Postal workers protest Pocatello closure

Dozens of postal workers, joined by Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad and Chubbuck Mayor Kevin England, protested outside the Flandro Drive post office and processing center in Pocatello Friday afternoon.

The protests was part of a nationwide day of protests as the U.S. Postal Service prepares to close 82 processing centers, including the one in Pocatello.

“That’s unacceptable for the people across the United States,” said LaNae Parkin, who works at the Pocatello center.

Earlier this month, USPS announced it would close the Pocatello processing center in 2015, moving 45 jobs to its Salt Lake City center.

“I can’t just pick up and leave,” said worker Scott Parkin.

USPS has attributed the closures to budget concerns, but some remain skeptical.

“The argument is they have to to fulfill their budget needs and stuff is absolutely false,” said Blad.

“There really is not a financial crisis,” said Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union in a phone interview with Local News 8.

Postal workers said they’re concerned not only for their jobs, but also for customers.

“If you mail it today it will be delivered tomorrow,” said LaNae Parkin.

But postal worker B.C. Morris said if mail has to be diverted to Salt Lake, “it’s gonna take the better part of a week to get to Salt Lake and back.”

Postal workers say there’s still time to act. They’re postal customers to contact their congressmen.

Meanwhile, Blad said he’s made several trips to Washington D.C. in an attempt to keep the Pocatello center open.

USPS said the center could close in April 2015.