As a result of studies begun five months ago, the Postal Service has made the decision to move all mail processing operations at eight California facilities to other locations, including closure of the nearby Stockton site. The changes will be as follows:
Bakersfield Processing & Distribution Center (P&DC) to Santa Clarita P&DC
Eureka Customer Service and Mail Processing Center (CSMPC) to Medford, Oregon CSMPC
Industry P&DC to Santa Ana P&DC and Anaheim Processing & Distribution Facility (P&DF)
Long Beach P&DC to Los Angeles P&DC
North Bay P&DC in Petaluma to Oakland P&DC
Pasadena P&DC to Los Angeles P&DC
Redding CSMPC to West Sacramento P&DC
Stockton P&DC to West Sacramento P&DC
Once the transfers are completed, the mail processing operations at the eight facilities will cease. There will be no changes to any retail, business mail entry, or vehicle maintenance operations at these locations at this time.
The Postal Service has experienced a 25 percent decline in First-Class Mail volume since 2006, and receives no tax dollars for its operations, relying instead on the sale of postage, postal products and services.
“The decision to consolidate mail processing facilities recognizes the urgent need to reduce the size of the national mail processing network to eliminate costly underutilized infrastructure,” said Chief Operating Officer Megan Brennan. “Consolidating operations is necessary if the Postal Service is to remain viable to provide mail service to the nation.”
Specific dates have not been set for the transitions. Until specific dates are announced, residential and business mailers will continue to be served through the current facilities.
In December 2011, the Postal Service agreed to impose a moratorium on closing or consolidating Post Offices and mail processing facilities prior to May 15, to give Congress and the Administration the opportunity to enact an alternative plan.
This delay was designed to allow Congress sufficient time to enact comprehensive postal legislation. In the meantime, the Postal Service continued all necessary steps required for the review of these facilities, including public notifications, public input meetings and consideration of public comments.