The U.S. Postal Service is planning layoffs in September, notifying staff earlier this month of the upcoming workforce reductions.
USPS is allowing impacted workers to apply for lateral or downgraded positions, anticipating it can absorb the employees elsewhere. The changes will affect non-union staff in the logistics division serving in management positions. James Lloyd, a USPS director for labor relations policies and programs, said the reductions were developed “based on an evaluation of staffing criteria and manager levels” by headquarters personnel.
Some operations and industrial engineers, transportation managers, operations support specialists and network specialists will be impacted, according to information USPS provided to the National Association of Postal Supervisors. The supervisor association has taken issue with the Postal Service’s process, accusing postal management of avoiding its obligations to consult with the association over its plans and the “RIF avoidance” procedures.