News Archives

2006:

Jan| Feb | Mar | Apr  |  May| July | Aug| Sept| Oct| Nov| Dec

2005:

Jan| Feb| Mar| Apr| May| Jun| July| Aug| Sept| Oct| Nov | Dec   

2004:

Jan| Feb| Mar| Apr| May| Jun| Jul | Aug |Sept| Oct| Nov | Dec   

2003:

Jan-June 2003| July-Dec. 2003

June 30, 2006

June 29, 2006

June 28, 2006

Man gets 2-years in prison  for shooting, robbing  mail carrier  |Comments (8)

Neighbors want answers about missing packages
Winsted carrier brought safety along with letters
Third time charm for new postmaster
Woman given probation for stealing from post office
Postal carrier admits taking cash from card

June 27, 2006  NALC President Young: At USPS, a struggle over which promises to keep (PDF) - "A collective bargaining agreement is a solemn pledge. A group of workers and their employer mutually promise to abide by the negotiated terms and conditions of a contract. But, as the old saying goes, "Promises are like babies: easy to make, hard to deliver." That is especially true for promises made by sprawling enterprises like the USPS. With our negotiations for a new contract drawing near, I am deeply troubled by the Postal Service's increasing failure to abide by the plain and simple terms of our existing National Agreement."

June 26, 2006 - Former Postmaster Relief Pleads Guilty to Tampering With Customer’s Medications - Former Temporary Postmaster Carolyn Sturgeon acknowledged that on July 13, 2005, she was working at the Malden, Washington, Post Office. That day, she opened a certified mail packet that had been sent from the St. John’s Pharmacy in St. John, Washington, to a Postal customer.  The mail packet contained a prescription bottle holding 84 tablets of Oxycodone, which the customer had been prescribed. Sturgeon removed the Oxycodone tablets from the prescription bottle and replaced them with 84 tablet of Synthroid, a thyroid medication that Sturgeon had been prescribed. Sturgeon placed the prescription bottle now holding the Synthroid tablets back into the certified mail packet and, thereafter, caused the packet to be delivered to the Postal customer. If the Postal customer had ingested the Synthroid tablets according to the daily dosage regime for Oxycodone, the customer could have suffered a cardiac arrest.   |

June 26, 2006 - $82 million Postal Facility opens July 8 in Maine

"A massive $82 million mail plant is set to open in Scarborough in a couple of weeks, a culmination of the U.S. Postal Service's effort nearly 10-year effort to consolidate the area's mail processing and distribution in a larger space. The 429,000-square-foot facility,- the size of about 7 1/2 football fields - stands on a 51-acre site near the South Portland border. The center is expected to employ more than 600 people who will handle all mail for southern and central Maine. Consolidation allows a more efficient layout of current and anticipated equipment, which will smooth mail flow and hold down mail processing costs, Rizzo said. Scott Adams, president of Local 458 of the American Postal Workers Union, said the move was needed, but the excitement workers should feel about the new facility is overshadowed by fears about their assignments and schedules, which had not yet been announced, he said." Huge postal center set to open on July 8   (free registration req)  |

June 26, 2006 - The Hidden Costs of "Junk Mail" - "If it seems like your mailbox is stuffed with more shiny credit card offers and catalogs than ever before, you're right. The US Postal Service says the volume of advertising mail outpaced first class mail for the first time last year. City waste managers and environmental groups are concerned that all that mail is going to add up to a lot more waste.The Association's annual report says those hefty returns are based on an average of just 2.7 percent of people responding to the ads they get in the mail. Last year, that meant more than 600 billion dollars in sales. So, it's profitable for marketers to fill up your mailbox. But critics say there are hidden costs that marketers aren't paying. Some of those costs also arrive in your mailbox in the form of a bill from your city for solid waste disposal or recycling."  |

June 26, 2006 - Mailbox issue halts letter deliveries to several California businesses - Receptacles need to be raised, post office says; no notice of the stoppage was given, owners say Scott and other business owners in the area received a letter from the U.S. Postal Service dated June 10 that informed them their mail boxes were too low and the problem needed to be addressed.

June 26, 2006

June 25, 2006 - Let's Help the New Postal Sheriff
"Ellis Burgoyne, one of the postal service's rising stars, took over last month as the acting vice president of the Southwest region. Ellis Burgoyne's predecessor, George Lopez, who held the job for six years, was criticized by the postal carriers union for combining delivery routes as a cost-cutting measure, union President Lucinda Stapp said. Carriers had to double up and work two routes, with mail sometimes not getting to customers until nighttime, Stapp told me. Stapp, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 226 in Richland Hills, said that a month after Burgoyne took over the region, two routes were created at the Seminary Hill Station in Fort Worth." Burgoyne also served as Postmaster of Oakland, Ca. Burgoyne made six management changes in the Southwest  |

June 25, 2006 - Many postal workers get stamp of approval - A good mail carrier is something to treasure, like a competent accountant or an honest mechanic. In some ways, good mail carriers are more valuable because postal customers don't get to choose. It's the luck of the draw. You get a bad one, you complain. You get a good one, you bake cookies, you remember him/her at Christmas or offer up a can of cold soda pop every day. A good mail carrier is like the official neighborhood direction-giver. The best ones are diplomats, therapists and lawn-care experts. The best ones will know how to rescue your struggling queen palm.   |

June 25, 2006 -

DMA Fact Book: Direct Mail Still the King
Speeding pickup forces postal vehicle off road
Postmaster's efforts get stamp of approval
Sportsmen Group Urges Protest of Humane Society Stamps | photos

June 24, 2006   - Perceived Impairment May Be Protected Under Americans With Disability Act (ADA) - "A covered employee may be protected by the Americans With Disability Act if he or she is "perceived" or "regarded" as having a physical or mental impairment." This was the issue in a recent case. A co-worker began screaming at a postal worker in front of other co-workers and customers. "This interference caused the employee to miss work and eventually he began seeing a psychiatrist for anxiety and depression. When the postal employee returned to work, the offending co-worker, and then his supervisor as well, called him "crazy" and joked about his psychological care and medication.  After the work situation deteriorated, the employee quit and filed a discrimination claim under the ADA. He alleged that the co-worker and the supervisor together created a hostile work environment. The employee prevailed on his ADA claim. " |

June 23, 2006  - eReassign Reaches Milestone -  10,000 transfers since 2003 - The Web-based application that automates the voluntary transfer process for career bargaining unit employees recently marked a milestone, the reassignment of the 10,000th employee. eReassign was launched in October 2003. It lets employees submit a reassignment request for up to five offices and positions in a district, view the status of requests online and view offices within each district.  map of Districts by Area (PDF) | To access eReassign click here (from PR reader)

June 23, 2006  - New Intelligent Mail Device scanners get thumbs-up in Pennsylvania test - 300,000 have been ordered for delivery starting later this year
 

June 23, 2006

Status of Pacific Area Reassessment Program in dispute

United losing mail delivery contract with Postal Service

Mail carrier comes to aid of Wellsville man

Postal Service will delay Sioux City decision

Congressman, audit question need to reroute mail to Tampa

Twelve arrested in money order thefts

Newspaper carrier caught on tape stealing mail

Crash kills New Orleans postal worker

USPS extends deadline for mail over the counter in New Orleans

APWU: Central KY Area Local President Richard Tobin Dies
USPS OIG: Repair of Facilities Affected by Hurricane Katrina (PDF)
Hey USPS, pick on someone your own size

'Freaky' Letters Under Investigation by USPS

June 22, 2006 - Congressman, report question St. Petersburg/Tampa consolidation plan - Rep. C.W. Bill Young wants more data on potential savings and service changes. Mayor Rick Baker points to an audit critical of the plan. A powerful local congressman and a critical government audit are pressuring the Postal Service to re-examine its plan to eliminate the city postmark and consolidate the area’s mail sorting in Tampa. Rep. C.W. Bill Young on Thursday echoed city leaders questioning the rationale behind the proposal to eliminate 19 jobs in St. Petersburg and reroute incoming first-class mail to Tampa. The city, local postal employees and many residents object to the plan, saying it will slow delivery times and tear at the city’s identity by replacing the St. Petersburg postmark with a Tampa one

June 22, 2006 - USPS Gains Efficiencies Through Contracting (Outsourcing) -Though the U.S. Postal Service has been ramping up its spending on outside contractors, some industry observers say it will have to outsource even more of its work if it aims to improve efficiency and remain competitive. For fiscal 2005 the Postal Service spent about $12 billion on contractors for goods and services, including fuel, according to David Hendel, attorney with Wickwire Gavin in Vienna, Va. which monitors Postal Service contractor spending. And main question is, why isn’t the Postal Service doing less of some kinds of work?” Hendel asked. “Especially in the area of transportation, they save when they contract out. Postal employees are very expensive — about 80 percent of all their costs.  FedEx, the biggest Postal Service supplier by far, last year was paid more than $1.36 billion dollars to move agency mail. That is up from $1.16 billion in 2004 and from $1.07 billion in 2003. Fedex's seven year contract is up next year.    |

June 22, 2006 - District Manager has high hopes for New Mexico mail center - "The U.S. Postal Service has carved the country into 80 districts, and until recently, the Albuquerque district -- which sorts Santa Fe's mail -- was rated fifth from the bottom in efficiency. That's according to Victor Benavides, who started as the Albuquerque district manager May 8. Now the district is rated 62nd, and he hopes to have the district in the top 10, if not No. 1, by the end of this fiscal year. Benavides said he has hired 45 carriers and 20 clerks since he started, but part of the challenge he faces is changing the attitudes of employees who have become accustomed to low standards. Benavides and Romero acknowledged it wasn't uncommon for carriers to be out until 9 p.m. delivering mail. Ruben Romero, Santa Fe's postmaster, said he is also in the process of hiring 28 rural carriers, and they should be on their routes by August " OIG : Las Cruces, New Mexico Delayed Mail (PDF) |

June 22, 2006 - 24-Year Postal Maintenance Clerk Pleads Guilty - A 24-year U.S. Postal Service veteran on Wednesday pleaded guilty in Orlando's federal court to one count of opening mail. Bishop Smith, a former Hiawassee Post Office maintenance clerk, is one of 11 workers charged by federal prosecutors in the past month in Orlando and Ocala, According to court records, the other Orlando-area workers include 3 rural carriers; 3 letter carriers; 1 distribution clerk; 1 mail handler; 1 express-mail driver and another postal worker.   |

June 22, 2006 - USPS OIG Audit: Controls Over Contracts Awarded to Former Postal Service Employees (PDF) - "This comparison identified 205 noncompetive contracts the Postal Service awarded to former employees valued at $11,595,406. From this population of 205 contracts, we excluded 45 contracts awarded to former Postal Service inspectors. We found only 4 contracts awarded to active employees and 139 contracts awarded to former employees in the universe, and among them there were 22 contracts with a value of more than $100,000; one for an active employee and 21 for former employees. In addition there was only one contract awarded to a former employee without the contract value specified in the database. A prior audit stated that Management used contractors to supplement the career workforce dating back to 1992."  Postal Inspection Service Noncompetitive Contract Process (PDF)   |

June 22, 2006 - United Airlines Won't Fly U.S. mail
"The airline fails to qualify as a domestic mail carrier because of its performance in delivering mail on time. United Airlines will stop carrying U.S. domestic mail after June 30, after it failed to qualify for a contract renewal and declined a short-term contract extension. United said it is the largest carrier of domestic mail and had opened up its network for domestic mail service. "  |

June 22, 2006 - McAllen, TX: Locals Vocal at USPS Meeting - U.S. Postal Service officials met with area leaders Wednesday in an attempt to counter "myths" about an ongoing study that many worry will lead to costly mail delays. As many as 50 people — including postal workers, business leaders and congressional aides — attended what Postal Service officials intended to be an informational meeting, but was characterized by some rather pointed questions and comments. The discussion stemmed from the revelation earlier this year that the Postal Service was studying whether consolidating the Rio Grande Valley’s outgoing mail processing operation to Corpus Christi would help the agency operate more efficiently.

June 22, 2006 - Postal Job Scam Licked - About 27,600 Purchasers Paid for Worthless Materials - An operation that sold worthless prep materials for post office jobs that didn’t exist, will give up almost all of their assets to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the scam violated federal law. The defendants will give up property worth about $45,000. The FTC charged that the operation misrepresented an affiliation with the Postal Service, the availability of postal jobs, and that getting a score of 90 or better on a postal entrance exam guarantees applicants a job. The FTC also alleged that using their test preparation materials would not help anyone to pass the postal exam, contrary to their claims, and that the defendants misrepresented that the fee to purchase the materials was fully refundable.

June 22, 2006 - Hazmat Training for All Postal Employees - Fiscal Year 2006 hazardous materials (HAZMAT) training is required for all employees who accept, deliver and/or process the mail. Delivery and collection employees have a 30-minute course (#54293-01); retail acceptance employees, a 60-minute course (#54201-55); and mail processing employees, a 90-minute course (#54201-54). All three cover how to recognize and handle HAZMAT if encountered in the mail. If you haven’t received your training, contact your supervisor. Postmasters, station managers and supervisors can contact their District Aviation Mail Security coordinator for more information. Training must be completed by June 30, 2006

June 22, 2006 - 'Hurt' postal worker makes full restitution - Judge sentenced former Naperville resident Ahrita Mahajan to probation for defrauding taxpayers by claiming to be disabled when she wasn’t.The former postal worker was caught red-handed — perhaps literally — slapping her hands down on gambling tables at casinos in 2002 when she was supposed to be too disabled in her wrists to work, court documents showed. By receiving a sentence of probation, Mahajan avoided jail time. Taxpayers got theirs, too, though, because Mahajan repaid the entire $118,000 she collected while falsely on disability, her attorney, Kevin O’Reilly told the judge.

June 21, 2006  - An Unusual Request for a Promotion
"In a rather bizarre federal employee appeal that made its way to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, a rural mail carrier who was told by the USPS to return to work following some 9 years on workers compensation, argued that she could only physically qualify to be Postmaster since she could no longer perform her duties as a carrier.  |

June 21, 2006 - Mail Carrier Robbed With Stun Gun in Portland - Two suspects used a stun gun to rob a mail carrier in southeast Portland Tuesday afternoon, police said. They made off with an undisclosed amount of mail believed to have been in the postal vehicle at the time.   |

June 20, 2006  - Public meeting sought on Olympia mail consolidation plan - After the U.S. Postal Service met in Yakima last week to discuss plans to consolidate Yakima mail in Pasco, union officials and former postal workers here are now asking one question: Why didn't Olympia get a public meeting. The consolidation plan, which has been under way since April but was not preceded by a public meeting, was announced Nov. 1.

June 20, 2006  - NAPS: Postal Reform Inches Closer to Finish Line (doc) - "One of the most important differences between the House and Senate bills involves when the Postal Service will have the flexibility to secure a rate increase larger than usual, especially when unexpected or emergency circumstances arise. Under both bills, rate increases would be pegged to inflation. But a sudden surge in gas prices, a bioterrorist attack, or any of a number of other emergency circumstances requires the Postal Service have the authority to raise postage prices higher than normal. The House bill provides greater flexibility to the Postal Service than the Senate. If the Postal Service doesn’t have that flexibility, it will have to cut costs, which could mean cuts in workforce or smaller (or even no) increases in pay and benefits."

June 20, 2006  - Postal Progress- But some deliveries still elusive in New Orleans - The U.S. Postal Service is confident mistakes made during Hurricane Katrina will never be repeated. After Katrina’s floodwaters subsided and USPS inspectors surveyed the damage, they quickly found inherent mistakes in the evacuation policy. Nearly 200 trucks were lost, immeasurable pounds of first-class mail, including letters, checks and bills, were destroyed, and employees were hard to find. This season, USPS District Manager James Taylor believes