Iowa Senate backs keeping mail processing in Sioux City
By Bret Hayworth Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, January 19, 2006
As supporters work from a number of angles to keep the Sioux City mail processing from being farmed out to Sioux Falls, the Iowa Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution to keep it in Sioux City.
A few weeks ago, the American Postal Workers Union Local 186 began an effort to keep the Sioux City Mail Processing and Distribution Center in Sioux City. Union members worry that a Postal Service feasibility study of Sioux City's mail center will be used to move the work to Sioux Falls. The union warns that could mean job losses as well as slower delivery times to Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska residents.
State Sen. Steve Warnstadt, D-Sioux City, said the need to keep the center in Sioux City is important to all Iowans. He and state Sens. Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City, and Dave Mulder, R-Sioux Center, sponsored the resolution which passed on a voice vote.
The resolution noted Sioux City is the fourth-largest city in the state, that the distribution center employs 150 people and that current arrangements result in "one-day service locally and national service in two days." The resolution said the loss of the mail center "would degrade service to two days for the Siouxland area and to three days for other parts of the country."
Warnstadt said the unanimous voice vote "is a statement that this is not just a Siouxland issue, but a statement on the importance of the issue to all of Iowa." Warnstadt said he has spoken to Gov. Tom Vilsack on the seriousness of the issue, and that the governor is expected to send a letter to the U.S. Postal Service within days.
The USPS feasibility study result is expected to be released within three weeks. The Senate resolution will be forwarded the postmaster general and the Postal Service Hawkeye District manager.
Bret Hayworth may be reached at (712) 293.4203 or brethayworth@siouxcityjournal.com
A few weeks ago, the American Postal Workers Union Local 186 began an effort to keep the Sioux City Mail Processing and Distribution Center in Sioux City. Union members worry that a Postal Service feasibility study of Sioux City's mail center will be used to move the work to Sioux Falls. The union warns that could mean job losses as well as slower delivery times to Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska residents.
State Sen. Steve Warnstadt, D-Sioux City, said the need to keep the center in Sioux City is important to all Iowans. He and state Sens. Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City, and Dave Mulder, R-Sioux Center, sponsored the resolution which passed on a voice vote.
The resolution noted Sioux City is the fourth-largest city in the state, that the distribution center employs 150 people and that current arrangements result in "one-day service locally and national service in two days." The resolution said the loss of the mail center "would degrade service to two days for the Siouxland area and to three days for other parts of the country."
Warnstadt said the unanimous voice vote "is a statement that this is not just a Siouxland issue, but a statement on the importance of the issue to all of Iowa." Warnstadt said he has spoken to Gov. Tom Vilsack on the seriousness of the issue, and that the governor is expected to send a letter to the U.S. Postal Service within days.
The USPS feasibility study result is expected to be released within three weeks. The Senate resolution will be forwarded the postmaster general and the Postal Service Hawkeye District manager.
Bret Hayworth may be reached at (712) 293.4203 or brethayworth@siouxcityjournal.com
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
