WNYers join fight to save mail center

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Frustration and fury reigned the night as hundreds of western New Yorkers joined the fight to save Buffalo's William Street Post Office.

About 200 outraged citizens, elected officials and Postal Service employees lit up the mic at a public meeting to discuss a proposal to close the William Street processing and distribution center.

Congressman Brian Higgins said, “But I want you to know something. This is not the end of our fight, it's the beginning.”

The Postal Service argues consolidating with the Rochester facility would save $28.8 million a year.

Wednesday night people weren’t buying that argument.

William Street employee Tom Nowicki said, “The impact not only economically, but job wise in the area would be phenomenal, and I'm very concerned about losing my job also.”

Not only are 700 jobs at stake, but if the consolidation happens, say good bye to next day delivery.

American Postal Workers’ Union President Frank Resitarits said, “If they move the plant from Buffalo to Rochester, next-day delivery is gone. One-day delivery will become two-day and three-day delivery.”

“We do every single letter, package, piece of mail for 128 towns, villages, and cities in western New York. To lose that processing center is going to have a major impact on your mail service," said Resitarits.