Chaffetz calls Postmaster General’s retirement package ‘ridiculous’

Chaffetz calls Postmaster General’s retirement package ‘ridiculous’ | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and EntertainmentRep. Jason Chaffetz called the $5.5 million retirement package for outgoing Postmaster General John Potter absurd and unfair in the wake of the United States Postal Service’s announcement that it had lost $8.5 billion this year. “That was ridiculous,” Chaffetz said in a phone interview with The Daily Caller. “It doesn’t seem fair to anybody.”

The congressman from Utah is the ranking Republican member on the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and District of Columbia. He has been working with California Rep. Darrell Issa, the ranking Republican member of the Oversight Committee, on “introducing a comprehensive postal reform bill,” he said.

Chaffetz called the USPS’s accounting of retirement funds “part of the reason that they’re so upside down financially.” He also cited the way in which the USPS does workers’ compensation as another issue.

“They have to pre-fund this at levels that others do not,” Chaffetz pointed out. As far as a solution goes, Chaffetz said, “We’re still trying to sort all that out,” saying that everything should “be on the board.”

The financial situation of the USPS is precarious, and the threat of a taxpayer bailout for the constitutionally mandated Postal Service looms.

Postal employee sentenced for stealing 11,000 packages

9NEWS.com | Denver | Colorado's Online News Leader | Postal employee sentenced for stealing 11,000 packagesDavid Schmauder, a 48-year-old former USPS employee, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of theft by mail in federal court in August. He was sentenced in a federal court to the maximum sentence under the guidelines of 30 months after a judge rejected Schmauder's claims that obsessive-compulsive disorder and mental illness were the reasons he stole the mail.

Schmauder apologized to the people he stole packages from at his sentencing.

National Deficit Commission Proposed Big Hits on Feds and Postal Workers, Retirees

National Deficit Commission Proposed Big Hits on Feds and Postal Workers, Retirees : PostalReporter News BlogThe co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility released their recommendations for significant savings in federal spending. As feared, the proposals would bring significant pain to the active and retired federal and postal workforce.

USPS news Release: Getting Ready for the Most Wonderful Time of Year

USPS news Release: Getting Ready for the Most Wonderful Time of Year : PostalReporter News Blog: "Neither rain nor snow nor heat nor gloom of night will keep the Postal Service from doing what it does best — delivering the holidays. Between now and Christmas Eve, the Postal Service will deliver 15.8 billion cards, letters and packages across the country and around the world."

APWU Contract Negotiations Resume

APWU Contract Negotiations Resume : PostalReporter News Blog: "Contract negotiations between the APWU and the Postal Service resumed Nov. 29, with a Dec. 1 deadline fast approaching. Talks will continue on Nov. 30."

OSHA levies $46,200 in proposed penalties against U. S. Postal Service in Des Moines, Iowa

OSHA levies $46,200 in proposed penalties against U. S. Postal Service in Des Moines, Iowa : PostalReporter News Blog: "The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center in Des Moines for two alleged serious and one alleged repeat violation of federal workplace safety standards for failing to properly train workers on powered industrial truck hazards. Proposed fines total $46,200."

Holidays are no vacation for postal workers

Holidays are no vacation for postal workers | DailyComet.com: "The scene at several post offices in Lafourche and Terrebonne was a far cry from the long lines and busy registers at retails stores Friday, but that does not mean the U.S. Postal Service won't be busy this holiday season."

Postal Service IG examines cyber incident data

Postal Service IG examines cyber incident data - Nextgov: "The inspector general of the U.S. Postal Service is auditing a database that tracks USPS cyber incidents to determine whether the information it has been collecting is reliable, said agency officials in the Office of the Inspector General.
The review, which the IG's office launched on Nov. 22, comes at a time when officials are increasingly concerned about a new computer worm, Stuxnet, that has the power to cripple industrial operations on a global scale. For the Postal Service, which has a role in virtually every citizen's life, a systemwide outage could undermine the economic viability of the country, as well as public confidence, security experts said"

Audits: U.S. Postal Service spent too much on FedEx

Audits: U.S. Postal Service spent too much on FedEx » The Commercial AppealThe United States Postal Service is routinely castigated for losing money, but in a series of internal audits it has identified $94 million in unnecessary expenses linked to its lack of diligence under its FedEx mail-hauling contract.

The Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service audited all eight Postal Service regions across the country beginning in 2007 and ending earlier this year. It found the same problems in each region:

Imagine A Saturday Without Mail

Imagine A Saturday Without Mail : NPRDelivering mail house to house, six days a week, is something letter carriers guarantee. But in these days of FedEx, e-mail and online bill-paying services, there's not as much mail to deliver

Packages left on porch like presents for thieves

Packages left on porch like presents for thieves | The Columbus Dispatch

Postal Service continues rate case appeal

Postal Service continues rate case appeal – Fedline - The Federal Times Blog - federal news, government operations, agency management, pay & benefitsAs it appeals the denial of an “exigent” rate increase, the U.S. Postal Service is arguing that the Postal Regulatory Commission’s decision was “arbitrary and capricious,” according to a brief filed late this afternoon with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

Fear Grips Tenn. Town After Post Office Slayings

Fear Grips Tenn. Town After Post Office Slayings : PostalReporter News Blog

Texas Letter Carrier Pleads Guilty To Stealing Mail : PostalReporter News Blog

Texas Letter Carrier Pleads Guilty To Stealing Mail : PostalReporter News Blog

APWU: Contract Negotiations Extended to Dec. 1

APWU: Contract Negotiations Extended to Dec. 1 : PostalReporter News BlogAPWU, USPS to Continue Talks on Nov. 29

Rural carriers reject USPS proposal for wage freeze, benefits cuts - FederalTimes.com

Rural carriers reject USPS proposal for wage freeze, benefits cuts - FederalTimes.com

Netflix Adds Streaming-Only Plan, Raises Prices For DVDs Sent Through USPS

Netflix Adds Streaming-Only Plan, Raises Prices For DVDs Sent Through USPS : PostalReporter News Blog: "With its members now watching more content streamed over the Internet than on discs delivered by mail, Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) today introduced a $7.99 streaming-only subscription plan in the United States, the first time it is promoting a 100 percent streaming option in the U.S. The plan, which allows members to instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix to TVs and computers, is available now to both new and existing members."

U.S. Postal Service Labor Negotiations Fact Sheet

U.S. Postal Service Labor Negotiations Fact Sheet : PostalReporter News Blog: "The Postal Reorganization Act authorizes collective bargaining on wages and working conditions, generally under laws applying to private industry. As the Postal Service is an essential service to the nation’s economy, Congress mandated that employees represented by unions cannot strike. Impasses in collective bargaining negotiations may ultimately be resolved through arbitration."

Florida Letter Carrier Featured On “This American Life”

Florida Letter Carrier Featured On “This American Life” : PostalReporter News Blog: "“In the prologue of this weekend’s “This American Life” radio show, host Ira Glass talks to Paul Gereffi, a letter carrier from Ft. Lauderdale Branch 2550, who helped save the life of a stabbing victim who saw Gereffi’s mail truck and flagged him down. Because of Gereffi’s intervention, he was later named the 2008 Eastern Region Hero of the Year.”"

NALC: USPS News Release On Contract Negotiations Is Full Of Spin And Distortions

NALC: USPS News Release On Contract Negotiations Is Full Of Spin And Distortions : PostalReporter News Blog: "The NALC responds to a USPS press release regarding its contract negotiations with two unions
A press release put out Sunday by the United States Postal Service is full of spin and distortions aimed at influencing public opinion. The National Association of Letter Carriers wants its members to know that we are responding to press inquiries regarding the USPS release as follows:"

NALC: Congresswoman Virginia Foxx’s Tasteless And Demeaning Comments About Postal Workers

NALC: Congresswoman Virginia Foxx’s Tasteless And Demeaning Comments About Postal Workers : PostalReporter News Blog: "During a November 18 House debate, North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5th) engaged in an anti-union screed that lasted several minutes.
After attacking the pay and benefits of federal workers, she said that they also have too much job security. “Short of shooting up a post office,” Foxx said, “government workers rarely get fired or laid off.”"

APWU Negotiations Contract Extended to Nov. 23; Union, USPS to Continue Talks

APWU Negotiations Contract Extended to Nov. 23; Union, USPS to Continue Talks : PostalReporter News Blog: "APWU President Cliff Guffey announced that the union and Postal Service have extended their Collective Bargaining Agreement through Tuesday, Nov. 23, at noon. The contract was scheduled to expire Nov. 20."

USPS, Rural Carriers Union Contract Talks Reach Impasse

USPS, Rural Carriers Union Contract Talks Reach Impasse : PostalReporter News Blog: "Contract negotiations with the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO (APWU) and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) expired at midnight Sat., Nov. 20. While negotiations with the NRLCA resulted in an impasse, the Postal Service and the APWU agreed to extend the negotiation deadline until Tue., Nov. 23 at noon ET"

NALC: The Real Story Is USPS 2010 Losses Amounted To $500 Million

Not $8.5 Billion

USPS Annual Report 2010 Highlights

At September 30, 2010, we had 583,908 career employees and 87,779 non-career employees, substantially all of whom reside in the U.S.

Outgoing Postmaster General’s $5.5 million golden parachute

Postmaster General John E. Potter will earn about $5.5 million in deferred compensation, retirement benefits and accrued annual leave when he leaves the U.S. Postal Service next month, according to financial statements. Potter also is eligible for up to two years of outplacement assistance and may continue receiving health-care insurance from USPS for up to one year after his departure. Washington Post Federal Eye

Business Leaders Call For Electrification Of USPS Delivery Vehicles

As of 2009, the United States Postal Service (USPS) had nearly 220,000 vehicles in operation. The vast majority of the vehicles—nearly 195,000—were light trucks.

USPS moving mail center From Lake Charles to Lafayette

Postal Service moving mail center to Lafayette - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana: "LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC-TV) – Crews began removing equipment from the mail processing plant at the main post office in Lake Charles on Saturday.
According to postal workers, the equipment is being shipped to Lafayette as part of the U.S. Postal Service's decision to relocate the processing center, which serves all of Southwest Louisiana.
As crews removed equipment from the back of the building, a group of postal workers picketed in the front."

U.S. Postal Service to test prestamped greeting cards, but it won't be free

U.S. Postal Service to test prestamped greeting cards, but it won't be free | abc7chicago.com: "November 12, 2010 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Sticking stamps on all those holiday or birthday cards could become a thing of the past.
The U.S. Postal Service is looking to test prestamped postage on greeting card envelopes. It hopes this could help win back some of the business it has been losing to the internet.
But don't expect the postage to be free. Greeting card makers are expected to add the cost of the stamp to the price of the card."

USPS sees $8.5 billion loss, warns Congress it'll be broke by 2011

USPS sees $8.5 billion loss, warns Congress it'll be broke by 2011: "The financially troubled U.S. Postal Service reported an $8.5 billion loss in the fiscal year that ended in September and said it will run out of money in 2011 if economic conditions don't improve and Congress doesn't act.
A drop in first-class mail deliveries contributed to an overall 6 billion-piece decline in mail volume last fiscal year, to 170.6 billion pieces, officials said. Financial losses also came from about $5.4 billion in obligations to pre-fund retiree health benefits and about $2.5 billion paid to the federal government's workers' compensation insurance fund.
All federal agencies and the USPS, a quasi-federal outfit, have workers' compensation obligations to help fund four major disability compensation programs"

Letter carrier wasn’t fired over alleged attack, officials say

Letter carrier wasn’t fired over alleged attack, officials say - The Boston Globe: "A former letter carrier who was allegedly slapped and subjected to a racist rant by a local resident last year was not fired as a result of the incident, as some news media reports suggested, officials at the US Postal Service said yesterday."

Rehoboth man appointed to USPS Board of Governors

Rehoboth man appointed to USPS Board of Governors - WGMD.COM: "Dennis J. Toner was welcomed to the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, meeting in open session, in Washington today. He was appointed a Governor of the U.S. Postal Service by President Barack Obama on September 17, 2010, for a term that expires December 8, 2012."

GOP Rep. Issa to Push for Postal Service Changes

Rep. Darrell Issa, Republican of California, who is set to become chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee in the next Congress, said on Friday that he would push for major changes at the Postal Service, which has announced an $8.5 billion annual loss.

“This loss only underscores the urgent need for the Postal Service to trim its operating costs to match revenues,” Mr. Issa said in a statement. “Congress has an obligation to ensure that effective solutions are implemented and taxpayers don’t get stuck paying for a bailout.”

Mr. Issa has long warned that ongoing losses by the Postal Service could force taxpayers to “bail out” the agency, which by law is supposed to be self-funded.

He has cited the need to downsize the labor force and reduce costs to reflect declining demand and new market conditions

New York Times

FedEx SmartPost to Drive Busiest Day in FedEx History On December 13

FedEx SmartPost to Drive Busiest Day in FedEx History On December 13 : "More Than 223 Million Shipments to Move Through FedEx Networks During the Holidays"

APWU President Remains Optimistic Of Reaching Contract Agreement With USPS

APWU President Remains Optimistic Of Reaching Contract Agreement With USPS : PostalReporter News Blog: "The union’s Rank and File Bargaining Advisory Committee is scheduled to arrive in Washington, DC on Nov. 14 to be on hand in the event of late-breaking developments at the negotiating table."

USPS Reports $8.5 Billion Net Loss For Fiscal Year 2010

USPS Reports $8.5 Billion Net Loss For Fiscal Year 2010 : PostalReporter News Blog: "The U.S. Postal Service today reported its 2010 financial results, showing a net loss of $8.5 billion for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30."

Mail Carriers Launch Campaign To Boost Safety

Mail Carriers Launch Campaign To Boost Safety - Portland News Story - KPTV PortlandThe National Association of Letter Carriers has started a campaign called Leave the Light on for Your Letter Carrier.

New York Letter Carrier Charged With Conspiring To Sell Cocaine While In Uniform

New York Letter Carrier Charged With Conspiring To Sell Cocaine While In Uniform : "Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown today announced that a United States Postal Service carrier has been charged with conspiring to sell cocaine while in uniform and driving a postal truck"

Teens steal from postal delivery vehicle

Teens steal from postal delivery vehicle - WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Two teens are in trouble after they were found early Sunday morning with items taken from a mail carrier's car.

A sheriff's deputy saw Richard Stewart Jr., 18, and Dustin Johnson, 19, walking along Hwy. 43, north of Albany. A U.S. Postal Jeep was parked with a door left open outside a house up the road.

The teens had a lot of coins, a book of stamps and an MP3 player. The owner of the Jeep confirmed that the items were hers, and the young men were arrested.

Interview: Ruth Goldway, chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission

Interview: Ruth Goldway, chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission - Direct Marketing NewsRuth Goldway, chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission, speaks with Direct Marketing News' news editor Frank Washkuch about how the US Postal Service can improve its financial situation as well as consumers' response to possible five-day home delivery.

Postmaster General Honors Burrus at the Bargaining Table

Postmaster General Honors Burrus at the Bargaining TableTo commemorate retiring President William Burrus’ last day at contract negotiations — and his more than 50 years of postal employment — Postmaster General John E. Potter made an appearance at the bargaining table Nov. 10 and presented Burrus with the Postmaster General’s Medal of Freedom.

“Behind closed doors, we actually get along,” Potter joked. “We both have one interest in mind — the interest of the postal employees.

“Personally, I’m going to miss you, and I know the Postal Service is going to miss you,” Potter said before presenting Burrus with the honorary medal. The PMG’s Medal of Freedom is given in recognition of outstanding individual contribution to the Postal Service.

Deputy Postmaster General Patrick R. Donohoe, who will replace Potter when he retires next month, also attended and paid tribute to Burrus.

Burrus addressed both negotiating teams and thanked the Postal Service for their efforts in changing the work conditions for postal employees.

“I appreciate the agreements we have been able to reach, and even the disagreements we worked on,” Burrus said. “I have been blessed in a number of ways, and I am thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with such interesting characters.

“My 30 year history at the bargaining table has been a good run, and together we have made a difference,” Burrus said.

APWU President-Elect Cliff Guffey takes office as the union’s highest-ranking official on Nov. 12. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires Nov. 20.

3 Detroit metro post office branches to close

3 metro post office branches to close | freep.com | Detroit Free PressA local union president said Tuesday he was shocked that the U.S. Postal Service has decided to close a post office branch at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County's Harrison Township.

Beyond Mail: U.S. Postal Service Delivers Hope Through Marrow Donor Program

Beyond Mail: U.S. Postal Service Delivers Hope Through Marrow Donor Program : PostalReporter News BlogThe U.S. Postal Service is known for delivering mail and packages throughout America, but did you know it is the largest contributor to the National Marrow Donor Program’s (NMDP) Be The Match Registry?

Mail carrier guilty of disclosing confidential info on investigation

Mail carrier guilty of disclosing confidential info on investigation : PostalReporter News BlogA mail carrier from Fayetteville, Ga., pleaded guilty Tuesday to disclosing confidential information relating to a federal investigation

Burrus: Postal Bill Sponsored By Sen. Carper Needs Major Modifications

Burrus: Postal Bill Sponsored By Sen. Carper Needs Major Modifications : PostalReporter News BlogOf significant concern to postal employees is a bill sponsored by Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), which includes both positive and negative features for the Postal Service: The “Post Act” (S. 3831) would correct in part the colossal policy blunder of requiring the Postal Service to pre-fund future healthcare liabilities

Postal Workers Frustrated by Secrecy of Oshkosh Facility Study

Postal Workers Frustrated by Secrecy of Oshkosh Facility Study - WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin News: "The US Postal Service set a date to hear public opinion about a proposal to consolidate the Oshkosh mail processing plant with operations in Green Bay.
A public meeting begins at 7 P.M. on November 23rd at Reeve Memorial Union at UW-Oshkosh.
The US Postal Service says highlights of its feasibility study will be available online one week before the meeting. After the meeting, the community has 15 days to submit concerns before the postal service makes a final decision.
The post office says according to that feasibility study, closing the Oshkosh plant would save $4.6 million a year. But frustrations are growing among union workers as the study remains undisclosed."

Amid changes on Capitol Hill, Postal Service faces uncertain future

The Republican takeover of the House has left the future of the U.S. Postal Service up in the air as the agency faces continued concerns over cutting jobs and meeting obligations to its retiree health and pension funds.

"It's highly uncertain as to how much [the next] Congress will accomplish," said Bruce Moyer, legislative counsel at the National Association of Postal Supervisors. "At the same time, on postal issues, the urgency of financial problems and the need to restructure the health and pension responsibilities could provide a significant incentive to getting a big fix done."

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who is slated to step up to chair the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has signaled that postal reform will be among the issues on his agenda.

Government Executive

Editorial: The USPS Number Crunchers Strike Again!

Editorial: The USPS Number Crunchers Strike Again! : PostalReporter News Blog: "The issues raised in his article is happening in many USPS districts across the country–and not just in the Bay-Valley District"

MSPB Overturns Demotion of Postal Supervisor For Misuse Of USPS Credit Card

MSPB Overturns Demotion of Postal Supervisor For Misuse Of USPS Credit Card : PostalReporter News Blog: "Based on the results of an investigation, USPS removed the appellant from his position as EAS-17 Supervisor, Distribution Operations"

California Letter Carrier Delivers Through Adversity : USPS News Link

California Letter Carrier Delivers Through Adversity: "El Cajon, CA, Letter Carrier Bill Kuehling was delivering mail during a record-setting heat wave this summer, when San Diego television reporter James Koh noticed how quickly he was moving. Then the reporter noticed Kuehling’s prosthesis."

Editorial: Postmaster General Jack Potter’s Retirement : PostalReporter News

Editorial: Postmaster General Jack Potter’s Retirement : PostalReporter News Blog: "An exclusive Editorial to PostalReporter.com from Guy Nohrenberg
Confessions of a Former Station Manager
In days of double digit unemployment, where trillions of dollars of national debt mount, the leader of one of the largest civilian employers in the free world just up and declared that soon he’s retiring, because he can, with no reason given. And YOU MISSED IT!?
What in the world were you doing? Cleaning Possum pelts?"

US News & World Report to cease printing hardcopy magazine

US News & World Report to cease printing magazine - NYPOST.com: "U.S. News & World Report will cease printing its monthly magazine in 2011, according to an internal memo from editor Brian Kelly posted to journalism website Romanesko.
Famous for its annual rankings on the best colleges, hospitals, personal finance and a slew of other topics, the magazine had already slipped from a weekly to a bi-weekly and then a monthly over the last two years. Its circulation plunged last year to 1,269,260 from 1,721,377 the year before, Magazine Publishers of America estimated.
The rankings issues will continue to be published in-print, along with four special topic issues, but the rest of the publication's content will only be available online, the memo said.
Its last regular print edition will be next month."

Vermont postmaster gets probation in mail case

Former Vt. postmaster gets probation in mail case: "Frank J. Strzelec, former officer in charge of the Center Rutland Post Office, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing the passage of mail. Federal prosecutors say that in late 2009, Strzelec submitted three change-of-address forms and some magazine subscription orders on behalf of a woman without her knowledge or consent."

Is Advertising Mail Dying or Are New Uses Replacing Old?

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer: Is Advertising Mail Dying or Are New Uses Replacing Old?: "This week Direct Marketing News presented two contradictory headlines on the same day. Are advertisers 'Abandoning the mail' or is it true that 'direct mail gains new potency as online marketing evolves?' After reading both articles, what is a person to believe?"

Ribs Cookoff To Help Letter Carrier With Cancer Pay Medical Bills

Get finger lickin' ribs for a cause at Perdido Key rib cookoff | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal: "To honor Bennett, Hub Stacey's on the Point will present the Rib Throw Down Competition on Saturday, Nov. 6, which will include live music, art booths and, of course, great ribs. Proceeds from the culinary event will help pay Bennett's medical bills."

Attitude Check in Henning, Tennessee After Double Murders

Attitude Check in Henning, Tennessee After Double Murders|myEyewitnessNews.com, Memphis News, Entertainment, Videos, Business Search and Shopping: "Two and a half weeks after a double murder, it’s quiet again in Henning, Tennessee.

But, how is the town coping, and what is its mood? That’s what Eyewitness News went to find out."

GOP Tidal Wave Will Impact USPS, Postal Issues

GOP Tidal Wave Will Impact USPS, Postal Issues : PostalReporter News Blog: "Riding a huge wave of anger and anti-government sentiment, the GOP reclaimed control of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, seizing potentially as many as 65 House seats. While not regaining the Senate, Republicans are on track to take back 6 to 8 seats, giving Democrats a slimmer majority"

Louisiana Postal Clerk Charged With Stealing Over $114,000

Louisiana Postal Clerk Charged With Stealing Over $114,000 : PostalReporter News Blog: "MARY MADER, age 48, a resident of Harahan, LA, was charged today in a one-count bill of information with misappropriation of postal funds relating to the U. S. Postal Service, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten."

USPS VP Tony Vegliante Inducted As National Academy of Human Resources Fellow

USPS VP Tony Vegliante Inducted As National Academy of Human Resources Fellow : PostalReporter News Blog: "Tony Vegliante, Chief Human Resources Officer and executive vice president, has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR) — an award considered among the most prestigious in the nation recognizing individuals who have distinguished themselves through their leadership in the broad field of Human Resources"

Editorial: Postmaster General Jack Potter’s Retirement

Editorial: Postmaster General Jack Potter’s Retirement : PostalReporter News Blog: "In days of double digit unemployment, where trillions of dollars of national debt mount, the leader of one of the largest civilian employers in the free world just up and declared that soon he’s retiring, because he can, with no reason given. And YOU MISSED IT!?"

USPS’ Preliminary Statement Of Issues In Rate Case Appeal

USPS’ Preliminary Statement Of Issues In Rate Case Appeal : PostalReporter News Blog: "On Petition for Review from the Postal Regulatory Commission,PRC Docket No. R2010-4"

Appeals Court Approves USPS Request To Expedite Rate Case Appeal Schedule

Appeals Court Approves USPS Request To Expedite Rate Case Appeal Schedule : PostalReporter News Blog: the DC Circuit Court of Appeals has granted the USPS’s request to expedite rate denial request case against Postal Regulatory Commission.

‘Tis the Season and the Postal Service Message is Simple(r)

‘Tis the Season and the Postal Service Message is Simple(r) : PostalReporter News Blog: "The U.S. Postal Service is getting into the holiday spirit. Today, post offices from Anchorage to Ashtabula and Honolulu to Houston are showing signs of the season. Building on the wildly successful advertising campaign, A Simpler Way to Ship, touting flat-rate shipping, the Postal Service offers its customers A Simpler Way to Holiday this season."

USPS Employee Alert: Report Mail From Yemen To Postal Inspectors

USPS Employee Alert: Report Mail From Yemen To Postal Inspectors : PostalReporter News Blog

USPS: Incentive Programs Included in PRC Filing

USPS: Incentive Programs Included in PRC Filing : PostalReporter News Blog

U.S. Postal Service Announces Shipping Prices for 2011

U.S. Postal Service Announces Shipping Prices for 2011 : PostalReporter News Blog

TSP funds stay in the black for October (11/1/10) -- GovExec.com

TSP funds stay in the black for October (11/1/10) -- GovExec.com: "All the offerings in the federal employee retirement program grew in October, though not at as fast a clip as the month before."

USPS Wage, Benefit Proposal: An Insult To Postal Workers

USPS Wage, Benefit Proposal: An Insult To Postal Workers : PostalReporter News Blog: "Contract negotiations took a dramatic turn today as postal management presented its economic proposal, which would establish employees’ wages and benefits for the next Collective Bargaining Agreement. Notwithstanding my expectation that management would seek to restrain costs, I was surprised to receive a USPS proposal that would destroy 20 years of progress."

USPS Board Of Governors to Meet Next Thursday and Friday

USPS Board Of Governors to Meet Next Thursday and Friday : PostalReporter News Blog: "DATES AND TIMES: Thursday, November 11, 2010, at 10:30 a.m.; and Friday, November 12, at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m."

USPS:Delivery Unit Optimization Is Working In Buffalo, NY

USPS:Delivery Unit Optimization Is Working In Buffalo, NY : PostalReporter News Blog: "With mail volumes declining and customer habits changing, USPS continues to look at every opportunity to make the most of its resources"

Federal pay and benefits could change with new Congress

Govexec.com - In recent months, there's been a lot of talk about proposed hiring and pay freezes and mandatory furloughs in the federal government. But those ideas could become reality if Republicans on Tuesday win the necessary 39 seats to gain control of the House.

House Republicans unveiled their Pledge to America in September, promising to reduce the size of government and freeze hiring for all nonsecurity-related federal positions. Lawmakers in both chambers also have pushed several measures that would affect federal jobs and benefits. For example, Republicans have introduced legislation that would furlough all federal civilian workers for up to two weeks in 2011 and make those with outstanding tax debts ineligible for continued government employment. Bills in both chambers would cap the federal workforce through attrition or by allowing agencies to hire only one employee for every two employees who leave.

In addition, GOP lawmakers have used the YouCut program to push federal workforce reductions. The initiative, designed to control government spending, allows the public to vote online, or via text message each week on legislative proposals. The winning idea goes to the House floor.