WASHINGTON – The state Senate adopted an amendment that provides protection to postal services and ensures any facility closings yield real savings to the U.S. Postal Service.
“It’s important that we help the Postal Service achieve the efficiency it needs, but in making necessary reforms, we must ensure that all the American people can continue to rely on postal service,” said Sen. Carl Levin. “And we must ensure that in making any changes, any reduction in facilities or personnel yields real cost savings.”
The Tester-Franken-Levin amendment:
• Allows for an appeal process regarding any proposed closings.
• Clarifies the Postal Service shall suspend any proposed closings while the closure is under appeal.
• Clarifies the Postal Regulatory Commission can reverse a proposed closing.
• Require the Postal Service consider whether a proposed closing is in keeping with the new retail service standards that are to be established under the postal reform bill.
• Requires the Postal Service consider whether a closing would achieve cost savings.
and mandates that the Postal Regulatory Commission reverse any proposed closing that does not achieve savings.
The amendment was adopted by voice vote. Final passage of the reform bill was expected this week.