U.S. Postal Commission says plans for postal service flawed

The Postal Regulatory Commission has said the U.S. Postal Service’s plans to consolidate are flawed, but it’s unknown if that opinion will carry any weight.

The Postal Regulatory Commission in December released its advisory opinion on the possible consolidation of post offices nationwide. That could include the Aberdeen post office.

The opinion said the postal service’s consolidation plans might not meet goals, such as continuing the current level of service.

“In particular, the record reflects flawed or absent information on certain crucial aspects of the Postal Service’s plan for realignment,” the opinion said.

According to its Web site, the Postal Regulatory Commission reviews the postal service’s changes in rates, services and fees.

“They are involved in anything that might affect our service,” said Teresa Rudkin, a spokeswoman for the postal service.

However, Rudkin said the Postal Regulatory Commission serves an advisory purpose only; it does not have any power over the decisions the postal service makes.

Joy Coleman, president of Aberdeen Local 68 of the American Postal Workers Union, said she doesn’t know what, if any, effect the Postal Regulatory Commission’s opinion might have on the possible consolidation of postal services in Aberdeen.

In December 2005, the U.S. Postal Service announced a study at the main post office in Aberdeen. The postal service is trying to determine the effect of moving some mail services from Aberdeen to Huron.

A service review was conducted in April 2006 as a second opinion to the study. It was determined there would be no impact to mail service if mail now processed in Aberdeen was moved to the Dakota Central processing and distribution center in Huron.

The review is not the postal service’s final decision on the fate of Aberdeen’s post office. No decision has been made and a public hearing has not been scheduled.