ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Monday through Saturday mail comes in and out of Albuquerque. For the last two years, a spokesperson for the local postal union says post offices have gone downhill.

“It’s now getting to that tipping point where it’s unsustainable anymore,” said Dan Huerta with the Local 380 Postal Workers Union.

Huerta said in four reports, the union has outlined the problems.

“The structural damage that hasn’t been repaired… delayed mail piling up, the filthy conditions at the entrance,” he said sifting through pictures in the reports.

The issues he says stem from a staffing shortage.

“The delayed mail, there’s just not enough people to work the mail,” said Huerta.

They also have taken many pictures of post offices filthy that are not getting cleaned.

“They’ve cut the custodial service almost in half,” he said.

Other post offices have issues with problem pests, like bats coming out of the main office.

“We’ve had a couple of rats fall down from the ceiling, at Five Points one fell onto a customer’s shoulder,” said Huerta.

A spokesperson for the Arizona District office says they were made aware of the issues and have already fixed them. They went on to say the district manager also came to Albuquerque to ensure the problems were handled.

Now, Senator Martin Heinrich and Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham have both stepped in. Each sent their own letters to Washington D.C. They are both calling for investigations into the post offices. More at KRQE – Senator Grisham’s letter is below:

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Lujan Grisham Calls on USPS Inspector General to Investigate Mismanagement & Poor Conditions at ABQ Facilities

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) sent a letter to United States Postal Service (USPS) Acting Inspector General Tammy Whitcomb regarding allegations of USPS mismanagement and poor working conditions at facilities.

Recently, Rep. Lujan Grisham was made aware of allegations that USPS management pressured employees at Albuquerque USPS facilities to falsify data in mail processing efficiency reports and of unacceptable working conditions. Additionally, reports have surfaced detailing concerns about deteriorating USPS facilities in New Mexico.

In the letter, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham said, “These reports and allegations are completely unacceptable and disturbing. I request that your office immediately launch an investigation into the falsification of records and poor working conditions of USPS employees in Albuquerque facilities. When mail is late and workers don’t have the support they need to do their job, businesses lose money, seniors have to wait for their prescriptions, and New Mexicans suffer.”

TEXT OF LETTER

September 5, 2018
Tammy L. Whitcomb
Acting Inspector General
United States Postal Service
1735 N Lynn Street
Arlington, VA 22209

Dear Acting Inspector General Whitcomb,

I am extremely concerned with allegations that USPS management asked employees at Albuquerque USPS facilities to falsify data in their mail processing efficiency reports in order to hide poor performance. This ultimately contributed to unwarranted staffing cuts and severely impacted services. I urge you to immediately launch an investigation into these allegations and work closely with the American Postal Workers Union to address concerns.

The allegation is simple: in order to make it appear that mail was processed and delivered on time, USPS management ordered employees to modify records indicating that mail and parcels had been processed in a timely manner. In fact, due to chronic understaffing, mail was still sitting in facilities long after they should have been delivered to customers. Management appears to have ordered these actions due to performance-based incentives that are based, in part, on favorable mail processing reports. Due to inaccurate reports, the Arizona District, which manages New Mexico USPS facilities, has further reduced staff levels at Albuquerque facilities, further perpetuating the problem and undermining timely service.

Over the last 8 years, massive staff cuts have produced a dire situation at Albuquerque USPS facilities. Mail is frequently delayed and staff lack the capacity to process mail on time. I am well aware of the dedication of postal workers at these facilities who work hard, long hours because of their commitment to deliver the mail to customers. But due to staffing cuts based on falsified records, USPS employees in Albuquerque lack the capacity and support they need to do their jobs. I am also appalled by reports of crumbling and filthy facilities sorely in need of repairs and additional custodial staff. In fact, there are numerous reports of bats living in the main post office in Albuquerque located at 1135 Broadway Blvd NE.

These reports and allegations are completely unacceptable and disturbing. I request that your office immediately launch an investigation into the falsification of records and poor working conditions of USPS employees in Albuquerque facilities. When mail is late and workers don’t have the support they need to do their job, businesses lose money, seniors have to wait for their prescriptions, and New Mexicans suffer. Please contact me if I can assist your office with the investigation in any way.

Sincerely,

Michelle Lujan Grisham

Member of Congress