"...The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently issued the contract award to the National Veterans Outreach Program (NVOP) of the American GI Forum for the tray production. The NVOP operate the VETS facility which is a corrugate box manufacturing plant located in San Antonio, Texas. USPS contracted the NVOP to create and implement production of One Million Two hundred Nighty-Six thousand (1,296,000) corrugate mail tray units. Once the corrugated trays are manufactured and assembled, the units will be shipped to USPS facilities in Chicago, Philadephia, Des Moines, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Jacksonville and Dallas. ..."
Monday, April 26, 2010
National Veterans Outreach Program Wins USPS Contract
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Portland police say they're investigating a postal service burglary scheme
"...still investigating the scheme in which Larson was allegedly using information from a postal service employee to target homes where the residents were on vacation. “I believe he had access to a postal employee,” ..."
Friday, April 23, 2010
Arbitrator: OIG Agents Intended to Make a Grievant’s Life a Living Hell
"...The conduct of the OIG was motivated by malice, the arbitrator concluded. “The OIG Special Agent pursued a path to ‘criminalize’ a decent man and a three-decade employee of the Postal Service with an impeccable record,” he wrote. “By its actions, the OIG sent a message to Management that it will second guess its decisions, even in trivial matters such as this.”
Finally, the arbitrator wrote, “Consequently, it is not unreasonable to assume that the purpose of seeking and serving the indictment was, as stated by the Union, done with malicious intent; and with the desire to make the Grievant’s life a living hell, for however long.”
The arbitrator granted the employee back pay for missed overtime and night differential..."
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Cleveland postal workers sentenced on drug charges
"...Seven of them worked at the mail distribution center at 2400 Orange Ave., where agents confiscated crack, PCP, prescription painkillers, marijuana and a loaded handgun in June. The agents, part of the U.S. Postal Service's Office of Inspector General, said drug deals occurred at..."
This Article is From: blog.cleveland.com
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Alabama Crimson Tide National Championship Limited Edition Commemorative Cachet
U.S. Postal Service offers commemorative in honor of Crimson Tide's national football championship
"...each envelope has a section printed on silk and stamped with crimson foil. The University of Alabama postage stamp will be canceled with a special dated April 17 stamp featuring the championship crystal trophy. Each cachet will cost $10 and can be bought at the Tuscaloosa Post Office..."
This Article is From: blog.al.com
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Postal Service ends contracts tied to top official
"...In addition to approving no-bid deals, the Washington Times has reported, Bernstock earned more than $270,000 in cash and other compensation in 2008 by serving on the boards of two private companies...."
This Article is From: voices.washingtonpost.com
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Postal Service must do better job when screening applicants
"...After reading the U.S. Postal Service investigation on Mark Lamberson, a registered sex offender, it makes me wonder if the government is properly doing its job...."
This Article is From: www.thecalifornian.com
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Monday, April 19, 2010
APWU Set to Begin Contract Negotiations on...
The American Postal Workers Union Appoints Rank-and-File Bargaining Advisory Committee
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
Read our latest posts!
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"...Contract negotiations are set to begin Sept. 1. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on Nov. 20, 2010.
The Rank-and-File Bargaining Advisory Committee provides input to the union’s National Negotiating Team, which has full authority to negotiate the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement. The committee must approve any tentative agreement before it can be sent to APWU members for a ratification vote...."
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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PMG to cut tens of thousands of USPS jobs? Layoffs?
"...cut Saturday mail delivery, raise postage rates and potentially close or consolidate thousands of post offices. The proposal also calls for cutting tens of thousands of jobs through attrition and layoffs...."
This Article is From: www.washingtonpost.com
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Postmaster General renews call for regulatory, Legislative change
"...The OIG report asserts that the Postal Service has paid a disproportionate share of its Civil Service Retirement System pension costs, resulting in a $75 billion overpayment. But even if Congress were to agree with that finding, cautioned Potter, refunding that money would only provide temporary relief to the long-term financial challenges facing USPS...."
This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov
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Rationale for Five-Day Delivery Shattered at House Hearing
"...In response to questions by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Postmaster General John E. Potter admitted that predictions that the Postal Service would amass losses of $238 billion by the year 2020 were “theoretical.” The exchange confirms allegations made by the APWU that the USPS forecast is wildly exaggerated, outlandish and unsupported. [See Phony Deficit Projections Mask Management’s Real Goal]..."
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Sunday, April 18, 2010
Phony Deficit Projections Mask Management’s Real Goal
Viewpoint
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
Read our latest posts!
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"...Is the PMG sending a message to mailers that the cost of service over the next 10 years will exceed rates in such alarming amounts and — in lieu of adjusting rates to the cost of service — he plans to take it from the hides of workers? If so, how cynical. ..."
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Thursday, April 15, 2010
What Post Office's Have Extended Hours on Tax Day
"...Find out Post Office hours for your area. File Taxes Today!! ..."
This Article is From: usps.whitepages.com
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Post offices no longer staying open late on tax day
"...HUNTSVILLE, AL. -- A "sharp drop in demand" for a last-minute April 15 postmark for taxes has prompted the U.S. Postal Service to phase out late-night collections and after-hours retail services on tax day..."
This Article is From: blog.al.com
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Only 61.9 Percent of Participating Postal Employees Replied Favorably to Latest VOE
VOE RESULTS
This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov
Read our latest posts!
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"...The survey indicates USPS has opportunities to improve in the areas of trust, communication, growth, and diversity and respect. Employees say they want the results of the VOE survey shared in their work units and would like to see organizational improvements made..."
This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov
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Special Retirement Supplement
"...The Special Retirement Supplement will be added automatically to your annuity. The SRS will be applied to the first full month in which you have reached your MRA and payable at the end of that month...."
This Article is From: blogs.federaltimes.com
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Monday, April 12, 2010
New mail program equals big savings for taxpayers
"...The entities tested out the concept last year during a mailing to those who receive help from the state to pay their energy bills. In a total mailing to 213,335 Coloradans, 8,767 addresses were found in the USPS database to be incorrect. The state was able to save $39,914 by not sending letters to those incorrect addresses...."
This Article is From: www.9news.com
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Elderly cat attacks postal workers and 'chases them down garden path'
"...told by the postal service that her pet is aggressive and she won't be getting deliveries..."
This Article is From: www.metro.co.uk
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Sunday, April 11, 2010
Early Retirement Rumors
"...it is very likely that postal management will pursue further reductions in the employee complement through Voluntary Early Retirement offers...."
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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GAO report endorses cuts in U.S. Postal Service
"...The Postal Service should provide more lucrative incentive packages to potential retirees in efforts to accelerate attrition, auditors said..."
This Article is From: www.washingtonpost.com
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
USPS To Offer Early Out Retirement To...?
The Postal Reporter News Blog, according to the FederalSoup Forum, is again reporting that the USPS is offering another Early Out Retirement to some employees. Click over to the FederalSoup Forum and join in on the conversation and post your thoughts ...rest assured postal managers read the FederalSoup Forum. Expressing your thoughts and offering suggestions in the forum could go a long way in creating positive change. If you remain silent, someone else may speak for you. Let them know what you think.
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Wednesday, April 7, 2010
2010 Postal Early Retirement
The forum posters over at Federal Soup are reporting that a recent VER 2010 announcement cited at the Postal Reporter site was a scam. was
This Article is From: federalsoup.com
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Monday, April 5, 2010
Federal Employee Severance Pay
As there appears to be some confusion as to the computation of Severance Pay for federal and postal employees, here is the real scoop from OPM.
Here is a sampling of the computation, but read the full article by clicking the 'Read More' icon in this post:
The basic severance pay allowance consists of—
* One week of pay at the rate of basic pay for the position held by the employee at the time of separation for each full year of creditable service through 10 years;
* Two weeks of pay at the rate of basic pay for the position held by the employee at the time of separation for each full year of creditable service beyond 10 years; and
* Twenty-five percent of the otherwise applicable amount for each full 3 months of creditable service beyond the final full year.
This Article is From: www.opm.gov
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Thursday, April 1, 2010
PRC Report Finds Excessive Postage Discounts
"...Confirming charges the APWU has made for more than a decade, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) concluded on March 29 that the Postal Service grants excessive postage discounts to large mailers. The USPS suffered a loss of ..."
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Injured post office employees taken off the job
"...“They’re not criminals,” she said. “They’re just people that are injured and the post office is saying, ‘We don’t have work for you.’ You come to work, get injured and basically they kick you to the curb.”..."
This Article is From: www.mysuburbanlife.com
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Netflix is the big loser in Postal Service changes
"...eliminating Saturday delivery, the Postal Service has also said that it wants to raise postage fees. If these changes are implemented, Netflix's finely tuned business model could suffer a serious blow. ..."
This Article is From: www.msnbc.msn.com
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Mystery Bomber Targets Texas
"...They are just the latest in a terrifying series of homemade devices found in East Texas post office boxes over the past several months. ..."
This Article is From: www.cbsnews.com
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USPS to investigate hiring of Greenfield postman who is a known sex offender
"...Postal Service will also look into Lamberson’s hiring. Ruiz said the Postal Service conducts “rigorous” background ..."
This Article is From: www.thecalifornian.com
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Changes in old-time delivery system affect modern business
"...It's easy to compare the USPS to private delivery companies like UPS or Fedex, but private companies aren't required to deliver mail everywhere, even unprofitable remote sites, like the post office is, even though it's supposed to be an independent, self-supporting entity. ..."
This Article is From: www.mccookgazette.com
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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Another U.S. Postal Service early retirement incentive this year?
The big question from postal employees at or near retirement age is, will there be Another U.S. Postal Service early retirement incentive this year? Many employees feel that in these hard economic times they need to delay their retirement or not retire at all. The last three early retirement offers have failed to get the needed numbers of employees to retire. The last retirement offer provided a small monetary incentive, but it failed as well. A recent article from Bloomberg BusinessWeek.com, dated March 30, 2010, quotes the the deputy postmaster general as saying, 'We may not have to. It's a timing issue. The average age of postal employees is 53, and their retirement packages are already funded.' However, if you talk to a postal employee, their opinion tends to differ from this managerial position. Postal Employees, as well as most federal employees, are limited to a $25,000 VSIP if their agency decides to request a monetary incentive. The Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment Authority, also known as buyout authority, allows agencies that are downsizing or restructuring to offer employees lump-sum payments up to $25,000 as an incentive to voluntarily separate. Many employees say it will take the $25,000 VSIP to get them to even consider retiring and many complain that the past 'early out' offers are made without enough prior announcement to permit employees to prepare for such a huge, life-altering decision. Employees would like to see the USPS make and announcement far enough in advance that they could investigate finding other employment or simply having an appropriate amount of time to discuss it with families. Additionally, with the APWU going into contract negotiations this year, employees say they have to at least wait until they see where the USPS will go with pay raises, benefits, and health insurance costs. If the USPS fights to further raise Health Insurance costs, many employees will be forced to continue working just to be able to afford insurance in retirement. If the past (last three offers) is any sign of the average USPS employee retiring any time soon ...it's just not going to happen without dangling several juicy carrots in front of them!
Read our latest posts!
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USPS VP: It’s Time to Implement Five-Day Mail Delivery
"... Assuming the PRC and Congress approve the plan, Pulcrano said it would take about six months to implement five-day mail delivery. PRC Chairman Ruth Goldway said last week it might take six to nine months for her panel to issue an advisory opinion...." 
Source: multichannelmerchant.com
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Friday, March 26, 2010
Royal Mail Agreement
Article Title: Royal Mail Agreement
Snippet of Article: "...Between now and 2012
- Basic pay will rise by a minimum of 6.9 per cent
- Further payments will accompany the phased introduction of change in the workplace
- The CWU will play a full part in the introduction, deployment and review of change
- The working week will reduce by one hour with no loss of pay
- Royal Mail will remain a 75 per cent full-time industry
- Existing job security will be further enhanced ..."
Source: www.cwu.org
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Potter for President Campaign (Humor ...we hope)
"...is this a hint of an upcoming Potter for President Campaign. Please say it ain't so! (LOL). ..."
This Article is From: postal-news-network.blogspot.com
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USPS governors approve five-day mail plan
"...street delivery and blue box collections will be eliminated on Saturdays, Express Mail service will continue seven days a week, Post Offices currently open on Saturday will remain open, PO Box accessibility will continue and bulk mail and drop shipments will continue to be accepted at facilities that are currently open. If implemented, Pulcrano told the Board the estimated annual savings would be $3.1bn...."
This Article is From: postandparcel.info
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USPS Launches Five-Day Delivery Internet Site
"...This website is designed to provide postal customers with information regarding our proposal to implement a five-day delivery schedule for street addresses. ..."
This Article is From: www.usps.com
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Postal Service Lending Hand to Competition?
Some competitors hope to capitalize on proposed cessation of Saturday mail delivery
This Article is From: northwestern.edu
Read our latest posts!
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"...“One thing that’s likely going to happen is when USPS pulls their Saturday service, business owners that have a need for Saturday delivery are likely going to hop on the Internet and do a typical Google search,” he said...."
This Article is From: northwestern.edu
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A Bold Move to Attract Young Union Activists (APWU)
"...Toward that end, the national union will assume the cost of transportation and lodging (in double-occupancy rooms) for members 35 or younger to attend. In addition, the national union will pay 50 percent of lost time for 35-or-younger attendees from locals that compensate delegates for their lost time when they participate in the convention...."
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Monday, March 22, 2010
USPS official directs sole-source $4.5M contract to former colleague
"...investigating Bernstock's approval of the Tatum contract and other sole-source deals to determine if he violated procurement rules, IG spokesman Wally Olihovik said. The Tatum deal is the fourth no-bid contract Bernstock directed toward former business associates that ..."
This Article is From: www.federaltimes.com
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Is Congress Biting the Postman?
"...the Postal Service has been scaling back its workforce more than proportionately to the decline in mail volume ..."
This Article is From: employment-assistance.blogspot.com
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Pay Up! Excise tax on so-called "Cadillac plans"
"...the proposed excise tax on so-called "Cadillac plans" slaps a 40 percent tax on every dollar spent on an insurance plan..."
This Article is From: voices.washingtonpost.com
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Monday, March 15, 2010
USPS worker caught delivering more than mail
"...Investigators said an undercover camera in Fonseca's mail truck showed him driving the delivery van with his knees while snorting cocaine up to six times per day.
..."
This Article is From: www.ksn.com
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PRC Issues Advisory Opinion Affirming Customer Rights in U.S. Postal Service Retail Office Closing Decisions
"...The Commission finds that the current ten days advance customer notice is insufficient and limits opportunities for community consultation. Further, inconsistent financial and operational analyses impair evaluations of facility closures and consolidations. The Commission finds that standardized review procedures should be developed and consistently applied nationwide to ensure adequate and efficient service levels and comply with statutory guidelines...."
This Article is From: www.prc.gov
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White Powder Reported in Baltimore City Hall Mail Room
"...Baltimore police are investigating a report of white powder found in an envelope at City Hall...."
This Article is From: wjz.com
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USPS seeks classification change
"...Today’s filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission is a part of that strategy. The filing seeks to move about 32,000 P.O. Boxes in 49 Post Offices from the current market dominant classification into the competitive class of products. This will allow the Postal Service to test consumer interest in enhancements to the current P.O. Box offering..."
This Article is From: postandparcel.info
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Taxpayers Might Have to Fund the U.S. Postal Service
"...Unless Congress breaks ties with the U.S. Postal Service or at least lets it implement major cost-savings plans, taxpayers will be stuck funding the mail. "We have to make a decision now because we are at a fork in the road," says Potter..."
This Article is From: www.usnews.com
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With the Post Office Losing Billions of Dollars, Where is the Money Coming From to Run Everyday?
DOES USPS WASTE TAXPAYER DOLLARS?
This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov
Read our latest posts!
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"...the Postal Service has not received taxpayer funds to support its operations since 1982. In fact, though the Postal Service often is described as “quasi-governmental,” it’s required by law to cover its costs.
Don’t let myths about the Postal Service cloud the truth. “Misconceptions about the future of the Postal Service abound,” says PMG Jack Potter. “Dispelling these myths will show we can continue to deliver the mail.”..."
This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
U.S. postal rates are inconsistent
"...The Postal Service wants to cut back, yet it allows companies like National Grid to pay 33 cents for postage. (I received my bill today. National Grid charged 53 cents for billing, yet paid 33 cents to send it.)..."
This Article is From: www.timesunion.com
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Junk mail deluge feared as postal union and Royal Mail reach deal to end strikes
"...The agreement also outlined a 6.9% pay rise over three years for Royal Mail workers, a cut in working hours and further assurances that there will not be compulsory..."
This Article is From: www.guardian.co.uk
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
NPMHU Arthur S. Vallone Scholarship Application Now Available
"...National Postal Mail Handlers Union is pleased to offer the opportunity for regular craft members of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, and members of their immediate families, to apply for scholarship assistance from the NPMHU Arthur S. Vallone National Scholarship Program...."
This Article is From: npmhu317.blogspot.com
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Saturday, March 6, 2010
Worst class post: One in four first class letters fails to arrive on time, say devastating figures
"...First class post has plunged to its worst performance in more than a decade. ..."
This Article is From: www.dailymail.co.uk
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Pink Floyd get Royal stamp treatment
"...Classic Rock magazine reports that Pink Floyd have teamed up with Royal Mail, the national postal service of the UK, to produce a special stamp available from March 6, 2010...."
This Article is From: www.therockradio.com
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