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September 30, 2008
Burrus: USPS’ Bleak Financial Picture And
the Presidential Election
16,000
Postal Employees Could Face Layoffs- Although the Postal Service
has the authority to borrow up to $15 billion, far in advance of
reaching that limit, the Postal Regulatory Commission, Congress
and the next president will be under tremendous pressure to privatize
the Postal Service. In response to the financial crisis, the Postal
Service has announced a hiring freeze. And, in a meeting with union
leaders and management association presidents, the Postmaster General
pointed out that 16,000 USPS employees lack the six years of continuous
service required to achieve protection against layoffs. The PMG’s
message was clear: For the first time in our history, postal employees
may experience layoffs.
Hard Times
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Trial opens for ex-postal worker charged with OWCP fraud
Credit card mail sees decline
USPS looks at tight fiscal year
Texas: : No bidders for closed Beaumont REC building
Some mail delivery begins on Galveston Island
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September 29, 2008
USPS Financial Woes Can Be Found Within Postal
Reform?
Commentary From Postcom - Who'da
thunk that after seven successful years of cost-cutting and after
the enactment of a new postal law, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
once would again find itself stuck between a fiscal rock and hard
place? Of course, this time, it's different. This time, no one can
blame the leadership of the USPS for not doing their mightiest to
trim postal costs to reflect rapidly changing postal realities.
So what's the cause of the current fix? Very simply, the largest
part of the Postal Service's current financial woes can be found
within the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006.
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Mail carrier's camera phone catches thief in the act
Bristow post office on suspension
Invasion of the yellowjackets - Because of yellowjacket
attacks that have left two Gillette mail carriers hospitalized,
the post office has stopped delivery in the past month to at least
two homes
Putting Off Retirement Can Make A Huge Financial Difference
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City sends post office packing, but the mail will go through
American Postal Workers Union to protest layoffs at DHL
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Terra Ceia losing post office
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September 28, 2008
Filling in the Gaps
Opinion:
What the USPS CFO Didn't Report At BOG Meeting - At the Board
of Governor’s meeting September 24, Postal Service’s CFO Harold
Glen Walker provided only a limited picture of the Postal Service’s
current and near term and financial condition. He did not present
as expected either a forecast of a projected loss for the remainder
of the fiscal year, nor did he present an integrated financial plan
for FY 2009 as was expected from the agenda e-mailed to the press.
The loss so far in the fourth quarter is driven by a 4.7% decline
in revenue, a 1.3% increase in expenses, and a $329 million workers
compensation adjustment. Extrapolating this trend through September
would result in a quarterly loss of $2.168 billion and a fiscal
year loss of $3.326 billion.
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Mail carriers feel they're 'sitting
ducks' for wrecks
The postal rural carriers at the Sharpsburg (GA) post office have
become easy targets for distracted drivers, following accidents
this summer that have sent three people to the hospital and prompted
one of their own to resign.
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Bush signs bill that broadens Americans with Disabilities Act
USPS puts new facilities on hold
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September 27, 2008
Postmaster Gets 17 1/2 Years For Plot
To Kill Ex-wife
Former Cornelius, NC Postmaster David Willis was sentenced
Friday for a murder-for-hire scheme to kill his ex-wife so she
wouldn't share his retirement pension. Federal authorities
caught Willis on tape asking a fellow postal worker to arrange
for the killing of his ex-wife (a rural letter carrier).
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Comments (53)
To Postal Workers, No Mail Is ‘Junk’
To the post office, consumers like her are a serious threat.
"Efforts to convince people not to receive mail are really going
to hurt," says Steve Kearney, a Postal Service senior vice
president. The Postal Service lost $1.1 billion in its latest
quarter. That number would be even larger if it weren't for
direct mailings, which now constitute 52 percent of mail volume,
up from 38 percent in 1990. Revenue from direct mail "is the
financial underpinning of the Postal Service—it could not
survive without it," says Michael Coughlin, former deputy
postmaster. |
Comments (50)
After Complaints, Postal Service Shifts Course to Provide
Absentee Ballot Applications
September 26, 2008
Federal
Health Premiums To Rise in 2009
Premiums for the federal employee health plan will rise by an
average of 7 percent in 2009, a sizable increase from the
previous year. On average, that translates to an extra $4.83
every two weeks for employees with individual plans, while those
with family plans will pay an additional $11.12. Premium hikes
will vary, depending on which health plan an employee has
enrolled in. Federal employees and retirees can change their
health insurance plans during the open season, which will run
from Nov. 10 to Dec. 8. Employees planning to continue using a
flexible spending account must re-enroll.
2009 FEHB Premiums
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Comments (81)
Using Your Postman as Your Shipping Consultant
Olathe woman: Postal carrier dumped mail in trash
Eleven postal employees charged with federal housing fraud
Poor economy drives down mail volume at Postal Service
Ohio postal driver named nation's safest
Man threatens to kill his mail carrier
Monocacy upset over losing post office
Postal branch may be cut off
Feds charge postmasters in Alaska
If You don't Get It (Shopping Guide), Good!
September 25, 2008
Re: Postal Employees Ordered to Stop
Offering First-Class Mail
Here is some
additional information on the issue submitted by a
PostalReporter.com
reader: "Attached is a 5 page comparison chart that shows the
current mystery shop questions compared to the FY 09
requirements that will take effect October 1st, 2008.
Realistically there are very few changes to the program that we
have not already been coaching, teaching, training, and should
have been enforcing for the last 3 years. Now you must explain
features of EVERY additional item you offer for purchase."
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Comments (40)
Sticky-Fingered Mail Carriers Answer To
Letter Of Law
In the past few months, the U.S. attorney's office in Tampa has
prosecuted four letter carriers, all of whom have either pleaded
guilty or signed documents agreeing to plead guilty. One was
sentenced to a year and a day behind bars. The four worked in
different post offices and had no apparent connection to one
another.
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Comments (15)
Postal Worker
accused of stealing money orders
Postal Bulletin 9/25/2008 Issue
Postal Service prohibits absentee ballot applications in lobbies
Ivins bragged he knew anthrax killer
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September 24, 2008
APWU: Nurses' Contract Headed for Interest Arbitration
Postal Service freezes hiring, promotions
Former postal clerk accused of theft
Galveston Post Office Temporarily Moved to La
Marque
Reward in mail carrier attack
Man pleads guilty to theft of funds to Pay
fuel for mail trucks
How Safe Is TSP?
French postal workers protest privatization
move |
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September 23, 2008
PMG Urges Leaders of Employee Organizations
To Work With USPS
Potter Says USPS financial condition poor - Postmaster
General, Jack Potter met today with the leadership of the three
management associations and craft unions representing all craft
employees and EAS employees of the Postal Service. Potter added
that the Postal Service would need the help of the unions and associations
in working with the Congress as the Postal Service attempts to develop
solutions to our problems that will involve discussions and Congressional
approval. Specific plans were not discussed at the meeting.
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Flashback: Postal 1992
VER Cost $1.01 Billion
Summary:
In offering the early-out program in 1992 , Postmaster General Marvin
Runyon had hoped that 30,000 managers would retire. Instead, approximately
33,000 mail handlers, clerks and letter carriers took the offer
.”For fiscal year 1992 the Service’s cost for the restructuring
as reported in its audited financial statements totaled $1.01 billion.
About $886 million of this represents retirement incentive payments
(6 months salary) to employees. In total, about 48,000 employees
took advantage of the special option retirement. By February 1993,
the Service had in effect reduced the total work force, including
career and non-career employees as well as overtime hours, by only
about 7,300 employees, compared to a year earlier in February 1992.”
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MSPB: Scheduled vs Unscheduled
Sick Leave
The appellant,
a preference eligible veteran, was employed by the agency as a Mail
Handler in Memphis, Tennessee. On March 15, 2007, the agency proposed
the appellant’s removal for failure to be regular in attendance
and absence without leave. After sustaining the charge, but prior
to effecting the appellant’s removal, the deciding official, the
appellant, and the appellant’s union representative entered into
an LCA, which was dated April 17, 2007. In the LCA, the appellant
agreed to maintain satisfactory attendance by not having more than
three unscheduled absences during any 6-month period. MSPB has held
that the agency has not met its burden to prove absences were unscheduled
where leave was requested in advance and the agency did not show
the date or the time the supervisor approved the appellant’s leave
request. Also, the appellant made all of his leave requests, except
two, prior to the start of his shift.
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APWU will continue to pursue re-employment
of postal retirees in retail outlets
No Such Thing as Free Shipping?
38 years and counting
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September 22, 2008
PMG Urges Leaders of Employee Organizations
To Work With USPS
Potter Says USPS financial condition poor - Postmaster
General, Jack Potter met today with the leadership of the three
management associations and craft unions representing all craft
employees and EAS employees of the Postal Service. Potter added
that the Postal Service would need the help of the unions and associations
in working with the Congress as the Postal Service attempts to develop
solutions to our problems that will involve discussions and Congressional
approval. Specific plans were not discussed at the meeting.
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Flashback: Postal 1992
VER Cost $1.01 Billion
Summary:
In offering the early-out program in 1992 , Postmaster General Marvin
Runyon had hoped that 30,000 managers would retire. Instead, approximately
33,000 mail handlers, clerks and letter carriers took the offer
.”For fiscal year 1992 the Service’s cost for the restructuring
as reported in its audited financial statements totaled $1.01 billion.
About $886 million of this represents retirement incentive payments
(6 months salary) to employees. In total, about 48,000 employees
took advantage of the special option retirement. By February 1993,
the Service had in effect reduced the total work force, including
career and non-career employees as well as overtime hours, by only
about 7,300 employees, compared to a year earlier in February 1992.”
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MSPB: Scheduled vs Unscheduled
Sick Leave
The appellant,
a preference eligible veteran, was employed by the agency as a Mail
Handler in Memphis, Tennessee. On March 15, 2007, the agency proposed
the appellant’s removal for failure to be regular in attendance
and absence without leave. After sustaining the charge, but prior
to effecting the appellant’s removal, the deciding official, the
appellant, and the appellant’s union representative entered into
an LCA, which was dated April 17, 2007. In the LCA, the appellant
agreed to maintain satisfactory attendance by not having more than
three unscheduled absences during any 6-month period. MSPB has held
that the agency has not met its burden to prove absences were unscheduled
where leave was requested in advance and the agency did not show
the date or the time the supervisor approved the appellant’s leave
request. Also, the appellant made all of his leave requests, except
two, prior to the start of his shift.
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APWU will continue to pursue re-employment
of postal retirees in retail outlets
No Such Thing as Free Shipping?
38 years and counting
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September 21, 2008
Postal worker faces forgery charges for phony NYPD parking placards
Postal Employees Ordered to Stop Offering First-Class Mail
Postal worker struck by car while delivering mail in Chambersburg
Charges dropped against ex-postmaster
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September 20, 2008
USPS Freezes
All Organizational Structure Changes Effective Immediately
- ...in part; that due to the current financial situation
a more controlled approach in managing the complement is needed.
Therefore, a freeze on all organizational structure changes is effective
immediately. The freeze includes position upgrades, additions to
complement, position neutral exchanges, and requests for new positions
and their related position evaluations.
The Postal Service also notified NAPUS that it will begin a new
initiative involving the PO Box Service Measurement. This new initiative,
in which clerks will be required to scan a barcode upon completion
of the PO Box distribution.
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Former Brooklyn postman banned from offices
for selling clothes
A former
mail carrier has been banned from all 52 post offices in Brooklyn
after selling his self-designed brand of postal apparel to former
colleagues. The rhinestone-emblazoned United States Postal Service
.T-shirts, hoodies and polos have been a big hit with Brooklyn letter
carriers, but Postal Service brass sent Marty Grace's idea to the
dead letter office.
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Postal Service considers closing office in Stambaugh
The doggy-dog world of a postal carrier
USPS to deploy IPv6-capable video surveillance
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Archive: USPS Chooses Diebold
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September 19, 2008
NAPS: USPS May Lose $3 Billion By
Year’s End
The Postal Service reported a net
loss of approximately $960 million in August, according to recent
reports filed with the Postal Regulatory commission. While
year-to-date revenue is slightly above the same period last year,
revenue for August was about ten percent below August 2007 in
spite of a 2.9% increase implemented in May. Potter said that those numbers will
influence craft staffing levels, and in turn supervisory
staffing. He noted the possibility of movement to 4-day/ten-hour
shifts, but continued to insist that USPS will not offer
financial incentives coupled with VERAs. “We have to be prudent.
In 1992, we paid 46,000 employees a half-year’s salary to go,
then ended up rehiring 70,000,” Potter maintained.
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USPS To Launch
Nationwide Program To Track Revenue Performance Of Window Clerks
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Postal Headquarters representatives briefed the
Postmaster organizations on a pilot program that is slated to go
nationwide soon. Called the SSA Revenue Goals System, the
process will track the retail performance of Sales and Service
Associates (SSAs) at offices on the POS system. The system will
generate a daily report on the retail performance that will be
made available to Postmasters and supervisors. In turn,
Postmasters and supervisors will be able to share the
information with the SSAs during morning huddles to let them
know where they stand as far as helping their post office or
station reach retail revenue goals.
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US postal worker part of gun-smuggling scheme
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Snail Mail Is Going Digital, a Boon for Businesses
Objection of USPS to Document Request of Capital One Services
(PDF)
Rushing' to provide good mail service
TSP Drops Fast; 2009 COLA Rate Also Drops
Team Houston Responds to Hurricane Ike
West Virginia post office closed after asbestos discovery
USPS Relocates Services, Deploys Portable
Buildings
Two teens accused of vandalizing Postal Service vehicles
PRC Appoints Fisher Director of Public
Affairs and Government Relations
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September 18, 2008
OPM will soon decide RetireEZ's future
Arizona City: USPS clarifies misinformation about mail delivery
survey
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September 17, 2008
Postmaster General
Cautions of Perfect Economic Storm
Postmaster General John E. Potter challenged
the mailing industry today, cautioning mailers about the severity
of the current economic climate and urging them to create new growth
opportunities. Citing fluctuating oil prices, inflation in paper
prices and the strife in the financial markets, Potter described
challenging economic conditions as the most difficult time since
the 1960s. The additional move of hardcopy messages to the Internet
and questions about mail’s environmental impact have led to a volume
decline of 9 billion pieces this year.
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Market Meltdown
Could Delay Retirement for Some
Over the past couple of months I've
talked with dozens of fed investors and nearly all of them say the
same thing. They aren't likely to retire if economic times are bad
(even if they don't want or plan to get another job), and especially
if their TSP accounts are down.
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Postal Workers Protest DHL Move from Ohio
Contract Cleaner pleads guilty to stealing from post office, courthouse
CA. : Postal Worker Pleads Guilty to Fraud, Theft |
Clerk faces 35 years after plea
APWU to hold 2010 National Convention in Detroit
Catalog paper prices will continue to rise
Ohio: Sixty area postal stations still without power
CA: Postal Service vs. Aliso Viejo: Who has facts on proposed plant?
Postal Worker Wins $250K Mega Millions Prize
Mail carriers live up to motto
FBI requests review of anthrax case
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September 16, 2008
Mail Handlers File National Grievance on USPS Lost/Stolen Laptops
- Over the past several
years, and with increasing frequency over the past few months, the
Postal Service has notified the NPMHU that, on approximately fifteen
occasions, either the Postal Service itself or its vendors and/or
subcontractors either has lost or had stolen a laptop computer with
personal information about mail handlers and other postal employees.
APWU Grievance Over USPS Lost/Stolen
Laptops Appealed To Arbitration -
It is the APWU's position that sensitive
employee data (e.g. social security numbers) should not be stored
on portable computing devices. In addition, the union is asking,
as a remedy, that the Postal Service provide Identity Theft Insurance
to impacted employees.
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Seven
Alaska Postal Workers Charged With Stealing
Six Postmasters and one Postal Employee
- Seven postal officials from Bush communities across the state
have been charged in federal court with pilfering tens of thousands
of dollars in cash and checks from their employer while on the job,
the U.S. attorney said Monday.
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Why Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch Matters to the CEP Industry
NPMHU: Ink Jet Modification on AFSM 100
Cincinnati post offices affected by power
Postal employee dismissed amid charges of mail
theft
Postal service awaits lifting of mandatory evacuation
USPS Redesigns Website
Post office scuffle ends in gunfire
Asbestos find results in post office closure
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September 15, 2008
Federal Workers
Owe Billions In Unpaid Taxes
The agency with the most delinquent
employees is the U.S. Postal Service. With more than 747,000 employees,
the postal service is the largest employer in the federal government,
but with a 4.16 percent delinquency rate, it is a full 1 percent
above the average compliance rate this year.
Archive: Tax Obligations of USPS Employees - To have this many
employees with a balance owed is more than just an issue between
the IRS and an individual.
When USPS employees are viewed as being non-compliant with the proper
payments of their federal taxes, it impacts the public’s confidence
in our abilities to conduct our assigned mission of delivering the
mail.
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Sumner residents say 'postal service' is contradiction
in terms
Postal Service open in most LA and TX areas
on Monday
Even with no mail, post office delivered
Rep. Bartlett skeptical that Ivins sent anthrax
Mail Handlers Roll Out “Submit A Lead" Program
In a cooperative effort to boost
revenues, the National Postal Mail Handlers Union is working in
conjunction with the Postal Service to encourage Mail Handler Craft
employees to “Submit a Lead.” Mail Handlers can notify the Postal
Service of potential customers they encounter in their daily lives.
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September 14, 2008
Postal Union Leaders
Fight Outsourcing
American Postal Workers Union leaders
are fighting a U.S. Postal Service proposal to outsource processing
work at the nation's 21 bulk mail centers, saying it could hurt
service and result in lost union jobs. “We believe that if they
get away with this, they could go after the next group [of public
postal employees],” said Vince Tarducci. He's president of the APWU
Local 7048, which covers the Philadelphia Bulk Mail Center on Philadelphia's
Byberry Road. “They could continue to cut out government workers.
... They want to farm it out to people who are not in public service.
APWU: Congressman, Postal Workers Protest
BMC Privatization
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U.S. Rep. Murphy Joins Postal Protest
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Video: USPS Express Mail
1987 Ad
FL: USPS Opens Distribution Center In Wellington
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September 13, 2008
Connecticut Congressman
Presses Postal Service for Answers Regarding Meriden Route Changes
- Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) released
a letter he sent to Frank Marshall, Acting District Manager for
the United States Postal Service to get answers for Meriden residents
about how the Postal Service is going to resolve the mail delivery
delays in the city caused by the recent elimination of eight routes.
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APWU: USPS Rejects Pilot Program For New Retail
Position
During the
last round of contract negotiations, the APWU proposed another pilot
for a Crew Chief position, with the new title, “Team Lead.” An agreement
to implement the program was signed after the National Agreement
was finalized. During a recent meeting, the USPS officials informed
us that they are not interested in the Team Lead concept. The announcement
came after a disappointing effort by management to monitor the success
of the program. Basically, all management wanted to do was look
at the numbers.
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FERS Sick Leave Credit
Legislation Update
eNAPUS -
Earlier this week, Sen. Cornyn, the Senate sponsor of the Senate
companion to HR 1108, legislation to give the Food and Drug Administration
regulatory authority of the tobacco products, indicated that the
Senate is unlikely to take up the measure this year. HR 1108 includes
a provision, authored by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Chair Henry Waxman (D-CA) that provides FERS retirement credit for
unused sick leave.
eNAPUS: So Much to Do - So Little Time (PDF)
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Hurricane Ike USPS Mail Service Updates
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USPS suspends services
APWU Youth Make Unionism 'A Family Affair'
Postal error delays benefits checks
Letter carrier charged with forgery and identity
theft
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September 12, 2008
Potter Names Cochrane and Betman to VP Positions
Postmaster General
Jack Potter today announced the appointment of Jim Cochrane as Vice
President of Ground Shipping and Mitzi Betman as Vice President
of Corporate Communications. Both have been acting in their respective
positions for several months, and each has done an outstanding job
during that time,” Potter said.
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Testing Earth Class Mail: The Results
Postal Service to ask
if Arizona City wants curbside service
USPS May Introduce New Flat Rate Box
Postal Parcels Pilfered
Suit alleges postal worker ran over child |
Fishing postmaster receives top honor
Probation given to Connecticut letter
carrier in theft
Neither sleet, nor heat stop Mary and the mail
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Georgia mail carrier
caught stealing on her route
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September 11, 2008
Postal Bulletin 9/11/2008 Issue
Postal Service Issues
New Procedures for International Registered Mail
Items
Neither snow, nor rain nor gloom over cutbacks seen affecting seniors'
mail
Small business pushes growth of Postal Service
Photo: Post Office In Stockton Utah
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September 10, 2008
GAO: New Delivery Performance Measures Could
Enhance Postal Managers’ Pay for Performance Program
- USPS pay for performance
(PFP) program for managers includes quantitative performance indicators.
PFP ratings are the basis for salary increases and lump sum awards
for nearly 750 Postal Career Executive Service (PCES) executives
and about 71,700 other participants, mostly Executive and Administrative
Schedule (EAS) employees. GAO was requested to provide information
about USPS's PFP system. This report (1) describes the key features
of USPS's PFP system, (2) provides information on the weight of
its performance indicators in determining PFP ratings, and (3) identifies
opportunities for USPS to incorporate delivery performance indicators
into its PFP system.
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NALC President Young:
Stand
up, be strong for a better America
NALC will do all in its power to help
elect Sen. Obama, a charismatic young leader who has demonstrated
both vision and the power to inspire by mobilizing millions of Americans
to join his campaign for change. Unlike his opponent, Sen. John
McCain, Sen. Obama strongly supports NALC on all our major legislative
issues, everything from Sen. Harkin’s ban on delivery outsourcing
and the expansion of vote-by-mail to universal health insurance
and the Employee Free Choice Act. At a time when the staggering
economy is badly damaging the Postal Service—USPS lost $1 billion
in the third quarter, when mail volume plunged more than 5 percent—America
must break free from the disastrous policies of the Bush administration.
Obama offers that change and a chance to rebuild the middle class;
McCain offers more of the same.
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Early-Retirement Info Wrong, Burrus Tells
USPS
APWU President William Burrus has notified
the Postal Service of significant errors in information the USPS
provided to employees eligible for Voluntary Early Retirement (VER)
and has requested management’s “immediate attention to these matters”
so that employees do not suffer irrevocable harm as a result.
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Appeals Court Upholds Firing Of Postal Carrier
For Unsafe Driving -
The postal carrier while delivering
mail on his route ran a stop sign and hit a vehicle driving through
the intersection. The driver of the other vehicle was thrown from
it, and the passenger had to be pried out by the fire department.
USPS issued a notice of removal as a result of his negligent driving
which resulted in the accident.
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In
Deficit, Retirees See Plenty of Reason to Worry
"During
the budget crises of the 1980s and early 1990s, federal retirees
and survivors lost $50 billion in deferred, reduced and canceled
cost-of-living adjustments while 40 million Social Security beneficiaries
never missed a dime's worth of COLAs," said Daniel Adcock, NARFE's
legislative director. "They always want to take it out on the back
of the retirees and employees," complained Moore, who retired after
almost 38 years as a postal clerk in Grand Rapids.
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NALC: Five California
Letter Carriers to Share Award as Hero of the Year
USPS Chooses Diebold to
Implement Nationwide Security Program
U.S.
Postal Service combines kiosks, digital screens
Plans for several new Inland postal service facilities
put on hold
Post Office scrambling to recover from Gustav
Ohio fights UPS-DHL deal at congressional hearing
Postal employee charged with murdering pregnant
girlfriend
Retirement Bound? Planning is Everything!
USPS Uses Transportation Modeling to Reduce Costs
Mexico's postal blues remade in hot pink
Missing Checks Fallout
New Barstow postmaster keeps up a family tradition
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September 9, 2008
Gustav precautions put burden on Postal Service
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September 8, 2008
Georgia Supreme Court to Hear
Rural Carrier's Case
a Georgia
State Trooper was using a rural carrier's postal truck as a "blocking"
device so he could track suspected speeders undetected. . The state
trooper rear-ended the rural carrier's vehicle resulting in carrier
suffering back and neck injuries.
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East St. Louis PO burglarized
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Authorities Investigate Post Office Break-In
Credit Crisis Puts a Dent in Card Offers
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September 7, 2008
USPS:
Buyouts Not An Option
Even though the agency needs to cut staff, [Anthony
Vegliante, Chief HR Officer] said paying employees to retire
early isn’t an option. The agency anticipates a $2 billion deficit
for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. “There’s absolutely not going
to be an incentive,” he said. “Economically it doesn’t make any
sense at this point. It would cost us too much money, and right
now we’re not in the position.” The agency has some flexibility
to adjust its work-force levels beyond the early-out offer, he said.
Work performed each year by part-time employees and noncareer employees
working transitional and casual shifts, as well as through overtime,
is the equivalent of work done by between 80,000 and 90,000 full-time
positions. In addition, roughly 30,000 employees either quit or
retire voluntarily each year. The agency also could separate employees
through a reduction-in-force action, although Vegliante said that’s
a “last resort.”
NALC President Will Offer No Recommendation
On Letter Carriers Taking Early Out
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Ex-mail carrier sentenced to 18 months
Postal
service working to return in Iberia, LA
8-year-old boy dead after being struck by postal truck in Brooklyn
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Residents complain of delays with mail
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September 6, 2008
Postal supervisor considers employee too valuable
to serve on jury duty
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Before adjourning Thursday in a murder re-trial case, the judge
and the attorneys discussed a couple of potential problems involving
jurors. One, employed by the U.S. Postal Service, has a supervisor
who considers the juror too valuable to leave work." Did she
suggest that because you're so indispensable, she'll give you a
substantial raise?'' Smith asked the juror. The juror said no, and
the judge said he would call the postal supervisor and apprise her
of the importance of jury service.
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Postal Service Supports Military Absentee Voting
Undelivered mail found at home of Wilson carrier
Senate committee to consider re-appointment of PRC commissioner
Goldway
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September 5, 2008
Postal worker suspected of embezzling $15000
USPS FSS
Resources
Postal Service back to work in 6 parishes
Print Catalogs Still Rule, Survey Shows
It's a grand old flag stamp, but collectors can't buy singles
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September 4, 2008
USPS Announces VER Timeline For Letter Carriers,
Maintenance, EAS, PCES Employees
- The age and years of service criteria must
be met by the effective retirement date of this VERA: February 28,
2009.
If you don’t meet the criteria by February 28, 2009,
you are not eligible for voluntary early retirement.
VER Timeline & Revised FAQ's for: Clerk; Mail Handler; Supervisor,
Distribution Operations; Supervisor, Customer Services
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Burrus to Maintenance, Motor Vehicle Employees:
Don't Go!
With news that the Postal Service will offer Voluntary Early Retirement
(VER) to Motor Vehicle Services and Maintenance Craft employees
- except Electronic Technicians - APWU President William Burrus
is reiterating his advice to union members: DON'T GO! "My reasoning
is simple," he said. "Every APWU-represented employee who leaves
early will save the USPS hundreds of thousands of dollars, yet the
Postal Service is refusing to offer cash incentives.
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Judge rejects anxiety excuse, sends former
postmaster to prison
A lawyer
in Newark today offered a novel argument for keeping his client
out of prison on federal corruption charges: He claimed the former
postmaster, John F. Balliro, was claustrophobic. "Mr. Balliro suffers
from severe anxiety," said attorney Thomas Bello. "He has difficulty
driving across a bridge or through a tunnel. Any period of incarceration,
even one day, would cause him severe emotional distress." But U.S.
District Judge Stanley Chesler didn't buy it.
Archive: Former Postal Manager Indicted for Misuse of Government
Property and Employees
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Analysis of a Postal Scam
Town to keep its three post offices
Brewfest to benefit family of deceased letter
carrier
Mail Carrier Admits to Stealing Worker's Comp,
Social Security Checks
USPS has no plans to rebuild Post Office Destroyed by Fire
Deluxe to Close Three Plants, Axing 570 Employees
Beach police seek man who tried to steal postal truck
Postal Truck, Bicyclist Collide in Court House
Bound printed matter mailings to be paid by permit
only
Town meeting held on 'emergency suspension' of
post office
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September 3, 2008
National League of Postmasters Work Climate
Survey
As Part of the Leagues ongoing efforts in support of Postmasters,
OICs, PMRs and EAS employees the National Board has put this survey
together for the purpose of documenting the current work climate.
This is in response to the concerns and issues raised at State and
National Conventions. Your input will assist in addressing issues
from the District level to US Postal Headquarters. We need to hear
from you, both good and bad.
Check Out Survey
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Work Slowing At Mail Plant In Eastern Maine
For the two dozen employees at the
U.S. Postal Service’s Eastern Maine Processing and Distribution
Facility, things have slowed a little in recent weeks. “We’ve got
guys standing around not doing anything; that’s a bad sign,” said
Richard J. Reed, president of the Bangor Area Local 536 of the American
Postal Workers Union, which represents 21 of those workers. Work
has leveled off since the USPS decision last month to shift some
of its processing from the plant in Hampden to a newer, more technologically
impressive facility in southern Maine, Reed said.
"
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USPS Pounds Own Coffin Nails
APWU Offers Campaign Material in Support of Obama's
Candidacy
Beach police seek man who tried to steal postal
truck
Ohio: Mail carrier under investigation for identity, mail theft
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Texas: 10-Year El Paso Residents Still Waiting For Mailboxes
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Hawaii: Mail truck causes chain reaction accident on freeway
'
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September 2, 2008
Labor marching into uncertain future
Mailbox pipe bomb packed deadly force
Rural Letter Carrier admits piling up 21,000 pieces of mail
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Aviation fuel charges may bury bypass mail service
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September 1, 2008
Two Errors In USPS VER FAQs
By Don Cheney: "There
are two errors in management's questions and answers on Voluntary
Early Retirement. It could affect a few people's decision to retire
now or not. These were brought to management's attention by the
APWU at least six weeks ago and have not been corrected."
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Postal service
adjusts to 'snail mail' demise
...changing customer
habits are why the postal service is moving to expand carrier routes,
remove rarely used corner mailboxes and automate more functions
in central distribution centers like the one near Hares Corner that
processes all mail in Delaware. "We must take appropriate steps
now to manage costs and increase efficiency in order to preserve
our ability to provide quality service at reasonable rates," said
Ray Daiutolo, spokesman for the region that includes Delaware. There
is an "overall need to consolidate our nationwide infrastructure
at a time when revenue has been declining."
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Kansas
Postal Carrier overcomes polio, accident to deliver mail
Jerry Totten, 51, is a survivor.
He’s defied death on two occasions and is Lawrence’s only remaining
full-time, walking mail carrier. He admits he’s lucky to be walking
at all.
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Mail worker eyed in Queens hit-run
-
Cops are searching for a U.S.
mail truck that fatally mowed down a father of three Sunday as he
crossed a Queens street on his way home from work. Shakoor Khan,
75, died from injuries suffered when the Postal Service tractor-trailer
rig clipped him in the crosswalk at Rockaway and Farmers Blvds.
in Jamaica."
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Why Mail Piece Weight Matters
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Ordeal becomes test of man's will
Postal Service reduces mailboxes
USPS Service Updates for Hurricane
Gustav
Don't let Saturday mail deliveries
cease
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