The United States Postal Service is considering consolidating London’s postal processing plant with the one in Lexington, a move that would put locals out of work.

Gary Fox, president of the Kentucky Postal Workers Union, spoke to the London City Council about the possibility Monday.

“It could have a huge impact,” he said. “It would impact the economy ... These people would be sent elsewhere to work.”

Fox reported the U.S. Postal Service started conducting an area mail processing study in September. The London processing plant, which is connected to the main post office on KY 192, has traditionally processed mail for cities like Barbourville, Manchester, Oneida, Middlesboro, Williamsburg, Somerset and London.

If the results of the study show it is more economical for Lexington’s plant to handle the work — which Fox said will likely be the case due to recent numbers manipulations — London’s plant will shut down.

If that happens, Fox said businesses and residents will be forced to submit their mail earlier in the day so it can be carted to Lexington. It will also mean delivery times will be slower. Saturday’s mail, he said, is already processed in Lexington and takes days longer to arrive in London than mail that is processed locally.

Jobs would also be lost, though “at the time, we haven’t heard any numbers of impacts on employees,” Fox said, adding the move would mean losing anywhere from zero to 30 jobs.

David Walton, spokesperson for the United States Postal Service, disagreed with Fox’s contentions, saying mail service would not be affected.

“(Customers) would not even notice it,” he said. “There would not be any slow down or delay in mail service. As far as (customers) having to drop it off earlier, we transport mail to our processing plants and have no problem turning it around and delivering it the next day.”

Walton did say jobs would be affected, but would reassigned.

“If a consolidation were to occur, it would only affect about 15 to 20 positions,” he said. “We would do what we could to place those employees in other positions. Some may be transferred to the gaining plant. Others may be put into open positions.”

Walton said the study stems from the fact that the USPS has been hit hard both by the recession and the growth of Internet use.

“Right now, we’re in a bit of a situation,” he said. “We’re getting hit on two fronts. The recession is having an impact on our mail volume. Some of our largest mailers, in banking and insurance, etc., those industries have been hit really hard and they’ve decreased their mail. And also, the Internet is having a big impact on mail volume. More people are communicating by Facebook or Twitter and paying their bills online. We have an excess of equipment and employees and we have to make adjustments as we can.”

While volume is down, which necessitates fewer workers, Walton said the USPS has also become more mechanized, which does as well.

“In 1999, it took 70 employees to manually process 35,000 pieces of mail in one hour,” he said. “Today, in 2009, it takes two employees to process 35,000 pieces in one hour using full automation.”

Fox and Walton both said a public hearing will be conducted after the results of the study are in. Walton said the study takes about four to six months to complete. Before the public hearing, a meeting for public input will be held for employees and officials.

Fox said he is traveling to affected areas and asking local city councils and fiscal courts to express their displeasure about the move. In turn, the London City Council passed a resolution to the effect. Fox asked that local residents contact their state representatives “and tell them they don’t want their service to suffer.”

Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached by e-mail at tkaprowy@sentinel-echo.com.