Sunday, March 29, 2009

VER Offering for: National VER - July 31, 2009

ALL EMPLOYEES except Electronic Technicians (ET); Maintenance Mechanics, Mail Processing Equipment (MPE); Part-time Postmasters.

"...Those employees identified as tentatively meeting eligibility requirements for this VERA will receive annuity estimates and a separate notification package via U. S. Mail at their address of record beginning April 6, 2009...."    



This Article is From: https://liteblue.usps.gov

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USPS Releases VERA Info, Fails to Notify Union


"...“I am extremely disappointed that the Postal Service neglected to give official notice of this information to the APWU,” said President William Burrus. “This is a violation of management’s obligation under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. “In addition,” he said, “in this era of financial uncertainty, when the USPS management is asking employees for cooperation and understanding, management must set an example. Unfortunately, they failed to do so...."    



This Article is From: www.apwu.org

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Friday, March 27, 2009

U.S. Postal Service Details Economic Viability Strategy

March 25, 2009

"...ongoing elements of the Postal Service’s strategy to help close the budget gap – a “chasm, widening each day,” he said – created by the agency’s revenue shortfall. These include:

* A new process for evaluating and adjusting city delivery routes
* Reduction of employee work hours and overtime by pursuing even greater efficiencies throughout the organization
* Halting construction of new postal facilities and directing funds to the sites with the most critical needs (i.e., buildings badly damaged or destroyed by natural disasters)
* Improved fleet management and delivery routing to reduce fuel usage
* Expanded energy efficiency to reduce energy use throughout Postal Service facilities
* Reductions in employee travel budgets through the use of web and video technology to conduct meetings and conferences
* Renegotiations of supplier contracts to reflect reduced needs
..."    



This Article is From: www.usps.com

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Postal employee shot dead in drinking brawl


"...other four co-workers in the postal office had a get-together at the victim's residence when an argument ensued...."    



This Article is From: newsinfo.inquirer.net

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NAPS document details changes to be made by USPS


"...the remaining 74 districts across the country, there will be a 15% reduction in administrative staffing. •More than 1400 mail processing management positions are also being eliminated in nearly 400 facilities around the country.
..."    



This Article is From: http://naps.org/

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U.S. Postal Service to offer early retirement


"...The service will offer early retirement to 150,000 workers across the country. In addition the agency said it will eliminate 1,400 management jobs...."    



This Article is From: www.ohio.com

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Will Proposed S.F. Anti-Junk Mail Measure Be Death Knell of Post Office? Environmental Group Says USPS Is Already Dead.


"...approved of a proposed "Do Not Mail" registry that would, in theory, spare city dwellers from the acres of junk mail that clog our post boxes yearly..."    



This Article is From: blogs.sfweekly.com

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Postal Service Cuts, Chief's Compensation Getting Closer Look


"...Given the sad shape of the Postal Service, tough questions certainly should be raised about Potter's compensation, particularly the bonus and 40 percent raise...."    



This Article is From: www.washingtonpost.com

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Monday, March 23, 2009

Postal District Closings, Voluntary Early Retirement, and Reductions


On March 20, the US Postal Service announced District Closings, Voluntary Early Retirement, and Reductions. The announcement reads as follows:



USPS ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE CLOSINGS, EARLY RETIREMENT OFFER AND
STAFFING REDUCTIONS


Today the Postal Service has announced it will close six of its 80 district offices. USPS is also
eliminating positions across the country and offering another round of voluntary early retirements.
These actions are expected to save the Postal Service more than $100 million annually.
The six offices closing — located in Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Washington State — house administrative functions and will not adversely affect
customer service, mail delivery, Post Office operations or ZIP Codes. The functions of these offices will
be assumed by 10 surrounding districts.
The Postal Service’s districts are being re-aligned as follows:
�� The Boston and Connecticut districts will assume the operations of the Massachusetts District.
�� The Northern New England (formerly Maine) District will assume the operations of the New
Hampshire/Vermont District.
�� The Western Pennsylvania (formerly Pittsburgh) District will assume the operations of the Erie
District.
�� The South Florida and Suncoast districts will assume the operations of the Central Florida
District.
�� The Seattle and Salt Lake City districts will assume the operations of the Spokane District.
�� The Northern New Jersey and Southern New Jersey districts will assume the operations of the
Central Jersey District.
USPS will reduce administrative staff positions at the district level nationwide by 15 percent. In addition,
more than 1,400 mail processing supervisor and management positions at nearly 400 facilities around
the country will be eliminated, and nearly 150,000 employees nationwide are being given the...

The Mandatory Stand-Up Talk reads as follows:

Mandatory Stand-Up Talk
District Closings, Staffing Reductions and VER Announced

With the economic recession resulting in the Postal Service ending fiscal year 2008 with a loss of nearly $3 billion, we
are facing an extremely difficult financial challenge.
Streamlining operations and improving efficiency throughout the Postal Service is a constant, ongoing process. Over
the past year, we have refined this process by modifying networks, consolidating functions, adjusting delivery routes
and restructuring administrative and processing operations. Today, Postmaster General Jack Potter announced new
steps to further our efforts. These actions are expected to save the Postal Service more than $100 million annually.
First, the Postal Service is closing six district offices.
These six administrative district offices were chosen based on their proximity to other districts that could absorb the
additional workload without compromising the delivery, retail and mail processing functions of the Postal Service.
Today, more than 500 employees were notified by their area vice president and/or district manager that their district
offices were closing.
An opportunity for voluntary early retirement (VER) also is being offered.
This nationwide offer is open to nearly 150,000 employees who meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
conditions, and who are at least 50 years of age with 20 years of creditable federal service, or any age with 25 years
of creditable federal service. An annuity estimate will be mailed to all VER-eligible employees starting April 6, 2009.
Another step being taken is instituting a 15% administrative staffing reduction of positions in all remaining 74
district offices.
Postal headquarters already has reduced its employee complement by approximately 15% and the area offices are in
the process of a similar staffing reduction.
At nearly 400 of our mail processing facilities around the country, more than 1,400 supervisor and
management positions are being eliminated.
Reduction in force (RIF) avoidance strategies will be in place for employees impacted by district closings and staffing
reductions.
There are no signs of an early economic recovery. Financial projections call for a continued decline in mail volume and
revenue.
Now, more than ever, we all must look for ways to do our jobs more efficiently and help to continue the service
performance and customer satisfaction improvements we have gained in recent years.
By doing so, we can help ensure that the Postal Service will continue to deliver for America now and in the future.
Additional information — and questions and answers — about all of these new changes can be found under the Hot
Topics section on Blue. VER information can be found under the Hot Topics section on LiteBlue.
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Sunday, March 22, 2009

U.S. Postal Service offering early retirement to 150,000 workers


"... would reduce management staff by 15%, which would eliminate more than 1,400 processing, supervisor and management posts at nearly 400 facilities...."    



This Article is From: www.latimes.com

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

USPS to close 2 New England district offices


"...U.S. Postal Service district administrative offices in North Reading and in Manchester, N..H. will be among the six to be closed across the nation under the postal service cutbacks announced today...."    



This Article is From: www.boston.com

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Arizona City News - important information regarding the Postal Service's decision to proceed with residential delivery

"...important information regarding the Postal Service's decision to proceed with residential delivery..."    



This Article is From: www.zwire.com

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New Threats To Postal Service


"...another group of threatening letters.It's the second round of threats to area post offices this year...."    



This Article is From: www.keyc.com

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Does your mailbox need an extreme makeover?

By Anne Murray, Postmaster Fort Myers/Cape Coral

"...The Fort Myers/Cape Coral Consumer Advisory Council will judge the entries for creativity and compliance with postal regulations. Two winners will be announced on April 16-one each from Fort Myers and Cape Coral. The winning photos will be on display in the Page Field and Cape Coral Central Post Offices during May. The winning mailboxes will be featured on postage stamps and the owners will receive two sheets of First-Class mail customized postage stamps...."    



This Article is From: www.northfortmyersneighbor.com

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APWU Presidents Make a Difference From Legislative Conference to Capitol Hill


"...The Employee Free Choice Act, which would give workers greater freedom to choose to form unions and bargain for a better workplace, was introduced in the Senate (S. 560) and the House (H.R. 1409) on March 10. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Rep. George Miller (D-CA) introduced the bill, which is the top legislative priority of the APWU and the labor movement. It currently has 222 sponsors in the House and 39 in the Senate...."    



This Article is From: www.apwu.org

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Bronx Letter Carrier Arrested in $90 Million Tax Refund Scam


"...OIG Special Agents, along with Postal Inspectors, FBI and IRS agents, arrested a Bronx letter carrier and two accomplices, in the crack-down of a massive tax-refund scheme to defraud the IRS out of more than $90 million. At the time of arrest, the carrier had 75 bogus refund checks in his possession. The scam worked like this..."    



This Article is From: www.uspsoig.gov

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Early outs, again?


"...There is a strong rumor out there that there will be another VER coming soon. At this point it is just that, a rumor, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Postal Service, in an effort to continue downsizing in response to reduced volumes, announces another VER...."    



This Article is From: www.postmasters.org

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Monday, March 16, 2009

CATALOGS BY MAIL A BIG HIT WITH GARDENERS


"...It’s likely the presence of these catalogs in the mailstream will increase. According to USA Today, gardening is on the rise. The number of people growing vegetables in 2009 will jump more than 40 percent compared to two years ago. Vegetable seed sales are up by double digits at the nation’s largest seed sellers...."    



This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Collecting stamps of Ottoman and Turkish vintage


"...Postal services have existed for millennia as part of the need to provide communications for the rulers of countries or empires so large that it took days to cross. Systems were set up with horses kept at various stages somewhat like the famed Pony Express in the United States in modern times and men would ride as fast as possible over a set route..."    



This Article is From: www.hurriyet.com.tr

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Heavy smoke at Westfield Post Office


"...The United States Postal Service has an investigative unit on the scene, and the local fire department is assisting in the investigation. The post office is open for business, the roof is okay, but the basement is closed to employees...."    



This Article is From: www.mycentraljersey.com

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Post office to cut jobs, operations in Athens


"...The U.S. Postal Service plans to cut 17 positions and move some operations out of the Athens post office, which has been without a postmaster since the end of January. The post office will hold a public meeting in two weeks to explain its plan to move mail-processing operations from Athens to a postal service processing and distributing center in Duluth, post office spokesman Michael Miles said..."    



This Article is From: onlineathens.com

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Sunday, March 8, 2009

Postal Hike To Favor Direct Mailers, Disadvantage Newspapers


"...the NAA filed comments with postal regulatory commission. The NAA expects the commission to determine if the rates are illegal in a few weeks. If the commission declines to comment, the NAA plans to file a complaint, explained Boyle.
..."    



This Article is From: www.editorandpublisher.com

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Saturday, March 7, 2009

Seabiscuit Stamped Envelope

Famous racehorse memorialized by USPS on stamped envelope

"...The United States Postal Service has announced that concurrently with the standard postage stamp increase to 44 cents, they will also release, on May 11, a Seabiscuit Stamped Envelope showcasing the champion racehorse printed on a 44-cent stamped envelope commemorating his win against the Triple Crown Winner, War Admiral. ..."    



This Article is From: www.willitsnews.com

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J.P. Morgan and U.S. Postal Service Expand Cash Management Relationship


"..."The USPS cash collection and concentration system is one of the largest and most complex in the world," said Robert Pedersen, Treasurer, USPS. "By consolidating our cash management service, we have greater insight into our daily working capital and have improved cash forecasting capabilities."..."    



This Article is From: www.finchannel.com

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Friday, March 6, 2009

US Postal Service Says Winning Share Amid Shipping Decline


"...Market share for USPS' priority mail service registered about 15% as of Sept. 30, the close of the agency's 2008 fiscal year. Reblin contended that the percentage has gone up since then, although he added that the gains haven't been quantified yet...."    



This Article is From: money.cnn.com

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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Postal Service draws criticism for $1.2 million home buy


"...The 8,400-square-foot, six-bedroom home on Lake Wateree, about 30 miles north of Columbia, is likely to be the last million-dollar home purchased by the Postal Service. A $1 million cap on homes eligible for the relocation program took effect in February, Frey said...."    



This Article is From: cnn.com

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USPS Employee -vs- Employer Benefit Contributions

President Obama FY 2010 Budget has postal employees picking up larger portions of benefit expenses. Below you will find a copy of Table S-6 of the of "Mandatory and Receipt Proposals" of the 2010 Budget. Click the image to enlarge.


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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Postmaster starts stamp club

First meeting for people who are interested is set for March 26 in Aumsville

"...The first meeting of the Aumsville Stamp Club is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 at the Chester Bridges Memorial Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. The meetings will be held the last Thursday of the month. People who are interested in philately from Mill City to Scio are invited to the meeting, or can contact Aumsville Postmaster Raymond Berg at (503) 749-1133 or raymond.p.berg@usps.gov for more information...."    



This Article is From: www.statesmanjournal.com

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Savannah’s New Postmaster


"...in Savannah history continues to be made as the city sees its first African American Postmaster. When you visit the Fahm Street Post Office branch you will probably see Barbara King working alongside mail clerks and doing what’s necessary to stay ahead. King started her career with the U.S. Postal Service in Birmingham, Alabama 23 years ago...."    



This Article is From: www.wsav.com

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Postal Service, museum in dispute over photos



"...it was ironic that the Postal Service, which was a full governmental agency when the murals were painted, would charge to produce an image of artwork created with tax dollars. The Postal Service, which now operates without federal support, told the museum in a letter that it had the right to restrict access to its property...."    



This Article is From: www.philly.com

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Monday, March 2, 2009

USPS National Reassessment Process

Here is a great "Flash" presentation by the Colorado APWU on the Postal Service National Reassessment Process

"...File Format: Shockwave Flash
USPS Unleashes NRP The following article first appeared in the ... If moves (labor distribution codes) were not used to track the actual duties performed..."    



This Article is From: www.cpwu.org

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