August 17, 2020

Manchin to DeJoy: Reinstate Critical Mail Sorting Machines Immediately

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) called on U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to immediately reinstate the critical mail sorting machines at the U.S. Postal Service’s Charleston Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC). During his visit to the P&DC earlier today, Senator Manchin saw firsthand three mail sorting machines out of service and another that is slated to be put out of service soon. If these changes are not reversed, the capacity at the Charleston P&DC will be considerably reduced, which is simply unacceptable. Senator Manchin also called upon Postmaster General DeJoy to change his attitude towards the Postal Service and take the responsibilities of public service seriously or resign.

The Senator said in part, “I urge you to immediately reinstate critical mail processing and distribution machines at the Charleston Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Charleston, West Virginia. This afternoon I toured the P&DC facility and witnessed firsthand the disturbing effects of your leadership on the United States Postal Service (USPS), and I am truly astonished by the failures of your short tenure in the role of Postmaster General. You must change your attitude towards USPS and take seriously the responsibilities of public service.”

Read the letter in full below or click here.


Dear Postmaster General DeJoy:

I urge you to immediately reinstate critical mail processing and distribution machines at the Charleston Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Charleston, West Virginia. This afternoon I toured the P&DC facility and witnessed firsthand the disturbing effects of your leadership on the United States Postal Service (USPS), and I am truly astonished by the failures of your short tenure in the role of Postmaster General. You must change your attitude towards USPS and take seriously the responsibilities of public service.

As you may know, Charleston P&DC serves one of the largest geographic areas in the country, covering nearly all of West Virginia along with eastern Kentucky, western Virginia, northeast Tennessee, eastern Ohio and southwest Pennsylvania. Given this large footprint, I was appalled to learn the facility was given direction to take critical machinery out of service shortly after you entered the role of Postmaster General. I can personally report that today I saw three Delivery Bar Code Sorter (DBCS) machines and one Advanced Facer Canceler System (AFCS) out of service, and one Automated Flat Sorter Machine (AFSM) that is slated to be put out of service soon. If sustained, these changes would reduce DBCS capacity by 18%; AFCS capacity by 25%; and AFSM capacity by 50%. Now more than ever, Americans depend on USPS to deliver food, medicine, and other essential items. They need the Charleston P&DC operating at full capacity. These machines must be immediately reinstated. I find it unconscionable to think that these machines were deliberately idled, but if such direction was given by USPS leadership, you should be ashamed. I request you make any documents associated with the directive public and allow the USPS Inspector General to thoroughly investigate the matter.  

Finally, perhaps the most troubling part of my visit to the Charleston P&DC today was the fear in each and every postal worker’s eyes as I tried to speak with them about the challenges facing USPS. It was clear to me that they had been instructed not to speak, and it was truly heartbreaking to see the good men and women of the Postal Service muzzled from sharing their perspective on the front lines with their duly elected representative in Washington. The well-respected essential workers of USPS provide a public service that is not only enshrined in the Constitution, but embodies the values of the United States. They will stop at nothing to serve Americans across this great country.

Mr. DeJoy, you have the distinct privilege of serving as Postmaster General, a position that comes with the responsibility to uphold the public’s trust in the Postal Service. If you cannot rise to that level of service and start earning our confidence, you should resign from your position.