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DETROIT – State Representatives Coleman Young II (D-Detroit), Bert Johnson (D-Detroit) and Bettie Cook Scott (D-Detroit) joined Dwight E. Boudreaux Sr., president of the local chapter of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), in protesting the United States Postal Service's (USPS) proposal to consolidate mail processing operations from the George W. Young Processing & Distribution Center to the Michigan Metroplex in Pontiac.

"It is unacceptable to implement such a radical plan with so little input and oversight from citizens and local, state and federal officials," Young said. "This proposed change will affect more than 350 workers and will undermine our entire community. I'm here today to stand up on behalf of those employees, and on behalf of the people of Detroit in opposing this plan."

Young said he has drafted a resolution in opposition to the proposal and has the support of his fellow Detroit House members as well as the local APWU.

Johnson noted that the USPS' proposal could slow delivery of first-class mail in Detroit.

"The idea that all mail in the region would be gathered at the George W. Young Processing & Distribution Center and then trucked by contracted transport to Pontiac for re-distribution is not only absurd, it's fiscally irresponsible," Johnson said. "All this proposal does is reward poor planning and add another layer of bureaucracy."

Cook Scott praised the employees of the Young Center for their No. 1-rated performance standard, which they've held for a decade, and pointed to the devastating effect the proposal could have on the local economy.

"The potential result is a loss of tax revenue to the city of Detroit, the largest city in the state of Michigan, at a time when revenues from Washington, D.C., are, at best, insufficient," Scott said. It drives another wedge between Detroit and our outlying suburbs, setting back our efforts to make our relationship productive for all of us. We cannot allow Detroit to lose its postmark."