40,000 Layoffs at the Postal Service – NOT TRUE

[Postaltexan]

Statement of Gerald J. McKiernan
Manager, Media Relations, USPS
40,000 Layoffs at the Postal Service – NOT TRUE

A news story currently in wide circulation is reporting that the Postal Service will soon layoff 40,000 employees. This story is not accurate. Originating out of Shreveport, LA, the story does quote a Postal Service spokesperson. Unfortunately, that spokesperson was in error. The Postal Service is not laying off employees. Efforts to match our workforce to a reduced workload are focused on voluntary early retirements. Voluntary early retirement has been offered to a number of employees and to date, 3,685 employees have accepted the offer.

http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/pr08_layoffs.htm

[AL_MAILADY]

Well what about this story that i found on my yahoo homepage today 3/20/09


U.S. Postal Service to cut 1,400 jobs

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090320/ts_nm/us_postal_cuts_1

[Steve in PC]

The key words in that story are 'positions are being eliminated.'

We all know it is the post office way to not get rid of anyone, so while the positions may be eliminated, they'll just find another spot for them, especially those in management. I don't know the ins and outs of the other contracts, but I can't for a minute think they would sit by and let some of their members hang out to dry without fighting it and costing the PO even more money in the long run.