POSTAL NEWS

...from various sources.

1.31.2011

Are the postal unions standing in the way of making changes you need to make?

The new postmaster general speaks out

Postmaster General: "...No. They are led by good people. The presidents are very good people. They're people. They're looking at the challenges that we have with the same, 'Oh my goodness' that everybody else does. These guys, I'll tell you, we've reduced head count in this organization by 225,000 people since the year 2000. There are very few labor unions in the world who wouldn't be jumping up and down ranting and raving about that. ..."  
Source: washingtonpost.com

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1.28.2011

USPS finds Marijuana in package

"...says he mailed the package to himself and has been doing this for several years. According to the arrest affidavit ..."  
Source: www.kxan.com

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1.22.2011

Plan to Close Processing Facility Draws Anger, Frustration

"...According to the plan, all mail will be transported to a processing facility in Oakland. This prompted concerns about a delay in delivery, especially around election time and Tax Day, traditionally the busiest day of the year for the mail system. ..."  
Source: patch.com

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1.21.2011

Postal Service anticipates a Reduction in Force and Voluntary Early Retirement

PMG PLANS TO STREAMLINE MANAGEMENT, MATCH WORKFORCE TO WORKLOAD

"... “As we continue our redesign, we anticipate that Reduction in Force and Voluntary Early Retirement processes will be initiated by the end of this fiscal quarter,” adds Donahoe. ..."  
Source: usps.gov

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1.19.2011

Is Postal Service 'Universal Service' being taken away?

Letters to the Editor

The Postal Service has changed the classification of 32,000 Post Office Boxes at 49 locations from market dominant to the competitive products category.

As a loyal customer of the United States Postal Service, I found myself searching the internet in an effort to check the pricing of Post Office Boxes for one of my business ventures. I have always been proud of the fact that I could use the USPS for my mail related needs without fear that my neighbors or my competition could get a better price than myself. I actually thought that there was a universal service law that mandated I could get the same mail service for the same price. Now I find that depending on where someone lives, they may get preferential treatment in pricing and benefits. Now the Postal Service has changed the classification of 32,000 Post Office Boxes at 49 locations from market dominant to the competitive products category. This new change now provides the following, that I do not qualify for, simply because I do not live in an area the Postal Service does not approve this service for:
The following new services now are available at the approved Post Offices:

  • A “Baker’s Dozen” promotion for new customers (13 months of service for a
    12-month PO Box payment).

  • No key deposit required for the first two keys issued to new customers.

  • A “Signature on File” service for the following signature-required mail: Express Mail, Insured Mail over $200, Signature Confirmation and Return Receipt for Merchandise.

  • Expanded and earlier lobby access.


  • The discounts and benefits, in my opinion, are discriminatory and in violation of the essence of the concept of Universal Service. The sad thing is that this was approved by Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on June 17, 2010 according to the article found at http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2010/pb22301/html/info_008.html. It's almost like the U.S. Postal Service is attempting to turn this American service that was developed for the people by our nation's founding fathers, into some private company. This is a frightening thought ...and unneeded. If I wanted to use a private mail service, I would use FedEx, UPS, or some other overpriced corporate "for profit" company. Is Postal Service 'Universal Service' being taken away? I feel it is and something needs to be done to correct this immediately. If the Federal Government is looking to shed debt, the Postal Service is not the place to start. I certainly am never against discounts and extra benefits, but to offer it only to certain people based on geographical location or the distance to a USPS 'competitor' is an outrage. Fix this now! It is bad enough that the Postal Service offers huge discounts to big corporate "junk mailers" who pay just pennies to mail an item while as a citizen of the United States of America I do not get the same, but this is going too far.

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    Postal Service will almost certainly run out of money by the end of the year

    "... The Postal Service's $15 billion line of credit with the U.S. Treasury expires this year, meaning it will almost certainly run out of money by the end of the year...."  
    Source: washingtonpost.com

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    1.17.2011

    Mail scattered along interstates in three counties

    "... A rear door on a postal service truck flew open and scattered mail for miles until the truck was stopped. A postal service spokesman says..."  
    Source: www.missourinet.com

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    1.10.2011

    USPS Early Retiremnet Offer Possible

    Postal Early Retirement

    "... Rumors and speculation on another postal service early retirement are beginning to flood the internet and post office workroom floors across the nation...."  
    Source: Postal Early Retirement 2011

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    1.09.2011

    Postal workers praised after incendiary parcel incident

    Mayor praises postal workers after package incident

    "... Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) praised postal workers who quickly contacted police Friday after discovering an incendiary package..."  
    Source: washingtonpost.com

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    1.07.2011

    L'Enfant Plaza Attack

    "... WUSA9 is reporting that Metro Transit Police plan to increase patrols at L'Enfant Plaza in the wake of an attack on a man there Sunday evening. ..."  
    Source: washingtonpost.com

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    Postal Service pewter stamp coil dispenser

      "...the dispenser sells for $9.99 and keeps stamps at one’s fingertips. And, unlike stamp booklets which often can be misplaced or accidentally destroyed, the dispenser helps safeguard the stamps and serves as a convenient desktop postage center for any small business or home office. ..."  
    Source: usps.gov

    ...or order a Humming Bird Stamp Holder
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    1.05.2011

    Big mailer discounts bankrupting the Postal Service?

    OIG: USPS Fails to Justify
    19 Types of ‘Worksharing’ Discounts for Big Mailers

    "... The OIG found that the Postal Service’s “justifications for 19 workshare discounts that exceed avoided costs by approximately $104 million were not supported by detailed documentation.” ... Noting that more than 80 percent of the mail the USPS delivered in Fiscal Year 2008 received workshare discounts totaling $15 billion ..."  
    Source: www.apwu.org

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