postalnews.com: 2006

"Local postal managers will advise employees regarding staffing levels for Tuesday, Jan. 2, to maintain operations in preparation for resumption of delivery on Wednesday."
USPS News Link via postalnews blog

Update: USPS sets Tuesday, January 2 as Day of Mourning

From the APWU News page: "The Postal Service has notified the APWU that postal workers will observe a Day of Mourning on Jan. 2, in honor of former President Gerald R. Ford, who passed away on Dec. 26."
Text of the White House Proclamation and Executive Order
The official schedule of the State Funeral for President Ford is posted at the web site of the Joint Force Headquarters, National Capital Region. The Postal Service has not announced official plans for operations, but they will likely be similar to those used after the death of President Reagan, which have been posted on this site.

Denver: Mail, packages linger as winter strikes again

Rocky Mountain News

Post Office In Hartford Robbed

Hartford Courant

U.S. Shoppers Turn To The Internet

Forbes

Postal truck kills guard at O'Hare Airport

Chicago Sun Times

Thursday, December 28

Update on 'Mitigating Factors' for Postmasters' PFP

League of Postmasters Recent News page

`Tis the season for the U.S. Postal Service network to deliver

Network World
(note- see also this comment)

Wednesday, December 27

Iraq War Vet With Ailments Reinstated

PostalMag.com

The Conflict About Preserving Rural post Offices

An interesting paper outlining the issues involved, presented by the League of Postmasters (Adobe .pdf file)

Elvis still King (of stamps)

USPS Press release

Missouri woman suspected of stealing mail

Southeast Missourian

Mail runs heavy with snow backlog

Rocky Mountain News

Tuesday, December 26

Mailhandlers Union posts contract ratification rules

NPMHU: The Mail Handler Update

Police officer, postal worker indicted

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Bringin' home the boxes

: Postal workers' busy days sometimes lead to a surprise or two
Eugene Register-Guard

Monday, December 25

Denver BMC: "Busier than Santa's workshop"

Denver Post

Salvaged from Katrina, a 'cheap' tradition becomes A Christmas classic

Brothers send same card back and forth for decades
Sun Herald

Postal Workers Become Santas After Western Blizzard

Employees Volunteer for Christmas Duty to Deliver Packages Delayed by Last Week's Storm
Associated Press via Washington Post

Sunday, December 24

Santa's got mail

Letters to Santa from kids in South Florida
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Denver: Delivery services knee-deep in gifts

Denver Post

Postal worker pens special response to a special letter

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Saturday, December 23

A Tiny Canvas for Holiday Mirth

Personal Postage Is Giving Letter Traffic a Boost
Washington Post

Postal Service going extra mile to recover from blizzard

Denver Rocky Mountain News

Postal workers fill girl's Christmas wish

Bonita (FL) Daily News

Social Security checks delayed in the mail

Mansfield (OH) News Journal

Mail thieves steal holiday cards

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Cliff Clavin at the VFW

postalnews blog

Two accused of postal crimes

Arizona Republic

Friday, December 22

Postal Reform – Signed, Sealed and Delivered

eNAPUS Legislative and Political Bulletin

Postal service ready to resume operations in Denver

KUSA TV Denver
- Wyoming carriers to deliver delayed mail on Sunday
Casper Tribune
- Denver mail plane lands in wheat field
Casper Star Tribune

Postal service legislation will hold costs down, Carper says

Wilmington (DE) News Journal

Aberdeen Postal workers in limbo

Aberdeen (SD) American News

Thursday, December 21

Postal Problems Remain Even With Newly Signed Law

DIRECT

Weather "Cancels" Postal Service

No Delivery In Much Of Colorado
KRDO TV Colorado Springs

The holiday crush

Portland Press Herald

Price Caps at the Old Stamping Ground

Washington Post

Investigators bust mail theft ring

WATE TV Knoxville

Dan Blair begins reign as PRC chair

DMNews.com

Dean of delivery: Mail carrier, 74, still doing job in Lansing after 50 years

Lansing State Journal

'Mailbox on 34th Street'

Postal Service stands by ties to Santa during holidays despite critics
Gainesville Sun

Pipe bomb explodes in mailbox

WTHR TV Indianapolis

After 37 years, carrier to hang up mailbag

Marblehead (MA) Reporter

Wednesday, December 20

Bush Signs Reform Act

USPS Press release

Upgrades and the APWU Contract Proposal

Is everyone really getting a one level upgrade?
'Ask President Burrus' APWU News

PRC Finds Flaws in Plant Consolidation Process

postalnews blog

Ralph Nader: Going Postal

(Note: this article is Nader's foreword to the book Preserving the People's Post Office by Christopher Shaw. The book is available online in .pdf format at Postcom.org.)
Counterpunch.org

USPS proposes changes to International Mail prices and classifications

Federal Register

Bush to sign new law for postal reform today

Associated Press

Inside NYC's Morgan Station on its busiest mailing day of the year

DMNews.com

Jacksonville Postal Workers Accused Of Stealing Money Order

WJXT TV Jacksonville

Brennan to replace Lazaroff as Eastern Area VP

USPS News Link

Tuesday, December 19

Settlement reached in Advo-Valassis suit

Business Week

Postal worker lauded for saving elderly woman

Chicago Tribune

Lockheed Martin completes APPS deployment

Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin

A busy day at the White House...

Press release

Monday, December 18

Tiny post offices (CPUs) bring in customers, cash

Home News Tribune (NJ)

USPS seeks ‘flats stowage’ system for LLVs

postalnews blog

Postal service set for busiest mailing day today

USPS Press advisory

Manning santa's mailroom

Contra Costa Times

Editorial: Postal reform, at long last

DMNews.com

Sunday, December 17

Postal service storm brewing in Chicago suburbs

Herald-News

Renaming post offices was Congress' top priority

Connecticut Post

eBay Sellers Ask about Forthcoming USPS Shipping Changes

AuctionBytes

Dog sends Postal Service packing

KHOU TV Houston

Saturday, December 16

The long arm of the USPS

Idaho rural mail route delivers a mixed bag of charm and challenge
Capital Press

USPS- Reform passage doesn’t change plans for rate increase

DMM Advisory

Woman sentenced for postal stealing

Great Falls (MT) Tribune

Friday, December 15

So what’s your story?

postalnews blog

Two men indicted for Ohio postal worker's death

Canton Repository

USPS, FedEx, UPS brace for crush of packages

San Jose Mercury News

APWU will mail contract ballots to non-members too...

... but they can only vote if they join the union
APWU News

Burrus accuses other unions of 'me-too' contract negotiations

APWU News

Organizing the 110th Congress

Also: Reform Act siging set for Wednesday
eNAPUS Legislative and Political Bulletin

USPS quietly cancels 18-year network outsourcing deal

Network World
click here to read the News Link article that announced the original Lockheed-Martin contract

Postal Service delivers ... spam?

Network World

Cracked Vial Closes Portion Of El Paso Plant

KFOX TV El Paso

Postal worker struck in head by thrown rock

Peoria Journal Star

’I got a lot of stories’

Postal employee’s love of people, service mark 37-year career
Orangeburg (SC) Times and Democrat

BroadRamp Awarded Contract to Provide Video to USPS Web Sites

Press release

Thursday, December 14

Summary of Tentative Mailhandlers' Contract

Earlier:
Mailhandlers, USPS Reach Agreement
NPMHU web site

Potter selects Lazaroff as new Chief Postal Inspector

USPS News Link

Hoaxes, Statistics and Anthrax

Do we worry too much about white powder?
Edward McSweegan commentary for OpEdNews.com

‘Simple’ vigil held for San Francisco postal workers

San Francisco Examiner

Making sure Santa's mail is answered

Louisville Courier Journal

Rural carrier retires after 39 years on the same rural route

Warren (OH) Tribune-Chronicle

Postcom Podcast #6

“Join PostCom President Gene Del Polito and PostCom General Counsel Ian Volner in a discussion of some of the key provisions of the new Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (H.R. 6407).”
click here to download the mp3 file, or here to listen online

Giordano replaces Jaffer

USPS News Link

Wednesday, December 13

Newspaper Publishers Urge Bush To Sign Reform Law

Seek to protect 'Within County' rate subsidy
Editor & Publisher

Virginia manager gets probation

Roanoke Times

Bilbray joins Postal Service governors

Las Vegas Review Journal

Mississippi postal employee gets three years probation

Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Editorial: Collins' work on postal reform worth the effort

Blethen Maine Newspapers

Catalogers Say Books are Still Primary Sales Drivers

DIRECT

Audio: Citing Disuse, USPS Pulls Old Blue Mailboxes

NPR's All Things Considered

The right to wear shorts

postalnews blog

Postal Service delivered this marriage straight to the altar

Daily Southtown

Tuesday, December 12

Postal workers say boss creating unsafe work environment

Fitchburg (MA) Sentinel & Enterprise

Mail Handlers Union Rejoins AFL-CIO

NPMHU web site

APWU Members to Vote on Tentative Contract

Mailing Starts Dec. 18; Vote Count, Results on Jan. 9
APWU News

Postal reform seen as boost for Maine

Portland Press Herald

Mail Carrier Injured When Flatbed Truck Strikes His Van

Hartford Courant

Magazine publishers applaud postal reform

DMNews.com

Chicago's mail tardier than suburbs'

Chicago Sun-Times

Monday, December 11

Valassis CEO tells court Advo withheld info

Associated Press

Burrus: Legislation Good for Major Mailers, Bad for Postal Workers

APWU News

Young explains why he gave in on reform bill

NALC e-Activist Newsletter

PRC meets Thursday to consider decision on Network Redesign

Federal Register

Adios, Farewell, Adieu, Open Season!

Mike Causey's Federal Report

Valassis: ADVO Hid Problems

(The ADVO-Valassis case goes to court in Delaware today- click here to read Valassis's pre-trial brief)
Hartford Courant

USPS, Washington Mutual withdraw request for NSA

Postal Rate Commission web site

Sunday, December 10

Some of the stranger 'reforms' that made it into the bill

postalnews blog

Behind the scenes: how the reform bill made it through Congress

eNAPUS Legislative and Political Bulletin

Plant consolidation provisions in postal reform act

postalnews blog

‘... I'll be OK'

Update on Maureen Deprince's battle to recover
Press of Atlantic City

Saturday, December 9

Postal reform bill could save billions for mailers

DM News Blog

Postal Overhaul Bill May Delay Rate Hike

Associated Press

Mail lost in fiery cow vs. truck crash

Grand Junction (CO) Sentinel

Poll: What do you think of the proposed APWU contract?

postalforum.com

Collins: Reform will avoid USPS “death spiral”

Press release

UK: Post offices await fate as D-day looms

The Guardian

Reform bill passes Congress

postalnews blog

Friday, December 8

USPS, Rural Carriers Reach Agreement

Press release

APWU Rank-and-File Committee Approves Tentative Agreement

(Includes a summary of the agreement's provisions)
APWU News

Lawmakers Unexpectedly Take Up Postal Service Overhaul

Washington Post

Kentucky postal worker sentenced in child porn case

Lexington Herald Leader

Thursday, December 7

South Carolina carrier dies in traffic accident

Rock City Herald

Postcom: House action on reform possible ‘at any time’

postalnews blog

Last-Minute Postal Reform Bill in Doubt

DIRECT

SteelCloud gets $12 million contract for Flat Recognition servers

Press release

PMG embraces employees and competition to improve USPS' performance

Government Leader

Wednesday, December 6

Legislators make last-ditch push on postal bill

Government Executive

USPS and APWU Reach Tentative Agreement

Negotiations with rurals, mailhandlers continue
USPS Press release

BOG approves FSS program, appropriation request, annual report

USPS press release

Health Premium Discounts

Mike Causey's Federal Report at FederalNewsRadio.com

NALC: USPS contract proposals were outrageous

NALC e-Activist

The Election Is in the Mail

New York Times Commentary by PRC Commissioner Ruth Goldway

OIG Revisits Battle Creek

Battle Creek Enquirer

Postal employees: Dog bites on the rise

Las Cruces (NM) Sun-News

Tuesday, December 5

Junk mail still going strong as spending forecast sees 7.5% increase

USA Today

Postal Service, Union to Take Their Differences to Arbitration

Washington Post

Mailers decry inaction on postal overhaul measure

Covernment Executive

FedEx ups FedEx Ground, Home Delivery rates by 4.9 percent

DMNews.com

Monday, December 4

Postal inspector going into business

Brownwood (TX) Bulletin

Experts cancel dreams of rare stamp find on absentee ballot

Southwest Florida Herald Tribune

USPS: NALC talks at impasse, discussions continue with three other unions

USPS News Release

APWU: 'Substantial Progress' Made in Contract Talks

APWU News

U.S. Postal Service training center aims to stay ahead of curve

Oklahoma City Journal Record

Experts to view mystery stamp

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Sunday, December 3

Mail keeps coming to former WTC address

Associated Press

FedEx and DOT in stalemate over USPS revenue reporting

postalnews blog

The Postal Service of the Saved

postalnews blog

Saturday, December 2

Letter carrier implicated in supervisor's slaying

Postal supervisor was shot outside her home, apparently by disgruntled employee who then killed himself
San Francisco Chronicle

Vancouver carrier dies after falling on ice

CBC

Friday, December 1

Mail handlers: Contract Talks Continue...

NPMHU: The Mail Handler Update

NALC: USPS Thwarts Agreement On New Contract

Arbitration Next...
NALC Bulletin

Burglar Gets Trapped In Post Office

WTVJ TV South Florida

Crooks targeting Montreal letter carriers, stealing keys

The Gazette

Holiday time can mean long lines at the post office

Oshkosh Northwestern

Stamps.com files patent suits versus Endicia, PSI Systems

Dow Jones

Revenue, pieces and weights- Oh my!

postalnews blog

Town mourns death of mail carrier, runner, friend

Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent

Thursday, November 30

Is the escrow requirement unconstitutional?

Cary Baer commentary for DMNews.com

New CFO brings outside perspective

DMNews.com

APWU, Teamsters both on ballot at DHL

Wilmington News Journal

USPS settles Trenton anthrax travel grievance for $5.3 million

Trenton Metro Area Local APWU
full text of the agreement

APWU: Get Ready for Arbitration

APWU News

Wednesday, November 29

Monday, November 27

Heavy reading arrives in the mail

Philadelphia Daily News

BOG sets agenda for next week’s meeting

Press release

Don’t shoot the mailbox!

postalnews blog

USPS plans holiday season kickoff at National Postal Museum

postalnews blog

Sunday, November 26

Crash Kills Postal Truck Driver

WDIV TV Detroit

Mail a valued part of the day for troops in Iraq

Dayton Daily News

Saturday, November 25

Neighborhoods welcome old-fashioned mailboxes

Grand Rapids Press

Pensacola won't be consolidated

Pensacola News Journal

Postal change draws complaints from Alaskans

Anchorage Daily News

Contract nurse indicted for defrauding USPS

DOJ Press release

Friday, November 24

Postman delivers holiday meals

San Gabriel Valley (CA) Tribune

Thursday, November 23

Flexible Spending Account Calculator

postalnews blog

Remote Control Mail: Check Your Postal Mail on the Web

Techcrunch

Postal worker carries on

'Retire' not in vocabulary after 50 years of service
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Wednesday, November 22

Dog owner charged with assault of postman

Toledo Blade

Sarasota Herald Tribune click here for video report
Smithsonian asks for `historic' ballot stamp
Fake or not, curator wants Inverted Jenny
South Florida Sun Sentinel

Postal Service ends fiscal year in the hole

Federal Times
or, if you prefer:
Postal Service ends fiscal year in the black
Syracuse Post Standard

Postal Service Ends Year With Record Revenue But High Fuel Costs Boost Expenses; Positive Productivity Trend Continues

Press release
Update: click here to download the presentation given to the BOG by CFO H. Glen Walker

Wednesday, November 15

APWU: Talks Continue at Discouraging Pace

APWU News

Update: Sioux City OIG report online

(via postcom.org)
Original Sioux City Journal article
Grassley: OIG found "sufficient evidence supporting consolidation" Harkin: wait for GAO review
Sioux City Journal

Democrats unlikely to shift course on DM issues

DMNews.com

A Lame-Duck Revival for Postal Service Overhaul?

Washington Post

Israeli delegation blocked from U.N. postal conference

International Herald Tribune

Updated postal network could expand global trade, says WTO head

DMNews.com

Tuesday, November 14

Hershey Kiss stamp spurs KFC to request similar publicity

Chicago Sun-Times

Monday, November 13

NAPS argues for more flexibility in setting EAS ‘core goals’

postalnews blog

Study Health-Plan Options Carefully This Open Season

Washington Post

Undercover video shows Boston letter carriers smoking pot on the clock

Fox 25 Boston (requires Macromedia Flash)

APWU Announces Negotiations Hotline

The toll-free number is 800-992-APWU (or 800-992-2798).
APWU News

Sunday, November 12

Tonight’s “Cold Case” may sound familiar…

postalnews blog

Inspection Service (?!) selling Segway scooters

Postal Bulletin
(also in this week's Bulletin: the assets of the old Philadelphia P&D will be sold in an online auction on December 12)

Postal worker loses plea to wear fun neckties

Anchorage Daily News

Florida Postmaster cleared of wrongdoing

Jackson County Floridan

Saturday, November 11

Maine post office shut amid investigation

Bangor Daily News

Friday, November 10

Man Wanted In Thwarted Post Office Attack

KPRC TV Houston

Battle Creek: Business goes on after 28 letter carriers are suspended

Battle Creek Enquirer

APWU Headquarters Celebrates ‘Great Day for Democracy’

APWU News

Fatality probed at postal center

Springfield Republican
- Information on "Glad Hand" locks
- Driver instructions for use of locks

Half-million dollar stamp used to mail ballot??

Seattle Times

Thursday, November 9

Virginia post office evacuated for carbon monoxide

Suffolk News Herald

Earthquake Hits US Capitol With Lingering Aftershocks

eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Update: Vermont APWU and USPS Differ Over Safety

White River Junction Valley News (link corrected)

Accident kills Massachusetts postal worker

Springfield Republican

Michigan post offices under scrutiny for election mail delays

WOOD TV Grand Rapids

Alabama postal employee charged with theft

Shelby County Reporter

Canada Post: U.S. retailers reaching Canadians at holidays

DMNews.com

Postcom: say goodbye to HR 22

postalnews blog

USPS publishes new rules for postage meters

Federal Register

UPS Growth Strategy Works But Must Improve Logistics -CEO

Dow Jones

Election Day Post-Mortem For Marketers

Marketing Daily

Wednesday, November 8

Mail Handlers: USPS submits laundry list of harsh contract proposals

Mail Handler Contract Update

NAPS: Postal Reform Hinges on a Potentially Cooperative Lame Duck Session

postalnews blog

Newark postmark due to be canceled

End of the world to some, 'Who cares?' to others.
Newark Star Ledger

Campaign mailers spelled overtime for letter carriers

North County (CA) Times

Tuesday, November 7

The Congress Woman from UPS is GONE!!

NAPUS Election Night 2006 Blog

Editorial: Maine officials should have attended postal center's celebration

Portland Press Herald

UPS prepared for holiday shipping surge

DMNews.com

Political fliers plucked from trash, sent Postal Service plays it safe and delivers tossed mailers after campaigner's inquiry

Fremont (CA) Argus

USPS Board to meet next week in DC

postalnews blog

APWU Presents Economic Proposals; Burrus Assails ‘Lack of Progress’ in Talks

APWU News

Monday, November 6

EBay proves virtual gold mine for Postal Service

Rocky Mountain News

Sunday, November 5

Colorado Springs Post Office apologizes for poor downtown service

postalnews blog

Saturday, November 4

Maine Senators Urge PMG To Address Concerns Raised By Postal Workers` Union In Scarborough

postalnews blog

Political mail reaches ‘phenomenal’ levels with current election cycle

The Ledger Independent, Maysville, KY

APWU: Contract Talks Take a Discouraging Turn

APWU News

Congressmen ask GAO to study USPS, other agency's progress in bio-threat detection

Federal Times

Junk Mail Is Alive and Growing

New York Times

USPS CFO: Delaying rate case costs USPS $450 million each month

DMNews.com

Mailers given another chance to comment on USPS mailing standards

DMNews.com

Postal driver charged in fatality

Worcester Telegram

Commentary: Neither rain nor gloom of night should stop this sale

Tacoma News Tribune

Going postal over a letter

New York Daily News

Wednesday, November 1

Postal Remedy: New, Lighter Papers

Catalog Success

Red tag alert: Political campaign mailings on the rise

USPS News Link Extra

APWU Urges Members: ‘Get Out the Vote!’

APWU Legislative Department web site

The USPS is a Government Corporation: So What?

Murray Comarow commentary for the National Academy of Public Administration

Ex-postal carrier gets probation for stealing $100,000 in checks

Wilmington (DE) News Journal

USPS Blacklists Air America?

FAIR via postalmag.com"'Please see below for a complete list of all advertisers requesting that NONE of their commercials air within Air America programming.' The list, totaling 90 advertisers, includes some of largest and most well-known corporations advertising in the U.S.: Wal-Mart, GE, Exxon Mobil, Microsoft, Bank of America, Fed-Ex, Visa, Allstate, McDonald's, Sony and Johnson & Johnson. The U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Navy are also listed as advertisers who don't want their commercials to air on Air America." Click here to view the original memo.

USPS revises rules for mailing hazardous materials

Federal Register

Tuesday, October 31

USPS: Absentee ballots must be delivered

USPS News Link via postalnews blog

USPS discontinues sale of phonecards

USPS News Link

GOP uses post office to challenge Democratic voters in NY

Newsday

Guilty plea in Injury Comp kickback scheme

DOJ Press release

Parcel shippers expect rate increases of 2 to 3 percent next year

Shipping Digest via postalnews blog

Mail truck crashes, scattering 40,000 letters

Riverside (CA) Press Enterprise

Monday, October 30

Negotiations 2006: APWU Presses for "Improved Conditions"

APWU News

NAPS: Core goal offerings too limited

NAPS Forum via postalnews blog

USPS site is much more than just a presence on the Web

Washington Technology

Post office in 40-year-old mobile home declared unsafe

Brainerd (MN) Dispatch

Sunday, October 29

Who got your vote?

Absentee ballots delivered to the wrong address
Gallup (NM) Independent

The great pumpkin comes through the mail

Anderson (SC) Independent Mail

Saturday, October 28

Alabama post office customers, workers tied up by robbers

WTVM TV Columbus (GA)

NALC presents Postal Service with main contract proposals

NALC News Bulletin

Friday, October 27

APWU Objects to Changes to USPS Computer Security Rules

postalnews blog

NAPUS: Is A “Category 5” Hurricane Blowing Up The Potomac?

eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter
(also: on election night, NAPUS's Bob Levi will be live-blogging the results at the NAPUS Election Night 2006 blog.)

NY Republicans are accused of 'postal fraud'

Poughkeepsie Journal

Mail Handler Contract Update #10

NPMHU web site

Vancouver posties refuse to deliver 'hate mail'

Canadian Press

First Class volume is slip-sliding away

DMNews.com
Click here to view the USPS Integrated Financial Plan for FY 2007 referred to in the story.

APWU: Thousands of Postal Workers Protest Ill-Conceived USPS Plans

APWU News

Memorial honors life of fallen letter carrier

Canton Repository

Southwest says it’s happy to be rid of USPS contract

Aviation Daily via postalnews blog

USPS Announces 2007 Commemorative Stamp Program

Press release
Click here to download high resolution images of the new stamps.

USPS files reply brief in consolidation case

postalnews blog

Thursday, October 26

Canadian snowflakes get U.S. stamp of approval

Saskatoon Star Phoenix

Editorial: Postal theft breaches trust

San Gabriel Valley (CA) Tribune

Pitney Bowes dives deeper into mailstream

DMNews.com

Nationwide Informational Picket to Oppose Consolidation Today

Clint Burleson commentary via postalnews blog
click here for more stories on today's protests from around the country

Undelivered mail starts rumor

Postcards said to be purposely misdirected
Redding (CA) Record Searchlight

A Mailer says: "We need to clean up our act!"

Commentary by Time Inc. vice president for postal and distribution Jim O'Brien, for Postcom.org

PMG names three Area Vice Presidents

Daley, Wilson and Burgoyne appointed
USPS NewsLink

NAPS Congressional Election Endorsements

NAPS web site

Pair plead not guilty in carrier’s death

Massillon (OH) Independent

Postal Service Investigates Fifth “Bottle Bomb” in Upstate NY

WSYR TV Syracuse

Pushing the envelope

"Getting a job at the post office can take years, and once hired employees face hard work, timed routes, Mother Nature and the occasional dog..."
Albuquerque Tribune

Monday, October 23

Fort Myers' postal workers plan protest

Fort Myers News-Press

Mail Handler Contract Update #9

NPMHU web site

APWU: OIG Report Criticizes Pasadena Consolidation

APWU News
click here to read the complete report, or here to view a listing of all available OIG audit reports.

Marketers critical of ‘colossal’ USPS booth at DMA show

MarketingSherpa via Postcom.org

Postal theft probe expands

Industry P&DC workers allegedly involved
Pasadena Star-News

Shippers help small business in new ways

DHL, FedEx, UPS woo entrepreneurs with loans, services
Columbus Dispatch

Sunday, October 22

Registration forms sent via UPS make 1,100 ineligible to vote

Longview (WA) Daily News

Hawaii postal worker killed in accident

Honolulu Advertiser

Saturday, October 21

Murdered letter carrier had 'heard shots' the day before

- Slain postal carrier Jennifer Milburn an 'all-American kid’
Canton Repository
- Gun lobby web site seeks to capitalize
on letter carrier’s death
postalnews blog

Postcom podcast #2

Another podcast from Postcom: this week, a report on what the Postcom Board heard from USPS reps last week on proposed changes mail prep rules. Click here to download the podcast as an mp3 file, or here to listen online at the postalnews blog.

Truck fire destroys mail enroute to Seattle BMC

King County Journal

Friday, October 20

Victims Remembered, Workers Honored on Fifth Anniversary of Anthrax Attacks

Moment of Silence to Be Observed at USPS Facilities Saturday
APWU News

Postmaster Retirement Insurance

Also: Culling the Political Herd in the House
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Stray bullet kills letter carrier, 26, in Canton, Ohio

Canton Repository

Atlantic City Letter Carriers Get Police Escort

WCAU TV Philadelphia

Mail delivery has businesses going postal in Colorado Springs

Change in routes leaves many downtown customers disgruntled about lack of service
Colorado Springs Business Journal

UPS: Strong revenue, profit growth on 5 percent rise in small package volume

DMNews.com

Thursday, October 19

MSPB Upholds firing of postal worker

Employee worked second job while on sick leave
Merit Systems Protection Board web site

Live From DMA06: Growth of DM Spending to Slow, Says DMA

DMA Press release

Wednesday, October 18

FY 2007 Pay for Performance Rules

NAPUS has posted the FY 2007 Pay For Performance rules on their Breaking Mews web page.

Post Office to Eliminate Stamp Machines

Associated Press

Anthrax: Still No Answers

New York Post

USPS to search employee records for sex offenders

postalnews blog

Mailman May Not Get Use Of Arms Back After Dog Attack

Newsnet 5 Cleveland

Live From DMA06: What Mailers Can Expect From Next Rate Hike

DIRECT

Aussie Post keeps track with RFID

ZDNet Australia

Tuesday, October 17

Postcom comments on your comments

Postcom via postalnews blog

Mail boxes vanishing, but not because they're not used

Hazelton (PA) Standard Speaker

Mailer at DMA06 concerned over proposed USPS rule

DMNews.com

Letters to the Editor: Trouble with the mail

Albany (OR) Democrat-Herald

Monday, October 16

Horrific crash shatters body; heroic rescue has her battling

'To visit with Maureen DePrince, in her hospital room in Philadelphia, nearly two months after the horrific accident that severed her legs as she stood behind her parked U.S. mail van, is to gradually settle in on a theory of what makes a person a person.'
Philadelphia Inquirer

Postal machine does everything but talk

Automated teller service is convenient for customers, but some workers fear cuts in jobs
Newark Star Ledger

Postal Legislation on the Ropes

eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Commentary: Give Mailers Time to Prepare

Gene Del Polito commentary
Also from Postcom- click here to listen to the group's first podcast, discussing the complexities of the current rate case.

Friday, October 13

Bush to nominate former McHugh aide to chair PRC?

postalnews blog

Legionnaires' disease bacteria found in PO bathrooms in Connecticut

WTNH TV New Haven

Editorial: Postal Service should be more efficient, not less

Montana Standard

Thursday, October 12

BMG-Columbia House: Rate case will put us out of the mail order business

postalnews blog

Mail Carrier Mauled By Pit Bull

WEWS Cleveland

Anthrax suspect remains as elusive as bin Laden

Gannett News Service

Post Katrina: Curbside mailbox is a must

Biloxi Sun Herald

Wednesday, October 11

Postal Service must change, official says

Beckley (WV) Register-Herald

Lame Ducks, Angry Ducks

Mike Causey's Federal Report for FederalNewsRadio.com

Communication Breakdown Cited in Failed Postal Legislation

Washington Post

Tuesday, October 10

DIRECT

Where the Postman Always Honks Twice

For nearly two months, roughly 75,000 residents of East Harlem have not had a post office. Instead, they have a van.
New York Times

Connecticut postal worker has Legionnaires' Disease

Waterbury Republican American

Sunday, October 8

NYC Mailboxes: A Disappearing Act on a Corner Near You

New York Times

Saturday, October 7

California postal workers linked to ID theft

"An identity task force is trying to find a group of postal workers at the Industry post office involved in a scam that caused the loss of $1 million"
Associated Press

Mail Handler Contract Update

NPMHU web site

Friday, October 6

APWU: 'Day of Picketing to Expose Ill-Advised Consolidation Plans'

APWU News

Q&A: A New CFO Checks the Mail

CFO.com talks to the new finance chief of the U.S. Postal Service, Harold Glen Walker
CFO.com

A post-mortem on postal reform

Commentary by Bill McAllister via Postcom.org

'Tons' of opened mail found in postal worker's truck

Police say man also had cocaine in pickup
Dallas Morning News

South Dakota woman sentenced for misappropriation of postal funds

Press release

FedEx drivers set to vote on unionization

Tewksbury (MA) Advocate

Will Aunt Minnie show up to testify?

postalnews blog

Thursday, October 5

Potter Preparing for May 6 Increase

DMNews.com

Senator unsure of postal overhaul's lame duck prospects

Government Executive

Dallas Carrier Charged With Stealing Mail

KXAS TV Dallas-Fort Worth

USPS Awards Contract to Integrate Material Flow Controls into Wireless Vehicle Management System

Press release

Wednesday, October 4

NJ Congressman challenges FBI on anthrax investigation

Press Release

APWU Negotiations Update

APWU News

Overlooked Issue Forces Postal Reform Into Lame Duck Session

eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

Fate of Post Office Overhaul Is Up for Debate

Washington Post

Tuesday, October 3

Davis says reform bill will be 'finalized in November'

"the House was prepared to vote on a compromise version, and the Senate was ready to approve it by unanimous consent. But some members felt they needed to read the legislation before voting"
Government Executive

August financial results released

Net deficiency of $1.5 billion posted after escrow allocation
USPS News Link
click here for the complete results in .pdf format, or here for the Excel spreadsheet version

APWU: Postal Workers Avoid a Legislative Disaster

APWU News

PRC orders USPS to reconsider station closing

postalnews blog

Iowa postal worker dies in Iraq

WHO-TV

Monday, October 2

UPS: Collins blocked parcel compromise

UPS: "We reached an agreement that was palatable to UPS and the postal service. UPS and the postal service were walking in lockstep." However, ... when the compromise was presented to Sen. Collins' office, "they did not consider it or accept it."
DMNews.com

DMA Escalates War of Words with UPS

Multi Channel Merchant

NALC: Reform bill fails in Senate over COP issue

Your Congress at work:
"No conference committee was ever established and the bill that nearly passed the Senate was essentially a new version of the bill that none of our allies in the House, Democrat or Republican, had even seen. Indeed, few members of either the House or the Senate ever received a final version of the bill. Neither did the NALC or any of the other interested stakeholders. Had the House leadership forced a vote on it, few members of the House would have known for sure what was actually in the bill."
NALC eActivist Newsletter

NAPS: NALC stalled passage of reform bill

NAPS Legislative Newsletter via Postcom.org

Mail Handler Contract Update #7

Parties discuss subcontracting, safety
NPMHU web site

Friday, September 29

Montana postal workers to protest consolidation plans

Helena Independent Record

USPS tightens computer security rules

postalnews blog

Parcel dispute prevents agreement on reform bill

From Postcom.org:
"It has been reported that efforts to secure enactment of postal reform last night failed. Reportedly, disagreements over the disposition of single-piece parcels were insurmountable."

Thursday, September 28

Pitney Bowes to Manage USPS Transfer Center in Atlanta

Press release

APWU Sets Oct. 26 for Nationwide Day of Picketing

APWU News

Bush appoints Thurgood Marshall, Jr. to USPS Board

White House Personnel Announcement

USPS, customers at odds over mailboxes in Mississippi

Jackson Clarion-Ledger

Mail recovery items ending up on eBay, at flea markets

Cox News Service

Preparing for the Postal Rate Hike

MultiChannelMerchant

Wednesday, September 27

USPS posts new standards for domestic mail

The new rules for domestic mail under the proposed rate increase have been made available in today's Federal Register

Editorial: Going Postal On Taxpayers

"Postmaster General John E. Potter is right about one thing: His agency's former public affairs chief, Azeezaly S. Jaffer, has left quite a legacy."
Hartford Courant

Tuesday, September 26

Eleventh-Hour Debate Over Parcel Rates Could Kill Postal Reform

MultiChannelMerchant

Mail carrier's good works curbed by Postal Service

Muncie Star Press
click here to read the original article: "St. Francis of the Post Office"

Why It Pays To Organize

"Postal employees, the most unionized folks in the federal family, will continue to pay lower health insurance premiums than white collar civil servants next year."
Mike Causey for FederalNewsRadio.com

DMA Calls for Cooperation From Mailing Community on Postal Reform

DMNews.com

Burrus: Enough Is Enough!

"While mailing-industry spokesmen wage a constant propaganda tirade against the salary and benefits received by hard-working postal employees, behind closed doors these phonies demand continued excessive discounts in order to pad their own profits."
APWU News

Monday, September 25

Commitment to injury-reduction programs paying off for USPS

Federal Times

FBI Is Casting A Wider Net in Anthrax Attacks

Washington Post

Sunday, September 24

Is Mail Safer Since Anthrax Attacks?

Questions Remain About Post Office Security 5 Years After 5 Died
CBS News

Saturday, September 23

NLRB: APWU was guilty of unfair labor practices with its own employees

National Labor Relations Board

USPS takes customer complaints in Chicago

WLS TV Chicago

League President seeks better postal pay, benefits, budgets

Federal Times

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow ...

Still carrying the mail after 47 years
Framingham (MA) Tab

Postal Reform to be Kicked to Lame Duck Session

also: NAPUS to Congress: Protect Residential & Rural Parcel Post
eNAPUS Legislative Newsletter

APWU Negotiations Update

APWU News

Friday, September 22

Mail Handler Contract Update

NPMHU: The Mail Handler Update

Some Question PMG's May 6 Postal Increase Date

MultiChannelMerchant

Masked Men Rob Postal Truck

WPVI TV Philadelphia

FedEx Profit Rises 40% In 1st Quarter

Associated Press

Thursday, September 21

APWU Asks U.S. Lawmakers to Support Citizens’ Right to Be Heard on Consolidation

APWU News

Potter Says USPS Must Be Ready for May 6 Rate Increase

DMNews.com

DMA Calls on Members to Help Get Postal Reform Passed

DM News Blog

Unions want share of USPS financial success, protection for health benefits

postalnews blog

American Airlines shares in postal contract

Dallas Business Journal

Tea bag protest worries postal officials

Peoria Journal Star

Rural carrier beats ticket for not sitting behind the wheel

Associated Press

Wednesday, September 20

UPS, Teamsters kick off talks for new contract

Reuters

Payroll checks stolen from mail in Maryland

WJLA TV Washington

Postal Service downplays risk after loss of laptop

Palm Beach Post

Tuesday, September 19

After Jaffer case, USPS rewrites rules on expenses

Federal Times

DHL Global Mail Expands U.S. Mail Terminal Network with Phoenix Facility

DMNews.com

Monday, September 18

Jaffer Scandal Heats Up

"On Friday, Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) who chairs the House Committee on Government Reform, and the committee's ranking minority member, Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), sent a letter to Potter requesting a pile of records linked to Jaffer's case. "The Inspector General's report of clearly unacceptable conduct by a senior postal official is troubling to all of us," the letter reads. The Postal Service has until Sept. 28 to respond."
Washington Post
more: read Jaffer's response to the OIG charges

United Mail delivers big results

Expanding Louisville business counts its mailings in the millions
Louisville Courier Journal

Pre-Retirement Sickos

Mike Causey, Federal News Radio