ICYMI: Boyle Demands USPS Protect Postal Access in Fishtown, Announces New Legislation to Prevent Neighborhood Service Disruptions
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) joined local elected officials, civic leaders, and postal workers in Fishtown to call on the United States Postal Service to protect access to postal services as the Post Office at 1602 Frankford Avenue faces potential closure.
“I am leading my fellow elected officials, civic leaders, and members of organized labor in demanding that the US Postal Service publicly commit to one of two things,” said Congressman Boyle. “First, either find a way to keep this post office open, or second, publicly commit to relocating the post office to a new location that remains within the Fishtown neighborhood.”
Congressman Boyle continued: “To this end, I am sending a letter to US Postmaster General David Steiner making these same demands in writing and demanding answers to questions that my constituents and I have about this facility and what comes next. I’m also announcing that I will be introducing the Protecting Neighborhood Postal Access Act. This bill would require the Postal Service to make a good faith effort to find a replacement location within the same ZIP code.”
“I want to thank Congressman Boyle, who stepped right in and was willing to fight with the community to make sure that we have the resources we need,” said City Councilman Mark Squilla. “Today we stand together, unified, with our state, local, and federal officials to support this cause to make sure this community is taken care of and has a post office.”
“This is the people's post office. This is everybody's post office, and it is a problem if you have to go 15 or 20 minutes away. On behalf of the American Postal Workers Union, being with our brothers and sisters from the National Association of Letter Carriers, I want to publicly thank Congressman Boyle for taking the bull by the horns and submitting this bill,” said Vince Tarducci, Eastern Region Coordinator, American Postal Workers Union.
The Frankford Avenue Post Office has served Fishtown and Kensington for more than 60 years, but is expected to close because the building is being sold and USPS’s lease ends next year. USPS has not publicly committed to opening a replacement location in Fishtown or the 19125 ZIP code.
Boyle called on USPS to either keep the current facility open or publicly commit to a replacement location in the neighborhood. He also announced the Protecting Neighborhood Postal Access Act, legislation requiring USPS to provide earlier notice, develop a 120-day service continuity plan, and make a good-faith effort to find a replacement site in the same ZIP code before closing or suspending service at a leased facility.
Boyle was joined by Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla, American Postal Workers Union Eastern Region Coordinator Vince Tarducci, leaders from Letter Carriers Local 157, leaders from the Pennsylvania State Association of Letter Carriers, and leaders of the Fishtown Neighbors Association.
Boyle also announced he would be sending a letter to U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner demanding answers about the future of the Frankford Avenue Post Office and calling on USPS to publicly commit to preserving postal access in Fishtown.
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