Postmaster General John Potter said that the cost to the US Postal System of decontaminating its facilities from anthrax spills would be in the billions of dollars, although he did not offer a final figure.
During testimony in front of a Senate Panel, Potter indicated that he would be petitioning Congress for supplemental funds to pay for the cleanup.
According to reports, Potter stressed that while the cleanup puts a hardship on the USPS, the long-term viability of the postal system is not at risk. Potter also said that a West Palm Beach, FL mail facility had tested positive for anthrax spores.
Potter’s testimony came the day after lawsuits were filed in New York and Miami. The two suits, both filed on behalf of locals of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), demand that mail plants in areas contaminated by anthrax spores contained in terrorist letters be closed and remain closed until decontamination is finished and filtration systems are in place.
The New York suit was filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, and the Florida suit was filed in federal court.
According to reports, both suits allege that the Post Office failed to take immediate steps to secure the safety of mail handlers.
The suit filed in Manhattan by the APWU’s New York local seeks to shut down midtown Morgan Processing and Distribution Center until it is completely decontaminated. Several mail sorting machines on one floor have been contaminated with anthrax spores. While the plant remains open, wire reports put absentee rates at 30%.
The U.S. Postal Service has not commented on either lawsuit.
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