The United States Postal Service announced Thursday that it will keep its Charleston facility open with no employee impacts following a monthslong review that left it in limbo.
The move comes after the facility’s future was unclear for months after the USPS announced a plan to restructure its network and look for ways to save money. As part of the process, the facility was placed under review.
The announcement Thursday means the Charleston facility will remain open with no employee impacts, a news release from the USPS said. Additionally, the Charleston center will receive up to $22.8 million in funding to transform the location into a local processing center.
"It is tremendous news that the United States Postal Service Charleston Processing and Distribution Center will remain open at full capacity and receive millions in federal funding to better serve our community. This is an essential service for everyone in our region and will provide job security to hundreds in our community,” Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin said in a statement.
“This great news is thanks to the tireless efforts from Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito. We are fortunate in West Virginia to have two United States Senators who will fight for every West Virginia job and to ensure folks in state have the same services and opportunities as those throughout the country,” Goodwin continued. “Also, a big thank you to the American Postal Workers Union Local 133. They never gave up fighting to keep jobs and services locally and we all benefit from their efforts."
The Postal Service said it initially anticipated staffing impacts due to the proposed move of some operations out of the Charleston facility, but said now no employees are expected to be impacted as the operations will remain in the Kanawha Valley. The USPS said the expected improvements could actually lead to more employees needed at the facility in the future.
A sorting and delivery center will also be at the Charleston facility, which the USPS said will result in “expanded and streamlined package and mail processing.”
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, who was among those that led the charge to keep the facility open, celebrated the announcement in a statement Thursday.
“It never made economic sense to send our mail from Charleston to Pennsylvania and then back to West Virginia, and I commend the union for fighting for their members and all West Virginians throughout this process,” Manchin said in a statement. “I also want to thank all the West Virginians that submitted public comments and spent their Valentine’s Day at a public meeting making their voices heard. The Postal Service is a critical part of connecting every corner of the Mountain State as they deliver essential services to West Virginians regardless of zip code.
“This especially includes our seniors and Veterans who live in rural communities and desperately rely on the USPS for life-saving medications and hard-earned federal benefits,” he continued. “I want to personally thank Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and his team for listening to our concerns and continuously working with our team to ensure we found a common sense solution that provides timely and reliable delivery to every West Virginia families.”
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said despite the decision, she still has some reservations.
“While this is a win for West Virginia’s mail service, I still have concerns that need to be addressed,” Capito said in the statement. “Not only do many West Virginians work at this facility, but others depend on it for reliable and timely mail delivery, which is why it is important that the facility is maintained with its current operations or with enhanced services. As I have conveyed directly to Postmaster DeJoy throughout this entire process, I am hopeful that USPS will continue to reevaluate its future plans to better serve West Virginians.”
Union members, who were also on the frontline against the proposed changes, said despite some tweaks, they are pleased with the outcome.
" This decision could not have come at a more critical time, right before the holiday season. Although there will be slight changes, the members of APWU 133 are pleased and bargaining in good faith on Postmaster Dejoy's word,” APWU 133 Vice President Tim Holstein said in a statement. “We are happy to have this cloud of uncertainty lifted from above our facility, allowing us to concentrate on getting mail processed and ready for delivery.
“President Brown and I want to personally thank everyone who has spent countless hours helping us in this fight,” the statement continued. “From Senators Manchin and Capito, Congresswoman Miller, Gov. Justice, WV State Senator Eric Nelson, WV Senate and House Chambers, Mayor Goodwin, Mayor Mullens, Wes Holden, WV AFL-CIO President Josh Sword and union leaders throughout the state. Without their diligence, we would not have prevailed in this fight. Congratulations West Virginia, WE WON!"