WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to urge them to reverse a decision to close the Mail Transport Equipment Service Center (MTESC) in Jeffersonville.

"The closing of this facility will result in the loss of dozens of jobs and will wreak havoc on the financial stability of the employees and their families," Brown wrote in a letter to John E. Potter, Postmaster General and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service. "As with any plant closing there is a multiplier effect that reaches beyond the wallets of these men and women, negatively affecting the small businesses in Fayette County that depend on patronage by MTESC employees."

USPS announced plans to end its contract with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), which runs the Mail Transport Equipment Service Center (MTESC) in Jeffersonville. Reports have indicated that the facility would close in June, with voluntary layoffs to begin as early as May 13, 2010.

Brown urged USPS to reverse this decision, or consider an alternate proposal that would maintain jobs in the region. Brown's highlighted a proposal presented by the Mayor of Wilmington, and supported by the Ohio chapters of the American Postal Workers' Union, that would redevelop the Wilmington Airpark for use as a consolidated operation for sorting and MTE coordination. The Airpark, within a 1.5 hour flight to anywhere east of the Mississippi, features a nearly unlimited industrial water supply, an aerospace-trained workforce, and an entire Cat III airfield that is capable of handling some of the largest aircraft in the world. Additionally, it houses aircraft maintenance and repair facilities.

A full copy of Brown's letter can be found below:

May 5, 2010


John E. Potter
Postmaster General & CEO
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260-3500

Dear Mr. Potter:

I am writing to urge that the United States Postal Service (USPS) reconsider its decision to in Jeffersonville, Ohio. It is my understanding that the Mail Transport Equipment Service Center (MTESC) in Jeffersonville is scheduled to close at the end of June, with voluntary layoffs to begin as early as May 13, 2010. The closing of this facility will result in the loss of dozens of jobs and will wreak havoc on the financial stability of the employees and their families. As with any plant closing there is a multiplier effect that reaches beyond the wallets of these men and women, negatively affecting the small businesses in Fayette County that depend on patronage by MTESC employees.

While I am well aware of USPS' financial condition and understand that urgent action is required for it to regain solvency, we must consider options that will preserve jobs. The dedicated employees at the MTESC in Jeffersonville are not just numbers to be checked off on the way to a savings target. These are men and women who have given years of their lives to CSC, Ohioans whose families are depending on a steady paycheck. Between the devastation experienced by the auto industry collapse and the loss of major employers like DHL and NCR Corp., Ohio cannot afford to lose more jobs. There has to be another way.

Before closing the MTESC and firing dozens of workers, USPS should consider a proposal suggested by the Mayor of Wilmington, Ohio and supported by the Ohio chapters of the American Postal Workers' Union. Specifically, I urge USPS to consider redevelopment of the Wilmington Airpark for use as a consolidated operation for sorting and MTE coordination. The Airpark features a nearly unlimited industrial water supply, an aerospace-trained workforce, and an entire Cat III airfield that is capable of handling some of the largest aircraft in the world. The Airpark is in a prime location, within a 1.5 hour flight to anywhere east of the Mississippi. Additionally, it houses aircraft maintenance and repair facilities. This is a globally unique supply point that could certainly house USPS' MTE operations on a scale that has not yet been considered.

As I stated above, we must act quickly to improve the USPS' financial condition. However, we must act with an eye toward preserving as many jobs as possible. I will call you to follow up on this letter, and look forward to discussing alternatives to ending the jobs of dedicated employees of the MTESC.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator


###