FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — According to a letter from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, plans to consolidate dozens of processing facilities across the nation, including one in Fayetteville, into one Oklahoma center, have been paused till 2025.
Just last week, American Postal Workers Union 667 out of Fayetteville protested against the relocation after they predicted their jobs would be endangered, and mail would consistently be delayed.
President of the Fayetteville union Ike Mills said he's proud their voices are being heard, "We were overjoyed to hear they put a pause on everything. It's nice to know that our voices do get heard occasionally. I'd just like to see what their plan turns into."
According to Congressman Steve Womack, that plan needs a few changes to make sense for Northwest Arkansas. He tells 5NEWS he spoke with DeJoy on Capitol Hill this week about the consolidation plans.
"I still have to be convinced that without compromising any of the delivery schedules, this is a move that will save money," said Womack.
Mills said change is necessary, and welcomes a more thorough plan in 2025, as long as delivery standards are not impacted.
"The Postal Regulatory Commission needs to get involved. All the letters have asked that everything be put on hold until they have an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission," explains Mills. "I'm hopeful that maybe we'll see some positive changes, and we won't lose our mail processing in this area."
Womack also spoke with DeJoy about potential growth opportunities for the Fayetteville distribution center after the 2025 decision.
"We have space in our Fayetteville facility for other processes and new opportunities. We'd like to be able to add to the footprint that we already have in Northwest Arkansas," adds Womack.
5NEWS reached out to the United States Postal Service for an interview, but they said they have no additional information at this time.
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