Senate's mail facility closes for ricin investigation

Senate closes mail facility for ricin investigation

"...the Senate's mail facility had received mail that tested positive for ricin and said it was closing the facility for the next two to three days for investigations...."    

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

Union Calls on USPS to Postpone Consolidations

‘Congress is Killing the Postal Service’

"...little attention has been paid to other drastic measures the USPS is taking that will significantly delay mail and permanently damage the nation’s mail system,” he remarked after the USPS Board of Governors announced it was backing off plans to end delivery of letters and periodicals on Saturdays. Since 2012, the USPS has closed or consolidated 114 mail processing facilities, one third of the nation’s mail processing capacity. The Postal Service has also reduced hours at approximately 6,500 post offices and plans to cut hours at 6,500 more. Reneging on its commitment to lawmakers, communities, customers and postal workers, the agency announced last month that it was accelerating plans to close even more mail processing facilities. The USPS said it will consolidate 71 plants this year that were originally scheduled for possible closure in 2014...."    

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

Congress protects the people by preventing the Postal Service from reducing service to five-day delivery

Postal Service withdraws plan to end Saturday mail delivery

"...The postal service’s board of governors made the decision Tuesday, according to a statement from the agency. “The board believes that Congress has left it with no choice..."    

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

US Postal worker arrested on drug possession and theft charges

Englishtown Police Arrest Postal Employee Under Federal Investigation

"...Thursday as she exited her postal vehicle to begin her mail route. Englishtown police charged Mettrock with possession of six wax folds of heroin, possession of ..."    

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

Postal Service may hurt its push for reform by antagonizing Congress

"...Congress has long maintained that it has oversight over how frequently the Postal Service delivers the mail, and Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe’s decision to move unilaterally rubbed some lawmakers..."    

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

Arbitration Award Protects Clerks in Small Offices

Union Wins Huge Arbitration For Clerks in Small Offices

"...“This decision will mean more hours for the clerks who work in small offices and more Clerk Craft jobs,” said APWU President Cliff Guffey. ..."    

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

Postal Service accelerates contraction

Postal Service Accelerates Partial Closure at 53 Processing Plants

"...the acceleration will harm employees, communities and the Postal Service itself. "The Postal Service is on the brink of cutting service in a way that will permanently damage our treasured institution..."    

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

USPS threat to end Saturday delivery runs customers off

Bloomberg Businessweek delivers the bad news to USPS

"...The publication, which is sent to print on Wednesday evening and shipped out by Thursday, is currently geared towards being in the reader’s hands by Saturday at the absolute latest. Once the cutbacks are put in place, that timetable would have become void in certain locations...."    

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

More on privatization of the Postal Service

Predictions come true

"...Conspicuously absent from the paper is a proposal that the private entity assuming postal activities will inherit this $55 billion future health care liability with required payments of five billion dollars plus each year over an 11 year period. The paper is also silent on discounts or will the new entity be permitted to charge fixed rates for each class of mail? What about local, state and federal taxes?..."    

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

Actor John Ratzenberger: USPS Lacks Common Sense

John Ratzenberger: USPS Lacks Common Sense

"...HuffPost Live's Alyona Minkovski sat down Friday with actor John Ratzenberger, famous for his role as mail carrier Cliff Clavin on the television series "Cheers." ..."    

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

USPS Properties For Sale

USPS Properties For Sale

"...Postal Service properties listed for sale..."    

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

The USPS would like to focus on cost-cutting its processing and transportation

USPS's Options: a $14B Annual Loss or a $2B Annual Profit

"...the USPS would like to focus on for cost-cutting is processing and transportation, which the agency estimates will account for $3.1 billion in savings. On a slide deck shown by Corbett, this was described as “consolidating excess network capacity.” Practically speaking, this measure entails reducing the 417 mail processing locations the USPS currently has to less than 250 facilities by 2015...."    

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

Letter delivered sixty years late

Letter from boot camp in 1953 returned to sender

"...Sixty years later, that letter finally turned up, when the U.S. Postal Service gave it back to Rodgers, who's now living in southwestern Michigan...."    

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

Front porch mailbox delivery saved in neighborhood

Post office backs away from curbside edict

"...Vaughan said that those in the neighborhood who have already erected curbside mailboxes can tear them down and revert back to home delivery via front porch mailboxes...."    

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

Valentine, Texas

Valentine, Texas

"...these distances place Valentine far enough away from any other community that its post office must remain open at six hours a day according to USPS's POStPlan. By the new terminology it becomes a "Part-Time Post Office" (PTPO) that reports to the local postal District (in this case, Rio Grande). ..."    

This Article is From: Going Postal Read our latest posts! .

Well-liked postman retires

Edgmont Township bids farewell to favorite postman after three decades

"...Rick Schaefer, who was raised in Havertown and now lives in West Chester, retired from the U.S. Postal Service last week after 31 years of service. ..."    

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

Beverly Hills Post Office to be relocated

USPS Finalizes Decision To Relocate Beverly Hills Post Office

"...After hearing a handful of appeals over the last several months, the United States Postal Service finalized its intentions..."    

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

TSP iPhone app warning

TSP iPhone app warning (TSP Funds app)

"...Warning: Apple App store offering TSP App not sanctioned by TSP — A free iPhone App, TSP Funds, currently being offered through the Apple App store..."    

This Article is From: Android and iPhone Apps and News Read our latest posts! .

Repeat safety violations costing USPS money

OSHA Cites Maine, Michigan Facilities For Unsafe Working Conditions

"...OSHA also issued the USPS a repeat citation on Nov. 15, 2012, and fined the agency $25,000 for safety violations at its Romulus MI facility. Electric tow motors were modified without prior written approval by the manufacturer, OSHA said, exposing employees to the potential to be struck by, crushed or caught in the modified tow...."    

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

MVS Subcontracting Arbitration Update

Union Wins Motor Vehicle Subcontracting Case

"...“The Postal Service can no longer justify contracting out work that would be less expensive to keep in house on the ground that it has given due consideration to cost as well as the other Article 32.1 or 32.2 factors. To be sure, each of those factors must be considered, but if factors other than cost do not rule out keeping work in house, and the cost of keeping work in house would be less than contracting out, both the text and the bargaining history of the Contracting MOU require that the work be kept in house.”..."    

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

Congressman Issa would save the Postal Service by dismantling it

Bailout BS: Darrell Issa’s Misinformation Campaign about the Postal Retirement Funds

"...Issa would save the Postal Service by dismantling it. His legislation would end Saturday delivery, cut benefits to postal workers, remove the no-layoff clause from union contracts, eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs, reduce the oversight authority of the Postal Regulatory Commission, and make it easier to close post offices. ..."    

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

Privacy questions raised over Postal Service ‘welcome kit’

Postal Service ‘welcome kit’ raises questions

"...people who filled out change-of-address forms to send an official-looking MoversGuide welcome kit filled mostly with advertising and coupons from companies selling cellphones, insurance, home security, mattresses and lots of other move-related products and services...."    

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

Madison mail processing operations consolidation study

Postal Service considers consolidation of Madison, Milwaukee operations

"...The U.S. Postal Service is considering consolidation of its Madison and Milwaukee processing and distribution operations..."    

This Article is From: www.channel3000.com Read our latest posts! .

High-grade marijuana picked up at post office

Separate 'high grade' pot, hash oil deliveries to Gray post office result in charges for three men

"...Officers were waiting for the men when the two arrived at the Gray post office and watched as Worsham went inside and signed for a package addressed to him. Court records indicate the package contained approximately 10 pounds of high grade marijuana from California. ..."    

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

Postal Service ends past practice, now destroying books

Post office now destroying returned Imagination Library books

"... When books end up at the wrong address, the postal service used to hold the returned books and wait for volunteers to come pick them up. But the post office says holding the books costs them money, so they're enforcing a long standing policy to shred returned items ..."    

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

COLA for APWU represented employees in March

Cost-of-Living Raises Set for March

"...The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be effective March 9 and will be reflected in paychecks issued March 29. The raise amounts to $7.96 per pay period and reflects increases in the cost-of-living from July 2011 to January 2012, and from July 2012 to January 2013. ..."    

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

Mandatory curbside delivery?

Post office letter met with complaints

"...Some southwest Norman residents are mighty upset with their postal service after receiving a letter this week informing them that there was going to be mandatory curbside delivery, as of March 15...."    

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

When you fail at managing the postal service, start a clothing line

USPS to sell 'Rain Heat & Snow' clothing line with 'wearable electronics' next year

"..."This agreement will put the Postal Service on the cutting edge of functional fashion"..."    

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

No more Saturday delivery, but dinner, golf and dancing at lavish postal conference is good

Postal Service spending millions to send execs to conference

"...MacFarlane has obtained the agenda for the conference which calls for not only workshops and meetings, but also a golf outing, a dance party and a dinner event...."    

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

USPS purchasing specialist pleads guilty to taking bribes

USPS Official Pleads Guilty To Taking Bribes

"...Court documents show that Quarles, a purchasing specialist, regularly received cash payments between 2010 and 2012 from the owners of AH Computer Consulting, Inc...."    

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

OSHA Cites USPS For Unsafe Working Conditions

OSHA Cites USPS For Unsafe Working Conditions

"...The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the USPS for unsafe working conditions following the death of mechanic Steny Wing Hoi Yu, who died July 27 from injuries he sustained while working at the Detroit NDC...."    

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

Postal Service is still the most efficient

Is The U.S. Postal Service The World's Most Efficient?

"...What they did was mail letters to 10 fake addresses in 159 countries and see how long it took them to be returned, and what percentage of them are returned...."    

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

Postmaster general’s actions have damaged his reputation with congressional leaders

Postmaster general ‘damaged his reputation’ with five-day mail-delivery plan, Reid says

"...“Given the importance of the post office to communities in Nevada and across our nation, such a drastic policy change cannot be enacted without approval from Congress,” Reid said. “Instead, the postmaster general relied on flawed legal guidance to claim that he can circumvent Congress’ s authority on the matter.”..."    

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

NPMHU Contract Arbitration Completed

Mail Handler Contract Update #15

"...Hearings in the ongoing interest arbitration proceedings to determine the terms of the 2011 National Agreement between the NPMHU and the Postal Service are now complete, with the final hearing held on Friday, February 1, 2013. Although the record officially remains open for additional submissions that might be needed by the three-member arbitration panel, the formal hearing process is over, and a final award should be issued soon. ..."    

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

USPS lacks the statutory authority to reduce mail service to 5-days

USPS fails to deliver real plan

"...“Logic dictates that when USPS and the Administration repeatedly request that Congress explicitly provide USPS the authority to reduce mail service from 6-days to 5-days, it is clear acknowledgement that, absent Congressional action, USPS lacks the statutory authority to do so,” Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Sam Graves (R-Mo.) wrote in a letter to the nation’s postmaster general...."    

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

More Postal Service buyout offers potentially on the way

USPS employees to see less overtime, more buyouts under 5-day delivery plan

"..."We think by eliminating overtime and by looking at some of the flexibilities we have with the part-time workforce, and potentially working with the unions on some buyouts, we'll easily hit that." USPS already has cut its workforce by 306,000 people over the last 13 years, so Donahoe said they have been preparing for this eventual cut back in service. ..."    

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

Elimination of Saturday Mail Service!

Postal Services will end Saturday mail delivery

"...The Postal Service plans to drop Saturday delivery of first-class mail by August in its latest effort to cut costs after losing nearly $16 billion last fiscal year, the cash-strapped mail agency said on Wednesday...."    

This Article is From: Reuters Read our latest posts! .

No suprise. Postal Service Claims It's Above the Law

"..."In providing mail service across the country, the Postal Service attempts to work within local and state laws and regulations, when feasible," Breslin wrote in response to a summons for payment. "However, as you are probably aware, the Postal Service enjoys federal immunity from state and local regulation." The USPS Employee Safety Guide states employees will "receive no special privileges or rights as a postal driver."..."    

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

Huntsville Police say 43 pounds of marijuana found in mail

K-9 finds marijuana in mail

"...HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAAY) - Police say a K-9 unit helped them find dozens of pounds of pot traveling through the U.S. postal system in January...."    

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

The Postal Service must accommodate diabetic employees

Union, Management Clarify Diabetes Policy

"...Many individuals with diabetes work with few or no accommodations. However, some workers need an adjustment in the workplace to better manage and control their condition. Most of the accommodations requested by employees with diabetes, such as regular work schedules, meal breaks, a place to test their blood sugar levels, or a rest area, do not cost employers anything...."    

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

Time capsule found at Hawaii post office site

Time capsule found at Maui post office site

"...Demolition crews working at the site of the old Wailuku Post Office-Federal Building Tuesday morning discovered a time capsule dating back to 1959. ..."    

This Article is From: www.khon2.com Read our latest posts! .

Florida Postal Employment

USPS hiring information -

"...Applicants must apply January 23 through January 27, on line at www.usps.com. Paper applications will not be accepted. CCAs will deliver and collect mail on foot or by vehicle under varying road and weather conditions in a prescribed area. Salary is $15 per hour, with limited benefits..."    

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

Postal Service travel expense fraud continues

Cash-strapped Postal Service probed for travel expense waste

"...In September, David Kosturko, a former Postal Service executive, was convicted of defrauding the agency of more than $17,000. According to a February 2011 report from the Office of Inspector General, the Postal Service overpaid more than $600,000 in travel costs as result of improper claims ..."    

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

Social media: discussing work conditions protected

Even if It Enrages Your Boss, Social Net Speech Is Protected

"...a series of recent rulings and advisories, labor regulators have declared many such blanket restrictions illegal. The National Labor Relations Board says workers have a right to discuss work conditions freely and without fear of retribution, whether the discussion takes place at the office or on Facebook. ..."    

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

Postal Service says BOG order to accelerate cost-cutting measures not related to USPS order to accelerate shutdown of mail processing operations

Postal Service: Accelerated mail processing plant downsizing not linked to new board directive

"... the Postal Service announces that its governing board has given orders to accelerate cost-cutting measures. On Thursday, the Postal Service notifies the National Postal Mail Handlers Union that it is speeding up the shutdown of mail processing operations at 18 plants...."    

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

Rural Alaska towns paying the price for USPS closures

Postal Service cuts pinch small Alaska towns

"... As a result, a letter mailed by Perkins to a client in Cordova, is now flown approximately two hundred miles from Cordova to Anchorage where it is sorted by automated sorting equipment and then flow back to Cordova, where likely the same postal employee who took Perkins's letter at the front counter several days ago puts it into the client’s post office box...."    

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

Postal Service pallet thieves arrested

2 arrested, a third sought in Postal Service plastics theft

"...Sheriff's Department’s Industrial Plastic Theft Task Force arrested the two Wednesday night at the warehouse, where detectives say the men were grinding stolen trademarked plastic products into chips to be sold to plastics manufacturers, according to a Sheriff’s Department report...."    

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

USPS paid more than $30 million to sponsor the cycling team

Lance Armstrong in talks to return Postal Service money

"...While total figures are not available, USPS paid more than $30 million to sponsor the cycling team between 2001 and 2004, according to documents reviewed by ESPN and the Wall Street Journal. ..."    

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

NALC National Contract Arbitration Award Issued

Arbitration board issues award: Sets terms of the 2011-2016 National Agreement; ‘NALC achieves its major goals,’ Rolando says

"...The Das board rejected the Postal Service’s proposals to freeze pay, eliminate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) and implement a two-tier wage schedule for career city carriers. Instead, the new contract provides three general wage increases between now and the end of the contract: 1 percent in November 2013, 1.5 percent in November 2014, and 1 percent in November 2015. It also provides for the payment of seven COLAs between now and 2016, though the two COLAs calculated in 2013 will be deferred and paid in 2014. These wage and COLA provisions follow the wage pattern established by the negotiated American Postal Workers Union (APWU) contract and the arbitrated National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) contract. However, the award lowered the entry wage for new career letter carriers..."    

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

Pick up chicks at the post office!

D.C. Post Office Gets 106 Baby Chicks After Shipping Mix-Up

"...Post Office, because... because they know how to care for farm animals? OK, so we're pretty sure that enjoying the presence of 106 peeping chicks would be a fun way to pass the time while waiting in line. But the post office ..."    

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