Wednesday, August 22, 2012

USPS over-produced $1.2 Million Worth of ”The Simpsons” commemorative stamps

USPS Stuck With $1.2 Million Worth of Unsold Simpsons Stamps

USPS
"...The United States Postal Service printed one billion “The Simpsons” stamps to commemorate the shows 20th anniversary. However, they were only able to sell 318 million of them. This left the USPS with 682 million stamps, unfortunately washing $1.2 million dollars worth of printing costs down the drain. ..."    
This Article is From: www.inquisitr.com Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Danny K. Davis (D-IL) urged union members to fight back against “evil-doers” who would destroy the Postal Service

Rep. Danny Davis: If We Fight, We Win!

"...“If we slip back,” he warned, “the rich will get richer while the poor get poorer and the middle class is squeezed practically out of existence — a world where our jobs are downsized, privatized, outsourced or outright eliminated. Where there is no collective bargaining, where workers have virtually no rights, and where even people’s pension funds are in jeopardy.” ..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, August 18, 2012

COLA increase for APWU represented employees

COLA Increase
"...APWU members will receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of $375 per year in September 2013, in accordance with the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The raise is the result of an increase in the consumer price index (CPI-W) since January 2012. It is the second COLA under the contract. The expected effective date is Sept. 7, 2013 (Pay Period 20-2013)...."    
This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Postal Workers thrown from post office rooftop

Syrian Atrocity: Bodies of Postal Workers Thrown from Roof

Syrian Atrocity: Postal Workers
"...footage displays a crowd of people callously throwing the bodies of slain postal workers from a post office rooftop...."    
This Article is From: Postal News Read our latest posts! .

Monday, August 13, 2012

USPS Sandusky child porn investigation

"...Sandusky, convicted in June on 45 counts of child sex abuse, is reportedly the focus of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service, which is looking into whether he sent child pornography across state lines, CBS News said Friday...."    

This Article is From: www.detroitnews.com Read our latest posts! .

facebook testing postcards

Facebook experiments in postcards

"...Big Face is working with a small group of users, giving them the option to turn their pictures into postcards and mail them off to their friends. It says pricing is still being worked out, although the app Postagram does a similar function with Instagram pics for $0.99 a pop...."    

This Article is From: www.marketplace.org Read our latest posts! .

Tucson mail clerk indicted for mail theft

GV mail theft complaint leads to conviction

"...After investigating, the OIG turned its information over to the United States Attorney’s Office, which led the federal grand jury that indicted Fernando Cardenas, 60, of Tucson, a mail clerk at the USPS Tucson Processing and Distribution Center, of two counts of mail theft and one count of possession of stolen mail...."    

This Article is From: www.gvnews.com Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, August 11, 2012

APWU 'Union Retirement Incentives' coming for elected officials? (Editorial by Bill Burrus)

PLAN B

"... Elected positions throughout the union, including Business Agents and Resident Officers would be cherry picked for retirement incentives and would receive an amount determined by the executive board or president. This amount is expected to exceed $40,000 per incentive, sufficient to encourage the officer to retire. So for each officer who earns in the range of $100,000 or more per year, a postal retirement, plus 30 days severance pay, and unused annual leave will also be paid an incentive that is targeted on a personal level..."    

This Article is From: burrusjournal.org Read our latest posts! .

Donald Trump goes postal!


"...has selected the Trump Organization as the preferred team to redevelop the Old Post Office building and annex located in downtown Washington, D.C. Selecting the Trump Organization to redevelop this historic property represents a significant step in turning this underused Federal property into a mixed-use development..."    
This Article is From: news-postal.blogspot.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, August 10, 2012

APWU layoff protection arbitration ...the downside of excessing or transferring to other crafts

Arbitrator Rules on Protection Against Layoffs

"...Arbitrator Stephen B. Goldberg ruled [PDF] on Aug. 1 that employees represented by the APWU who transfer to or are excessed into non-APWU crafts may not carry the protection against layoffs they have earned under the APWU Collective Bargaining Agreement to their new crafts. ..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Mary Fields biography - Postal History

Mary Fields

"...In 1895 she found a job that suited her, as a U.S. mail coach driver for the Cascade County region of central Montana. She and her mule Moses, never missed a day, and it was in this capacity that she earned her nickname of "Stagecoach", for her unfailing reliability. ..."    

This Article is From: www.lkwdpl.org Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Postal Service Back-Up Plan: Selectively skimp on financial obligations

Postal Service could run out of cash in October

"...The Postal Service has a back-up plan to conserve cash so it'll be able to deliver mail on time and keep the lights on at post offices. It would skip paying into the federal retirement system and would skimp on workers compensation payments due to the Department of Labor...."    

This Article is From: cnn.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, August 3, 2012

APWU retirement incentive update

"...discussions are continuing, APWU President Cliff Guffey has reported. “I understand that there is great interest in this topic among some members, but it is simply not feasible or smart to conduct negotiations in public,” he said...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Former postal worker makes it big with unofficial postal clothing line

Former Brooklyn postman makes it big with his unofficial postal service clothing line worn by 30,000 workers

Marty Grace, 45, a former Brooklyn postman has made it big time with his self-designed, unofficial brand of US Postal Service Apparel worn by over 30,000 workers across 27 states.
Marty Grace
"...Marty Grace, who quit his 22-year job as a mail carrier in 2007 at a Bedford-Stuyvesant post office, now designs T-shirts, hoodies and polos worn by over 30,000 postal workers around the country who rock “Designs by Marty Grace” on the job as opposed to the drab United States Postal Service uniforms...."    
This Article is From: nydailynews.com Read our latest posts! .

Postal impersonator robs condo residents

Fake postal worker led robbery of Cherry Hill condo residents

"...Authorities did not say if the incident was linked to a similar home invasion in Northeast Philadelphia on July 17. In that case, a man posing as a postal worker, stole cash and jewelry from an elderly woman’s home...."    

This Article is From: www.courierpostonline.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Federal Jobs and Veteran's Preference Points

Veteran's Preference Points and Federal Jobs

"...By law, veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non veterans both in hiring from competitive lists of eligibles and in retention during reductions in force. The goal of the Veteran's Preference is not to the place a veteran in every vacant Federal job. However..."    

This Article is From: militaryvet.blogspot.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, July 27, 2012

Underground prison mail system: Communication between inmates via mail

Pelican Bay inmates communicated via underground mail

"...A gang leader housed in solitary confinement at Pelican Bay can send coded messages to an outside mail box address set up by a gang follower, who then re-directs the message to a second inmate housed in a separate unit at Pelican Bay, or another state prison. One such exchange of information via a Sonoma County mailbox foreshadowed a deadly prison riot on Feb. 21, 2000, at Pelican Bay...."    

This Article is From: Read our latest posts! .

She's cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs! ...and a mail scam to communicate with prison inmate

Accused Killer in Washington Demands Cocoa Puffs in Jail, Claims It’s Her Constitutional Right

"...Grigsby already has been disciplined for trying to brew alcohol in her cell and communicating with Pedersen via a mail scam...."    

This Article is From: www.frugal-cafe.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, July 23, 2012

USPS hiring temp mail handlers after offering $15,000 to reduce mail handler staffing nationwide

USPS looks to fill 45 temp positions
"...After nearly closing the William Street processing center in Buffalo in a move geared towards consolidation, the USPS is now putting out the "help wanted" sign..."    
This Article is From: National Postal Mail Handlers Union - Local 317 Read our latest posts! .

Retired postal employee leaves art collection worth hundreds of millions of dollars

Great American Art Collector Herbert Vogel Dies

Laumede #16 Gregory Amenoff

"...Slowly, deliberately, but with the eyes of true connoisseurs, the Vogels built up their collection, which some estimate at about 5000 pieces, all on the combined modest salaries of a librarian (Dorothy) and postal worker (Herbert). That collection is now worth incalculable amounts: hundreds of millions of dollars, and climbing,..."    
This Article is From: www.forbes.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, July 20, 2012

At FedEx: diverted customer demand towards cheaper lower-priced delivery options

Weaker Outlook Prompts FedEx To Align Logistics Network For Shifting Demand
"
FedEx truck at RR crossing
...While FedEx has continued to raise shipping rates to offset higher costs and improve yields, there has been a clear trend of customers shifting from premium services to slower or deferred products while seeking lower shipping expenses. The air freight carriers are..."    
This Article is From: Read our latest posts! .

Mail consolidation of a single mail plant in Maryland causes “significant” delays in mail services

USPS must learn from mail plant consolidation woes, says OIG"

"...the consolidation of a single mail plant in Maryland, close to the US capital, led to “significant” delays in mail services and a $558,000 increase in transport costs. The investigation into the transfer of mail processing from the Frederick, Maryland..."    

This Article is From: The Mailing Industry News Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Service Standard change will generally affect service on a nationwide or substantially nationwide basis

NPMHU Brief Challenging USPS Network Rationalization Changes Before the Postal Regulatory Commission

"...The Commission is charged by Congress with giving its considered opinion on this Postal Service proposal, as the planned service standard changes will “generally affect service”—indeed, substantially degrade service—“on a nationwide . . . basis. In so doing, the Commission is required by statute to consider whether the Postal Service’s plan shows due deference to the policies contained in Title 39, including the following specific service standard objectives stated in 39 U.S.C. § 3691..."    

This Article is From: www.npmhu.org Read our latest posts! .

Friday, July 13, 2012

Mail Contractors of America (MCA) driver dies, OSHA investigates

APWU, OSHA Investigate Employee Death at Des Moines NDC

"...Reports from the Des Moines BMC Local, which represents MCA drivers, indicate that there has been an increase in the number of incidents involving roll-away vehicles since 2009, when the Postal Service began allowing private-contract drivers to bring trucks to the dock at NDCs...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Will Postal Service force residents to move door delivery mailboxes to street?

US Senate: Streetside mailboxes may be mandatory

"...Residents of a modest Fort Lauderdale neighborhood were none too pleased last month to receive a letter demanding they move their mailboxes from door to street to expedite delivery. Turns out the letter was..."    

This Article is From: Read our latest posts! .

Closing postal plants and lowering its delivery standards worsen problems

With Cuts on the Way, Postal Service Customers Already Bemoan Delays

"...“The problems only seem to be getting worse,” said Max Heath, a consultant for the Publishing Group of America, whose magazines are distributed through small newspapers. “And the odds of it getting better is almost zero when you consider the changes the Postal Service is about to make, closing plants and lowering its delivery standards.” ..."    

This Article is From: www.nytimes.com Read our latest posts! .

Monday, July 9, 2012

Mail Handler Buyouts: Not many takers on small buyout offer

Postal Service: More than 7,000 postmasters, mail handlers could take buyouts (but clerks are still waiting)

"...The Postal Service is offering full-time mail handlers $15,000 to take the money and run; between 2,800 and 3,200 may go, Saunders said. One thing is clear: Proportionately, the early-out option has been a much better sell among the nation’s 21,000 postmasters than its roughly full-time 43,000 mail handlers...."    

This Article is From: federaltimes.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Rural Letter Carriers Settle Contract: July 3, 2012 Interest Arbitration Award

SUMMARY OF HIGHLIGHTS OF 2010-2015 NATIONAL AGREEMENT

"...summary of highlights of the new National Agreement between the United States Postal Service and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association resulting from the July 3, 2012 Interest Arbitration Award. The Award and the separate opinion and dissent of Interest Arbitration Board Member Joey C. Johnson are available in their entirety on the NRLCA’s website...."    

This Article is From: ruralinfo.net Read our latest posts! .

Monday, July 2, 2012

Sign of U.S. decline: Postal Service Overnight Delivery of First Class Mail to fade away

It's The End of an Era: No More Overnight Delivery From USPS

"...Despite months of protests across the country, overnight single piece first class mail delivery will end as of Sunday, July 1...."    

This Article is From: patch.com Read our latest posts! .

Saturday, June 30, 2012

FedEx: Higher than anticipated earnings ...

FedEx shares gained 3 percent on slower earnings prediction

"...Tuesday up 2.8 percent after the company announced higher than anticipated earnings, excluding a charge for aircraft retirement..."    

This Article is From: www.bizjournals.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Postal plants prepare for closures

Everett mail center to stay open until 2013

"... About 100 jobs will be lost as a result of the closure, but no layoff notices have been sent yet. The Everett plant's 65 mail handlers - one of three positions - were offered buyouts, and five employees took them, Walker said.

"I myself have considered taking a carrier route," Walker said. "That's what they're pushing."..."    

This Article is From: www.thenewstribune.com Read our latest posts! .

Beloved Mail Carrier retires from Postal Service

Stewart much more than mail carrier to residents

"...a bond that goes far beyond most relationships people have with their mail carrier. But since he started his route east of Western Avenue and north of 107th Place, Boykin Stewart became much more than a mailman to those on his route, and they became much more to him...."    

This Article is From: www.beverlyreview.net Read our latest posts! .

Former U.S. Postal Service manager is going to prison

Ex-Postal Service manager to serve 18 months for accepting bribes

"...A former U.S. Postal Service manager in Ann Arbor is going to prison for 18 months for accepting bribes from a contractor who lavished him with thousands of dollars in cash and gift cards, a free car, sports tickets, and lap dances and cigars during strip club visits...."    

This Article is From: www.freep.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Postal Service / Postal Mail Handler's Union Mediation fails to reach a negotiated settlement

Contract Update #13 -- 2011 Contract Headed for Interest Arbitration

"...Several other factors also have come into play as the NPMHU dispute resolution process unfolds. First and foremost, the American Postal Workers Union and the Postal Service reached a comprehensive agreement in March 2011, and that agreement has been held out by some as a pattern or a baseline for future negotiations. ..."    

This Article is From: NPMHU 317 Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Will unions save overnight delivery for First Class mail or will postal service degrade the service?

The union throws the Commission a Hail Mary on the change in service standards

"...If the PRC does not issue an order to stop the Postal Service, overnight delivery will come to an end for Inter-SCF First-Class Mail and periodicals. That’s mail that originates and destinates in the same geographic area served by a single sectional center facility. It’s basically regional mail, in between local and long distance, and it represents about 20 percent of First Class mail. The other 80% of overnight delivery is Intra-SCF mail — the “turnaround” mail that originates and destinates in the same processing plant (basically local mail); it will be preserved until 2014, then that will be the end of overnight delivery for First Class mail. ..."    

This Article is From: www.savethepostoffice.com Read our latest posts! .

Joseph Corbett filling in for USPS' sitting CIO who is on extended sick leave

USPS executives shift to fill interim positions

"...Joseph Corbett, 52, has been appointed acting chief information officer and executive vice president at the Postal Service, according to a USPS release. He is filling in for USPS' sitting CIO, Ellis Burgoyne, who is on extended sick leave recovering from an illness. ..."    

This Article is From: www.federalnewsradio.com Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Valassis NSA could steal away newspaper circular clients

OH: Newspapers battle against special postal rates for Valassis

"...The newspaper industry doesn’t want potential competition, so it’s rallying politicians to oppose the NSA. In a letter to the chairman of the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission, which has the final say on the agreement, Brown said the agreement would “ultimately harm Ohioans who rely upon local newspapers to remain informed about current events.”..."    

This Article is From: watchdog.org Read our latest posts! .

Rep. Darrell Issa – wants to know why the USPS proposes to play favorites with its postal customers

USPS proposal plays favorites with mail customers

"...The deal would have to be approved by the independent U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission, which will make its decision soon. It should reject the proposal and remind the USPS that its role doesn’t include playing favorites and creating unfair disparities in the marketplace...."    

This Article is From: thenewstribune.com Read our latest posts! .

PAEA: PRC to "consult with the Postal Service on delivery service standards"

Postal Regulatory Commission

"...The Act requires the Commission to develop and maintain regulations for a modern system of rate regulation, consult with the Postal Service on delivery service standards and performance measures, consult with the Department of State on international postal policies, prevent cross-subsidization or other anticompetitive postal practices, promote transparency and accountability, and adjudicate complaints...."    

This Article is From: wikipedia.org (10:30pm cst; 6.21.2012) Read our latest posts! .


Tags: Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA)

Postal Service taunts Postal Regulatory Commission stating it has no power to block closures

Regulators have no power to block mail plant closures, says USPS

"...The Postal Service said the regulators did not have the authority to block its closure plans, and that any attempt to delay closures..."    

This Article is From: postandparcel.info Read our latest posts! .

USPS Mobile App

USPS Mobile App

"...Access USPS.com’s most popular tools on-the-go. Get instant, on-the-go access to USPS.com’s most popular tools with USPS Mobile. Find Post Offices™ and collection box...."    

This Article is From: android-apps-iphone-apps.blogspot.com Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Will Mail Processing Plant closures be delayed?

Postal Service processing plant closures in jeopardy

"...Don’t look now, but a key piece of the U.S. Postal Service’s downsizing drive this year is at risk of getting smoked before it even gets started.

It’s the piece that involves closing or consolidating 48 mail processing plants in July and August. As part of that effort, the Postal Service is seeking a legally required advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission on a related proposal to revamp first-class mail delivery standards...."    

This Article is From: federaltimes.com Read our latest posts! .

Friday, June 15, 2012

DBCS Ergonomic Risk Hazards found at Kalamazoo P&DC by OSHA

OSHA Finds DBCS Ergonomic
Risk Hazards at Kalamazoo

"...To prevent musculoskeletal disorders, OSHA strongly suggested that the Kalamazoo P&DC work with USPS to eliminate the ergonomic risk factors identified in the Feeder and Sweeper tasks...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Cost Cutting at USPS takes focus away from revenue generation

Too much USPS focus on cost-cutting, says Ruth Goldway

"...Rolando said the Postal Service had a “unique opportunity” with its position reaching all 150m addresses in the United States six days a week, but that it was risking opportunities by closing much of its network...."    

This Article is From: postandparcel.info Read our latest posts! .

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

APWU Files Complaint to Stop Postal Service From Implementing Plan on July 1

APWU Files Complaint to Stop USPS From Implementing Plan on July 1

"... Noting that “the Postal Service case is extremely lengthy, technical and complex,” the APWU complaint [PDF] alleges that the USPS failed to submit the plan to the PRC far enough in advance of the July 1 implementation date.

The complaint points out that the Postal Service has made numerous revisions to its plan, as well as to the testimony of USPS witnesses in support of the consolidation plan and projections for savings...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Postal Service Urged To Step Up War on Drugs in Southeast Alaska

USPS Urged To Step Up War on Drugs in Southeast Alaska

"... Ketchikan, Alaska - As communities throughout Southeast Alaska report significant volumes of illegal drugs transported via the United States Postal Service (USPS), United Stes Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is asking the Postmaster General to address the matter..."    

This Article is From: www.sitnews.us Read our latest posts! .

Friday, June 8, 2012

APWU desires to halt consolidation of mail processing facilities until PRC issues an advisory opinion

APWU Seeks to Stop Consolidations
Until PRC Issues Opinion

"...The APWU assailed a “modified” USPS consolidation plan at a hearing before the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) on June 7, and notified the panel that the union will file a complaint seeking to stop the Postal Service from consolidating mail processing facilities and reducing service until after the PRC issues an advisory opinion on the plan...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Retirement Incentives for APWU represented employees being discussed (informal)

Informal Discussions on Early-Outs, Incentives

"...financial incentives for retirements and separations, but no official offers have been made or discussed, union President Cliff Guffey reports. “We expect the Postal Service to make a formal request to negotiate over early-outs and incentives..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org Read our latest posts! .

Friday, June 1, 2012

Bogus Post Office Emails can infect computer

Virus Alert: Do Not Open Bogus Post Office Emails

"...If you receive an email about a package delivery or online postage charges, do not open it. It appears to be from the post office, but it is a scam than can infect your computer. ..."    

This Article is From: patch.com Read our latest posts! .

Rural Americans depend on the Postal Service

Embattled U.S. Postal Service gets help from rural America

"...Rural Americans say they regard their local post offices as the centers of their communities. With UPS and FedEx service limited or more expensive in some areas, many rely on the Postal Service to deliver medicines, while families need it to pay bills and small businesses and craftsmen use it to ship goods to customers...."    

This Article is From: www.reuters.com Read our latest posts! .