Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is calling on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to protect jobs at USPS’s Milan Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC). In a letter sent to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Sorensen questions USPS’s consideration of moving these jobs to Des Moines, Iowa, which will hurt working families and may increase delivery times for residents.
“I am thankful that USPS has decided to invest in new equipment and upgrades to the Milan P&DC facility, but we must ensure that proposals would not negatively impact timely mail delivery, diminish customer service, or potentially risk local jobs for my constituents,” Sorensen writes. “Additionally, I have heard concerns specifically about moving operations of the Milan P&DC across state lines to Iowa and how this will impact delivery for our local communities.”
Dear Postmaster General DeJoy,
As the elected Representative for the Quad Cities and the surrounding areas, and in particular, Milan, IL, I write to you with serious concerns about the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) Mail Processing Facility Review (MPFR) of the Milan Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) facility.
As you know, the Milan P&DC facility employs over 125 people. I am concerned that the potential decision to move good-paying, high-quality jobs from the Quad Cities to the Des Moines P&DC in Des Moines, IA may result in harm to working families in our region.
I am thankful that USPS has decided to invest in new equipment and upgrades to the Milan P&DC facility, but we must ensure that proposals would not negatively impact timely mail delivery, diminish customer service, or potentially risk local jobs for my constituents. Additionally, I have heard concerns specifically about moving operations of the Milan P&DC across state lines to Iowa and how this will impact delivery for our local communities.
For my constituents and I to better understand the potential impact on local communities, I respectfully request that you respond to the following questions in writing by March 29, 2024:
How many jobs and families in the Quad Cities region are expected to be impacted by these potential changes?
What guarantees can you provide that moving operations to the Des Moines P&DC will improve efficiency and achieve quicker mail delivery for my constituents?
For employees unable or unwilling to move from the Quad Cities to Des Moines, which is over 170 miles away and across state lines, what efforts is USPS taking to provide retraining programs or alternative opportunities?
As you collect public comments, I urge you to consider the concerns I have heard from my constituents and local stakeholders about the potential impact on jobs in the Quad Cities and mail service. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Eric Sorensen
Member of Congress