Better Options Exist for Postal Reform in 2015 | Commentary

"...Our founders understood that affordable, universal postal service was critical to the nation. Unfortunately, many in Congress and within the Postal Service management are willing to sacrifice service as a means of solving financial problems unrelated to its operations. ..."   
Source: www.rollcall.com

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USPS Data Breach Could Have Been For Profit – ‘Health Files’ Fetch Handsome Figures, Indicate Investigators

USPS Data Breach Was For Profit – ‘Health Files’ Fetch Handsome Figures, Indicate Investigators

"...USPS data breach that took place in November could have been orchestrated primarily for financial gains, indicated the investigators. USPS Chief Human Resources Officer Jeffrey Williamson confirmed that data stored in “a file relating to injury compensation claims” was illegally accessed and siphoned-off by hackers. Health information of as many as 485,000 USPS employees ..."   
Source: www.inquisitr.com

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We should be grateful for the U.S. Postal Service after Sony cyberattacks

Send a Letter. It's Safer.

"...And most absurdly, the Postal Service is waved off as some sort of 20th century anachronism, outdated and unnecessary in an era of email and electronic banking. This is the most facile and dangerous of the misperceptions about the service, since it ignores the very important national security function the office provides. ..."   
Source: www.usnews.com

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City of Berkeley notifies prospective buyer of Berkeley main post office that sale is cancelled

Buyer opts out of purchase of historic Berkeley Post Office

"...Hudson said they asked the Post Office for an extension, but the Post Office declined, saying they had 'things to figure out.' Asked if he was disappointed, Hudson said he was hopeful they might be able to get back at the negotiating table. 'Maybe it’s not over,' he said." ..."   
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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Two Queens postal workers stole $80,000 in cash and failed to deliver 2,500 pieces of mail

Queens postal workers steal $80K, hoard 2,500 pieces of mail in separate cases

"... admitted that she had voided money orders purchased by customers at the Far Rockaway post office and then pocketed the cash, according to a federal complaint. ..."   
Source: www.nydailynews.com

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Local postal worker ‘saves lives’

"...She put a call for help on Sebastian’s Facebook page, Sebastian’s Journey, where more than 47,000 people follow the everyday life of the tenacious tot, asking whether anyone could get in contact with their letter carrier, Quentin Keyler. ..."   
Source: www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Postal Service board in limbo

Senate gridlock freezes Postal Service board

"... Miller has previously called for privatizing the Postal Service but said he wouldn’t advocate for that position on the board of governors. ..."   
Source: thehill.com

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NLRB Charges Postal Service with Illegal Surveillance of Staples Protests

"... The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has charged the USPS with illegally spying on postal employees while they protested outside a Staples store in Atlanta on March 4 and 9, 2014. “Respondent has been interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed” in Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act and the Postal Reorganization Act, the board charged in a complaint issued Dec. 9. A hearing on the complaint will be held on March 11, 2015. The complaint stems from charges made by the APWU that the Postal Service dispatched managers posing as..."   
Source: www.apwu.org

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Legislative clarity needed to prevent destroying Postal Service mail processing network in 2015

Blunt, McCaskill push Postal Service to delay closure of local mail center

"... "If the USPS postpones the closures for a few months and we can get moving on postal reform early (in the) next Congress, we may be able to get the USPS to further postpone the closures until there is some legislative clarity," he said...."   
Source: www.news-leader.com

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The right to equal access to secure, efficient, and affordable mail service.

Vintage photos of post offices and mail deliverers in N.J.

"... According to usps.com, the independent agency of the U.S. federal government has "a single, great principle: that every person in the United States – no matter who, no matter where – has the right to equal access to secure, efficient, and affordable mail service."..."   
Source: www.nj.com

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Intoxicated Postal Worker Crashes Mail Truck

Utica postal worker charged with DWI after crashing mail truck

"...A postal worker faces drunken driving charges after her mail truck hit another mail truck in a post office parking lot. ..."   
Source: www.syracuse.com

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Former Postal Service letter carrier gets 15 years in mail truck robbery

"..."By providing her co-defendants with inside information Evans enabled a robbery that nearly killed her co-worker. Evans used her knowledge of the Postal Service for personal gain and violated the trust of the public and her fellow postal workers." ..."   
Source: www.bizjournals.com

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Delayed notification of Postal Service hacking ‘doesn’t fly’

Lawmaker: Delayed notification of postal hacking ‘doesn’t fly’

"... Lynch suggested he was not satisfied with the agency’s answers. “The way this should work is, as soon as you know that a file has been compromised and it contains personally identifiable information, Social Security numbers, that employee should be notified,” he said...."   
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

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Dangerous USPS 911 Policy May Have Caused Critical Delays in Life and Death Situation

USPS Policy May Have Caused Critical Delays in Life and Death Situation

"... the USPS’s 911 procedure prevented Macasieb from receiving emergency medical care as soon as possible. Employees said they want postal service leaders to create a new policy that encourages employees to call 911 first—then notify their supervisors and the postal police. ..."   
Source: www.nbcbayarea.com

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North Pole Postmark: Free image for your Santa letters and crafts

North Pole Postmark

North Pole Postmark

"... Santa has provided this official looking North Pole Postmark for your Santa letters and other Christmas crafts. Santa offers his official looking custom North Pole cancellation mark to be cut, copied and pasted to be adhered to the letters from Santa. Imagine..."   

Source: North Pole Postmark

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USPS's Hicksville Maintenance Facility Raided

Long Island USPS workers fired for sleeping on job when investigators raid facility, take photos of snoozers: report

"... Special agents raided the 24-hour facility early Friday, took photos of sleepers and then woke them up and fired them. Investigators started working on the case in June 2013, based on an anonymous tip...."   
Source: www.nydailynews.com

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Megan Brennan Selected as New Postmaster General

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to retire

"...Board of Postal Governors. The board named Postal Service veteran Megan Brennan as the new postmaster general. Donahoe ..."   
Source: www.pressofatlanticcity.com

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FREE! 2014 North Pole Postmark Image for your Santa letters and craft projects

"... 2014 North Pole Postmark and Christmas Cancellation for your Santa Christmas letters and your Christmas holiday crafts. Merry Christmas!..."   
Source: Free 2014 North Pole Postmark Image

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USPS Acknowledges Cyber-Intrusion: Employee Information Released in Breach

"... According to the USPS, the investigation indicates that files containing employee information were compromised, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers, addresses, beginning and end dates of employment, and emergency contact information for all active employees. The Service claims that steps have already have been taken to strengthen the security of USPS systems affirming that there will be additional measures in the coming days and weeks...."   
Source: www.npmhu.org

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Universal Service? Postal Service 7 Day Delivery if You Live in the Chosen Areas

U.S. Postal Service Adding Sunday Deliveries in Some Areas for Holidays

"...The agency, which already partners with Amazon.com Inc. for Sunday deliveries, said it will deliver to major cities and other high-volume areas seven days a week starting on Nov. 17 and running through Christmas Day. ..."   
Source: wsj.com

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More Postal Service big mailer promotions and incentives on the way in 2015

USPS 2015 Mailing Promotions and Incentives

"... Although there are fewer promotions proposed for 2015 than were offered by the USPS in 2014, the promotion periods run for longer periods of time. ..."   
Source: www.presort.com

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Robbery of postal vehicle scores prison sentence for three, but no fines

Three Houston men head to prison for robbery of postal vehicle

"... The three men had received information that the vehicle contained more than $2 million in cash and precious metals. Evidence at trial showed that the three men had been provided with a description of the vehicle, the route it would be taking and the time the vehicle would leave the post office in downtown Houston...."   
Source: www.yourhoustonnews.com

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Guidelines for Mail Processing Closures: 'Handbook PO-408 - Area Mail Processing Guidelines'

Handbook PO-408 - Area Mail Processing Guidelines

USPS Area Mail Processing Guidelines

"... When it is deemed necessary to reverse an AMP, the gaining facility must complete a narrative statement and provide detailed information on the need to change. The narrative is sent to the area office for concurrence. The area vice president (AVP) will send a letter to the Headquarters senior vice president (SVP) Operations with an explanation of the reasons for the reversal and impacts expected from the change.

The narrative must address the following:

* Service impact.
* Community impact.
* Staffing impact and requirements.
* Replacing budget hours and volume back into an office formerly consolidated into the gaining facility.
* Changes in automation utilization and impacts on the automation mailstream.
* Replacement of equipment.
* Impact of reinstating transportation.

The request must also include a detailed action plan, including a timeline of intended actions for accomplishing the reversal. ..."   
Source: usps.com

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Postal service investigates missing mail

"... On Oct. 8, three letters were planted in his delivery to bait him. When he was confronted in his truck at about 10 a.m., three letters had been opened and an open can of beer was found. His mail from the previous day had not yet been delivered...."   
Source: www.news.ruralinfo.net

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The Story of The Legendary Barefoot Mailman of Palm Beach County

Barefoot Mailman

...most famous, of the barefoot mailmen was James E. “Ed” Hamilton, who had come to Hypoluxo from Cadiz, Kentucky (Trigg County) in 1885. Hamilton became the barefoot route contractor when E. R. Bradley quit in 1887. Hamilton disappeared while walking the barefoot route soon after October 10, 1887. Hamilton was not feeling well when he passed through Hypoluxo on October 10. When Hamilton had not returned to Lake Worth at the end of the week, a search was started. Hamilton's possessions, including all of his clothes, were found on the north bank of the Hillsboro Inlet. He had never arrived at the Hillsboro lighthouse, south of the inlet. The boat that Hamilton used to cross the inlet was missing. He was presumed to have drowned or been taken by a shark or alligator while trying to swim across the inlet to retrieve his boat from the far side. His body was never recovered.[12] A "stranger from the north", identified by Hillsboro lighthouse keeper Charles Coman, was suspected of having taken Hamilton's boat across the inlet and leaving it on the south side. The stranger was later charged with tampering with government property (Hamilton's row boat). Tried in Federal Court in Jacksonville, the "stranger" was acquitted and therefore his name was never entered in the court records... Reference: Wikipedia

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Will Postal facility closures and mail service standard changes destroy the newspaper industry?

Newspaper Subscribers May Be the Unseen Victims in USPS Plant Closings

Investors Business Daily

"... The U.S. Postal Service should evaluate the impact of slower service to newspaper subscribers before proceeding with 2015 closings of mail processing plants, National Newspaper Association President John Edgecombe Jr., said this week. Edgecombe is the publisher of The Nebraska Signal in Geneva, NE...."   
Source: www.perryvillenews.com

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Man caught on camera trying to break into post office boxes

Man caught on camera trying to break into post office boxes; in separate case, woman arrested for allegedly stealing mail

"... A would-be thief is caught on camera trying to break into post office boxes at the USPS site on 4th Avenue South...."   
Source: q13fox.com

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Upcoming consolidations will harm businesses financially

Cherrybell postal center can still be saved

"... Our total sales are $200 million a year. If we lose two days in getting our billings paid (one for the bill to go out and one for the payment to come back), this could cost us $80,000 per year. This is more than we have made per year in half of the years in our history...."   
Source: tucson.com

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Finally, a win for the American working class: Postal Service forced to hire/convert to full-time workers

Postal Service to Add Thousands of Union Jobs in 2014

"... Thanks to an independent arbitration ruling earlier this month, USPS will add or convert at least 9,000 jobs previously held by part-time, non-union employees to bargaining unit positions. At least 3,000 of those jobs will be filled by full-time, career employees, according to the American Postal Workers Union...."   
Source: www.govexec.com

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Postal Pot Bust

10-pound postal parcel of pot lands 2 men in jail

"...A 10-pound package of marijuana has landed two Ulster County men behind bars after they picked up the parcel at the local post office. ..."   
Source: www.troyrecord.com

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Protest over 'Industry, California Mail Processing' plant relocation

Unions protest Postal Service processing plant relocation from Industry to Santa Ana

"...The union members, chanting that Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe wanted to “destroy” the postal service, said they came to send a message to Donahoe, who they say was supposed to tour the facility but canceled at the last minute. Plans to relocate the first-class mail processing to Santa Ana starting in January will affect 70,000 businesses and delay deliveries by days ..."   
Source: www.sgvtribune.com

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Stay Up-to-Date on the Fight Against Consolidations, Closures at this APWU link

Stay Up-to-Date on the Fight Against Consolidations, Closures

"... 09/19/2014 - To keep up with the latest developments in the fight against the consolidation and closure of mail Processing & Distribution Centers, check out the union’s website, www.apwu.org. Click on the Issues tab in the blue bar and select: Fighting Consolidations. ..."

Source: www.apwu.org

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Donahoe sounds a bit out of touch, Given the growth of email and mobile advertising

Is USPS delusional in direct mail confidence?

"... Given the growth of email and mobile advertising as of late, Donahoe sounds a bit out of touch. Many marketers would say direct mail, and print advertising in general, is faltering...."   
Source: www.fiercegovernment.com

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Congress and Postmaster General Continue Chopping Away Postal Services

Postal Service under attack

Destruction of the Postal Service

"... Send a message to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. His job is to preserve the USPS for the American public; not help beleaguered members of Congress dismantle it. Plans to move delivery to centralized locations and eliminate collection boxes to reduce the service, which is pivotal to the success of the USPS. It is the USPS’s ability to bring mail to patrons’ door that is the signature of our bond with the American public...."   
Source: www.rutlandherald.com

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Postal Service lawyer: USPS has "federal immunity from state and local regulation." (No Parking Tickets)

Postal Service's big delivery edge: no parking tickets

"...The city of East Cleveland tried to collect some $700 in traffic fines from Uncle Sam last year, only to get a letter from a Postal Service lawyer reminding the municipality that the organization has "federal immunity from state and local regulation." ..."   
Source: www.sfgate.com

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What's it take to get a new, 'real' post office? Oil

Yes, Fracking Way: A New Post Office in an Oil Boom Town

"... the oil boom town of Williston, North Dakota received as the Badlands Postal Store opened on July 1. (But what, you ask, about all these new Contract Postal Units (CPUs), Staples pretty-much-CPUs, and Village "Post Offices" (VPOs) USPS keeps opening up? No, we're not counting those, because those aren't staffed by actual USPS personnel. The Badlands Postal Store is..."   
Source: colossus-of-roads.blogspot.com

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More Postal Service Cuts?

Postal Service forges ahead on job cuts, plant closures

"... the service wants authorization to further reduce its workforce. The agency has already shrunk by about 320,000 employees since fiscal 2000, but Donahoe has said legislation would allow the Postal Service to move from 485,000 career employees to 400,000 over the next few years...."   
Source: www.federaltimes.com

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COLA Increase for APWU Employees Covered by the National Agreement and New Pay Scales

COLA Increase for APWU Employees Covered by the National Agreement

"...In July 2014, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) fell slightly to 698.580. The sixth COLA adjustment under the 2010 National Agreement is..."   
Source: www.apwu.org

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The Postal Service Is Making Money from Operations

The Postal Service’s Best-Kept Secret: It’s Making Money from Operations

"... “Despite the good news, Postmaster General Donahoe continues to paint a desperate picture of postal finances to justify his push to privatize the U.S. Postal Service,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “But USPS financial reports show the Postal Service is rebounding from the economic collapse of 2008 and can thrive as a public institution – if it is allowed to do so.”..."   
Source: www.apwu.org

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The Postal Service should remain a function of the government

People Use Government to Stay Connected: The Post Office

"...Privatization proponents are also seeking to replace the jobs of well-paid postal service employees with non-union (and so lower paid) workers at retailers such as Staples. (Staples is now offering promotional discounts to U.S. Postal Service rates in order to draw business away from local post offices.) Such action would reduce the number of good, middle-class jobs and could lead to a reduction in mail service to places without certain commercial facilities. ..."   
Source: www.foreffectivegov.org

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