Wednesday, November 30
Postal workers fighting transfers
Owensboro (KY) Messenger-Inquirer
Holiday rush awaits for postal, shipping employees
Lawrence (KS) Journal-World
Speed, efficiency gain national stamp of approval for Colorado PO
The best post office in the top-performing postal district in the country is in Highlands Ranch, also one of the nation's fastest-growing mail stops.
Denver Post
Denver Post
Customized postage stamps let you be stuck on you
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Tuesday, November 29
Pay Variance Adjustments
The League of Postmasters has posted an advance copy of an article by USPS Budget Manager Tony Morrow, explaining the 'pay variance' adjustments Postmasters have seen in their operating budgets.
League of Postmasters web site
League of Postmasters web site
Phoenix Letter Carriers Plan Picket Over Working Conditions
KPHO TV Phoenix
Monday, November 28
Pilot's union to picket UPS stores
Business First of Louisville via MSNBC
Daniels' Death Brings BOG Vacancies to 4
After Governor Rider's term expires next week, the Board of Governors will be down to the bare minimum required for a quorum.
DMNews.com
DMNews.com
Sunday, November 27
Editorial: The stamp of inclusion
'On talk radio, furious-voiced callers fume about any reference to a holiday season instead of a Christmas season, and in courtrooms lawyers argue about the constitutional condition of creches and candles. But in December's real headquarters, the post offices where Americans stagger under the packages and cards of connection, a seasonal bouquet of multicolored, multicultural seasonal stamps blooms serenely.'
The Oregonian
The Oregonian
Friday, November 25
Wednesday, November 23
USPS International rates to increase
International postage will increase 5.4%, similar to the domestic rate increase, and on the same date, January 8. On the same day, the former trust territories of the Marshall Islands and Micronesia will cease to be considered as domestic mail destinations from the US. (Not voted off the ZIP code map is the former trust island, and 'Survivor' locale, Palau.)
USPS seeks vendor for relocation services
'The USPS will be pre-qualifying suppliers to provide 100% outsourced relocation services to employees being transferred ... the USPS transfers an average of 1200 individuals annually with average annual expenditures of $53M (average over the last 3 fiscal years)
Federal Business Opportunities
Federal Business Opportunities
Union to fight mail processing plant closures
The American Postal Workers Union is gearing up to frustrate U.S. Postal Service plans to consolidate first-class mail processing operations at nine plants, most of them on the East and West coasts.
Federal Times
Federal Times
Officials Question Bolger Center
Restaurant owner says for-profit business on federal land creates 'uneven playing field.'
Potomac (MD) Almanac
Click here to view Dolce International's Bolger Center web site
Potomac (MD) Almanac
Click here to view Dolce International's Bolger Center web site
USPS October Financials
'Year-to-date (YTD), Total Revenue is $198 million or 3.2% under plan. YTD Total Revenue is $110 million less than last year.
Total Mail Volume is 3.5% or 682 million pieces below SPLY. The most significant mail volume decrease below SPLY for FY 2006 YTD is in the lower revenue-per-piece Standard Mail category which decreased 458 million pieces or 4.5%. YTD, First-Class Mail volume is 3.5% less than SPLY, generating $118 million or 3.9% less revenue than SPLY.
Total workhours for October, 2005 YTD are 0.4 million hours or 0.3% below SPLY. To date, Mail Processing and City Delivery Services workhours combined have been reduced 0.8 million hours below SPLY.'
USPS web site (Adobe .pdf file)
Click here for an Excel spreadsheet version, or here for other financial reports.
Total Mail Volume is 3.5% or 682 million pieces below SPLY. The most significant mail volume decrease below SPLY for FY 2006 YTD is in the lower revenue-per-piece Standard Mail category which decreased 458 million pieces or 4.5%. YTD, First-Class Mail volume is 3.5% less than SPLY, generating $118 million or 3.9% less revenue than SPLY.
Total workhours for October, 2005 YTD are 0.4 million hours or 0.3% below SPLY. To date, Mail Processing and City Delivery Services workhours combined have been reduced 0.8 million hours below SPLY.'
USPS web site (Adobe .pdf file)
Click here for an Excel spreadsheet version, or here for other financial reports.
Tuesday, November 22
Postmasters' evaluations, '06 goals due next Wednesday
NAPUS president questions last minute FY '05 budget adjustments
NAPUS Hotline
more:
Pay Variance Is Discussed at Postal HQ
League of Postmasters News Briefs
NAPUS Hotline
more:
Pay Variance Is Discussed at Postal HQ
League of Postmasters News Briefs
The Ground War At FedEx
Drivers are suing to protest their status as contractors- and gaining traction
Business Week
Business Week
Monday, November 21
Friday, November 18
Charities brace for postage increase
Greensboro (NC) News-Record
USPS Sends Reform Letters to Capitol Hill
also: House GOP Leadership Scores Split Decision on FY 2006 Budget
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter
Thursday, November 17
UPS, FedEx fight Katrina backlog- postal official sees fewer problems
Hattiesburg American
As Time Winds Down, Postal Service Bill's Provision Wins Support
Washington Post
Wednesday, November 16
Canada Post fires shift-selling carriers
Police investigation into hoarding of letters reveals clandestine route-shuffling practice
Montreal Gazette
Montreal Gazette
UPS Pilots Start Informational Picketing Tomorrow
DMNews.com
Tuesday, November 15
Post Office Employees Robbed at Gun Point
Employees of a Brooklyn post office were tied up by a pair of armed robbers this morning who got away with two bags bulging with cash.
WABC-TV
WABC-TV
Bean, Collins back plan for postal rates
Portland Press Herald
Monday, November 14
Saturday, November 12
Carriers Fired for Not Delivering Unwanted Bulk Mail
NPR's 'All Things Considered' covers the story of the 'St Petersburg 7'
Friday, November 11
Editorial: Anthrax-detection system a colossal waste of money
Lynchburg VA News & Advance
Bond Rejects Frist Postal Offer
NAPUS continues to cover the Bush/Bond postal fiasco: Kit Bond, the Republican who represents Hallmark Missouri in the Senate, continues to, in effect, filibuster postal reform legislation. As a result, the Bush Administration will continue to overcharge the USPS for retirement funds. That overcharge, now euphemistically referred to as an 'escrow' payment, is the sole reason for the 2006 rate increase. Remember that when people ask you why stamps are going up in January!
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter
DMNews.com has more on the story.
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter
DMNews.com has more on the story.
Postcom protests 12.7% price hike for media mail
Postcom.org
Thursday, November 10
Panel weighs idea of 'super court' to handle federal employee appeals
Government Executive
Anthrax whodunit: Is it a cold case file?
Christian Science Monitor
USPS wants parcel mailers to use bar codes
Federal Computer Week
BOG to meet Wednesday on rate increase
The USPS Board of Governors has posted a notice of a closed meeting Wednesday, November 16 to discuss, and presumably, take action on the rate increase approved by the Postal Rate Commission. Under the law, the BOG members appointed by the President (i.e. not including the PMG and his Deputy) vote to approve, allow under protest, reject, or modify the PRC decision. The entire Board then decides on the effective dates for the rate changes.
The Board will also consider personnel and strategic issues, and review and approval of the Service's year end financial statements.
Federal Register
The Board will also consider personnel and strategic issues, and review and approval of the Service's year end financial statements.
Federal Register
Wednesday, November 9
Early retirements to be offered in Katrina/Rita impacted areas
...plus PFP mitigation, and the Small Office Variance (SOV) pilot program.
NAPUS Hotline
The League of Postmasters has also published an update on these issues.
NAPUS Hotline
The League of Postmasters has also published an update on these issues.
Mailhandlers Local 301 disputes USPS plans for Boston AMC
NPMHU Local 301 web site
Tuesday, November 8
Attempt to broker postal reform deal unravels
Government Executive
USPS CFO Strasser to retire
'Mailers Council Executive Director Robert McLean has shared an email that U.S. Postal Service Chief Financial Officer Richard Strasser sent to his postal colleagues. In it, Strasser announces his plans to retire early next year.'
Postcom.org
Postcom.org
USPS Offers Parcel Select Rule
DMNews.com
Click here to view the text of the proposed rule
Click here to view the text of the proposed rule
Supreme Court Hear Mail Slip-And-Fall Arguments
Washington Post
Monday, November 7
Mailbox locations become dead letter sites
Albany Times Union
Sunday, November 6
High-tech post office lacks the personal touch
Houston Chronicle
A Stamp for the Ages
PRC Commissioner Ruth Goldberg says the 'forever stamp' would ease the impact of rate increases.
New York Times
New York Times
Saturday, November 5
U.S. postal law delivers a hot debate on rates
Kansas City Star
Postal worker pleads guilty in $18,000 embezzlement
Bradenton (FL) Herald
Friday, November 4
Bush nominates former GOP official to PRC
The White House announced the nomination of 'Mark Acton, of Kentucky, to be a Commissioner of the Postal Rate Commission, for the remainder of a six-year term expiring October 14, 2010.'
Acton's qualifications for the job? He 'has been involved in Republican Party politics for nearly two decades', was Staff Director for the Counsel's Office for the Republican National Committee, helped organize the 2004 GOP convention, and was 'deputy director of the redistricting division' for the RNC.
Acton's qualifications for the job? He 'has been involved in Republican Party politics for nearly two decades', was Staff Director for the Counsel's Office for the Republican National Committee, helped organize the 2004 GOP convention, and was 'deputy director of the redistricting division' for the RNC.
NAPUS: Defeat Bond Amendment and Support Vote on S. 662
NAPUS's Legislative Newsletter points out that 'The sole roadblock to a vote on S. 662, the Collins-Carper postal bill, continues to be Senator Kit Bond (R-MO).' The Senator from Hallmark apparently won't even agree to release the bill in return for a vote on his benefactor's pet amendment!
Installation of anthrax detectors at postal facilities nears end
Government Executive
OIG Review of Postal Grievance Backlogs
'This white paper identifies for the Postal Service the top 10 types of grievances unions file, and the ones that could cause a backlog. The Postal Service could use this information to reduce the number of filings and the backlog, by establishing new initiatives to target the causes for the grievances. By reducing the number of grievances and settling them at the lowest possible level, the Postal Service can reduce costs associated with grievances and improve labor relations with its unions.'
USPS OIG web site
USPS OIG web site
Thursday, November 3
NCR will be sole provider of POS equipment for USPS
Associated Press
Ohio letter carrier killed in vehicle accident
WXIX TV Cincinnatti
New Deadline Stretches Flexible Spending Accounts
'The eligibility period for employees to use funds in their Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts has been extended through March 15, beginning with the 2005 plan year'
APWU News
APWU News
Wednesday, November 2
Grassley puts cents into postal spending
Quad-City (IA) Times
Postal Service Bill Bogs Down in Dispute Over Rules for Setting Rates
Washington Post
OIG Report on Workers Comp Identifies Possible Savings
'...savings would most likely occur if the Postal Service had its own workers' compensation program. These savings would be in the areas of Continuation of Pay (COP) elimination and a 3-day waiting period, reduced OWCP administrative fees and Postal Service third-party administrators, physician selection, buyout options, mandatory retirements, compensation limits and dependency status, and accountability controls...'
'...a negative issue was potential resistance by the Postal Service's four major employee unions if employee compensation benefits are reduced. In addition, separating the Postal Service from OWCP would require legislative change...'
USPS OIG web site
'...a negative issue was potential resistance by the Postal Service's four major employee unions if employee compensation benefits are reduced. In addition, separating the Postal Service from OWCP would require legislative change...'
USPS OIG web site
Tuesday, November 1
How the USPS Postal Rate Hike May Affect Email Marketing
MarketingSherpa.com
Killette named Vice President, Consumer Advocate
Washington, DC, Postmaster to head Consumer Affairs
USPS Link Online
USPS Link Online
Postal Rate Commission Approves Rate Hike
The link above will take you to the PRC's 33 page summary of the decision. Click here to download the full 430 page decision and appendices.
PRC web site
PRC web site
Hallmark, L.L. Bean at odds over postal reform bill
Associated Press
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