Potter Prepares to Make USPS More Competitive in Internet Age-"Postmaster
General John E. Potter must figure out a way to the keep the
postal service competitive as more people turn to e-mail and delivery
services. By 2017, first-class mail volume is projected to plunge
21%, and a yearly profit may become an $8.5 billion loss, according
to a presidential commission that studied the agency."
Congress on May 12th will begin debate
on the first of two bills intended to help the world's largest postal
service compete with publicly traded rivals including FedEx
and UPS. William Burrus, president of APWU, said Potter has pushed
an agenda that favors large corporate mailers at the expense of
individual customers|
- Mail Handlers
Postal Reform Update: "Our grassroots lobbying effort is working"
GAO Report: 29 USPS employees obtained bogus degrees
-
USPS is
cited in report with 29 employees holding bogus college degrees
-excerpt
of GAO Report in gif format
|
Full GAO Report
-
GAO finds hundreds paid for unaccredited, fake schools
USPS to Request Early Out for
EAS 11-18 Postmasters-The
Postal Service informed NAPUS an National League of Postmasters
that the agency will seek OPM approval of a plan to grant Voluntary
Early Retirement (VER) Authority for eligible EAS- 11-18 Postmasters.
According to Postal Service officials, the rationale for requesting
early out opportunities for EAS-11-18 Postmasters is based on locating
landing spots which may be created by the continuing downsizing
of Function 1 mail processing positions. These jobs also include
other clerks, affected administrative personnel, and non-supervisory
positions." NAPUS anticipates OPM approval within a 15-30 day timeframe.|
-
Postmasters may get early retirement option (Federal Times)
-
Postal Headquarters announces VERA for Postmasters -NLPM
USPS Sees $2.5B Surplus for First Half of Year-"According
to the postal service's fiscal and operating statements, revenue
from Oct. 1 to March 31 was $35.52 billion, 1.4 percent above the
agency's budget plan, while expenses of $32.96 billion were 1.7
percent under budget plan." "Total workhours for March YTD are 12.1
million hours or 1.6% below SPLY. To date, Mail Processing workhours
have been reduced 7.0 million hours or 3.8% below SPLY."
House Panel passes bill to end TSP Open
Season & Revise CSRS Benefits for Part-Time Workers-The
bill revises the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) annuity
computation with respect to part-time civil service before April
7, 1986, to credit all service of such employees, no matter when
performed, as full-time for purposes of such computation. The bill
also eliminates open seasons for TSP. The open season language must
clear the full House and the House-Senate conference before it is
signed into law.
Closing Open Seasons Allowing annuities for federal retirees
to begin the day after retirement, instead of a month later
Former Postal Manager Accused of Rape fighting DNA order
- a former Dorchester postal center station "acting"
manager accused in a sexual harassment suit of raping a letter carrier
and forcibly kissing a customer service supervisor, " is fighting
a subpoena to produce a DNA sample. USPS settled out of court earlier
this year with one alleged victim who claimed Kelley raped her in
the boiler room of the Dorchester Center Postal Station on Sept.
7, 2000." Another alleged victim filed a stress claim for sexual
harassment by the station manager, a clerk & a mail handler and
currently is off work receiving OWCP.
Case continues in Brentwood Employee's $600,000 sexual harassment
suit
USPS OIG: Review of Labor Scheduler Program Phase I-"
At the pilot sites visited, plant management
did not fully implemented or use the Labor Scheduler model results
to capitalize on workforce optimization; therefore the program may
not achieve projected benefits. These sites either disregarded or
partially implemented the model results causing no employee reduction.
At one of the pilot sites for the
Labor Scheduler, "Plant management implemented the model results,
which identified 112 changed or reduced positions." After plant
management reduced a significant number of positions, workhours,
overtime increased. "Postal Service Management and union officials
stated after completion of model results from Labor Scheduler, regular
Employees were working 12 hours a day and part-time employees
were exceeding their 32-hour weekly limit. |
-
See other reports
Former Postmaster General Marvin Runyon
Dies-Marvin
Runyon, a one-time Ford assembly line worker whose tightfisted corporate
policies helped him become postmaster general (1992-1998) , died
Monday at age 79. In a sometimes stormy tenure as postmaster general,
he eliminated hundreds of jobs, reorganized the massive operation
and built a business that made more than $1 billion in profits by
the time he left. Runyon was known to many postal workers as
as "Carvin' Marvin" |
Five Maryland Postal Workers Indicted
for OWCP Fraud-A
federal grand jury indicted the five Postal Workers on charges of
fraudulently receiving more than $200,000 in workers' compensation
benefits. According to the indictments the postal workers continued
working at other jobs while asserting on workers' compensation forms
that they had no other income. |
-
OIG Press Release (pdf)
US Postal Workers indicted for workers’ compensation
fraud-Maryland Gazette
Job's Demands, Doctor's Orders and
Pregnancy
Discrimination
-Michelle
Cotton, a mail carrier at the Edgewater, Colorado Post Office wonders
if she pushed herself too hard carrying her son. Last fall, months
after he was born, doctors learned he'd had a stroke in the womb.
They haven't ruled out the possibility that Cotton's physical workload
was a factor. Cotton said a female supervisor told her she would
have to take unpaid leave for any time she was supposed to walk
her route but couldn't. The issue was dropped after supportive co-workers
picked up part of her route. Then she hit another bump in the road.
A male postal supervisor tried to force Cotton to work overtime--she
refused and was cited for "failure to comply with direct order"
. NALC filed a grievance and the issue was dropped. |
-
Pregnancy Discrimination Act information
USPS Introduces New Human Resources Initiative
"PostalPEOPLE" PostalPEOPLE, which will allow employees
to perform routine HR transactions 24-7 in a self-service environment
by giving them access to their personnel files and other HR-related
information. An HR Shared Services Center will provide employees
with individual attention using interactive voice response, an HR
knowledge base and agent assistance. According to PR Reader:
"PostalPEOPLE will be launched beginning in January 2006, and continuing
through early 2007."
May 31, 2004
•
Toward the Digital Mailroom-The digital
mailroom is not just about faster, more efficient mail processing.
•
War veteran /Postmaster a quiet force
behind Dublin, GA Post Office
•
Overhaul of USPS & Eliminating TSP Open Seasons Head Congressional
Agenda
•
Mansfield, Ohio first-class mail processing still slated to
move
•
USPS Removes 69 Collection Boxes in El Paso Texas
•
New York Postmaster Responds to 'Do Not Mail' Campaign Opinion-"Assemblyman
David G. McDonough's "Do Not Mail" campaign appears to be a misinformed
attack on advertising mail (Opinion May 14). His claims that advertising
mail is an annoyance and a threat to the ecological balance are
just not so. Advertising mail does not intrude. It does not demand
immediate attention or interrupt other activities. The recipient
decides whether to pay attention and when to open and read it. It
is highly valued by most recipients. Research shows that consumers
read 78 percent of advertising mail, almost 10 percent respond to
the offers, and 21 percent of all consumers take advertising mail
with them when they shop. Before legislators support such radical
actions, they should carefully consider the consequences of
what they do for the people they represent."
Frank LoCricchio,
May 30, 2004
•
USPS considers moving
carriers or retail operation at cramped Post Office
•
Watchful carrier saves customer
•
Residents in 62 & over Community Wins Fight to Get Mail Delivered
•
Al-Qaida look-alikes Seen at Denny's
and Post Office in Avon, Colorado
•
Burbank Calif. Post
Office dedicated to late entertainer Bob Hope
•
Spammer sentenced to prison for sending an estimated 850 million
e-mails
•
Online bill payment may be convenient; it's not foolproof-....relying
on cyberspace instead of your postal carrier can be more of a hassle
than you think.
May 28, 2004
•
USPS Honors 'Greatest Generation' With War
II Memorial Stamp-
Also,
Brewco Motorsports
and driver Johnny Sauter unveiled a special World War II Memorial
stamp paint scheme for Sauter's NASCAR Busch Series car |
Photos
1
|
2
-
Georgia Rural Carrier Honors Fallen Soldiers With Web Site
-
Remembering and Honoring
all of the those who have died serving our country and those
past & present who have served/serving in our armed forces. Spotlight:
Pictured at left is retired Letter Carrier & NALC member.
Frank Perconte, featured in “Band
of Brothers”
whose battle across Hitler’s Europe was featured in the history
of E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division that became
an 'Emmy' award-winning TV miniseries
in 2001.
•
New
Discussion Forums:
Postmasters and
Part-Time Regulars (PTR)
•
District Court Dismisses( in part) Deaf Postal Workers Class
Action Lawsuit
•
New Orleans Postal
Carriers Accused Of Stealing, Destroying Mail
•
Additional Information
for Postal Labor Unions Summer School
•
Letter: Postal employee gives whatever time it takes
•
NAPUS: Congressional Vote on Postal Reform 'likely' this year
•
Postal Inspectors launch probe into smear letter sent via Bulk Mail
Permit
•
Gulfport Postal Employee receives National Honor
May 27, 2004
•
Recently retired Postal Worker devotes full attention to sculpting-For
Tryggvi Thorlief Larum sculpting has becomes celebration of Norwegian-
Icelandic cultural heritage
•
Salem Oregon getting its first female postmaster
•
USPS San Mateo (CALIF.) Accounting Service Offering In-service Exam
(pdf)-
Accounting Exam 741 will be for future reassignment
or promotion to entry level positions: Accounting Technician DSC-11.
May 27-June 11th 2004
•
Commentary: USPS’ Solution Is Entrepreneurial
May 26, 2004
•
Postmaster General Says Legislation May Force
Rate Increase
-
PMG John Potter Delivers Postal Service Progress Report via
national satellite. Legislation being considered by Congress
could force postal rates higher than might otherwise be necessary.
Potter also said "the Postal Service will raise the goal of delivery
point sequencing to 85 percent by the end of the year, 90 percent
next year, and ultimately to 100 percent. |
-
PMG Urges Mailers to Stay Involved in Transforming USPS
-
Text of Potter's Remarks
•
California State APWU Convention Report- Major concerns:
excessing, labor scheduler staffing model, unwarranted discipline,
PTF conversion, maintenance staffing, and postal reform which could
have an effect on every one of us. Also the issue of grievance being
delayed which most of the delay is due to sheer volume of the grievances
filed by APWU. Nationwide the backlog of grievances has been reduced
from approximately 90,000 to 47,000 grievances.
•
In Boston, a 'postal' message on the need to fight crime-What
caused a stir in Boston, wasn't a shooting or a residents'
grief of constant shootings or crime --It was a decision
by USPS to halt delivery to the 550 homes - citing concerns about
mail carriers' personal safety. That decision, while it proved only
temporary, helped prompt stepped-up police presence in the complex
|
•
Putting Mail Packages to the Air Cargo Security Test
•
Kingston Post Office begins transition to curbside delivery
•
National World War II Memorial Postage Stamp to Honor Those Who
Served
•
American Enterprise Institute interviews FedEx CEO Fred Smith
•
Ohio Postal workers picket over proposed move
•
Mail service for GIs not delivering goods to Iraq
•
Hoax 'Bomb' Package Gets by Sweden Post Office
•
DMA President Wientzen Urges Members to Push for Postal Reform
•
Georgia Rural Carrier Honors Fallen Soldiers With Web Site
•
Letter :
Postal workers get stamp of approval
•
Are
Identity Theft Protection Services The Real Scam?
•
Iraq Inaugurates
International Postal Center and Postal Codes System
•
Postal Worker Charged with Killing Two People in Drunk Driving
Crash
•
Postal Supervisor pleads guilty in sons' hot car death
•
Chicago Postal Worker Accused Of Stealing Jewelry from the Mail
May 24, 2004
-
What is a postal service?
-
Mail flows to river legends, farmers,
island owners
-
35 year Florida postal worker dies in boating accident
-
Florida
Man gets prison for using 270 counterfeit USPS credit cards
-
Editorial: Will Postal Reform Really
Happen?
-
Calif. Postal Supervisor has written
2 books on growing up Hispanic
-
Online purchases on the upswing
-
Ohio Postmaster: Mail is one cornerstone of our enlightened democracy
-
ADVO Introduces Initiative to Help Remember Faces on Missing
Child Cards
-
FedEx founder named chief executive of the year
-
Crown Heights (NY) post office renamed in honor of slain councilman
-
Oversized Postcard Delivered from California.
to Miss. with 1-cent stamp-the
oversized postcard made it all the way from a San Diego Calif. suburb
to the tiny Simpson County community Georgetown with just a 1-cent
stamp.
USPS
to Participate in OSHA's Two Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)
pilots -14 companies and
organizations, as well as USPS, will participate in the pilots.
In the
VPP,
management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships
at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health
management systems. Approval into VPP is OSHAs official recognition
of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have implemented
exemplary safety and health management systems
-Funds
misappropriation leads to indictment against Postal Worker -A
Verona woman who worked for the U.S. Postal Service was indicted
Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of converting
$270 in postal funds to her own use. The postal worker was charged
with misappropriating the money from March 15 to April 29, 2003.
She faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. -end-
-Subscribers
to Reason shocked to find personalized magazines in
mailboxes-Subscribers
to Reason were shocked to find VERY personalized magazines in their
mailboxes last week. On each cover the magazine printed an aerial
photograph of the subscriber's very own neighborhood
-Snailmail
struggles in an electronic world
-
UPS is scurrying to stay out ahead-
-
From Walter Reed, Letter Carrier/GI injured in Iraq fulfills promise
to return wallet
-
New Egremont post office finally delivered
-
Oscar Scott Woody Post Office is one step closer to reality
-Oscar
Scott Woody was a sea post clerk aboard the Titanic. He worked 15
years as a railroad mail clerk
-
Pitney
Bowes Sponsors Letter Writing Campaign to U.S. Marines on Memorial
Day
-
Senator proposing new Rotary postal stamp to help in
fight against Polio
-
Surveys: Don't Confuse Me With The Facts-The percentage
of retailers who send catalogs has plummeted from 77 percent in
2002 to 55 percent last year because they felt the Internet made
this junk mail less essential. You are the U.S. Postal Service,
whose catalog mailing revenue is evaporating. What do you do? COMMISSION
A STUDY
May 21, 2004-
Post office Rural Carrier staffing falls behind area's growth-
-
Growth impacts town postal delivery routes -
-USPS
Jaffer Sets the Record Straight with Lexington Institute ..again!-
A
recent opinion on your editorial
pages from the Lexington Institute, a defense and international
affairs "think tank," was critical of the U.S. Postal Service's
accounting practices. The writer asserts that the Postal Service
"is hemorrhaging money with long-term projections bordering on catastrophic"
and makes the claim that the agency's "financials are deliberately
and utterly impenetrable." The assertion is flat out wrong and the
claim, by implication, erroneously indicts the many entities with
oversight over the Postal Service, including the Postal Rate Commission,
the General Accounting Office (GAO) and to some extent, the House
Committee on Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Governmental
Affairs. Referenced opinion
Bush Administration finalizing agreement with U.S. Postal Workers
to help deliver antibiotics or antidotes within 48 hours
of a biological attack to 21 major cities, including the District.
USPS would get $12 million to help distribute vaccines and other
medical supplies . George Gould of the National Association of Letter
Carriers said his union supports the voluntary plan for letter carriers
to deliver emergency medical supplies. Postal workers will be trained
in handling the materials and in security.
Postal Reform Bill Introduced in Senate
Residents in Pomona (CA) lose mail delivery after carrier caught
in gunfire
Slithery delivery: 'Mom! There's a snake in the mailbox
Hispanic
Organization of Postal Employees (HOPE) will host its first National
Hispanic Conference, “Unity, Transformation and Our Future,"
June 3 - 5 in Houston.
Postal Relief Is Just a Perception Away-
-Senator
Tom Carper to Drive UPS Alternative Fuel Vehicle
May 20, 2004-
-
USPS' Central Repair Facility Gains Prestigious International Certification
-Collins,
Carper to Introduce Postal Bill in Senate Today
-
USPS Wiring Upgrades Will Benefit Confirm Service
-
Postal Service trying to nip trend in dog bites
May 19, 2004
-
Postal Employee Finds Unidentified White Powder in mailbox
-
The Postal Brain Drain,
-
New Book Describes Transformation of Global Postal Industry
-
EPA expects end to decontamination funds
-
US Rep. Candice Miller pushes Postal Service reforms
-
Oft-attired manatee mailbox has become an Island landmark
-
Artist's stamp of approval
-
Frontier Airlines wants out of deal to carry mail-
- 26th Annual Postal Labor Unions
Summer School Set for June 13-18
-
GAO
finds Postal Service reforms not reaching potential
-
Postal Service Upgrades Computer Wiring Network - The data
transmission backbone that supports the Postal Service's automation
and Intelligent Mail programs is about to get an extreme makeover.
During the next 15 months, 108 large postal facilities will have
existing wiring replaced with high-speed wiring technology. In the
last twelve months, 62 plants have been upgraded. This state-of-the-art
technology upgrade will increase the Postal Service's ability to
get real-time information about mail as it travels through the postal
system -- information that can be used to improve operational efficiencies
and enhance service to postal customers.
From NAPUS.org
-
CHANGE TO LOWER LEVEL FOR NONBARGAINING EAS EMPLOYEES
-
PROMOTIONAL INCREASES FOR NONBARGAINING EAS EMPLOYEES
-
EAS PAY RULES FOR FY 2004 PAY FOR PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
- Shrek 2 hits home with the Far Far Away Post
Office — it gets prime placement in the movie — which opens
at theatres today. The Far Far Away Post Office is part of an ongoing
promotional campaign with DreamWorks that aims to mold public perception
of the Postal Service as cutting-edge. Best of all, this widespread
exposure is free to USPS. The effort includes a retail component
that places Shrek images on point-of-purchase signs in Post Offices.
There’s even a cool Shrek-themed cancellation. Source: USPS News
Link
- Shrek
2 Stamp ????
May 18, 2004-
•
Postal Service needs more automation, GAO says-
•
GAO Report: USPS
supply chain management implementation (PDF)
•
IRS and the Postal Service, widely
considered among leaders in protecting privacy.
•
Two blocks shut down after postal worker finds suspicious package
•
UPS shipping data provide timely snapshots of the nation's economy
•
Japan Post may pay billions in taxes if privatized
•
USPS concerned about recent gun violence suspends mail delivery
to Boston housing project
May 17, 2004-
NALC:
Key House Committee Approves Reform Bill -
-APWU
Decries ‘Cost-Driven’ Changes Proposed for Improving OWCP-Protesting
the potential for adding insult to injury, APWU testimony before
the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee cautioned that studies
of the injury compensation system should focus more on workers than
on costs.
APWU News
Service (BDS Delayed, COLA Update, Postal Reform Bills)
-
Letter carriers promote 'Pooch Pals' program |
watch video
-
ADVO Applauds House Committee - Urges Improvements In Postal Reform
Bill
-
Hartford Renames Post Office for Lawmaker Barbara Bailey Kennelly
- USPS On Rolls and Paid Employees Stats
March FY 2004
-
USPS Financial & Operating Statements March 2004
-
USPS Financials Postal Quarter II FY 2004
-
USPS Report of Revenue, Pieces, and Weights of mail
-
USPS Delivers 'Knowledge is Power' at the 2004 National Postal Forum
-Mailers Must Work With Global Posts on Regulations, Client Attitudes-Leading
mail markets worldwide are at different stages of development, but
all need to improve relations with and expect less-strict regulations
from their national postal service. That was the seminal discovery
from a poll by agency Draft Inc. in its 29 offices worldwide for
client U.S. Postal Service. The findings are a rare snapshot of
the state of direct mail globally.
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