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
Friday, December 30
Wednesday, December 28
Bronx P&DC added to consolidation list
APWU News
Click here for the APWU's list of plant consolidation candidates.
Click here for the APWU's list of plant consolidation candidates.
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.
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.
USPS Issues 2005 Annual Report
The link above will take you to the HTML version of the report, or click here to download the Adobe .pdf version.
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
Linn's Stamp News
Tuesday, December 27
Monday, December 26
Sunday, December 25
The Halifax disaster, seen from a railway post office
No, it isn't news, but a great story for Christmas, from the late John Gould...
(And if you want more of John's stories, try Don't Nix the 'Nixy' If You Want to Send a Smile, or Pencils that didn't erase and chains that grew
Merry Christmas from postalnews.com!
(And if you want more of John's stories, try Don't Nix the 'Nixy' If You Want to Send a Smile, or Pencils that didn't erase and chains that grew
Merry Christmas from postalnews.com!
Saturday, December 24
Friday, December 23
Dallas postal worker pleads guilty over missing funds
A Dallas postal worker who serviced stamp vending machines has pleaded guilty in a $580 thousand embezzlement investigation.
Associated Press
Associated Press
Thursday, December 22
White House Drops Lump of Coal In Postal Stocking
also: 'NAPUS Prepares for FY 2007 Budget Battle'- are postal employee and retiree benefits the next target on the GOP hit list?
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter
Wednesday, December 21
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)
The Olympian (WA)
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
St. Paul Pioneer Press
Tuesday, December 20
Updated Joint APWU Contract Interpretation Manual Issued
APWU web site
Click here to download the manual in .pdf format.
Click here to download the manual in .pdf format.
Post offices hit seasonal shipping peak on mailing deadline
Florida Today
Holiday parcels keep the postmaster hopping
Durham (NC) Herald Sun
Post offices take package rush in stride
Whittier Daily News
No holiday at post office
Camden Courier Post
Holiday parcels keep the postmaster hopping
Durham (NC) Herald Sun
Post offices take package rush in stride
Whittier Daily News
No holiday at post office
Camden Courier Post
Monday, December 19
Sunday, December 18
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
Tallahassee Democrat
'Nor gloom of night'? Not quite
Late mail deliveries have become common problem countywide
San Diego Union Tribune
San Diego Union Tribune
Saturday, December 17
Ship till you drop
25% Jump in online shopping keeps FedEx and Post Office humming
San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
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
But on the streets, he was known as Knowledge.'
Newark Star Ledger
Friday, December 16
Wisconsin Rural Carrier Killed In Crash
Police say the carrier was operating the vehicle from the passenger side when she lost control.
WCCO TV Minneapolis
WCCO TV Minneapolis
Thursday, December 15
GAO issues report on USPS purchasing changes
'...changes seem promising, but Ombudsman revisions and continued oversight needed'
GAO web site
(The link above will open the 58 page .pdf report file. Also available- an html abstract, or a one page .pdf 'highlights' document.)
GAO web site
(The link above will open the 58 page .pdf report file. Also available- an html abstract, or a one page .pdf 'highlights' document.)
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
Galesburg Register-Mail
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
Federal Times
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
Postcom.org
Tuesday, December 13
'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.'
'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.'
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.
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
Canadian Press
Click here to read the CUPW press release
Monday, December 12
Hump day at FedEx
It's beginning to look a lot like online shopping is the driving force now
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Saturday, December 10
Postal worker accused of sending mail for free
$400,000: Man reportedly said he'd like to bankrupt Postal Service.
Anchorage Daily News
Anchorage Daily News
Friday, December 9
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 Press
Associated Press
Thursday, December 8
Newspapers Oppose Postal Service Discount for Time Inc. Mailer
Editor & Publisher
Click here to view the brief filed by the newspaper associations with the PRC, click here to read the brief filed by Time Warner, or click here to access all filings dealing with the Bookspan NSA.
Click here to view the brief filed by the newspaper associations with the PRC, click here to read the brief filed by Time Warner, or click here to access all filings dealing with the Bookspan NSA.
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.
Bloomington P&DC added to consolidation list
click here for the APWU's list of facilities identified so far as candidates for consolidation
APWU News
APWU News
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.
Commentary: Kit Bond is holding up progress
NALC President William H. Young commentary in the St Louis Post-Dispatch
Wednesday, December 7
Postal Union Pickets Senator's Offices to Protest Reform Impasse
DMNews.com
see also the Associated Press story
see also the Associated Press story
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
Petoskey (MI) News-Review
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.)
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.)
Fox & Postal Service Team Up For Dear Santa Reality Show
Reality TV Magazine
Click here to check eBay for 'Dear Santa' CD's!
Click here to check eBay for 'Dear Santa' CD's!
Late Mail Leaves Some Residents In The Dark
Postal Workers Struggle With Long Shifts
KNSD TV San Diego
KNSD TV San Diego
Monday, December 5
Additional Sites Identified for Possible Consolidation
Carbondale and Centralia Illinois to be reviewed for possible consolidation into the St Louis P&DC
APWU News
APWU News
White Paper: The Impact of Age, Generation and Life Stage on Use of Mail and Media
DMNews.com
click here to downlload the full 21 page report prepared by Pitney Bowes Strategy Analyst, Chrystal Szeto
click here to downlload the full 21 page report prepared by Pitney Bowes Strategy Analyst, Chrystal Szeto
Sunday, December 4
The snail in the mail
For some, bulk mail is a scourge.
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.
Eureka (CA) Times-Standard
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.
Eureka (CA) Times-Standard
Saturday, December 3
Friday, December 2
Postal Network Redesign Could Boost Savings, But Cut Jobs
National Association of Postal Supervisors Legislative Update
Thanksgiving Misgivings
also: 'Ways and Means Panel Looks at FEHBP Costs' and 'Holiday Season Single-Piece Parcels'
e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter
e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter
Thursday, December 1
Commentary: Turf Wars II- How CD/DVDs Affect Letter Mail Automation
"Postal processing plants are bogging down with CD/DVD mailpieces that conform to the DMM regulations but are not automation compatible."
Todd Butler, Butler Mailing Services, via
Postcom
Todd Butler, Butler Mailing Services, via
Postcom
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
Letter from Ralph Nader to USPS PMG Jack Potter
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