Postal Workers Say Changes Will Slow Mail Delivery

CLEVELAND -- Local postal workers are picketing as a form of protest Thursday.

The men and women who sort the mail are protesting understaffing and reduced hours of operation at some local post offices.

They walked the picket line at the Kamm's Corner branch Thursday morning and the Jesse Owens Post Office in East Cleveland in the afternoon.

The Kamm's Corner office is now staffed by one clerk instead of the usual two.

The Jesse Owens post office in East Cleveland is only open until 1:30 p.m.

The group said the cuts have an impact on how quickly you get your mail.

"The post office has engaged in this plan for some time without informing the union or the patrons of the postal service," said Union President Danny Pride.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich is among their supporters.

"What's going to happen is there'll be a delay in delivering the mail and that's not tolerable. People are already paying a lot of money for postage," Kucinich said.

Officials said the changes are because of lost revenue. As more people use the Internet to pay bills and shop, fewer people are sending items through first-class mail.

Although there may be reduced staff and hours, postal service officials said no post offices in Cleveland are in danger of closing.