The U.S. Postal Service will stop delivering mail on Saturdays but continue to deliver packages six days a week under a plan aimed at saving about $2 billion annually, the financially struggling agency says.
The U.S. Postal Service says it's hiring 400 new employees across Indiana, including in Indianapolis, but job-seekers have to apply online by Sunday night.
Emboldened by rapid growth in e-commerce shipping, the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service is moving aggressively this holiday season to start a premium service for the Internet shopper seeking the instant gratification of a store purchase: same-day package delivery.
The Indianapolis Airport Authority board on Friday is expected to vote on a lease with Wilmington, Ohio-based LGSTX Distribution Services to continue operations at the hub through at least November 2014.
Citing strong community opposition, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said the agency will whittle down full-time staff but maintain a part-time post office presence in rural areas, with access to retail lobbies and post office boxes.
Mail operations in Bloomington, Kokomo, Lafayette, Muncie and Columbus will be moved to Indianapolis. Mail operations at Terre Haute will be divided between Indianapolis and Evansville, and mail operations at Gary will go to a processing center in Bedford Park, Ill.
Eight Indiana mail-processing centers in Indiana, including a newly identified one in Columbus, are among 252 nationwide the U.S. Postal Service has proposed closing beginning next April in a cost-cutting move.
The change would save an estimated $3.5 million while eliminating 41 jobs.
The U.S. Postal Service is moving closer to closing the mail processing center in Terre Haute and moving its work to Indianapolis and Evansville. The South Bend center work would shift to Fort Wayne.
Organizers from the AFL-CIO say the rallies in 13 locations around Indiana are part of a national effort seeking support for congressional action to shore up the struggling agency.
Hanging in the balance is a $1.1 trillion mailing industry that employs more than 8 million people in direct mail, periodicals, catalogs, financial services, charities and other businesses that depend on the post office.
The financially-troubled U.S. Postal agency announced Tuesday that it will study more than 3,600 offices, branches and stations throughout the nation for possible closing.
Ray Harroun, winner of the 1911 Indianapolis 500, will be featured on a U.S. postage stamp this year to commemorate 100 years of racing at the famed Brickyard.
The U.S. Postal Service had asked for a 2-cent increase in the current 44-cent price for First Class stamps starting in January, but was denied by regulators. It plans to appeal.
The U.S. Postal Service lost $3.8 billion last fiscal year despite cutting 40,000 full-time positions and making other reductions.
It has continued to face significant losses this year.
