March 30, 2009

Mold forces rural post office to close - Fort Mill, SC

Fort Mill Times | FortMillTimes.com - Mold forces rural post office to close - Fort Mill, SC: "The U.S. Postal Service is shutting down a rural southeast Missouri post office because of mold.
A facility specialist for the Postal Service inspected the Rombauer post office last month and determined it was unsafe for employees and customers."

Bill to Limit Postal Subcontracting Introduced in House

Bill to Limit Postal Subcontracting Introduced in House: "Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced legislation in the House of Representatives on March 24 that would restrict USPS subcontracting. The Mail Protection Act (H.R. 1686), which is backed by the APWU, is modeled on a bill the Congressman introduced in November 2007 (H.R. 4236)."

March 28, 2009

NAPS Urges Postal Service to Cut Top Management Ranks

PostalReporter.com Blog » NAPS Urges The Postal Service to Cut Top Management Ranks: "“NAPS President Keating called upon the Postal Service to strip away top levels of management and take other cost-cutting moves, during testimony before a House subcommittee on Wednesday."

Alaska Bypass mail center, workers may move to Denver, officials say

Alaska legislators and air carriers fear that the U.S. Postal bypass mail system may be moved out of state despite solving increased bypass mail rate issues with the Postmaster General.

http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/032709/loc_news002.shtml

Postal worker calling it quits at age 79

The News-Gazette.com: Postal worker calling it quits at age 79: "Today's the day. Colleen Weir is finally going nonpostal after 29 years working for the postal service."

March 27, 2009

Postal Worker Seriously Injured in Parma (NY) Accident

Postal Worker Seriously Injured in Parma Accident - 13WHAM.com: "A postal truck and a Cintas vehicle collided just before noon at Parma Center Road (Route 18) and Manitou Road around noon Friday."

Maine Soldier/Postal Worker Killed In Iraq Is Being Honored In Baghdad

WCSH6.com | Portland, ME | Maine Soldier Killed In Iraq Is Being Honored In Baghdad: "The Army and US Postal Service are honoring a Maine soldier who was the first post office employee killed in the Iraq War. Sergeant Larry Roukey was killed in Baghdad six weeks after he was deployed in 2004"

Comics for troops program hurt by postal rates

Comics for troops program hurt by postal rates - BostonHerald.com: "Superman may be more powerful than a locomotive, but he can’t beat the U.S. Postal Service.

A Framingham man who runs a program that sends comic books to military personnel overseas says he may have to cut back because his mailing rates have doubled."

March 25, 2009

Call for Help: Postal chief says agency crashing

The Associated Press: Call for Help: Postal chief says agency crashing: "Postmaster General John Potter said Wednesday the financially strapped U.S. Postal Service will run out of money this year without help from Congress.

The only lingering question, Potter told a House subcommittee, is which bills will get paid and which will not. He did say ensuring the payment of workers' salaries comes first. But Potter also said other bills may have to wait."

In Special Delivery to Lawmakers, U.S. Postmaster Signals SOS

Joe Davidson - In Special Delivery to Lawmakers, U.S. Postmaster Signals SOS - washingtonpost.com: "If the U.S. Postal Service delivered mail by boat, it would be a sinking ship.

A large hole in the hull, punched by a huge iceberg named Recession, is draining mail volume while it allows financial losses to flow in and drown the service in a financial swamp.
The Postal Service is in dreadful shape and needs quick help from Congress to continue delivering the mail.

That was the message repeated over and over by a parade of witnesses yesterday before the House subcommittee on federal workforce, postal service and the District of Columbia."

March 24, 2009

Postal Service VER Offering 7/31/2009

Postal VER Offering 7/31/2009: "ALL EMPLOYEES except Electronic Technicians (ET); Maintenance Mechanics, Mail Processing Equipment (MPE); Part-time Postmasters."

Higher postage hits mailing services

Higher postage hits mailing services: "When the price of postage goes up May 11, companies that provide mailing services in El Paso say they’re concerned it will cost them business and increase their costs significantly."

Senator Snowe Calls on Postmaster General To Consider Small Businesses When Reviewing Six Day Delivery Options

PostalReporter.com Blog » Senator Snowe Calls on Postmaster General To Consider Small Businesses When Reviewing Six Day Delivery Options: "U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today sent a letter to John E. Potter, the Postmaster General of the United States, urging him to consider the impact on small businesses of reducing the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) delivery week from six days to five. Snowe cited the potential negative consequences such an action could have on America’s roughly 27.2 million small businesses."

March 23, 2009

USPS Early Retirement Offer Will Cover City Carriers

PostalReporter.com Blog » NALC: Early Retirement Offer With No Incentives Will Cover City Carriers: "The Postal Service has informed President Young that city letter carriers will be included in its new Voluntary Early Retirement offer"

March 21, 2009

Hands off Staten Island's Manor Road P.O., Schumer tells Postal Service

Hands off Staten Island's Manor Road P.O., Schumer tells Postal Service - Making a direct appeal to the U.S. postmaster general to continue to process outgoing Staten Island mail at the Manor Road Post Office, Sen. Charles Schumer said yesterday it would be "unacceptable" to do otherwise, even as a cost-cutting measure.

Pepper spray prevents injury in dog attack on mail carrier

Pepper spray prevents injury in dog attack on mail carrier | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register: "Des Moines animal control officers are investigating a dog attack on a mail carrier Thursday on the east side of the city.

Jean Welford was in the 900 block of 24th Court about 1 p.m. when a dog approached her, growling and snapping. 'It crossed the street and kept coming at me,' she said.

She was not bitten. She delayed the attack by using pepper spray and then was rescued by a neighbor who took control of the animal.

'I Maced it and it shook its head and kept coming,' Welford said.

She gave a dog a couple of additional squirts of pepper spray but it did not retreat."

Postmaster at the center of small-town life - My Web Times

Wedron: Postmaster at the center of small-town life - My Web Times: "Elwood Hurd is the Sam Drucker of Wedron.

In the far reaches of television land, Sam Drucker was the general store owner-postmaster on the shows 'Green Acres' and 'Petticoat Junction.' Sam's place was ground zero for the imaginary community of Hooterville, in which both shows were set.

Wedron is for real and Hurd is no character dreamed up by a scriptwriter. Rather, he is the flesh-and-blood postmaster in Wedron, where he sees the gentle, although not as much the goofy, side of small-town life as did Sam Drucker.

'You really get to know a lot of what's going on in town, without trying to know everyone's business,' Hurd observed."

March 20, 2009

USPS Looking To ‘Outsource’ Change-of-Address Program?

PostalReporter.com Blog » USPS Looking To ‘Outsource’ Change-of-Address Program?: "The United States Postal Service (“USPS”) is seeking information from parties interested in engaging in a long-term relationship as Supplier and/or alliance partner with the USPS to implement innovative solutions to enable USPS to efficiently and effectively manage its change-of-address (COA) program, while capturing the significant commercial opportunities presented when a postal patron submits change of address forms in connection with a move."

USPS Closing Six Districts, Eliminating 1,400 EAS Positions And Offering Early Retirement

PostalReporter.com Blog » USPS Closing Six Districts, Eliminating 1,400 EAS Positions And Offering Early Retirement: "The Postal Service is closing 6 of the 80 district offices, eliminating 521 positions across the country and offering early retirement to nearly 150,000 employees nationwide (excluding Electronic Technicians, MPE Maintenance Mechanics, Part-time Postmasters)"

March 19, 2009

USPS To Announce District , EAS Staffing Changes On March 20th

PostalReporter.com Blog » USPS To Announce District , EAS Staffing Changes On March 20: "NAPS Headquarters was advised today that the announcements that we have been anticipating for some time on District changes will be made formally at 12:00 noon on Friday (tomorrow)."

USPS Seeking Vendors For Mystery Shopper Program

PostalReporter.com Blog » USPS Seeking Vendors For Mystery Shopper Program

USPS Notifies National Mail Handlers Union Of Upcoming Changes To BMC Network

PostalReporter.com Blog » USPS Notifies National Mail Handlers Union Of Upcoming Changes To BMC Network: "The Bulk Mail Centers ‘(BMCs) will be changed to Network Distribution Centers (NDCs), with three tiers of NDCs. Some of these NDCs will perform work currently performed at nearby Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DCs) and Surface Transfer Centers (STCs)."

Losing Billions But Getting A Bonus (No, Not AIG)

Losing Billions But Getting A Bonus (No, Not AIG) at The Brian Sullivan Blog: "The latest money-losing company to announce its top executive is getting a bonus despite losing billions? The U.S. Post Office."

March 18, 2009

Postal Manager’s Demotion For Violating NALC Contract Upheld By Appeals Court

PostalReporter.com Blog » Postal Manager’s Demotion For Violating NALC Contract Upheld By Appeals Court: "Ms. [Lynn] Vaughn served as the EAS-20 Manager, Customer Services at the Glenridge Post Office in Atlanta, Georgia. On April 26, 2007, Charles Gracek, Manager, Customer Service Operations, Atlanta, Georgia Post Office, proposed demoting Ms. Vaughn to the EAS-17 position of Supervisor, Customer Services, based on a charge of failure to perform her duties in an effective manner"

House Subcommittee To Hold Hearing on Postal Service Finances

PostalReporter.com Blog » House Subcommittee To Hold Hearing on Restoring The Financial Stability of Postal Service: "Immediately following the business meeting, the subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Restoring the Financial Stability of the U.S. Postal Service: What Needs to be Done?”

The hearing will examine the financial stability of the USPS and discuss the short and long term strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency."

March 17, 2009

Modernizing Mailings

Modernizing Mailings - 3/1/2009 - Graphic Arts Online: "New regulations drive adoption of new software, and co-mail initiatives. Meanwhile digital presses make inroads in volume runs."

Postal Early Outs Again?

PostalReporter.com Blog » League Of Postmasters: Postal Early Outs Again?: "The VER for Postmasters, supervisors, and field EAS will be completed in just about two weeks. Approximately 2000 of these managers took advantage of this golden opportunity to leave the Postal Service early enough to build a new life with a pension to back up their dreams and plans. They’ve left a big hole and it will take some time to fill it."

March 16, 2009

USPS OIG To Conduct Survey of Postal Retail Work Hours

PostalReporter.com Blog » USPS OIG To Conduct Survey of Postal Retail Work Hours: "OIG Survey: We received an overview on the proposed OIG’s Survey of the Postal Service’s retail work hours. They stated their objective is to determine whether retail managers are effectively managing work hours in relation to workload in an effort to reduce operating costs and improve customer service."

Illegal Immigrant Arrested While Delivering Mail

PostalReporter.com Blog » Illegal Immigrant Arrested While Delivering Mail: "On Thursday March 12, 2009 at about 12:55 PM a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Deputy was on routine patrol in the area of Kimberley Way and Cornville Road in Rimrock, Arizona when he observed a 2001 silver Nissan being operated in a suspicious manner. As the vehicle passed him, the deputy noted that there was a “U.S. Mail” magnet attached to the rear of the vehicle. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver"

March 15, 2009

Post office keeps its workers coming back

Post office keeps its workers coming back | CourierPostOnline.com | Courier-Post: "The Postal Service has several employees who still are working well into their 80s and 90s, including a 90-year-old custodian in Queens and an 89-year-old letter carrier in Birmingham, Ala., according to Gerald McKiernan, media manager for the U.S. Postal Service.

'It's a good place to work, the pay is decent and the benefits are good,' McKiernan said. 'There is a generous holiday leave schedule and in most places there is a good working environment.'"

Editorial: 'Closed, come back in an hour and 15'

Editorial: 'Closed, come back in an hour and 15': "Times are indeed tough at the U.S. Postal Service — not just because of the weak economy but email’s growing popularity. So postal rate hikes (like the one due in May) and service cutbacks are understandable. But the latter still have to be implemented carefully, so as to minimize customer inconvenience.

Somehow, the idea of shuttering a post office branch located in the heart of a thriving business district for an hour and 15 minutes each afternoon — as Scotia’s Mohawk Avenue post office intends to do starting next month — strikes us as anything but convenient."

March 14, 2009

USPS is proving to be strong rival package market

Parcel express/global logistics: USPS is proving to be strong rival - 3/13/2009 - Logistics Management: "News that theU.S. Postal Service is gaining market share in the weakening domestic package shipping market, may have come as a surprise to many industry analysts, but one sage observer saw it all along.

“When DHL pulled out of the arena, it was just assumed that Fedex and UPS would take over,” said Gerard Hempstead, a former DHL executive who now works as a consultant. “But as we noted back at the beginning of the year, the post office is not going to just lay down and play dead.”"

March 11, 2009

Post Office Betrays Tenderloin; Buys Mansions for Executives

BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News » Post Office Betrays Tenderloin; Buys Mansions for Executives: "After a long campaign by Tenderloin residents to turn the shabby P.O. Box facility at 101 Hyde Street into a full-service post office, the U.S. Postal Service is reneging its pledge to the community – citing fiscal woes. It’s the same excuse we got in December, when the Post Office said they would stop delivering to new mailboxes in residential hotels – despite state and local laws requiring SRO’s to install them."

Alleged post-office killer tried to cash stamps

Alleged post-office killer tried to cash stamps: "The suspect in the fatal stabbing of a 73-year-old Clayton retiree at the city's post office has a history of mental illness and may have acted out of frustration after an unsuccessful attempt to trade old postage stamps for cash, Contra Costa County prosecutors said Tuesday"

U.S. Postal Service investigation into Amazon continues

U.S. Postal Service investigation into Amazon continues

Mailers Council Issues Statement on Compensation for Postmaster General

PostalReporter.com Blog » Mailers Council Issues Statement on Compensation for Postmaster General: "Today, Mailers Council Executive Director Robert E. McLean issued the following statement in response to recent comments regarding the compensation for Postmaster General Jack Potter."

Detroit APWU Sues Postal Service Over Improper Excessing, Involuntary Reassignment

PostalReporter.com Blog » Detroit APWU Sues Postal Service Over Improper Excessing, Involuntary Reassignment: "On March 6, 2009, the American Postal Workers Union, Detroit District Area Local, AFL-CIO filed a complaint against the U.S. Postal Service in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan"

March 10, 2009

‘Employee Free Choice’ Legislation Introduced in Senate, House

‘Employee Free Choice’ Legislation Introduced in Senate, House: "Legislation that would give workers greater freedom to choose to form unions and bargain for a better workplace was introduced in the Senate and the House on March 10."

USPS seeking new ideas

USPS - Innovations@USPS

"The United States Postal Service� invites commercial companies, entrepreneurs, and creative people to inspire us with:

New business concepts
Cutting-edge technologies
Emerging trends
Best practices
Inventive processes
Innovative approaches


Take the opportunity to tell us about the innovative concepts or business initiatives that you believe will help the United States Postal Service� succeed now and in the future."

Postage hike to hit direct mailers, publishers hard

Postage hike to hit direct mailers, publishers hard :: BtoB Magazine#seenit#seenit#seenit: "A pending postal rate increase, due in May and averaging about 4%, threatens to put further pressure on direct mailers and magazine publishers."

Postal Service looks to cut jobs and hours

Postal Service looks to cut jobs and hours : Local News : Ventura County Star: "Like the occasional porch dog, the vicious economy has taken a sizable bite out of the U.S. Postal Service’s mailbags."

March 07, 2009

Post office bought S.C. mansion so postmaster could transfer

Post office bought S.C. mansion so postmaster could transfer - Local / Metro - The State: "The U.S. Postal Service is helping a former Lexington postmaster sell his $1.1 million home on Lake Wateree.
Ronald Hopson was transferred from Lexington to Carollton, Texas, last year — just before the Postal Service instituted a hiring and promotion freeze.

As part of the Postal Service’s employee relocation program, a relocation company paid Hopson for the appraised value of his home, which sits on five acres on Lake Wateree near Winnsboro in Fairfield County."

Loveland postal carrier faces federal investigation

Loveland postal carrier faces federal investigation | LovelandConnection.com | Loveland Connection: "A Loveland man accused of killing his former girlfriend’s cat also is the subject of a federal investigation in connection with his job as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service."

March 06, 2009

Postal Service draws criticism for $1.2 million home buy

Postal Service draws criticism for $1.2 million home buy - CNN.com: "At a time when the U.S. Postal Service says it is experiencing a financial crisis, it purchased a $1.2 million home from an employee so he could relocate, a CNN investigation has found."

US Postal Service Says Winning Share Amid Shipping Decline

US Postal Service Says Winning Share Amid Shipping Decline: "The U.S. Postal Service said it has gained market share in the weakening domestic package shipping market after being allowed to offer competitive pricing for the first time."

March 05, 2009

J.P. Morgan and U.S. Postal Service Expand Cash Management Relationship

The FINANCIAL - J.P. Morgan and U.S. Postal Service Expand Cash Management Relationship: "J.P. Morgan has expanded its cash management relationship with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) by providing cash and check depository services to 24, or nearly one-third, of the USPS' 80 districts."

March 04, 2009

Commentary: There Are More Important Things To Worry About Than PMG's Pay

Association for Postal Commerce: "These are tough times. The economy has fallen off the ledge. The stock market has plummeted. Consumers are tightening their fists. And, to make matters worse, the Postal Service is facing the worst crisis it has ever faced since its founding by the new American republic. There have been staffing freezes, pay freezes, and employees have been told that even harder changes may still lie ahead. So, as humans often do when they get such unpleasant news, the search is on for someone to blame.

Shortly after the presidential inauguration, the target of blame was the Bush Administration. Now with only two months under its belt, the target has shifted to the Obama Administration. Within postal circles, the one walking around with a target on his back is the person who is called Postmaster General."

Direct-Mail Spending Down in 2008 and Still Falling

Winterberry Report Finds Steep Drop in Direct Mail from Credit Card and Loan Companies - Advertising Age - News: "Rising postage rates and fewer solicitations from banks and credit-card companies have conspired to drive down direct mail in 2008"

Man sentenced to 13 years for assaulting postal worker

Man sentenced to 13 years for assaulting postal worker

Massive fire engulfs Ohio post office

The Chronicle-Telegram - Lorain County's leading news source

Reader's Digest considers possible bankruptcy

Reader's Digest considers possible bankruptcy - Brand Republic News - Brand Republic: "Reader's Digest Association, one of the pioneers of direct mail marketing, has appointed legal advisors to look at restructuring options including bankruptcy, as it struggles against a weakening ad market"

Acting Postmaster Pleads Guilty To Stealing Money Via Mail From Local Ministry

PostalReporter.com Blog » Acting Postmaster Pleads Guilty To Stealing Money Via Mail From Local Ministry

March 03, 2009

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Opposes New Postage Rate Increase

PostalReporter.com Blog » Alaska Governor Sarah Palin Opposes New Postage Rate Increase: "In a letter submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin wrote the following"

Obama Blueprint Proposes Postal Employee Benefit Cuts

PostalReporter.com Blog » Obama Blueprint Proposes Postal Employee Benefit Cuts: "Yesterday, President Obama released the outline of his Fiscal Year 2010 Budget. On page 126 of the 134-page document is a reference to the Postal Service that reads, “Realign USPS employee/employer benefit contributions.” The proposal projects a 5-year cost savings to the Federal government of approximately $4.2 billion, and a 10-year savings of about $9.5 billion. A detailed explanation of the Blueprint is not currently available, and may not be on hand until early April. So, we are pushing for President Obama to revisit the Postal proposal in the interim. NAPUS and other postal employee groups have already communicated our displeasure to the White House and to Capitol Hill. Nevertheless, as it stands now, the proposal calls for USPS benefit contributions, on behalf of its employees, to be less than called for in existing union contracts and managerial consultative agreements."

Postal Service says it will not build massive mail-processing center, for now

Postal Service says it will not build massive mail-processing center, for now: "Citing the economy's impact on the U.S. Postal Service's finances, the Postal Service told the City it will not move ahead with plans to build a massive mail processing center in town."

March 01, 2009

Postal Service, museum in dispute over photos

Postal Service, museum in dispute over photos | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/01/2009: "A dispute over the rights to the images of the historic post office murals almost forced the State Museum of Pennsylvania to pull the plug on the 'Common Canvas' exhibit.
In 2007, the museum informed the U.S. Postal Service that it would mount an exhibit featuring high-quality photographs of the New Deal-era murals of Pennsylvania.
'We thought they'd be excited and happy,' museum director Jack Leighow said.
Instead, the exhibit touched off a skirmish between the Postal Service and the state over whether the artwork is in the public domain."