Postal workers across the country, including in Mid-Michigan, are holding rallies today in an effort to get the attention of Congress.

The rally is called "Save America's Postal Service." Postal workers from the Lansing area will be at the state capitol this afternoon asking for public support.

Congress passed a bill in 2006 requiring the U.S. Postal Service to "pre-fund" retiree healthcare benefits for the next 75 years in just 10 years. That costs the postal service about $5 billion a year. A pending bill in the U.S. House would end that pre-funding requirement.

Postal workers say it would save the post office from financial collapse.

Melvin Mobley has worked for the post office for 11 years. He will be at the rally today in hopes of informing the public about the bill.

"In the U.S., with this economic downturn, we have lost money as well," said Mobley. "But we wouldn't have been in the red if we hadn't been putting into this fund."

Mobley said if this bill does not pass, post offices across the country will be closed, more than 100,000 employees could lose their jobs, and customers will experience huge service cuts.

Postal workers will be on the steps of the state capitol from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Jackson postal workers will also rally at the same time in front of Congressman Tim Walberg's office, located on West Ganson Street.