PMG: Mail processing plant closures announced again

Plant closures on again

After recently announcing a two year moratorium on plant closures, the PMG has recanted that idea and has again announced a return to shuttering hundreds of much needed mail processing facilities. The PMG cited a three year decline in first class mail volume as well as exigent price increases or a lack thereof as the reasoning. In a short video to employees, the PMG OFFERED NO DETAILS on what impacts the new closures will have on employees. It appears the postal service is unsure of what it is going to do, but they are going to do it anyway. Stay tuned for an update when more details are available.    

'Must See' Video on Postal Privatization and the 'Staples' Store Deal

The Video the PMG Doesn't Want You to See
"...The Postal Service’s propaganda machine has been working overtime in recent months, with workers forced to watch videos featuring Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe spewing falsehoods about “the state of the business” and the deal with Staples. APWU President Mark Dimondstein takes on the PMG’s claims in a new video that every postal worker should see. But while management can require employees to view his message while they’re on the clock, the union can’t. So make sure your co-workers hear the truth! Please show the video in swing rooms, cafeterias, at union events, and wherever postal employees get together...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org

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Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe supports agenda to fund roads for cut to five-day delivery

USPS supports five-day delivery swap with highway fund boost

"...a budget accounting trick that would finance road projects by preventing a future bailout of the U.S. Postal Service. But the top postal official says he couldn’t be more pleased. “We not only need five-day delivery,” Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said..."    

This Article is From: www.washingtonpost.com
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Revised Annuity Employees (RAE), a new code on PS 50 Forms

New Code on Form 50 Reflects Bigger Deduction for Retirement
"...The new designation reflects that the employees were hired as career employees on or after Jan. 1, 2013, and are covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) as Revised Annuity Employees (RAE). In accordance with the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, career employees hired on or after Jan. 1, 2013, pay more for their retirement benefits than their predecessors. ..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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APWU NBA challenged the re-election of Robert Sulentic to Staples’ board of directors

Staples Execs Get an Earful at Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

"...APWU National Business Agent Shirley Taylor challenged the re-election of Robert Sulentic to Staples’ board of directors, noting that he has an apparent conflict of interest. Sulentic is also CEO of CBRE, the giant real estate firm that holds an exclusive contract to sell post offices and other USPS facilities...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Article: House plan would steal from the broke U.S. Postal Service to pay for road and transit projects

Postal Service Funds Would Go to Highways Under House GOP Proposal

"...House Republicans are constructing a proposal to keep thousands of road and transit projects from grinding to a halt this summer by transferring funds into the nation's nearly depleted Highway Trust Fund from the already money-losing U.S. Postal Service...."    

This Article is From: www.nationaljournal.com
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Contrary to the wishes of the citizens the Postal Service serves, House Committee Passes Destructive Issa Bill

Committee Passes Controversial Issa Bill

"...May 21, 2014 - The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee members passed the latest postal bill offered by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA), which would end “door delivery” for 15 million postal customers. The vote, which passed along party lines 18-13, occurred less than 48 hours after it was introduced." title="Committee Passes Controversial Issa Bill ..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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FedEx Rate Hike: An example of why privatizing the Postal Service would cost you

FedEx Hike in Ground Rates Could Boost Business for U.S. Postal Service

"...FedEx Corp.’s recent decision to incorporate package size in the pricing of its ground service will result in a significant boost in shipping costs – but it could also open up competitive opportunities for the U.S. Postal Service...."    

This Article is From: www.forbes.com
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Other unions joining the fight against privatization of public services

‘Stop Staples’ Campaign Gathers Momentum

"...The American Federation of Teachers Michigan (AFT Michigan) voted at its convention on May 17 to endorse the boycott. Citing “a common battle against privatization” of public services, delegates voted unanimously to take their business elsewhere. “Members of our union want safe, secure, high-quality service when we go to the post office – not a low-wage, high turnover operation where employees have little or no training and no qualifications to handle sensitive letters and packages,” said David Hecker, president of AFT Michigan. “And nobody understands better than teachers, staff, and faculty how much we all have to lose when essential public services – like schools and post offices – are put in the hands of private companies with lower standards.”..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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World War II-era letter turned up in the mail again recently

Mail mystery: Muskegon post office looking for family to open World War II-era letter

"...There was a more recent postmark on the letter -- from Minneapolis 2013 – printed over the old. "We think somebody put it back into the mail stream," Rowe said. A vintage sealing material..."    

This Article is From: www.mlive.com
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Why is the Postal Service downplaying an operating profit since October 2012?

USPS Reports $1 Billion Operating Profit in First Half of Fiscal Year

So Why is Postal Management Cutting Service?

"...The positive balance sheet continues the steady progress in the finances of the Postal Service, which has been operating at a profit since October 2012. A dramatic increase in online shopping has sparked an explosion in package volume and revenue, while a gradually rebounding economy has stabilized letter revenue.

“All of this good news exposes an ugly truth,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “Postal management’s zeal for cutting service and outsourcing operations in a thinly-veiled attempt at piecemeal privatization.”..."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Consideration on Issa's destructive postal bill is put on hold indefinitely

Consideration of Postal Bill Postponed "...May 7, 2014 - Consideration by a House Committee of a new postal bill sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) , which was scheduled for May 7, has been postponed indefinitely. "We must remain vigilant," said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. "The bill proposed by Rep. Issa is extremely detrimental to the Postal Service, to postal workers and to the people of the country." For more information about the bill, click here...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Google Launches 'Google Shopping Express' as an Inexpensive Delivery Service in LA & NYC

Google Launches Delivery Service in LA & NYC

"...Customers can sign up for a six-month trial for free, unlimited deliveries. Otherwise, there is a $4.99 per store fee. There’s no minimum purchase and Google says it will not raise item prices. Orders can be placed online or via mobile apps...."    

This Article is From: www.foxbusiness.com
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The Dismantling of the U.S. Postal Service

Deride and Conquer: Dismantling the USPS

"...assault on government control last attempted by private carriers in the mid-1840s, the Postal Service's detractors have mounted a new, more promising offensive in the present era. To their credit, they have enjoyed some success by redefining the terms of engagement, and by reconstituting the nature and mission of the US postal system from its historical role as a civil service entity to a Frankenstein-like corporate/government hybrid with most of the downsides, and few of the advantages of both...."    

This Article is From: www.truth-out.org
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Shooting at FedEx facility in suburban Atlanta

'Rambo' gunman injures 6 at FedEx facility, kills self

"...KENNESAW, Ga. -- A package handler decked out "Rambo-style," with an assault rifle and bullets strapped to his chest, opened fire on fellow employees at a FedEx facility in suburban Atlanta early Tuesday, wounding six people -- three critically -- before killing himself...."    

This Article is From: www.usatoday.com
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Too many craft employees were passing Exam 955; USPS Scheme Overturned

‘Rescoring’ of Promotion Exams Violated Contract, Arbitrator Rules

Exam 955

"...The rescoring occurred after the Postal Service concluded that too many bargaining unit members were passing the exam, despite repeated assurances to the union during bargaining that the test had been validated and studied extensively...."    

This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) doesn't work so well for one customer

Bamboozled: Postal service customer says he didn't get what he paid for, wants to set up a sting

"...Aleman contacted his lawyer, whose office is on the route that should have received the post cards. The lawyer and his secretary said they never received the card, Aleman said. Aleman tried a second mailing to a different route March 10. It went to 647 addresses..."    

This Article is From: www.nj.com
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FedEx California Accident Update: "no evidence" of a pre-collision fire, contrary to a witness report, authorities said on Sunday.

'No evidence' of pre-collision fire in deadly California crash: NTSB

"...An investigation into the northern California crash between a FedEx truck and bus that killed 10 people last week has turned up "no evidence" of a pre-collision fire, contrary to a witness report, authorities said on Sunday...."    

This Article is From: www.reuters.com
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Drug smuggler used postal service to smuggle drugs through express mail wrapped in children's bedding

Police arrest Yonkers man who smuggled drugs using postal service and stored it in Bronx day care centers and other places

"...Juan Valdez, 45, was busted Thursday on a slew of charges. He's accused of moving drugs through express mail wrapped in children's bedding. He used various locations, including Bronx day care centers, to stash the drugs, cops said...."    

This Article is From: www.nydailynews.com
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Postal Service changes delivery standards in spite of Postal Regulatory Commission advisory opinion

Goldway Says USPS Dissed Mailers With Load Leveling

"...“We had a situation where the USPS wanted to change delivery standards for certain types of mail and delay them, and they asked us about it and it was determined that most thought it needed more study. But the Postal Service issued an announcement that they were going to go national with this program anyway,” Goldway told attendees..."    

This Article is From: www.dmnews.com
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