POSTAL NEWS

...from various sources.

9.17.2022

Biden scores deal on rail strike, but worker discontent emerges

"...will receive a 24 percent pay increase by 2024, including an immediate 14 percent raise; $1,000 annual ..."   
Source: NPMHU Local 317 - Alabama

APWU Second 2022 COLA = $1.18/hr

"In accordance with the 2021-2024 Collective Bar­gaining Agreement (union contract), career employees represented by the APWU will receive a $1.18 per hour Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), effective August 27, 2022. The adjustment is the result of a rise in the Consum­er Price Index (CPI-W) – one of the federal government’s measures of inflation. It will appear in paychecks dated September 16, 2022 (Pay Period 19-2022). This new COLA represents an annual increase in pay of $2,455 for all full-time career employees. ..."   
Source: APWU

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9.11.2022

Noticias postales para el 15 de septiembre de 2022

Noticias postales para el 15 de septiembre de 2022

Comunidades más atractivas y lucrativas para los inmigrantes

Grandes sonrisas como felices Decenas de migrantes llegan a Martha's Vineyard en vuelos chárter. "Vamos a cuidar de ustedes", dijo el sheriff del condado de Dukes, Robert Ogden, a los migrantes, según The Martha's Vineyard Times. "Hemos recibido llamadas de restaurantes que ofrecen comida, personas que intentan ayudar. Es increíble".

"Florida puede confirmar que los dos aviones con inmigrantes ilegales que llegaron a Martha's Vineyard eran parte del programa de reubicación del estado para transportar inmigrantes ilegales a destinos santuario", un comunicado de la oficina del gobernador de Florida, Ron DeSantis. "Hemos recibido llamadas de restaurantes que ofrecen comida, personas que intentan ayudar. Es increíble".

Los migrantes inteligentes han aprendido que si solicitan e insisten en ser transportados a estados como Illinois, Massachusetts, Nueva York y California, que son designados como estados santuario. Los migrantes han descubierto que los estados del sur de los Estados Unidos y las ciudades fronterizas de los Estados Unidos y México están superpoblados y no pueden ayudar a los migrantes. La vicepresidenta Kamala Harris ha invitado a migrantes a su área en Washington, D.C. Algunos ya han llegado. Dos autobuses que transportaban a unos 100 migrantes de Texas llegaron la madrugada del jueves afuera de la residencia de la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris en el Observatorio Naval en Washington, DC. Kamala Harris da la bienvenida a los migrantes a D.C. Los migrantes, muchos de ellos de nacionalidad venezolana.

Citation: Noticias de empleados postales

8.29.2022

Yay! Free Money for Those Who Took Out Loans to Attend College and a Thanks to You SUCKERS That Pay Your Debts. But We Want More!

Black women, burdened by student debt, say Biden's student loan policy doesn't go far enough

"...say they won't stop pushing for more action on student loans. Cross qualifies for $20,000 in loan forgiveness under Biden's plan ..."   
Source: abcnews.go.com

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8.25.2022

How Retirees Can Keep Federal Employee Health Benefits – FEHB

"...No, you don't need to purchase a Medigap policy since FEHB and Medicare will coordinate benefits to provide comprehensive coverage for a wide range of medical expenses. The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and Medicare FastFacts (PDF file) [67 KB] ..."   
Source: www.thebalance.com

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8.18.2022

NPMHU | Last of Six Possible COLA Increases (Current Contract) Set at...

"Effective August 27, 2022, all career Mail Handler craft employees are scheduled to receive a cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment as outlined in Article 9.3 of the 2019 National Agreement. This is the last of six possible COLA increases under the terms of the current agreement. This COLA increase is based on the upward change in the relevant Consumer Price Index (CPI) following release of the July 2022 Index, using the July 2019 CPI index as a base. The increase will appear in paychecks dated ..."   
Source: NPMHU

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8.09.2022

APWU: After Pressure, Management Sets Retroactive Pay Date!

"The retroactive payments will be processed on October 11, 2022. They will appear as a pay adjustment on paychecks received October 28, 2022. “Those in management responsible for overseeing these payroll changes had so little respect for postal workers that they apparently thought a May 2023 date for the retroactive payments would somehow be acceptable. This was outrageous,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein ...We will keep members updated on the grievance process regarding this unacceptable delay. ..."   
Source: apwu.org

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5.08.2022

How to vote in Alaska's first all-mail election

"The special election for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat is unprecedented in many respects. It's the first all-mail election in the state, it's the first under Alaska's new election laws that put all candidates on a single primary ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the field encompasses 48 candidates, more than in any other primary in the state. It's no wonder voters have a lot of questions..."   
Source: yahoo.com

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4.13.2022

Health benefits -- New law creates Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program for employees, others

"The Postal Service reform legislation that President Biden signed into law on April 6 will involve changes to employees’ health and retirement benefits. USPS understands that employees have many questions, so here are a few things to know..."   
Source: NPMHU LOcal 317

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4.12.2022

DeJoy says USPS will expedite midterm ballots

"... Will the Postal Service commit to using the same “extraordinary measures” — dedicated ballot-expediting procedures — in the 2022 midterm elections that it used in elections in 2020 and in 2021?..."   
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

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2.11.2022

Another Biden Fail: Postal Service has only been able to ship around 10 million of the 60 million household requeted covid test

"... According to the agency, the shipment of these tests was expected to occur within seven to 12 business days. If you ordered your set right away, you should have received your delivery by Feb. 4, CBS-affiliate WUSA 9 in Washington, D.C., reported. But many households still have not received their tests nearly a week later. ..."   
Source: www.yahoo.com

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2.08.2022

Mailbox and Postal Blue Box Users: Check Washing Crime Reduction

"
... Many postal blueboxes and residential mailboxes are being robbed of handwritten checks. Thieves steal these checks and wash them. Check washing is the erasing of the written amount and altering that amount..."   
Source: npmhu317.blogspot.com

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2.03.2022

Amazon settles with Washington state AG over price-fixing allegations

"... Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) has agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement with Washington state over price-fixing ..."   
Source: www.bizjournals.com

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1.19.2022

Today You Can Order Your Free At-⁠Home COVID-⁠19 Tests

  Today You Can Order Your Free At-⁠Home COVID-⁠19 Tests

Every home in the U.S. can soon order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests The tests will be completely free—there are no shipping costs and you don’t need to enter a credit card number.

Ordering begins today, January 19.


Reference: www.covidtests.gov

1.18.2022

U.S. Postal Service Reveals New Stamps for 2022

"...This is a partial list of the 2022 stamp program, with more to be announced in the weeks and months ahead. All stamp designs are preliminary and subject to change. ..."   
Source: www.prnewswire.com

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1.14.2022

No More Surprise Medical Bills: 5 Things To Know about the No Surprises Act Taking Effect

  No More Surprise Medical Bills: 5 Things To Know about the No Surprises Act Taking Effect in 2022

New Year. New Law. Beginning January 1, 2022, new federal protections will shield millions of consumers from surprise medical bills. Surprise medical bills – unexpected bills from an out-of-network provider, out-of-network facility or out-of-network air ambulance provider – is common among those with private insurance. Nearly one in five patients who go to the emergency room, have an elective surgery, or give birth in a hospital receive surprise bills, with average costs ranging from $750 to $2,600 per episode. Learn about how the No Surprises Act can protect you from surprise medical billing. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Reference: https://www.hhs.gov/

1.08.2022

Most Popular Commemorative 'Saved' Stamp

1993 Elvis Stamp
"...Elvis: The most popular (in terms of number saved, not sold) commemorative stamp issued by the USPS is the 1993 Elvis stamp. Over 124 million of this colorful 29-cent stamp featuring the famous singer have been saved, nearly half again the number of the next most popular, Wonders of America, issued in 2006. ..."   
Source: www.saltlakemailing.com

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1.02.2022

Santa Claus computer-vended stamp is Scott official

"... Included in this month’s listing is the Scott number for the nondenominated (58¢) Santa Claus, Sleigh and Reindeer in Flight computer-vended postage stamp. What do these Scott numbers signify? In short, each stamp’s listing in an upcoming edition of the 2023 Scott catalogs. ..."   
Source: www.linns.com

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12.27.2021

Top stamp stories of 2021

"... Reports of new U.S. errors were covered by Linn’s throughout the year and even included a new find on a 1967 stamp. This tagging-omitted 20¢ George C. Marshall stamp (Scott 1289b) was discovered by Henry Gitner and was one of two new errors he found this year. Late in the year, the mainstream media began reporting endlessly on supply chain issues with products coming into the United States. This unfortunately has affected the importing of stamp hobby supplies..."   
Source: www.linns.com

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...and more from the WTF

Judges in the United Kingdom advised to say 'postal operatives' instead of 'postmen'

"... Judges in the United Kingdom have been advised to refer to postal workers as "postal operatives" instead of postmen in a bid for the court system to move towards inclusive, gender-neutral language. ..."   
Source: nine.com.au

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A Year After A Postal Worker Crashed Into Their Car, West Garfield Park Couple Still Waiting For USPS To Pay For Their Damages

"... It was caught on camera: a postal worker damaged a car on the West Side, and simply drove away. One year later, the owners of the car still haven’t been reimbursed, so they turned to the Morning Insiders for help. CBS 2’s Jim Williams reports it was bad enough that a postal worker..."   
Source: cbslocal.com

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US postal workers’ union proposes tentative agreement with cuts to real wages, keeps two-tier system

"... Postal workers have seen their real wages, benefits, job security and work conditions deteriorate over the past two decades, with major concessions included in each successive contract. A two-tier system was established in 2011, creating a section of Postal Support Employees (PSE) who are paid significantly less and do not receive a number of benefits. Thousands of post offices and warehouses have shuttered, while workers have been forced to take on greater volumes of work at risk to their health and safety. ..."   
Source: www.wsws.org

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Postal worker admits in court to delaying mail in New Orleans

"... several customers on his route complained to the Bywater post office station manager that their mail was delayed or missing. Court records indicate the offenses took place from July 2019 to Jan. 21, 2020. ..."   
Source: www.msn.com

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Postal Service’s backdoor bailout

"... What we do know is revenues on packages climbed $3.9 billion this year over last thanks to the pandemic-induced online shopping. But the Postal Service still lost $6.9 billion and expects to lose $160 billion over the next decade. It faces still more spending, for new trucks, mail-handling centers and equipment, and new employees, to accommodate its emphasis on packages. Volume on first-class mail, the Postal Service’s most profitable product, has declined by about half since 2006. But rather than downsize to reflect this, the Postal Service has decided to..."   
Source: www.washingtonexaminer.com

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12.02.2021

USPS issue alert about scam that could impact your personal information

"... A warning tonight from the U.S Postal Service and area law enforcement to stay alert for a new scam that’s sweeping the nation. It’s a scam aimed at stealing your identity and your money. It’s called the “change of address scam”..."   
Source: www.pahomepage.com

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11.27.2021

Retired mail carrier shares his postal stories

"... Bill Crabtree, 93, has many stories to tell from his service as a mail carrier for almost 39 years. ..."   
Source: www.fultonsun.com

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11.17.2021

Where is the oldest operating post office in the United States of America?

"... The clapboard post office in Hinsdale, N.H., celebrated its 200 th birthday in 2016. It’s the oldest continuously operating post office in the United States. Nathan Babbitt appointed himself Hinsdale’s first postmaster in 1815 and had the building constructed the next year. ..."   
Source: www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com

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9.23.2021

New Postal Service mailbox rules anger homeowners

USPS-Package-Approved-Mailboxes
"... we checked with the US Postal Service, which apologized for any confusion, and explained that it is suggesting -- not demanding -- that rural customers purchase new extra-large boxes, known as T-4 boxes. A USPS spokeswoman said "the letter suggested customers may wish to install the larger mailboxes but did not state there was a requirement to change mail receptacles." (Full statement below) The USPS says it does not want to leave boxes sitting at the end of a long driveway..."   
Source: www.wcpo.com

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9.11.2021

4 ways to manage retirement health care costs

"... Health care in retirement is a big-ticket item. Experts estimate that an average 65-year-old retired couple in 2021 would need about $300,000 in after-tax savings earmarked for health care costs in their post-work life, even with Medicare, according to Fidelity. The totals are daunting..."   
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

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8.18.2021

Alabama postal worker shot while on mail delivery route

"... The mail carrier was in Tarrant, a suburb of Birmingham, when the shooting occurred around 2 p.m. The worker had just delivered mail to a resident and was headed back to his truck when a car pulled up and someone inside opened fire..."   
Source: yahoo.com

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3.14.2021

Big changes are coming to the U.S. Postal Service—and advocates remain skeptical

"... And now, finally, big changes are hurtling toward the Postal Service. And they’re coming from multiple directions: the White House, Congress, and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy himself. In the next few months, the institution will likely undergo radical change..."   
Source: fortune.com

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3.10.2021

Maine postman paddles surfboard to work in Bar Harbor

"... Jeremy Averill is from Mount Desert Island but works as a postman in Salsbury Cove. However, his commute on Tuesday (Yes, March 9th!) was a little different then you might expect. Jeremy paddled the more than 2 miles from his home on MDI to Salsbury Cove on his yellow surfboard Read More: Crazy Maine Postman Paddles Surfboard to Work in Bar Harbor | https://92moose.fm/crazy-maine-postman-paddles-surfboard-to-work-in-bar-harbor/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral..."   
Source: 92moose.fm

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3.06.2021

FERS supplement: A Frequently Misunderstood Benefit

"... a special payment for FERS employees who retire before age 62. The supplement is designed to act as a monetary bridge between retirement under FERS and the time a retiree qualifies for Social Security retirement. It is paid in addition to the monthly FERS annuity benefit, but unlike the annuity, it is not a lifetime benefit..."   
Source: www.govexec.com

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1.26.2021

Data show decline in USPS mail service

"... Paul Steidler, a senior fellow at the Lexington Institute in Arlington, Va., and a steady postal supporter, said in a Jan. 22 blog post on the institute’s website, “The mail service is worse than it has been in decades.” The numbers he cited back his claim. For the week ending Dec. 26, 2020, the last week available in a court case, Steidler said the USPS “delivered just 64 percent of first-class mail within its target delivery times..."   
Source: www.linns.com

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12.07.2020

FAIL: Truck drivers report waiting more than 15 hours at post office

"... Truck drivers attempted to drop off and pick up shipments to the U.S. Postal Service all weekend. Miz Azamkloe had been waiting in his truck for 15 hours when he spoke to News..."   
Source: www.news5cleveland.com

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11.22.2020

U.S. Postal Service Announces Upcoming Stamps for 2021

"...
The 2021 stamp program commemorates Missouri statehood, Japanese Americans who fought in World War II and Chien-Shiung Wu, one of the most influential American nuclear physicists of the 20th century. Fun issuances include Western Wear, Backyard Games, Espresso Drinks, a stamp showcasing a visual riddle, and four Message Monster stamps with self-adhesive accessories. The program also includes Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses, the last of the popular Lighthouse stamp series..."   
Source: goldrushcam.com

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8.21.2020

USPS drafting ‘ambitious plan’ to cut delivery network costs after Nov. election

"...DeJoy said the Postal Service oversees 40,000 trips a day and that 12% of those trips were late, costing the agency up to $4 billion annually. “FedEx, UPS — everybody runs their trucks on time. That’s what glues the whole network together, our collection process to our delivery process. That was not my schedule,” he said...Postal Service will continue to allow overtime where needed..."   
Source: federalnewsnetwork.com

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8.18.2020

What’s behind Birmingham, Alabama mail delays?

"...Over the last month, Birmingham postal workers have had a hard time keeping up with demand. “We had like 4 or 5 machines taken out...Samuel added that thousands of pieces of mail are being held up, and he said that won't change until people start speaking up..."   
Source: www.wbrc.com

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8.09.2020

Mississippi trooper fatally shot working part-time job driving USPS mail truck

"... A man found fatally shot in a USPS delivery truck has been identified as a Mississippi Highway Patrol lieutenant. Local media reported Saturday that three individuals were taken into custody in connection with the shooting death the day after Lt. Troy Morris, 58, who worked part-time for the U.S. Postal Service, was found..."   
Source: www.foxnews.com

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8.08.2020

Why Stamps.com Stock Skyrocketed 120% in the First Half of 2020

"... In 2020, Stamps.com stock is up 145% through July 8, compared with the broader market's negative 1% return so far this year. That makes it the year's second best-performing mid-cap tech stock..."   
Source: www.fool.com

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