postalnews.com: December 2009

In the case related to the National Reassessment Program (NRP), the MSPB faulted USPS for its "limited" search for work for the injured employee
MSPB and Federal Employee Attorney Blog

Letters to Santa show how children view the world

Miami Herald

Connecticut USPS employee who removed items from mail pleads guilty

postalnews blog

Postal worker sentenced to probation for gift card theft

Daytona Beach News Journal

Can Canada Post stay relevant?

CBC

Time to privatize the Postal Service?

"The postal service isn't perfect. But it shows why public options are important -- and, in some cases, necessary."
Los Angeles Times

Police arrest 10 after armed robbery, kidnapping, carjackings (including a mail truck), standoff

Kansas City Star

Saturday, December 19

House bill invests $2B in electric vehicles for Postal Service

Federal Times

Report finds 'imprudent spending' at Postal Service

CNN

Delivering in the DC blizzard

Look who's here. Thru rain, sleet & snow. Thanks USPS! #snOMG on Twitpic

From Twitter: "USPS #ftw! #snOMG rain sleet"

Customers question postal service's efficiency during holidays

Dayton Daily News

U.S. Post Office box stolen from busy street corner

Middletown (OH) Journal

Oregon: Postal Service considers 'efficiencies' for local operations

Medford Mail Tribune

Bad Post Office. Good Post Office

A Study in Contrasts - The Kensington and Farley Post Offices
New York Times

Friday, December 18

Britain moves to abolish checks; is the U.S. next?

Baltimore Sun: Jay Hancock's Blog

Wal-Mart's Shipping Scam Targets Overseas Troops

"military personnel stationed overseas are being gouged by Wal-Mart's website for the cost of shipping items outside of America" even though the USPS doesn't charge extra for mailing to APO/FPO addresses
Huffington Post
Update: Walmart backs off extra charge for APO/FPO shipping
Stars and Stripes

Netflix.com design switch emphasizes streamed movies over mailed DVDs

NewTeeVee

Most Post Offices will close at noon on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve

USPS Press release

Ex-postal carrier given probation for stockpiling mail at home

Gainesville Sun

Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be mail sorters

... letter carriers maybe...
Dead Tree Edition

Holiday gift giving at federal offices

Washington Post Federal Eye

Pittsfield (MA) Mail Concerns: Trying to get answers from Postal Service frustrating

Berkshire Eagle

Greeting card business feels economic downturn

USA Today

Editorial: It's in the mail

USPS needs to be more flexible dealing with ZIP code change requests
Frederick (MD) News-Post

Postmasters: Closure of Olivehurst mail sorting center won't slow service

Grass Valley (CA) Union

USPS cutting losses, targets Saturday delivery

COO Pat Donahoe explains this morning at 7:05 on Federal News Radio

Becoming a Multi-modal Postal Company

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

Update on John McCain's snub of USPS gift

A question for the Senator: "Why did the Congress force the USPS to pre-fund retirements at an unprecedented level in 2006?"
Twitpic

Audio: Postal Service's National Reassessment Process

Conversation with Phil Herr, Director of the Physical Infrastructure Team at GAO, which reviewed the Postal Service's "National Reassessment Process."
Federal News Radio

Deaf postal worker greets customers with a smile

Frederick (MD) News-Post

Profit Down 30% on Lower Revenue at FedEx

New York Times

Update on USPS opting in all routes for 2010 Mail Count

Rural Carrier Updates

Thursday, December 17

Parked mail truck makes resident fume

"When asked why they aren't finishing their route, we are told that if they get back from their route too early they have to help with other things so they purposely stall in returning"
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Details of "Short-term Supervisor Selection Process" posted

NAPUS Breaking News page

Minutes of the Quarterly NAPUS/USPS Consultative Meeting held last week

National Association of Postmasters of the US

Don't like "junk" mail? Blame Queen Victoria!

National Postal Museum Blog

Postal Worker Hospitalized After Dog Attack

WFOR TV Miami

Women fired from Long Island contractor claim harassment ‎

Long Island Press

Former contract carrier sentenced to prison time

Huntington (WV) Herald Dispatch

Time for Postal Service fleet to go green, lawmaker says

Washington Post

Note to USPS: John McCain didn't like the gift you sent him...

John McCain's Twitter

New EMA rate for rural carriers

Rural Carrier Updates

Postal supervisor stole student mail

Florida Times Union

Postal plan prompts protest

100 attend meeting on Olivehurst facility
Marysville (CA) Appeal-Democrat

Frigid delivery

Albert Lea (MN) Tribune

Wednesday, December 16

Editorial: Make the appointed rounds

"If the United States Postal Service can deal with wind, rain, sleet and snow it should be able to handle darkness. The inability of the Postal Service to deliver mail to some sectors of Pittsfield in a timely fashion is indefensible"
Berkshire Eagle original story -

Union Appeals to Arbitration USPS Decision to Subcontract FSM 1000 Modifications

APWU News

Second man sentenced in $190,000 post office scheme

Car wash owner conspired with VMF manager in fraud
Cleveland Plain Dealer

South Carolina: Postal Complaint Leads To Scuffle, Shots Fired

postalnews.tv text version at wyff4.com -

Shipping Those Gift Packages

Video: Atlanta Postmaster offers advice for holiday mailers
WAGA FOX 5 Atlanta, GA via postalnews.tv

Mail processing to stay in Salinas

Salinas Californian

Holidays mean thieves have mail set in their sights

KUSA TV Denver

NJ lawmakers to consider 'Do-Not-Solicit' registry

"companies would be prohibited from soliciting registered individuals by mail, e-mail or telephone"
Associated Press

Post office supervisor pleads guilty to embezzlement and theft charges

Twenty-two year postal career ends in courtroom
Central Valley (CA) Business Times

Frederick (MD) consolidation questioned at public hearing

Frederick News-Post

Pittsfield (MA) residents miffed by lack of mail deliveries due to "seasonal volumes"

Berkshire Eagle

Postal workers handling holiday mail worry their jobs are fragile

Newark Star Ledger

Closing Post Offices ... in Switzerland

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

Marriage, Divorce, Birth, Death

Open season may be over, but certain life events will allow you to make changes to your health insurance choices
Federal News Radio

Tuesday, December 15

More on the GAO National Reassessment Program report: Watchdog urges Postal Service managers to support cost-cutting initiative

Government Executive

USPS adjusts Express Mail overnight guarantee for Christmas

USPS News Link

Shortage of clerks leads to long lines and frustrated customers at post offices

KTRK TV Houston

USPS “Spin” on Full Service Intelligent Mail

"This USPS press release is in need of some clarification, and a major reality check"
Postal Affairs Blog

Taxing Your Health Premiums

Expert says federal employees would benefit from proposal
Federal News Radio

PRC Chairman Ruth Goldway interview on busiest mail day

KCBS San Francisco
see also her appearance on CSPAN's Washington Journal last month -

Red letter day: Feds cancel plans to close downtown Naples post office

Naples Daily News

Post offices pack 'em in, but not like before on busiest day of the year

Dallas Morning News
and click here for more "busiest day" stories from Google news -

Boston Post Offices May Be On Chopping Block

WCVB Boston

Rural Carrier Updates: USPS will opt IN all routes for the 2010 Mail Count

Rural Carrier Updates

Monday, December 14

GAO - USPS National Reassessment Process for Injured Employees Is Under Way, but Actions Are Needed to Improve Program Management

Government Accountability Office

Postcom podcast: USPS Mailing and Shipping VP Robert Bernstock

"Join PostCom President Gene Del Polito, PostCom Vice President Jessica Lowrance, and U.S. Postal Service President of Mailing and Shipping Services Robert Bernstock in a discussion of the Postal Service's plans to develop its mail and package delivery services."
Postcom.org (.mp3 audio file)

Busiest day Muppet style...

YouTube - Muppet Christmas: Letters To Santa Trailer - Picking Things Up via @ipresort on twitter

Postal Service Ready for Busiest Mailing Day

Press release

What happened to the comments?

Note: we've upgraded to the new Echo commenting system- see the blog post for more.
postalnews blog

Congress and the Postal Service

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

Tradition of holiday cards survives a Scrooge of an economy

Harrisburg Patriot-News

Congressman: Postal Service not being honest about Elmira consolidation

Elmira Star-Gazette

Neither rain, wind stop Marysville protest

Marysville (CA) Appeal-Democrat

Salinas mail facility won't close for now

Monterey Herald

Deadbeat feds: Employees owe Uncle Sam $3B in unpaid taxes

"The agency with the most tax scofflaws is the U.S. Postal Service, with 28,913 employees who owe $297,933,756."
WTOP Washington

Richmond-area nonprofits express concern about Postal Service delivery problems

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Deaf postal worker greets customers with a smile

Frederick (MD) News-Post

Not your father's post office

Bankrate.com

Sunday, December 13

Pennsylvania town would like to have its mail delivered

Doylestown Intelligencer

Connecticut: Union leader claims Waterbury post office overwhelmed, hiding leftover mail in closets

Waterbury (CT) Republican-American

Holiday stamp a tradition for Rudolph Christmas mail

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

Holiday stamp a tradition for Rudolph (WI) Christmas mail

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

Pittsburgh: Arnold, Parnassus post office branches could be closed

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh: Arnold, Parnassus post office branches could be closed

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Mail Carrier Haunted By Brutal Attack On Job

WBZ TV Boston

Postal workers warn of delivery delays if Marysville center closes

Chico (CA) Enterprise Record

Saturday, December 12

Purolator USA: Canada Post Subsidiary in the US Parcel Market

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

Changes at Indiana Post Office cause concern for town

WNDU TV South Bend

Direct marketers look forward after a difficult 2009

"Small growth... on the horizon... not surprisingly, online spending... to grow much more healthily than its offline counterparts"
DMNews

Snow cancels mail in Iowa

Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Elmira Postal Workers Want Public Informed

WENY-TV Elmira

Postal service responds to complaints on Elmira move

postalnews blog

Postal worker or thief? Don't be fooled

Fox10tv.com video -

Who suffers from postal cuts?

Rag Content

Post office is Grinch for Vermont mailman

... after ten years of delivering mail as Santa, USPS says no to costume
Barre Times Argus

Oregon: Post office still stuck with $10K rent on building it doesn't use any more

Albany (OR) Democrat Herald

Post office to offer “Real” Bedford Falls postmark today

Press release

Senate Democrats Focus on FEHBP as Potential Vehicle for “Public Option”

also: Senate Health Excise Tax Will Hit FEHBP Participants, and Congress Urges PRC to Monitor USPS
eNAPUS Legislative & Political Bulletin

Updated: The Unofficial Guide to Flats Sequencing

Dead Tree Edition

Friday, December 11

No Christmas Miracle at the Post Office

Dozens of Post Office Locations May See Their Last Holiday as Postal Service Struggles to Get Back in the Black
ABC News

Post office robber gets 12 years

Omaha World-Herald

Health care update: Excise tax amendments, possible FEHBP role

NALC eActivist mailing list

Open Season resource: All you need to know before Monday

Federal News Radio

Postal services get exclusive '.post' address

Agence France Presse

Post Office Rats Take Big Bites Out Of Manhattan Packages

NY1

Wheeling Postal Workers Will Learn Fate in January

Wheeling (WV) News-Register

UPS driver accused of stealing shipments, then selling them on eBay

Fort Myers News-Press

Putting flat-rate shipping deals to the test

KOMO TV Seattle

Former postal carrier charged with stealing Muncie mail

Muncie Star Press

DMA Offers Extensive Environmental Facts & Tools: Setting the Record Straight on Direct Mail

Direct Marketing Association

Valpak's Jim Sampey and Cox's Greg Bicket see signs of coupon recovery

St. Petersburg Times
see also: 'An outstanding year' pulls Valpak off market - Tampa Tribune -

Mail carrier on rounds assaulted in Boston

Boston Globe
see also this report from WBZ TV Boston -

Department of Labor to Reconsider Bush’s Last-Minute FMLA Changes

APWU News

USPS processes one billionth piece of “Intelligent” Mail

Press release

Indiana: As post office branch faces uncertain future, community takes action

WSBT TV South Bend

Losing a Lifetime Benefit

Federal News Radio

Thursday, December 10

Postal Museum: "The Lost Symbol" in Stamps

Smithsonian Magazine

Post office to be named in honor of letter carrier killed while delivering route

WGNO new Orleans

Two Western PA postal workers indicted for stealing

Lebanon Daily News

Is the Future in Letter Mail?

Economist Alan Robinson responds to Bill Burrus's "Here We Go Again"
Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

OIG: USPS employees "misused over $4.86 million in no-fee money orders over the last 24 months"

"Unit employees incorrectly used no-fee money orders when other payment methods were prescribed by policy, used no-fee money orders for convenience, and, at times, used them to commit fraud."
USPS Office of the Inspector General (.pdf file)

Holiday mail declines due to economy, e-mail

Willoughby (OH) News-Herald

Avoca wants post office to remain

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Iowa: Mail delivery may be delayed until streets are cleared of snow

Radio Iowa

Postal Service defends Marysville closure study

Marysville (CA) Appeal-Democrat

Man struck by mail truck

Wausau Daily Herald

Royal Mail profits rise despite postal fall

The Guardian

Local mail carriers slowed but not stopped by snow

WQOW TV Eau Claire, WI

Postal Service shifts some Oxnard operations

Ventura County Star

APWU's Burrus: Here We Go Again

"Influential voices within the postal community have once again begun the drumbeat for postal “reform,” suggesting that the USPS business model is fatally flawed. We have heard this song many times before..."
APWU Burrus Update

Wednesday, December 9

Union: Mail delivery could take drastic hit if London KY processing operation is moved to Lexington

Middlesboro Daily News

Pennsylvania: postal service contract carrier sentenced to probation

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

APWU dissatisfied with BU Administration over reaction to branch closing

Boston University Daily Free Press

Health Plans: The Usual Suspects, except...

Federal News Radio

Get ready to wait at the post office

Norwood (MA) Bulletin

Ad spending to stabilize in 2010, online to lead the way

"Internet advertising is the only medium with growth expected this year, and it is the channel that will lead growth in 2010"
DMNews.com

APWU, Other Federal Unions Assail Senate Bill’s Excise Tax on Healthcare

APWU News

Pennsylvania village of 900 adamant about getting a "real" post office

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Historic downtown Golden post office may be put up for sale

Denver Post

Former Western NY postmaster gets probation for PO theft

WCAX TV Burlington VT

Elderly Residents Angry Over Moved Mailbox

WXII Winston-Salem NC

Residents Up in Arms over Mailbox Ordinance

KIFI TV Idaho Falls

Tuesday, December 8

USPS COO Donahoe: average wait time in line is three minutes

USPS News Link

St Paul letter carrier guilty of drug posession

Brother of Minneapolis Police Chief, arrested in July for "selling and smoking methamphetamine and marijuana while working" for the USPS
WCCO TV Minneapolis

Maine postal workers uncover Internet scam

Portland Press Herald

Senator Collins questions moves by post office

Reductions in hours will drive away customers and not save that much money, she argues
Portland Press-Herald

Rural carrier couple make the perfect Santa and Mrs. Claus

Athens (GA) Banner Herald

Mail Model for Rural America

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

Popular mailman is back on old route, residents celebrate

The Brooklyn Paper

FedEx Profit Beating Forecast Signals ‘Up Arrow’ for Economy

Bloomberg

Free Shipping Wins The Day Online

Marketing Daily

Homer Glen (pop. 25,000), the town with no post office

Southtown (IL) Star

Flexible Spending Account Tax Break in Trouble?

Federal News Radio

Excessed postal workers don't know where they'll be working at the end of the month

WETM TV Elmira

House Passes Bill to Raise Funds for Endangered Species Through New Postage Stamp

Press release

Monday, December 7

USPS employee? Filed a grievance? Federal Times reporter would like to chat with you...

Fedline - The Federal Times Blog

NALC Joins Other Unions In Urging Senate to Drop Tax on Health Plans

also: Rolando Tells New York Times Online Forum End of Saturday Delivery Would Hurt USPS
NALC Bulletin

Possible Closures for Two Indianapolis Post Offices

WXIN Indianapolis

Audio: Postcom Intelligent Mail podcast

PostCom President Gene Del Polito, Grayhair Vice President of Postal Affairs Angelo Anagnostopoulos, and Grayhair' Director of Client Services Therese Powers discuss service type IDs in conjunction with the Intelligent Mail program
Postcom.org

Weight, Dimension and Zone?

The changing face of parcel shipping: webcast featuring shipping experts from USPS, Newgistics, Kewill and Parcel Research on shipping strategies for an evolving marketplace.
Kewill.com (free registration required)

Wrong way driver dies in collision with mail contractor semi

KPIX TV San Francisco

Amazon: Avoiding the Post Office?

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

Sunday, December 6

Local fisherman finds mail dumped

KAIT TV Jonesboro, AR

National Conversation on the Future of Mail

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

OIG: USPS executives enjoyed lavish "meals and events and continued imprudent purchases during this time of economic uncertainty"

USPS OIG web site

Congressman intervenes, PO decides not to reduce hours

Bucks County Courier Times

Clarksville residents don't want post offices to close

Clarksville (TN) Leaf Chronicle

Saturday, December 5

Letters to Santa: Post office won't help deliver holiday joy

Chicago tribune

Massachusetts mailman shot by BB gun

Bridgewater Independent

Orlando Postal Workers Picket Closure Plans

WFTV Orlando

Postal workers await flurry

Batesville (IN) Herald Tribune

Mailing to Santa: How do other countries handle it?

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

Oklahoma: Stephens County Ex-Postal Employee Under Investigation

News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK

Most Wanted Posters Not Wanted By Post Office

NPR

Tom Brokaw, wife uninjured in fatal vehicle accident involving postal truck

CNN

Friday, December 4

Former postal inspector admits illegally mailing golf clubs, booze and ammo

KTVB Boise

USPS lost $209 million in October

postalnews blog

Cutting Hours or Cutting Post Offices

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

'Dear Santa' letters ending up in the shredder

Staten Island Advance

Eau Claire post office reaches settlement with OSHA

WQOW TV Eau Claire WI

Saginaw postal employees picket to inform residents: 25 jobs in jeopardy

Saginaw News

Thieves target delivery packages on doorsteps

KABC TV Los Angeles

USPS Santa program reinstated in the Los Angeles district

Pasadena Star-News

Earning Profits in Local Delivery

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer

Thursday, December 3

FedEx to raise Ground, Home Delivery rates

Associated Press

Post office cutbacks test patience of customers

Plunging revenue and mail volume prompt a reduction in hours at an unspecified number of Maine branches
Portland Press Herald

Postal move protests rise in Tupelo, Mississippi

NEMS360.com

Spread some holiday cheer, one card at a time

Google's free holiday postcard offer
Official Gmail Blog

Mailing holiday cards? Avoid discount stamps

Washington Post

Use local post office or lose it, mayor says

'Victory march' celebrates removal of branch from list of planned closures
Gary Post-Tribune

Zumbox launches in major cities following debut in Illinois town

New Lenox Patriot

Postal facility takes shape in Eagan

"The 'quiet giant' under construction on Eagan's Lexington Avenue South will be a steroidal mail distribution center — a Hulked-out post office, if you will..."
St Paul Pioneer Press

USPS goal: Reduce petroleum use by 2% a year

Federal Times

Please Mr. Postman

"Can you ever imagine the USPS doing such a thing? We sure can’t. Sigh, just one more reason to be jealous of the French." La Poste celebrates Lanvin’s 120th anniversary
Fashionista

Not quite Dead Tree Edition

postalnews blog

Wednesday, December 2

Mail carrier dies after roll over in Upsate NY

Syracuse Post-Standard

Rural carrier charged with 27 counts of burglary

Platte County (WY) Record Times

Burrus: USPS Fantasy Land

APWU Burrus Update

Postcom.org provides a much simpler business model for the USPS:

"What to do about the Postal Service? Simple. Give it to AIG. That will ensure it will forever get all the federal money it will ever need to keep operating."
Postcom.org

USPS Employees Weigh In On Future Business Model

The Big Fat Marketing Blog

Avery Dennison and Stamps.com Debut Complete Internet Mailing and Shipping Solution

Press release

Flats Sequencing Forecast: Cloudy With a Chance of Bravado

Dead Tree Edition (recovered via Google cache)

Postal Service’s Operation Santa Resumes, With Privacy Measures

New York Times
see also: video report on postalnews.tv

Specifics scarce at hearing in Kalamazoo on postal-consolidation plan

Kalamazoo Gazette
see also: video report on postalnews.tv

Stamp Thief Sentenced

WBAL Baltimore

Postal service may consolidate Frederick operations

Frederick (MD) News-Post

Future of mail facility hanging

Backers hope for crowd at Dec. 15 meeting on Olivehurst facility
Marysville (CA) Appeal-Democrat

More of the same

The USPS version of a new business model is the old business model
Rag Content

Indiana post office to stay open; victory march on Wednesday

Gary Post-Tribune

Tuesday, December 1

Soldier's mom sues USPS over letter stamped `deceased'

Associated Press

Bike, mail truck collide; 1 dead

Riverside (CA) Press Enterprise

The Facts About Paper-Free Mail - Part 1

hellmail.co.uk

The Task Ahead: A Definition Of Needs

Gene Del Polito perspective for The Postal Journal (The Journal is a new web publication "Dedicated to the Study of the American Postal System", and supported by various mailing industry organizations- check the home page for more articles and information.)