Removing mail processing machines, reducing the workforce and eliminating overtime are some of the changes Sunny Thigpen says are happening at the General Mail Facility in Jackson, the largest in the state. Thigpen is president of the Jackson Area Local of American Postal Workers Union. The retired expeditor says removing machines and sorting more mail by hand is slowing deliveries.
"I came in the system where it meant every piece every day and that meant if overtime was needed to get that done then that's what was done. But now they are cutting overtime and mail is being left in the facility. I'm waiting on a package myself," said Thigpen.
Yesterday, the postmaster general announced they are delaying the initiatives they began until after the November elections to prevent the appearance of impacting the results. Thigpen says the changes are taking a toll on employees.
"If you have employees, their job is service and they're watching service diminish right before their eyes and nothing they can do to change that, then your morale is going to be low," said Thigpen.
Attorney Joshua Tom is with the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi. They're suing the state, asking a judge to rule that people who are concerned about in-person voting due to the coronavirus, can mail-in their ballots, which requires prompt mail delivery.
"Whether that's the federal congress or President Trump, it's all of their obligation to ensure that the postal service works as it always has during elections and that people will be able to exercise their right to vote," said Tom.
Tom says studies show allegations of potential voting fraud when doing so in-person or by mail are virtually non-existent.
