POSTAL NEWS

...from various sources.

2.13.2009

APWU Denounces USPS Rate Proposal


"... “The USPS response to its financial crisis has been to cut work hours and consolidate postal facilities,” Burrus said, “and service has suffered. But management has refused to take any steps to reduce the loss of revenue from ‘worksharing’ discounts or from subcontracting.” “As a result, postal managers have no reason to expect understanding from employees — who have been asked to sacrifice time and again because of the financial crisis...."  
Source: www.apwu.org




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2.12.2009

Spiraling down, 2 cents at a time


"... First class postage stamps will go up another 2 cents in May, the Postal Service said Tuesday... ...stock up on Forever stamps. ..."  
Source: kitchentablenomics.blogspot.com




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FERS Sick-Leave Bill Introduced


"...The “FERS Sick Leave Equity Act” (H.R. 958), introduced by Rep. Jim Moran (D) and Frank Wolf (R), provides Federal Employees Retirement System employees a sick-leave benefit equal to that received by employees under the Civil Service Retirement System. For the purposes of determining an annuity during retirement, the benefit adds unused sick leave to the number of years an employee has worked. ..."    



This Article is From: www.apwu.org,


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2.11.2009

Postal Service to conduct area mail processing study


"... consolidating some operations of the processing and distribution facilities in Utica and..."  
Source: www.wktv.com




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Post office to remove several collection boxes


"... Indianapolis - The United States Postal Service is removing 55 mailboxes on streets across the city..."  
Source: www.msnbc.msn.com




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2.10.2009

USPS EXPANDS ITS POSTAL HISTORY WEBSITE


"... USPS just launched its “new and improved” Postal History website, featuring more than 100 papers on postal history, historic images and photos, and resources..."  
Source: liteblue.usps.gov
Visit the website HERE




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2.09.2009

USPS Rolls Out Abraham Lincoln Stamps


"... His image has appeared on more than 50 U.S. postage stamps..."  
Source: www.ktnv.com




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FedEx Freight Lays Off 900


"... The cuts were made at 150 of the company's 475 terminals and represent roughly 2.6 percent of approximately 34,500 employees...."  
Source: www.trafficworld.com




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Return to sender


"... Privatization is not the answer, nor is five-day delivery, but listening to USPS and Postal Union Officials’ proposals may be a good starting point...."  
Source: news.bostonherald.com




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Three Pulaski County Men Arrested in 2008 Postal Truck Robbery


"... a three-count indictment charging them with violations of Robbery of a Post Office/Postal Employee, Receipt of Stolen Property, and Aiding and Abetting. The indictment was returned by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Arkansas...."  
Source: arkansasmatters.com




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USPS workers on the picket line to fight for their jobs


"... a three-year USPS mail processor whose position could be on the chopping block. "From work and to travel and taking care of my family, that's going to be really really hard for me," Crosier said. The issue is about the USPS proposal: ..."  
Source: www.abcactionnews.com




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Postal workers rally to keep Industry facility open


"... Postal workers kicked off a campaign Saturday to prevent the US Postal Service from taking steps they fear will lead to the closure of the Industry Processing and Distribution Center on Gale Avenue. Dozens of workers and American Postal Workers Union leaders gathered at the Ontario ..."  
Source: www.sgvtribune.com




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2.02.2009

USPS 5-Day Delivery Week Could Hurt E-Commerce


"... Now that e-mail has taken the place of snail mail for many personal and business communications, the U.S. Postal Service is swimming in red ink. The solution? Cut deliveries to five days a week. That's what Postmaster General John Potter proposed to Congress earlier this week. That could mean trouble for e-commerce companies like Netflix, which depends on speedy delivery...."  
Source: www.ecommercetimes.com




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1.30.2009

Obama Moves to Reverse Bush’s Labor Policies


Article Title: Obama Moves to Reverse Bush’s Labor Policies
Snippet from Article: "...The orders he signed, which union officials say will undo Bush administration policies that tilted toward employers, would require federal contractors to offer jobs to current workers when contracts change, and would make it more difficult for federal contractors to discourage union activities...."
Source: www.nytimes.com

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1.28.2009

Postal Hearing Results

The following links relate to today's Hearing and the future of the Postal Service. You must read carefully and completely to understand the dynamics of the situation in full.

  • STATEMENT OF POSTMASTER GENERAL/CEO JOHN E. POTTER BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION, FEDERAL SERVICES AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UNITED STATES SENATE JANUARY 28, 2009
    "...Contracts with the two unions that alone represent almost 75 percent of our 652,000 career employees – the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers – do not expire until late 2010 and late 2011. We cannot wait until then to address what are pressing needs today. So I am proposing to union leadership that we begin talks now to create needed levels of workforce flexibility. ..."
    Article Reference Source: www.intelisent.com

  • Key Points Made By Witnesses before the
    Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security
    "... Senator Susan Collins:

    * Enactment of PAEA was an arduous process.
    * We need to continue the nation's universal postal services. Mail is still a key part of the nation's economic infrastructure.
    * The current recession has placed the Postal Service back on the congressional agenda.
    * The question has been raised as to whether the Postal Service is trying to use this crisis as a way of pulling away from PAEA.
    * The PAEA retiree payments were a key part of the negotiating to make PAEA possible.
    * A rwo-year reprieve is doable. Beyond two years make take too much pressure off the USPS to respond to its other challenges.
    * GAO has been disappointed with the USPS' responses. GAO expressed frustration with the USPS' lack of transparency.
    * Very disappointed that the proposed solution is the elimination of the six-day a week delivery requirement. Service cutbacks also can impact mail volume adversely.
    * Already received many complaints from publishers in Maine. Service has been compromised.
    * I don't know how you can ask for relief while proposing cutbacks in service that could precipitate further losses.
    * I'm very concerned about the lack of the Postal Service's financial transparency. You're coming to Congress for relief with the needed transparency. This is unacceptable.
    ..."
    Article Reference Source: www.postcom.org

  • Video: Title: The Impact of the Economic Crisis on the U.S. Postal Service
    "... U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
    Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security
    ..."
    Article Reference Source: hsgac.senate.gov

  • Area offices to reduce staffing levels
    "... With this action, complement at Area Offices has been reduced – some vacant positions have been eliminated, while other occupied positions are impacted. Starting this week, employees occupying impacted positions will be notified and given information and guidance...."
    Article Reference Source: www.postalnewsblog.com
  • Postal Announcement, Big Meeting ...No, it's a Hearing on the Impact of the Economic Crisis on the U.S. Postal Service


    "... The hearing is set to examine how the current financial crisis is hurting business at the U.S. Postal Service, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) will hold the hearing at 2:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, in his Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management..."  
    Source: postal-edaily.blogspot.com




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    1.27.2009

    DMA, Direct Mailers Urge Postal Relief


    "...The letter states that the current financial crisis could cause either dramatic cutbacks in service or an increase under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. ..."  
    Source: www.mediabuyerplanner.com




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    1.26.2009

    Most postal workers refuse anthrax vaccine


    "... postal workers were shaped partially by fears of being "guinea pigs," disagreements among public health agencies about whether the vaccine should be recommended, physician advice, low perceived risk of infection and conflicting reports from national media organizations...."  
    Source: www.upi.com




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    ‘Magic Man’ postal clerk Ross retires


    "... delivering smiles as well as mail. Anglea said that whenever Ross would meet someone, he would tell them, "Have a great day, and make the best of it!"

    In addition to his work at Vanderbilt, Ross also earned a reputation as a magician..."  
    Source: www.insidevandy.com




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    Postal service to offer same-day delivery of The Detroit News


    "... The Detroit News will be available for same-day delivery via the U.S. Postal Service beginning March 30 -- the day home delivery stops on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

    In addition, residents in more than 200 senior care homes in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties ..."  
    Source: www.detnews.com




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    1.24.2009

    Significant Changes Expected; Sacrifices Must Be Shared, Burrus Says

    Postal News


    "... crisis that is confronting the Postal Service, and the substantial impact it will have upon postal employees. Although some in the postal community dismissed my warnings as alarmist..."  
    Source: www.apwu.org




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    1.23.2009

    Stamp vending machines shut down in Appleton


    "... part of a U.S. Postal Service plan announced in 2006 to eliminate all stamp vending machines by 2010...."  
    Source: www.chicagotribune.com




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    USPS Sees Drop in Volume


    "... study to determine whether or not the current resources the service has are still needed...."  
    Source: www.whsv.com




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    1.21.2009

    Stamp enthusiasts share oddities, history


    "... The first stamps were used in 1840 in England. They were called the Penny Blacks and Twopenny Blues. Before they were issued, people had to pay for letters and packages when they received them. By making the sender prepay for postage, it ensured letters got to where they were going. ..."  
    Source: www.chroniclejournal.com




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    1.18.2009

    $50,000 Reward: robbery at Fairfield, Alabama post office

    "...Robinson said the U. S. Postal Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information and services that lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects..."  
    Source: blog.al.com




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    USPS "Big Announcement" a Dud

    USPS Big Announcement

    OPINION - Apparently the "Big Announcement" from the United States Postal Service either never existed or maybe just delayed because the bigwigs didn't like the fact that news of an announcement had been leaked in advance. Whatever the case, nothing came to fruition relative to the news. The "Big Announcement" at this point is that there is not a big announcement according to an article over at "The National Spending Journal."
    REFERENCE: The Postal Newsgroup

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    1.15.2009

    Cher wants Sonny’s image on stamp, and she’s staying put at Caesars


    "... the top USPS folks are now considering the idea and think it could eventually happen. But first there’s a ton of bureaucratic government red tape to go through..."  
    Source: www.lasvegasweekly.com




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    1.14.2009

    Man "Going Postal" Leaves Suspicious Items in Post Office


    "...the case of a 36-year-old man who created a disturbance ..."  
    Source: www.todaystmj4.com




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    1.13.2009

    Arrests Over Post Office Shooting (UK)


    "... He lived and worked at the village post office alongside his parents, Ken and Judy, both 56. He was engaged to be married to Lisa Bundy, who he had known for 10 years...."  
    Source: news.sky.com




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    alleged USPS announcement on Jan. 16, 2009


    "... Unfortunately there appears to be little information supported by referenced evidence. ..."  
    Source: postal-edaily.blogspot.com




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    1.11.2009

    Postal workers to share lottery winnings


    "... employees, who work at the U.S. Postal Service's main processing plant in Roanoke, are Dana Harris, Frank Mauceri and Jeffrey Young of Roanoke; Kim Holbrook of Lynchburg; Amanda Walkup of Troutville; Alfred Wray of Boones Mill; Robert Viers of Christiansburg and Steven Braxton of Bedford...."  
    Source: www.roanoke.com




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    1.09.2009

    Businesses Upset Over Postal Changes


    "... “It's a serious problem for business people if the mail usually comes at 10 in the morning and they can't get a deposit in for that day,” said Marry McHugh, of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce...."  
    Source: www.wfsb.com




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    Stolen portraits returned to post office in Wapak


    "... The matted prints of drawings of Wapakoneta's favorite son, Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong, are back on the wall. The portraits were reported stolen Monday when postal employees came to work and noticed the pictures were missing...."  
    Source: www.limaohio.com




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    1.08.2009

    Postal Service Cuts Off SRO Tenants; Defies State and Local Law


    "... the U.S. Postal Service (claiming federal preemption) now says they will cease delivering to individual mailboxes in SRO’s – except in hotels that installed them more than three months ago. This effectively shuts out tenants in the private-run SRO’s whose landlords have not complied with the law..."  
    Source: www.beyondchron.org




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    EU has stamped on world's best postal service


    "... it is easy – just hand over control to unelected foreign bureaucrats and allow foreign companies to seize the profitable areas of business, forcing the remainder into debt...."  
    Source: www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk




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    1.07.2009

    Post Office pledges to fix leaky roof damaging mural in Westhampton Beach


    "...slowly damaging what some consider to be an important piece of American art—painter Sol Wilson’s mural titled “Outdoor Sports.” ..."  
    Source: www.27east.com




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    Man arrested in theft at Flagstaff post office


    "... confessed to getting drunk, breaking into downtown Flagstaff's post office, opening hundreds of packages and making off with loads of stolen property. The man is identified as 22-year-old ..."  
    Source: www.kold.com




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    'Let me sleep,' anthrax suspect wrote before suicide


    "... The anthrax letters killed five people and sickened more than a dozen just after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The letters, filled with bacterial spores, were sent to Senate Democratic leaders and news organizations. Those who died were two Washington postal workers..."  
    Source: www.cnn.com




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    1.05.2009

    More than 2,000 pounds of pot found in fake postal truck


    "... found last month inside a fake United Parcel Service truck in Pima County, according to a news release. ..."  
    Source: www.abc15.com




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    Postal Service Previews 2009 Commemorative Stamp Program


    "... What do Lassie, The Tonight Show, Abe Lincoln, Gary Cooper, Gulf Coast Lighthouses, Civil Rights Pioneers and Wedding Cakes have in common? They’re all 2009 stamp subjects the U.S. Postal Service is providing a sneak peek at today. All stamp issuance dates and dedication locations are subject to change. The public is welcome to attend unless otherwise noted...."  
    Source: www.usps.com




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