EVERETT — The U.S. Postal Service plans to hold a public meeting Nov. 10 to talk about a proposal to shut down a mail processing facility in Everett.
The closure would likely mean Everett-area mail customers could no longer expect next-day delivery in Western Washington.
Such a move would likely delay outgoing and incoming mail for Whatcom County because the area’s mail is processed through that Everett facility. It also might mean the end of same-day postmarks for most mail sent from Whatcom County.
The Everett center, at 8120 Hardeson Road, employs 290 people, and it’s not clear what would happen to those jobs.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Snohomish County PUD Building at 2320 California St.
The Postal Service is studying whether to consolidate its operations at 252 locations across the country, including Everett, to help stave off financial disaster.
The Postal Service, which is self-supporting, is on the verge of financial collapse. Last year, it had revenue of $67 billion and expenses of $75 billion.
The closings and service changes could save the Postal Service as much as $3 billion annually. It's trying to cut a total of $6.5 billion.
The Postal Service cites the deep decline in mail volume as the reason for consolidating some facilities.
The National Association of Letter Carriers contends a primary reason is a requirement mandated by Congress that the Postal Service pre-fund its future retiree health benefits.
In May, the Postal Service shuttered its Nooksack post office, making that city's mail be handled through the Everson office, as part of a nationwide elimination of smaller post offices.
At the Everett meeting, Postal Service managers plan to give an overview for the reasons for the proposal and its possible outcomes and will listen to concerns and input, according to a prepared statement.
The Postal Service expects to make a decision about the Everett facility early next year.
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