POSTAL NEWS

...from various sources.

12.10.2013

Mail processing consolidations not making sense

Future of Mail Processing in WNY

"..."The burden of proof is on them. Tell us why. If it makes sense, it makes sense. If it doesn't, it doesn't. And right now it just doesn't," he said. Last year, Congressman Higgins fought to secure an extension from the Postmaster General ..."   
Source: www.wkbw.com

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12.08.2013

Postal mail carriers concerned about dangers of delivering mail in the dark

U.S. Postal workers voice concerns about delivering mail at night

"... Polly Gibbs, spokesperson for the United States Postal Service said: "Letter carriers have always delivered mail in the dark in standard time zones..."   
Source: www.firstcoastnews.com

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12.06.2013

Big mailers to get First Class mail discounts

USPS Confirms 2014 Direct Mail Promotions

"... a lot of marketers used First Class as a marketing medium because it results in higher response,” says Tom Foti, manager of direct mail ..."   
Source: www.dmnews.com

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12.03.2013

OIG to probe late mail delivery

Inspector general to probe late mail delivery

"... launching an investigation into the shift in mail delivery to evening hours, a change that’s alarmed letter carriers and customers...."   
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

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11.27.2013

Where can I get 'Harry Potter' stamps?


Where you can get Harry Potter stamps — and where you can’t: A list, map, and complaint

Harry Potter stamps
store.usps.com

"... The stamps are for sale at usps.com/stamps, at the Postal Store on eBay at ebay.com/stamps, and by calling 800-STAMP24. But if you want to buy the stamps at a post office, you have to go to one of the 3,100 Premier Post Offices. The Premier Post Office program, which was announced in May 2011..."   
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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11.24.2013

Postal carrier shot and killed during night mail delivery

U.S. Postal Service worker fatally shot in Prince George’s County

"... well after sunset when the shooting occurred. Residents of the area said mail is not usually delivered there so late. “It was mighty late,” the neighbor said. ..."   
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

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11.19.2013

Any Publicity is good publicity! ... the Harry Potter stamps

Postal Service Officially Taken Over By America Haters

"...Stamp collectors are up in arms over their latest venture, and you do not want to ..."   
Source: www.motherjones.com

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11.15.2013

Postal Service package service volume increases have cut losses tremendously


Postal Service posts $5 billion loss, but it's lower than prior year

Ship a package with the U.S. Postal Service
Ship a package with the U.S. Postal Service

"... Package services have remained a promising business as more people shop online and need carriers to deliver the goods. Package volumes grew by 210 million pieces this year. ..."
   
Source: www.nbcnews.com

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Stolen flags returned to post office

Stolen flags returned to Leeds post office

"...The U.S. flag was stolen twice from the flagpole in front of the Leeds post office on Mulberry Street. ..."   
Source: www.wwlp.com

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Limited Edition Harry Potter stamps coming soon

First Harry Potter stamps, next owl post? USPS rolls out limited edition.

"... The financially challenged Postal Service is hoping to cash in on the love for J.K. Rowling's characters with a set of commemorative Harry Potter stamps, available Nov. 19...."
Source: www.csmonitor.com

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11.13.2013

Postal Privatization: Retail Partner Expansion Program; Post Offices in Staples stores

The next chapter in postal privatization: Post Offices inside of Staples

"...The Postal Service has rather quietly announced a pilot program to put post offices inside of Staples. It’s part of what the USPS is calling the Retail Partner Expansion Program, and the first Staples to host a post office will be located in San Francisco and San Jose. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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11.05.2013

Postal Reform Bill Delayed 'Indefinitely' by Senate

Senate Postal Reform Bill Delayed 'Indefinitely'

"... language from the bill that passed the Senate in the last session of Congress. That bill, which was never taken up in the House, hit USPS with fewer cuts to services. The new bill, for example, phases out to-the-door delivery. The proposal would allow the Postal Service to stop offering new employees access to the Federal Employees Retirement System or making contributions to their Thrift Savings Plan accounts...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.govexec.com

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10.30.2013

How to prevent postal privatization demonstrations: arrest people on public owned property

Seven arrested in Portland postal privatization protest

"...Seven people were arrested during a protest at a downtown Portland postal facility Tuesday after a security guard clashed with demonstrators. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.oregonlive.com

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10.28.2013

Postal privatization. Is that the Postal Vision for 2020?

Postal Vision 2020 looks at the future of "postal services" and sees privatization

"...As indicated by his comments on this video, Mr. Callan is an advocate of aggressive cost-cutting at the Postal Service, "drastically" reducing the size of its workforce, and giving management control over the health plan. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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10.22.2013

USPS #fail

USPS #fail

"... A couple days later, Tony met with the postmaster who had reported the sewage, Jeannie Ramirez. She said that her real reasons for instigating the closure of the post office was not sewage but because her employees were complaining of respiratory issues from the mold and refused to work in the trailer. In other words, she lied...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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10.07.2013

Rep. Darryl Issa (R-CA) is 'fast and furious' on privatizing U.S. Postal Service

Judge Smacks Down Rep. Issa's Special Request for Exemption from Shutdown

"...Issa, who is the wealthiest member of Congress, has used his chairmanship of the House Oversight Committee to pummel the administration for years over the U.S. Postal Service (he wants it privatized) ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.allgov.com

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10.05.2013

Postmaster General's Credibility In Doubt Again, says APWU

PMG’s Credibility In Doubt Again

"... To make sure he understood what Donahoe was saying, Sen. Tester asked, “So what you’re saying is there wouldn’t be any post office or mail processing centers closed while we’re debating this bill before it becomes law?” “Nope, we’ve done what we needed to do for this year, and if any further changes require service standard changes we will not do that,” Donahoe said...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.apwu.org

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9.30.2013

2014 postal rate hikes rolled out is far less than the double-digit increase that is authorized

USPS rolls out 2014 rate hikes

"... it is far less than the double-digit increase that is authorized under the law to help the Postal Service to recover from the extraordinary and exceptional circumstances that have confronted us.” ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.logisticsmgmt.com

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9.29.2013

Postal driver robbed of delivery truck at gunpoint

USPS truck stolen at gunpoint

"...A 59-year-old United States Postal Service driver was held at gunpoint Saturday afternoon and forced to hand over his delivery truck...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.13wham.com

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9.27.2013

Delayed mail: It's not just the Postal Service anymore as Gmail deals with delayed mail

Google: We're sorry for latest Gmail outage

"...among the delayed messages, 1.5 percent were stalled by more than two hours. Further, some users who tried to download large file attachments ran into errors. But Gmail itself was available for people to log in, read mail, and send messages. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: cnet.com

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9.23.2013

United States Postal Service Digital Services and more coming your way


Postal Service Prepares to Sell Email Encryption

"...One brand name filed Sept. 6, "United States Postal Service Digital Services,” would consist of, among other things, “tamper-detection capabilities" for safeguarding electronic documents, audio and videos. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.nextgov.com

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9.12.2013

No one happy about attempts to remove postal workers from FEHBP

NARFE, federal employee unions object to Senate postal bill

"...objected to provisions in a Senate bill pertaining to the federal workers’ compensation program and the U.S. Postal Service’s hopes of revamping its participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: federaltimes.com

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9.09.2013

Former Postmaster faces sex offender charges again

Former postmaster, sex offender faces charges

"...A former Beallsville, Ohio, postmaster who already served time for having sex with young boys is facing charges again..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.wtov9.com

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9.05.2013

Postal early-out retirement VER offer coming for 1,000's

NAPS engages USPS in dialogue regarding processing plant re-ranking

"... A VERA will be offered to all PCES and Field EAS with the exception of Headquarters employees. The VERA offer also includes all Area, District EAS employees and Postmasters. The notification period will includes written notification from the United State Postal Service beginning on September 16, 2013, and running through September 20, 2013, to all eligible VERA candidates...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.naps.org

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9.04.2013

Postal Service retirement, leave, and holiday benefits are now under attack: Solicitations for the attack are posted

Postal Service IG Puts Retirement and Leave Benefits Under the Microscope

"... The reports will “reveal the ways in which the Postal Service could benefit from adopting the identified best practices” for its retirement and leave benefits programs, the inspector general said in the solicitations...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.govexec.com

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9.03.2013

More complaints of delayed mail as Postmaster General institutes disruptive changes

Postal employees report late mail, more work

"... The U.S. Postal Service's earlier first-class mail pickup time went unnoticed for some, but those who say they were charged late fees on bill payments and had utilities shut off because of a late notice may have a different opinion. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.semissourian.com

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8.28.2013

More post offices closing over "lease disputes" ...is there a pattern here?

Is there a pattern here? Three more post offices closing over "lease disputes"

"... Just as typically, the landlord reveals that the Postal Service really wasn’t interested in renewing the lease to begin with. This happens all the time. Over the past few days, three more cases have been reported in the media — in New Canaan, Connecticut; Aripeka, Florida, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The stories are strikingly similar...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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8.23.2013

United Parcel Service (UPS) is set to remove thousands of spouses from its medical plan

UPS Won’t Insure Spouses Of Some Employees

"...UPS...expects the move, which applies to non-union U.S. workers only, to save about $60 million a year, said company spokesman Andy McGowan. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.kaiserhealthnews.org

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8.20.2013

Apps that could help the Postal Service - combining the electronic world with real mail

Could These Apps Save the Post Office?

"...Apple's Cards, Red Stamp, Postagram, Postcard on the Run, and my favorite, Postography, are some of the more popular apps in this space. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: android-apps-iphone-apps.blogspot.com

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Postal Service wants to remove employees from the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program

USPS Plan to Pull Out of Fed Health Benefits Could Cost Postal Workers

"...A recent bipartisan Senate proposal to overhaul the Postal Service included a provision to allow the agency to create an independent health care benefits system for its employees. It generally accepted the Postal Service’s proposals and included the plan to shift retirees’ benefits primarily to Medicare. The Senate bill is awaiting committee markup when Congress returns from recess in September. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.govexec.com

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8.11.2013

Job scheme appears to have used recruits to target post offices

Postal inspectors looking at job scheme

"... A U.S. postal inspector has started investigating a job scheme that appears to have used recruits to target post offices in the Grand Rapids area...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.woodtv.com

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8.09.2013

Postal Pension and Health Care Benefits Under Attack In Postal Bills

Senators Introduce Postal Reform Bill With Bipartisan Support

"...The reform act would allow the Postal Service to not offer new employees access to the Federal Employees Retirement System or contribute to their Thrift Savings Plan account. It would also give USPS authority to, in consultation with postal unions, create an independent health care benefits system ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.govexec.com

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8.04.2013

Mailtenders - Postal Service may go into the alcohol serving biz

Post Office eyes alcohol deliveries to raise revenue

"..."There's a lot of money to be made in beer, wine and spirits," Donahoe said. "We'd like to be in that business." ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.cnbc.com

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8.02.2013

Gutting the Postal Service - a manufactured crisis designed to privatize an American institution?

How the Postal Service Is Being Gutted

"... Why would the USPS take such radical measures? The simple truth is that the postal service is a fundamentally sound business, though not without its challenges. If you look closely, you'll see a concerted campaign to drive USPS out of business, despite the fact that it operates without government subsidies and, potentially, at a profit. It's being subjected to a politically manufactured crisis in order to ram through drastic change. But without the USPS, citizens will face much higher costs without better service...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.fool.com

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7.30.2013

Postal Service getting complaints on mail delays, attempts spot fix by reverting to antiquated method of hand-sorting specific zips

Postal service takes action on bulk mail delays

"... Bluebonnet Publishing’s Circulation Manager Ann Reeves confirmed more than 70 email-documented instances of delivery issues from customers...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.kilgorenewsherald.com

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7.25.2013

H.R. 2748, the Postal Reform Act of 2013

Issa releases long-awaited postal reform legislation

"... In addition to a free hardship exemption, authorizes the Postal Service to create a program whereby mail reci pients whose delivery would otherwise be converted to curbside or clusterbox could maintain door delivery for a small annual fee...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

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7.23.2013

Postal Service customers continue to enjoy surcharge-free deliveries

Tough Economy Prompts Shipper to Add Surcharge

"... While these surcharges add to the shipping costs for customers who use FedEx services, customers of USPS continue to enjoy surcharge-free deliveries...."  Click to Read More
Source: yourpostalblog.wordpress.com

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7.14.2013

Postal Service truck carjacked

Police ID suspect accused of shooting motorist during series of carjackings in west Denver on Monday

"... The gunman then carjacked a U.S. Postal Service truck at West 24th Avenue and Julian Street, a police officer at that scene told 7NEWS. The postal worker was not harmed, police said...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.thedenverchannel.com

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7.11.2013

USPS has 100% funded pension accounts - a strong position in retiree benefit protection

Don't Expect The U.S. Post Office To Copy Britain's Royal Mail IPO

"... For perspective, the Post Office is more than 100% funded in its pension accounts, while the average large-cap company is funded at 80%–and just a fraction are 100% funded...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.forbes.com

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7.09.2013

Postal Service: the inspector general “completely fails to understand an organization in transition.”

Audit: Postal Service overtime costs topped $3.5 billion last year

"...USPS officials agreed to pursue staffing plans and other steps to reduce reliance on overtime, but said that the inspector general “completely fails to understand an organization in transition.” The Postal Service is in the midst of consolidating more than 270 processing plants ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.federaltimes.com

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