Postal rate increase to aid vets' pensions (?)
The strangest explanation for the rate increase we've seen so far: 'Postal rates are going up 5.4 percent on Jan. 8 as a result of a law that will raise money for military pensions, a U.S. Postal Service official explained Thursday.' Topeka Capitol-Journal
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USPS releases November Financials
'Total Mail Volume for November, FY 2006 was 111 million pieces or 0.6% over Same Period Last Year (SPLY). First-Class Mail volume was 323 million pieces or 3.8% under SPLY, while Standard Mail volumes at 455 million pieces or 5.0% over SPLY, continue to be positive primarily because of the increasing strength of direct marketing channels.
Year-to-date, Total Mail Volume is 1.5% or 571 million pieces under SPLY. YTD, First-Class Mail volume is 3.7% less than SPLY generating $252 million or 4.1% less revenue than SPLY.'
Click here for the Adobe .pdf version, or here for the data in an Excel spreadsheet.
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USPS seeks trademark for pony express logo
The author, Bill McAllister points out that the Pony Express only lasted for about six months, and in reality had no connection with the US Post Office.
Linn's Stamp News
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Postal Service withholds Tumwater article: Manager worried of effect on transfer
'A story praising the productivity of a Tumwater mail processing plant has been withheld from publication because it could have undermined the U.S. Postal Service's efforts to transfer mail cancellation services to Tacoma, a union official charged Tuesday.' The Olympian (WA)
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Mail mastery
'The 1,220 people who work in the St. Paul postal distribution center aim to make holiday mail something you don't think about.'
St. Paul Pioneer Press
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This Christmas, don't forget your mailman
"Some employers discourage tipping, especially with cash. 'Don't tip the mailman,' said Joseph Breckenridge, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service. 'He's got a good job, makes a good living.'"
Tallahassee Democrat
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Mailman by day, award-winning pimp by night
'For a decade, he has worked for the U.S. Postal Service, delivering mail and collecting paychecks as Matthew Thompkins.
But on the streets, he was known as Knowledge.'
Newark Star Ledger
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Letter carrier delivers aid
A local postal worker on a bustling schedule decided the mail could wait Thursday when she spotted a fallen man in the snow in his driveway.
Galesburg Register-Mail
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Big Spenders
'A fearless prediction: 2007 is going to be a banner year for direct marketers.' DIRECT
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Wednesday, December 14
2005: Financially, USPS' best year since '70s
'Talk of a "death spiral" at the U.S. Postal Service has been dropped, at least temporarily, in favor of refrains from "Happy Days are Here Again."' Federal Times
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Seizing the Opportunity to Discuss Network Realignment is a Good Strategy
Postcom's Kate Muth notes that USPS CFO Dick Strasser used his post-BOG press briefing last week to talk about possible plant consolidations, and the financial justifications for them, and concludes that 'if the USPS decides to employ this communications strategy regularly, a better understanding of the network realignment plans should take hold in the public's consciousness' Postcom.org
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'Ask President Burrus'- Pay for Performance
On the APWU web site, President Bill Burrus answers questions posed by members. Today he talks about retirement annuities and 'Pay for Performance'. His comment on PFP is interesting regardless of which side of the fence you happen to be on:
'Performance pay invites favoritism and inserts subjective analysis into the pay system. We do not envy EAS employees and supervisors who are paid on the basis of their perceived performance. On occasion they receive more than APWU employees; but over an extended period, our negotiated increases, including cost-of-living adjustments, far exceed those received by employees covered by performance-pay plans, and we are not subject to evaluation by managers.'
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Katrina VER Information
NAPUS has posted information on the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) opportunity for employees in the Louisiana District, and the 395 ZIP area of the Mississippi District.
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Canadian postal workers worried of possible UPS fallout
'Canadian postal workers say they're worried that trade tribunal hearings that started Monday in a case pitting Ottawa against giant courier company UPS could devastate Canada Post'
Canadian Press
Click here to read the CUPW press release
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Stamp for higher postal rate debuts
The Postal Service will begin selling a new 39-cent stamp portraying the Statue of Liberty and the American flag today to be used when the postal rate hike goes into effect Jan. 8. Associated PressComment
USPS Financial and Operating Statements released
More financial data- this is the regular financial summary, adding some additional details. Some interesting items: more than two thirds of the $964 million revenue increase ($660 million) occurred in one month- November 2004. Also: divide the increase in revenue by the increase in volume, and you'll find that each additional piece of mail netted the USPS just 14 cents of added revenue.
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USPS Fourth Quarter Stats Released: Standard Mail Outnumbers First Class
Fourth quarter statistics posted on the USPS web site show standard mail overtaking first class for the fiscal year that ended September 30. First class mail was almost unchanged from the prior year, at about 98 billion pieces, while standard mail increased 5.6% (or 5.4 billion pieces) to just under 101 billion pieces.
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Editorial: 'First class' act, U.S. Postal Service
"It's good to hear the U.S. Postal Service, as a quasi-governmental endeavor, has decided to use prudence when it comes to executive incentives."
Petoskey (MI) News-Review
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Tuesday, December 6
USPS 2005 Financials released
'USPS finishes 2005 debt free... $1.4 billion surplus' USPS Link Online see also the Audited Financial Statements presentation given by CFO Dick Strasser to the BOG, and the FY 2006 USPS appropriation request, both available at Postcom. (But, you say, 'appropriation? I thought the USPS didn't get taxpayer dollars?' True- the appropriations are to reimburse the USPS for services it is required by law to provide free or at reduced rates- i.e. mail for the blind, nonprofit mailings.)
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For others, though, bulk mail... serves as the lifeblood to a sound business... If that mail isn't delivered, or received, on time, the money invested in the printing, designing and packaging is a waste, and the customer never comes through the doors.
Thanksgiving Misgivings
also: 'Ways and Means Panel Looks at FEHBP Costs' and 'Holiday Season Single-Piece Parcels'
e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter
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Protecting Parcel Post
"Regrettably, it appears that there currently may be a policy which is intended to make Parcel Post 'invisible' to patrons."
Letter from Ralph Nader to USPS PMG Jack Potter
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