postalnews.com: March 2009

Tuesday, March 31

Judge: Unions’ Privacy Lawsuit May Proceed
Suit alleges “widespread and systematic intrusions” into employee medical records by USPS, OIG
APWU News Comment
Postal worker saves resident from fire
Ferndale (MI) Mirror Comment
Postal Service to shift mail processing to Tampa; 59 jobs affected
Bradenton Herald Comment
USPS lost $658 million in February- year to date loss is now $1.8 billion
postalnews blog Comment
Union official: Local postal service slips
Elko (NV) Daily Free Press Comment
Mail delivery hampered in the Dakotas
Jamestown (ND) Sun Comment
Monday, March 30
APWU Urges Locals with DBCS Machines to File OSHA Complaints
APWU - Industrial Relations Comment
Bill to Limit Postal Subcontracting Introduced in House
APWU News Comment
Southwest Area wasted $9 million using FedEx instead of cheaper alternatives
USPS OIG report (*.pdf file) Comment
Former postmaster pleads guilty to embezzelment charges
KSDK TV St. Louis Comment
Video: Fiscal Stability of U.S. Postal Service
PRC Chair Dan Blair appearance on CSPAN's Washington Journal
postalnews.tv (alternative link here) Comment
PMG Speaks to NAPS meeting
NAPS Branch 202 Comment
DMM Advisory: USPS cancels mandatory tray-based preparation for First-Class Mail automation flats
DMM Advisory Comment
A dying breed: the neighborhood mailbox
Muskegon News Comment
Mold forces rural Missouri post office to close
Fort Mill (SC) Times Comment
Bigger Buyouts = Fewer Employees
"The issue is what would it take to get you to go?"
Federal News Radio Comment
Editorial: The shrinking post office
Deseret News Comment
Sunday, March 29
Neither Recession Nor Debt Nor Credit Crunch
Audio: brief interview and phone in segment with PRC Chair Dan Blair on WNYC's Brian Lehrer Show Comment
Texas Rural Carrier Associate imprisoned for stealing identities from mail
Press release Comment
Vets want Purple Heart stamp to be 'forever'
Cincinnati Enquirer Comment
No Postal Rate Increase Next Year?
Dead Tree Edition Comment
Saturday, March 28
Postal worker calling it quits at age 79
Champaign (IL) News-Gazette Comment
March Madness on Capitol Hill – Postal Style
eNAPUS Legislative and Political Bulletin Comment
NAPS Urges USPS to Cut Top Management Ranks
NAPS Legislative & Regulatory Update Comment
Alaska bypass mail center, workers may move to Denver, officials say
Alaska Journal of Commerce Comment
Postal Service adjusts routes, cuts jobs
Billings Gazette Comment
Friday, March 27
DMM Advisory: Standard Mail Move Update Postponed – Confirm Service Prices Adjusted
USPS DMM Advisory Comment
Postal Worker Seriously Injured in Parma (NY) Accident
WHAM TV Rochester Comment
Maine Soldier/Postal Worker Killed In Iraq Is Being Honored In Baghdad
WCSH TV Portland (ME) click here for video - Comment
Study: Wilkes-Barre consolidation would save millions
Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice Comment
Junk Mail Ban Adds to Postal Woes
Graphic Arts Online Comment
Postal Service offers $100,000 reward for Minnesota bomb threats
Associated Press Comment
USPS Releases VERA Info, Fails to Notify Union
APWU News Comment
Comics for troops program hurt by postal rates
Boston Herald Comment
House Oversight Sub-Committee Hearing video archive
Videos of Wednesday's House Oversight hearing on USPS finances
postalnews.tv Comment
Postal penalties? Nobody knows.
What if the USPS doesn't make the $5 billion contribution to RHBTF?
Federal Times Comment
Connecticut letter carrier pleads guilty to theft
Danbury News Times Comment
Postal inspectors investigating parcel tracking notices in mailboxes
Cleveland Plain Dealer Comment
Postal Ponzi Scheme
postalnews blog Comment
Thursday, March 26
Paid Parental Leave For Federal Employees Moving Forward
FedSmith.com Comment
Chaffetz questions postmaster general's sweet home deal
Salt Lake Tribune Comment
Arbitrator Rescinds ELM 546 Changes Agreed to in APWU-USPS 2006 MOU
Changes dealt with "Limited Duty and Rehabilitation Assignments Within APWU Crafts Involving Workers from Other Crafts."
APWU Industrial Relations Dept. web site Comment
Letter Mailers Want Same Postal Break as Catalogers
multichannelmerchant.com Comment
Oakland APWU petitions Congress to investigate USPS
Oakland APWU web site (.pdf file) Comment
The Biggest Loser: the postal service
"Like the human contestants [on the reality show], the USPS needs to downsize to stay in the game and stay alive."
Federal News Radio Comment
Should Potter get a bonus?
Federal Times Fedline Blog Comment
Postmaster defends compensation, wants help on deficits
Government Executive Comment
Video: Postmaster General dodges CNN reporter’s question on relocation costs
postalnews.tv Comment
In Special Delivery to Lawmakers, U.S. Postmaster Signals SOS
Washington Post Comment
Video: Rep. Mark Souder Breaks Down OGR Postal Subcommittee Hearing
postalnews.tv Comment
Teamsters respond to FedEx "blackmail" threat
Memphis Business Journal Comment
Finding the Postal Service's Yellow Brick Road
Commentary by Postcom's Jessica Lowrance and Gene Del Polito
update: the Yellow Brick Road gets rockier every day- see this postscript - Comment
Wednesday, March 25
Call for Help: Postal chief says agency crashing
"Our situation is critical."
Associated Press - click here for the prepared statements of participants at the hearing - Comment
Live webcast of postal oversight hearing
House Oversight Committee web site Comment
Heads to roll at Headquarters??
"PostCom has learned that postal staff at headquarters have been told it would be a good idea if they 'spiffed up' their resumes. An ax could fall on more than a few heads."
Postcom.org Comment
USPS to Face Tough Questions from Congress
NAPS Legislative & Regulatory Update Comment
Former postal worker sentenced
He was opening other people's mail
WLUC TV Marquette MI Comment
Postal Service seeks changes in law to help it cope with financial troubles
Seattle Times Comment
NALC: Postal workers latest victims of economic crisis
Federal News Radio Comment
House subcommittee hearing on postal finances today at 10 AM
Press release Comment
Boulder County post offices adjust to declining volumes
Boulder Daily Camera Comment
Tuesday, March 24
National VER Offering July 31, 2009
"ALL EMPLOYEES except Electronic Technicians (ET); Maintenance Mechanics, Mail Processing Equipment (MPE); Part-time Postmasters"
liteblue.usps.gov Comment
USPS and the Economic Gloom
USPS COO Pat Donahoe interview on Federal News Radio this morning (8 minute .mp3 file) Comment
Will City Delivery Route Consolidation Benefit the USPS?
USPS OIG Blog Comment
Senator Snowe calls on PMG to consider small businesses when reviewing six day delivery options
Press release Comment
Higher postage hits mailing services
El Paso Inc. Comment
Postmaster General to face Congress over compensation
Government Executive Comment
Postal Service Cuts, Chief's Compensation Getting Closer Look
Washington Post Comment
Father says postal worker unfairly told son to remove turban for passport photo
Dallas Morning News Comment
Monday, March 23
Early retirement offer will cover city carriers
NALC web site Comment
Web site displays postal employees' salaries
courierpostonline.com via postalmag.com Comment
Mail Piece Redesign: Is the goal to reduce processing costs or mandate the use of envelopes?
"The Postal Service has never made the connection between their policies, customer
reaction to those policies and mail volume."
Todd Butler commentary for Postcom.org Comment
Postal worker charged in theft of $600K in stamps
... which were then sold on eBay
WTOP Washington Comment
Drilling Down - Recession Takes Toll on Direct Mail Ads
New York Times Comment
USPS spent $78 million on relocations in 2008
$37.9 million spent on home purchase/lease program
postalnews blog Comment
Sunday, March 22
City of Long Beach may oppose postal closure
Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram Comment
More than a mailman to struggling customers
Letter carrier stays attune to weight residents are under
Detroit Free Press Comment
Saturday, March 21
Postmaster at the center of small-town life
Ottawa (IL) Times Comment
NAPS 2009 Legislative Issues Brief
National Association of Postal Supervisors (.pdf file: if it doesn't open automatically, right-click the link and select "save link as" or "save target as" to save the file to your computer and open manually) - Comment
Pepper spray prevents injury in dog attack on mail carrier
Des Moines Register Comment
Maine postmaster pleads guilty to theft
Bangor Daily News Comment
New Hampshire congressional delegation urges USPS to reconsider closing NH/VT district office
Senator Judd Gregg press release Comment
U.S. Postal Service offering early retirement to 150,000 workers
Los Angeles Times Comment
Hands off Staten Island's Manor Road P.O., Schumer tells Postal Service
Staten Island Advance Comment
Friday, March 20
Press release on today’s announcement of USPS organizational changes
postalnews blog Comment
USPS announces organizational changes: Six districts to close, 1,400 supervisor jobs cut
postalnews blog Comment
BOG sets three day closed meeting starting March 30
postalnews blog Comment
APWU Files Dispute Over USPS Failure to Create Bargaining Unit Jobs at Greensboro HRSSC
APWU - Industrial Relations Comment
Time Exec says USPS periodical pricing promotes inefficiencies
Postcom.org Comment
Mail carrier aids fallen tree trimmer
Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat Comment
FedEx, UPS brace for slowdown
Associated Press Comment
USPS seeks contractors for Change of Address program
Federal Business Opportunities Comment
Dog bites postal carrier near eye
KYTV Springfield MO video via postalnews.tv Comment
Pay Protection for Mobilized Feds
Federal News Radio Comment
Thursday, March 19
NAPS: Announcements tomorrow on District changes, EAS staffing changes in plants
postalnews blog Comment
No pets allowed in the PO- especially Jeffrey's "squealing, whiny" little dog...
Burbia.com Comment
Mail handlers union receives notification of pending BMC network changes
NPMHU web site (.pdf file) Comment
Get angry? or just laugh...
What's a customer to do when the USPS asks you for inspiration?
Cary Baer commentary for Postcom.org Comment
DA: Man stole $1,000 in fuel from USPS
Newsday Comment
Is the Postmaster General Overpaid?
Paper by Murray Comarow for the National Academy of Public Administration Comment
Podcast: USPS VP Bill Galligan discusses plans to reorganize the USPS distribution network with Postcom's Gene Del Polito
Postcom.org Comment
Flying through his route
Letter carrier has a few tricks to get through his daily eight-mile trek
Evansville Courier Press Comment
APWU takes CPU and maximization disputes to arbitration
APWU - Industrial Relations
Click here for details of the CPU appeal, or here for the maximization dispute. Comment
USPS seeks vendors for Mystery Shopper Program
Federal Business Opportunities Comment
Wednesday, March 18
NALC President responds to retired postal exec's anti-union commentary
Text of former SE Area VP David Bakke's letter to the Wall Street Journal, and NALC President Bill Young's response
NALC News Comment
House Oversight Committee sets witness list for next week's hearing on postal finances
postalnews blog Comment
Staten Island's postmark could become thing of past if mail is rerouted
Staten Island Live Comment
Neighborhood mailboxes being stamped out
Los Angeles Times Comment
Users Paid to Receive Direct Mail Through Incentive-Based Social Network
Press reelase Comment
Woman Has Trouble Getting Insurance Money From Postal Service
WSOC TV Charlotte Comment
Tuesday, March 17
Post office delays new stamps, citing weak economy
Associated Press Comment
Postal carrier called a hero
Rescues woman trapped in burning house
Fox 59 Indianapolis Comment
Appeals court upholds manager’s demotion for violating contract
Failure to provide information to union cost USPS $28K
postalnews blog Comment
Direct Mail to Become More Targeted
MediaPost Publications Comment
Jury convicts bulk mail clerk in fraud case
Employee conspired with mailer who was also convicted
Saginaw News Comment
NAPUS Guide for Postmasters: "Preventing the Closing or Consolidation of Your Post Office"
NAPUS via Postcom Comment
PRC Commissioner Goldway compares USPS finances to the banking industry
postalnews blog Comment
Modernizing Mailings
New regulations drive adoption of new software, and co-mail initiatives
Graphic Arts Online Comment
Alaska bypass mail rate increase reduced
Anchorage Daily News Comment
Monday, March 16
Early outs again?
League President Addresses VER, Rural counts, NPA/PFP, Legislative Issues and PMG Potter’s pay
National League of Postmasters - Presidents Message Comment
Big announcement Thursday?
postalnews blog Comment
Reducing the Junk-Mail Footprint
Green Inc. Blog - NYTimes.com Comment
Trimming shipping costs with the Postal Service
FedSmith.com Comment
FERS Flu Cure Puffing Along
Federal News Radio Comment
Sunday, March 15
Lack of handicapped access at Taunton post office disturbs disabled
Brockton Enterprise Comment
ID theft soaring as woes worsen
"Most of the investigators who deal with identity theft in the Utah Attorney General's Office no longer get mail delivered to their homes..."
Deseret News Comment
Post office keeps its workers coming back
USPS "has several employees who still are working well into their 80s and 90s, including a 90-year-old custodian in Queens and an 89-year-old letter carrier in Birmingham"
South Jersey Courier-Post Comment
Editorial: 'Closed, come back in an hour and 15'
Schenectady Gazette Comment
Saturday, March 14
Is the Direct Mail Well Drying Up?
Audience Development's Direct Mail Blog Comment
Changes at post office create problems for customers
WHP TV via postalnews.tv Comment
Online services deliver mail without the paper
Los Angeles Times Comment
USPS is proving to be strong rival in package market
Logistics Management Comment
NAPUS: Job freeze is back on
NAPUS Hotline via postalnewsblog Comment
Friday, March 13
Syracuse mailmen stop theft of dog
Syracuse Post Standard Comment
Critics voice concern over Hattiesburg consolidation plans
Hattiesburg American Comment
More details on changes to BMC, P&DC networks
APWU News Comment
Editorial: Poke in the eye from the postal service
Frederick (MD) News-Post Comment
What the (bleep) Happened???
NALC Postal Record (.pdf) Comment
Bil Seeks to Create Purple Heart Forever Stamp
WHSV TV Harrisonburg VA Comment
Can Heavier Paper Save Money for Magazine and Catalog Mailers
Dead Tree Edition Comment
Thursday, March 12
Facilities optimization: balancing retail, delivery facility space against projected needs
USPS Newslink Comment
Congressman calls for probe of Canton/Akron consolidation plans
Canton Repository Comment
Editorial:Fat paycheck for U.S. postmaster general
Lancaster (PA) New Era Comment
Window clerk pleads guilty to stealing money orders
Helena Independent Record Comment
Commentary: Service shouldn't slip with the higher cost of a stamp
Kansas City Star Comment
When E-Mail Marketing Works And When It Doesn't
Do small businesses still need the post office?
Forbes Comment
Intelligent Mail Readiness Alert
"Meeting critical dates this month will determine whether you will be ready for Intelligent Mail Full Service by November 2009."
Window Book press release Comment
The USPS Still Matters
The Nation Comment
U.S. Postal Service investigation into Amazon continues
Seattle Tech Report Comment
Wednesday, March 11
Detroit APWU sues over involuntary reassignments
Claims union wasn't notified, that light duty carriers continue to do clerk work despite arbitration decisions to the contrary.
US District Court via law360.com Comment
Post Office Betrays Tenderloin; Buys Mansions for Executives
BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News Comment
Mailers Council defends PMG's compensation package
Mailers Council press release Comment
Alleged post-office killer tried to cash stamps
San Francisco Chronicle Comment
Mail delays likely as Postal Service cuts routes
Chicago Daily Herald Comment
Clerk: Postal changes will impact voting
Elko (NV) Daily Free Press Comment
Capitol Heights post office cuts hours
Gaithersburg (MD) Gazette Comment
Through rain, sleet, snow — flood?
Holland (MI) Sentinel Comment
Tuesday, March 10
Confessions of a Former Station Manager Part 1
Part 2 and Part 3
lettercarrierconnection.com Comment
Follow postalnews.com on Twitter!
We're on Twitter- follow us for news updates, (as well as how to reach us when we have a server outage like we did this morning!) Comment
Postal Service looks to cut jobs and hours
Ventura County Star Comment
Postal worker delivers fire warning
Kalamazoo Gazette Comment
"Death spiral" for direct mail?
BtoB Magazine Comment
HR 22: Refinancing USPS Retiree Health Benefits
Robert J. Brinkmann, Legislative Consultant for the League of Postmasters Comment
Brookfield Uniforms pledges to support EFCA
NALC web site Comment
Monday, March 9
Hitting a Co-Worker Leads to Removal
FedSmith Comment
Tiny Iowa Hill opens its mail just three days a week
Sacramento Bee Comment
USPS seeks "new concepts, business ideas and innovations"
Innovations@USPS Comment
Alarming cost of false alarms, anthrax hoaxes
Seattle Times Comment
Postal rate increase painful for rural Alaska
Anchorage Daily News Comment
Postal Service closes West Springfield annex
Springfield (MA) Republican Comment
Sunday, March 8
Here's to mail carriers, in snow, sleet, hail...
Boston Globe Comment
Homicide at California Post Office investigated
San Jose Mercury News Comment
Postal Hike To Favor Direct Mailers, Disadvantage Newspapers
Editor & Publisher
and an alternative point of view from Postcom, which represents Direct Mailers - Comment
Saturday, March 7
Loveland postal carrier faces federal investigation
Fort Collins Coloradan Comment
More on the SC Postmaster's Million Dollar Mansion
The State (Columbia SC) see also:
- the text of the original CNN report
- CNN video report
- Wanna buy the house? click here!
Comment
A Modest Proposal For The United States Postal Service
"To be successful, the USPS needs to bring in new leadership with a renewed focus on service, employee morale, and an efficient operating model."
Mark Fallon, the Berkshire Company Comment
Friday, March 6
US Postal Service Winning Market Share Amid Shipping Decline
CNN Comment
Mail Moves America Update
fighting "Do Not Mail" laws
Postcom.org Comment
USPS career employee headcount down 4.4% from a year ago
postalnews blog Comment
Postal service finds missing Social Security checks in upstate NY
Glens Falls Post Star Comment
Postal Service draws criticism for $1.2 million home buy
CNN Comment
NALC: Budget won't raise postal workers' benefit contributions
NALC web site
see also the League of Postmasters Comment
Five USPS Districts to close?
postalnews blog Comment
Thursday, March 5
USPS: Clean Up the Byrd Droppings!
Dead Tree Edition Comment
J.P. Morgan and U.S. Postal Service Expand Cash Management Relationship
The FINANCIAL Comment
2 Men Wanted In Ravensdale (WA) Postal Worker Robbery
KIRO TV Seattle Comment
Postal mechanic run over, killed by truck he was servicing
San Diego Union Tribune Comment
Ohio APWU Members Lead Protests of Postal Service Consolidation Plans
APWU News Comment
Wednesday, March 4
Ask President Burrus: "Please enlighten us regarding the MVS Memo that has everyone outraged."
APWU web site Comment
Commentary: Congress has more important things to worry about than Potter's pay
Gene Del Polito commentary for Postcom.org Comment
Arkansas OIC pleads guilty to theft of money from local ministry
DOJ Press release Comment
Reader's Digest considers possible bankruptcy
Brand Republic Comment
Massive fire engulfs Ohio PO
Elyria (OH) Chronicle-Telegram Comment
Temp letter carrier dumped mail, stole prescription medications
St. Petersburg Times Comment
USPS releases preliminary financial results for January
confirms $1.1 billion YTD loss as volume decline worsens
postalnews blog Comment
APWU: Dispute Over VER and Severance Pay Appealed to Arbitration
APWU - Industrial Relations
click here for a copy of the appeal documents (pdf file) - Comment
Man sentenced to 13 years for assaulting postal worker
KTAR FM Phoenix Comment
Direct Mail Spending Down in 2008 and Still Falling
Advertising Age Comment
Tuesday, March 3
USPS won’t build “massive” mail processing facility in Aliso Viejo
Press release Comment
Pile of personal letters left unattended in post office
WWL TV New Orleans Comment
Post office faces loss of clerks
Springfield (MA) Republican Comment
Obama Blueprint Proposes Postal Employee Benefit Cuts
also: Retiree Equity Bills Introduced
eNAPUS Legislative and Political Bulletin
Update: NALC reaction: “We are aware of the problem in the budget. We are working with a friendly administration to resolve it.” Comment
Monday, March 2
Postal Service employee admits to stealing from agency
DC Examiner Comment
Sunday, March 1
Virginia residents fight to keep rural post office
Richmond Times-Dispatch Comment
Blood Mail
Are you allowed to send your bodily fluids through the post?
Slate Magazine
Study to weigh mail-processing consolidation
Binghamton work could go to Syracuse
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin Comment
Postal Service, museum in dispute over photos
USPS seeks to charge for use of images of taxpayer funded artworks
Philadelphia Inquirer Comment

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