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
Comment
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
Comment
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.)
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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.
Comment
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
Comment
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.
Comment
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.
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.orgComment
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.
Comment
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!
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
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
Comment
