Postal News - August 2008

Kenneth Jones vs. US Postal Service, illustrates why postal employees should think twice before appealing their discipline to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

New Book: Beware of Cat: And Other Encounters of a Letter Carrier

Video: Signed, Sealed and Delivered- Labor Struggle in the Post Office

August 31, 2008

Post Office Sent Porn Number To Pittsburghers |

Postal Service prepares for Gustav |

Air mail recalls its roots in the sky

August 30, 2008

Ex-Postal Workers Cite Problems
(Missouri) As the U.S. Postal Service sheds jobs in St. Joseph, two former employees lay the blame on management. A former postal employee suggests management is forcing hard-working employees to retire or quit amid a difficult work environment. As another carrier said, management is trying to get a lot of productivity through intimidation. And that’s not the most productive way to achieve goals.” |

Postal Fleet Bids Farewell

Post office workers sent John W. Kokocinski off in grand and unique fashion yesterday. Mr. Kokocinski, a longtime letter carrier out of Worcester’s East Central Street office, died at age 60 Tuesday of a heart attack suffered while he was working. A convoy of more than 100 postal service vehicles traveled the highway from Worcester to Mr. Kokocinski’s hometown of Webster. |

Mail service to close offices, stop pickup service in coming days

Postal employee missing
Ex-postal worker ordered to repay $8,000
'Snail-mail' looking sluggish
ID Thieves Use Postal Service To Find Targets
Gas Stations Out of Gas in New Orleans

New plant speeds up processing of mail

Absenteeism Report Irks Federal Employees

Rural postmasters see trend in mail usage

USPS Proposes Stiff Penalties For Move Update Noncompliance

August 29, 2008

The USPS' Softer Side
USPS Proposes Stiff Penalties For Move Update Noncompliance
North Carolina Post Offices Changing Hours Of Operation
Postal Service May Squeeze Shippers

August 28, 2008

NALC: OPM Approves Early Outs For Letter Carriers

The Office of Personnel Management has informed the Postal Service that it may offer voluntary early retirement to members of the city letter carrier craft. NALC President William H. Young said details of an early retirement agreement are being worked out and will be released once finalized. VERA Approved For All EAS and Postmasters | Early Outs Approved For Rural Carriers, MVS, Maintenance |

Postal Service Stats Put FedEx, UPS at Risk
"The number of parcels and packages that postal workers are toting around the country has declined sharply, according to government statistics, opening the prospect of fresh liabilities for the U.S. Postal Service's private-enterprise rivals, analysts said. According to the data, challenging economic conditions, the end of stimulus checks, and inflation in fuel prices have contributed to a pronounced selloff in package deliveries. Express mail shipments fell 14% in the quarter that ended in June. The pullback could have direct implications for FedEx , which has made as much as $1.2 billion a year flying priority mail packages for the USPS. But there are threats to the franchises of FedEx as well as United Parcel Service (UPS) simply from industry pressures." |

California Letter carrier loses leg after on-duty crash

Vallejo letter carrier remained in serious but stable condition in an area hospital Tuesday, 10 days after an on-duty crash cost him a leg, hospital and postal officials said. Manolo Colon of Brentwood said he's been unconscious for most of the time he's been in Walnut Creek's John Muir Medical Center, but was "doing a lot better" Tuesday. |

Postal Bulletin 8/28/08

Florida mail carrier saves a life

Kentucky postal worker robbed

News gets mailbox fixed at Bedford-Stuy building

Postal Service asks for mail tubs back

Arizona City residents take on U.S. Postal Service
USPS seeking comment on detached address labels
What Not To Give At The Office
DMA Ramps Up Lobbying Spending in Election Year

Smiths Detection Selected for Mobile Mail Screening Equipment

Gastonia rural carrier joins Million Mile club

August 27, 2008

Potter Addresses NAPUS Convention

Postmasters generated more than $150 million in revenue last year through Business Connect. “That’s where our focus has got to be — how are we going to grow the business?” said Potter. “You’re the leaders, you can motivate employees to go out and sell.” Potter commended the Postmasters for their contributions in keeping service performance high. “First and foremost our job is service, and when it comes to service you are doing a better job than we’ve ever done in our past,” he said. |

Sunset Junction Wouldn't Allow USPS to Deliver Mail

Deer head stuffed in mail drop box

Postal Inspectors ready for political conventions

UPS uses USPS, so should you |

No. 2 Oakland County Project: USPS Processing Center

Postal service cuts, hopes to survive

Cooling economy stalls relocation of Truckee post office

Emergency Motion of Capital One (PDF)

Postal worker stole 1915 baseball card |
Mail truck driver suspected of theft

Tribute: Mailman truly put the ‘service’ in postal service
Woman upset Winnsboro Post Office isn't handicap-accessible

August 26, 2008

APWU: Delegates Vow to Fight Privatization of Parcel Post
Maryland: Post office targets 350 street collection boxes for removal
PRC Issues Proposed Rulemaking for Periodic Reporting

Arizona: Postal worker charged with mail theft

August 25, 2008

PMG: Postal Service Could Lose $2 Billion This Year

The postmaster general says the postal service could lose about $2 billion this year due to tough economic times. John Potter told the National Association of Postmasters of the United States at their convention Monday in St. Louis that the postal service has to change to meet the demands of the American public. He says the postal service is working to control costs and increase business. He pointed to advertising through the mail as an area of potential growth. $2 Billion Confirmation and Other Odds and Ends | |

Eye on the environment

Interview with USPS VP of Sustainability - Sam Pulcrano on the challenge of sustainable postal operations. |

Mailman Turned Filmmaker Delivers Bloodbath with ONE LONG DAY

Diagnosing Anthrax

Teleconference on "Why 'Bad Guys' Like the U.S. Postal Service"

Postal Truck Fire

Postal Workers endorse Obama, forge ties with Letter Carriers

August 24, 2008

USPS Human Resources Letter On Calculating VER Annuity

High 3 average salary reflects average of past three years basic salary. Does not include higher level (HL), leave without pay hours (LWOP), overtime, night differential, awards, etc. OPM will include HL and LWOP and compute on the consecutive 3 year period providing the highest average if other than this period. Period covered in this annuity estimate - 9/1/2005 thru 1/1/2009 |

Mailman Pleads Guilty to Theft - But His Early Retirement Put On Hold - William E. Dague pleaded guilty to mail theft after an investigation. Dague, who's been with the post office for two decades, agreed to plead guilty to mail theft by a postal employee even before charges were filed, said U.S. District Attorney Martin Carlson. Postmaster said she put him on emergency suspension, but said he then retired. While Dague remains eligible for his pension, the decision to give it to him has been put on hold, pending the results of the federal court's decision. |

Postal requirements designed to help reduce bulk-mail waste

New York: Broken box stops USPS delivery

Man sentenced for printing over $300,000 fake postage meter stamps

Montana: Contract carrier pleads guilty to mail theft
This mailman really delivers

Georgia football hero Herschel Walker saluted with special postal service honor

Postal Worker pleads guilty to Workers’ Comp fraud
PRC proposes new reporting regulations

August 23, 2008

Post Office Worker Robbed at Gunpoint

Opposition to new postal center grows

Aviation fuel charges may bury bypass mail service

Removal of 13 mailboxes a hardship for seniors

August 22, 2008

EEOC Annual Report on U.S. Postal Service Work Force

This report covers the period from October 1, 2006, through September 30, 2007 and contains selected measures of agencies’ progress toward model EEO programs. Permanent Workforce: Out of 583,629 employees – 64.32% men and 35.68% women ( last year’s report 61.08% men and 38.92% women) |

Postal Customers P.O.'D Over Late Start

APWU: Convention Delegates Protest Goin' Postal Brand

Chicago Tribune, Valassis to Combine Direct-Mail Products

Wasps buzz in, postal carriers bug out

USPS extends early retirement offers to 130, 000 employees

August 21, 2008

Donahoe: All Field Non-Bargaining Position Postings Frozen

USPS posts net loss of $216 million in July -Letter sent to Area VPs: The July financial results were as follows: Volume was 5.4 percent under plan, revenue was 3.5 percent under plan, and expenses were 2.8 percent under plan, resulting in a net loss of $216 million. The net income loss and decreasing workload require a thorough review of all administrative positions. Headquarters is working with Area representatives to determine the appropriate field administrative staffing. As a result, effective immediately, all field non-bargaining position postings are frozen. |

APWU Endorses Barack Obama

“It’s time to bring about the real change that working families need,” Obama said, adding that it’s time to elect an administration “that doesn’t choke on the word ‘union. |

Two NY Postal Employees Arrested on Drug Trafficking Via US Mail

The investigation uncovered that large quantities of Marijuana were being transported from California via the US Postal system to Long Beach. The marijuana was shipped in boxes that contained approximately 50 lbs. of Marijuana addressed to fictitious Long Beach addressees. |

My Mail Carrier Likes Throwing Our Packages Up Several Flights Of Stairs |

Connecticut: Two Armed Robbers dressed as letter carriers invade home

Some forwarded mail takes long, slow route |
Missouri: St. Joseph sees loss of 19 postal service positions

Maryland: Post Office Removes Mailboxes To Save Money |

PA: Hanover mailman guilty of stealing the mail

Lillian Vernon’s New Owner Expands Catalog Plans

August 20, 2008

USPS Authorized To Offer More Voluntary Early Retirements
The Postal Service has received approval from the Office of Personnel Management to offer voluntary early retirement to all Headquarters and Headquarters-related employees — that includes service centers, organizational units and Area offices — in EAS and PCES positions. |

Postal Employee Killed At Des Moines BMC
A 64-year-old man was run over and killed by a tractor trailer he was operating at an Urbandale mail center early Wednesday morning. Police said the man was moving trailers at the Bulk Mail Center around 6:30 a.m. The postal employee put the vehicle in reverse and “for whatever reason” stepped out of the tractor “to check on something.” “He accidentally ran himself over,” |

Long Island police stamp out postal pot plan
'Junk Mail' to the Rescue in New Orleans
Letter with powder, threat sent to S.D. Senate candidate
Air mai l - Meet the newest entry in talk radio: post office jock Warren Powell

August 19, 2008

EEOC Finds Supervisor Retaliated Against Postal Disabled Vet

"Veteran Michael Anthony Smith was one of several veterans we talked to that claimed veterans' jobs and veterans' promotions were being given to less qualified non-veterans, a claim the post office denies." " Because we are disabled veterans, we're being chastised and made to suffer," Smith said. The judge recommended the manager who retaliated against Smith be suspended for 15 days. Smith was also awarded $10,000 for attorneys fees and costs." |

NALC's Young Addresses APWU Convention

In Historic Speech, NALC’s Young Emphasizes ‘Need to Work Together’ - Something’s got to change, and we’ve got make it happen,” Young said during an address to APWU delegates on the first day of the convention. “The men and women of the NALC are ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the men and women of the APWU to make sure that it does.” APWU: Convention Delegates Focus on Bargaining Priorities | APWU Convention News |

Florida: Mail Service Will Continue as Usual

The Challenge of Cutting Costs

New Postmaster Ready To Solve Problems in El Paso

Alabama Rural Carrier injured in wreck

Hold the mail to save dough and energy

PO Boxes Go Digital

Postal Service blocks more mailboxes in Sudden Valley

Cleveland: Postal Service probes repair, maintenance contracts

Bringing in the post

FBI Elaborates on Anthrax Case

Credit Card Mail Volume Drops for Third Consecutive Quarter

August 18, 2008

Postal Carrier Pleads Guilty To Delaying Mail

A 58-year-old former mail carrier admitted today in federal court that he had stashed thousands of pieces of junk mail at his home, opening himself up to a possible prison sentence. Steven Padgett, of Raleigh, was a veteran mail carrier, employed with the postal service since 1995... He found himself overwhelmed by the daily demands to deliver and collect mail on the strict schedule mandated by the U.S. Postal Service. Postal inspectors don't have a precise count of how much mail they took from Padgett's Raleigh home in May, but have filled up three-quarters of a tractor trailer with the mail found in Padgett's garage and even buried in his backyard." See Video |

Postal Manager Demoted Over Violation of NALC Contract?

The Level-20 Postal Manager "failed to provide information to the [NALC] union steward or to schedule “Formal A meetings” in the grievance process, which caused the steward to forward the grievances without management documentation and responses. The appellant’s failure to support management’s position at the Formal A step resulted in the “Step B Team” rendering decisions and awards totaling nearly $28,000 in the union’s favor. The appellant’s error cast doubt on her ability to manage her unit in a satisfactory and effective manner, and her inability to delegate duties to her supervisors and to timely complete tasks resulted in substantial financial liability for her unit." |

Obama Would Oppose Move To Contract Out Carrier Routes

- Obama promises a "Labor Department that would look out for the rights of union members and said he would oppose a move to contract U.S. Postal Service routes to private firms." |

Mail Carrier's Essays About Elderly Residents On Route in Running For $250,000 Prize - Murr Brewster, a 29- year Portland, OR mail carrier's second essay, "Edna Has Not Left the Building," just won a $20,000 top prize in a contest sponsored by the website FieldReport.com. "Edna," is a literary memory quilt of the elderly Portland Towers residents to whom Brewster delivered mail for three decades. The essay is now in the running for a promised $250,000 grand prize. |

The Anti-Lobbying Act — Lobbying Restrictions for Postal Employees - The Anti-Lobbying Act is a federal law that prohibits Postal Service officers and employees acting in their official capacity from engaging in grassroots lobbying campaigns that directly or indirectly encourage the public to contact government officials in support of, or in opposition to, proposed or pending legislation. Example: A Postal Service employee may not participate in a press conference organized by a non-governmental advocacy group called to criticize a legislative proposal, nor may an employee ghostwrite statements for a grassroots lobbying campaign. Reader: Anti-Lobbying Act? Like the Mail Network Protection Act or FERS Sick-Leave Bill? |

APWU: Convention Highlights Video Available on Web Site, Hotel TV

You've got mail... It's around here somewhere ..we'll find most of it

New USPS “Mark of the Eagle” video debuts today |

Delayed Saturday delivery of Des Moines mail in change |
Californians may be green with envy at postal vehicle

USPS Now Offers PO Boxes Online

APWU Offers AFLAC Specified Health Event and Cancer Insurance
2008 Rising Star Kevin Roberson - USPS Information systems security Specialist |

August 17, 2008

Disappearing mailbox blues

Airline passengers using the post office |

August 16, 2008

USPS To Request VER Authorization For Additional Positions

"As part of a broader strategic plan, we have made a decision to request authorization for additional positions, including those that you [NAPS] are recommending." |

NPMHU unanimously endorses Obama at convention

The Mail Handlers Union unanimously endorsed Barrack Obama for President in the forthcoming US Presidential elections. The delegates pledged to work to get postal workers everywhere to get out and vote and to mobilize their members to vote on November 4 to put Barrack Obama into the White House. |

Mail service shifts some mail processing in Maine |

VA: Postmaster’s shooting death still a mystery |

Postal Worker Accused Of Not Delivering Mail
Teen charged in attack on postal employee
US Postal Service now a lifesaver |
Man posing as mailman robs NY suburban home |
eNAPUS: Convention Gives Postmasters Chance to Query PRC
USPS Requests To Add Express Mail Contract to Competitive Product List

August 15, 2008

Seniors balk at mobile postal truck elimination

Postal Service reverses decision to send Dublin mail to San Ramon

Authorities form postal crimes task force in SC

'Significant shipping issues' haunt Netflix

August 14, 2008

APWU: $1,477 COLA Increase Will Be Highest in History

$1,477 per year, $56.80 per pay period or 71 cents per hour. “This is not only the largest COLA increase under the current contract,” said APWU President William Burrus, “but the largest such raise we’ve ever achieved. Pay Scales

NALC: Letter Carriers To Get $1,498 - The COLA, effective the pay period beginning August 30 (pay date September 19), is the third of eight COLAs included in the 2006-2011 contract. The new COLA is equivalent to 72 cents per hour, or $57.60 per pay period. NRLCA: $1,497 for Rural Carriers |

NYC Lawmakers Take Aim At Postal Fraud

The post office isn't as safe as it looks - that's the message a group of New York City politicians is trying to send. The lawmakers held a news conference in New York on Wednesday to urge the United States Postal Service to impose more stringent rules on how people forward their mail to new addresses. Identities Stolen Due To Post Office Loophole |

Former NY Postmaster Admits $100,000 Theft From P.O.

U.S. Attorney Terrance Flynn says the former Postmaster stole Postal Service money orders and proceeds from stamp sales while she was postmaster . |

Postal Bulletin 8/14/08 Issue - Waiver of Signature, more

Valpak among Cox properties for sale

When Crime Carries a Postage Stamp

Authorities form postal crimes task force in SC

Ex-postmaster faces misdemeanor

Ex-postal worker charged with theft
Alabama mail carrier robbed

Appeals Court Upholds Verdict Against Mail Carrier |

Anthrax hair samples don't match |

Reality and the Postal Service don't mix |
Wisconsin PO closes for air quality tests |
One dead as pickup, contract postal trucks collide, smash into gas station

August 13, 2008

USPS Cuts Employee Hours In Response To Mail Volume Loss

Due to initiatives to reduce work hours and overtime, compensation expenses for the US Postal Service dropped by $247 million — or about 2.5% — in the third quarter compared to the same period last year, according to a financial report that the USPS has filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission. The cuts in employee hours were in response to mail volume decreases, the agency said. The filing also said that new labor agreements implemented in 2007 allowed for a reduction in overtime hours and overall labor rates. |

Postal Worker's Self-Defense Claim Can't Save Job

A Postal Mail Handler / Union Official appealed his removal to MSPB. USPS issued him a removal based on a charge of Improper Conduct/Violation of Zero Tolerance Policy after the employee engaged in a physical altercation with a co-worker. The employee contended that the removal was improper because he was physically assaulted by his co-worker and was merely defending himself. MSPB initially mitigated the removal to 30-day suspension. But MSPB found that because the employee did not retreat in good faith before the fight began, he could not successfully claim self-defense. MSPB also claimed the employee instigated the fight by calling his co-worker "a dummy." Therefore, the MSPB concluded that the Administrative Judge erred in considering the self-defense claim and sustained the removal. |

Late Mail Deliveries Upset Residents, Challenge Post Office

Fred Richardson has been awaiting the restoration of his mail delivery to a more normal hour. He used see his mail carrier's truck before noon, but since Aug. 2, when the U.S. Postal Service imposed major route changes on Meriden, he hasn't seen it before 6 p.m. The union representing the mail carriers had told the post office that the route changes, originally planned using a computer program, would wreak havoc on delivery time, said Paul Daniels, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Connecticut Merged Branch 20, but it was ignored. |

NPMHU: National Convention 2008 Updates

Election: National President John F. Hegarty, National Secretary-Treasurer Mark A. Gardner and others were nominated without opposition and therefore re-elected by acclamation. |

Mail Carrier Delivers Accident Victim to Safety

Mail carrier discovers body outside duplex

Forbes: A Guide To Going Postal

A Windfall That Will Blow You Away

Postal Worker Accused Of Raiding Mail To Steal Pills |

Flag Missing at Post Office

August 12, 2008

USPS to adopt new bar coding system

Vandals damage Barre Post Office trucks
Stamping the foot: Carriers walk to reduce fuel consumption

Contract carrier injured after collision with school bus

USPS places limits on services during Democratic National Convention
Automated Postal Center: 'Use it or lose it'

August 11, 2008

Postal Worker Indicted For Misuse of Credit Card

The Postal Supervisor is accused of using the card to obtain $8,000 by making "unauthorized personal credit card charges and automatic teller machine cash withdrawals. The federal grand jury indictment describes Atchison as a supervisor at the postal service's Colorado Springs processing and distribution center. |

August 10, 2008

Anthrax Case Had Costs for Suspects

Analysis: What if a jury heard the anthrax case?

Complaint of Capital One Services, Inc.

USPS supports price incentives for full-service IMB

August 9, 2008

NPMHU: All VER-Eligible Postal Employees May Not Be Approved

On August 18, 2008, an annuity estimate will be mailed to all VER-eligible employees from Eagan, MN. However, there is no guarantee that everyone who applies will be approved. In other words, just because a mail handler gets a VER offer in the mail will not – we repeat, NOT – guarantee a VER. The extent of this VER is still undetermined, according to what we have been told by management. Management claims that it still needs to consult with Areas and Districts to determine if there are any locations not to be covered. We have also been told that the numbers of VERs in any Plant may be limited if operations dictate, and that if they are so limited, those mail handlers having the earliest retirement computation dates will be allowed to go. The Union is demanding that this be VER be available to all Mail Handlers |

Tracy mailman delivers a little help on his route |
Georgia man accused of stealing postal equipment |
UPS spent more than $1.3M lobbying in 2Q |

August 8, 2008

NAPS Challenges USPS Network Plan, Questions USPS Outsourcing

The National Association of Postal Supervisors has questioned the Postal Service's plans for the use of contracting out in realigning its mail processing and distribution network and has encouraged Congress to ask the Postal Service where it's headed in its reliance on private contractors to process and transport mail. The potential for USPS outsourcing to private contractors of the responsibility for processing and distribution of mail, in light of stalled USPS efforts to privatize mail delivery, holds huge implications -- both financial and political -- for the USPS, not to mention its 700,000 employee workforce." |

Postal Employee Indicted For Threatening Supervisor
According to the indictment, on July 26, 2008 Mail Handler Samuel Kemp was called into the supervisor’s office to address the concern that he was under the influence of alcohol while on duty. Postal officials called for local police assistance in having Kemp removed from the facility. According to the indictment, Kemp became belligerent and threatened to kill his supervisor. Kemp was charged in a one count indictment with forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating and interfering with his Postal Supervisor while he was engaged in his official duties. |

APWU: Dispute Over USPS Refusal to Accept FMLA Medical Certification Appealed to Arbitration - The APWU has appealed to arbitration a dispute over the Postal Service's refusal to accept medical certification for chronic conditions covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act if not submitted at the time of the absence. Copy of the Appeal to Arbitration (PDF) |

Postal Employee Reassigned During Investigation of Stolen Passports

A Mount Pleasant postal employee has been re-assigned in the midst of an investigation into a stack of stolen passport applications. Last Thursday, several people learned their passport applications were stolen while the employee was at lunch. On those applications were names, birthdates, social security numbers, travel plans and much more. Checks were also stolen along with those applications. |

McCain calls for probe of company he once aided | McCain asks for probe of DHL cutbacks |

South Carolina Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Stealing Mail

Closing Of Anthrax Case Could Mean Review Of Mail Security

Local APWU Pres. Seeks Answers in Anthrax Investigation

Minivan slams into Oceanside Post Office
Stamp mistake not noticed until billions printed

August 7, 2008

Postal worker plans to change plea

US: Ivins Solely Responsible for Anthrax Attacks

PMG Addresses Anthrax in the News

Collectors Discover Flag Stamp Has 14 Stripes

Postal worker sentenced to jail for Tiburon pursuit

What is this Hatch Act you speak of?

August 6, 2008

USPS Posts $1.1 Billion Loss For Third Quarter

The U.S. Postal Service ended its third fiscal year quarter (April 1 – June 30) with a greater-than-expected net loss of $1.1 billion. The national economic slowdown reduced mail volume at an accelerated pace and continued inflation in fuel prices produced rapidly escalating transportation costs. Loss Could Force Maximum Rate Hike Next Year | Archive: USPS Reports Second Quarter Loss of $707 Million |

Mailing industry Think Tank Plots An FSS Future

During the two-day meeting, USPS gave a presentation on the Flats Sequencing System (FSS) at the Dulles P&DC in Merrifield, VA. The Postal Service’s FSS presentation was a central feature of the meeting, attended by USPS representatives and IDEAlliance, a mailing industry research organization. Participants shared ideas about mail preparation and processing technologies, including a strategy to coordinate the printing and distribution process with FSS. USPS OIG Audit: FSS - Production First Article Testing Readiness and Quality (PDF) |

Caller threatens shooting at Boulder post office

"Police said a man identifying himself as a former postal worker threatened to “shoot a bunch of people” after an “irate” conversation he had with an employee at the Valmont post office Tuesday afternoon." |

The FERS is Flying |

USPS cuts impede 'We Deliver' promise |

Report Outlines Junk Mail's Climate Impacts |

Federal agent dies after Fla. post office shooting

Mail Carrier among 12 arrested in drug probe |

APWU: H.R. 4236 Gains 16 More Cosponsors

August 5, 2008

Postal Manager Indicted for FMLA Fraud

"In United States of America v. Edward Mosby, the court denied the employee's motion to dismiss the criminal indictment against him for fraudulently securing FMLA/paid sick leave based on his alleged inability to work in order to sell real estate full time as an independent real estate broker. Mosby was employed full time as a Manager of Customer Service at the Ridge Branch Post Office in Richmond, Virginia. The indictment alleges that, in violation of federal law, Mosby neglected to inform the Postal Service of this alternative employment. The charge asserts that Mosby submitted false medical documentation to secure paid sick leave/FMLA leave costing the Postal Service over $ 18K." "Mosby maintained that USPS contacted his physician to obtain confidential medical information without his knowledge or consent. The Government asserted that (1) Mosby waived his privacy rights for official representatives and (2) there is a law enforcement exception to HIPAA." |

Waterbury, CT post office may close

Sen. Joan V. Hartley, D-15th District, said she has tried in vain to work with the postal service for the past three years to improve the speed and efficiency of mail delivery and to bring mail processing back to Waterbury. She doesn't believe the postal service has much interest in improving service and believes customers, politicians and postal workers need to work together for changes." We're frustrated because we feel like we're, pardon the expression, spitting in the wind," she said to union representatives about her interactions with U.S. Postal Service management in Washington, D.C. "What they've been telling us is not consistent with what they've been doing." |

Post Office turmoil results in resignation |

30 protesters block access to Kittanning Post Office

Is your Netflix queue destroying the environment?
Former Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft

Meriden, CT postal routes cut |

Rogersville mail carrier bound over on attempted murder charge

Pallet Lessons from the USPS | See: GPS Tracking for USPS Pallets

August 4, 2008

CFO: Tools Guide Postal Service Decision-Making
The dawn of this new era seemed like the perfect time to take a more proactive and comprehensive approach to risk management, one that has been gaining traction in the private sector. Last year we implemented Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), enabling the Postal Service to identify and make intelligent risk decisions as we address important business issues. We are able to systematically and effectively identify, evaluate and, where appropriate, mitigate significant risks and opportunity losses to the Postal Service. One tool we use is risk heat maps, which prioritize and focus our efforts. |

USPS Selects AspireHR Software for E-Recruiting Initiative

TSP funds slide again in July - Only the G fund gains; L Income fund holds steady.

Ex-postmaster cleared in theft investigation

UPS nears agreement with drivers, handlers

New post office to cut hours; Long wait for mail service disappoints Fowlerville

August 3, 2008

Opinion: Time for Bold Moves: USPS Facing $3 Billion Loss In Revenue? The combination of secular and cyclical trends are having a devastating impact on postal volumes and revenue and cost-cutting efforts cannot happen fast enough to counter the decline in revenue. If the Postal Service was a private sector firm, it could take action quickly to respond to this worsening financial situation. However, it is not and introducing new products, changing the processing network, restructuring transportation contracting, realigning carrier routes, closing unprofitable Post Offices must be completed through a time consuming process that forces it to bear losses that a private sector firm could avoid. None of these changes are delicate and all face opposition from well-entrenched stake holders who have an interest in delaying change. |

Tiff with postal carrier keeps some ballots out of mail |

Shipping costs start to crimp globalization

August 1, 2008

Postal Service Recommends VERA for Postmasters

"the Postal Service had sent to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) their own letter recommending a VERA (early out) for Postmasters. Mr. Jones was careful to point out that even if OPM approves the request, the Postal Service may not choose to exercise the option of an early out for Postmasters. If approved, and if the Postal Service decides to offer the VERA to Postmasters, the VERA will occur over the next two years. The request sent to OPM would cover all Postmasters, levels 11 through 24." |

Anthrax Victims React to Ivins' Death With Mixed Emotions
Survivors of the 2001 anthrax attacks and relatives of the victims expressed various reactions today to news of a possible break in the case, with some expressing relief and gratitude and others remaining skeptical. Postal workers go without answers | Hamilton Postal Workers Never Forgotten | Chief Suspect In US Anthrax Attacks Found Dead -The chief suspect in the 2001 anthrax postal attacks in the US has died from an apparent suicide just as the Justice Department was to file criminal charges. The focus was moved to Bruce Ivins after the head of the anthrax investigation was moved. His replacement ordered agents to re-examine leads or potential suspects, and this led the FBI back to USAMRIID, where agents had first questioned scientists including Mr. Ivins in December 2001, a few weeks after the fatal mailings. |

Abandoned postal truck was the result of a medical emergency

Motorist dead after Postal Service 18-wheeler jumps divide
Export community unites to bring postal facility back