PIERRE, SD – As a result of a study begun March 18, the Postal Service has made the decision to move some mail processing operations from the Pierre, SD, Customer Service Mail Processing Center to the Dakota Central Processing and Distribution Facility in Huron.
Dakotas District Manager John DiPeri said, “Given the drastic 20 percent decline in mail volume the Postal Service has experienced since 2007, we must take action to reduce the size of our mail processing network. Consolidating operations and placing our people where we need them is necessary if the Postal Service is to remain viable to provide mail service to the nation.”
“I understand our employees’ concern over this move,” DiPeri added, “but the consolidation makes sense given the fiscal realities. The Dakota Central facility has the capacity to handle the additional workload and we can realize significant savings by shifting operations there.”
The transition is expected to be completed by April, 2012. Some employees may be reassigned to other vacant positions as a result of the move.
“This move will not cause any changes in local mail delivery,” said DiPeri. “Letters mailed to local addresses will be delivered the next day, the same as before. I am confident the transition will be smooth and transparent to our customers and they will continue to receive the same excellent service they always have.”
There will be no change in service standards for 92 percent of mail, and four percent of mail will see a service upgrade. However, as a result of the consolidation, service to ZIP Codes 576 and 577 will change from overnight to 2-day. Service to ZIP Code area 570 will improve from 2-day to overnight. “The significant cost savings and productivity gains expected from this consolidation were deciding factors in making this very difficult decision,” said DiPeri.
Full retail services will still be available at the Pierre Post Office.
The Pierre Business Mail Entry Unit will remain open for large volume business mailers. Mailers who prepare destination entry rate mailings for ZIP Code Area 574 will deposit their drop shipment mailings at the Dakota Central Mail Processing Facility, 355 15th St. NW, Huron, SD.
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