"...Biden won’t have the power to usher in a replacement. Only the Postal Service Board of Governors, which oversees USPS, can hire and fire the postmaster general. The president, instead, nominates people to the Board of Governors, and the Senate confirms them..."
"...According to the statement, “These organizational changes will not initiate a reduction-in-force.” The statement also said that the hiring freeze announced in August will continue. The last paragraph indicates that more changes are to come: “Further organizational modifications are expected to continue..."
"...As an example of USPS retirement under CSRS, a postal worker with a high-3 average of around $60,000 and 20 years of service earns...FERS also uses the high-3 average, paying 1 to 1.1 percent of the high-3 average salary for each year of service. Under FERS, a postal worker with a high-3 average of around $60,000 and 20 years of service earns..."
"...Who is eligible for the SRS? The SRS is paid to FERS employees who retire on an immediate, unreduced annuity before reaching age 62, when they become eligible for Social Security benefits—if you retire at 62 or above, you are immediately eligible and thus no SRS will be paid—and ends when they reach that age..."
"...Judge Stanley Bastian in Yakima, Wash., said he was issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction against the USPS sought by 14 states ..."
"...Allegations about which POGO seeks information:
Decisions that impact the mail-in voting process
Reduction in service standards
Removal of postal sorting machines
Politicization of management
Management decisions designed to deliberately slow mail processing and delivery
Reduction of overtime or reduction of hours..."
"...Gonzalez said the person seen on surveillance video tossing the bags of mail out of a Budget rental truck was a contractor and after watching the surveillance tape..."
"...“The disrespect of a Congress member who sits on the Oversight and Reform Committee that is protecting the post office and they’re denying her coming in,” said Nick Mosezar, the president of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 318 who helped plan Wasserman Schultz’s visit. “Unbelievable.”..."
"...Entitled “Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor,” the commemorative stamp features original art by Greg Harlin and was designed Greg Breeding. According to the USPS, it conveys “a scene of desolate beauty at the end of the Pilgrims’ long journey to an unfamiliar world.” Since 2013, McKay, Plymouth 400 and Plymouth Rock Stamp Club have worked to convince the Postal Service to include stamps recognizing the founding of Plymouth by English settlers in 1620..."
"...It’s that time again: National elections are coming in November. For the federal workforce, this means that the number of employees found in violation of the Hatch Act will go up. Enthusiasm for a candidate or an issue will overcome individuals who never saw, never read about, or do not remember the periodic announcements issued regarding the Hatch Act and the impact it can have on a federal employee..."
"...The documents released Saturday are said to be part of a "PMG Briefing," a presentation prepared directly for the Postmaster General just last week. According to the internal report, significant dips in on-time delivery have been recorded by the Postal Service since the start of July but had been steady for several months prior. Maloney says DeJoy did not admit to "sweeping delays and reductions in service caused by his actions and detailed in these new documents." She says the documents contradict representatives on the other side of the aisle that claimed there were "no delays" in mail delivery and "no data" to prove the delays were real..."
"...“Most times, it may be a week to ten days late,” said Richard McBee. “It’s inconsistent and then a lot of times, I get people’s mail that’s not mine.” McBee says the issues are getting worse..."
"..."Right behind me is a sophisticated barcode sorter; this is the sort of automated mail handling equipment that U.S. Post Master General Louis DeJoy has had removed," Coons said Thursday. "This was just removed from this facility Sunday night (August 16, 2020) and put outside, so it's been here for days in the rain. I think it's important that the postmaster general has said he is going to put the brakes on any further changes to service delivery standards to the equipment or handling of mail, but this is physical proof that reversing those changes is going to be expensive and difficult because this equipment isn't serviceable again."..."
"...Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has come under fire for his continuing financial ties to a company that does business with the Postal Service, received $1.2 million to $7 million in income last year from that firm, according to financial disclosure forms..."
"...USPS said these changes won’t lead to a reduction in force, and that “there are no immediate impacts to USPS employees,” but the agency will request Voluntary Early Retirement Authority from the Office of Personnel Management for employees not represented by a collective bargaining agreement..."
"...Twenty-three postal executives were reassigned or displaced, the new organizational chart shows. Analysts say the structure centralizes power around DeJoy, a former logistics executive..."
"...Camas resident Pete Durbin stands next to his 1929 Ford Model A mail truck, which will be entered into the Port of Camas-Washougal's Wheels and Wings event, to be held Aug. 24 at Grove Field. (Doug Flanagan/Post-Record)..."
"...organizational modifications include a management hiring freeze to “prepare for future changes” and a request for voluntary early retirement authority from the Office of Personnel Management. That authority allows an agency to temporarily lower the age and years of service requirements for retirement, with the goal of encouraging more employees that are on the cusp of retirement to make that transition..."
"...an angry lady offered everyone within earshot her spot-on take on the state of the U.S. Postal Service in Chicago. "They don't deliver your f------ mail. Then you come here to get the f------ mail, and they won't give you no f------ mail. It don't make no m------------ sense," she said before storming out the door..."
"...Harrelson, a Dadeville resident, was found shot to death Friday, Oct. 2 around 6:15pm while on the grounds of the Camp Hill post office. A suspect and motive are, as of yet, still unknown. Postal Inspector Tony Robinson tells..."
"...Face coverings must be worn in all areas, including conference rooms, hallways, stairways and anywhere other people are present..."
"...Deep inside Geprags Park in Hinesburg, Vermont, there's a mystery mailbox that stores letters dedicated to fathers who've passed away. On this week's "On the Road," Steve Hartman meets the man who installed this timeless portal in an effort to continue his bond with his father, even in the..."
"...The game sees you take control of a postal worker in 1986 Providence Oaks, Oregon. "You take on the role of 40-something Meredith Weiss, who returns to her beautiful hometown Providence Oaks in Oregon," Gamious writes on Steam. "She exchanges her busy career job to temporary fill in for her dad, a mail carrier."..."
"...Donald Lee Moak, a former Delta Airlines pilot and former president of the Air Line Pilots Association, and Bill Zollars, the former chairman of the logistics company YRC Worldwide, told members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee that setting a long-term business plan and redefining the Postal Service’s universal service obligation to deliver mail six days a week rank among their top priorities if confirmed..."
"...Postal workers and the fight to save the Postal Service hit the airwaves in two important new radio spots. A new radio ad, which focuses on the threat the USPS, was launched today by the American Postal Workers Union. ..."
"...James Daniels, 59, on his mail delivery route. Before the start of his shift, James Daniels taped the latest note of gratitude to workstation No. 31. In the nearly 16 years he's delivered mail, the letter carrier has received hundreds of notes of appreciation. But over the last couple of months, as the world changed around him, so did their tone..."
"...The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment sent a letter to the postal service on May 20, ordering it to close a large distribution center at 7550 E. 53rd Place for disinfecting. USPS refused to comply with the order, saying the city hadn’t taken the facility’s efforts to prevent the new virus’ spread into account. Denver health officials argued that USPS had refused to allow its inspectors access to ensure the facility was safe, forcing them to order its closure..."
"...many people overestimate what they will actually receive in retirement. Did you know that there are 6 main reductions to your pension in retirement that can dramatically affect how much you think you need in retirement?..."
"...A $50,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and convictions of people who've been shooting mail carriers with paintball guns. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service reports that the mail carriers were attacked on Saturday in at least five incidents in Washington and Maryland. Postal Inspection Service spokesman Michael Martel said several carriers suffered minor injuries ..."
"...U.S. Postal Service: The mailing agency has seen 60 postal workers die from symptoms related to COVID-19. About 2,400 have tested positive for coronavirus-related disease while a whopping 17,000—or 3% of the USPS workforce—have been sent home on quarantine. ..."
"...Despite the United States Postal Service's assurances that employees will be allowed "liberal" sick leave during the coronavirus pandemic, mail carriers say their bosses are making it incredibly difficult for them to take time off. Business Insider spoke..."
"...For your information, per the CDC, options for decisions about return-to-work for individuals with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 include a test-based strategy or a non-test based strategy. The USPS is currently applying the non-test based strategy in the majority of cases..."
"...An Indianapolis man has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of a a postal worker, authorities said Wednesday..."
"...The president was responding to a question about reports his administration plans to force major changes in postal operations as the price for approving a $10 billion loan...Trump said the changes the administration will insist on will make it a “whole new ballgame” at the Postal Service..."
"...Workers across the country say they’re not being informed when colleagues have tested positive for COVID-19, despite a Postal Service policy to do so. At the end of March, after workers complained, the Postal Service told its employees they would be notified if someone “in your workplace is confirmed to have COVID-19.” But workers at 11 locations told ProPublica they found out about cases through colleagues or were only told by management days after word had already gotten out. “People are scared..."
532,697 have signed. Let’s get to 1,000,000. WE need your support please
"...As we get deeper and deeper into this Coronavirus epidemic postal employees are being forced to work and do overtime upwards of 12 hours a day. As of this present time there have been Upwards of more than 40 confirmed cases of coronavirus with-in the United States Postal Service..."
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"...U.S. Postal Service is facing increased pressure from its 630,000 employees, who are sounding the alarm that they are unprotected and vulnerable as they continue to sort and deliver mail throughout the coronavirus pandemic...added sick leave for anyone who may have contracted the virus, hazard pay for those still at work and suspended service for facilities with vulnerable populations..."
"...To date, 40 postal workers have contracted the virus. Many more are home on mandatory quarantine as they may have come in contact with infected individuals...[USPS] stressed there is no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail..."
"... allowing Sick Leave for Dependent Care, for the next 60-day period, managers and supervisors should allow liberal changes of schedule in recognition of the disruption caused by the COVIDF-19 pandemic.
To the extent operationally practicable, managers and supervisors should accommodate employees who submit PS Form 3189, Request for Temporary Change of Schedule for Personal Convenience as a result of child care issues caused by daycare closures, school (Pre-K through Grade 12) closures or the unavailability of a child’s primary caregiver as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
Manager and Supervisors should also allow liberal sick leave usage for employees who are sick, and liberal annual and leave without pay (LWOP) usage to the extent operationally feasible during this time period. If an employee request leave for reasons related to COVID-19, such leave should be treated as scheduled (as opposed to unscheduled) leave. Leave taken for COVID-19 related reasons between February 29, 2020, and May 17, 2020 may not be cited in discipline for failing to maintain an assigned schedule under ELM 511.43.
Memorandum: re USPS issues statement on the MOU on Liberal Changes of Schedule and Leave (pdf)..."
"...“It has become clear that the Postal Service will not survive the summer without immediate help,” said Rep. Carolyn Maloney...Based on a number of briefings and warnings this week about a critical fall-off in mail across the country..."
"...Coronavirus RNA survived for up to 17 days aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, living far longer on surfaces than previous research has shown, according to new data published Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...RNA, the genetic material of the virus that causes COVID-19, “was identified on a variety of surfaces in cabin..."
"...Many employees within the facility say they are concerned for their health and safety and are not looking forward to returning. "People have families to go home to," says USPS maintenance mechanic..."
"...Recently, the Postal Service informed APWU of a potential breach in testing materials related to Maintenance Selection System Exam 955, stating the following: As a precautionary measure, a temporary hold on Exam 955 test scheduling has been issued until a full investigation has been completed. Individuals currently in process to complete testing will be rescheduled for a later date..."
"...CDC has reported there is very low risk that the coronavirus can be spread from products or packaging shipped from China, due to poor survivability of this type of virus on surfaces. Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets, CDC reports. Also, according to CDC, there is no evidence to support transmission of the novel coronavirus associated with imported goods, and there have been no reported cases of the virus in the United States associated with imported goods. The Postal Service is providing this information to employees..."
"...studies show that its cousin viruses, SARS and MERS, only live for few hours on the surface of an object. They are spread most often by respiratory droplets from one person to another. It typically takes at least three days for a package to get from China to California, according to UPS and FedEx. So the virus wouldn’t be able to survive long enough to get you sick..."
"...Freight-forwarder DSV Panalpina (DSV.CO) said on Friday it would start direct cargo flights between Shanghai and Huntsville, Alabama from next week to cope with capacity constraints caused by the coronavirus outbreak in China...Starting on Feb. 25, DSV plans to operate flights between Shanghai and Huntsville thrice weekly using the firm’s Boeing 747-8 freighter plane, it said in a statement. “Due to the risk of spreading of the coronavirus (COVID-19), multiple airlines have either suspended..."
"...The viruses can sometimes survive on indoor surfaces for more than 7 days...Flu viruses capable of being transferred to hands and causing an infection can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses can survive on tissues for only 15 minutes..."
"...Pay increase lags behind inflation, Increase FERS contributions, High-5 average, Eliminate annuity supplement, Slash COLAs, Reduce the TSP’s G Fund interest rate, Higher premiums for workers, Budget cut, Training cuts, Union monitoring, ..."
"...Also, the President proposed budget hits against the postal and federal community. In part, the budget proposes to: increase employee retirement contributions to FERS approximately six-fold; eliminate the COLA for FERS retirees and to reduce the CSRS COLA by 0.5%; change the calculation of federal annuities from the High-3 to the High-5; reduce the earned interest in the Thrift Savings Plan G-Fund; and eliminate the Special Retirement Supplement for FERS annuitants who retire prior to reaching Social Security eligibility. The projected 10-years savings from these proposals total $179.5 billion. NAPS is urging Congress to reject White House proposals that undermine the Postal Service or target the pay and benefits of its employees..."
"...FERS employees would see an increase of contributions by 1% every year until it is equal to the contributions of the federal government; an elimination of the FERS supplement for those who retire before the age of 62; and elimination of cost of living adjustments (COLAs). CSRS retirees would face a reduction of COLAs..."
"...The budget also proposes slashing social safety net programs, eliminating or reducing CSRS and FERS cost of living increases, increasing employee retirement contributions, and changing the way retirement is calculated. “This budget is a blueprint of the administrations priorities and it is clear they do not value the dedicated postal and federal workforce, seniors, or those in need of assistance” said Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard. “As Congress develops their own budget, we will remain vigilant and work with our bipartisan allies to fight back against the attacks laid out in the White House budget..."
"...Drivers working for Amazon delivery partners typically earn less than their counterparts working at larger delivery companies like UPS, which helps Amazon lower costs. One driver working for Bear Down Logistics in Michigan said he earned about $15 an hour delivering Amazon packages, while UPS paid seasonal drivers doing the same work in that area about $20 an hour..."
"... procedures have been adopted by the National Executive Board of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, pursuant to Article V, Section 9 of the NPMHU National Constitution, to govern the referendum vote that will be held to ratify the terms of the tentative 2019 National Agreement between the Union and the U.S. Postal Service..."
"...To amend title 39, United States Code, to establish rules and procedures for the United States Postal Service regarding the use of centralized delivery of the mail with respect to residential housing units, and for other purposes...Retroactive change to mode of delivery prohibited.—For any housing development with respect to which the primary mode of mail delivery is any such mode except for centralized delivery on the date of the enactment of this section, the Postal Service may not change such mode of delivery to centralized delivery..."
"...seeking an exemption to a U.S. Postal Service directive that would require cluster mailboxes at any new housing subdivisions...maintenance costs of centrally-located cluster mailboxes would necessitate homeowners associations at any new subdivisions to collect funds for that upkeep..."
"...USPS would also be able to remove the payments toward health benefits for future retirees that it defaulted on from its balance sheet by reamortizing those liabilities over a 40-year period. The House last week voted to eliminate that prefunding requirement entirely. Absent from the budget blueprint was a plan to sell off the Postal Service to the private sector..."
"...“We’re pleased that a number of presidential candidates have positions and have taken actions supportive of postal workers and expanding union rights. But when we judge candidates by their long-term and consistent actions, Bernie Sanders stands out as a true champion of postal workers and all workers throughout the country,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “Bernie Sanders has proven he is a fierce advocate on the side of postal workers. He has opposed the closures of postal facilities and reduced service standards..."
"...Evans is dead after killing himself in Birmingham Friday. His suicide came after the murder of his ex-girlfriend, threats to V.A. facilities in Huntsville and Birmingham and a statewide manhunt..."
"...a United States Postal Service employee, was shot and killed outside her job. Terrell, 22, was just ending her shift Monday night at the Wesley Chapel Road USPS when DeKalb police say Tyre walked up to her and shot her in the head multiple times, The Atlanta..."