07.17.02

Tumwater Mailboxes Stay at Safeway

Cantwell: Safeway and Department of Labor reach agreement to keep mailboxes in Tumwater

WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Labor (DoL) committed to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today that it will allow the Tumwater-Safeway mailboxes to stay at the Safeway. Cantwell, who helped facilitate the agreement, expects to receive formal written confirmation from the DoL shortly.

"This is great news for the people Tumwater who will be able to continue to use their mailboxes without disruption," Cantwell said. "Closure of this facility would have caused undue hardship for these many seniors and businesses."

"Residents of the store's 340 post office box holders will not have to worry anymore," Bob Solie said. Solie has operated his business Washington Cellular for the past 15 years from his Tumwater postal box address and expressed his appreciation of the work done by both Cantwell and Representative Brian Baird (D-WA) and the citizens of Tumwater, "this proves the system works."

Cantwell acknowledged that Safeway could have found far more profitable retail uses for this space, and said "I appreciate Safeway's willingness to work with the DoL and U.S. Postal Service to successfully reach an agreement that helps the people of Tumwater."

Since April, Cantwell and Baird have worked to keep the Tumwater mailboxes in place.