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

USPS Board Posts Agenda for Meeting Jan 8

Federal Register

UK Mail Market Opens Fully Jan. 1

DMNews.com

Bronx P&DC added to consolidation list

APWU News
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.

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.

Mailers Find Savings as Rate Increase Nears

DMNews.com

New USPS Marking Requirement for Bound Printed Matter Machinable Parcels

DMNews.com

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

UPS Pilots Seek Mediation Exit Ahead of Possible Strike

DMNews.com

USPS, Department of Defense Contract Military Mail Service

DMNews.com

Gas prices fuel mailbox removals

Trenton Times

Arizona carriers contest forced overtime

Northeast Phoenix Independent

Mail carriers deliver Christmas wishes

Stockton (CA) Record

Santa's special delivery

Washington Times

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!

Postmasters meet with Headquarters on hiring problems

NAPUS Hotline

Editorial: A Little Praise For Postal Workers

Tampa Tribune

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

Tribunal Hears UPS Complaint Against Canada

DMNews.com

Amid variety of electronic communications, mailbox matter matters

Los Angeles Daily Breeze

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

2 men arrested in Arizona mailbox thefts

Arizona Republic

A most hectic postal day

Portland Press Herald

Wednesday is busiest delivery day

News 14 Carolina

Companies Update Software to Support '06 Postal Rate Increase

DMNews.com

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)

Florida rural carrier killed in 'horrendous' crash

Palm Beach Post

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

New Preparation Requirements for Bundles of Mail on Pallets

Federal Register

Updated Joint APWU Contract Interpretation Manual Issued

APWU web site
Click here to download the manual in .pdf format.

USPS Unveils 2006 Definitive Stamps

USPS Stamp News

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

Postal Service Won't Get Medicare Drug Subsidy

Washington Post

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

'Nor gloom of night'? Not quite

Late mail deliveries have become common problem countywide
San Diego Union Tribune

Ship till you drop

25% Jump in online shopping keeps FedEx and Post Office humming
San Jose Mercury News

Shippers' busiest day approaches

Associated Press

Post office demolished after the roof caves in

Philadelphia Inquirer

Thieves cash in on mailboxes

Anchorage News-Miner

Holiday cheer: It's in the mailbag

Monday predicted to be busy day for mailing
LA Daily News

Daytona Beach, St. Petersburg P&DCs added to consolidation list

APWU 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

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

Postage increase may drive some to online banking

Investor's Business Daily

NAPUS posts rules for 2006 National Rural Mail Count

NAPUS web site

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.)

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

Yearly Crunch Hits FedEx Hub

Coalfield (VA) Progress

Big Spenders

'A fearless prediction: 2007 is going to be a banner year for direct marketers.'
DIRECT

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

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

Ex-postal union official gets probation

Wilmington (DE) News Journal

'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.'

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.

Loss of Members Puts Postal Service Board in Precarious Position

Washington Post

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

Postal union seeks local council's support in opposing facility's move

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

APWU Lists Ten More Plants As Consolidation Candidates

APWU News

Hump day at FedEx

It's beginning to look a lot like online shopping is the driving force now
Memphis Commercial Appeal

Post packages now or pay the price

Tallahassee Democrat

HackerSafe: Online Shopping to Peak on 'Super Tuesday'

DIRECT

Postal worker accused of sending mail for free

$400,000: Man reportedly said he'd like to bankrupt Postal Service.
Anchorage Daily News

Bond Loosens Hold on S. 662

eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

NAPUS receives update on Delivery and Retail Standardization

NAPUS Hotline

'Financial Concerns' Prompt OPM to Consider Dropping League of Postmasters Health Plan

Washington Post

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

Postal Service helps spread the love

Buffalo News

Postal union fears shift of work to Memphis

The Tennessean

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.

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's Burrus: Good News on Mail Volume

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.

Potter Cautious on FY06 Forecasts for USPS

DMNews.com

Commentary: Kit Bond is holding up progress

NALC President William H. Young commentary in the St Louis Post-Dispatch

Postal Union Pickets Senator's Offices to Protest Reform Impasse

DMNews.com
see also the Associated Press story

Pitney Bowes Wants to Tap $250B 'Mailstream' Marketplace

DMNews.com

Pitney Bowes Wants to Tap $250B 'Mailstream' Marketplace

DMNews.com

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

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.)

Fox & Postal Service Team Up For Dear Santa Reality Show

Reality TV Magazine
Click here to check eBay for 'Dear Santa' CD's!

Arizona: Postal carriers short on staff

North Valley Independent

Late Mail Leaves Some Residents In The Dark

Postal Workers Struggle With Long Shifts
KNSD TV San Diego

Letter Carriers to Picket Missouri Offices Of Bond to Protest 'Hold' on Legislation

NALC Press Release

Additional Sites Identified for Possible Consolidation

Carbondale and Centralia Illinois to be reviewed for possible consolidation into the St Louis P&DC
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

Rates for FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery to Raise 3.9 Percent

DMNews.com

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

NALC: Tell Rep. Flake NO to privatization

NALC e-Activist Network

NALC Head Urges Bond to Lift 'Hold' on Postal Reform Bill

Press release

Postal carrier proud of 60 years on job

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

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

USPS: Standard Strong Despite October Slip

DMNews.com

Internet Christmas Stamp Rumor Was Bogus

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sex Offender Arrested While Delivering Mail

WIAT TV Birmingham

Masked men threaten NY postal worker, steal stamps

White Plains Journal News

USPS Seeks Waiver of Driving Safety Rule

APWU News

eFunds, U.S. Postal Service ink processing agreement

ATM Marketplace News

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

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

Postal review raises concern in Yakima

Yakima Herald Republic

Superheroes, Americana Grace 2006 Stamps

Associated Press

Storm Stops Mail In South Dakota

KELO TV Sioux Falls

Postal Carrier Describes Brutal Attack

KYW-TV Philadelphia

Postal workers fighting transfers

Owensboro (KY) Messenger-Inquirer

Holiday rush awaits for postal, shipping employees

Lawrence (KS) Journal-World

Speed, efficiency gain national stamp of approval for Colorado PO

The best post office in the top-performing postal district in the country is in Highlands Ranch, also one of the nation's fastest-growing mail stops.
Denver Post

Customized postage stamps let you be stuck on you

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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

Phoenix Letter Carriers Plan Picket Over Working Conditions

KPHO TV Phoenix

Mailman beaten unconscious on route

The Trentonian

17 Million Packages Sent Via Carrier Pickup, USPS Says

DMNews.com

Commentary: It's Time We Pull in the Same Direction

DMNews.com

DMers Plan to Invest in 2006, Direct Survey Shows

DIRECT

Pilot's union to picket UPS stores

Business First of Louisville via MSNBC

Daniels' Death Brings BOG Vacancies to 4

After Governor Rider's term expires next week, the Board of Governors will be down to the bare minimum required for a quorum.
DMNews.com

Catalogers Struggle to Make Mail Plans

DMNews.com

Mail handling change sparks union anger

Asbury Park Press

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

APWU lists more plants being eyed for consolidation

APWU News

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.)

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

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

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

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.

Local politicians question Olympia-Tacoma mail processing move

The Olympian

USPS Granted Rehearing on FMLA Ruling

APWU News

Postmasters' evaluations, '06 goals due next Wednesday

NAPUS president questions last minute FY '05 budget adjustments
NAPUS Hotline
more:
Pay Variance Is Discussed at Postal HQ
League of Postmasters News Briefs

USPS Governor LeGree Daniels dies at 85

USPS News Link

The Ground War At FedEx

Drivers are suing to protest their status as contractors- and gaining traction
Business Week

Mailers Already Eye Bigger '07 Rate Hike

DMNews.com

UPS Raises Ground Rates 3.9%, Air Rates 5.5% in 2006

DMNews.com

Charities brace for postage increase

Greensboro (NC) News-Record

For mail carriers, holidays weigh heavy

Boston Globe

USPS Sends Reform Letters to Capitol Hill

also: House GOP Leadership Scores Split Decision on FY 2006 Budget
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Consolidation Begins in Bits and Pieces

APWU News

UPS, FedEx fight Katrina backlog- postal official sees fewer problems

Hattiesburg American

As Time Winds Down, Postal Service Bill's Provision Wins Support

Washington Post

Canada Post investigation turns up 75,000 letters in carrier's apartment

CBC News

Canada Post fires shift-selling carriers

Police investigation into hoarding of letters reveals clandestine route-shuffling practice
Montreal Gazette

Mailer Groups Object to Jan. 8 Rate Hike Implementation

'The USPS stuck their thumbs in our eyes'
DIRECT
Click here for further reaction from Postcom

UPS Pilots Start Informational Picketing Tomorrow

DMNews.com

Saginaw postal workers worry about safety

WJRT TV Flint MI

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

Bean, Collins back plan for postal rates

Portland Press Herald

USPS Board Accepts PRC Decision; Rate Hike Takes Effect Jan. 8

DMNews.com

Court Halts Bogus Postal Job Offers

DMNews.com

Postal Service working to stamp out mail woes in New Orleans

USA Today

FedEx pilots picket in Dallas

bizjournals.com

Carriers Fired for Not Delivering Unwanted Bulk Mail

NPR's 'All Things Considered' covers the story of the 'St Petersburg 7'

Editorial: Anthrax-detection system a colossal waste of money

Lynchburg VA News & Advance

Mail carriers fired, at bulk rate

St Petersburg Times

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.

Postcom protests 12.7% price hike for media mail

Postcom.org

Panel weighs idea of 'super court' to handle federal employee appeals

Government Executive

Anthrax whodunit: Is it a cold case file?

Christian Science Monitor

USPS wants parcel mailers to use bar codes

Federal Computer Week

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.

Federal Register

Post office honors killed postal carrier

Associated Press

Early retirements to be offered in Katrina/Rita impacted areas

...plus PFP mitigation, and the Small Office Variance (SOV) pilot program.
NAPUS Hotline
The League of Postmasters has also published an update on these issues.

Snail mail no joke in Arizona

Arizona Republic

USPS Catalog Forwarding Service Gains Ground

DMNews.com

UPU, Unions Cooperate on Postal Development

DMNews.com

Mailhandlers Local 301 disputes USPS plans for Boston AMC

NPMHU Local 301 web site

Attempt to broker postal reform deal unravels

Government Executive

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.org

USPS Offers Parcel Select Rule

DMNews.com
Click here to view the text of the proposed rule

Supreme Court Hear Mail Slip-And-Fall Arguments

Washington Post

Mailbox locations become dead letter sites

Albany Times Union

Montreal postal worker accused of stashing 75,000 letters and parcels

CBC Montreal

High-tech post office lacks the personal touch

Houston Chronicle

A Stamp for the Ages

PRC Commissioner Ruth Goldberg says the 'forever stamp' would ease the impact of rate increases.
New York Times

U.S. postal law delivers a hot debate on rates

Kansas City Star

Jury awards former postal worker $697,000 in civil trial

Woman alleges boss raped her
Boston Globe

It's a dark time for mail carriers

Fresno Bee
Bugmenot login

Postal worker pleads guilty in $18,000 embezzlement

Bradenton (FL) Herald

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.

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!

USPS Moves on Consolidation Plans

DMNews.com

Installation of anthrax detectors at postal facilities nears end

Government Executive

USPS Doubtful on Reform Passing This Year

DMNews.com

USPS Will Use More DM Next Year

DMNews.com

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

NCR will be sole provider of POS equipment for USPS

Associated Press

Ohio letter carrier killed in vehicle accident

WXIX TV Cincinnatti

Mailers at MTAC Discuss Rate Case

DMNews.com

USPS Could Save $250 Million Under New Medicare Act

DMNews.com

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

Grassley puts cents into postal spending

Quad-City (IA) Times

Postal Service Bill Bogs Down in Dispute Over Rules for Setting Rates

Washington Post

Mailers More Wary of '06 Postal Hikes

DIRECT

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

Postal Service Does It Again in Overnight First-Class Mail Delivery

Press release

How the USPS Postal Rate Hike May Affect Email Marketing

MarketingSherpa.com

Killette named Vice President, Consumer Advocate

Washington, DC, Postmaster to head Consumer Affairs
USPS Link Online

Postal Rate Commission Approves Rate Hike

The link above will take you to the PRC's 33 page summary of the decision. Click here to download the full 430 page decision and appendices.
PRC web site

Postal Service Cuts Executive Move Policy

Associated Press

PRC Decision Expected Today

DMNews.com

Hallmark, L.L. Bean at odds over postal reform bill

Associated Press

Postal Workers Want Manager Returned To Sender

KSAT TV San Antonio

They've got mail

'They may have cellphones in their pockets, earphones dangling from their heads and computers at home, but recent research shows young consumers still have a thing for the tried-and-true: mail.'
Dallas Morning News

Mailman Delivers a Little Normality to French Quarter

Los Angeles Times

The Smokes Are in the Mail

'Post office lawyers argue further that there is only one sure-fire way to find out whether these rectangular packages coming from Internet tobacco warehouses are cartons of cigarettes - a search warrant, one for each package.'
(Curious: window clerks didn't need search warrants to ask whether you were mailing explosives- why can't they ask you about tobacco?)
New York Times

Deadlines Extended for Katrina-Impacted Employees

APWU News

Letter carrier gets hero's honor

Lancaster (PA) New Era

Senators meet to discuss hold on postal overhaul legislation

Government Executive

Trick or Treat - Senate Opening for S. 662

eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Washington postal workers seek to revive lawsuits over anthrax

(Strange bedfellows: the postal workers are represented by right wing ideologue Richard Mellon Scaife's 'Judicial Watch'.)
Associated Press

NAPUS questions USPS policy on personal vehicle use

NAPUS Hotline

Be prepared for a January postal rate hike

Multi-Channel Merchant

Detroit Postal Worker Robbed Of Mail At Knifepoint

WDIV TV Detroit

Commentary: It's Time to Rethink Postal Reform

'What can be done to get Congress and the administration to keep their sticky fingers out of the postal service's wallet?'
DMNews.com

FedEx Readies for Busiest Day December 12

DMNews.com

Mediation next for supervisors' pay package?

From Postcom.org: Mailer's Council director Robert McLean says that the National Association of Postal Supervisors' rejection of the USPS pay package could lead to 'third-party mediation for the first time since Congress approved legislation allowing for such intervention'.
The NAPS web site continues to carry a notice dated October 18 indicating that the package had been rejected, and was being 'forced on the management organizations'.

Katrina Employees to Get Relocation Expenses

APWU News

USPS agrees to Saturdays off, back pay for Seventh Day Adventist

Adventist News Network

Nebraska Postal Employee Jailed For $25 Theft

KTIV TV Sioux City

FEMA, USPS Partner To Expedite Funds To Hurricane Victims

Press release

Postal service set to resume in most South Florida counties

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

APWU Locals Threatened with Consolidation Are Urged to Take Action to Protect Jobs, Service

APWU News

APWU Notified of USPS Plant Consolidations

Nine plants in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania appear on a list of plants to be consolidated.
Trenton Metro Area APWU
more:
Kinston postal operation to move
Kinston (NC) Free Press
Mojave mail to get new postmark
Antelope Valley (CA) Press

'Postal' game set to shoot up big screen

Reuters

Switch in Saturday mail processing in Iowa

Sioux City Journal

UPS Agrees to End Cigarette Deliveries

'Monday's agreement leaves only the U.S. Postal Service among major carriers to continue to deliver cigarettes to individuals, [New York Attorney General] Spitzer said. He called that practice "an embarrassment."'
Associated Press

NewOrleans: Where's the mail?

BizNewOrleans.com

PRC Gives No Decision on Periodicals Rate Overhaul

DMNews.com

Chicago PO's expand hours to meet competition

Pioneer Press Online

Uproar over California political mailings

San Jose Mercury News

USPS pursues more efficiency in 5-year plan

Federal Times

UPS Earnings Jump 23% On 18% Revenue Growth

Press Release

National study concludes Generations X and Y value mail

USPS Press release

USPS Issues New Rules for Flat Bundle Labeling

Federal Register

US Attorney Won't Prosecute Walsh

Hartford Courant

Fuel Costs Worry USPS, But It's Ready for Busy Fall

DMNews.com

More on Postmasters' Pay for Performance for FY 2006

NAPUS Hotline

PRC Most Likely to Issue Decision on Rate Increase By Halloween

DMNews.com

OIG Audit report on City Letter Carrier Operations in San Diego

OIG web site (Adobe .pdf file)

Mailers Offer Tips on Coping With Rate Increase

DMNews.com

Mail processing shifts in Connecticut

Waterbury Republican American

Former BOG Member John Walsh Target Of Criminal Probe

Hartford Courant

Postal Service Introduces Mailing Resources for Election Officials

Press release

USPS Volume, Revenue Gains Fail to Deliver Profits

Air Cargo World

FY 2006 Postmaster Pay Charts

NAPUS.org

What Will the USPS Network Look Like in 2010?

Anita Pursley, Vice President of Postal Affairs for Quebecor World Logistics, via Postcom.org

It's Still About Costing

'While customers of the Postal Service are concerned about quality of service, universal service, and the like, the fact remains that if the prices charged for the services received do not compare favorably with other methods of communicating and transacting business, mail will come out on the short end.'
Gene Del Polito commentary for Postcom.org

Study: Reform Will Save Money for Standard Mailers

USPS response: "Nothing could be further from the truth."
DMNews.com

Employees Improperly Denied Early Outs to Get VERA in December

APWU News

Postal Reform and a Fair Share of the Marbles

Gene Del Polito commentary for DIRECT

Canada Post Profits amid Service Cuts and Job Losses

Canadian Union of Postal Workers Press Release

NAPUS Urges Congress to Sign Onto White House Medicare Relief Letter

e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

USPS Recruiting Recent Retirees for RCA, PMR Jobs

Press release

PRC backs overhaul bill

'The Postal Rate Commission sent a letter Wednesday to House Government Reform Chairman Davis and Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., supporting legislation championed by both lawmakers to revamp the Postal Service, countering criticism of the bill by the agency's Board of Governors.'
Government Executive

Killer of Tulsa Postal Carrier Will Go Free

KTUL TV Tulsa

Postal service faces mail delivery challenges on Gulf Coast

Biloxi Sun Herald

Postal workers return, and so does mail

New Orleans Times-Picayune

Latest APPS Deployment Schedule

Adobe .pdf file Postcom

October National eMIR Bundle Breakage Blitz

USPS via Postcom.org

Customer Connect hits $100 million in carrier generated revenue

NALC Postal Record
(click here for more Postal Record articles)

APX Logistics, U.S. Postal Service launch hold-for-pickup delivery service

Internet Retailer

Mail Services Back for All New Orleans ZIP Codes

Press release

Vacancies for Katrina-Impacted Employees

APWU News

Recovering from Katrina

West Slidell Post Office a busy hub for its customers
Slidell Sentry-News

Study: Standard Mail Postage Costs with and without Reform

A report prepared for The Direct Marketing Association suggests mailers would see a 'dramatic effect on postage payments', with 'quite significant' savings, under either of the proposed postal reform bills.
via Postcom.org.

UPU Chief: World Postal Sector Builds Economies

DMNews.com

White Paper: Economic Activity as a Driver of Mail

DMNews.com

Budget Battle Begins Anew?

also: House Committee Passes Free Mail for Troops Bill
e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

NAPUS, USPS discuss NPA, Mystery Shop LOW's

NAPUS Hotline

Post Office having hard time getting mail to evacuees

KRIS TV Corpus Christi

September Blows Hot and Cold for Retail Direct Sales

DIERCT

Study: Customer Acquisition Leads Direct Mail Increase

DIRECT

Award Sets Principles For Minimum Skill Levels In Maintenance Craft

APWU News

Transformation Supplants Reform?

e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

PostCom Backs Greater USPS Control on International Rates

DMNews.com

Postal Employee Pleads Guilty To Misappropriation Of Funds

WYFF TV Greenville SC

APWU: USPS Seeks to Thwart Landmark FMLA Ruling

APWU News

Mail Service increasing in SE Texas

Beaumont Enterprise

Limited mail delivery back in Lake Area

KPLC-TV Lake Charles/Lafayette, Louisiana

UPS Targeting TNT 'Not Just A Rumor' -Kepler

newratings.com

FedEx to raise rates but cut fuel surcharge

Reuters

Study Shows Substantial Financial Benefit to First Class Mailers from Postal Reform

National Postal Policy Council

UPU Chief: Better Service Quality Key to Postal Growth

DMNews.com

Post Office Tests Hold-For-Pickup Service

KFOX TV El Paso

Escrow, Escrow Everywhere and All the Revenue Did Shrink

'A net income and a revenue deficiency in the same year? How does that work?'
Postcom.org

'Eleventh-hour criticisms'

'The U.S. Postal Service’s "eleventh-hour criticisms" of postal reform legislation have surprised reform supporters on Capitol Hill, who appear adamant that the biggest change the Postal Service is seeking will not take place.'
Federal Times

Commentary: Let’s Try Competence Over Patronage

DMNews.com

USPS Integrated Financial Plan for FY 2006

Powerpoint presentation stored as an Adobe Acrobat file, showing the USPS's plans for the fiscal year that begins tomorrow.
USPS web site

USPS to rely on career employees not contractors for IT services

Government Computer News

UPS Store franchisees send SOS

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

DHL Planning To Open Retail Shops In US

Dow Jones

USPS and APWU and Mail Handlers unions agree on reassignment of employees displaced by Hurricane Katrina

USPS News Link

Postal Service Expects $2 Billion Deficit in '06

Associated Press

Board OKs New Phase in USPS Transformation Plan

DMNews.com

Strasser: USPS '06 Costs Higher Than Those in Rate Filing

DMNews.com

Dell switching from UPS to Postal Service

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Katrina reduces supply of lockable mailboxes

Associated Press

Postal Service Working to Re-Establish Service in Golden Triangle Area (Zip Code Areas 776, 777)

Press release

GOP Gang Proposes To Slash Postal, Federal, and Mailer Benefits

e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Houston Mail Deliveries to Resume

'The U.S. Postal Service said on Saturday that it would resume delivery and retail operations wherever possible in Houston today, following the evacuation of large portions of the city and the onshore arrival of Hurricane Rita over the weekend.'
DIRECT

DM Views: A Government Monopoly on Words?

'May the federal government prohibit use of words such as 'Social Security,' 'Medicaid' and other public policy terms on carrier envelopes by advertisers and nonprofits so that government letters are opened instead?'
DMNews.com

Growth management is coming - Post Office-style

'The Postal Service is quietly delivering the word to the area's building and real estate industry that house-by-house delivery will not be made to new subdivisions of eight or more houses...'
Naples Daily News

Katrina took homes, but the mail still comes

Jackson Clarion-Ledger

APWU Wary About Pending Postal Reform Bills

APWU News

Hurricane Rita Related Service Updates

Retail, Delivery Service and Drop Shipments suspended to ZIP Codes 770, 773, 774, 775, 779, 783, 784 and 785.
Suspension of retail, delivery and certain drop shipments to some Louisiana Zip Codes.
USPS.com

Republicans call for cuts in federal retirees benefits to fund Katrina relief

Government Executive

Direct Mail Spending to Surge 7.5%: Report

DIRECT

NAPUS Executive Committee Supports PERF

Also from NAPUS: 'National President Wally Olihovik has contacted USPS Headquarters concerning adjustments to Total Operating Expenses and Revenue plans in many post offices. Postmasters are concerned that the unexplained adjustments to their plans were received with just a few weeks remaining in the Fiscal Year and could have a dramatic impact on their NPA ratings.'
NAPUS Hotline

APWU Donates $60,000 to PERF

APWU News

Louisiana post offices start drive for hurricane victims

Houma Courier

USPS Cuts Ribbon on Pricing and Classification Center

DMNews.com

FedEx Boosts Forecast as Q1 Profits Increase

DMNews.com

USPS Releases August Financials

'Year-to-date, Total Revenue is $1.4 billion or 2.2% over plan with the largest contributor being Permit Revenue at $1.6 billion or 5.9% more than plan. ... YTD, Total Revenue is $1.0 billion over SPLY.'

'Year-to-date, personnel costs are $54 million or 0.1% above plan and non-personnel expenses are $135 million or 1.0% below plan. ... YTD Total Expenses are $2.4 billion or 4.0% above SPLY.'

'Total Mail Volume for August, FY 2005 was 999 million pieces or 5.9% above SPLY. First-Class Mail volume increased by 256 million pieces or 3.3%. Standard Mail volumes, at 627 million pieces or 7.8% over SPLY, continue to be positive primarily because of the increasing strength of direct marketing channels.'

'Year-to-date, Total Mail Volume is 2.9% or 5.5 billion pieces over SPLY. Over 2.4 billion of the 5.5 billion pieces increase occurred in November 2004. The most significant mail volume increase over SPLY for YTD is in the lower revenue-per-piece Standard Mail category, which increased 5.1 billion pieces or 5.9%. YTD, First-Class Mail volume is 0.2% more than SPLY generating $318 million or 0.9% less revenue than SPLY.'

'Total Workhours for August 2005 YTD are 15.7 million hours or 1.2% above plan, and 10.8 million hours above SPLY. The most significant plan overruns lie in Delivery Services by 8.4 million hours, Mail Processing by 6.8 million hours, and Customer Services by 3.2 million hours. These overruns in workhours are a reflection of growth in mail volume above plan and continued growth in delivery points. YTD, major contributors to the workhours growth to SPLY are City Delivery and Rural Delivery workhours. Combined these operations workhours are 13.5 million hours above SPLY.'
USPS web site

And now- rebuild

Post Offices, communities emerge from devastation
USPS News Link

Letter Carrier Named 'National Hero of the Year' for Saving Life of Badly Injured Motorcyclist

Press release

Uniforms Donated To Postal Workers In Hurricane Area

WCPO TV Cincinnatti

Health insurance premiums climb 10 percent

Federal Times

Mutiny on the FedEx Truck

Is a package deliverer an independent contractor or an employee?A truckload of money is at stake.
Forbes

NALC/USPS Work to Fill Vacancies with Displaced Gulf Coast Carriers

NALC Bulletin

Postal Service opens offices in Mississippi

Biloxi Sun Herald

U.S. Mail Service, Getting Back on Track

PMG Jack Potter talks with host Michele Norris on NPR's All Things Considered (includes link to audio)
NPR

As Customer Behavior Changes, So Does the USPS

DMNews.com

USPS adding temp jobs at Greensboro Shared Services Center

WFMY TV Greensboro

Workers decry conditions at California post office

Eureka Times-Standard

Study: Online Credit Card Consumers Prefer Direct Mail

DMNews.com

UPS, DHL Resume Service to Areas Hit by Katrina

DMNews.com

Dallas District welcomes displaced employees

USPS News Link

The Unique Requirement of Mail as a Medium

Gene Del Polito commentary for DIRECT

Postal Worker Killed By Post Office Truck

WBBM-TV Chicago

A Double-Tragedy of the Bush Administration

Executive Order Undercuts Wages, Benefits in Hurricane Katrina Zone
Mailhandlers Union web site

Social Security Mailing Decision Riles Right Wing DMers

DIRECT

In 4-Year Anthrax Hunt, F.B.I. Finds Itself Stymied, and Sued

New York Times

USPS To Chairmen Collins & Davis: Thanks, But No Thanks

'... the question remains how postal champions will view the USPS in light of its letter, and the years of Congressional effort that went into drafting the legislation.'
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Commentary: The Board of Governors Speaks

Murray Comarow via Postcom.org

Cost of Alaska bypass mail changes still in the air

Fairbanks News-Miner

Rally protests USPS rejection of park plan

'The U.S. Postal Service has placed its prime 20-acre Marina Processing and Distribution Center near Playa Vista on the market, despite pleas from a collection of elected officials and residents trying to transform the land into public open space.'
Daily Breeze

Postal Service Board's Criticism of Bills Could Hamper Agency Overhaul

'The board of governors at the U.S. Postal Service muddled the outlook for a post office overhaul yesterday, saying House and Senate bills would give postal regulators too much power over the agency's internal operations.'
Washington Post

Little Progress In FBI Probe of Anthrax Attacks

Washington Post

Marina P&D goes up for sale today

Marina del Rey Argonaut

USPS: Generations X and Y Value Direct Mail

DIRECT

USPS Seeks to Raise International Rates 5.9%

DMNews.com

NALC: Katrina and other stumbling blocks stand in way of Postal Reform

NALC e-Activist

Post Offices Continue to Re-Establish Service: Postal Workers Asked to Report to Work

Press release

Potter: Rates Will Rise Despite Positive Outlook

DMNews.com

BOG letter to Congress details concerns about reform bills

DMNEWS.com
Click here to view a copy of the BOG letter via Postcom.org

Postal Service for Katrina Survivors

'The U.S. Postal Service has experienced many disasters in the past, and it was relatively well prepared for the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. While the hurricane damaged some 500 post offices, the Postal Service was able to establish limited services just days after the disaster.'
Congressional Research Service Report via Postcom.org

Transformation Plan, Hurricane Katrina Highlight PMG Broadcast

Press release
Click here to view the broadcast

Florida postmaster sentenced to two years for embezzlement

Fort Myers News-Press

Post office popular in Astrodome shelter

LA Times News Service

Royal Mail Plans Size-Based Pricing in August '06

DMNews.com

Postal Service Delivers! 80% of Katrina-Affected Areas Resume Mail Service

Press release
click here for more on the storm response from USPS Link Online

Postal worker flees hurricane, finds work in Wisconsin

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Despite earlier hassle, Katrina evacuee can get local P.O. box

Lansing State Journal

Mailers Want Return of USPS Friend-to-Friend

DMNews.com

Katrina Keeps Postal Rate Increase on Track for January

DMNews.com

Catalogers Shift Circulation Away From Katrina

DMNews.com

Postal Reform: Doubtful; Rate Increase: Definitely

DMNews.com

E-mail Outpulls Catalogs for DMer Web Sites

DIRECT

Petroleum problems are going postal

Greenville (MI) Daily News

Commentary: Real Postal Reform May Be on the Way

'The real postal reform is being generated internally at the USPS.'
DMNews.com

Two Dallas postal employees indicted for Voyager credit card fraud

Press release

Postal Service Continues to Restore Mail Services Along the Gulf Coast

Press Release

Mississippi District manager's decision angers postal workers

Employees told to work day after Katrina
Hattiesburg American

Postal unions picket Fayetteville (NC) post office

Fayetteville Observer

Bacteria Found At D.C. Postal Facility

NBC4.com

Man pleads guilty to shooting postal worker

Associated Press

Mail carrier killed by her own vehicle

Charlotte Observer

Katrina's Legislative Undertow

e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Respond, reconnect, re-establish

More employees contacting hotline, more COAs filed, more offices reopen... Also: Delivering the 'Dome: Houston employees help Astrodome evacuees get mail service.
USPS Link Online

National Mail Service Updates: Latest on Katrina Impacts on Postal Operations

USPS.com

Postal Reform Can Survive Katrina, Insiders Say

DMNews.com

USPS Reopens Some ZIPs to Standard Mail

DMNews.com

Potter to America:

Mail services being restored where possible and safe to do so, displaced customers need to file change of address, displaced employees are asked to call in
USPS Link Online

Commentary: Real Postal Reform May Be on the Way

DMNews.com

USPS: Katrina Damage Could Surpass $100 Million

DMNews.com

Florida letter carrier leaves post to help Katrina victims

Palm Beach Post
Click here to listen to the NPR Morning Edition segment referred to in the story.

USPS Returns to Some Flooded Areas

DMNews.com

Map showing status of Katrina-affected Post Offices.

USPS.com

Hurricane update- helping customers reconnect

More than 38,000 Changes of Address filed
USPS News Link

Mediation Board Calls UPS, Pilots Back for Talks

DMNews.com

USPS Signs Data Storage Deal With EMC

Byte and Switch

UPS raises cap on air fuel surcharge

bizjournals.com

Mail call: Postal services set up at shelters

Houston Chronicle

Finding employees, delivering the mail

USPS News Link

USPS Struggles Delivering to Disaster Area

DMNews.com

Letter: We Should Listen to Strasser

DMNews.com

Katrina Photo Gallery

Social Security checks and a look at the Pass Christian, MS Post Office
USPS Link Online

Postal Service data system delivers

Minneapolis Star Tribune

PSoTD They're Going To Be There A While

'One of the most maligned agencies of the Federal Government [The US Postal Service] was planning before Katrina for refugees. So why were other federal agencies so surprised?'
PSoTD.com

Cleaning up records mess

Katrina victims must deal with loss of mail, files; agencies, companies help
Washington Post

Paper or Online? Many Bank Customers Still Pick the Old Way

New York Times

Why the Internet Isn't the Death of the Post Office

New York Times

UPS pilots halt strike moves in wake of Katrina's devastation

Louisville Courier Journal

Houston: Mail could still find relocated people

Associated Press

Helping our postal family

USPS News Link

APWU wins decertification vote in Kansas City

APWU News

UPS pilots vote to authorize strike

Reuters

Congress Focuses Attention on Hurricane Relief

Also: '...And Then There Were Six': with the retirement of Governor Walsh, there are now only six Presidentially appointed members, five of them Republicans.
NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Economic Activity as a Driver of Mail

'Will economic variables have the same influence on mail volumes in the future or will other factors become more predictable determinants of mail demand?'
Paper by Elena Diakova, Manager, Strategy Projects, Corporate Strategy Group, Pitney Bowes

One of Katrina's many lessions

'To its credit, the U.S. Postal Service was one of the first of first-responders to mobilize its resources to deal with this disaster.'
Gene Del Polito commentary for DIRECT

Storm strands two postal workers at Norman training facility

The Oklahoman

The Effects of S. 662 on the Long-Term Financial Outlook of the USPS

Congressional Budget Office Report

Delivery services try to cope

Baltimore Sun

Postal service sets up centers for mail pickup

Associated Press

Information for Mail Handlers Affected by Hurricane Katrina

NPMHU web site

APWU Hurricane Update

APWU News

Unprecedented Delivery Challenges

USPS concerned about employees in disaster area; urges them to make contact if possible
USPS Link Online

Postal workers protest Pasadena plan

Pasadene Star News

Social Security checks rerouted after Katrina

Associated Press
Government Working To Get SSI Checks To Evacuees
KSLA TV Shreveport

Temporary USPS Logistics Changes Due to Hurricane Katrina

via Postcom

USPS Stops Accepting Standard Mail Addressed to Hurricane-Ravaged Area

DMNews.com

More Katrina

Postal Service relocating to Baton Rouge
Shreveport Times
LLV hijacked by flood refugees
Reuters photo

Postal Service Working to Restore Mail Service

USPS Press Release

Hurricane may delay married TSP participants' loans, withdrawals

Government Executive

Keeping Direct Mail Out of Katrina's Wake

MultiChannel Merchant

USPS Employee Emergency Hotline Number

Employees in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina can call the USPS Emergency Hotline Number for updates on facilty closings. The nationwide toll free number is 1- 888-EMERGNC (1-888-363-7462)

TSP: Hurricane Katrina Announcement

TSP web site

Report: $51 million in 'casual in lieu of' settlements in Philadelphia, Wilmington

21st Century Postal Worker Message Exchange

Hurricane Katrina: Contact Information

APWU News

Greco Advises DMers on Reaction to Katrina

DMNews.com

Hurricane Katrina Update

USPS.com

Postal Service fuel costs ballooning

Camden Courier Post

Walsh resigns from BOG

Postcom reports that John Walsh has resigned from the USPS Board of Governors.

Probe is over in Royal Oak

Royal Oak (MI) Daily Tribune

Commentary: Turf Wars and the New Mail at the Postal Service

'The problem with CD/DVD mail is that the rules, designed to ensure that mail pieces claiming discounted rates can be processed on letter sorting machines, are useless in evaluating CD mail designs. Most CD/DVD mailers that comply with letter processing regulations are not compatible with letter processing equipment.'
Postvcom.org

Postal workers charged with thefts

Detroit News

It's adult court for postal uniform case

Dayton Daily News

Catalogers May Get Relief on Paper Prices

DMNews.com

APWU Modified Work-Week Update

APWU News

PARS Deployment Complete

Link Online

Direct Mail....Worth Much More Than One Week

Postcom.org

Ex-postal worker's discrimination case dismissed by judge

Scranton Times-Tribune

Postal service truck catches fire, mail destroyed

Walker County (GA) Messenger

Changing tomorrow's politics to defend universal postal services

UNI World Congress

Mail Boxes Etc. Canada to Re-Brand as The UPS Store

DMNews.com

NALC's Young Addresses NRLCA Convention in Minneapolis

NALC Bulletin

White Paper: Remote Shopping: Role of Mail, Catalogs and the Internet

Elena Diakova, manager of strategy projects at Pitney Bowes
DMNews.com

Side by Side Comparison of House and Senate Postal Reform Bills

Congressional Research Service report via Postcom.org

Hawaii mail thefts rise sharply

Pacific Business News

July Mail Volume Slips

DMNews.com

Connecticut aims to protect postal workers from dog attacks

Associated Press

Strasser: Gas Costs Force Rate Increase

DMNews.com

Poultry sent through Postal Service a threat to state flocks

Winston Salem Journal

DHL crashes the party

'... the integrated carrier has elbowed its way to a 6 percent share of the domestic parcel business...'
Logistics Management

Postal Service Finds Bundles of Trouble

DMNews.com

American Airline Employees Charged With Mail Theft

WFOR TV Miami

USPS Ramps Up for More NSAs

DMNews.com

Strasser: Current Reform Bills Would Be 'Disastrous' for USPS

DMNews.com
... and there is more on Strasser's comments at Postcom.org.

Worker diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease at Brentwood facility

Newsday

Mail Volume Is Not Eroding, Pitney Bowes Study Finds

DMNews.com

USPS releases June and July Financials

'Total Mail Volume for July, FY 2005 was 227 million pieces or 1.4% under SPLY. First-Class Mail volume declined by 394 million pieces or 5.0%. Standard Mail volumes, at 164 million pieces or 2.2% over SPLY, continue to be positive primarily because of the increasing strength of direct marketing channels. Additionally, Periodicals were 13 million or 1.8% over SPLY.

'Year-to-date, Total Mail Volume is 2.6% or 4.5 billion pieces over SPLY. Over 2.4 billion of the 4.5 billion pieces increase occurred in November 2004. The most significant mail volume increase over SPLY for YTD is in the lower revenue-per-piece Standard Mail category, which increased 4.5 billion pieces or 5.7%. YTD, First-Class Mail volume is 0.1% less than SPLY generating $391 million or 1.3% less revenue than SPLY.'

USPS.com

UPS franchisees unhappy with parent company

MSNBC

APWU Local Negotiations Period Set

APWU News

USPS proposes new standards to reduce periodicals costs

Federal Register

Local postal workers to take complaints to Washington

Port Arthur (TX) News

USPS Pocket Change Please

Bush is willing to spend almost $300 billion in porkbarrel projects, but won't give the USPS back it's own money because of 'adverse budget impacts'?
e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Postal Service beefs up instruction on handling suspicious mail

Government Executive

Australia Post Acquires PrintSoft

Australia Post Partners to Bring Hybrid Mail to the US
Press release

CNN probe finds weak link in air security

'... for three straight days, outside Chicago's busy O'Hare International Airport, at the U.S. Postal Service Chicago International/Military Service Center, CNN found gates unlocked and wide open, and open containers left at the side of the road.'
CNN

Ex-carrier gets probation for keeping 2,200 letters

Chicago Tribune

Scammers Target Postal Service Job Seekers

KOAT TV Albuquerque

What's the USPS got up its sleeve?

Gene Del Polito commentary for DIRECT

GAO urges training about suspicious mail

Associated Press
Click here to view the GAO report

RPW numbers updated

The RPW (Revenue, Pieces and Weight) reports posted last week have now been updated with year to date data. The link above is for the Adobe .pdf version- click here for a .csv version that can be opened in Excel.

USPS Begins Premium Forwarding Test

DMNews.com

30,000 postal jobs at risk in UK

The Guardian

League Convention Update

PMs hear from Day, Tisdale, Galligan, and more.
League of Postmasters News Briefs

Bins of undelivered mail in storage unit

Ukiah (CA) Daily Journal

Burrus on Postal Reform: A Long Way From Those Early, Rosy Days

APWU Burrus Update

APWU Members Ratify Contract Extension

APWU News

USPS releases June Financial Results

The USPS had a net loss of $75 million in June, but year to date income is still positive at $1.7 billion. The growth in revenue at 1.7% above the prior year still falls far short of the 4% growth in expenses however. Click here for the .pdf version, or here for the Excel version.

The Senator from Hallmark

What does $10,000 buy you in Washington these days? Senator Kit Bond, apparently.
E-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Neighbors want to acquire Postal Service's Marina Processing Center

Del Rey (CA) Argonaut

Mail dumped in Louisville

WHAS TV Louisville

Suspected postal skimmer quits Florida office

Bradenton Herald

PMG addresses National Rural Letter Carriers convention

Link Online

We Can't Get There From Here

Postcom's Kate Muth on the postal reform deadlock.
Postcom.org

White House plan missing Senate stamp of approval

Government Executive

Mediator calls UPS, pilots union to Washington

Reuters

Quarter 3 Mail Volumes Released

Revenue, Pieces and Weight data for the three month period ending June 30 show total mail volume increasing by 2.4%, or about 2 billion pieces. Standard mail accounted for half of the increase, while first class mail rose only slightly. First class single piece volume dropped 4%, while first class presort rose by the same amount. Priority, Express and package services all showed healthy increases over the prior year. (As of early this morning, Fiscal Year to Date RPW data has not been posted on the USPS RPW site.)

FedEx Pilots Plan Picketing in Alaska

DMNews.com

USPS Board: Without Reform, Rate Increase in 2007

DMNews.com
Click here to read the statement by BOG Chair James Miller

Postal Service may deliver drugs in case of pandemic, official says

Associated Press

Deal to move postal reform in Senate hits snag

Postcom reports that agreement had been reached between the White House and Senate Republicans to move the postal reform bill on Friday, but that a 'hold' by Senator 'Kit' Bond (R-MO) sank the effort.

USPS Board of Governors Meeting Highlights

USPS Link Online

Postal services, GATS, and your job

NALC Postal Record (Adobe .pdf file)

On-duty postman arrested for drunk driving

Barron (WI) News-Shield

DM Attorney Leads Fight Against Do-Not-Mail Bills

DMNews.com

USPS awards contract to Mack for 1400 trucks

Fleet Owner

Roberts Nomination Complicates Postal Reform in Senate

DMNews.com

New USPS Pricing Center Opens Today

DMNews.com

Co-workers seek stamp in honor of postal worker philanthropist

NBC12 News Richmond

Mother to serve 18 months for role in postal worker shooting

Associated Press

GAO issues followup report on quality of ratemaking data

GAO web site

H.R. 22 Now In Rear View Mirror

E-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter

USPS Announces Re-designed Postal Explorer

USPS web site

Gwinnett postal worker details attack

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Commentary: A Long, Hot Summer for USPS, Mailers

DMNews.com

House Overwhelmingly Passes Postal Reform Bill

'After three hours of debate, four amendments were defeated and the bill passed 410-20.'
DMNews.com
Click here for more on this story from Postcom.org.
Click here for reaction from the League of Postmasters.
Click here for reaction from NAPUS.

Bush policy statement on HR 22

Veto threatened if bill returns CSRS overcharges to USPS, or reverses the USPS subsidy of military pensions.
White House web site