PRC Chairman Predicts 5% Rate Hike for 2009

PRC Chairman Predicts 5% Rate Hike for 2009: "Although the 2006 Postal Reform law restored a semblance of normalcy to annual postal rate increases, many catalogers are wondering what they can expect in terms of a rate hike in May 2009.

Dan G. Blair, chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission, offers his educated prognostication: “It appears that the average increase for each class of mail will be approximately 5%. The actual rate cap will depend upon the behavior of the monthly CPI (Consumer Price Index) between now and December.

The cap is based on an average over two consecutive 12-month periods, Blair says. “The current value (as of Oct. 21) is 4.4%, and we’ve witnessed an upward trend over the past year.”"

Cops pose as postal workers, make drug arrest

Cops pose as postal workers, make drug arrest - Allston-Brighton, MA - Allston/Brighton TAB

Postal Service Looks To Cut 40,000 Jobs In First Layoff In History

KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |Postal Service Looks To Cut 40,000 Jobs In First Layoff In History: "'We lost 2 billion dollars and like any other business we have to stay afloat.' And to keep from sinking, the United States Postal Service is considering cutting thousands of jobs nationwide. Lavelle Pepper with the post office in Shreveport says they too are feeling the affects of the same disease hitting the country... a struggling economy. 'We employ about 685,000 people. If we do layoffs it would include clerks, carriers, mail handlers across all crafts.'"

Cops nab alleged burglar with aid of postal worker

The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA - Cops nab alleged burglar with aid of postal worker: "The sharp eye and quick response of a worker at the Portage post office with aid by an in-store alarm system aided police in the quick apprehension of an alleged burglar as he left a pharmacy with a bottle of prescription painkillers in hand."

Report of shooting stops mail

Report of shooting stops mail for 52 Harvey homes :: The SouthtownStar :: News: "A report of shots fired followed by nearly two weeks of miscommunication has left 52 Harvey households with empty mailboxes.

The U.S. Postal Service suspended mail delivery to homes near 151st and Marshfield in Harvey after a postal carrier said she was caught in crossfire Oct. 10 while working her regular route, said Jose Aguilar, a postal service spokesman."

Postal service cutbacks could affect customers

Postal service cutbacks could affect customers - Midstate PA Local News, Weather, Sports & Entertainment - PennLive.com: "Although more people prefer e-mail to snail mail and more businesses are likely to fax than ship, the mail -- what remains of it -- has to be delivered six days a week. The U.S. Postal Service expects to end the year with a decline of 9 billion pieces of mail versus last year.

In a press release, Postmaster General John Potter said the best way to cope is to reduce work hours. That could take several forms, including fewer staff working fewer hours."

Top Federal Postal Cop Retires in Wake of ABC News Investigation

ABC News: Exclusive: Top Federal Postal Cop Retires in Wake of ABC News Investigation

Two weeks after being questioned by ABC News about his travel expenses and gambling habits, the head of the US Postal Service's Inspection Service abruptly announced his retirement.

The Changing Postal Landscape:

The Changing Postal Landscape: What Mailers Need to Know: "Postal reform is the best thing that ever happened to direct mailers: True or false?

Both answers are correct, depending on how you mail.
The 2008 rate hike was reasonable. But last year’s wasn’t, nor was the one before that—least of all for catalogers. And there are many other postal variables that make planning difficult for anyone using the mail stream."

Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Anthrax... - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Contributor - Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Anthrax... - NYTimes.com: "IMPORTANT planning for responding to a future anthrax attack has quietly been under way since the last attacks seven years ago. A key part of this effort has been figuring out how best to deliver prophylactic antibiotics quickly to the people living in the city that is attacked"

Next step for USPS: Layoffs? - FederalTimes.com

Next step for USPS: Layoffs? - FederalTimes.com: "Will there be layoffs at the U.S. Postal Service? That’s the buzz among the agency’s 670,000 workers as signs grow that the agency is sliding further into financial trouble."