The Postal Service's Union-Busting Law Firm

With negotiations for a new contract set to begin on Feb. 19, 2015, it’s worth noting that in the past, when talks have ended in arbitration, the #USPS has used the anti-union law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius to represent management’s interests. The firm, which has more than 1,400 attorneys in 25 offices, is considered one of the leading #union-busting law firms in the country. It has a long history fighting workers. When former President Ronald Reagan fired striking Air Traffic Controllers in 1981, Morgan Lewis served as the FAA’s (Federal Aviation Administration) attorneys. The strike was a major defeat for labor; PATCO, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers union, was disbanded soon after. Read more: The Postal Service's Union-Busting Law Firm

UPS Does Not Necessarily Win If The Postal Service Fails

UPS Does Not Necessarily Win If The Postal Service Fails
If the Postal Service does fall, then it could have dramatic effects on many small businesses. Currently one of the largest generators of income for the Postal Service is what is commonly referred to as "junk mail". These advertising companies provide so much of this mail because it has such a huge profit margin for them. Although many people simply throw their junk mail in the garbage without looking at it, there are apparently enough people making purchases to make this method of advertising effective and important. If the Postal Service fails, then these companies will have few other options. Although they could turn to UPS, the prices that are offered by the company would be too high for these advertisers to make money. That means that many of these companies could simply die off. That means less mail for the typical person, but it also means the loss of more jobs and companies.

Canada: Postal strike averted as union wants to continue talks

Canada: Postal strike averted as union wants to continue talks- The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said Sunday there will be no "strike activity" on that day, and it will remain "business as usual across our network."

Colorado carrier gets probation in theft from mail

Colorado carrier gets probation in theft from mail -A former part-time Antonito mail carrier who admitted stealing from the mail for three months was sentenced Friday to one year of probation and ordered to repay $300.

U.S. Postal Service stages trial mail truck runs from Staten Island to Manhattan

U.S. Postal Service stages trial mail truck runs from Staten Island to Manhattan- Empty mail trucks are making trial runs from the Manor Road Post Office to a mail processing facility in Manhattan to gauge travel time, as postal officials eye consolidation as a cost-cutting measure.

Indiana postal worker charged with theft

A 41-year-old Fishers postal worker was arrested earlier this week after he admitted to stealing nearly $900 from the agency, according to a court document

Indy Star

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.

Postal Union Withdraws Endorsement of Congressman Darrell Issa

see more

GOP Rep. ISSA: Time for another government bailout - USPS

The predicament in which USPS finds itself is not uncommon. Because of the ever-increasing reach of the Internet and digital media, bookstores, record stores and DVD rental chains have all seen their customer base and profits decline dramatically. Unlike these other affected businesses, USPS cannot simply go out of business or declare bankruptcy. The need to downsize the labor force and reduce costs to reflect declining demand and new market conditions needs to be the first priority of both workers and management

Washington Times

Sen. Susan Collins Urges PRC to Reject USPS Rate Case Proposal

Letter from Senator Susan Collins to PRC
As the author of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of2006 (PAEA), which grants the Postal Service the limited authority to file an exigent rate case, I want to make the congressional intent regarding the provision completely unambiguous as the Postal Regulatory Commission considers the pending Postal Service request. Neither the language nor the legislative history of the PAEA authorizes the United States Postal Service to file an exigent rate case under the current circumstances.

Thirteen Charges Dismissed Against Postal Worker For OWCP Fraudt

Last year, PostalReporter reported that Three Ohio Postal Workers Charged With OWCP Fraud. Since the release of this news item at least one Postal Worker has been exonerated of all charges.

Former USPS Chief Financial Officer: Eliminating Saturday Delivery Is Not Necessary

Eliminating Saturday Delivery Would Cost USPS in the long-run
http://www.postalreporternews.net/2010/08/02/former-usps-chief-financial-officer-eliminating-saturday-delivery-is-not-necessary/

Senator Says Panel Will Block Five-Day Delivery

Sen. Jon Tester says the lawmakers who oversee the budget of the post office will block a proposal to reduce mail deliveries to five days a week.

The Montana Democrat said eliminating Saturday deliveries would be a hardship on people living in rural areas without producing major savings for the Postal Service.

Report: Post office receipts may be contaminated with possibly harmful chemical

Late last year we wrote that the BPA (bisphenol-A), which has been found in many consumer products, was found to be present in common paper receipts. Now, laboratory tests commissioned by Environmental Working Group (EWG) have found high levels of the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) on 40 percent of receipts sampled from major U.S. businesses and services.

Firms included McDonald’s, Chevron, CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, WalMart, Safeway, the U.S. Postal Service, and the U.S. House of Representatives cafeteria

full story

PMG Names New Chief Postal Inspector

PMG Jack Potter has named Guy Cottrell the 38th chief inspector of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. He begins his new assignment Aug. 1.

PMG Names New Chief Postal Inspector

Rural Carrier Fired For Using Profanity Loses Suit Against Union

The U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, issued a startling decision on June 16, 2010, in Jeunes v. Potter. The Court upheld the removal of a postal employee who “admits that he used profanity during a verbal altercation with a co-worker on October 26, 2007, conduct clearly proscribed by the zero tolerance policy.”

Now the same employee has lost a lawsuit against his former union
Postal Worker loses suit

Meddybemps Post Office burglarized

U.S. Postal Service inspectors are expected at the Meddybemps post office today to participate in the investigation of a burglary that took place sometime late Friday night.