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Colorful Pay and Holiday Postal Calendar for 2014 (PDF)

Thanks to Jim Edwards, Bloomington IL Area APWU Local 228 for sharing calendar with PostalReporter readers. The easy to read colorful calendar shows paydates, pay periods and holidays.

Website Displays Postal Employees Names, Salaries, Position, Date Hired And Work Facility

FSS Deployment Schedule

Flat Sequencing System Photos, Deployment Schedule By Zip Code and More..

Postal Employee Legal Cases

News from Postalblog

DOL Accuses USPS of Destroying Evidence in Whistleblower Case

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor sued USPS for retaliating against a Safety Specialist at the Seattle, Washington P&DC. The DOL notification included an “admonishment to refrain from destroying documents or records that might be requested by OSHA. The DOL is accusing USPS for failing to preserve the records as required. Comments (Count)

Michigan Letter Carrier Attacked By Armed Robbers While Delivering Mail at 7:15 pm - Clarification: Police say 7:15pm, news media cite 7:20pm as the time of robbery. The postal worker told police he was walking back to his mail truck when he was approached by a man who then brandished a handgun. According to police, the gunman forced the worker to the ground and took the vehicle’s keys so he could open the rear door to the mail truck San Francisco Mail carrier robbed Comments (Count)

Senator Schumer to propose end to restrictions on shipping alcohol through USPS- The end of the law would generate an estimated $225 million of increased annual revenue and benefit the 12,090 postal-service jobs in upstate New York. Comments (Count)

USPS OIG Some N.J. mail carriers told to report for work during Superstorm Sandy A report by the U.S. Postal Service’s inspector general on the service’s hurricane response said managers at that post office told employees they must report for work on the day the massive, devastating storm hit, despite the fact that the facility was within a mandatory evacuation zone.But the floodwaters rose quickly, trapping several employees at the facility and requiring rescue by the Coast Guard. Comments (Count)

USPS Management Proposing A New Retirement System

Under the Postal Reorganization Act, the Postal Service is obligated to provide wages and benefits comparable to those provided in the private sector. However, Postal Service management believes that the FERS system is more costly and does not compare to retirement benefits provided in the private sector. Comments (Count)

PMG Tells Senate: USPS in Midst of Financial Disaster, Liquidity Remains Dangerously Low financial condition is so precarious, and the legislative process is so uncertain, we’ve reached the point that we have to consider price increases above the rate of inflation,” said Donahoe. In Senate Testimony, Guffey Blasts Carper-Coburn Postal Reform Bill |

PMG: No PO or mail processing center closures during postal reform bill debate |

Senator McCaskill Aims for Responsible Postal Reform |

NALC: Few surprises in first of two hearings on S. 1486 Comments (Count)

GAO: USPS Proposed Health Plan Could Improve Financial Condition, but Impact on Medicare and Other Issues Should Be Weighed before Approval The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) would likely realize large financial gains from its proposed health care plan, primarily by increasing retirees’ use of Medicare. Some elements of USPS’s proposal would add uncertainties that could reduce funds available for its employees’ and retirees’ future health care. GAO: USPS Healthcare Plan Would Hurt Medicare, Postal Worker s |USPS Plan to Pull Out of Fed Health Benefits Could Cost Postal Workers | USPS Plan: Make Medicare Pay Our Bills Comments (Count)

PMG Responds to GAO Report On USPS Healthcare Plan

Post and Pa rcel - Without addressing the cost issue in a responsible way, the Postal Service may be unable to afford to provide health care benefits to retirees. Our proposal assures that we will. Comments (Count)

USPS Seeking National Contract for Rental, Leasing of Minivans & Cargo Vans

According to USPS: Presently, there are not sufficient capital funds to purchase new equipment. Comments (Count)

USPS Loss For January 2013 $437 Million -- Year To Date loss for FY 2013 $1.7 billion - USPS reported a net operating loss of $437 million for the month of January 2013. Comments (Count)

USPS To Close Wichita Remote Encoding Center --797 employees affected

The U.S. Postal Service today announced the Wichita Remote Encoding Center (REC) will close no sooner than September of 2013, as technology enhancements have made the need for RECs virtually obsolete. Comments (Count)

USPS to Launch New Product Line of Apparel and Accessories

The agreement leverages Postal Service intellectual property by introducing the Rain Heat & Snow brand of apparel and accessory products. Comments (Count)

USPS spending $2.2 million to send execs to National Postal Forum

Documents obtained by MacFarlane show the event will cost the agency approximately $2.2 million, including travel and $220,000 for exhibit space. Postal Service Defends Pricey Conference| The National Postal Forum Is NOT a Party | Lawmakers demanding answers over postal conference | Video from KTVU 2: :USPS conference Comments (Count)


			February 28, 2014 Arbitrator blocks USPS from excessing Non Full-Time Clerks into Full-Time Letter Carrier jobs - The Letter Carriers’ Union prevailed in arbitration securing an award by Arbitrator Nolan prohibiting the Postal Service from reassigning any clerk craft employee who does not meet the definition of full-time employee under the NALC contract into a full-time carrier craft position Comments (Count) Family of mail carrier murdered near DC wonders if new beating, abduction connected The family of a mail carrier from Rock Hill who was killed while delivering mail Nov. 23 outside Washington, D.C., is wondering if there is a connection between that unsolved crime and the abduction and beating of a postal carrier in Washington on Tuesday afternoon. Postal inspectors have told Washington, D.C.-area media that one angle being looked at is the attackers were looking for drugs that may have been sent to the neighborhood through the mail. Comments (Count) Postal Worker charged with fraudulent receipt of benefits from VA and workers comp Edmond Postal Worker Accused Of Trafficking Drugs Big data eases Postal Service management Postal Service delays decision on facilities closure; cites better finances Former Florida mailman stole refund checks Postal Service Announces Operations Industrial Engineer Job Openings Partially Blind Man with service dog alleges he was denied service Bedford-Stuyesant PO Postal increase expected to hurt printers Kentucky postal worker pleads not guilty to stealing postal funds, drug charges
			February 27, 2014 Amazon, USPS gear up to launch Sunday delivery in St. Louis Bill Lister, local union president for the NALC, said Sunday delivery in this region was originally set to launch this month. The delay to March, he said, was due in part to the Postal Service’s needing more time to hone its scanning procedures and to update some of the local hubs with the technology needed to download information about delivery routes. He said that it would be the Postal Service’s lower-wage employees with minimal benefits — the “noncareer” workers whose employment is renewed on a yearly basis — who will be delivering the packages on Sunday. Comments (Count) Milwaukee mail carrier beaten and robbed on route "Two unknown suspects came down to him, threw him down off the stairs, began beating him up and asked for money, took his satchel and ran off," Postal Inspector Brian Haraway said. Comments (Count) APWU: US PS Declares War On Custodial Staffing Again! Management notified the APWU on Jan. 22 of an attempt to modify the MS-47 Handbook, which establishes guidelines for housekeeping and determines the number of custodians that will be assigned to facilities. Comments (Count) Mail Handlers to Receive Wage Increase Effective March 8, 2014 all career Mail Handler craft employees are scheduled to receive the first of seven possible cost of-living (COLA) adjustments.. Comments (Count) Are you sleeping with the frenemy? Is it time for federal and postal unions to rethink their long-time BFF relationship with Democrats in Congress and the White House? Just a thought! Over the past four decades, federal unions — at least at the leadership level — have become totally predictable when it comes to picking sides. Democrats now take their support for granted. Comments (Count) Two Men Charged in Robbery and Shooting of Postal Truck Driver in Georgia - “The victim in this case–an on-duty postal employee–was shot, bound, and left for dead,” “Postal Service employees should not have to work in fear of attack as they carry out their duties Comments (Count) What’s Different About Staples? Many APWU members have asked, “What makes the Staples program so important? How is it different from the other programs that outsource postal retail functions – the grocery stores that sell stamps and the Village Post Offices in hardware stores and gas stations in small towns? APWU: 'Stop Staples' Campaign Gets Off to a Strong Start Comments (Count) New Jersey: Millburn Township residents asking, 'Where's my mail? Residents say their mail is not only coming late, but that they are receiving incorrect mail and envelopes that have been tampered with. Residents, officials slam postal delivery - Inconsistent mail deliveries in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of New Hyde Park - including two or more consecutive days of no mail deliveries - continue to frustrate residents and local officials. Comments (Count) USPS Zero tolerance: Promoting a respectful, safe work environment USPS is committed to promoting a respectful and safe work environment for all employees — one that’s free of threats, violence and fear. Comments (Count) Gone postal: Staten Island mail worker allegedly attacks, threatens to kill supervisor A female city carrier assistant at the Manor Road Post Office in Castleton Corners beat a supervisor, cursing and threatening to kill the woman during a heated dispute Monday, police allege. According to court papers and a law enforcement source, the CCA and the 36-year-old victim became embroiled in a dispute in the parking lot. The genesis of the clash was not immediately clear. The suspect punched the woman "multiple times" in the head, causing bruising and swelling, said court documents. Not finished, she went to her car to retrieve an aluminum baseball bat and tried to approach the victim, said court papers. Comments (Count) Video: Delivery Drivers Bust Through Berms to Reach Clients Federal insurance program won't offer self plus 1 option until 2016 Stockton, CA : Arrest made in rash of mail thefts Bodamer retires from USPS after 35 years Canada: City of Vancouver has larger postage bill in the mail California: Post Office Catalina post office in Pasadena closed after employees complain of odor Video: What Are The Weather Rules When It Comes To Delivering Mail?
			February 26, 2014 USPS grants pay increases and bonuses to retain Rural Carriers in Western North Dakota - Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Postal Service has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Rural Letter Carriers Association that will grant pay increases and bonuses to recruit and retain rural carriers in the Bakken region, including Minot, Dickinson, Williston, Watford City and most of the communities in western North Dakota, effective May 17, 2014. The increases are designed to attract and retain rural carriers. Comments (Count) Maryland Letter Carrier Charged in Mail, Bank and Tax Fraud Scheme The letter carrier "engaged in a scheme to defraud the IRS of $$millions, the Thrift Saving Plan and the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union by sending fictitious financial instruments Comments (Count) Postal Worker tied up, assaulted and robbed while delivering mail in DC Police say the victim was on his postal route when the attack to place. The man was taken to a local hospital. He treated for his injuries and later released. Reward of up to $50,000 offered for information on robbery and assault of DC Letter Carrier \| D.C. postal worker may have been targeted Comments (Count) California Man Accused of Slashing Tires on Mail Trucks Maine postal manager sentenced to probation for stealing drugs intended for veterans Houston: Senior Citizens and Activists Continue to Fight Historic Post Office Closure Fighting Schemes to Privatize the USPS Video: Lombard, IL residents say they’re frustrated by sporadic mail delivery Woman rams car into Tigard post office Video: How safe is the mail you drop in postal boxes?
			February 25, 2014 USPS lost over $1 billion with prefunding for Jan 2014; operations income $122 million without - The USPS reported a net loss of $1.026 billion for January 2014 according to preliminary (unaudited) data submitted to PRC. Comments (Count) Video: Texas carrier cuts route short, stamps mail return to sender Officials with the United States Postal Service say they have fired a City carrier assistant working out of Irving, TX for skipping part of his route and not delivering a significant amount of mail by simply marking the letters and packages ‘return to sender.’ Comments (Count) Video: North Carolina TV Station 9 investigates reports of USPS employees with criminal convictions Channel 9 was tipped off about two employees who work in supervisory roles at two postal facilities in Charlotte and they both have criminal convictions on their records. Comments (Count) Pennsylvania Letter Carrier injured in hit-and-run while delivering mail “The police report indicated that he was hit and thrown up on the hood. (The driver) had to have known (he hit someone),” Butler police Lt. Dave Delcamo said Comments (Count) Americans Prefer Technology Over Paper to Complete and File Tax Returns Owner of bulk mailing company sentenced to two years in prison for multimillion-Dollar fraud Stamp of disapproval The Post Office as a Payday Lender? Return to Sender Canadian postal workers battle to save door-to-door delivery Congress and Backroom Trade Pacts Grease Skids for FedEx at the Expense of the USPS
			February 24, 2014 Care packages for troops stuck in DeKalb post office for months A spokesperson for the United States Postal Service sent a statement, saying, “Due to a paperwork error by the Postal Service, Kingsbridge Retirement Center’s mailing destined for U.S. troops overseas was not processed in a timely manner. Video: Post Office delivers 125 care packages 3 months late Comments (Count) Video: Long Island, NY residents blast USPS over late-night, lack of mail deliveries - Some Long Island residents think the U.S. Postal Service’s motto needs to be revised. That’s because snow, rain and gloom of night have been getting in the way of their mail deliveries. And that’s not all: They say they’re not getting mail on perfect weather days either. Comments (Count) CBRE rejects feds report slamming USPS for lack of ‘arm’s length’ real estate deals - CB Richard Ellis is fighting back against a report from the nation’s Office of Inspector General criticizing the U.S. Postal Service for putting itself at financial risk by allowing the commercial real estate firm to negotiate sales and leases of postal property on behalf of the agency while at the same time representing prospective buyers and renters. Comments (Count) PRC Among The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government For the second year in a row, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) is designated one of The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government. Comments (Count) Postal Workers Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) Will Be ZERO There will be no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for letter carriers and APWU represented employees because the Feb. 20 release of the January Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed no increase in the CPI between July 2013 and January 2014. However, under the terms of NALC agreement, the deferred payment of the previously announced first COLA, $146 annually, will take effect in the second full pay period after today’s release of the January CPI Comments (Count) Online Buyer Sues USPS for Denying Insurance Claim eCommerce Bytes - A man who ordered tractor parts online for over one thousand dollars has sued the United States of America and the U.S. Postal Service, claiming the USPS lost his package but refused to honor his insurance claim. note: Perhaps the buyer (and wife) need to change who they are suing from "United States Parcel Service" Comments (Count) In reversal, Postal Service to keep Manatee, FL distribution center Roughly 126 Manatee County jobs were saved Sunday when it was officially announced the U.S. Postal Service Distribution Center in Tallevast will remain open. It had been scheduled to close this month. the Postal Service was swayed by in-depth number-crunching indicating moving the jobs to Fort Myers would not save the money initially projected and the southern Florida site was more vulnerable to hurricanes than the Tallevast facility. Comments (Count) Postal Officials Don't Know Whether the FSS Is Saving Money Dead Tree Edition - Both postal officials and mailers have been hoping for several years that FSS would yield substantial decreases in the cost of handling and delivering flat mail. But only about 30% of flat mail is being processed on the football-field-sized machines, which are failing to live up to expectations and have led to a legal dispute between USPS and the company that built the machines.“Based on available information it appears that [increased use of FSS] either lowered costs or left them unchanged,” the Postal Service recently told the Postal Regulatory Commission Comments (Count) Postal Service’s Load Leveling plan hits a load of opposition Save the Post Office - There may be another explanation for why carriers have been told to return by 6. The Capital area is one of the places where the Postal Service has been testing Load Leveling, the plan to slow down delivery of some Standard Mail in order to spread the volume out more evenly during the week and get carriers back in the office sooner. It’s possible that the Postal Service told carriers to return before 6 in order to show that the Load Leveling plan will work as advertised.The problem with this theory is that the dates don’t quite work out. Comments (Count) US Needs to Pay Attention to Canada’s Delivery Decisions Catalog mailers consider strategies to offset hefty USPS rate increase Alabama Students Start Their Own Post Office Vandals target postal service mailboxes in Rio Rancho An insider's look at how the Postal Service decides what we stick on our envelopes
			February 23, 2014 Florida: Editorial- Postal Service's new demand (to install cluster boxes) fails to deliver Maplewood you've got (no) mail: Residents say delayed deliveries are getting worse February 22, 2014 Video: Turkey attacks Greensboro mail carrier; bird a ‘public threat’ Guilford County Animal Control says the turkey attacked her from behind when she was walking back to her truck after delivering a letter at a home. Comments (Count) Controversial Charlton Heston Stamp Not Yet a Done Deal USPS delivers bad news to Clam Gulch postmaster Loved one's ashes lost in mail; Postal Service admits it dropped the ball Video: Staten Island Woman Furious After USPS Loses Track Of Her Father’s Ashes
			February 21, 2014 APWU Opposes USPS Proposal To Slow Down Standard Mail In a filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission on Feb. 20, the APWU strenuously opposed a USPS proposal to reduce service standards for Standard Mail. The USPS has asked the Commission for an advisory opinion on the proposal, which the USPS claims would alleviate a problem with heavy workloads on Monday by permitting delivery on Tuesday of Standard Mail that now is due to be delivered on Monday. Comments (Count) Top U.S. Postal Service Suppliers for Fiscal Year 2013 top U.S. Postal Service suppliers in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 was compiled based on data received in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Comments (Count) Texas Mail Carrier sentenced to 30 Months prison, repay $402,789 in jewelry theft case - According to documents filed in the case, from June 2011 and December 2012, McDonald stole jewelry items mailed from CAI to the company’s corporate address in Fort Worth. Comments (Count) Push underway to restore mail processing in Lafayette - Mail routes to Baton Rouge, delaying delivery by days, union says Pennsylvania Letter Carrier charged with stealing from mail Video: Hollywood man arrested for mail theft after using master key Muscle Car Stamps Among Sports Items to be auctioned on eBay ARREST MADE: Postal Worker Shot With BB Gun Teaneck post office closed, declared ‘unsafe’ after possible snow-related damage Police say Florida post office robbery was a hoax USPS apologizes for late mail, blames snow California: Collection mailbox "tampered with," officials say Nashville marketing firm employees say they may have helped to steal over $100,000 from USPS Mail delivery another victim of the storm Worst winter has meant injuries for letter carriers Water bills not received due to postal error
			February 20, 2014 APWU: Excessing, Job Withholding Due to Consolidations on ‘Indefinite Hold’ As a result, the Postal Service is now releasing “residual vacancies” that were being withheld. Residual vacancies are duty assignments that remain vacant after completion of a bidding cycle. Comments (Count) Texas Postal Worker sues USPS claiming unreasonable search of personal items at work - According to the complaint, Jones was an employee of the Postal Service. Jones states he had a reasonable expectation of privacy concerning his personal communications and effects at his place of employment. He alleges the defendant violated his protected rights by engaging in unreasonable searches in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The plaintiff further alleges the defendant violated the Postal Service Privacy Act by disclosing information about the plaintiff to another Postal Service employee, “who had no official need to know the disclosed information.” Comments (Count) Q&A: Postal Service CFO Joe Corbett List of who or what image will be featured on postage stamps for 2014 and beyond USPS warns postal employees of ‘One-ring’ telephone scams USPS: National Consumer Protection Week, March 2–8, 2014 Police search for masked, armed trio who robbed Florida post office USPS truck involved in hit-and-run American love getting their mail, not sure why USPS tells its post offices: Hold local newspaper mail at post offices or send to hubs! Commentary: Wisconsin senators put different stamps on postal issue
			February 19, 2014 Video: Washington, DC Postal Workers say they are being forced to end shifts early - Some Washington, D.C. postal workers say post office management is forcing them off the street early, even when their routes are far from complete Sen. Mikulski Calls on PMG to Immediately Restore Maryland Mail Service \| Maryland, DC Reps Urge USPS to Immediately Address Service Delivery Issues\| USPS Denies It’s Making Letter Carriers Return Early to Avoid Paying Overtime \| More reports of missing mail in Maryland and DC \| Postal managers limiting carrier shifts, but explanations vary \| Video: Residents in Summerfield, VA have not seen mail carrier in a week Comments (Count) OIG recommends to stop Feinstein husband's company CBRE from representing USPS - As a result of our audit and ongoing concerns surrounding the CBRE contract, we have identified additional information that increases the financial risks to the Postal Service. Comments (Count) Five Houston post offices closing, but 1 remains undecided The U.S. Postal Service has decided to close five of six post offices in Houston considered for relocation, but no decision has been made about the Southmore Station — which is located at a historic site and has received huge support for remaining open at that address Comments (Count) Postal Workers Protest Rep. Issa at NH GOP Fundraiser More than 150 union members braved sub-zero degree winds on Feb. 17 to deliver an icy greeting to U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, the author of legislation (H.R. 2748) that would lead to the demise of the Postal Service. Comments (Count) Letter Carriers’ Food Drive—Saturday, May 10, 2014 Can the Package Business Save the USPS? Wisconsin postal worker sentenced for mail theft Senator Baldwin critical of USPS practices Mail customers would accept service cuts to aid USPS. Supporters of CUPW rally against Canada Post changes
			February 18, 2014 USPS OIG white paper: "What America Wants and Needs from the Postal Service" - Last year, the Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a paper summarizing the results of a national web-based survey aimed at better understanding how Americans view the Postal Service now, and its role in the future.1 To gain further insight into the results of this survey, and explore the types of compromises the public is willing to accept, the OIG again partnered with market research firm InfoTrends to conduct a series of focus groups across the country. Comments (Count) Video: Cluster Mailboxes damaged in Bozeman, MT after attempt to steal mail Video: Bins of undelivered mail found in home owned by Missouri postal worker Video: Roanoke Mail Distribution facility to stay open, for now Connecticut postal worker arrested after argument. ‘shoving match’ with customer Longtime Alabama postal worker pleads guilty to theft charges Looking Past the Exigent Price Increase eBay and USPS Cast Doubts on Same Day Delivery Model Federal Investigation Begins into Series of Break-ins at Texas Post Offices California: First female postmaster of Bakersfield sworn in California: Ticking sound turns out to be a clock, not a bomb in mailbox New York: Mail delivery halted to Bronx apartment after thief runs amok on 60 lobby mailboxes
			February 17, 2014 Senator Tester sends Postmaster General a special Valentine’s Day message Tester today mailed Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe a letter comparing the Postal Service's pledge to make sure all Americans get their mail reliably and efficiently with feedback he's receiving from Montanans Comments (Count) Postal workers rally to keep mail processing in Norfolk More than 50 postal workers rallied outside the Church Street center this morning to protest the shift of some local mail processing from the Norfolk, VA complex to the Richmond area. Comments (Count) New York Mailman who sold undelivered coupons on eBay sues JCPenney A mailman who admitted making about $35,000 selling undelivered coupons wants $25 million-plus from JCPenney for blowing the whistle on his scheme. Thomas Tang is suing the retail giant and Nassau County, despite pleading guilty to petit larceny for making off with thousands of coupons and peddling them online. In his Queens Supreme Court suit, Tang claims Penney falsely told the cops that it lost more than $100,000 when he “engaged in a scheme to steal JCP discount coupons out of the mail and sell them on eBay.” Tang, 41, of Baldwin, LI, maintains that he merely took bulk-mail coupons that were tossed in a post office’s “undeliverable” bin ahead of their being “destroyed or otherwise disposed of,” because “third-class mail that is undeliverable is not sent back to the return address.” Archive: NY Postman Charged With Stealing 7,000 Coupons And Selling Them On eBay Comments (Count) Video: La Crosse, WI area postal workers host 6th Annual “Bowl for Kids” Mail Truck listed among top vehicles attractive to women Video: Linn’s Stamp News Morning Brief \| Feb. 17, 2014 Group Tries to Slow Federal Governments Move Away from Paper to the Web Hallmark Sends More Than Mail to DC Soaring Mail Thefts a Headache for Victims
			February 16, 2014 New Canaan, Ct residents unhappy with mobile post office Atlanta Post offices to open President's Day to make up hours Dismantling the Postal Service is the Wrong Way Forward Sunday deliveries for Amazon sign of major changes for USPS Questions raised about post office closures and relocations in Houston McCaskill sees protections for rural postal services in reform measure February 15, 2014 Nearly a month after rate increase, NY post office still doesn’t have stamps new prices require New York: Residents Pepper USPS Reps with Complaints and Questions Asbestos Concerns Close Ocean Park Post Office in Santa Monica, CA Postal cuts could take the heart out of tiny post office in Valentines, VA Rare 1-cent Stamp Could Bring Millions at NYC Auction USPS truck, van involved in crash in Jacksonville, FL
			February 14, 2014 Why Is My Mail Delivered Now At 6 P.M.? (Or Not At All In Snow?) Q: "For some months, my mail has been delivered between 5 and 6 in the evening, a far cry from the 'usual' 1 p.m. to 3 p.m."I asked my carrier about it and she told me that . . . when a carrier quits or leaves, the person is not replaced, so the rest of them work double shifts. "On Tuesday, I paid some bills and put the envelopes in my mailbox. That evening, it was snowing, and I checked at 5:30. Envelopes still there. Same at 6:30. Same yesterday morning. No pick-up or delivery in my neighborhood. Comments (Count) Staples Controversy: What Are They Hiding? Playing a protracted game of hide-and-seek, the USPS and Staples are refusing to come clean about the pilot program that outsources postal retail work to the office-supply chain. Comments (Count) USPS: 2014 Postal Facts now available For those who appreciate historic, insightful and even obscure information about USPS, this is a favorite time of year. The 2014 edition of Postal Facts now is available. Comments (Count) Fifteen Senators Urge Obama “not” to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in budget - A group of Democratic senators today urged President Barack Obama to spare Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in the budget blueprint that he will submit to Congress on March 4 Comments (Count) USPS Redesigns Point of Sale (POS) Receipt Based Customer Survey The redesign is one of several initiatives to improve the customer experience. Research has shown that customer surveys have become the retail industry standard for obtaining customer feedback. Comments (Count) Tea Party Senator in dog house with Wisconsin mailers over postal reform votes U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wi., is in the political dog house of Wisconsin's largest industry. Postal votes are a vital issue for the multi-faceted mailing industry which accounts for over $26 billion in annual economic activity and employs more than 180,000 Wisconsin residents. Wisconsin's mailing and publishing industry quickly issued a sharp rebuke to Johnson. It issued a public letter signed by top paper and mailing industry executives and officials at 52 newspapers.Comments (Count) Video: Minnesota mail carrier acts fast to save man's life with CPR The man was outside his Oslo, Minn., home when he had a heart attack and fell to the ground with no pulse. His son flagged down the first person he saw: the postal worker who happened to be driving by to deliver the day’s mail. Comments (Count) Video: Postal Service Gets ‘Licked’ by Ice Storm in South Carolina Winter Flowers Forever Stamps Begin Blooming in the Mail Today Postal Reform Bill Takes Another Stab at Real Property Reform Preservationists oppose change to USPS NEPA regulations on property disposal Opinion: U.S. Postal Service continues to deliver results Mail problems lead to staff changes
			February 13, 2014 USPS Employees And Community Activists To Rally At NH GOP Event Featuring Congressman Issa As the Chairman of the House Government Affairs Committee, Congressman Issa has spearheaded the charge that would lead to the eventual privatization of the USPS. He has proposed to; cut Saturday delivery, cut thousands of postal employee’s jobs, cut door-to-door delivery, and even proposed allowing UPS and FedEx the ability to use mailboxes like the postal service. All of these horrible ideas are in response the myth that the USPS is ‘failing’ or going bankrupt. Comments (Count) South Africa Postal Service issues Nelson Mandela commemorative stamp Video: Son-in-Law Arrested in Tennessee Package Bomb Deaths East Texas Postmaster Relief pleads guilty to embezzling postal funds Motorists help pick up mail from postal truck scattered across Texas Highway Piled snow prevents mail delivery Endangered Post Offices, on Main Street, USA Postal supervisor intercepted package containing cocaine February 12, 2014 Updated with Video: PMG shares with employees his vision for the future of USPS -Donahoe also addresses the Postal Service’s partnership with Staples, noting it’s an excellent opportunity to expand the Postal Service’s ability to go where the customers are. Comments (Count) Obama Taps Ted Kennedy's Widow for USPS Board of Governors The White House says President Barack Obama is nominating Vicki Kennedy to the board of governors for the U.S. Postal Service Comments (Count) Postal Service warns about cluster-box mail thefts Postal Hero: Mail Carrier Saves Customer Massachusetts rural carrier charged with larceny Alaska contract mail carrier sentenced to nine years for drug conspiracy, possessing stolen mail Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly Stamp to Flutter on Greeting Card February 11, 2014 OIG White Paper: USPS should consider Postal Workers pay based on local labor markets - The Postal Service spends over $30 billion per year on salaries, so how those salaries are distributed across regions is an important issue. Comments (Count) Privatizing the Postal Service Sells Out Workers and America Right-wing government haters in Congress, along with the corporate executives now sitting atop the US Postal Service, claim that in order to "save" this icon of Americana, they must decimate it. These geniuses are privatizing the workforce, selling off the invaluable community facilities, and shrinking services. Hello – the workers, facilities and services are what make the post office iconic and give it such potential for even greater public use. Cheapening postal work might be good for a few profiteers like Staples, but it will diminish postal service – and it's exactly the wrong direction for America to be going Comments (Count) Postal Salaries Database Updated The base pay for 388,823 salaried employees was $22.5 billion as of January, up from $22.4 billion in April 2013 Comments (Count) Video: Police search for man who robbed St. Petersburg, FL post office 1 killed, another injured in Lebanon, TN package explosion Video: Letter Carrier describes house fire in Palm Desert, CA HazMat situation at Victorville CA post office cleared Some Billings residents not receiving mail due to inclement weather February 10, 2014 USPS District Manager apologizes for slow mail delivery, carrier shortage, promises fix - At a public meeting called by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-7^th), USPS District Manager Peter Allen apologized to residents for slow delivery, lost mail and the lack of response to customers explaining the problems. USPS District Manager blames service problems on pre-funding (2/10/14) Comments (Count) Union President Promises Continued Fight Over Proposed Cuts in Workers Comp Benefits - The leader of the nation’s largest independent union of federal employees today promised a continued fight to turn back legislative efforts that would result in unwarranted and serious cuts to federal workers’ compensation insurance payments. Comments (Count) Collinsville post office mix up costs some thousands of dollars Indiana woman gets probation for lying on 50-plus USPS online job applications OIG: USPS Network Consolidation on Hold Who Would Make A Better Bank: Wal-Mart or the US Post Office? Akron man accused of going postal on mailman Area letter carriers cope with recent weather problems with proper gear; positive attitude Indiana Mailman accused of sexual assault Universal Postal Union loses objections to .mail top level domain name Who Killed Canada Post’s Banking Study? Illinois: More than $50,000 in refund checks stolen from mail Idaho Postmaster who filed false robbery report won't face federal charges February 9, 2014 Postal service acknowledges problems with delivery in West Utica, NY Postal Service union rallies against Staples handling mail The Secret Weapon at Christmas for the Post Office: Sundays Postal Service: No plans for Bitcoin Retired postal clerk faces charges he stole gift cards from mail February 8, 2014 Postal worker stole from USPS, sold drugs Postal worker finds body n route in San Antonio, TX USPS Pushes Back Barcode Requirements to 2015 Letter: Reducing mail delivery is illogical and counterproductive February 7, 2014 USPS Facilities Project Manager Pleads Guilty To $1 million Bribery, Fraud and Tax Charges According to court documents and statements made in court, GIULIETTI was a Facilities Project Manager for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) at the USPS Northeast Facilities Office in Windsor, Conn. Comments (Count) USPS Records Loss of $354 Million in First Quarter, Underscoring Need for Comprehensive Legislation - This marks the 19th of the last 21 quarters that it has sustained a loss. Though the Postal Service has been able to grow revenue by capitalizing on opportunities in Shipping and Package Services and has aggressively reduced operating costs, losses continue to mount due to the persistent decline of higher-margin First-Class Mail, stifling legal mandates, and its inflexible business and governance models. Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Manufactured Crisis about USPS Finances Hides Good News\| NALC: USPS ‘highly encouraging’ quarterly report reveals $765 million profit Comments (Count) USPS Suspends Money-Losing Same Day Delivery Pilot Program in San Francisco Area - The Postal Service did not properly implement the pilot. They did not have sufficient participation from the six selected retailers to achieve the required daily minimum target of 200 packages per delivery day. Comments (Count) Congressman Rahall Announces USPS Will Not Change Hours at West Virginia Post Offices Senator Bernie Sanders supports USPS offering limited banking services Video: Senate Postal Reform Bill Markup February 6, 2014 Man who mailed cat poo to companies that wouldn't hire him gets probation Judge: Confession in Post Office Murders Can Be Used Suspect Pesters Post Office To Inquire About Weed Package, Police Get Involved Postal Inspectors Investigating Theft of Mail at Post Office in Guam Democrats Skirmish with Paul Over Guns on Postal Property February 6, 2014 Senator Jon Tester says postal reform bill ‘moves USPS closer to privatization’ "Half measures won't balance the Postal Service's books or preserve needed mail service in rural America," Tester said. "This bill shirks our responsibility to fix the Postal Service and further leads the organization down the path to privatization, which will further cut mail service in rural America. APWU: Senate Panel Approves ‘Disastrous’ Postal Bill, Unions Promise Fierce Opposition \|\| NAPS: Guns in Post Offices measure defeated but guns in USPS Parking Lots passed \|\| Senator Claire McCaskill Scores Victory for Rural Missouri in Fight to Save Post Offices \|\| Senator Mark Begich Secures Major Fixes to USPS Problems in Alaska \|\| NALC: Senate committee reports out S. 1486, 9 to 1 - As written, S. 1486 would facilitate the end of door delivery and the elimination of Saturday delivery, thereby destroying tens of thousands of letter carrier jobs. It also would jeopardize the Postal Service’s comeback by slowing service and driving away business. NAPUS: Senate Committee Approves S. 1486 for Floor Action -it is unclear when the committee will be able to bring S. 1486 to the floor, because scheduling is under the control of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Association of Magazine Media Reacts to Rejection of Baldwin Amendment to Postal Reform Bill (2/6/14) Comments (Count) OIG: Some USPS Exec Salaries were not frozen in 2012 as reported to public This report presents the results of our audit of calendar year (CY) 2012 compensation paid to or deferred by officers of the U.S. Postal Service . The objective of the audit was to determine whether the Postal Service complied with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (Postal Act of 2006), Postal Service policies and guidelines, and IRS regulations for CY 2012 compensation paid to officers. Comments (Count) Mixed Reactions to New Tracey Towers Mailboxes Bronx, NY - Amid ongoing renovations at Tracey Towers, a series of new mailbox banks can now be found in the building lobbies, and it’s causing plenty of stir and controversy for tenants. That’s because the mailboxes are blocking the view of the lobbies, infringing on what used to be empty space, according to Jean Hill, president of the Tenants Association. Comments (Count) Youngwoo delivers plan to turn Bronx post office into market To survive, Postal Service needs flexibility Making U.S. Postal System viable Where is the Money Going? Post Office Banking Could Be the Start of Something Big \| Democrats say struggling post office branches could dabble in banking Video: Mail carriers face injuries, large snow piles getting to mailboxes USPS FAQs for Service Standard Changes due to Load Leveling USPS: Traditional mail popular with higher income households Video: Montana postal workers braving the bitter cold February 5, 2014 California Psychologist sentenced to probation in $1 million workers comp fraud In an agreement with prosecutors the doctor pleaded guilty to one count of fraud. . Two ex-postal workers indicted with the doctor reached plea agreements Comments (Count) Mail problems prompt public meeting Rep. Danny Davis (D-ILL-7th) said in an email to constituents that his office "has been receiving a higher than usual volume of complaints relative to mail delivery, especially during the last month or so."Larry Shapiro, Davis' suburban representative, said he's also received complaints from constituents in several communities about mail showing up days late with no explanation. "We're hearing that, for long periods of time, there is no mail. People have been going down to the post office but haven't been able to get redress. The post office has avoided them." Shapiro said he's heard that the problem is related to the post office being short-staffed. Comments (Count) EDITORIAL: Backlog in cluster mailboxes must end If there's anything worse than getting your mail from a "cluster box" at the end of the street instead of an individual mailbox by your door, it's not even having a cluster box nearby. Unfortunately, that's what thousands of people are going through in Texas and other states. Comments (Count) Mail truck catches on fire in Detroit. Royal Mail Poll Supports 6-Day Delivery Two men arrested for possession of postal key and mail theft Video: Man steals mail, PIN numbers from Pasco, FL mailboxes Protest Aside, Postal Service Is Taking Next Step to Sell Grand Property in the Bronx Pittsburgh native's art inspires Love stamp February 4, 2014 Video: California Mailman Retires In Style, Wears A Tuxedo To Celebrate His Final Rounds - “I’m 60, and it’s the first time I don’t have to be anywhere.” So sayeth a mailman who decided that he’d retire in style and ditch his usual USPS duds in favor of a tuxedo on his last rounds. He’d been waiting for the big day for a long time, even setting up a countdown clock that’s been ticking off the days for the last six years. Comments (Count) Mail problems still plaguing North Dakota Although troubles with mail delivery have eased in Minot and parts of northwestern North Dakota over the past year, the U.S. Postal Service continues to work on nagging issues that might only be resolved with more staffing. Sen. Hoeven Requests USPS Review Progress of Key Challenges in Western ND Comments (Count) Senate Committee set to continue mark-up of S. 1486 Unfortunately, none of the proposed amendments to S. 1486 will fix the fundamental flaws with the bill,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said, “and at least one amendment—on rate-setting—would make the bill worse.” Comments (Count) APWU Ramps Up ‘Stop Staples’ Campaign The APWU is ramping up its campaign demanding that Staples and the USPS agree to place postal workers at postal units in Staples stores. Staples Plucks Postal Jobs Comments (Count) Video: Undelivered mail discovered in New York mail carrier’s apartment After snowstorm community in Georgia Still Waiting for Mail Deliveries USPS celebrates 500th Village Post Office opening South Mississippi postal worker admits stealing mail Mail delivery: A right or a privilege? USPS to sell historic Topeka Post Office February 3, 2014 USPS solicits proposals for assorted small arms ammunition Hmmm.. Is this in response to a Postal Reform Bill amendment by Senator Rand Paul that allows guns in the post office? Comments (Count) USPS unable to provide cluster mailboxes for residents in new Houston-area housing "On average, we have homeowners waiting from six to eight months for their mailboxes," Susan Vreeland-Wendt, director of marketing for The Woodlands Development Co., told the Houston Chronicle. The nationwide shortage started after the Postal Service, which had historically manufactured the locks, decided last year to outsource to a new supplier, said Patricia Licata, a Postal Service spokeswoman in Washington, D.C. Comments (Count) Post Office Stacks Mailed Packages On Lobby Floor, Shrugs Reader C. visited the post office recently, and what he saw upset him. The good news was that his post office was doing brisk business. It was early in the morning still, but it received a lot of packages. The bad news was that these packages were piled on the floor in the lobby. “[A]pparently the back area was so jammed with already-mailed packages that there wasn’t any more room to send them through to the other side,” Comments (Count) Video: Massachusetts Postal Worker accused of stealing mail from collection mailboxes Police say the suspect was allegedly breaking into the mailboxes after obtaining a master key. Comments (Count) Moms Demand Action Objects to Proposed Amendment to Remove Federal Ban on Guns in Post Offices - Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America vehemently objects to any attempt to amend existing federal law and lift the ban on guns in post offices, as proposed by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. Sen. Paul's amendment to the Senate postal reform bill would allow licensed gun owners to carry weapons inside post offices. Guns are currently banned in all American federal buildings, including post offices. Comments (Count) Can it get much worse? The Senate tries postal reform, again The leadership of the Postal Service has expressed satisfaction with the new substitute bill. No wonder. It reads like the fulfillment of PMG Donahoe’s and the Board of Governor’s wish list. It grants them new powers over ratemaking, adds language regarding contract negotiations favorable to management, and creates a separate postal employee health plan within the current Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan (FEHBP). The bill also addresses the retiree health benefit prefunding, while adding a new prefunding requirement for workman’s compensation. The bill offered by Carper and Coburn does nothing to change that direction. Instead, it furthers the apparent goal of privatizing a basic public service while eliminating hundreds of thousands of good jobs and turning tens of thousands of others into the sort of low-paying, low-benefit positions that have become the hallmark of the American economy. Comments (Count) Cold weather forces Michigan letter carrier to wear long pants for first time in ten years OIG: Selling the Mail – Whose Job Is it? TSP Starts 2014 Mostly in the Red USPS accepting orders for Super Bowl Commemorative Envelopes The Postmaster General's Scandalous Salary (?) Mailers Prepare to Deal With a Walloping Postal Rate Increase Rock Valley man stamps, seals and calls it a career This stamp artist makes all of the postage do Snail mail accurate for some in South Hampton Roads For Canada Post, end of an era as home delivery winds down SOS: Why did the post office ignore her guarantee? UPS to invest more than $100 million after holiday service snarl Editorial: Service is in its name February 2, 2014 CBRE CEO also serves on Board of Staples Buried in the story is an interesting fact that no one seems to have noted before: CBRE CEO Robert Sulentic also serves on the board of Staples, a position for which he received $300,000 in 2011. “Asked whether he had played a role in the retailer’s USPS pilot program, a USPS spokesperson answered that the program ‘was solicited publicly through a [Request for Proposals].’ CBRE answered, ‘Mr. Sulentic is not involved in the day-to-day management of Staples,’ and referred questions regarding Staples’ programs to Staples Comments (Count) Video: West Bakersfield, CA community mailbox stolen in the middle of the night the missing mailbox served approximately 15 homes. Nuts and bolts were left on an empty cement patch next to a second, identical box. Video: Mail Stolen from over 250 Northern California Residents \| Video: Rash of Central Texas post office burglaries up to 16 Comments (Count) Chicago magazine bags mail delivery Postal Service ending door-to-door delivery to new developments Coming to a Post Office Near You: Loans You Can Trust? Bouquets Mark 8 Years Since Goleta Postal Shootings Postal Service releases post office closure and suspension lists for 2013 Postal service does away with parcel post Allentown woman fears mail was misdelivered and she’ll never get it February 1, 2014 Postal Banking: Maybe Not So Crazy After All USPS Board of Governors’ Travel and Miscellaneous Expenses for Fiscal Year 2013 (PDF)

South Africa Postal Service issues Nelson Mandela commemorative stamp

Video: Son-in-Law Arrested in Tennessee Package Bomb Deaths