"... Al DeSarro, a spokesman for the USPS in Colorado, said the post office and postmasters are receiving a higher number of applicants, but echoed Shuman’s sentiment. “We get a lot of interested applicants, especially this time of the year around the holidays,” he said. “But we’re not hiring this year, we’re also hurting with the economic situation.”..." 
Source: www.aurorasentinel.com
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No, it didn't fall from sky
"...mysterious chunk of metal that smashed into a rental car Monday morning at a U.S. Postal Service bulk mail facility on County Road in Jersey City has been identified as a blade that flew off a land-clearing vehicle a quarter-mile away. ..."
Source: www.nj.com
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"...More than 30 letters containing a suspicious powder were mailed to Chase bank branches and federal banking regulators' offices in nine cities,..."
Source: www.sfgate.com
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With the markets bouncing up and down as they are, many TSP participants are jumping ship from the riskier C and I funds. For those of you that might not have read the lastest TSP Newsletter, you may want to read the article that speaks of Dollar Cost Averaging.
. You may also want to read the Wikipedia article on
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"...celebrated America's love affair with the automobile by serving as the venue for the unveiling of five classic-car stamps. The U.S. Postal Service issued the series called "America on the Move: '50s Fins and Chrome." The stamps, available since Oct. 3..."
Source: www.pressofatlanticcity.com
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Follow the latest chatter form your fellow Postal Employees
"...If you desire to keep informed of the latest talk from the floor or on the streets, be sure to visit the Postal Forum over at "FederalSoup.com where everyone from postal custodians, maint., mail handlers, clerks, Human Resources, supervisors, carriers, and executives discuss what's happening across the nation. You can ask questions and answer questions. Come on over and put your two cents in!..."
Reference: community.federalsoup.com
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"...NORTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (WLS) -- A postal worker in the northwest suburbs says he came across all kinds of strange things on his route before but he's never found a rattlesnake. That's until a week ago...."
Source: abclocal.go.com
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Postal Service One of Best Companies for Hispanics
"...Hispanic Business magazine has again named the U.S. Postal Service to its annual "Diversity Elite 60" list of best companies for Hispanics, the only federal agency included in the magazine's 2008 list. The rankings are determined by more than 30 variables that measure companies' commitment to Hispanic hiring, promotion, marketing, philanthropy and supplier diversity...."
Source: www.marketwatch.com
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"...Anyway, all the carriers at my post office are raw from the abusive managers that are paraded through our station. And we're not going to take it anymore. We're going to file our EEOs and grievances until this unsatisfactory supervisor is gone and we get someone who is somewhere close to being professional. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with the Dallas management team. There are still a few good ones left, but most are not qualified, are unprofessional and just plain mean people. Back when I started in 1990 there were many good supervisors. They had been hand-picked once they proved themselves as carriers and showed some leadership qualities. Today, the ASP system picks people based on demographics, not proven managerial abilities. Now, we have a bunch of unqualifed people supervising in Dallas, and the work environment has never been worse to my knowledge. The sorry supervisors band together and watch each other's backs, forming an impromptu coalition against competent managers and upper management. Bizarro is the word, and the Postal Service in Dallas should be ashamed of the way they are treating people. This is the 21st century, yet they're using late 19th century intimidation and coercion management techniques. Until the USPS resolves this problem, the workplace in Dallas, and I'm sure in other cities, will continue to be marked by inefficiencies, incompetence, and confrontation...."
Source: www.postalprofiles.com
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"... But some observers fear the next two rounds of early-retirement offers will not produce similarly good response rates. That’s because the economy is worsening and the offers do not come with financial incentives. In short, it’s a scary time to leave a job. “It makes little sense to leave a good paying job with benefits to enter the troubled economy unless there is incentive to do so,..."
Source: federaltimes.com
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World Post Day
"... In most countries philatelic exhibitions are organized during this period and special stamps and date cancellation marks are issued on 9 October. Other activities include the display of World Post Day posters in post offices and other public places; open days at post offices, mail centres and postal museums; the holding of conferences, seminars and workshops; as well as cultural, sport and other recreation activities...."
Source: www.upu.int
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"...The program, the Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) uses United States Postal Service (USPS) carriers in the event of an anthrax attack...."
Source: www.digitaljournal.com/
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USPS Financial Difficulties And the Possibility of Layoffs
"...Interest has been especially high about the reference to the possibility of layoffs – for the first time in postal history.
Let me be clear: The possibility that the Postal Service may exercise its authority to layoff career employees is real, but it would affect very few APWU-represented employees. The 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement guarantees that each employee who is employed in the regular work force as of Nov. 20, 2006, “shall be protected henceforth against any involuntary layoff or force reduction during the term of this Agreement.”
The agreement also provides that “upon completion of six years of continuous service in their regular workforce” APWU-represented employees are protected against any involuntary layoff or force reduction “during any period of employment in the regular work force with the United States Postal Service or successor organization in his or her lifetime.” To receive credit for the year, an employee must have worked at least one hour (or received a call-in guarantee in lieu of work) in at least 20 of the 26 pay periods during that anniversary year.
APWU-represented employees who meet the criteria listed above are protected for the life of the 2006-2010 National Agreement or for their lifetime, and are not threatened by layoffs resulting from the significant decline in mail volume or the USPS financial difficulties...."
Reference: www.apwu.org
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"...Details for Field EAS, Field PCES, Postmasters and Area Office PCES and EAS employees are now available on Blue and LiteBlue. March 31, 2009 is the effective date for the third round of voluntary early retirement offers to eligible Field EAS, Field PCES, Postmasters and Area Office PCES and EAS employees. ..."
Source: liteblue.usps.gov
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USPS’ Bleak Financial Picture
And the Presidential Election "...the Postal Service has announced a hiring freeze. And, in a meeting with union leaders and management association presidents, the Postmaster General pointed out that 16,000 USPS employees lack the six years of continuous service required to achieve protection against layoffs. The PMG’s message was clear: For the first time in our history, postal employees experience layoffs...." Reference: www.apwu.orgVisit Our Homepage
"...On this island in northern Manatee County where there is no home mail delivery, the local post office has served as the social hub of the sparsely populated community for more than 50 years. More than a place to get mail, the post office is where islanders go daily to catch up on gossip, share news and shoot the breeze with neighbors...."
Source: www.heraldtribune.com
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"...in an attempt to smoke out the culprit who mailed a series of hoax letters containing white powder this month to two west suburban police departments and a children's museum. The powder—sent to the Westmont and Willowbrook Police Departments and the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville—proved to be harmless, but..."
Source: www.chicagotribune.com
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"...The Open Season also can be used by employees and retirees to enroll in supplemental dental and/or vision insurance coverage. In 2008 - in only its second year of availability - the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) had more than 1 million enrollments. Each Open Season, OPM publishes the popular Guide to Federal Benefits. This year, it identifies 42 FEHB carriers for their best-practices on health-care cost and quality transparency. OPM also will unveil a new Federal Benefits website (www.opm.gov/insure), which will let enrollees look at their overall health-related coverages and give them a better understanding of the coordination of benefits between, for instance, the FEHB Program and the supplemental dental/vision coverage...."
Source: www.opm.gov
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IT’S TIME TO RETHINK YOUR SHIPPING
"...a free shipping kit that includes Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes and envelopes, labels and special offers from our partners Stamps.com and Endicia. With the free kit, customers can easily start shipping with USPS right away...."
Source: liteblue.usps.gov
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"...The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person who struck and injured a mail carrier as she made deliveries on Haws Avenue on Friday morning.
The 50-year-old mail carrier ..."
Source: www.timesherald.com
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New post office caters to Spanish speakers
"... the new post office is open for business at La Plaza Latina, 3801 Wake Forest Road, Suite 118. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. each weekday except Tuesday. The new office is designed to reach customers who can't travel to the East Durham Post Office, postal officials said..."
Source: www.newsobserver.com
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GreenDimes
"... With GreenDimes, you can stop up to 90% of your junk mail - guaranteed. We work with you and the largest group of marketers and catalogs — over 4,500 and growing — to make sure you get only the mail you want. Give it a Try.. Get $1 This is so important, we're paying our first 5 million members $1 just to try the service, with no strings attached, and results guaranteed...."
Source: www.greendimes.com
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"... MaponicsOnlineStore.com, the only place USPS.com refers to for ZIP Code maps, announced that now thru September 30th only, businesses will receive 15% off all ZIP Code maps purchased online. This sale includes the popular U.S. ZIP Code Map CD, which offers instant access to the most accurate ZIP Code maps for each of the 50 states (plus D.C and Puerto Rico). For one low price, up to ten employees can use this information without expensive licensing fees. ..."
Source: www.maponicsonlinestore.com
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Cost Cutters: Reduce Shipping Costs
"... If paying 42 cents apiece to send out a direct mailer sounds pricey, then consider switching to electronic postage. By purchasing postage online via providers such as Click-N-Ship, Endicia, Pitney Bowes and Stamps.com, Express Mail customers can get a 3% price reduction..."
Source: online.wsj.com
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"... On an average day, 300 to 400 customers use the post office in Baker University Center, so post office clerk Charlie Tholin is usually busy...."
Source: www.thepost.ohiou.edu
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A great tool from MelissaData
"... Get a list of Carrier Routes by 5-digit ZIP Code.
..."
Source: www.melissadata.com
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Melissa Data teams up with Maponics to create a unique, free mashup that lets businesses visualize carrier route boundaries before purchasing a mailing list
"... ..."
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"...The new video platform will be integrated into the existing USPS network. Video surveillance is critical for USPS to prevent and investigate burglaries and other security incidents that occur inside and around USPS facilities. An IP-based system offers features unavailable in traditional closed circuit television (CCTV) systems, such as the ability to view live video from remote locations through an Internet connection. ..."
Source: www.gcn.com
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Former UPS worker awarded $2.63 million
"...lost his job as a package car driver after he suffered a shoulder injury and sought workers’ compensation. Jones had a history of work-related injuries and workers’ comp claims. After his October 2003 injury, Jones claimed his immediate supervisor asked him if he “knew what work comp fraud was” and said he was harassed by other UPS supervisors. ..."
Source: www.kansascity.com
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"... The poster includes the national toll-free OIG Hotline telephone number, 888-USPS-OIG, for employees and contractors to anonymously — or confidentially — report situations that could compromise the integrity of the Postal Service and the mail. Additional copies of the poster can be obtained at no charge from the Topeka Material Distribution Center (MDC) in Topeka, KS. Refer to General Poster 239...."
Source: liteblue.usps.gov
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Postmaster General Cautions of Perfect Economic Storm
"... Citing fluctuating oil prices, inflation in paper prices and the strife in the financial markets, Potter described challenging economic conditions as the most difficult time since the 1960s. The additional move of hardcopy messages to the Internet and questions about mail’s environmental impact have led to a volume decline of 9 billion pieces this year...."
Source: www.usps.com
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Federal workers owe billions in unpaid taxes
"...The agency with the most delinquent employees is the US Postal Service. With more than 747000 employees, the postal service is the largest employer in the federal government, but with a 4.16 percent delinquency rate, it is a full 1 percent above the average compliance rate this year. ..."
Source: www.wtop.com
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"... A spokesperson said, "There are no official plans right now for the box you describe below..."
Source: blog.auctionbytes.com
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Reward offered for tip on stolen post office safe
"... safe was stolen recently from the Makaweli Post Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000..."
Source: www.honoluluadvertiser.com
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Tomahawk Fall Ride
"...Terry Hinds, a fall ride participant says, "I collect stamps, so I look at ceremonies for new stamps and this not only is a good benefit, but also a chance to get a first day issue of a new stamp, so it works out good." ..."
Source: www.wjfw.com
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"...constant complaints from nearby residents, the Downers Grove post office has reached an agreement with the village that will reduce the early morning disturbances coming from the facility...."
Source: www.chicagotribune.com
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Mail was evacuated from harm's way too
"...Workers are now dealing with a very high volume of mail at the Loyola Avenue center, Comeaux said. On Sunday night, 3.5 million pieces of mail came through the center. Since Katrina, 2.8 million pieces is considered a very high volume night ..."
Source: www.nola.com
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Buyouts not an option
"...Vegliante said paying employees to retire early isn’t an option. The agency anticipates a $2 billion deficit for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
“There’s absolutely not going to be an incentive,” he said. “Economically it doesn’t make any sense at this point. It would cost us too much money, and right now we’re not in the position.” ..."
Source: federaltimes.com
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Description
"...The Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment Authority, also known as buyout authority, allows agencies that are downsizing or restructuring to offer employees lump-sum payments up to $25,000 as an incentive to voluntarily separate. When authorized by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), an agency may offer VSIP to employees who are in surplus positions or have skills that are no longer needed in the workforce who volunteer to separate by resignation, optional retirement, or by voluntary early retirement, if approved. By allowing employees to volunteer to leave the Government, agencies can minimize or avoid involuntary separations through the use of costly and disruptive reductions in force (RIFs). Agencies such as the Department of Defense that have been granted agency-specific VSIP authority are not required to seek OPM approval for their use of this option. ..."
Source: www.opm.gov
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GRAND RAPIDS --
"...An employee at the U.S. Postal Service's Kentwood branch is suspected of embezzling $15,000 by failing to record sales of stamps and pocketing customers' cash from the transactions, court records show. ..."
Source: www.mlive.com
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