POSTAL NEWS

...from various sources.

7.27.2012

Article: "...POStPlan is a fraud being perpetrated not only on rural America but on all America""

"A half-vast plan": A postmaster comments on POStPlan

"... The cumulative effect of the changes the Postal Service has offered, stepping back to see the forest broadly, is nothing less than a complete redefinition of universal service so as to make that term meaningless. By any measure POStPlan is a fraud being perpetrated not only on rural America but on all America. It is another step in an effort to break the bonds people have with their post offices. This plan and the plans offered by the management of the Postal Service in general are designed to undue the process of binding the Nation together...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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7.23.2012

Wife shot retired postal worker husband

Browns Mills woman, 76, charged with murder in husband's death

"...Valpa Rosa was an Air Force veteran and a retired postal worker, according to online reports. He and his wife had lived in the Margaret Street home for about 40 years. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.courierpostonline.com

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7.20.2012

Post Office closure appeals rise

Post office closing appeals skyrocket

"... From 2007 to 2009, there were exactly two such appeals. As of mid-May, the year-to-date total for fiscal 2012 was 126, or well above the 103 appeals filed in all of 2011, according to a new joint report from the inspectors general for the Postal Service and Postal Regulatory Commission...."  Click to Read More
Source: federaltimes.com

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7.17.2012

FedEx could lose huge Postal Service contract

FedEx Fights UPS to Keep $1 Billion Postal Service Deal

"...FedEx warned in a regulatory filing this week that it may lose the contract or be able to negotiate less favorable terms for renewing it. Postal Service work generated about $1.4 billion for the Memphis, Tennessee-based company in its fiscal year through May 2012 ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.bloomberg.com

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7.13.2012

Postal Service default on health benefits fund for future retirees likely

USPS default on Aug. 1 appears likely

"... The cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service is within weeks of defaulting on a legally required $5.5 billion payment into a health benefits fund for future retirees...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.federaltimes.com

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7.02.2012

Postal Service’s unilateral determination to disallow the exercise of retreat rights a violation

Arbitrator Das Sustains APWU Grievance on Denial of Retreat Rights

"...Arbitrator Das determined that the Postal Service’s unilateral determination to disallow the exercise of retreat right under these circumstances violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The issue of remedy was remanded to the parties and the arbitrator retained jurisdiction to resolve any remedial disputes.

The issue in the second case (Case #Q11C-4Q-C11322481) was the USPS conversion of PTRs and PTFs in August 2011 to unassigned regular status with temporary NTFT schedules. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.apwu.org

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6.28.2012

Postal Workers Continue Hunger Strike

Postal Workers Start Third Day of Hunger Strike to Save USPS

"... “Corporate America is trying to steal your postal service,” said Jamie Partridge of Community & Postal Workers United, as the hunger strikers chanted, “We demand a refund, we demand repeal” of the congressional mandate forcing the USPS to prefund retiree health benefits 75 years in advance...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.care2.com

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6.21.2012

Join over 400 community groups, clergy, citizens, and postal workers endorsing hunger strike

Turning up the heat: The DC Hunger Strike

"... On June 25th, a band of protestors will travel to Washington DC to stage a four-day hunger strike calling attention to the Postal Service’s plans to reduce service and cut jobs. That’s just days before the Postal Service implements the change in service standards that will end overnight delivery for about 20 percent of First Class mail, a prelude to further service reductions..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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6.15.2012

Senate bill could save some postal processing centers

U.S. Senate bill could save Quincy postal processing site

"... U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., inserted a provision into an appropriations bill that would require the U.S. Postal Service to conduct an audit that shows cost savings before closure or consolidation at the 11 postal processing centers. All of them were found to be efficient operations in recent years. Quincy and Rockford facilities are among those affected by the proposed rule. ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.whig.com

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6.14.2012

Postal Service should follow federal preservation laws when considering disposal of these buildings

Historic Post Offices: An Inventory of the Legacy

"... Among the Trust's main concerns is the way the Postal Service has been handling the sell-off. "The lack of a transparent and uniform national process from the Postal Service — one that follows federal preservation laws when considering disposal of these buildings — is needlessly placing the future of many historic post office buildings in doubt," says the Trust. Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust, says she hopes to work with the Postal Service to develop a process for adapting and reusing the historic buildings...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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6.08.2012

Hunger strike over the Postmaster General sending the postal service into a death spiral

Hunger strikers protest end of first class overnight mail delivery

"... “The Postmaster General is sending the service into a death spiral,” said Matt McAulifee, a postal mailhandler and hunger striker from Denver. “By slowing the mail, one to two days, the postal service will drive away customers. Businesses will switch to online billing and patrons will switch to online payment. Those most dependent on the mail - the elderly, the poor and rural communities - will be hit the hardest.” ..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.lakestevensjournal.com

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6.05.2012

Send your opinion on POStPlan to the PRC now!

The PRC wants your opinion on POStPlan, but does the Postal Service want the PRC's?

"... You can send your comments to the Postal Regulatory Commission, 901 New York Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC, 20268-0001. Mention the docket number, N2012-2. You can also submit comments online using the customer service form, here. If you want to suggest questions that might be put to the Postal Service about the plan, you could probably also contact the Public Representative assigned to the case, Emmett Rand Costich, at costicher@prc.gov...."  Click to Read More
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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6.01.2012

POStPlan: Some Post Offices upgrade to Level 18's with Postmaster pay raises

POStPlan: New lists, maps, financials, and more

"... Why 4,600 post offices needed to be upgraded — and their postmasters given at least a 2% raise — is not clear. ..."  Click to Read More
Source:

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5.25.2012

Early Retirement and Buy Out Incentives Are Offered to Postal Mail Handlers

Mail Handlers to be offered retirement incentive

"... Mail Handlers who are eligible should be receiving a package in the mail from the Postal Service (these retirement documents will be mailed to the employee's address that USPS has on file; an employee can confirm or change his/her mailing address online by logging on to www.liteblue.usps.gov), but in general terms VERA offers apply to employees covered under both the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). ..."  Click to Read More
Source: Mail Handler Union

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5.18.2012

Social Security Benefits & Taxes

Social Security Benefits & Taxes

"... So after years of paying income taxes on your “contributions” you are ready to retire and collect the benefits—only to find out that they may be taxable..."  Click to Read More
Source: socialsecuritynewsgroup.blogspot.com

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5.16.2012

No postal facility closures this summer

USPS Announces ‘Modified Consolidation Plan’

"... “The Postal Service is working with its unions regarding an employee incentive offer and will announce details when final decisions are made,” but the USPS and APWU have not been negotiating about incentives, Guffey said.

The talk for employees who interact with customers says, “Some consolidation activities will begin this summer, but there will be no facilities closures this summer.” The other talks do not include this language, nor does the letter to the APWU. (In fact, the stand-up talks for other employees refer to “closing facility.”)..."  Click to Read More
Source: www.apwu.org

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5.10.2012

Buyouts for Postmasters

USPS to offer buyouts to 21,000 postmasters

"... Postmasters that accept the buyout will receive $20,000, split equally between two payments. Exiting postmasters will receive the first $10,000 payment in December 2012 and the second payment in December 2013. Splitting the incentive payment in two will allow the agency to "better manage its cash flow..."  
Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

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Fox News Inaccurate About Postal Service Again

Fox News, Wrong Again!

"... The piece is clearly designed to drum up support for a discredited House bill (H.R. 2309) sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Rep. Dennis Ross (R-FL), and to undermine support for a bill approved by the Senate on April 25...."  
Source: www.apwu.org

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5.08.2012

Postal Closure Moratorium Best Option

Rockefeller, Manchin ask USPS to hold off on closures

"... "Despite our concerns about the legislation, we do believe that extending the existing moratorium while Congress continues to work on postal reform legislation will at least preserve services and jobs..."  
Source: www.statejournal.com

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5.04.2012

Postal Service should extend moratorium on closures and consolidations

Manchin urges USPS to extend moratorium

"...He has also suggested cost-saving measures to the USPS to achieve savings in ways that would not affect services, “including eliminating excess rental space, cutting executive compensation, and reducing advertising expenditures on luxuries like sponsorship of a NASCAR team and a Tour de France team,” his release stated...."  
Source: www.williamsondailynews.com

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5.03.2012

Postal Service total cost saving estimate drops far below plan

Revised Estimates for Network Rationalization: Where have all the savings gone?

"... With the gross savings reduced by $500 million, the new gross savings number is $2.1 billion. Subtract the $500 million for the revenue losses, and we’re left with $1.6 billion in total savings. ..."  
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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4.27.2012

Postmaster General may still rush to shutter mail processing centers after May 15

Postmaster general: No closing frenzy after May 15

"... The Postal Service, which has lost billions of dollars in recent years, could move forward with shuttering mail processing centers after May 15 and before the agency pauses its consolidation efforts later this year, Donahoe added. ..."  
Source: thehill.com

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4.25.2012

No two-year moratorium on plant closures, no supportt from Senator Manchin

Senator Joe Manchin attempts to save the Postal Service others play politics as usual

Senate passes postal bill that would end Saturday mail

"...amendment that would have extended for two years the moratorium on closings. His amendment failed to obtain the needed 60 votes on Wednesday, and he voted against the final bill. "Without the inclusion of a two-year moratorium, I will not support the final passage of the Postal Reform bill," Manchin ..."  
Source: www.chicagotribune.com

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4.23.2012

Purposeful Postal Service Destruction?

Is Congress killing the USPS?

"... this appears as if some in Congress are actually trying to destroy the postal service. Heaven help us if they succeed and we try to use one of the other carriers to get a letter to someone in rural..."  
Source: www.timescall.com

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4.17.2012

Will Senate save some mail processing plants and let some states suffer?

Senate seeks to salvage U.S. Postal Service

"... Left out of the bill was a proposal to raise the price of a first-class postage stamp by 5 cents, to 50 cents, to help pay for the added cost of keeping low-performing post offices and mail processing centers open...."  
Source: www.cbsnews.com

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3.31.2012

Buy your own ZIP code

Town for sale: Buy your own ZIP code

"... The town of Buford, Wyo., will be auctioned April 5, according to the Casper Tribune newspaper...."  
Source: www.inman.com

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3.28.2012

Postmaster General plan would push postal retirees onto Medicare

Expert: USPS pullout would jeopardize federal health insurance program

"... "Just to break even, the USPS will have to reduce benefits or increase premiums by about one-tenth," Francis said. "The costs of a pullout to the USPS will exceed $1 billion annually just to maintain current levels of benefits and premiums. And over time, as the postal workforce ages further, the costs will rise sharply."..."  
Source: www.federaltimes.com

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3.21.2012

Postal Service Retirement Announcements Coming Soon...

Politics, Network Optimization and Early Retirement

"...As Senator Susan Collins’ speech on the Senate floor indicated, the Postal Service’s announcements that it is going ahead with its network optimization plan shortly after the moratorium expires on May 15th ..."  
Source: cepobserver.com

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3.15.2012

"utter disaster" caused by Mail Processing Facility closure according to...

Closure of Frederick Mail Processing Facility 'utter disaster,' according to director of union organization

"...sent to Baltimore to be sorted, has been an “utter disaster,” overwhelming the Baltimore plant and leading to mail delays ..."  
Source: http://articles.herald-mail.com/2012-03-10/news/31144429_1_postal-service-s-baltimore-mail-delays-zip

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3.13.2012

Large mailers entrenched in the mail system may soon have to conform

US Postal Service Cutbacks May Impact Large Customers

"... Large customers entrenched in the mail system may soon have to conform to a new arrangement if the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) consolidates mail processing centers and eliminates most local "overnight" delivery of first-class mail service this year...."  
Source: lbbusinessjournal.com

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3.08.2012

USPS suspends plans to close more than 200 processing plants

USPS suspends plans to close processing plants

"... Postal Service has suspended plans to close more than 200 processing plants..."  
Source: www.nbc12.com

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3.03.2012

Postal contract provision is protecting employees from USPS attacks

Nearly 900 postal service jobs on chopping block in New Orleans

"... "There is a contract provision that states that no one can be transferred more than 50 miles. That's a hurdle the postal service will have to find employment for employees within a 50-mile radius."..."  
Source: www.wwltv.com

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2.29.2012

Overnight delivery of First Class Mail being degraded

Local mail impacted by closing of Bemidji processing center

"...will see is the loss of the overnight commitment of first-class mail..."  
Source: www.ifallsdailyjournal.com

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2.23.2012

Perhaps it’s time for the People of the United States to take the U.S. Postal Service to court

A Civil Action: The People of the United States vs. The U.S. Postal Service

"...Another area of potential environmental impact is the socioeconomic impact on communities. During the Advisory Opinion process for the RAOI, the Postal Service was dismissive of concerns that losing a post office would have significantly negative impacts on a community. ..."  
Source: www.savethepostoffice.com

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2.19.2012

USPS could offer both early retirement and buyout incentives to encourage employees to leave

Postal Service again eyes buyouts, early retirements

"... early retirements and buyout offers as a way to slash its staff by 66,000 employees this year and another 51,000 next year. Combined, the planned cuts..."  
Source: www.federaltimes.com

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2.14.2012

Postal Service Statement on White House budget

PMG thanks President for recognizing need for reform

"... refunding to USPS over a period of two years, $10.9 billion in overpayments to the Federal Employees Retirement System;
allowing USPS to transition to five-day per week delivery starting in 2013;..."  
Source: usps.gov

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2.10.2012

Cuts to Federal and Postal pensions approved by House Panel

House Panel Approves Bill To Cut Postal, Federal Pensions

"... “This bill is an outrageous attack on postal and federal employees,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey. “Some politicians are quick to cut benefits for middle-class workers, but they fight to the death to protect tax breaks for the super-rich.”..."  
Source: www.apwu.org

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1.25.2012

Postal Service: “Our baby boomers are retiring, and we need replacements”

USPS announces job openings in Upstate

"... Harry Spratlin, spokesman for the USPS Greater South Carolina District, told GreenvilleOnline.com the jobs are open primarily because of attrition...."  
Source: www.greenvilleonline.com

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Postal early retirement and disability

Early out or disability retirement?

"...If the Postal Service offers early retirement, can I take the offer and retire while on workers’ comp? ..."  
Source: federaltimes.com

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1.20.2012

Limited-edition collectible commemorative

U.S. Postal Service celebrating Alabama's football national championship

"... Postal Service is accepting orders for limited-edition collectible commemorative envelopes at $10..."  
Source: al.com

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