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Postal workers hold rallies across the state

Dozens of postal workers rally in downtown Lansing
(photo by Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio)
Dozens of postal workers rally in downtown Lansing

 Postal workers delivered a message at more than a dozen rallies across Michigan today.   

Postal workers say they have a solution to the multi-billion dollar budget deficit that is threatening the future of the U.S. Post Office.  Postal officials say they are looking at closing hundreds of local post offices and mail processing centers as a way to reduce the red ink.  

Jami Groce says that’s not the answer.   She’s one of dozens of postal workers who rallied at the state capital. 

 “It’s a difficult economy.  It’s going to stay a difficult economy,  So we’re going to have some struggles.  But the Post Office has survived those struggles before.   Through every downturn in the economy mail volume drops.   It comes back up when the economy comes back up,"  says Groce.  

Postal workers want Congress to allow the Post Office to use overpayments to their pension fund to reduce the deficit.  

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.