Postal Workers: USPS Unfairly Targeting Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Members of the American Postal Workers Union are accusing the U.S. Postal Service of unfairly targeting Detroit in its efforts to cut costs.

The Postal Service plans to close 17 post offices in the Detroit district; 12 of them on Detroit's west side.

Union President Christopher Ulmer said he doubts the closures will produce savings because the buildings can not be totally shuttered. He said letter carriers will continue working out of those buildings.

"If they just close the window part that only gives the financial services and say you have to go to, whether it's a gas station or a liquor store or the neighborhood bar, wherever they sell the products that you have,  it essentially takes that comfort level and commitment away from the citizens of Detroit," Ulmer  said.

The U.S. Postal Service has reported $8 billion in losses this year and last.

Postal officials planned to go before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Tuesday, to talk about a possible default on payments to cover future employee health care costs.