POSTAL NEWS

...from various sources.

6.27.2008

Colorado Stamp Flaw: Wrong Mountain?

Exclusive: Wyoming Mountain Depicted On Colorado Stamp?

"...Al DeSarro, with the U.S. Postal Service, said that Engeman's artwork "was not based on any specific picture of a mountain." He said it is supposed to be a generic representation of a mountain -- not a specific mountain in Colorado. The U.S. Postal Service plans to issue a total of 60 flag stamps in alphabetical order -- one for each state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories as well as the stars and stripes..."    



Source: www.thedenverchannel.com

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6.26.2008

USPS Network Plan

USPS ‘Network Plan [PDF]’ Would Adversely Effect Postal Workers, Service


"... Regrettably, postal management has developed a business plan that relies almost exclusively on reducing work hours as a means of remaining financially solvent. Year after year budgets are established that call for reductions in the number of employees, the consolidation of facilities, and other cost-cutting measures. This is a failed strategy and it cannot sustain America’s mail service. However, if management intends to continue down the road of employee reductions and contracting postal activities, we shall insist that every change be made consistent with our Collective Bargaining Agreement. We shall also engage the American public so that they are aware of intended changes that would erode mail services. ..."  
Source: www.apwu.org



Further Reading: POSTAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENHANCEMENT ACT § 302 NETWORK PLAN, June 2008 [PDF]


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6.23.2008

Six More U.S. Representatives Co-Sponsor Mail Network Protection Act


"... The bill would help reduce wasteful, inefficient, and detrimental subcontracting by the U.S. Postal Service by requiring the USPS to bargain with postal unions before it engages in significant contracting-out. Thanks to outreach and education efforts by APWU locals, the legislation has gained 116 cosponsors since it was introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) ..."    Source: www.apwu.org




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Postal retiree, 93, sends check to post office


"... Only a few days after the tornado brought destruction to the Town of Windsor, a disabled 93-year-old retiree in Denver thought it was his duty to donate what he could to the disaster stricken town. Ted Koomanoff sent a $100 check as a donation to the clerks at the Windsor Post Office..."  


Source: www.coloradoan.com

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Contract Postal Units

7 businesses have stations


"... The stations are called Contract Postal Units and were opened in the city as a response to the population surge in East Baton Rouge Parish since Hurricane Katrina, said Judith A. Brining, customer relations coordinator for the U.S. Postal Service in Baton Rouge. ..."  


Source: www.2theadvocate.com

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6.22.2008

Change of Address Processing: Melissa Data SmartMover

get your mailing lists processed for change-of-address updates


"... The NCOALink SmartMover web service lets you build a seamless address verifying and updating process right into your own application to work the way you want, when you want it. A smart mailer like yourself already knows the benefits of cleaning up a mailing list..."  


Source: www.melissadata.com

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6.19.2008

Postal Service Hold Prices As Costs Climb


"...United States Postal Service spokespeople in Birmingham said Wednesday that fuel costs are eating up budgets ..."  


Source: www.nbc13.com

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Postal Workers Aboard RMS Titanic

The Incredible Postal Workers Aboard RMS Titanic


"... The postal workers rushed to the mail room to begin rescuing the mail. It has been estimated that the workers retrieved up to 200 sacks of registered mail and had carried them to the upper decks on the slim chance that it might get rescued. Even as water began to fill the post office, the men admirably answered the postal workers call of duty to save the mail from destruction..."  


Source: www.stampsofdistinction.com

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6.18.2008

Animals and Stuff Childrens Book Written by Retired Postal Worker

Retired postal worker Mark Shaber has message for children

"...Retired postal worker from Bedford Post Office and summer employee at Spring Mill State Park. Title of book: Animals and Stuff ..."    



Source: www.tmnews.com



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6.17.2008

Ebay Live! 2008 and the Postal Service

USPS Postal Service Ebay Shipper Presentations

If you are an Ebay shipper or desire to be an eBillionaire, you will not want to miss Ebay Live 2008. eBay Live! 2008 will be June 19 -21, 2008 in Chicago. The Postal Service will be on hand to inform shippers about their competitive products and pricing. Visit the United States Postal Service at Booth 405 - Solution Center. If you are unable to attend eBay Live! 2008, one Ebayer is offering a US Postal Service Priority Mail Flat Rate Box® full of Ebay Live Chicago 2008 assorted collectibles. It is listed as Item number: 180253534526. This website is not affiliated with the seller and is not responsible for any dealings with the seller or buyer.    



Source: http://postal-newsgroup.blogspot.com/

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6.14.2008

PSE Unveils "Fresh" Stamp Collecting Format and Offers Free "U.S. Design Numbers" Booklet


"...Entitled, "A Guide to U.S. Design Numbers (USD), 1847- 1947," the new collection-building structure focuses on 435 regular-issue U.S. postage stamps that were issued from 1847 to 1947 and intended for use on letters or parcels. PSE has produced a full-color, 56-page booklet with photos of the stamps and a cross listing of the USD numbers and their corresponding numbers in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue. The Scott numbers are used with permission of Scott Publishing Co., a subsidiary of Amos Press, Inc..."    



Source: www.psestamp.com

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6.13.2008

More Riff Over the Term "Going Postal"

Union Campaign Against Violent Stereotype Greeted with Silence by Postal Management

"...The union has learned that the Postal Service has designated a franchise business called — you guessed it — Goin’ Postal as a partner in the USPS Approved Shipper Program. The national union learned about the partnership from local editors Mike Mazurkiewicz, (Saint Paul’s Postmark) and Cathy Hanson (Minneapolis’ Northern Light), who ventured into a Goin’ Postal outlet in their area. When they identified themselves to a manager as postal workers offended by the company’s name, they were informed that the company plans to open 4,000 stores nationwide..."

Source: www.apwu.org

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6.12.2008

Federal employee Combat Zone Compensation Entitlements

OPM Reminds Agencies of Additional Benefits for Civilian Employees in Combat Zones

Springer outlined a list of authorities currently available to agencies. These include, but are not limited to:

* The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 provides for a higher annual maximum limitation on premium pay;
* The Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR) provide a number of important compensation entitlements, such as danger pay and hardship differentials;
* OPM regulations give agencies the discretionary authority to provide recruitment, retention, and relocation incentive payments (up to 100 percent of basic pay) to address difficulties in recruiting or retaining employees in combat zones;
* Agencies have the ability to offer time off awards;
* Agencies have the authority under DSSR to provide travel benefits for rest and recuperation equivalent to one trip every six months and after 90 days in the country; and,
* Agencies have the authority to grant administrative leave (excused absence with pay and without charge to leave).

For additional information on these and other authorities, Federal employees should contact their agency human resources office.

Reference: www.opm.gov

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Postal Contract COLA Update: $633

Contract COLA: $633
"...The accumulation toward the third regular cost of living adjustment for letter carriers under the 2006-2011 National Agreement was $633 in May following the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April 2008. The actual COLA will reflect the increase in the CPI between January and July 2008. ..."
Resource: www.nalc.org
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6.10.2008

Retire in Style

Neither rain nor heat nor gloom of night stops folks from living large at the unofficial retirement community of the National Association of Letter Carriers.

"...With an efficiency renting for under $75 in 1964, Nalcrest [Florida] was nirvana for postal retirees. It remains a bargain: A one-bedroom rents for only $305, and dinners at Jay Bee's II, the town's only restaurant, average $6. ..."    



Source: nationalgeographic.com

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6.09.2008

Postal Reform Lobbying

Slattery discloses list of lobbying clients

"...Slattery represented the CT Corporation from 2005-2007 during postal reform debate. The USPS wanted to use postal revenue to subsidize non-postal services in competition with private businesses..."

Reference: primebuzz.kcstar.com

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Postal Healthcare

The healthcare bill you don't know about at the Postal Service

"...A provision contained in the otherwise modest postal reform bill of December 2006 aims to pre-fund retiree health benefits with money that was overfunding the USPS's contribution to another government account. For the next 10 years, the Postal Service is required to direct more than $5 billion annually into pre-funding retiree health benefits. That's not enough to wipe clean the tab for taxpayers, but it is enough to make a prudent down payment...."

Reference: www.miamiherald.com

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Postal Service technology can be helpful

Connected: Postal Service technology can be helpful

"...the Postal Service has recently installed imaging equipment specifically to expedite the return of undeliverable checks -- and there was a picture of my check near the bottom of the page!..."    



Source: www.post-gazette.com

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6.08.2008

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford Urges End to Saturday mail delivery

Langford, to save fuel, urges an end to Saturday mail delivery

"...Langford last week announced a four-day work week for 4,000 Birmingham city employees, effective July 1. That plan received national and international attention. Langford was featured on Fox News Channel and ABC World News Tonight in stories detailing how the nation is coping with near $4 a gallon gas prices..."    



Source: al.com

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6.06.2008

U.S. Economy Continues Slide

Nation's Unemployment Sees Largest One-Month Spike In Two Decades

"...The U.S. Labor Department reported the largest one-month unemployment increase since 1986..."

Source: www.todaysthv.com


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6.04.2008

Postal employee gets death for skimming $937,000

Thanh Nien Daily, Vietnam - A court in the southern province of Bac Lieu yesterday sentenced a former treasurer of the local post office to death for embezzling over VND15 billion (US$937,000).

"...found guilty of siphoning off the money between 2003 and 2006, was also forced to pay back the stolen amount..."   


::► Source: www.thanhniennews.com

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6.03.2008

The next Mail Handler COLA will be...

The effective date of the next Mail Handler COLA

"...the next adjustment will be effective the second full pay period after the release of the July 2008 Index..."    



Source: AGREEMENT between National Postal Mail Handlers Union, 2006-2011


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6.01.2008

Mail Handler Update: FOCUS ON USPS AFTER POSTAL REFORM

HEGARTY TESTIFIES: FOCUS ON USPS AFTER POSTAL REFORM

"...President Hegarty said, "the Postal Service continues to make plans to replace long-term career employees who are dedicated to the mission of the Postal Service with low-paid, no-benefit, non-career, and often transient workers. Not only are the financial “savings” an illusion, but the American people should not have their postal system subsidize the profits of privateers, whether in the processing or delivery of mail..."

Reference: www.npmhu.org

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5.30.2008

Is there going to be a USPS Voluntary Early Retirement offer?

This is a good question. There has been no official notification provided to the masses of postal employees. Many are speculating there will be an offer. Would it not be a good time to inform yourself relative to the VERA regulations? Take a look at the OPM website on this subject at http://www.opm.gov/Reduction_In_Force/vera/vera01.asp




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OPM suspends contract for electronic retirement system


"...The move came just days before OPM was scheduled to launch wave two of the retirement project for employees at the U. S. Postal Service. Currently, 26,000 employees at the General Services Administration have converted to the system, with OPM expecting to transfer all federal employees to RetireEZ by February 2009...."    



Source: www.govexec.com


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5.24.2008

USPS Nashville Processing and Distribution Center

Postal Service to build massive center near airport

"...Nashville Post (subscription) -
The US Postal Service plans to build a 626000-square-foot processing and distribution center near Nashville International Airport... Panattoni Development Co. will oversee construction and is working with the USPS on traffic studies of the area. The new facility is likely to employ more..."

Reference: www.nashvillepost.com


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5.22.2008

Mail Network Protection Act

Support for Mail Network Protection Act Tops 100

"...The legislation, introduced last November by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), would require the Postal Service to bargain with postal unions before it engages in significant contracting-out and protect inexpensive, trustworthy mail service for the American public..."

Reference: www.apwu.org

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National Postal Forum

Postmaster General Embraces Change

"...Potter spoke about new technologies that are providing these solutions — Intelligent Mail Barcode and the Flat Sequencing System (FSS). FSS is new technology that will speed the sorting and delivery of large envelopes, catalogs and magazines, quadrupling productivity. FSS machines also will be able to read the Intelligent Mail Barcode, allowing mailers and the Postal Service to track mail throughout the sortation process, improving service and reducing costs to mailers and consumers...."

Reference: www.usps.com

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5.05.2008

Express Mail Will Be the Best Overnight Deal in the Country for Most Shippers

Postal Service Launching Competitive Expedited Mail Prices "...All Express Mail and Priority Mail customers can save money simply by going online to purchase postage, including customers using Click-N-Ship at usps.com. Express Mail customers will receive 3 percent off the published retail prices and Priority Mail customers will save an average 3.5 percent. Customized contract pricing will also soon be available for large commercial customers...." Resource: www.usps.com

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Shop Steward Rights Upheld

Court Upholds Unfair Labor Charge Against USPS "...The case stemmed from an incident on Aug. 25, 2004, when an employee at a Florida post office discovered white powder in a tray of letters. Mindful of incidents involving anthrax in the mail, several workers protested the supervisor’s instructions to process the mail. The supervisor told the shop steward at the Destin post office to shut up, and an employee filed an unfair labor practice charge, alleging that the supervisor had refused to allow the shop steward to perform his duties...." Resource: www.apwu.org

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4.27.2008

Another Article on Postal Carrier Town (Nalcrest, Florida)

These postal workers are done delivering and have own town "...The ZIP code is 33856, and it belongs only to them.

Well, them and a few alligators.

To make the waiting list for an apartment, an applicant must fork over a postal money order for two months' rent. No checks, thank you. Only a transfer issued by the Postal Service will do..."
Reference: www.miamiherald.com

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Classic Car Stamps Preview

Postal Service provides ‘sneak peek’ at Classic Car Stamps "...Ever wanted to own a classic car but couldn’t afford one? Later this fall, 50 million Detroit classics will roll out of the nation’s 37,000 Post Office show rooms as the second issuance in the America on the Move commemorative stamps series. The 50s Fins and Chrome 42-cent First-Class stamps go on sale Oct. 3, and feature paintings by renowned automobile illustrator Art. M. Fitzpatrick—a ’57 Chrysler 300C, ’57 Lincoln Premiere, ’57 Pontiac Safari, ’57 Studebaker Golden Hawk and a ’59 Cadillac Eldorado. The stamps were modeled after cars still on the road today...."
Reference: www.usps.com




© 2007 USPS. All Rights Reserved.


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4.25.2008

Postal Red Flag

Mailbox flags may be tipping off thieves
"... Residents who pay bills by putting a check in an envelope, placing the letter in a mailbox outside their home and pulling up the little red flag are making it too easy for thieves in Thousand Oaks..."

Source: www.toacorn.com

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TSP May Begin Automatic Participation

Board to press for automatic TSP enrollment of new employees
"...draft legislation prepared by the board, new or rehired employees would have 3 percent of their basic pay automatically contributed to one of TSP’s L Funds as soon as they begin work, unless they specifically decline to participate. Employees would have 90 days to opt out of the program and receive a full refund. ..."

Source: www.federaltimes.com

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4.22.2008

USPS Purchasing New Equipment as Revenue Declines

New equipment to lower USPS costs as revenue declines "...Postmaster General John Potter said the agency’s quarterly revenue indicators were “bad.” “These are not normal times,” Potter said. “Economic problems have deepened … and they have been sending waves of turbulence through the Postal Service.”..."
[Reference: www.federaltimes.com]

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Post Office in McCausland, Iowa

Postmark Power "...The official reason for the shutdown was mold contamination. Not of the customers or employees, but of the building itself. But USPS brass have a long history of consolidating small post offices into giant city or suburban mail processing facilities. When this happens the local postmark often disappears. So, sometimes, do jobs. ..."
[Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com]


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Man Admits Stealing $10K In Postage Stamps

Melcher Used Newspaper, Tin Foil To Trick Machines, Prosecutors Say "...and four other people allegedly stole $10,486 worth of stamps and other postal property between October and December 2006, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The stamps were stolen from vending machines inside the post offices, the paper reported...."
[Reference: www.thebostonchannel.com]


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4.21.2008

Harold Weidner Retires

People Profile --Weidner put ‘stamp’ on his family, postal career
"...a gentleman who likely never carried an extra pound of body fat — courtesy of a 17-mile all-walking route almost daily for years; and a route that eventually grew nearly 10 miles starting a quarter century or so back with the coming of a jeepster-looking vehicle that ushered in a more mechanized U.S. Post Office — Weidner can boom out a laugh that would make jolly ol’ Santa Claus proud when he recalls $1.38 per hour was his initial wage when he began working as a part-time postal service employee more than 50 years ago..."
[Reference: www.brenhambanner.com]


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Postal Worker Saves Falling Infant

Postal worker saves infant who fell from second-floor window "...City police said Lisa Harrell was making a package delivery to 306 Second St. about 11 a.m. when she noticed the child in an upstairs window that was open and did not have the screen pulled down. Harrell started to walked to the front door when she was struck in the head, police said. Unsure of what hit her, she put her arms out and the child fell into her arms, according to police...."
[Reference: www.dailygazette.com]

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Ruben Salazar Postage Stamp

Stamp to honor slain journalist, UTEP alum Ruben Salazar "...Credited with giving a voice to Hispanic Americans during the 1960s, University of Texas at El Paso alumnus Ruben Salazar will be honored on a U.S. postage stamp this month as part of the American Journalists Series...."
[Reference: elpasotimes.com]



© 2007 USPS. All Rights Reserved.
Ruben Salazar, from the Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive (Collection 1429), Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA


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