October 31, 2010
October 30, 2010
MSPB: USPS National Reassessment Process Must Find Work For Injured Employees In Commuting Area
MSPB: USPS National Reassessment Process Must Find Work For Injured Employees In Commuting Area : PostalReporter News Blog: "More MSPB cases filed by Postal Workers were remanded during the month of October"
USPS Changes Instructions On Excessing Supervisors Based On Workload Credit Process
USPS Changes Instructions On Excessing Supervisors Based On Workload Credit Process : PostalReporter News Blog: "NAPUS has received a copy of a letter from Deputy Postmaster General & COO Patrick Donahoe, with instructions on changes to the way the results of Supervisory Workload Credit (SWC) will be handled when a supervisory staffing reduction is determined"
USPS Suspends Accepting Inbound International Mail From Yemen
USPS Suspends Accepting Inbound International Mail From Yemen : PostalReporter News Blog: "The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended acceptance of inbound international mail originating in Yemen effective October 30, 2010."
October 28, 2010
Postmaster learns from GM's woes
Postmaster learns from GM's woes | detnews.com | The Detroit News: "The next head of the U.S. Postal Service is the son of two former General Motors employees who is drawing lessons from the experience of his parents."
October 26, 2010
Burrus Shocked, Disappointed By Retirement of PMG Potter
The announcement of Postmaster General John Potter’s retirement comes with shock and disappointment. We have had disagreements on a variety of issues – most notably, the cozy relationship he fostered with major mailers, and the policy of granting them excessive postage discounts. But Potter has always considered the impact his decisions would have on postal employees. Having begun his career as a distribution clerk, he has never overlooked the contribution of workers.
The announcement of Postmaster General John Potter’s retirement comes with shock and disappointment. We have had disagreements on a variety of issues – most notably, the cozy relationship he fostered with major mailers, and the policy of granting them excessive postage discounts. But Potter has always considered the impact his decisions would have on postal employees. Having begun his career as a distribution clerk, he has never overlooked the contribution of workers.
‘Work Til 70? Yes, if Boehner and Republicans Have Their Way’
If Republicans take over Congress, House Republican leader John Boehner says he will move to raise the Social Security retirement age to 70. That might not seem a big deal to someone who has spent his life in cushy offices with fancy perks, luxury cars, good health care and not much heavy lifting.
Potter Quitting the Worst CEO Job in America
Dead Tree Edition: Potter Quitting the Worst CEO Job in America: "At the ripe age of 55, Postmaster General Jack Potter announced his retirement today from the worst CEO job in America.
Some will no doubt speculate about the reasons -- a coming change in Congress or perhaps the failure so far to notch any major political victories on such issues as rate increases, five-day delivery or retiree-benefits reform. But I have my own theory"
Some will no doubt speculate about the reasons -- a coming change in Congress or perhaps the failure so far to notch any major political victories on such issues as rate increases, five-day delivery or retiree-benefits reform. But I have my own theory"
October 25, 2010
Federal employees engaged, enraged over possible Republican takeover of House
Joe Davidson - Federal employees engaged, enraged over possible Republican takeover of House: "The past two years have been good ones for federal employees, and their unions are trying to make sure the good times don't stop now.
Federal employee unions are engaged and enraged as an election that might give control of the House to the Republican Party quickly approaches. The rage stems from Republican remarks and proposals that many federal workers can't stomach."
Federal employee unions are engaged and enraged as an election that might give control of the House to the Republican Party quickly approaches. The rage stems from Republican remarks and proposals that many federal workers can't stomach."
October 24, 2010
Foreign Web sites Using USPS To Ship Cigarettes
Cigarette Web sites use U.S. Mail, upset Senecas - City & Region - The Buffalo News: "dozens of offshore cigarette Web sites advertising that they don’t charge taxes but do use the U.S. Postal Service to deliver cheap smokes to people all over the United States.“We work only with the regular United States Postal Service to keep costs down,” another offshore company says on its Web site. “We Deliver to anywhere in the USA.”
Such advertisements upset Seneca Nation business people, because — starting in June — a new federal law called the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, stopped them from using the U.S. Mail to make commercial cigarette deliveries."
Such advertisements upset Seneca Nation business people, because — starting in June — a new federal law called the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, stopped them from using the U.S. Mail to make commercial cigarette deliveries."
Video: Who Knew
Video: Who Knew: "A stamp’s price remains the same, despite Postal Service requests to raise the price. Discover some of the most unusual places you can still send mail.."
Henning, TN Says Good-bye To Slain Postal Workers
Henning, TN Says Good-bye To Slain Postal Workers : "The search continues for the person who gunned down two postal workers in Henning, Tennessee Monday morning. Saturday afternoon, the tiny Tennessee town said goodbye to 32-year-old Paula Robinson and 59-year-old Judy Spray. Investigators said they’re following up on several leads but so far no suspects have been identified in the killings."
October 22, 2010
USPS Updates Policy On Workplace Harassment
USPS Updates Policy On Workplace Harassment : PostalReporter News BlogEffective October 4, 2010, the Postal Service has issued memorandum of policy (MOP) DD-10-04-2010, Postal Service Policy on Workplace Harassment (see pages 19 and 20.
October 20, 2010
USPS Denies Plans for Oshkosh Town Hall Meeting
Postal Service Denies Plans for Oshkosh Town Hall Meeting - WBAY-TV Green Bay-Fox Cities-Northeast Wisconsin NewsPostal workers in Oshkosh say a town hall meeting will take place in November to discuss the potential closing of the mail processing facility in the city. It's a claim the U.S. Postal Service denies.
Postal Service workers in Oshkosh fear their plant is one step closer to shutting down for good.
"We feel that it's more or less been a done deal since the beginning. They are not going to listen to anybody, but we are not going to give up," Dave Meier, president of American Postal Workers Union Local 0126, said.
Postal Service workers in Oshkosh fear their plant is one step closer to shutting down for good.
"We feel that it's more or less been a done deal since the beginning. They are not going to listen to anybody, but we are not going to give up," Dave Meier, president of American Postal Workers Union Local 0126, said.
Postcard from Washington
Postcard from Washington.The Supreme Court of Sticky Stamps - officially, the Postal Regulatory Commission - invites us to what is advertised as ``a short briefing'' in a room crammed with lobbyists and lawyers. On the dais are three men (all Republicans) and two women (both Democrats) who are here to inform the United States Postal Service whether or not they will permit it to raise the price of a first-class stamp by two Lincoln pennies, all the way to forty-six cents.
The Postal Service has asked for an ``exigent rate adjustment,'' far exceeding the microscopic rate of inflation, because email, Facebook, Flickr, and the Great Recession have eaten savagely into its revenues, while its pension obligations to millions of retired mailmen can be stayed by neither snow nor rain nor heat. Annual losses are being measured in the billions of dollars, hence the appeal to the PRC.
The Postal Service has asked for an ``exigent rate adjustment,'' far exceeding the microscopic rate of inflation, because email, Facebook, Flickr, and the Great Recession have eaten savagely into its revenues, while its pension obligations to millions of retired mailmen can be stayed by neither snow nor rain nor heat. Annual losses are being measured in the billions of dollars, hence the appeal to the PRC.
Postal worker admits stealing 1600 gift cards in mail
Crime Scene - Postal worker admits stealing mailA former worker at the U.S. Postal Service's Baltimore distibution center admitted in federal court that he regularly rifled through greeting cards, stealing cash and gift cards and discarding the rest.
Andrew C. Walsh, 51, of Cockeysville, Md. pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Baltimore to mail theft. Authorities said he stole about 1,600 gift cards worth between $30,000 and $70,000, and about $12,000 in cash.
Andrew C. Walsh, 51, of Cockeysville, Md. pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Baltimore to mail theft. Authorities said he stole about 1,600 gift cards worth between $30,000 and $70,000, and about $12,000 in cash.
Post office burglar lacked exit plan - Calls 911 To Get Out
Police: Post office burglar in Cambridge lacked exit plan: "What do you do if you break into a post office but you can't get out? Call 911, of course.
That's what a Cambridge woman did early Wednesday after she somehow got through two locked doors to get into the U.S. Post Office branch on East Main Street in Cambridge, police said.
Heather L. Kramer, 22, used a phone inside the building just before 3 a.m. to call for police help to be let out, Cambridge-Greenwich Police Chief George Bell said.
Police believe she was in the building for a couple of hours, but nothing was found missing or damaged, Bell said.
Kramer wrote some 'pretty bizarre notes' inside the building, but they did not seem to make any sense and were not threatening, he said.
When she called 911, she reported her name as 'Slim Jim' and said she was waiting for a package, the chief said."
That's what a Cambridge woman did early Wednesday after she somehow got through two locked doors to get into the U.S. Post Office branch on East Main Street in Cambridge, police said.
Heather L. Kramer, 22, used a phone inside the building just before 3 a.m. to call for police help to be let out, Cambridge-Greenwich Police Chief George Bell said.
Police believe she was in the building for a couple of hours, but nothing was found missing or damaged, Bell said.
Kramer wrote some 'pretty bizarre notes' inside the building, but they did not seem to make any sense and were not threatening, he said.
When she called 911, she reported her name as 'Slim Jim' and said she was waiting for a package, the chief said."
Scant Details In Tennessee Post Office Attack
Scant Details In Tennessee Post Office Attack|myEyewitnessNews.com, Memphis News, Entertainment, Videos, Business Search and Shopping: "With no suspects or motive, authorities are pleading for the public's help as they investigate the fatal shooting of two female postal workers in a small West Tennessee town struggling to make sense of the murders."
Updated: Post Office Killings: Reward Increased To $50,000; Rumors Running Rampant
Updated: Post Office Killings: Reward Increased; Rumors Running Rampant|myEyewitnessNews.com, Memphis News, Entertainment, Videos, Business Search and Shopping: "Shock, anger and sadness fill the small town of Henning, TN. Investigators are trying to find the killer, or killers, of two postal workers. U.S. Postal Inspectors have upped reward money for information leading to an arrest. It's now at $50,000. While the hunt is on, the town is on edge"
European Company Mails Fake Bags Of Blood In Its Direct Mail Campaign
European Company Mails Fake Bags Of Blood In Its Direct Mail Campaign: "A European company mails bags of fake blood to prospective clients to emphasize its unrelenting work ethic."
APWU: Second Postal Early Out Payment Scheduled for Oct. 29
APWU: Second Early Out Payment Scheduled for Oct. 29: "Former postal employees who retired or separated from the Postal Service in 2009 as part of the negotiated Early Out Incentive agreement are entitled to receive an additional $5,000, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 29, 2010."
OSHA Fines USPS $210,000 For Safety Violations At Columbus, OH Distribution Center
OSHA Fines USPS $210,000 For Safety Violations At Columbus, OH Distribution Center : PostalReporter News Blog: "The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service with five alleged willful violations at its Columbus processing center. The Postal Service faces a total of $210,000 in fines for electrical and equipment hazards following an OSHA inspection conducted in response to employee complaints."
New Burger King Commercial Featuring Mail Carrier Promoting Breakfast Platter
New Burger King Commercial Featuring Mail Carrier Promoting Breakfast Platter : PostalReporter News Blog: "New Burger King commercial featuring Mail Carrier promoting breakfast platter. In the commercial the Mail Carrier sings, “With pancakes and eggs on my plate, the mail has to wait.”
October 19, 2010
October 18, 2010
OSHA Fines USPS $210,000 For Safety Violations in Columbus, OH
OSHA Fines USPS $210,000 For Safety Violations in Columbus, OH : : "The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the USPS $210,000 for willfully exposing employees to electrical safety hazards at the Columbus, OH Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC)."
Friends have exchanged same greeting card for 40 years
Friends have exchanged same greeting card for 40 years : "That’s all it took for the card to be returned, over and over. The card has now made 78 roundtrips via regular First-Class Mail."
Community Shocked Over Postal Shooting
Community Shocked Over Postal Shooting | My Fox Memphis | Fox 13 News: "Tenn. - Shock and disbelief were shared by many in Henning as word of the shootings circulated through the small community but, some residents allege even though it's not a large town they are part of a greater war when it comes to being victimized by crime."
October 17, 2010
Republicans have little love for federal workers
Federal Eye - Republicans have little love for federal workers: "Just 2 percent of Republicans think federal employees work harder than private sector workers, and almost 6 in 10 think they work less hard. Forty-six percent of Republicans believe federal workers are of a lower quality than the private sector workforce. Democrats are much more sympathetic, with 11 percent believing they work harder than the private sector and almost 1 in 5 believing they're of a higher quality."
OSHA Increases Enforcement Against Serious Safety and Health Violators
OSHA Increases Enforcement Against Serious Safety and Health Violators : : "The increase in significant and egregious cases demonstrates OSHA’s commitment to aggressively enforcing its standards when employers show indifference to protecting the safety, health and lives of their workers. The increase results from better inspection targeting, more follow-up inspections and the addition of more compliance officers."
Louisiana Postal Worker Critically Injured In Crash While Delivering Mail
Louisiana Postal Worker Critically Injured In Crash While Delivering Mail : "Rural Carrier was not wearing a seatbelt – but Postal Workers are exempt from wearing seat belts in the performance of their duties."
October 16, 2010
Dead Tree Edition: Congressman Issa: Where Are All Those Postal Supervisors?
Dead Tree Edition: Congressman Issa: Where Are All Those Postal Supervisors?
The response to an article two weeks ago that quoted Rep. Darrell Issa as saying one in seven U.S. Postal Service employees has stirred up an unprecedented amount of reaction.
Without doubt, the supervisory ratio within the Postal Service is far, far higher than 1:7," said Louis M. Atkins, president of the National Association of Postal Supervisors. Many comments, though acknowledging that the Postal Service has too many layers of management, also questioned Issa's numbers.
The response to an article two weeks ago that quoted Rep. Darrell Issa as saying one in seven U.S. Postal Service employees has stirred up an unprecedented amount of reaction.
Without doubt, the supervisory ratio within the Postal Service is far, far higher than 1:7," said Louis M. Atkins, president of the National Association of Postal Supervisors. Many comments, though acknowledging that the Postal Service has too many layers of management, also questioned Issa's numbers.
October 14, 2010
Department of Education advises states not to use USPS
Mcall.com: Pennsylvania Ave. Blog The U.S. Department of Education warns states not use regular mail to send grant applicants because its unreliable. The education department's January 2010 school improvement grant application says: "Due to potential delays in processing mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service [state education agencies] are encouraged to use alternate carriers for paper submissions."-
Boston DM: Postal Service doing its best during difficult times
Postal Service doing its best during difficult times - Lowell Sun Online - When was the last time the Postal Service increased the price of a first class stamp?The question is topical since the Postal Regulatory Commission recently rejected a Postal Service proposal to boost the price by 2 cents and since Sunday's editorial characterized it as "another interminable increase."
USPS ‘Droop Test’ Snags Delivery of Kansas Weekly
USPS ‘Droop Test’ Snags Delivery of Kansas Weekly - Count the weekly Marion County (Kansas) Record as one of the first victims of the U.S. Postal Service’s new “droop test” for periodicals. In a note to readers, Managing Editor Susan Berg said delivery of the paper to “will call” subscribers and of out-of-county mailed copies was delayed because of the new regulation.
Letter: Town needs its post office
Letter: Town needs its post office The Dickinson Press Dickinson, North Dakota - This letter is a request for help. The community of Dunn Center has had our post office put in an emergency suspension situation as of Oct. 1.
USPS to hold public meeting on Muncie, Lafayette IN consolidations
jconline.com Journal and Courier - U.S. Postal Service officials will hold a public meeting Oct. 28 to discuss its proposal to consolidate much of its mail processing for central Indiana at a Kokomo distribution center.
Postal Employee’s USPS Official Personnel Folder Lost In the ?
Postal Employee’s USPS Official Personnel Folder Lost In the ? - USPS Can’t Find 27 Year Postal Employee’s Official Personnel Folder (OPF)
OSHA fines USPS $212,500 Electrical Hazards at Huntington, W.Va facility
OSHA fines USPS $212,500 Electrical Hazards at Huntington, W.Va facility - OSHA has cited the U.S. Postal Service for exposing workers to potential electrical hazards at its mail processing facility in Huntington, W.Va. Proposed penalties? $212,500.
8 Florida Postal And USPS Contract Workers Charged With Mail Theft
8 Florida Postal And USPS Contract Workers Charged With Mail Theft - Eight Postal Service workers were arrested and indicted Thursday on felony mail theft charges in Orlando
Afforable Mail Alliance Argues PRC Ruling Allows USPS To Exploit The Unused Rate Authority
Afforable Mail Alliance Argues PRC Ruling Allows USPS To Exploit The Unused Rate Authority "Affordable Mail Alliance Comments on informal ruling issued by a Postal Regulatory Commission lawyer Oct 12, 2010 regarding USPS possibly raising postage rates."
USPS Seeking Vendors To Create Electronic Solution For Labeling Mail Transport Equipment
USPS Seeking Vendors To Create Electronic Solution For Labeling Mail Transport Equipment "USPS looking for solution to eliminate paper, ink and workhours associated with labeling Mail Transport Equipment in a Mail Processing Environment"
October 13, 2010
Mailers Alliance Fights 'Nonsensical' Price-Cap Ruling
Dead Tree Edition: Mailers Alliance Fights 'Nonsensical' Price-Cap Ruling: "In an attempt to hold down next year’s increase in postage rates, an alliance of mailers today challenged as “nonsensical” an informal ruling issued by a Postal Regulatory Commission lawyer. Periods of deflation should not be ignored when calculating the price cap for postal rates, the Affordable Mail Alliance argued in its filing with the PRC.
Dead Tree Edition: Mailers Alliance Fights 'Nonsensical' Price-Cap Ruling
Dead Tree Edition: Mailers Alliance Fights 'Nonsensical' Price-Cap Ruling
October 12, 2010
Congress Approves New Postage Stamp To Benefit Species Conservation Efforts
Congress Approves New Postage Stamp To Benefit Species Conservation Efforts: "The U.S. Congress has approved legislation creating a new postage stamp to benefit species conservation efforts. The bipartisan legislation was signed into law last week by President Obama."
Pitney Bowes to Host U.S. Customer Summits At Mail Services Facilities
Pitney Bowes to Host U.S. Customer Summits At Mail Services Facilities : PostalReporter News Blog: "Pitney Bowes Inc. today announced it is hosting a series of U.S. Customer Summits at its mail services facilities from October 12 through December 14. The “Customer Appreciation and Mail Innovation Summits” will take place at 34 Pitney Bowes Mail Services locations throughout the U.S."
APWU: National Officers Election Ballots Due Oct. 14 : PostalReporter News Blog
APWU: National Officers Election Ballots Due Oct. 14 "With just two days remaining before the APWU election of national officers ends, members are reminded to cast their ballots to determine who will lead the union for the next three years."
Michigan Letter Carriers Protest Pressure To Work Faster : PostalReporter News Blog
Letter Carriers request investigation into hostile work environment
Michigan Letter Carriers Protest Pressure To Work Faster "About 370 postal workers petition [Senator Carl] Levin about ‘hostile work environment"
Michigan Letter Carriers Protest Pressure To Work Faster "About 370 postal workers petition [Senator Carl] Levin about ‘hostile work environment"
October 07, 2010
APWU Ballots Lost In the Mail?
Federal News Radio 1500 AM: Voting By Mail: The Perfect Solution
Normally the APWU election committee would be counting ballots this week, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel downtown. But there has been a problem. So far only 39,071 ballots have been received which is only a small percentage of the union's membership and a much lower total than in past elections.
So what happened to all those mail ballots?
You got it!
They seem to be lost in the mail.
According to the union a lot of members say they haven't received their ballots. So...
They've extended the voting deadline to Oct. 14.
Normally the APWU election committee would be counting ballots this week, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel downtown. But there has been a problem. So far only 39,071 ballots have been received which is only a small percentage of the union's membership and a much lower total than in past elections.
So what happened to all those mail ballots?
You got it!
They seem to be lost in the mail.
According to the union a lot of members say they haven't received their ballots. So...
They've extended the voting deadline to Oct. 14.
October 06, 2010
Court Denies APWU’s Request Seeking USPS Pay For Performance Records
Court Denies APWU’s Request Seeking USPS Pay For Performance Records : PostalReporter News Blog: "The American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, requested information from the United States Postal Service under the Freedom of Information Act on September 10, 2008. APWU requested “the most recent Pay for Performance bonus and/or pay increases"
October 04, 2010
APWU Members March for Good Jobs, Change in America
APWU Members March for Good Jobs, Change in America: "APWU members, officers, and staff convened in the nation’s capital on Saturday, Oct. 2 for the One Nation March, a demonstration to strengthen the fight for good jobs and economic justice."
Federal Employees 2011 Open Season for Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Insurance and FSA
Federal Employees 2011 Open Season for Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Insurance and FSA "The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that this year’s open season for health benefits, dental and vision insurance, and Flexible Spending Accounts will run from November 8 through December 13, 2010"
Sen. Akaka: Impact of Eliminating Saturday Delivery In Hawaii
Sen. Akaka: Impact of Eliminating Saturday Delivery In Hawaii : "Senator Daniel K. Akaka Prepared Remarks To Postal Regulatory Commission
The Impact of Eliminating Saturday Delivery Service on the People of Hawai‘i"
The Impact of Eliminating Saturday Delivery Service on the People of Hawai‘i"
Editorial: Postal Service Rewarding Resignations
Editorial: Postal Service Rewarding Resignations "Apparently, if you are a top Postal Service executive who wants a big raise, the way to get it is to resign"
Letter Carrier Heroes of the Year
Letter Carrier Heroes of the Year : PostalReporter News Blog: "James Dupont had just finished delivering mail on his rural Arkansas route when he saw a truck and car collide head-on. The veteran letter carrier pulled the driver from the truck and, as the vehicle caught on fire, saved a passenger engulfed in flames. He then managed to bend open the door of the burning car to rescue that driver – injuring himself in the process."
Fort Worth Post Office scrutinized in Postal Service inquiry
Fort Worth Post Office scrutinized in Postal Service inquiry Local News News from Fo...: "The Fort Worth postmaster is on paid administrative leave while the watchdog arm of the U.S. Postal Service investigates the office, several sources said. The inspector general is investigating possible problems with the recording of mail volume, which can be a key driver of budgeting and efficiency measures, officials said."
PMG Potter Letterr: Give the U.S. Postal Service the Freedom to Compete
Letters to the Editor: Give the U.S. Postal Service the Freedom to Compete - WSJ.com: "In assailing a proposed two-cent increase in the price of a first-class postage stamp, your editorial 'The Post Office Hustle' (Sept. 27) uncharacteristically fails to identify the underpinning of the decision to seek a price change: a legislatively imposed lack of flexibility in managing the Postal Service business."
October 02, 2010
NALC: Key GOP lawmakers playing “Russian roulette” with USPS
NALC: Key GOP lawmakers playing “Russian roulette” with USPS “It is very disappointing that GOP members of the Senate who have oversight responsibilities with regard to the Postal Service would take a party-line stance in this irresponsible action,” National Association of Letter Carriers President Fredric V. Rolando said."
Federal Employees 2011 Open Season for Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Insurance and FSA
Federal Employees 2011 Open Season for Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Insurance and FSA : "The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that this year’s open season for health benefits, dental and vision insurance, and Flexible Spending Accounts will run from November 8 through December 13, 2010. This open season will give federal employees and retirees the opportunity to change their health-care coverage and employees who are not enrolled, but are eligible to participate, the opportunity to elect coverage."
USPS Has Too Many Supervisors And Too Many Employees, Congressman Says
Dead Tree Edition: USPS Has Too Many Supervisors And Too Many Employees, Congressman Says: "The U.S. Postal Service could cut its workforce by one-third and its supervisory ranks even more, a leading Republican Congressman indicated this week."
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