Oklahoma USPS managers suggest Tulsa mail processing center closure

TULSA - UPDATE: 2News reporter Sara Goldenberg is reporting the Oklahoma district manager and plant manager for the USPS are suggesting total closure of the Tulsa mail processing center. Closures of USPS plants nationwide could start around May to June and continue through fiscal year 2013.

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The American Postal Workers Union tells 2News if the Tulsa plant is shut down, operations will likely be transferred to Oklahoma City. They say 400 jobs could be transferred, and another 183 jobs could be eliminated. Retirement packages are also on the table for some employees.

Mike Neal, with the Tulsa Metro Chamber, says approximately 600 jobs are directly affected here in Tulsa.

If the plant closes, another 400 workers could be lost through a ripple effect.

“The Tulsa Metro Chamber and our regional partners are extremely disappointed the USPS has announced the Tulsa mail processing plant has been recommended for closure, particularly considering the Tulsa facility is one of the most efficient operating plants in the country," he said in a statement.

The Chamber launched a letter-writing campaign a few months ago in an effort to encourage USPS to reconsider the closure.

“We thought, and we still think, that this is one of the most efficient and cost-effective operations in the entire USPS,” Neal said.

The Chamber estimates the loss would have a $64 million impact on the city of Tulsa.

The plant in Tulsa processes more than one million pieces of mail a day. Nearly 600 Tulsans count on it to making a living.  

"Well it's been difficult. I'm not going to say that it's easy. You know everyone here has their lives on hold," said Stacey Boyd with the American Postal Workers Union.

The postal service says shutting it down would save about $11 million.

"It's just a really good plant. The Oklahoma district is not seeing the huge drops in volumes and revenues that they are in some places in the country," Boyd said. "And so I think that we have made a really good argument, and given them really good reasons why this facility should stay here."

A USPS official spoke at the first of three meetings in front of USPS workers on Wednesday afternoon. Boyd tells us the district manager recommended closing the Tulsa plant. That plant is the second largest in the country that will be closed under an overhaul plan at USPS underway.

The other meetings are at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday.

2News reporter Breanne Palmerini will have the latest tonight at 10.