Texas Consolidation Plan Shelved

The APWU has been notified that a proposed consolidation of mail-processing operations in Waco, TX, will not occur. A study to determine whether operations should be shifted both north (about 90 miles to Fort Worth) and south (100 miles to Austin) has been terminated. Approximately 250 jobs were at stake.

“After review, it has been determined that there are currently no significant opportunities to improve efficiency and/or service through consolidation of mail processing operations at the Waco, TX P&DF,” the Postal Service wrote to the APWU on July 24.

“Therefore, no significant changes will be made at this time.”

The Waco Local waged a vigorous campaign to stop the consolidation. Union members engaged in picketing, conducted interviews with the media, and garnered support from elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards.

The Area Mail Processing study was begun Jan. 6, 2006. Two other Texas consolidation studies — McAllen to Corpus Christi and Bryan to Houston — that began the same day were cancelled 13 months later, and an AMP study of a shift of some operations from Beaumont to Houston was cancelled on May 16.

An AMP presumably is still ongoing at the Dallas P&DC, which under the proposal being studied would lose some mail processing operations to the North Dallas P&DC.

Thirty-five feasibility surveys have been terminated or placed on hold since April 2006.