Some Florence postal workers say the closing of the mail processing facility there will devastate their families.
In February, the US Postal Service decided to move all mail processing operations from the Florence facility on West Evans Street to a processing center in Columbia.
The USPS made the decision after studying post offices all over the country. It says a study found closing the facility wouldn't have a huge impact on mail delivery and it would save $3.8 million a year.
Robert Davis, Sophia McDowell and Pat Gibson Hye-Moore stood outside the federal building in Florence holding a sign saying "it's time to fight."
Robert and Sophia work at the Florence Post Office on Evans Street. They joined with Gibson Hye-Moore, a Florence community activist, in an effort to get the postal service to reconsider its decision to close the mail processing plan.
"The decision can be changed. Never say never. That's why we're coming to the public and we're asking the public to help us. We can't do this by ourselves," said McDowell.
Postal officials say about 158 people work at the Florence Center. Thirty-nine of the jobs will be eliminated, but they will have a chance to bid on other jobs across the country.
There are already jobs available for the other 119 employees.
Sophia and Robert say even though jobs are protected, its not as easy as it sounds.
"People have grown in this community, bought homes. They got their family here, their kids in school and that's a big move for a lot of people and they just can't afford it and it's bad on folks," said Davis.
The postal service has agreed to a moratorium on any closures until May 15th.
The group will hold a forum this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Poynor Adult Education Building.
