and any comments they’ve made regarding the outcome of the study would be premature and uniformed,” said McGovern.

The study will apparently take several months. The Bronx isn’t the only area under review. Apparently, the Postal Service is studying some 40 locations around the country looking at “increasing efficiency and improving productivity,” McGovern said. At the moment there are no plans to replace workers and any subsequent changes will be “invisible” to consumers.

Union leaders disagree and note that in the past these have been code words for downsizing that invariably impacts the consumer. Union leaders insist their concerns are justified.

“Every facility where they allegedly consolidated, it’s been done,” Torrence said. There is only one exception: Staten Island.

“The postal service will always tell you it’s just a study. We haven’t seen them yet pull a study plan except in that one instance,” Torrence continued. “As a result of consolidation in Philadelphia and the closing of plants, over 1,000 postal workers will have to be relocated within a 500-mile radius of Philadelphia. This move will cut service to the Bronx.”

Among the groups involved in the Bronx are the Bronx Local 300, National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU), El Maestro, For A Better Bronx, Freedom Community Center, Friends of Tenant Association, Latino Sport, Mothers on the Move, Neighborhood Association for Inter-Cultural Affairs (NAICA), Nehemiah Condominiums, New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU), American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Nos Quedamos, Paterson Volunteer Committee, Pueblo En Marcha, St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, Safe Horizon, and Welfare Poets.