POSTAL NEWS
...from various sources.8.11.2011
Postal Service wants to layoff 120,000 and break union contracts to do so
Letter Carriers React to Postal Service Proposal
"... aimed at enlisting congressional support for cutting postal employees' health and pension benefits and overriding lay-off protection provisions in the postal unions' contracts...."
Visit Our Homepage8.08.2011
USPS package-services revenue increased 3.2%
US Postal Service 3Q Loss Narrows On Higher Shipping-Services Rev
"...standard-mail revenue rose 1.7% as package-services revenue increased 3.2%. Revenue from shipping services, including Express Mail and Priority Mail, rose 7.3%. ..."
Source: wsj.com
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8.07.2011
'The Postman' (1997) is a movie worth watching
Great Movies on Netflix
"...The movie kindles the American spirit while reinforcing the fact that rural post offices are the vital glue that binds our great country together. The movie is a strong argument against the current U.S. Postal Service trend of closing rural post offices which in turn is destroying the promise of Universal Service to our nation. ..."
Source: postal-newsgroup.blogspot.com
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8.01.2011
USPS list of first 100 mail processing sites to use Non-Traditional Full-Time (NTFT) duty assignments
USPS Identifies First 100 Sites To Utilize Non-Traditional Assignments
"... The Postal Service has provided the APWU with a list of the first 100 mail processing sitesthat will utilize Non-Traditional Full-Time (NTFT) duty assignments [PDF], as well as computer models showing proposed schedules for three of the sites: the Boston Processing and Distribution Center, the Central Mass P&DC, and the Delaware P&DC. ..."
Source: www.apwu.org
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7.30.2011
Bronx mail workers try to save Post Offices
Bronx mail workers enveloped in anger over federal closures
"... "This is not the post office I came to work for," said McCoy, who, at 54, has one more year before she can retire.
"Now they're careless, it's like they're on a self-destruct mission," she added. "In the really good days it was like a big family. They don't care no more."..."
Source: www.nydailynews.com
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7.26.2011
USPS Expanded Access study list announced today
Today, the USPS announced a NEW Expanded Access study list.
Source: usps.com
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7.25.2011
New Postal Stamp Features Owney
New Postal Stamp Features a Real Rover from 1800s
"...This Wednesday (July 27) is the First Day of Issue for a beautiful new stamp of a most awesome dog from the late 1800s. Owney, a scruffy terrier ..."
Source: dogster.com Visit Our Homepage
7.22.2011
Rep. Issa doesn't like union ad
APWU Rejects Issa’s Call to Cancel Ad Campaign
"... The union’s 30-second ad describes the enormity of the job postal workers do, and ends with a question and response: Ever wonder what this costs you as a taxpayer? Not a single cent...."
Source: www.apwu.org
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7.20.2011
USPS could use taxpayer subsidy, says regulator
Regulator says USPS could use taxpayer subsidy
"...The chairman of the commission that regulates the U.S. Postal Service said Tuesday she supports a taxpayer subsidy for the financially strapped agency to survive. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
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7.17.2011
Postal Service blue collection boxes uprooted and stolen
Postal authorities on high alert after mailbox thefts
"...But authorities said it was unclear whether the brazen heists were part of a growing trend. “The economy the way it is, there is an increase in crime all around,” said U.S. Postal ..."
Source: latimes.com
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7.12.2011
Huntsville Alabama Mail Processing Consolidating to Birmingham
Postal Service Consolidating in Huntsville
"... The transition is expected to be completed by January 1, 2012. The Postal Service says some employees may be reassigned to the Birmingham processing and distribution center or to other vacant positions. ..."
Source: www.waaytv.com
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6.28.2011
Imposed contract for Canada Post specifies pay increases
Vancouver postal workers protest imposed contract
"...the government's imposed contract gives workers less money than they would have received under Canada Post's own proposal. ..."
Source: www.cbc.ca
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6.27.2011
Canada Post Update
Uncertain future for Canada Post
"...Canada Post hasn’t been subsidized by the taxpayer in years, and it has turned a profit for 15 years straight. ..."
Source: www.thestar.com
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Rep. Issa introduces bill to reduce postal services
Issa introduces bill to overhaul U.S. Postal Service, increase regulation
"...The bill would eliminate Saturday delivery and give the Postal Service greater latitude to close post offices and regional mail processing centers. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
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6.22.2011
What happens when the Postal Service refuses to pay their obligations?
Postal Service suspends retirement payments
"... “The Postal Service believes there will be no impact on employees. Also, the action will have no impact on current retirees,” said David A. Partenheimer, a Postal Service spokesperson. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
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6.20.2011
U.S. Postal Service to suspend accepting mail destined to Canada
U.S. Postal Service to Suspend Accepting Mail to Canada This Weekend
"...the U.S. Postal Service will suspend accepting mail destined to Canada — effective Saturday, June 18, 2011, 11:59 p.m. CDT — with the exception of Global Express Guaranteed shipments...."
Source: www.sacbee.com
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6.13.2011
Pawning stolen postal items?
Postal Supervisor pleads guilty to stealing mail
"... she began to work in the role of an Acting Supervisor at the USPS Jacksonville International Annex located in Jacksonville, Florida...."
Source: www.winknews.com
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6.09.2011
Conflict of interest in U.S. Postal Service leases?
IG questions USPS leases to current and former employees
"...he U.S. Postal Service is leasing 982 properties from current and former employees, raising the possibility that federal conflict-of-interest law ..."
Source: www.federaltimes.com
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5.31.2011
Postal Service Reduction in Force (RIF) notices mailed out Friday
Postal Service sends out 2,400 RIF notices
"...Postal Service management-level employees could lose their jobs or end up in new positions under a reduction in force ..."
Source: The Federal Times via postal-newsgroup.blogspot.com
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5.24.2011
New APWU Contract now in effect
APWU, USPS Sign New Contract
"...APWU President Cliff Guffey and Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe have signed the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Their signatures formalize the new contract, which was ratified by APWU members on May 11. ..."
Source: www.apwu.org
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5.22.2011
Wichita Falls Mail Processing Closure
Postal facility ceases operations
"...Machinery should start moving out of the Wichita Falls Mail Processing Annex facility off Hatton Road today, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service. ..."
Source: www.timesrecordnews.com
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5.17.2011
April 2011 CPI-W
"... The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 3.6 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 221.743 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index rose 0.8 percent prior to seasonal adjustment...."
Source: www.bls.gov
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5.05.2011
PostalVision 2020
"... June 15, 2011, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 920 3230..."
Source: www.postalvision2020.com
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4.26.2011
7 Reasons to Consider USPS Flat Rate Shipping
"...The United States Postal Service offers a number of flat rate boxes that may help online stores reduce shipping costs while improving shoppers' buying experience. ..."
Source: www.practicalecommerce.com
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4.20.2011
Postal Service did not lose ashes of mother
Post office says mother's ashes not lost
"...Cremated remains that did not arrive in Hawaii on schedule by registered mail were not lost, just late, the U.S. Postal Service said Wednesday...."
Source: www.upi.com
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Postal Service has apparently lost the ashes of his mother
Post Office Loses Cremated Remains
"... A Cottage Grove man spent a week in Hawaii waiting for his mother's ashes to arrive so they could be scattered at sea, but the U.S. Postal Service has apparently lost the ashes...."
Source: www.channel3000.com
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4.19.2011
More direct mail discounts
"...A discount will be granted by the U.S. Postal Service to direct mailers who use special 2-D mobile barcodes on their letters and flats, according to Post & Parcel. ..."
Source: www.123print.com
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4.17.2011
Ricin Case Plea Entered
Plea Entered in Ricin Case
"...Crooker suggested that even from jail it was possible to deliver dangerous materials through the nation's postal delivery system, Ortiz said. ..."
Source: www.globalsecuritynewswire.org
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4.16.2011
APWU President Cliff Guffey elected as a vice president of the AFL-CIO
"... The AFL-CIO is the nation’s premier labor federation, dedicated to improving the lives of America’s working families. The organization’s mission is to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to the nation...."
Source: www.apwu.org
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4.12.2011
Special solicitation for Japan approved by OPM for workplace collection
Relief and Reconstruction Efforts for Victims of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami
"...a special solicitation is the best option for Federal employees to provide assistance through a workplace giving effort. However, employees may also give directly to charities involved in relief efforts regardless of whether they participated in their local CFC. ..."
Source: Federal Employee News
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4.10.2011
USPS resumes delivery after gunpoint robbery of carrier
"...Service to about 750 homes and businesses was suspended Monday after carrier Michael Sellers reported being robbed at gunpoint by ..."
Source: www.therepublic.com
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4.07.2011
Postal rate increase April 17
Some postal rates going up April 17; business users likely to feel the pinch
"...While the cost to mail a one ounce first class letter will remain at 44 cents, a number of other pricing changes will take effect April 17. On average most services will be going up 1.7 percent. ..."
Source: www.willitsnews.com
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4.05.2011
Areas prepared for heavy snowfall brag about not missing work
There's no crying in Mt. Shasta
"...Brenda Pope, Postmaster at the level 20 office. “We got 88 inches in a 2-week span. But we don’t take days off because of snow.” ..."
Source: usps.gov
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3.31.2011
USPS proposes streamlining review process for closing post offices
"...The changes present a new source of tension between USPS and postal regulators and union leaders, who fear that postal bosses are trying to bypass the regulation process and quickly make operational changes without proper consultation with customers. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
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3.29.2011
City hopes to survey Ukiah post office building
"...The agency also claims the building needs repairs to its roof, fire alarm and its heating, cooling and ventilation system, and said its survey revealed a price tag of $780,000. In her letter, Rodin explains that the city requested "the full report related to the USPS' inspection and repair estimates for the (building)," but the request was denied. ..."
Source: www.ukiahdailyjournal.com
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3.27.2011
Carol Stream District Office Closing
"...The district office employees in Carol Stream will be placed in other jobs in the postal service or offered voluntary early retirement, Hargadon said. ..."
Source: chicagotribune.com
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3.25.2011
March 25 USPS Announcement
This post is courtesy of The Postal Newsgroup
The highly anticipated March 25 USPS announcement is referenced below as found on the USPS' website. The largest majority of the information was put out yesterday (March 24, 2011) detailing the district closings, the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER), The financial incentive programs being offered to eligible career non-bargaining employees in targeted groups at Headquarters, Headquarters-related Field Units, Area Offices and Customer Service District Offices (Administrative). However, the additional information provided in the following announcement that stands out boldly is 'additional staff reductions will occur as the Postal Service makes necessary changes to its network and retail operations. The full scope and financial impact of these personnel actions should be realized in one calendar year — by March 2012.' Read below to see the official release. Stay tuned and we will provide further internal information as it trickles out.
March 25 Postal Announcement
The Announcement
PMG ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF SEVEN DISTRICTS
I am confident we have developed a strong plan that takes a key step toward a leaner and less bureaucratic structure.
As part of the ongoing redesign of the Postal Service, PMG Pat Donahoe yesterday announced USPS will close 7 of its 74 district offices. This reflects continuing alignments within the organization to achieve core business strategies and, when fully implemented, will help realize approximately $750 million of annual cost savings (Link Extra, 3/23).
The district offices scheduled for closure — Columbus, OH, (Eastern Area); Southeast Michigan in Troy, MI, and Northern Illinois in Carol Stream, IL (Great Lakes Area); Southeast New England in Providence, RI (Northeast Area); South Georgia in Macon, GA, and Albuquerque in Albuquerque, NM (Southwest Area); and Big Sky in Billings, MT (Western Area) — house only administrative functions that will be assumed by surrounding district offices. The closures will not affect customer service, mail delivery, Post Office operations or ZIP codes.
“I am confident we have developed a strong plan that takes a key step toward a leaner and less bureaucratic structure. One that is fair to our employees and one that will meet the future needs of our customers and the mailing industry,” said Donahoe.
This organizational redesign builds on previous PMG announcements that include a 16 percent reduction in officer ranks, realigning revenue-generating business units, closing the Southeast Area Office, and further reducing the employee complement by about 7,500 positions.
While yesterday’s announcement focused on the administrative and executive corps, additional staff reductions will occur as the Postal Service makes necessary changes to its network and retail operations. The full scope and financial impact of these personnel actions should be realized in one calendar year — by March 2012.
emphasis (bold-print) added by The Postal Newsgroup