In 2024, the U.S. Postal Service consolidated delivery units in Portage, Schoolcraft and Kalamazoo into one Sorting and Delivery Center in Oshtemo Township. USPS said it would make mail delivery faster and more reliable.
But two years later, carriers said mail delivery is slower and unreliable. And routes are longer and more dangerous for workers.
Hunter said later start times, and 11-hour days, six days a week, are causing injuries. That’s especially true in the winter months when it gets dark early.
“What we’re also seeing is with the later start times and the mandatory overtime there’s more injuries,” Hunter said.
“People are working longer. They are working in the dark, you know, and can’t see where they’re walking.”
Hunter said before the 2024 consolidation, mail sent between local addresses was sorted locally and usually delivered in a day. Now it goes to Grand Rapids and takes up to four days for delivery.
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