MILWAUKEE - Postal Workers Attacked

Two Postal Workers Recovering After Attacks "... MILWAUKEE - Two letter carriers in Milwaukee are recovering after attacks in their neighborhoods...."
[Reference: www.todaystmj4.com]

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Photo Stamps

Create your own real postage stamps with your photo of choice "...put your own picture on your stamps. Imagine sending a birthday card to your mother ...when she gets it in the mail, it has a stamp on it that is a picture of her holding you in her arms...."


[Reference: postal-edaily.blogspot.com]

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Chantilly Virginia Postal Employees Infected

Chantilly Postal Workers Test Positive for Tuberculosis "...a worker at the post office had an active case of the disease. Fairfax County health officials found that 32 of the more than 120 employees had been exposed..."
[Reference: www.washingtonpost.com]

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OPM Issues Report On Its New RetireEZ Program

New Program is permanently transforming retirement process "..."We are pleased to report the majority of cases that processed to date under RetireEZ matched the legacy calculation," said OPM Director Linda M. Springer. "In all Wave 1 cases OPM paid full retirement benefits at the payment commencement date. No longer are retirees under the new system receiving interim payments and waiting for months until their actual payment amounts are calculated. This success is directly attributable to the transformation of millions of paper records to automated data that underlies the modernization. All Wave 1 new retirees are getting better service because of RetireEZ."..."
[Reference: www.opm.gov]
www.retireez.gov

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"Canada Post" Union Busting Alleged

Roughly 170 postal workers suspended five days without pay "...Saskatoon postal workers have been suspended for five days without pay after meeting with their shop stewards during a 10-minute coffee break...."
[Reference: www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/]

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Postal Cocaine Delivery Leads to Arrest

Mailed cocaine lands man a felony charge "...Drugs had been detected in the package by a drug-sniffing police dog. The package was sent from Chicago...."
[Reference: www.hutchinsonleader.com]

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Federal Employee Pay Parity

Federal employees seek pay parity with military "...Both military support organizations and several federal workers unions are pushing for a 3.9 percent raise or higher for both groups..."
[Reference: www.stripes.com]

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WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY

On April 28, the NPMHU and the entire labor movement observes Workers Memorial Day. The day commemorates the anniversary of the enactment of the Occupation Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA) over three decades ago.
[Reference: www.npmhu.org]

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Continued Attempts to Reduce Workers’ FMLA Rights

FMLA: Here We Go Again "...require workers to provide more proof of illness; to present such documentation more often; and to relinquish medical information to non-medical personnel. If enacted, the new rules also would allow management personnel to contact workers’ medical providers...."
[Reference: www.apwu.org]

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Audit Identifies USPS Lax in Record Keeping

USPS Audit Reveals Unaccountable Millions "...USPS were unable to make an assurance that any of the $27.6 million in maintenance and repair expenses at facilities were actually used for that purpose. The audit said the lax approach to record keeping by supervisors left the company wide open to fraud..."
[Reference: www.hellmail.co.uk]

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USPS Vacant Address Data Table for Mailers

USPS offers data table file identifying vacant addresses "...In order to help mailers identify vacant addresses, the US Postal Service has developed a new data table file to be used with commercial address matching software..."
[Reference: www.dmnews.com]
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Gangs receive guns via mail

Illegal guns went to Puerto Rican gangs, agent says "...ship the weapons to Puerto Rico. Marilyn Quinones-Burgos, one of two women arrested so far, is accused on March 6, 2007, of wrapping aluminum foil around five guns and hiding them in a cosmetic case, then taking the package to a U.S. Post Office and mailing it to ring members on the island...."
[Reference: www.orlandosentinel.com]

File Under: Found in the Mail

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USPS workshare mailer discounts excessive

PRC Ruling Exposes Unhealthy Relationship Between USPS and Influential Mailers "... The commission ruling reaffirms the APWU’s position that workshare discounts that exceed the postal costs avoided are not consistent with the standard of universal rates for all mailers, large and small. The 2008 PRC ruling is Exhibit #1 in exposing the unhealthy relationship between postal management and influential large mailers.

The Postal Regulatory Commission has issued a strong warning that it will not permit the continuation of arbitrary “sweetheart” deals for large mailers..."
[Reference: www.apwu.org Burrus Update]

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Postal Exam Spotlight

On occasion we will "spotlight" an area (or areas) of the country where the postal service (USPS) is taking applications for postal exams. In this case we are spotlighting Huntsville, Alabama, where the USPS is excepting applications for Exam 943 -Automotive Technician. The USPS Announcement Number is 232267. We recommend visiting "How do I get a job with the U.S. Postal Service?" which is a great site for explaining the process. There are numerous other places taking applications for different exams. For example, Florida has a variety of examination openings: Custodial Maintenance (229622), General Maintenance Positions (227888), and Electronics Technicians (223515).

File Under: Huntsville Employment
Florida Postal Employment

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Postal Mail Handler Wage Increase

This information comes to us from the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU).
COLA OF $479 TO BE ADDED TO BASE WAGES

The third of ten guaranteed cost-of-living adjustments to be paid to all mail handlers under the 2006 National Agreement has been set at $479, based on changes in the National Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the period running from July 2007 through January 2008. This COLA is being added to wages effective March 15, 2008, and will be reflected in paychecks on April 4, 2008 (P07-2008). The COLA of $479 represents an increase of 23 cents per hour.

To view the new Mail Handler Pay Wage Scale Chart click the following link: Mail Handler Pay Scale

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Disability Fraud Denied by Ex-Postal Employee

Ex-postal worker denies disability fraud charges "... In 1978 and 1979, she had two back surgeries and by 1981 had returned to work full-time as a mail processing clerk. ..."
[Reference: www.billingsgazette.net]

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Federal Retirement Calculator

Here is a great tool offered by the The United States Geological Survey (USGS.GOV) the Get a rough estimate of the Federal annuity you would be entitled to on the day of your retirement. Please note: this calculator is an estimate and should not be used as an exact calculation of your retirement benefits. For a more detailed and more precise estimate, please contact your agency's personnel office. Click the appropriate link below to visit your retirement category:

FERS Retirement Calculator

CSRS Retirement Calculator

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House Bill: No Penalty for CSRS Part-Time Work

House Committee Passes Bill to Allow Federal CSRS Employees To Work Part-time Without Penalty "... Enactment of this bill would enable Federal employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System to work part-time prior to retirement without incurring penalties to the annuity they have so rightly earned ..."
[Reference: www.opm.gov]

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FedEx Not Immune From Economic Hard Times

FedEx Sees 'Limited' Growth Ahead "... "Our fourth-quarter earnings outlook has been impacted by higher-than-anticipated fuel prices and a weak U.S. economy," said Chief Financial Officer Alan B. Graf Jr. ..."
[Reference: Wall Street Journal]

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Thrift Savings Plan -v- Day Traders

Thrift Savings Plan Crackdown Is Working "... Efforts to discourage "market timers" in the Thrift Savings Plan are showing progress. Only 549 people last month defied a new policy limiting trades in the TSP ..."
[Reference: www.washingtonpost.com]

File Under: TSP Trade Limits

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Junk Mail Debate

Efforts to Block Junk Mail Slowed "... the Direct Marketing Association has made $141,877 in contributions to federal candidates, including $6,610 to Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), who chairs the subcommittee that oversees the Postal Service and does not face reelection until 2012. ..."
[Reference: www.washingtonpost.com]


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Postal Recycling Program

Postal service launches recycling program for electronics, ink cartridges "... Customers can pick up free envelopes for the Mail Back program at post offices nationwide ...>
[Reference: www.chicagotribune.com]


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Audit Concludes Postal Service Wasted Million's on FedEx Contract

Inspector General: USPS Wasted $17.8 Million on FedEx Contract "... the Postal Service’s Pacific Area incurred approximately $17.8 million in unnecessary costs by the use of "expensive" FedEx transportation to move mail that could have been moved on low-priced surface transportation or on less costly passenger airlines. “The Postal Service also paid FedEx to sort mail when they could have avoided those costs..."
[Reference: www.apwu.org]

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Placing Fliers on Mailboxes

Postal Service: No material in or on mailboxes without stamps "... "You can't put anything in or on a mailbox without postage," he said. "There's federal law to back it up."...>
[Reference: www.eagletribune.com]

File Under: Mailbox Regulations

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Postal Buyout Rumor Control

What's the latest news on the rumors of a postal buyout? The rumors run rampant, but the Federal Times reports there are no plans according to "Ask the Experts" (posted March 15, 2008.
[Reference: www.federaltimes.com]

Inaccuracy on Stamp Honoring Biochemist Gerty Cori

Postal Service goofs on stamp honoring St. Louis Nobelist "... The new stamp bares Gerty's photograph next to a sketch of the Cori ester. But if you know anything about chemistry, you'll see the formula is wrong. ..."
[Reference: publicbroadcasting.net]

File under: Gerty Cori Stamp, Cori ester, Stamp Error

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Introduction of Postal eCareer

The U.S. Postal Service is introducing the new eCareer Postal Job Application Tool. Postal Employee's have a new automated way of applying for internal EAS jobs. USPS will soon be mailing postcards to the workforce detailing how to log on the new online system that will replace the PS Form 991. With eCareer, an employee can create an online candidate profile, that will contain your experience, skills, education and training. To create a profile, sign in to LiteBlue with your employee ID and postal PIN. Next "click" on "My Life" and the eCareer link under the Internal Jobs heading on the right side of the page. Then, "click" on "Search and/or Apply for EAS Jobs". After that click on the Candidate Profile link on the Personal Page to complete the candidate profile. Some EAS jobs are being posted now. All EAS vacancies will be posted beginning April 1, 2008.

eCareer site

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FERS Sick Leave Bill Update

Bill Would Give Retirees Partial Pay for Unused Sick Leave "... FERS employees would be eligible for a lump-sum payment of up to $10,000 for their unused sick leave. The proposed benefit would apply to accrued sick leave exceeding 500 hours. ...">

[Reference: www.washingtonpost.com]

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TSP Frequent Trading Limit?

TSP To Limit Frequent Trading "... Apparently, some savvy traders in the Thrift Savings Plan are having a major impact on cost of TSP trades. According to the data provided in a Federal Register Document ..."

[Reference: The Postal News Network]

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Talented Nevada Postmaster

Nevada postmaster turns comedian "... Musick is not only a U.S. Postmaster in Nevada and a Bucyrus resident, he is a professional cartoonist, humorous illustrator, comedian, spokesperson and ghost writer..."
[Reference: www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com]

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Postal Plant Manager Firing Upheld at MSPB

The following is an excerpt from an MSPB ruling on the Postal Plant Manager firing. The document is in ADOBE ACROBAT format.

"... As Plant Manager, the appellant was expected to avoid any actions that might result in or create the appearance of using his position to give preferential treatment to any person and of losing impartiality as a Plant Manager, which affected the integrity of the agency’s operations. ..."

[Reference: MSPB.gov]

USPS Headquarters Hiring Freeze

Postal Service freezes hiring at headquarters "... announced the hiring freeze in a March 7 memo to postal executives. ..." [Reference: federaltimes.com]

File Under: post office march 11 announcement

Links to this post: USPIS Forum at http://forums.officer.com

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Postal Service May Process Mail-In Ballots

Mail-in ballot gathers steam for Florida Democratic primary re-do "... beginning to look as if the U.S. Postal Service could be the answer to the growing dispute over Florida's presidential primary.U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson on Sunday pressed for a do-over primary this spring by mail ...>

[Reference: www.orlandosentinel.com]



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Social Security Question and Answer

Postal employees under FER's may find the interesting. SOCIAL SECURITY Q&A: How does the SSA calculate my retirement benefits? "... What assumptions about my future earnings does the Social Security Administration use to calculate the retirement benefit estimates on my statement? ..." [Reference: www.grandforksherald.com]




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Abu Dhabi postal workers to get free accommodation

Abu Dhabi postal workers to get free accommodation "... Dubai: The Board of Emirates Post has proposed that those working in Abu Dhabi post offices who live in other emirates should be given free bachelor accommodation. ..." [Reference: www.gulfnews.com]


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Philatelist Passes: Harvey Karlen

Harvey Karlen: 1918 - 2008: Expert on city's postal history "... Among his books were "Chicago's Mail: An Anthology of Postal History Articles Focusing Upon the Community's Growth, Its Interests and Its Attitudes" and the playfully titled "Chicago's Crabgrass Communities: A History of the Independent Suburbs and Their Post Offices That Became Part of Chicago." ..." [Reference: www.chicagotribune.com]

Links for Harvey Karlen books:
Chicago postal history;: Selections that honor the collecting interest of Richard McP. Cabeen

Chicago's mail: An anthology of postal history articles focusing upon the community's growth, its interests, and its attitudes

Postal Service Announcement: Changes Ahead

Postal News - USPS to announce major shipping news March 11 "... will share with employees our new pricing strategies to compete in the shipping business. ..." [Reference: liteblue.usps.gov]


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Global Terrorist Incident Map

Although this may be considered a little off-topic for a website that provides postal news, we at The Postal Newsgroup are not above offering links and information to sites we see as beneficial to our readers. The Global Terrorist Incident Map is just one of those sites. There is some controversy as to whether the site, as a by-product, tends to inspire panic, especially since many of the incidents are hoaxes. However, we see it as a valuable tool in keeping informed.

A Postal Buyout Without the Cash!

Taking a look back to the Postal employee buyout of 2006, we find an article by Mike Causey dated April 10, 2006, from Federal News Radio. The article is titled, "Early-Outs Without a Buyout: Like Batman Without Robin?" As usual, Mr. Causey is right on the money when he writes, "Offering federal workers the chance to take early retirement, but without a $25,000 buyout, it's like offering your kids a banana split with no banana. Tiny Tyler, who will eat anything, may bite. But the rest of the brood will say thanks but no thanks!"






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Law Enforcement Records Names, Addresses on Outside of Envelopes Traveling through the mail

Here is an Orwellian story sure to make you go ...Hmmmm. Law enforcement request to record names, addresses and other information from the outside of letters and packages of suspected criminals every year since 1998, according to U.S. Postal Inspection Service data. Here is an article from USA Today: Law enforcement requests for postal info granted. Is sanctity of the mail limited only to internal contents?

Postal Early Outs, Postal Buyout, Postal Early Retirement ...a look at the past

With all the talk amongst the Postal Service rank and file about Postal Early-Outs, USPS Early Retirement Offers, there is always the hopes and dreams for salary bonuses to workers as an incentive in a Postal Buyout. So far, all the rumors of any early retirement, are just that ...RUMORS! However, should a buyout offer present itself, what might it look like? It the past, 1992 specifically, the Post Office offered this:
A six-month salary bonus for either regular or early retirement. Workers are eligible for immediate pensions at age 55 with 30 years of service, at age 60 with 20 years or at age 62 with five years of service. During an early-retirement open window, employees can retire at any age after 30 years of service, or at age 50 with 20 years of service. [Reference: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1023543.html]

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Federal and * Postal employees will soon be able to calculate full retirement income online

Model your retirement online "... OPM bought the retirement calculator for $290 million in 2006 from Hewitt Associates. Not only will it allow employees to calculate their own retirement income, but OPM will use it to calculate retirement checks for federal retirees. ..." [Reference: federaltimes.com]

The program is named RetireEZ

Visit the RetireEZ website at www.retireez.gov

* Subsequent rollouts of RetireEZ will cover the remainder of the Executive Branch, the U.S. Postal Service and the Legislative and Judicial Branches, with the fifth and final rollout scheduled for February 2009.

Postal Service Cost Cutting

U.S. Postal Service plans $1 billion in cost cutting "... by reducing more than 10.5 million work hours ..." [Reference: deseretnews.com]

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Inmate Labor

Inmates to fix postal service transmissions "... inmates at the Pendleton Correctional Facility will repair the transmissions in a contract with Alabama-based Ready-Built Transmission. ..." [Reference: www.indystar.com]

Residents Attack Postal Carriers

[SAGINAW, Mich.] Postal Service Suspends Deliveries After Residents Attack Carriers "... "We've had rocks thrown at one of our vehicles, breaking the glass," said Sharon Adamczyk, secretary to Saginaw Postmaster Jacque S. Vican. "Our carriers get a lot of verbal abuse if they don't deliver [residents'] checks on the day they want it. "Out of each six-day work week, our carriers are hearing gunshots ..." [Reference: www.foxnews.com]

Need a Post Office Box? It's Only a Click Away

Finding a PO Box Only a Click Away "... U.S. Postal Service Post Office Boxes now can be found online at usps.com/poboxes. The new, online locator feature allows customers to find box availability, sizes and fees, as well as addresses, phone and fax numbers for each Post Office listed with available PO Boxes. ..."


[Reference] http://www.usps.com

Linked to this post: yourpostalblog.blogspot.com

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cocaine found in express mail package

2 Pounds Of Cocaine Found In Mail Package "... discovered in an express mail package in Polk County and a man was arrested after a postal inspector in Puerto Rico alerted authorities ..." [Reference: www.local6.com]

Need a Post Office?

Officials say post office process is long, complex "... That means a review by either the North Florida district office in Jacksonville or the postal officials in charge of the Southeast area, which encompasses Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. ..." [Reference: www.thevillagesdailysun.com]

[DeKalb County] Recent explosions in two mailboxes

Mailbox investigation continues "... A postal inspector out of Birmingham was in DeKalb County on Tuesday inspecting mailboxes. ..." [Reference: times-journal.com]

St. Paul and Eagan Postal Facilities

Postal facility's move from St. Paul to Eagan stalls again over plan for traffic light "... Last week, a tense comment at the end of an e-mail from a Postal Service official had city and county staff worried that the project was finished, and not in a good way. The subject was whether a traffic signal would be installed near the building's entrance at Gemini Road and Lexington Avenue by the time the new mail hub is completed in 2010 or 2011. ..." [Reference: www.twincities.com]

Priority Flat Rate Box

Larger USPS flat-rate box now available "... The box is 12 inches by 12 inches and is 5½ inches thick. It is 50 percent larger than the previous flat-rate box ..." [Reference: www.stripes.com]

Linus Pauling stamp

Linus Pauling stamp to be released next week
"... a 41-cent stamp honoring the only man to win two unshared Nobel Prizes. ..." [Reference: www.oregonlive.com]


To learn more about Linus Pauling visit wikipedia

Private Contractor Use of USPS Property

APWU Requests Investigation Of Private Contractors’ Use of USPS Property "... APWU President William Burrus has asked USPS Inspector General David Williams to conduct an audit of the postal practice of permitting subcontractors to park trucks and store equipment on USPS property free-of-charge. The practice raises USPS operating costs and defers potential revenue, Burrus charged in a Feb. 22 letter [PDF] to the Inspector General (IG). ..." [Reference: www.apwu.org]

TSP Customized Statements

Check Your Mail. Seriously. '... One feature of the customized statements will show how much money you've put into the TSP. That's something most people don't know ...' [Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com]

Ancient Postal System

City of David Dig Reveals Information on Ancient Postal System '... Wet sifting and sorting through the soil revealed three fragments of clay stamps used to seal letters ...' [Reference: www.israelnationalnews.com]

Postal Employee Donates $2.2 Million for Scholarships

Two Guilford Collge Grads Give $2.2 Million For Scholarships '... Frank Werner graduated from Guilford College in 1934. He was a postal worker for 34 years. Ava Werner graduated in 1933, and worked for Blue Bell. ...' [Reference: www.digtriad.com]

Stamp Machines in Pensacola

[Pensacola, Florida] Post offices replacing stamp machines '... U.S. Postal Service is replacing older, cash-only, stamp vending machines with new, automated kiosks — Automated Postal Centers. However, the only Automated Postal Center in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties is at the Nobles Station post office on Tippin Avenue in Pensacola ...' [Reference: www.pensacolanewsjournal.com]

Stamp Machines in Huntsville

[Huntsville, Alabama] No stamps in stamp machine frustrate Huntsvillians '... "I went to the one on Wynn Drive, the one on Mastin Lake, the one on Clinton Avenue, then the one on Governor's Drive, then the one on Whitesburg." ... The Post Office tells us they only have two people certified to work the machines, and one of them is out of commission too. ...' [Reference: www.waff.com]

Note: You can order stamps by phone or over the internet:

Buy Stamps On the Internet at: www.usps.com

Print Postage from Your PC at: stamps.com

Put your photo or your favorite photo on your stamps at: photo.stamps.com

Updated Mailhandler Pay Scale / Schedule

The National Postal Mail Handlers Union has posted an updated pay scale that includes the cost-of-living adjustments to be paid to all mail handlers under the 2006 National Agreement. The new wages are effective March 15, 2008, and will be reflected in paychecks on April 4, 2008 (PP 07-2008). The COLA of $479 equates to an increase of 23 cents per hour.

NEW Mail Handler Pay Schedule

Mail Underpayments

U.S. Postal Service Undercharged Countries for Mail '... If auditors hadn't caught the errors, the facility would have undercharged foreign agencies $12.5 million over two years, the report said. ...' [Reference: www.bloomberg.com]

The Sick Leave Debate

Mike Causey from Federal News Radio writes an excellent article on the "sick leave" debate that rages on in the Federal workforce: CSRS -v- FERS.

Sick Leave: Insurance or Entitlement?

Dothan, AL: Woman Embezzles Money form APWU

Dothan woman pleads guilty to embezzling money from union "... A former employee for a Dothan-based postal union pleaded guilty to embezzling almost $11,000 of the union's money. ..." [Reference: www.al.com]

2008 USPS CPI Increase / Mail Handler COLA / APWU COLA

2008 USPS CPI Increase / Mail Handler COLA / APWU COLA / postal cola

The upcoming Cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment for NPMHU and APWU represented postal employees will be $479 annually. This calculates to $.23c per hour, and is effective March 15, 2008 (reflected in the April 4, 2008 pay check).

Visit the APWU and NPMHU articles:

APWU

NPMHU

reusable envelope approved ...Go Green

US Postal Service approves first reusable envelope "... Used for internal office mail for years, the reusable envelope is now set to make its debut nationwide in the US, after ecoEnvelopes announced this week that its reusable envelope has received official approval from the US Postal Service ..." [Article Reference: www.businessgreen.com]
[Product Reference: www.ecoEnvelopes.com]

Custodial Employees To Receive Arbitration Payment

Some Custodial Employees To Receive Arbitration Payment This Week "... The agreement, finalized on Jan. 29, settled the remedy portion of a national-level grievance. It is the culmination of a Nov. 16, 2006, arbitration victory in which Shyam Das ordered the USPS to rescind Handbook MS-47, Housekeeping Postal Facilities, issued in 2001, and to reinstate the 1983 version. The 2001 handbook had revised custodial staffing procedures. ..." [Reference: www.apwu.org ]

What makes a postage stamp valuable

Treasured for their flaws "... Much of coin, currency and stamp collecting, in fact, is based on glorious goofs — everything from inverted images to double and triple strikes in coins to misalignment, fold or crease errors with stamps, Holland says. Take the 1918 24-cent U.S. Airmail stamp with an inverted center showing an early biplane upside-down, for instance. The "Inverted Jenny" is one of the best-known examples of an "invert." ..." [Reference: www.capecodonline.com]

Rare invert stamp sells at record $1.2 Million

Philip Weiss Auction Sells Rare Invert Stamp From 1869 For Record $1.2 Million "... a rare "invert" American stamp from 1869 depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence to a record $1.2 million at Philip Weiss Auctions this past Saturday, February 9 ..." [Reference: antiquesandthearts.com]

When can workers sue against acts of retaliation by employers? Two cases slated for hearing this week

Employer retaliation cases reach U.S. Supreme Court "... Tuesday, the high court will examine whether a US postal worker can claim retaliation in a lawsuit under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act because she says her supervisor refused to let her return to her old job because he didn't like her personally. Instead, he hired a younger, less experienced worker. ..." [Reference: www.csmonitor.com]

Federal Health Insurance, Buyouts, and retirees

Mike Causey at FederalNewsRadio.com tells us, "... One of the proposals in President's budget would trim the government's share of health insurance premiums for workers retiring in the future. He made the same pitch last year and Congress ignored it. Currently the government pays an average of 72 percent of the total health premium for both federal workers and retirees. ..." You can read the full article at Federal News Radio titled: Health Insurance Premiums: Who Pays What?

What's in store for large postal facilities from the Postal Board of Governors (BOG)?

A stack of issues for postal board chief "... The board has to have the political will to force management to close large facilities ..." [Reference: www.philly.com]

USPS Medical Records Suit

Unions Sue USPS and OIG over Medical Records Over Invasion of Medical-Records Privacy: "... The suit alleges that the OIG has routinely instructed medical providers that they must submit records to the OIG and that they should refrain from notifying affected employees that the records have been requested by the OIG.

In suing the Postal Service and the OIG, the unions’ suit asserts that these practices constitute an unlawful invasion of privacy; they extend beyond the authority of the OIG; they violate postal workers’ constitutionally protected right to privacy; and they amount to unreasonable searches and seizures in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. ... [Reference: www.apwu.org]

Rumors of.... USPS Postal Buyout? Volunteer Early Retirement?

Plenty of rumors are floating around across the nation from postal facility to postal facility about postal early outs, USPS buyout programs and Volunteer Early Retirement (VERA). There are very few articles to be found on this subject. There is no doubt that the postal service is determined to reduce the numbers of employees substantially to justify the cost of automation as well as justifying the ridiculously low rates offered to big bulk mailers. Here are a couple of articles we have found on the subject. NOTE: None of this information has been verified, so take it with a grain of salt. The first article is from the Federal Times. This short article details the USPS' authority, or lack of authority, relative to offering a program to only CSRS and excluding FERS. The second article is from the PostalReporter.com. This article references a letter from the Los Angeles APWU detailing an upcoming Volunteer Early Retirement Authority (VERA) approved by OPM. Again, we have not verified the source. However, we speculate, if the letter is genuine, there would not be many APWU members that would take this offer, as it offers no monetary incentive. L.A., due to the size of the district, would be a great test ground to determine if the USPS would be successful without an incentive ...not going to happen for the majority since it would be costly to an employee not at Minimum Retirement Age (MRA). What do you think? If you have any paperwork that the reference can be verified, please share it with us!

2009 COLA Forecast -v- Seniors on Social Security

Newly Released 2009 COLA Forecast Would Keep Five Million Seniors Below Poverty Line "... lobbying for a change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) used to determine the COLA. The government currently calculates the COLA based on the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), a slow-rising index that tracks the spending habits of younger workers who don't spend as much of their income on health expenditures. ..." [Reference: prnewswire.com]

Jury Scam Defrauds Postal Service

Jury Ruse Defrauds Postal Service "... At the time of the first hoax, the Postal Service was struggling with significant problems and employee anxiety at the mail distribution center. Anthrax contamination had led to the deaths in fall 2001 of postal employees Joseph P. Curseen and Thomas L. Morris. The building was shuttered and workers reported to a site in suburban Maryland. The original facility reopened in December 2003 and was renamed for those who died. ..." [Reference: www.washingtonpost.com]

Article from the APWU on USPS Payroll Software Programming Delay

USPS Notifies Union of Payroll Glitch "... There is absolutely no excuse for the Postal Service’s failure to complete this project on time,” said APWU President William Burrus. “The 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement was signed on March 29, 2007. It is unacceptable that the programming required to implement the terms of the agreement is incomplete more than 11 months later.

“I have expressed my dissatisfaction directly to the postmaster general. Apparently, his intervention was insufficient to correct the problem in the short time that remained.” ..." [Reference: www.apwu.org]

Postal Job Scams

Postal Job Scams In the paper, on the internet, and even infomercials, you see ads for postal employment. Often these ads give the impression that the Post Office is hiring right now. Of course, unless there is a hiring freeze of some type, the Postal Service is typically hiring on a regular basis, but it may not be in your area, or even your state. Additionally, it might not be the type of position you desire. For example, the positions that are open may be part-time, temporary, or low-paying casual work, etc. Not all positions offer benefits or the promise of sustained employment. Some ads are so bold as to give the false impression they are the U.S. Postal Service or they are affiliated in some respectable manner. The fact of the matter is that some of these ads are legitimate ...meaning they offer an above-board package of study materials they have assembled and they genuinely provide good exam practice materials, and information on the postal system of hiring.

However, be aware that if you are seeking postal employment, you do not have to pay for study guides, as they are available for checkout at your local library. Additionally, if you sign up for an exam and are sent a test date, typically, you will be sent an practice exam booklet by the Postal Service. The best way to know when, where, and what type of jobs are available with the post office, is to do what you are doing now ...searching the internet. That's right, go to the postal service on the web at www.usps.com. We also suggest sites that detail how to use the postal service site to find employment information, as the postal site is difficult to navigate to some. We like the site, aptly titled, How do I get a job with the U.S. Postal Service? If you want to learn more about the U.S. Postal Service from the perspective of those currently working for them, we suggest going to one of the websites ran by one of the postal union organizations or postal workers themselves. We found numerous sites like The Postal Newsgroup, www.npmhu.org, www.apwu.org, or the Rocket City Mail Handler.

Post office workers, mail to be rerouted

150 workers could be transferred to Edison, Trenton

"Come April, the affected employees, who now work at the Monmouth Processing and Distribution Center (Monmouth P and DC) located at 307 Industrial Way West in Eatontown and the main branch of the Red Bank Post Office, 171 Broad St., could instead be stationed at facilities either in Edison or Trenton, according to George Flood, a postal service spokesman." [Reference: atlanticville.gmnews.com]

Pension inequity

Feb. 10, 2008:   Pension inequity an issue for Congress to fix, judge says   "... Just under 17,000 federal workers and 3,000 U.S. Postal Service workers get the 25 percent salary adjustments in Hawaii, with the remainder in Alaska. ..."    [Reference: www.adn.com]

NPMHU Files a National Level Grievance on Weighing the Mail

This process for notification is wholly unacceptable, and a flagrant violation of the National Agreement. Read the NPMHU letter here: http://www.npmhu.org/Pubs/News/Weighing%20MAil%20Appeal.pdf

How do I get a job with the U.S. Postal Service?

Here is a great resource for seeking employment with the U.S. Postal Service:

http://employment-assistance.blogspot.com/

APWU Upgrades

[APWU] Upgrades Reflected in March 7 Paycheck "The March 7 paycheck for all APWU-represented employees will reflect an upgrade negotiated in the 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“On Feb. 16, every APWU member in the Clerk, Maintenance, and Motor Vehicle Crafts will receive an upgrade to the next highest pay level,” said APWU President William Burrus. " [Reference: www.apwu.org]

Tornado Destroys Castalian Springs Post Office

Storm Destroys Post Office, Kills 6 In Castalian Springs "CASTALIAN SPRINGS, Tenn. - Mail service will continue in Castalian Springs even though storms destroyed the town's post office." [Reference: www.newschannel5.com]

MAIL HANDLER NEW WAGE SCALES, mail decline, dot-post

Feb. 4, 2008:   MAIL HANDLER NEW WAGE SCALES EFFECTIVE
ON FEBRUARY 16, 2008   "... All mail handlers will receive a general wage increase of 0.6% effective on February 16, 2008. ..."    [Reference: www.npmhu.org]



Feb. 4, 2008:   Postal agencies respond to mail decline   "... Sellers, 40, now pays most bills online and receives financial statements electronically. The owner of Sellers Photo in Huntsville, Ala., he also has cut down on mailing clients CDs, transferring images over the Internet instead. ..."    [Reference: www.businessweek.com]



Feb. 4, 2008:   Domain name in the works for post office   "... A new "dot-post" Internet address in the works aims to set apart the electronic services increasingly offered by postal agencies around the world. ..."    [Reference: www.businessweek.com]

Postal Service Board of Governors, TSP, Chicago Postal

Feb. 1, 2008:   TSP Current Returns   "... These returns are net of the effect of accrued administrative expenses and investment expenses/costs. The performance data shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate, so that investors' shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. ..."    [Reference: www.tsp.gov]



Feb. 1, 2008:   Chicago mail service improving, but overnight service still among worst in U.S.   "... while the improvements narrowed the gap between Chicago and other regions, the overnight delivery rate continued to lag behind most of the markets ..."    [Reference: www.chicagotribune.com]



Feb. 1, 2008:   Alan Kessler Elected Chairman, Postal Service Board of Governors   "... substantial experience in the defense of class-action litigation, including securities, antitrust, toxic tort and civil rights cases as well as a government relations and counseling practice. ..."    [Reference: www.webwire.com]

the USPS is composed mainly of relatively low-paid "...clerks and letter carriers, its officer corps does fine."

Here is a very enlightening article by Mike Causey over at Federal News Radio: Don't Go Postal Over This. The article details the pay disparity between USPS hierarchy and the blue collar workforce.
Posted by: Technorati Profile

Postal News

Jan. 29, 2008:   Teens' explosive device injures postal worker   "... The postal worker found a second device inside the home's mailbox Saturday and suffered minor chemical burns and an inhalation injury, police said. The Clayton County police bomb squad detonated the device, and no other injuries were reported. ..."    [Reference: www.ajc.com]



Jan. 29, 2008:   Teen Accused of Shooting Postal Worker In Court   "... Omaha, NE - A teen accused of shooting at a postal worker last August asked a judge to transfer his case to juvenile court today. ..."    [Reference: www.action3news.com]



Jan. 29, 2008:   Nigeria: Union Members Kick Against Postal Reform Bill   "... The union members who are angry with the dwindling fortune of the Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL), and the Nigerian Mobiletelecommunication (MTEL) since they were sold to Transnational Corporation (Transcorp), urged the federal government to put the postal reform bill in abeyance ..."    [Reference: allafrica.com]

Mail Handler Pay Increase Reminder

February 16, 2008 (PP05-2008), is the date and pay period for the next general wage increase scheduled to be added to base wages for the Mail Handler craft. This pay raise was negotiated by the National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU).

The future of buyouts

The U.S. auto market has typically been a pacesetter when it comes to union contract negotiations, collective bargaining agreements, and now ...buyouts. It is a fact that America's large unions keep their eye on the auto industry when it comes to comparative analysis for the purpose of wage, benefit, and buyout negotiations. UAW and Ford have set the stage for future buyouts in labor intensive industries where automation, subcontracting, illegal immigration, and foreign competition have taken a heavy toll on the U.S. blue-collar worker. Large unions that represent America's postal workers, like the American Postal Workers Union and the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, continuously monitor the labor climate during these troubled times to garner equal or greater results. As the country snowballs into a recession, the auto industry, led by Ford and the UAW, are taking proactive steps to re-take the competitive lead in the global auto market by offering buyouts to each and every worker. The Detroit Free Press reports the buyout offer will look like this:

Elements:

• Under a special termination-of-employment program, retirement-eligible workers who volunteer to leave the company and forgo all benefits except accrued pension can receive a $140,000 buyout.



• For workers who have at least one year of employment with Ford, the special termination program calls for a payout of $100,000, with the worker forgoing all benefits except accrued pension.



• Under an educational opportunity program, workers with one year of service are eligible to receive up to $15,000 in college tuition for up to four years. Workers who take part in this program can receive medical benefits and half of their regular pay while enrolled in school.
  
  
• Workers also could opt to set aside $100,000 in a family scholarship program to be used for an educational program for spouses, children or grandchildren.



• Workers 55 and older who have 30 or more years of service are eligible to receive a $35,000 check and begin retirement immediately with full benefits.



• Workers 55 and older with 10 or more years of service will be provided a fixed level of income for life, which varies according to each employee's service with the company.



• Workers with at least 28 years of service are eligible to take a leave for two years until they reach 30 years of service, when they can retire as normal. During their leave, the workers will receive 85% of their pay.

File under "postal buyout" for reference

Thrift Savings Plan, FERS, APWU Suit, Postal

Jan. 19, 2008:   APWU, NALC Sue USPS and Inspector General
Over Invasion of Medical-Records Privacy   "... The suit alleges that the OIG has routinely instructed medical providers that they must submit records to the OIG and that they should refrain from notifying affected employees that the records have been requested by the OIG. ..."    [Reference: www.apwu.org]



Jan. 19, 2008:   [Thrift Savings Plan] Can You Risk Playing It Safe?   "... "FERS employees (the majority of people now working for Uncle Sam) have the most difficult situation," he said. Because they have smaller civil service retirement benefits, and get diet-COLAs which don't kick in until age 62 ..."    [Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com]



Jan. 19, 2008:   Study Finds Postal Service Gets No Edge   "... Indeed, federally imposed restraints on the post office's operations increase its costs to provide competitive products by an estimated $330 million to $782 million a year, the FTC said. ..."    [Reference: ap.google.com]

PostalPeople, FEEA Scholarship

Jan. 16, 2008:   [PostalPeople] USPS consolidates HR systems   "... Officials say the new platform, which was completed in October, will help employees and HR managers. Employees can access HR information and apply for USPS jobs online, and supervisors can use new online management and administrative tools. ..."    [Reference: www.fcw.com]




Jan. 16, 2008:   FEEA 2008-09 Scholarship Application
available now!   "... FEEA Scholarship Program is an annual, merit-based contest open to civilian federal and postal
employees, their spouses and college-age children. Awards range from $500-$2,500 for one year.
Applications are available January - March each year. ..."    [Reference: www.feea.org]

More Postal News: Are you overpaid? ...and more articles

Jan. 11, 2008:   Are You Overpaid?   "... At least three presidents - Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton - thought so. They believed federal pay was out of line because the value of perks like retirements, holidays, and cradle-to-grave health insurance weren't considered as part of compensation. ..."    [Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com]



Jan. 11, 2008:   [Alaska] Former Kipnuk postmaster faces charges for assaulting workers   "... a postal employee in Kipnuk since December 2000, and became the officer in charge in September 2007. ..."    [Reference: www.adn.com]



Jan. 11, 2008:   U.S. Postal Service Gets Scientific With New Stamps   "... Due for self-adhesive glory are physicist John Bardeen, inventor of the transistor; astronomer Edwin Hubble ..."    [Reference: blog.wired.com]

2008 Federal Pay Scales, New Stamps, and TSP Investing...

Jan. 7, 2007:    2008 Federal Salary Tables and Related Information   "... General Schedule and Locality Pay Tables, 2008 Locality Payments and Total Pay Increases for General Schedule Employees, Senior Executive Service, Special Salary Rate Tables ..."    [Reference: www.opm.gov]



Jan. 7, 2007:   [TSP] Investing: How Safe Is Playing It Safe?   "... Last year (2007) the value of a single share of the international stock index fund, the I-fund, went up $2.32. That may not sound like much unless you have a lot of shares, or unless you compare it with the performance of the super-safe treasury securities G-fund. The value of a G-fund share you had in January of last year went up only 56 cents by the end of the year. ..."    [Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com]



Jan. 7, 2007:   New Stamp Series Will Observe Chinese New Year   "... In observance of the Chinese New Year, the U.S. Postal Service will
debut a new stamp series for the 12 different animals in the Chinese calendar.
The series will continue through 2019. The first stamp in the series is for
the Year of the Rat, which begins Feb. 7, 2008 and ends Jan. 25, 2009. ..."    [Reference: www.reuters.com]

Postal Service inspection office moves from Birmingham to Hoover

"...terrorist acts and an increasing number of identity theft crimes committed using the U.S. mail have changed the "silent service" to one that is more vocal, said Tony Robinson, a spokesman for the Alabama Postal Inspection Service Office. Around Thanksgiving, the office moved to 100 Corporate Parkway, off U.S. 280 in Hoover's Meadow Brook Corporate Park..."    

This Article is From: www.al.com

Read our latest posts!

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December 31, 2007 ...buyout rumors for CSRS, etc

December 31, 2007:   Let the Rumors Begin   "... chances are you will be getting bogus reports - typically via e-mail and often disguised as a "news" story - saying the super buyout of CSRS folks is in the works. It isn't! ..."    [Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com]














December 31, 2007:   House ‘Mail Network Protection Act’ Gains
Seven Co-Sponsors Prior to Holiday Break   "... asked union activists to make the bill a priority. “It is imperative that union members contact their representatives and let them know that this legislation is important to the future of the Postal Service and to postal workers,” Burrus said. ..."    [Reference: www.apwu.org]



December 31, 2007:   USPS seeks comment on proposed uses of Intelligent Mail barcodes   "... The notice is expected to be published in the Federal Register sometime in January. Once published, a 45-day comment period will begin. ..."    [Reference: www.dmnews.com]

December 26, 2007

December 26, 2007:   New surveillance video released of postal service robbery   "... hid under the truck as he waited for the postal employee to return from his fourth pick-up of money ..."    [Reference: www3.whdh.com]



December 26, 2007:   Letters to Santa ... Merry Christmas   "... Leesville main USPS branch Sales and Service Associate, as she sorts letters headed to the North Pole. ..."    [Reference: www.leesvilledailyleader.com]



December 26, 2007:   How does your mail get from here to there?   "... FAMOUS POSTAL EMPLOYEES,

Benjamin Franklin,

Abraham Lincoln,

Harry Truman,

Bing Crosby,

Walt Disney,

Rock Hudson,

Charles Lindbergh,

Knute Rockne,

Noah Webster,

William Faulkner. ..."    [Reference: www.cantonrep.com]

December 21, 2007

December 21, 2007:    Postal truck hijacked, looted in Roxbury   "... The postal driver had stopped at the Roxbury Post Office on Malcolm X Boulevard about 7:30 p.m. and was walking toward his truck when a man appeared from underneath the trailer, grabbed him and pulled him into the cab. ..."    [Reference: www.bostonherald.com]



December 21, 2007:   A day in the life: U.S. Postal Service carrier   "... mainly I do it because people don't expect it," he said. "Their package is unexpected, and they give an unexpected smile. That's what makes it worthwhile. ..."    [Reference: www.pegasusnews.com]



December 21, 2007:   Postal Service removing stamp machines   "... “It was a decision made at the national level,” Field said. “The vending equipment is old, and they decided to go with the alternative of selling stamps at the convenience counters of retail outlets.” ..."    [Reference: www.timesnews.net]

December 17, 2007

December 17, 2007:    CHARLIE LANGFORD: Some trivia, facts and figures for the holiday season   "... The USPS is the only delivery service that claims to deliver to every address in the nation, 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. The Postal Service also delivers almost half the world's mail. ..."    [Reference: www.djournal.com]



December 17, 2007:   Thousands Of Postal Workers Not Paid   "... The United States Postal Service says 14 thousand rural route mail carriers across the country did not get a paycheck this week because of a glitch in the payroll system. ..."    [Reference: www.wcsh6.com]



December 17, 2007:   GAO to USPS: Address database errors   "... USPS developed the FDB in 2003 to capture and maintain data on the agency’s 34000 facilities nationwide, but five years later, the database is still not the ..."    [Reference: www.fcw.com]

December 10, 2007

۞ Dec. 10, 2007:   President Bush Delivers December 24 as a Day Off for Federal Employees   "... The day off does not affect Postal Service workers, nor does it include Executive Branch employees whose agencies determine they cannot be excused for reasons of national security, defense or other essential public need. ..."    [Reference: opm.gov]



۞ Dec. 10, 2007:   
USAJOBS Connects with Major Search Engines
Initiative raises visibility of Federal job postings   "... For example, someone who types in a job title on Google or other engines, such as "IT Specialist" or "Electrical Engineer", will now also see links to Federal vacancy announcements in those fields. ..."    [Reference: opm.gov]



۞ Dec. 10, 2007:   Netflix Deals with Ultimatum from U.S. Postal Service   "... Although the issue hasn’t been discussed by any of the Postal Service officials, Steve Swasey, a Netflix representative, stated: “"We're in full compliance with U.S. Postal Service regulations and specifications […] If the specifications of the post office were to change, we would change the mailer as necessary. We've already gone through 40 to 50 iterations of the mailer since Netflix started shipping DVDs a decade ago.” He also added: “We save them about $100 million a year. We pick up the returns from the post office. They are not delivered to Netflix, even though we're paying for it.” ..."    [Reference: www.efluxmedia.com]



۞ Dec. 10, 2007:   PTFs in Large Offices Eliminated as of Dec. 1
New Limits on Numbers of Casuals Also Go Into Effect

(APWU)   "... “Dec. 1, 2007, will be a historic day for postal labor,” APWU President William Burrus declared this week. “It marks the elimination of part-time flexible employment for the Clerk Craft in large offices. ..."    [Reference: www.apwu.org]

December 6, 2007

U.S. Postal Service to Netflix: You’re killing us on labor "... It’s a safe bet that Netflix will redesign its mailers ..." [Reference: zdnet.com]

Dec. 3, 2007: New security worries after Clinton hostage scare

New security worries after Clinton hostage scare:



The increased surveillance was ordered after workers in Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton's New Hampshire office were terrorized Friday by a disturbed man who held them for several hours before turning himself over to police.

[Reference: www.newsday.com]