Postal Service to delay cutbacks until mid-May

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service has agreed to delay the closing of 252 mail processing centers and 3,700 local post offices until mid-May.

The cash-strapped agency, which is forecast to lose a record $14.1 billion next year, announced last week it was moving forward on cutbacks. It had planned to begin closing processing centers as early as April, and shutter some post offices early next year.

A group of senators planned to announce the agreement today, according to two people familiar with the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid preempting the announcement.

Last Thursday, a group of 18 Senate Democrats signed a letter to congressional leaders asking them to add language to legislation that would halt closings for six months.

The Youngstown facility was set to close as early as March, a local union official told The Vindicator.

About 500 employees work at the Youngstown plant and contribute about $500,000 in city income taxes annually.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com