SMYRNA, Ga. — The U.S. Postal Service is responding after reports and concerns surfaced about a Cobb County post office that seemed to be without heat for weeks.
A viewer reached out to 11Alive worried about the workers, especially during the cold spell this week.
Linda Langston goes to the Smyrna post office on Windy Hill Rd. about once a week. She sends money orders, drops off mail, gets copies made and takes advantage of other services. Amid the holiday rush at the post office, it wasn't the drop boxes that were getting all the attention, it was the drop in temperature.
"Yesterday when I came in, it was colder inside there than it was outside," Langston said. "It was my hands, my nose, everything was cold. I asked the girl and she said they had no heat for a month or two."
The place she relied on so much gave her the cold shoulder. Langston said customers complained about how chilly it was inside the post office for weeks. The heat reportedly was not on, and employees felt the chill too.
"Employees told me they've had the flu, they've been sick, and she said it's just miserable to work in the cold like this," Langston said. "All day like that in those conditions. I told her this was inhumane, and she said absolutely. It was pitiful. She had a hat on and gloves and everything. She said she still couldn’t hardly stand it. It was just miserable.”
Labor attorney Gary Freed said these types of issues don't happen as often as they did in the past because larger companies and agencies have adopted higher labor standards. And because the U.S. Postal Service leases the building, they could try and seek help from the landlord.
"One would need to take a look at what happened, what was the cause of it, and whether the postal service itself made any attempts to remedy the condition or expedite it," Freed said. “Generally, employees do not have direct claims against employers given they’re covered by worker’s compensation.”
In a statement, a U.S. Postal Service spokesperson confirmed issues with the heating system at the post office and that local management had worked with a local contractor to make repairs.
“The well-being of our employees and our customers is the priority of the Postal Service. Regarding issues with the heating system at the Smyrna, GA Post Office at 850 Windy Hill Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080, local management is aware and has taken steps to address the matter. While repairs are being made, temporary portable heating units have been deployed on site. We continue to work with a local contractor to ensure repairs are made promptly. Postal management will continue to monitor the system’s performance to ensure a suitable comfort level for our employees and our customers. We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been experienced. The specific cause of the issues is undetermined at this time. Currently, the heating system is in working order. We will continue to monitor and address performance.”
- Debra Jean Fetterly, USPS Spokesperson, Georgia District
The Postal Service did not address how long the issue went on. While the building seemed a little warmer for Langston on Wednesday, in her mind it was long overdue for the place and the workers she relies on.
"They work hard all day. They shouldn't have to work in cold conditions," Langston said. "Someone should have helped them a long time ago."