Long Island Postal Workers Rally Against Cuts To Benefits, Wages

MELVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Union postal workers on Long Island are trying to stop the push for cuts to benefits, service and starting wages.

Nearly 200 of them voiced their concerns Sunday at a rally at a mail facility in Melville, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.

However, some people who use the U.S. Postal Service believe cutbacks are inevitable.

"This is just an evolution of the way things are," Marty, a customer, told Xirinachs. "It's really no different than Sears closing stores because of people ordering online and taking smaller space and having to lay off workers.

"What's the alternative? If you start making it $1.50, $1.75 to mail a letter, then it's another hidden tax on people, and I think we're really taxed enough."

Marty said the Internet has replaced most of his postal needs.

American Postal Workers Union employees on Long Island are currently working without a contract, with negotiations soon to go to arbitration.