Sunday, May 10, 2009

New Postal Rates Kick In Monday


"...An analysis by the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers (ANM) indicates the overall average increase for nonprofit Standard Parcels to be almost 40 percent, said Executive Director Tony Conway. The increases range within the classes, depending on what point in the mail stream it’s entered. Conway said rates are designed to encourage more work by mailers before they dump mail into the system...."    



This Article is From: www.nptimes.com

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Saturday, May 9, 2009

Retired Postal Service letter carriers have a ZIP code to call their own: 33856 (Nalcrest, Fla.)


"...Ron Courtney, 72, has been keeping score for Nalcrest softball games for the past five years. He retired to Nalcrest eight years ago from Knoxville, Tenn. Almost 50 people are on the waiting list to move into Nalcrest’s one-story garden apartments...."    



This Article is From: www.tampabay.com

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Postal inspectors bust second pot mailing ring this week

>> Anyone with information about people mailing narcotics is encouraged to contact the U.S. Postal Inspector's office in McAllen at (956) 971-1721.

"...The men were criminally charged with mailing 324 pounds of marijuana at the Progreso post office since January. The drug packages were wrapped in cellophane with dried chili peppers and insulation inside to try to mask the scent of the drugs, investigators said...."    



This Article is From: www.themonitor.com

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Government Begins Mailing $250 ''Economic Stimulus'' Checks to Social Security Recipients


"...Adults who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will receive the extra money in the form of a check..."    



This Article is From: www.kyw1060.com

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Economics of U.S. Postage Stamp Price Hikes (FDX, UPS)


"...Both FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) and United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE: UPS) are likely watching government competition for next week. Starting on Monday, the price of most traditional mail will rise...."    



This Article is From: 247wallst.com

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KFC to mail out rain checks for Oprah chicken freebie


"...After hoards of hungry Oprah fans were turned away from KFC outlets across the country earlier this week, the fast-food chain is now sending out rain checks to appease them...."    



This Article is From: news-briefs.ew.com

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Friday, May 8, 2009

‘FMLA Restoration Act’ Introduced


"...The purpose of the bill (H.R. 2161) is to roll back the harmful changes made by President Bush four days before he left the White House: FMLA regulations that went into effect on Jan. 16 have created problems in the field, such as employer representatives contacting workers’ doctors without the workers’ consent, and rejecting previously accepted FMLA certifications. Workers with long-accepted “conditions” have been challenged and have been forced to visit their doctors repeatedly...."    



This Article is From: www.apwu.org

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Postal workers allege supervisor treats them 'inhumanely'

Three Los Alamitos postal workers say they have been denied using the bathroom and getting water, reports show

"...The workers have filed complaints with the USPS Local Safety Office and the National Association of Letter Carriers saying Los Alamitos Post Office supervisor Maria Esparza treats them "inhumanely" and that their working conditions are unsafe. The workers said they have seen no action taken to fix the problem. ..."    



This Article is From: www.ocregister.com

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USPS Notifies APWU of Flu Guidelines


"...notification from the Postal Service of “interim measures to be taken by management and employees” to address concerns about H1N1 influenza, commonly known as “swine flu.” The material provides guidance to managers for various scenarios..."    



This Article is From: www.apwu.org

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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Attacks on South Carolina Mail Carriers on the Rise


"...a shocking increase in dog bite incidents across the state has occurred. “In an average year, like last year, we’ll see 6-8 cases,” said US Postal Service District Safety Manager Marvin Howard, “but from October 1 to current, we’ve sustained 26..."    



This Article is From: www.wspa.com

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California postal carrier faces drug charges

...arrested while doing rounds; meth is found in vehicle, Yreka home

"...Siskiyou County letter carrier landed in jail after drug enforcement authorities stopped her near Montague, Calif., Thursday and seized methamphetamine packaged for sale, sales documents, packaging materials, scales prescription drugs, syringes, and pipes...."    



This Article is From: www.mailtribune.com

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Lincoln Stamps Bring Neary $2 Million at a New York Auction


"...The collection was amassed by William J. Ainsworth, a retired executive from the consulting and accounting firm KPMG who lives in Roswell, Ga. He inherited his father’s stamp collection in 1963 but has said that for years he paid scant attention to it. Then, after meeting in 1977 with a former postmaster general who specialized in stamps showing Benjamin Franklin, he began building his Lincoln collection...."    



This Article is From: www.nytimes.com

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Stamp Act

In Penobscot Theatre Company’s latest production, a comedy thriller called ‘Mauritius,’ the darkly driven characters have a difficult time licking their obsessions

"...While anyone other than a philatelist might scoff at how a tiny scrap of paper could inspire such a passionate response, director Scott R.C. Levy has come to understand the seductive power of postage...."    



This Article is From: www.bangordailynews.com

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Follow the donations: Charities kept most cash for themselves

Each year, more than a million federal employees donate part of their paychecks in the government's annual workplace charity drive, the largest of its kind in the world.

"...The money given in the Combined Federal Campaign — $273 million last year — is directed to groups that say they fight disease, ease hunger and help the needy. But in some cases, much of the cash that charities collect does not go to charity...."    



This Article is From: www.azcentral.com

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Irritation rises at old stamping grounds


"...“I had to wait in a long line to get a single, solitary stamp the other day. They took out the automated stamp machines in the lobby. It’s ridiculous. It wastes everybody’s time,” Parks said outside the Main Post Office on William Street. “Now they have signs saying go to the supermarket, but who wants to go to a supermarket to buy a stamp?” The quick answer is, the postal service. ..."    



This Article is From: www.buffalonews.com

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First-class ripoff: News experiment finds pricier priority mail ...


"...In eight of 10 tests conducted last month, letters sent priority and first-class were delivered to the same location on the same day..."    



This Article is From: www.nydailynews.com

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America's Best- And Worst-Paying Jobs


"...Postal workers and models will be happy to know that their average annual pay increased more than anyone else's. Postal workers make 23.2% more than a year..."    



This Article is From: www.forbes.com

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Monday, May 4, 2009

USPS Experiencing Network issues: Liteblue, HR kiosks, and web bidding computers affected


"...Liteblue, including HR kiosks and web bidding computers, is experiencing difficulties due to a USPS Network issue. eCareer may still be accessed through the Blue Page using the following steps:

* Click on My Life
* Under "Jobs", Click on eCareer
* Login using your ACE ID and password
* Click on Search and/or Apply for EAS Jobs..."    



This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov

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USPS RIF AVOIDANCE POSTINGS IN COMPETITIVE AREAS ONLY

USPS VACANCY POSTINGS LIMITED

"...Phase One RIF avoidance vacancy postings for District Customer Service offices and mail processing organizational changes will close on May 13. These EAS postings have a limited area of consideration (LAC). When viewing the vacancy postings in the eCareer system, be sure to read the “Persons Eligible to Apply” statement. Click here to see the competitive areas and for more information on Phase One postings. To avoid missing out on a potential job opportunity, log on to eCareer today, create your profile and begin your search for jobs. ..."    



This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov

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Saturday, May 2, 2009

Postal Workers and Paper Dust


"...mechanization of postal facilities is the increase in paper dust. The machines doing the grunt work loosen the dust and send it airborne where workers can breathe it in copiously. Contrary to what management and the union may say, paper dust can be a hazard to postal workers, causing and exacerbating respiratory problems. ..."    



This Article is From: www.healthnewsdigest.com

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Friday, May 1, 2009

Pit bulls attack postal worker

Norwich, Connecticut

"...postal worker required surgery Thursday after he was attacked and bitten by two pit bulls. The dogs were taken into police custody and their owner was arrested...."    



This Article is From: www.theday.com

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Postal service inspector general seeking data on sick time views


"...The OIG is collecting the data as anecdotal information, and it may be used as part of an ongoing audit on attitudes in the postal service, an OIG spokesperson said. According to the blog, the USPS indentified about 35,000 of its 640,026 employees who had 20 or more unscheduled absences last year, which translates to 5% of employees with nearly one absence for every pay period...."    



This Article is From: www.dmnews.com

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PHASE 1 RIF AVOIDANCE POSTINGS NOW ON eCAREER

FIRST PHASE OF VACANCY POSTINGS

"...Phase 1 RIF avoidance vacancy postings for District Customer Service Offices and mail processing organizational changes opened Tuesday, April 28 and will close May 13. To avoid missing out on a potential job opportunity, log on to eCareer today, create your profile and begin your search for jobs. ..."    



See the Organizational Changes website for more details on LACs and timelines of activity.

This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Lithium Battery Brings Bomb Squad To Post Office


"...smoking and sparking package at the postal facility near Mid-Continent contained a lithium computer battery..."    



This Article is From: www.kwch.com

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Rocky's son speaks at dedication of Brockton post office


"...Rocky Marciano Jr. looked up at the new lettering unveiled on the Rocky Marciano Post Office Building, and thought of the father he..."    



This Article is From: www.wickedlocal.com

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OPM’s Berry opens door to union


"...“Labor relations were weak to nonexistent [during the Bush administration]. The partnership has dried up, and we need to revitalize it,” Berry told the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on the federal workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia last week...."    



This Article is From: federaltimes.com

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Postage Meter Ink

Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Ink

"...Pitney Bowes offers the highest quality ink specially formulated for your Pitney Bowes Mailing System...."    



This Article is From: www.pb.com

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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

New Slim-Jim Standards to Kick In May 11


"...the slim-jim catalog revision from 3.3 oz. to 3.0 oz. “reduces selling space by 10%.” And the tab requirements are also going to hurt, he notes. “Tabs cut our response rate by more than 20% in our tests.”..."    



This Article is From: multichannelmerchant.com

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Chicago will have last 24-hour post office in U.S.


"...James A. Farley post office -- once a haven for New Yorkers filing last-minute tax returns or other pressing documents -- will end teller service at 10 p.m. on weeknights and earlier on weekends...."    



This Article is From: www.chicagotribune.com

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Postal workers deliver pieces of home through mail


"...All mail on base is routed through one of three facilities, two post offices and an aerial mail terminal, which is where official and registered mail is routed. It is also where units come to pick up mail for distribution. ..."    



This Article is From: www.af.mil

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4 injured in postal semi crash in Mpls.


"...people were seriously injured in an accident involving a car and a United States Postal Service semi truck..."    



This Article is From: kstp.com

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25 chicks left at post office rescued


"...small cold-blooded animals, such as baby alligators and caimans, bloodworms, earthworms, mealworms, salamanders, leeches, lizards, snails and tadpoles can be mailed, as well as bees; nonpoisonous and non-disease-carrying insects, and scorpions used for medical research...."    



This Article is From: www.nwanews.com

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US Postal Service investigation nets marijuana seizure


"...Officer Kevin Brownlee said he did not have any additional details about why the postal service was involved in the case...."    



This Article is From: www.news-journal.com

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Loveland postal carrier indicted for mail theft, possession of machine gun


"...A Loveland postal carrier accused of killing his ex-girlfriend's cat is now facing federal charges..."    



This Article is From: www.coloradoan.com

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USPS Announces Details of ‘Summer Sale’


"...the sale will run from July 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2009, and will be available to those who mailed more than 1 million Standard letters and/or flats from Oct. 1 2007 through March 31, 2008...."    



This Article is From: www.mediabuyerplanner.com

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USPS: NEW OVERHEAD SCANNING SYSTEM DELIVERS


"...The Postal Service’s new overhead scanning system allows for continuous, hands-free scanning of flats and parcels — simultaneously capturing tracking and special service barcodes — while offering real-time information to USPS customers...."    



This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov

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USPS News Link: AS SWINE FLU INVESTIGATION CONTINUES PERSONAL HYGIENE IS KEY TO REDUCING RISK OF ILLNESS


Article Title:AS SWINE FLU INVESTIGATION CONTINUES PERSONAL HYGIENE IS KEY TO REDUCING RISK OF ILLNESS
Article Snip: "...You’ve heard the news that U.S. health officials are investigating a number of cases of swine flu in several areas of the United States, and a Public Health Emergency has been declared by the federal government. All of these U.S. cases have been mild — all of the patients have recovered...."
Article Reference: liteblue.usps.gov
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Monday, April 27, 2009

Post Office Murals


"...Until recently, art historians believed they had vanished for good. In fact, the murals were safe. They had been divided into six panels and hung in the hallways of the 15th-floor regional corporate offices of the U.S. Postal Service at 615 Chestnut St. But they were accessible only to postal employees and guests. ..."    



This Article is From: www.philly.com

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USPS 90/90 BLITZ CONTINUES TO WIN NEW BUSINESS


"...Endicia’s ease of use for creating mailing labels and maintaining shipping records convinced the company to add USPS as a shipping option for its online customers — a convenience that will add an estimated $437,000 to the Postal Service’s bottom line each year...."    



This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov

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Monday, April 20, 2009

Most Populated Zip Code


"...The most populated zip code in the united states is 10162, which is the upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City....."    



This Article is From: twitter.com

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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Residents want stamp machine back


"...Every time Gadsden Postmaster Seabron Bowler Jr. checks the suggestion box in the post office’s lobby he gets one message loud and clear: “Bring back the stamp machines!”..."    



This Article is From: www.gadsdentimes.com

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Friday, April 17, 2009

First commemorative stamp was issued in honor of Abraham Lincoln

Was There A Curse Surrounding President Lincoln's Assassination?

"...the U.S. Postal Service issued four stamps commemorating his birth, which are illustrated throughout this blog entry, bringing the total number of stamps honoring the 16th President of the United States with 74 distinct stamps...."    



This Article is From: www.stampsofdistinction.com

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NAME CHANGES FOR USPS PRIORITY FLAT-RATE BOX


"...will include the word “Medium.” Dimensions, cost and service will remain the same. The dimensions for the Medium — formerly “regular” — Flat Rate Boxes are 11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", similar to a shoe box, and 13-5/8" x 11-7/8" x 3-3/8", similar to a clothing box...."    



This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov

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Thursday, April 16, 2009

USPS Signs 68,000-SF Lease in Las Vegas


"...at the distribution building at 3755 E. Post Road in Las Vegas. EJM Development delivered..."    



This Article is From: www.costar.com

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‘Summer Sale’ Will Discount Our Future


"...The record shows that as rates have been artificially reduced, volume has continued to drop — and at an unprecedented rate. So, if volume does not increase as rates fall, one is left with the conclusion that these artificial rate reductions have another purpose, such as rewarding large mailers in order to maximize their profits...."    



This Article is From: www.apwu.org

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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

FERS Social Security Annuity Supplement

With many people taking the USPS Voluntary Early Retirement, many of you may have questions relative to Eligibility for the Retiree Annuity Supplement. Check out this OPM PDF document on the subject.

"...The retiree annuity supplement is a benefit paid until age 62 to certain FERS employees who retire before age 62 and who are entitled to an immediate annuity. The supplement approximates the value of FERS service in a Social Security benefit. The general purpose of the supplement is to provide a level of income before age 62 similar to what the retiree will receive at age 62 as part of a Social Security benefit, if eligible for Social Security at that age...."    



This Article is From: www.opm.gov

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Hours for a post office near you

Get your April 15 Postmark

...to find the location and hours of a post office near you, call toll-free 1-800-ASK-USPS (275-8777). Check your local paper online for any extended Tax Deadline Day collection hours.    





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Post office sees drop as taxpayers turn to Web


"..."Mondays typically are our busiest days," she said. "It's a combination of several things. We don't work as much first class mail as we did 30 years ago, 20 years ago or even 10 years ago...."    



This Article is From: www.leadertelegram.com

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Tax Day Hours on O'ahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kaua'i and Moloka'i

27 post offices will stay open late

"...In addition to the airport, the late collections on O'ahu are: Downtown, 'Ewa Beach, Hale'iwa, Hawai'i Kai, Kailua, Kane'ohe, Kapalama, La'ie, Makiki, Mililani, Wai'alae-Kahala, Wai'anae, Waikiki and Waipahu...."    



This Article is From: www.honoluluadvertiser.com

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Post Office To Offer Extended Hours on Wednesday

HUNTSVILLE, AL -

"...The following locations will guarantee an April 15th postmark on mail dropped in the lobby drops or the blue collection boxes in the parking lots until midnight Wednesday..."    



This Article is From: www.whnt.com

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Renew Your Post Office Box Online or at an APC

USING DEBIT OR CREDIT CARDS AT APC TO RENEW PO BOXES

"...PO Box customers can make 6- or 12-month payments — even those who have the largest PO Boxes. Also, customers can make PO Box payments at an APC using American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB and MasterCard. The exception is Visa, which has a $50 limit on self-service transactions, including APCs. Customers can also go to PO Boxes Online and use any of these credit cards...."    



This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Sign and print the petition to the NRLCA concerning the USPS "Summer Sale"


"...take action to protect all members of the Rural Craft. The USPS plans to offer discount mailings in an effort to raise volumes without fair compensations to the rural craft members. As our elected and paid officials, it is your duty to represent the interests and desires of this association to the best of your abilities...."    



This Article is From: www.thepetitionsite.com

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