Postal Union Workers Pickett Closure Plans

Postal workers spent Friday afternoon protesting outside of an Orlando post office. Seven post office branches are expected to close in Central Florida because of budget shortfalls; five are in Orlando and two are in Kissimmee.

The workers are trying to stop the branches from closing. Members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) say there are other ways to save money besides closing neighborhood post offices like the Lockhart branch. They said closing branches could cost customers in the end.

READ: Most Current Proposed USPS Consolidation List

It's not everyday you see postal workers picketing a post office, but members of the American Postal Worker’s Union are trying to keep Orlando's Lockhart branch open, along with six other Central Florida branch locations.

“Quit delivering on Saturday. You'll have more than enough money to keep this and other post offices open,” postal customer Rick Havens said.

The U.S. Postal Service has discussed cutting Saturday deliveries and its already reduced work hours, but officials say more must be done. The 2009 fiscal year ended with a $3.8 billion loss.

Part of that can be blamed on more electronic mail and fewer mass mailings. Volume plummeted by 25 million pieces between 2008 and 2009. That's a 12 percent drop.

APWU local 1462 President Raul Sierra says neighborhoods aren't the place to make up the difference.

“Here in Florida, they target poor communities, the handicap and elderly,” Sierra said.

There are five Orlando post offices under review for closure. They are the Arthur Pappy Kennedy station, Colonialtown, Lee Vista, the Pine Hills branch and the Lockhart station. That's in addition to two Kissimmee branches on the short list, including Buena Ventura Lakes and the Good Samaritan branch.

The postal service told Eyewitness News those selections weren't based on demographics, but rather factors like proximity to other branches and, of course, revenue. Community input will play a factor too, which is why the union is collecting petitions.

“Let it stay here, make it easier for people in their community,” customer Erving Green said.

Eyewitness News was told, as soon as a branch has been positively identified for closure, the public will be notified. Then, it will take just two to three months to close a branch down.