Summary: Recent Postal Service mail processing changes in eastern Connecticut were evaluated to determine how each change affected or will affect the cost of providing mail service, level of service to postal patrons, and employees at the locations involved. The Postal Service processes for planning such changes were examined to determine whether they were reasonable.
In February 1977, the Williamantic Sectional Center Facility's outgoing mail processing was transferred to the New London Sectional Center Facility. This move was intended to be temporary prior to permanent relocation. Williamantic's mail delivery performance levels did not change during the consolidation period in New London, and the Postal Service will realize savings of about $58,000 or 60 percent of the amount it expected to save. The impact of the consolidation on Williamantic's employees was minimal. On November 5, 1977, Williamantic's outgoing mail processing was relocated to Hartford, and New London's outgoing mail processing was transferred to New Haven. Relocating Williamantic's processing to Hartford should result in additional annual savings of about $33,400 and should not result in any deterioration in mail service. The consolidation from New London to New Haven also appears to be economically justified and should result in savings of about $254,000 annually. Some New London employees will be adversely affected, but they are being treated according to national labor agreement terms. Analysis for the two consolidations by local postal officials was in accordance with Postal Service guidelines and long term goals.
