The USPS is downgrading operations in South Dakota. As a result, many day-to-day operations are shifting from Sioux Falls to Omaha, much to the concern of opponents.
Following the move, the Sioux Falls post office is transitioning to local processing center with operations transferring to Omaha. Earlier this year, the post office in Huron faced the same decision with those operations moving to Fargo.
Opponents like labor advocate and former state lawmaker Frank Kloucek said it has real implications for your mail.
“The most important question is the loss of days of transportation," Kloucek said. "What’s going to be the number of delays for days wise for first-class and third-class mail? It’s going to get worse, is what we’re anticipating. Also, what’s going to happen with the cost? Are they going to increase postage rates as they have in the past? It just seems like this is an ill-fated plan.”
Kloucek questioned the direction the postal service is taking.
“There’s just so many unanswered questions to an issue that just seems to be gaining momentum in terms of an inefficient, failed plan," Kloucek said. "They need to get back to the basics to put consumers first and loyalty. Rebuild that loyalty they’ve lost to these private companies.”
In a release from the USPS, representatives said the decision is part of a wider, $40 billion investment strategy to improve processing and delivery networks.
Ultimately, the USPS said facilities are not closing and there will not be layoffs at either facility. However, many union-protected jobs might be shifted to facilities in different communities.
Late last year, the postal service announced a $6.5 billion loss in the fiscal year.