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Colorful Pay and Holiday Postal Calendar for 2013 (PDF)

Thanks to Jim Edwards, Bloomington IL Area APWU Local 228 for sharing calendar with PostalReporter readers. The easy to read colorful calendar shows paydates, pay periods and holidays.

Website Displays Postal Employees Names, Salaries, Position, Date Hired And Work Facility

FSS Deployment Schedule

Flat Sequencing System Photos, Deployment Schedule By Zip Code and More..

Postal Employee Legal Cases

News from Postalblog

DOL Accuses USPS of Destroying Evidence in Whistleblower Case

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor sued USPS for retaliating against a Safety Specialist at the Seattle, Washington P&DC. The DOL notification included an “admonishment to refrain from destroying documents or records that might be requested by OSHA. The DOL is accusing USPS for failing to preserve the records as required. Comments (Count)

Michigan Letter Carrier Attacked By Armed Robbers While Delivering Mail at 7:15 pm - Clarification: Police say 7:15pm, news media cite 7:20pm as the time of robbery. The postal worker told police he was walking back to his mail truck when he was approached by a man who then brandished a handgun. According to police, the gunman forced the worker to the ground and took the vehicle’s keys so he could open the rear door to the mail truck San Francisco Mail carrier robbed Comments (Count)

Senator Schumer to propose end to restrictions on shipping alcohol through USPS- The end of the law would generate an estimated $225 million of increased annual revenue and benefit the 12,090 postal-service jobs in upstate New York. Comments (Count)

USPS OIG Some N.J. mail carriers told to report for work during Superstorm Sandy A report by the U.S. Postal Service’s inspector general on the service’s hurricane response said managers at that post office told employees they must report for work on the day the massive, devastating storm hit, despite the fact that the facility was within a mandatory evacuation zone.But the floodwaters rose quickly, trapping several employees at the facility and requiring rescue by the Coast Guard. Comments (Count)

USPS Management Proposing A New Retirement System

Under the Postal Reorganization Act, the Postal Service is obligated to provide wages and benefits comparable to those provided in the private sector. However, Postal Service management believes that the FERS system is more costly and does not compare to retirement benefits provided in the private sector. Comments (Count)

PMG Tells Senate: USPS in Midst of Financial Disaster, Liquidity Remains Dangerously Low financial condition is so precarious, and the legislative process is so uncertain, we’ve reached the point that we have to consider price increases above the rate of inflation,” said Donahoe. In Senate Testimony, Guffey Blasts Carper-Coburn Postal Reform Bill |

PMG: No PO or mail processing center closures during postal reform bill debate |

Senator McCaskill Aims for Responsible Postal Reform |

NALC: Few surprises in first of two hearings on S. 1486 Comments (Count)

GAO: USPS Proposed Health Plan Could Improve Financial Condition, but Impact on Medicare and Other Issues Should Be Weighed before Approval The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) would likely realize large financial gains from its proposed health care plan, primarily by increasing retirees’ use of Medicare. Some elements of USPS’s proposal would add uncertainties that could reduce funds available for its employees’ and retirees’ future health care. GAO: USPS Healthcare Plan Would Hurt Medicare, Postal Worker s |USPS Plan to Pull Out of Fed Health Benefits Could Cost Postal Workers | USPS Plan: Make Medicare Pay Our Bills Comments (Count)

PMG Responds to GAO Report On USPS Healthcare Plan

Post and Pa rcel - Without addressing the cost issue in a responsible way, the Postal Service may be unable to afford to provide health care benefits to retirees. Our proposal assures that we will. Comments (Count)

USPS Seeking National Contract for Rental, Leasing of Minivans & Cargo Vans

According to USPS: Presently, there are not sufficient capital funds to purchase new equipment. Comments (Count)

USPS Loss For January 2013 $437 Million -- Year To Date loss for FY 2013 $1.7 billion - USPS reported a net operating loss of $437 million for the month of January 2013. Comments (Count)

USPS To Close Wichita Remote Encoding Center --797 employees affected

The U.S. Postal Service today announced the Wichita Remote Encoding Center (REC) will close no sooner than September of 2013, as technology enhancements have made the need for RECs virtually obsolete. Comments (Count)

USPS to Launch New Product Line of Apparel and Accessories

The agreement leverages Postal Service intellectual property by introducing the Rain Heat & Snow brand of apparel and accessory products. Comments (Count)

USPS spending $2.2 million to send execs to National Postal Forum

Documents obtained by MacFarlane show the event will cost the agency approximately $2.2 million, including travel and $220,000 for exhibit space. Postal Service Defends Pricey Conference| The National Postal Forum Is NOT a Party | Lawmakers demanding answers over postal conference | Video from KTVU 2: :USPS conference Comments (Count)

24 Senators Urge USPS not to take any action on eliminating Saturday mail delivery unless authorized by Congress - On February 15, 2013 24 members of the Senate wrote to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to express their concerns on USPS' intent to end Saturday mail delivery service in August and its legality. Comments (Count)


			January 31, 2014 Close to Home: Restoring pride in the U.S. Postal fleet Can Bitcoin Save the Postal Service? Postal Service ending door-to-door delivery to new developments Rand Paul Wants You to Come to the Post Office Packing Postal Service ignores moratorium on post office closings, shuts down Glenoaks Station PRC Chairman: Helping Customers Through the Mega-Bureaucracy of the Mail Since 1998 Sen. Mark Begich requests meeting with PMG over Alaska mail problems Speak Your Piece: The Vanishing Postmaster USPS Outfits Delivery Trucks With Tire Chain, Remains On Schedule January 30, 2014 Cynical and diabolical”: Issa attracts allies in quest to demolish USPS While slamming Democrats, Dimondstein reserved special condemnation for Issa, the Republicans’ leading voice on postal reform. Noting that Issa had proposed eliminating Saturday postal service as part of a bill undoing veterans’ pension cuts, the union president called the congressman “a pure enemy of the Postal Service Comments (Count) Congressmen Introduce Bill to Modernize USPS vehicle fleet Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), joined by Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), today introduced a bill to help modernize the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) inefficient and outdated vehicle fleet. The Federal Leadership in Energy Efficient Transportation (FLEET) Act of 2014 (H.R. 3963) would require the USPS to reduce their petroleum consumption by 2% each year over the next 10 years. Comments (Count) Caught on Camera: Maryland Postal Worker caught throwing package out of car Wisconsin rural carrier convicted of theft Six hospitalized after small insulation fire at downtown St. Louis post office USPS Cincinnati District changes its name to Ohio Valley District USPS issuing Shirley Chisholm stamp January 31 Miami Postal Truck Explodes on Causeway, Causes Massive Traffic Jam USPS moves towards clustered mailboxes Indiana postal worker charged with theft, official misconduct January 29, 2014 Senate markup of Carper-Coburn Postal Reform Bill S.1486 continued Feb. 6 Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee has scheduled the continued markup of S. 1486 for February 06, 2014 10:00AM. See video of January 29th proceedings from C-Span APWU: Postal Reform Bill markup suspended – Call Your Senator -The markup has been suspended which allows us time to act. This bill, which would threaten more than 100,000 good postal jobs, is strongly opposed by APWU and the other postal unions and should be defeated. Business mailers throw monkey wrench in postal reform bill - an amendment from Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), backed by the powerful mailing industry, to strike a plan allowing higher postal rates appeared to be gaining support. The committee tabled its deliberations at midday. Aides said the Baldwin amendment, along with another proposal from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to remove a federal ban on guns in post offices, would require more study. Paul said his gun rights amendment would allow licensed gun owners to carry weapons inside post offices, rather than having to unholster them and keep them in the car. NAPUS: Postal Markup Interruptus \|Senate committee cuts off postal markup \| Senators Rethink Rate Clause in Postal Bill \| After Contentious Debate, Senate Panel Delays Postal Reform Vote - Senators appear close to reaching a deal, but still are sorting through final details. Senate markup of Carper-Coburn Postal Reform Bill S.1486 to be continued Senator Carper recesses postal mark up after consideration of 11 amendments. Date of part 2 To be determined US mailers warn of “dramatic” volume decline if Senate proposals pass Comments (Count) Congressman urges House o consider bill for USPS to offer additional financial services - A new White Paper issued by the Postal Service Inspector General on January 27, 2014 endorsed this concept and found that, because of its vast retail network, the Postal Service is “an ideal fit for offering non-bank financial services OIG: USPS could offer Non-Bank Financial Services for the Underserved - A new Postal Service Office of Inspector General white paper explores how the U.S. Postal Service could offer a suite of non-bank financial services to help the financially underserved gain more financial stability and stay connected to the emerging digital economy. Postal banking: Is it already legal? Comments (Count) OIG: Customers not using USPS Self-Service Kiosks as anticipated The SSKs performed below the 35 percent CAP target for walk-in capable transactions in FY 2013. As of June 30, 2013 Comments (Count) Senate markup of Carper-Coburn Postal Reform Bill S.1486 continued Feb. 6 Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee has scheduled the continued markup of S. 1486 for February 06, 2014 10:00AM. See video of January 29th proceedings from C-Span APWU: Postal Reform Bill markup suspended – Call Your Senator -The markup has been suspended which allows us time to act. This bill, which would threaten more than 100,000 good postal jobs, is strongly opposed by APWU and the other postal unions and should be defeated. Business mailers throw monkey wrench in postal reform bill - an amendment from Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), backed by the powerful mailing industry, to strike a plan allowing higher postal rates appeared to be gaining support. The committee tabled its deliberations at midday. Aides said the Baldwin amendment, along with another proposal from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to remove a federal ban on guns in post offices, would require more study. Paul said his gun rights amendment would allow licensed gun owners to carry weapons inside post offices, rather than having to unholster them and keep them in the car. NAPUS: Postal Markup Interruptus \|Senate committee cuts off postal markup \| Senators Rethink Rate Clause in Postal Bill \| After Contentious Debate, Senate Panel Delays Postal Reform Vote - Senators appear close to reaching a deal, but still are sorting through final details. Senate markup of Carper-Coburn Postal Reform Bill S.1486 to be continued Senator Carper recesses postal mark up after consideration of 11 amendments. Date of part 2 To be determined US mailers warn of “dramatic” volume decline if Senate proposals pass Comments (Count) USPS Service Alerts: Mail Delivery in weather-impacted states USPS semipostal postage stamps raise millions for charities Mail service disrupted in several Florida counties Postal Worker pleads guilty to stealing over 200 video games from the mail Florida USPS Contract Driver Pleads Guilty To Stealing Mail January 28, 2014 Stop Staples: The U.S. Mail is Not for Sale More than 150 APWU members and supporters took part in a lively protest outside a Staples store in San Francisco on Jan. 28, challenging a deal between the company and the U.S. Postal Service that staffs “postal” counters in Staples stores with non-postal employees. The deal threatens good-paying union jobs and jeopardizes public post offices, they said. Video: Bay Area postal workers protest in San Francisco Comments (Count) Missouri postal carrier indicted for stealing mail Disposable Heroes: Remembering Postal Workers on 8-year anniversary of Goleta massacre Death Penalty Possibility in Tennessee Post Office Killing New York Letter Carrier’s cat video wins $10,000 on ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’ Video: Richmond, VA residents say no mail delivered last week Game over: Ex-postal worker guilty in video game theft case January 27, 2014 California Postmaster claims USPS used POSTPlan to discriminate against him Postmaster of the Post Office in Fawnskin, California filed a formal EEO complaint alleging that USPS subjected him to discrimination and reprisal in how USPS's "POStPlan" was applied to his facility. Comments (Count) Four Postal Unions Express 'Strong Opposition' to Senate Bill The four postal unions sent a joint letter to members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Jan. 27 expressing “strong opposition” to an amended version of Senate bill 1486, and urging senators to oppose the bill when it is considered by the committee on Jan. 29. The substitute bill was issued on Jan. 23 by Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), the authors of the original bill. Bill would create new Postal HealthCare Plan and force retirees into using only Medicare \| NAPS: Summary of revised Postal Reform Bill \| NARFE letter opposing Senate Postal Reform Bill S. 1486 \| Citizens Against Government Waste to Oppose S.1486 \| The State of the Postal Service: the Need for Real Reform Comments (Count) Senator Hoeven: USPS Postpones Consolidation of Minot Area Mail Processing Center - North Dakota - But even with increased resources and attention, the recruitment and retention of permanent employees is reported to be an ongoing problem. However, although the area has experienced a high rate of employee turnovers--USPS will not consider premium pay. Comments (Count) The disappearing postal workforce: Counting up the losses What is striking as one looks at all this data is not only the drop in postal employment but also the increase in part-time and noncareer employees. At the end of 2010, about 12.5% of the workforce was noncareer. Now about 20% of the postal workforce is noncareer. If one factors in part-time career employees (whose percentage has been relatively stable), about 24% of the workforce is less than full-time. Comments (Count) USPS to partner with consumer credit rating company to implement "Identity proofing" at usps.com - USPS is making changes to the customer registration process on usps.com to enhance the identity verification portion of the process and to provide customers with an additional option for accessing their accounts. Comments (Count) Second arrest in made in Massachusetts letter carrier shooting A second suspect was arrested overnight in the December 2013 shooting of a U.S. Postal worker. Keyon Taylor, 21, of Boston, was arrested near Blue Hill Avenue early Monday morning.. Comments (Count) Save Canada Post’ Rally Draws Thousands in Ottawa While the rally in Ottawa was the largest, it was not the only sign of popular opposition to the Canada Post plan, which is backed by the Conservative government. Comments (Count) APWU: First Round Of Staples Protests Set for Jan. 28 in California The activities are designed to call attention to the deal between the Postal Service and Staples that jeopardizes the nation’s public post offices and threatens good-paying union jobs. Staples Plucks Postal Jobs Comments (Count) Shipping Battles 2014: Price Change Comparison Charts – USPS vs. FedEx vs. UPS North Carolina Postal worker critically injured in wreck will be charged with stop sign violation USPS Not Ready to Process Increased Package Load Coming From Online Shopping Mississippi woman charged with embezzling Postal Service funds PRC Decision Threatens Financial Viability of Mailers Massachusetts Postal Worker gets 1 year probation for mail theft Postal Worker Accused Of Mail Dumping Changes Plea To Guilty Edmonton forum hears concerns about end to mail delivery January 26, 2014 Police seek 'Inspector Clouseau' in robberies of Pennsylvania post offices Plan to relocate Vallejo post office carries potential $8 million price tag Judge To Decide If Man Accused Of Postal Murders Is Mentally Competent Environmental report on disposal of historic Stamford post office raises more conflict-of-interest questions January 25, 2014 Labor Report: Union members have higher wages, more benefits than non-union workers The number of wage and salary workers belonging to unions, at 14.5 million, was little different from 2012.In 1983, the first year for which comparable union data are available, the union membership rate was 20.1 percent, and there were 17.7 million union workers. Comments (Count) Residents continue to lament Springfield's "abysmal" postal service Video: USPS sorting machine cuts Kansas City employees W2 forms in half January 24, 2014 Tennessee Congressman Introduces Legislation to Protect Consumers from Postal Delays - With the United States Postal Service (USPS) proposing the elimination of Saturday deliveries and other threats to the speedy delivery that consumers around the country rely on, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) late last week introduced the Postmark Payment Act of 2014 to protect Americans from being charged late fees stemming from delayed USPS deliveries Comments (Count) At least 20 Ohio mail carriers treated for frostbite this month Idaho Postal Worker Indicted for theft of postal funds and lying to postal inspector USPS Suspends Some Global Express Guaranteed shipments to Russia Post office right to try new strategies Outdoor Workers Deal With Bitter Cold Italy speeds up privatization with sale of postal operator
			January 23, 2014 USPS postpones changing service standards under Phase II of the Network Rationalization - USPS is set to announce it is postponing Phase II of the Network Rationalization, and the corresponding service standard. The changes were scheduled to become effective on February 1, 2014. APWU: USPS Postpones Consolidations Comments (Count) NAPS: USPS Lifts Pay, Awards Program Freeze for Postmasters, Supervisors The Postal Service has released a directive outlining a 1% salary increase for non-bargaining employees effective on Saturday, January 25, 2014. Comments (Count) Video: PMG blames Congress, APWU President and Congressman for blocking 5-day delivery - In an effort to stem its massive losses, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe has been pushing a bold move - cutting Saturday deliver permanently. "The key thing is this. The Postal Service needs to make serious change," says Donahoe. "We need to address a number of issues, six to five days of letter mail to save two billion dollars." The USPS is facing strong opposition Comments (Count) Nissan and FedEx Express Put All-Electric e-NV200 to Work in Collaborative U.S. Test - FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., and Nissan announced today at the Washington Auto Show that the two companies will begin testing the Nissan e-NV200, a 100 percent electric compact cargo vehicle, under real world conditions in Washington, D.C. Comments (Count) Editorial: We can save the post office These customers and others like them work Monday through Friday and look to Saturday to conduct business at the post office, but struggle to find one open. The situation could get worse under a plan this year for further postal consolidation. Comments (Count) Signed – Sealed - Delivered: Community Activists Travel to D.C. to Fight Historic Post Office Closure In Houston - “Many of our elders don’t have email addresses and many of them have mobility issues,” said Taharka. “If we don’t fight for our elders and let them know that they are important to us, anyone outside our community will get the impression that they can advantage of our precious seniors. Residents of the historic Third Ward community in Houston have held rallies and Town hall meetings to express their frustration with the USPS about their plans to close the Southmore Station Comments (Count) Postal Worker Who Stole Medication Sentenced To Time Served, Probation Police say man installed skimmer in post office kiosk to steal bank information This Guy’s Trying to Visit All 31,272 Post Offices
			January 22, 2014 Dallas psychologist admits to over $1 million heathcare fraud in treating postal worker - The Far North Dallas psychologist said he treated a single postal worker seven days a week, up to eight hours a day. A federal billing contractor responded by paying the therapist more than $1 million Comments (Count) Senate Committee schedules hearing on Carper-Coburn Postal Reform Bill – S. 1486 - The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has scheduled its markup of the ‘Postal Reform Act of 2013′ (S. 1486), Comments (Count) Postal Worker Severely Beaten in Northeast Columbus Ohio The employee was delivering an express mail package when she was struck and knocked unconscious. A City of Columbus sanitation worker witnessed the assault, and stayed with the victim until emergency crews arrived. Police Search For Man Accused Of Robbing Miami Postal Worker Comments (Count) USPS New TACS facility streamlines services, cuts costs Time and Attendance Collection System (TACS) functions have recently been merged into a TACS Help Desk, located at the Eagan, MN, Accounting Service Center. APWU and USPS reached an agreement last year to transfer work by more than 330 TACS Clerks to locations across the country to a single location in Eagan, MN. Comments (Count) Canada Postal Workers Union to hold 'Save Canada Post' rally The Canada Postal Workers Union have started a "Save the Canada Post" campaign to demand the reversal of planned cuts to the postal service. After reading the editorial it makes a person wonder if Canada Post's recent plan is nothing more than an attempt to privatize. Deepak Chopra, CEO of Canada Post is the former President of Pitney-Bowes Canada Comments (Count) Man Arrested on Charges of shooting Massachusetts letter carrier One Dorchester man was arrested this morning and another remains a fugitive in connection with the attempted robbery, assault and kidnapping of a U.S. Postal letter carrier that took place just before Christmas. Comments (Count) California Postal Worker Sentenced for Workers’ Comp Fraud Accident that burned mail, USPS truck under investigation Postal worker saves an Oslo man's life by performing CPR USPS Parcel Lockers Burglarized at Navasota Post Office Sweeping Postal Increases Start Sunday, January 26th
			January 21, 2014 USPS Facilities Feel Budget Pinch Future costs for these unfunded repairs could reach $1.4 billion. In addition, our work determined that some of these repairs were potential OSHA violations. Comments (Count) As USPS Outsources the Counter, Will Ecommerce Packages Be Safe? A letter from an EcommerceBytes reader pointed to the convenience factor of the Staples CPUs, but brought up two concerns: Would packages posted at Staples counters be as secure as packages handed over the counter at the Post Office? And, “With Postal Service employees facing job losses, would there be a backlash in the form of intentional handling delays of packages left with Staples?” A commentor on a Washington Post article about the USPS-Staples partnership wrote, “Do I want my precious mail handled by a minimum wage, “specially trained” Staples worker? Or do I want it protected by a Federal employee?” APWU: Is Staples Cheating Its Employees? Comments (Count) Mailman videotaped tossing package on porch in Houston In the video, the postal worker can be seen rolling up in the driveway, walks a few steps and then tosses the box towards the porch Comments (Count) USPS: Presentations from 2014 MTAC Open Session Presentations from the Mailers' Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) Open Session held on January 14, 2014. In the Operations Update: USPS completed 176 consolidations, 2 Remaining consolidations Will be Completed by Feb 1, 2014, financial updates and more. Comments (Count) Outbox was supposed to disrupt the post office, but now it’s in the trash bin USPS Unveils Limited-Edition 2014 Love Stamp and Hosts Crafting Workshop for Handmade Valentines USPS Creates Late Fee Dilemma for Mount Carroll Mayor Hopes to End 'Ice Cream Truck' Post Office The Postal Service's Latest Problem: Dilapidated, Unsafe Buildings Congress wants delay in selling of historic post offices until federal report is completed
			January 20, 2014 USPS explains increase in headquarters staffing Based on our integrated management approach, the appropriate way to view these career reductions is to look at the headquarters, headquarters field support, inspection service, area offices, and professional administration and technical personnel in total, which has been reduced by 17% over this period. The second level of management, including Postmaster/Installation heads and supervisors/managers was reduced by 21% over this period. In total, the management ranks over this period had a 21% reduction, which is commensurate with overall craft reductions.” Comments (Count) Australia Post considers charging residents a fee for daily mail service The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is the Communications Division of the Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) respond to reports of Australia Post considering a move to 3 days a week delivery and charging residents a $30 annual fee for daily mail service. Comments (Count) Arbitrator: PSEs Not included in Clerk Complement for creation of Lead Clerk positions Cooler with ice packs sparks alarm at New Hampshire post office January 19, 2014 Forever Stamp-ede: Consumers May Hoard Stamps This Week But Stop Buying Next Year How slowing down Standard Mail paves the way for ending Saturday delivery Greensboro Postal Worker Wins $1 Million Playing Mega Millions Mailers up in arms over proposed hike Amazon Anticipating Orders
			January 18, 2014 Video: Postal Workers Rally To Make Their Job Safer Letter carriers in Landover, where Barnette worked, say their routes are overburdened, coupled with fewer workers. Following Barnette’s death, the hours for Landover mail carriers changed but carriers say they’re still delivering in the dark. “They started having us come in at 8 a.m. so we come in a little earlier than before,” said one worker. Family, postal workers rally for letter carrier gunned down delivering mail after dark - The rally was set up by fellow postal workers who remain upset that carriers are delivering mail at night – but for the Barnette family, it is a reminder that the killer remains on the loose. As the nation remembers the legacy of the civil rights icon who was gunned down in 1968, the family will be remembering a young man who was trying to earn an honest living when he was gunned down in 2013. Comments (Count) In a Revised Senate Postal Bill, Exigency Is Forever Carper and Coburn, meanwhile, believe that more aggressive rate hikes are necessary to turn the tide at the Postal Service. "In recent years, as the Postal Service's financial situation has rapidly deteriorated, most of the focus has been on efforts to cut costs such as facility closings, workforce reductions, and slowing down service. But to help the Postal Service survive and thrive over the long term, we need a more balanced approach," an HSGAC spokesperson told Direct Marketing News. "Chairman Carper believes that a responsible and effective solution will require shared sacrifice from postal customers, postal management, and postal employees." Comments (Count) Video: UPS charged customer $186 to take boxes to post office Hallman took the packages to a Valley UPS store in November and paid the company $186 for shipping. Christmas came and went, and her family never received the packages. "They're telling me that they take the boxes from their store and drop it off at the post office, and then that's basically the end of it for them," she said. Hallman was in disbelief, saying she could have done that herself. UPS also reportedly told Hallman the U.S. Postal Service is at fault. Comments (Count) ND post office puts undeliverable mail on display Disabled veteran’s pills go missing from Lawton post office, again Charges after reports of men snooping in mailboxes Postal service continues to work on delivery issues in North Dakota Alabama letter carrier recovering after being hit by car January 17, 2014 Ohio woman gets prison for scamming USPS out of $164,859 The Ohio woman received a 27-month-prison sentence at a U.S. District Court for making insurance claims for packages that were falsified as lost or damaged. Comments (Count) USPS plans seven mailing promotions for 2014 Thinking inside the PO Box North Carolina: Postal threats lead to federal charges Illinois postal worker charged with stalking placed on electronic monitoring Going postal: when tragedy becomes a business New York: Union, Activists and Officials Fight Sale of Landmark Bronx Post Office USPS denies Canada Post claims over international registered mail Videos help nail mail theft suspect
			January 16, 2014 DOL: USPS trucking contractor restores drivers pension benefits, debarred from future federal contracts - An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division resulted in the restoration of $1,979,779 in 401(k) pension benefits to 515 drivers working on U.S. Postal Service contracts for Lange Trucking Inc. because of violations. Comments (Count) Alternatives to the Post Office: Expanded Access in FY 2013 Save The Post Office - Putting these contract postal units — or “mini post offices,” as they’re being called — in Staples is a threat not just to union jobs but to brick-and-mortar post offices in general. It represents the latest initiative by the Postal Service to get rid of post offices — something it’s been wanting to do for a long time, due largely to encouragement from a variety of sources. Some big mailers — like Valpak, for example — view post offices as a financial burden on the Postal Service, and they would prefer alternatives that are less costly to operate, like CPUs, to help keep their rates down. Advocates of privatization, like the National Academy of Public Administration, recommend privatizing the retail network by replacing post offices with postal counters in retail stores, gas stations, schools, coffee shops, movie theaters. State AFL-CIO Federations to Staples: Postal Workers and Customers Deserve Better - Local union leaders are winning allies for the union’s campaign against a pilot program that placed postal retail centers in more than 80 Staples stores, reports Northeast Region Coordinator John Dirzius Union Delivers the Message At California Bay Area Staples Stores Comments (Count) Editorial: Privatizing public services costs taxpayers more money Over the years it has been a lot of discussions, white papers...etc on why the USPS should be privatized. However, the people pushing for privatization of USPS has failed to mention the high cost to taxpayers. Comments (Count) APWU: OTDL Employees on Penalty Overtime To be Priority-Scheduled over Casuals - Arbitrator Shyam Das sustained the APWU’s position that full-time employees on the Overtime Desired List (OTDL) must be scheduled for overtime ahead of casual employees on overtime, even if the OTDL employees would earn penalty pay. Comments (Count) NALC’s Unique Retirement Community NALCREST Celebrates 50th Anniversary Berkeley: Congress offers hope to post office activists Pennsylvania: Man robs post office in Coal Center Mail carrier commended by postmaster general – Ken Smith quells Holiday Island gas line fire Thieves stealing mail from Tulsa businesses Postal Service shreds misdirected Imagination Library books
			January 15, 2014 Video: 'Operation Broken Mailbox' investigation leads to arrests in California Operation Mailbox was initiated following postal customer complaints about mail thieves who were attacking collection boxes via “fishing” techniques, prying open boxes in post office lobbies, breaking into postal delivery trucks, and counterfeiting postal keys to compromise collection boxes. Comments (Count) USPS IG finds sex on the job, stalkers and slashed tires The USPS IG investigated multiple assault cases last year.., In perhaps the strangest case, a mail carrier in Maine became overly friendly with a female customer, showing her a photo of himself dressed as a woman and asking whether she liked men dressed in drag. In another unfriendly incident, a maintenance manager shoved a custodian in the back of the head during an argument. The altercation aggravated an injury the custodian received at home the night before, and she went to the hospital for treatment. But when the custodian tried to report it as an on-the-job injury, the maintenance supervisor discouraged the custodian from filing the report. Comments (Count) PRC's Goldway Tells What Was Behind the Exigency Decision Chairman Ruth Goldway says the Postal Regulatory Commission is serious about holding the Postal Service to $2.8 billion in exigent revenue and no more. According to USPS's draft report on flats, it intends to process only 30% of all eligible flats mail on the new Flats Sequencing System (FSS). Has USPS provided information to the PRC as to how it expects to process the other 70%? Comments (Count) California: 2000 letters, 50 package destroyed after mail truck gets stuck in ditch, catches fire USPS’ quick action after chemical leak protected West Virginia employees and mail USPS names Scott Davis as new Acting Controller VP Female postal carrier first to become president of Roanoke union Postal Carrier Honored for Reaching Milestone Driver of mail truck killed in crash on I-70 near Deer Trail, Colorado Mail thieves target Poudre Canyon, Colorado area, stealing checks Lunar New Year Forever Stamp Highlights Year of the Horse Impassioned crowd addresses Topeka downtown post office closure
			January 14, 2014 NALC: 6-day mail preserved in spending bill A bipartisan omnibus spending bill released on Jan. 13 retained the language calling for six-day mail delivery service, language that has been part of such bills for more than 30 years. “We are grateful that Congress recognizes the value of Saturday delivery to millions of American businesses that rely on the most efficient last-mile delivery system in the world, Rep. Serrano: Postal Service Must Halt Historic Buildings Sales Congressman José E. Serrano explained today that multiple provisions included in the omnibus appropriations bill unveiled last night urged the U.S. Postal Service to halt sales of historic post office buildings Congresswoman Lee say bill urged USPS to halt sales of historic post office buildings Spending Plan Preserves 6-day delivery and rural, small post offices House and Senate negotiators reached accord on a trillion-dollar spending plan that will finance the government through September Comments (Count) Why USPS Could Win Battle For Same-Day Delivery Market Despite a slow start to its same-day delivery program for e-commerce purchases, the U.S. Postal Service is in a strong position to challenge FedEx, UPS and other competitors in that potentially lucrative market Comments (Count) Boom town post offices short staffed Neither rain... nor contract Canada Post suspends Registered Mail service to US Video: USPS investigating UCF students’ mail arriving already opened Video: Some Chicago USPS package deliveries delayed Charlotte, NC APWU Sends Delegation to Staples Op-Ed: Rate hike will harm postal service Thefts Reported at College Station, Texas Post Offices PMG Announces New Chairman of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee Detroit postal worker charged with dumping mail
			January 13, 2014 OSHA proposes fines of $144,000 for USPS facility in Champaign, Ill. The citations are the result of a complaint inspection in June that found a lack of both energy control procedures and fall protection at the facility. Postal service to appeal violations at Champaign facility Comments (Count) USPS proposes changing environmental regulations on post office disposals The Postal Service has proposed a revision of federal regulations that would help it avoid going through an extensive environmental review process when disposing of postal properties like post offices. The Postal Service wants to make things easier because it has many more sales planned for the future. As the posting in the Federal Register says today, “The Postal Service anticipates that the frequency of property disposals will persist or increase in the foreseeable future.” Comments (Count) USPS OIG white paper: Enriching Postal Information - Applications for Tomorrow’s Technologies - What if the U.S. Postal Service tapped the vast array of available digital information technologies to enhance sales, operations, and new business development? the Postal Service recently gave cell phones capable of texting and gathering real-time GPS data to about 95 percent of its street letter carriers. The information being collected should improve delivery efficiencies via better route designs, day-to-day adjustments, and monitoring delivery times Comments (Count) Video: Prosecutors say photo catches Idaho postmaster using $5 stolen gift card Mail delivery back on track after weather delays, officials say Police investigate robbery at U.S. post office in Alexandria Video: Suspected thieves may be using master key to open mailboxes Mississippi postal worker to plead guilty to mail theft UPS expected to recover from holiday snafu by charging more for peak mailing periods Rural post offices find way USPS to close downtown Topeka office
			January 12, 2014 Why the GOP wants to close the Mt. Pleasant Post Office Sale of historic Bronx Post Office moves forward; bids due Jan. 15 Postmaster accused of stealing mail claimed gunman took package Ricin-laced mail sent in stolen law firm stationery
			January 11, 2014 Delivery after dark: Postal Service presents data showing big increase in carriers out after 5:00 - Save the Post Office - Yesterday the Postal Service published data showing what letter carriers have been complaining about for a long time: More and more of them are out on the street after dark. Since 2005, the percentage of carriers out after 5:00 p.m. has gone from less than 20 percent to over 40 percent. In September 2013, 43.5 percent of carriers were out after 5:00 p.m. And those are the averages for the week. On Mondays in September 2013, 59.4 percent of letter carriers returned after 5:00. The Monday numbers have been over 50 percent since November 2012. Comments (Count) North Dakota Senator Asks GAO to Conduct Study on USPS Service Standards Senator Heitkamp is also asking the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the postal service standards that customers experience and if that matches with what USPS is reporting. We’re hearing about terrible delivery times from North Dakotans, but USPS is saying service standards are mostly met. That doesn’t add up. Comments (Count) New England Views: At rural post offices, a steady erosion of service Chicago: Woman hit, critically injured by postal truck near City Hall Staplizing the Post Office: A dozen reasons to just say no
			January 10, 2014 USPS Jobs among list of occupations with bleak future Overall employment of Postal Service workers is projected to decline 28 percent from 2012 to 2022. Automated sorting systems, cluster mailboxes, and tight budgets will adversely affect employment. Comments (Count) Most members of Congress are Millionaires with Issa topping the list again For the first time in history, most members of Congress are millionaires. The richest member of Congress was, once again, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) chairman of the House Oversight Committee. Comments (Count) USPS requires training on USERRA for all postal execs, managers USPS requires training on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) for all Postal Career Executive Service, Payband and Executive and Administrative Schedule employees who are managers or who provide guidance on employment-related matters. USPS ordered to reinstate Postal Worker/Vet -14 yrs. of back pay, fees may run into millions - 7 Years of Litigation Poised to Yield 14 Years of Back Pay, Benefits, Attorney Fees, and Retirement Enhancements for USERRA violation Comments (Count) Smithsonian Launches “Indians at the Post Office” Online Exhibition Residents protest plan to move post office from historic site talking Innovation With USPS CMO Nagisa Manabe Hiccups in mail delivery could be precursor of future USPS Considers Selling Main Topeka Post Office Extreme cold forced Postal Service to prioritize mail USPS Files New Request With PRC For Advisory Opinion on Standard Mail Load Leveling Plan (PDF) USPS Aims to Implement Load Leveling in March PRC Annual Report to the President and Congress (PDF) Advertising Age to Reduce Its Print Frequency They Got Those Post-Exigency Postal Blues
			January 9, 2014 NALC: Class action lawsuit seeks additional payments under USPS Annuity Protection Program NALC has been asked to notify our members of a private class action lawsuit that may benefit the beneficiaries of certain deceased postal employees. A settlement in the lawsuit covers the beneficiaries of deceased NALC and APWU employees. Comments (Count) APWU: New York Metro Sends Delegations to Staples The APWU’s New York Metro Area Local sent delegations to three Staples stores on Jan. 8 and 9 to deliver letters protesting the establishment of postal retail units staffed by low-wage, non-union, non-postal workers APWU Delegations To Protest Postal Retail Units at Staples Stores The delegations will present letters of protest to store managers by Jan. 18. “I urge APWU members to participate,” said President Mark Dimondstein. “The meetings with Staples store managers are intended to put Staples on notice that we are about to embark on a serious campaign to win these jobs for postal employees, APWU Vows to Stop the Great Postal Giveaway to Staples Comments (Count) Video: Robbers pose as postal workers in Houston home invasion $10K Reward Offered For Tips In Attempted Robbery Of Postal Worker NALC to Letter Carriers: Don’t put yourself in danger Video: 750 victimized in scam involving counterfeit money orders Software & Information Industry Association Blasts PRC Approval of USPS Rate Increase USPS app store makeover delivers software access for workers Amazon Considering Options After UPS Delays Postal uniform company thrives in shrinking market
			January 8, 2014 USPS hires Ombudperson as required by Deaf and Hearing Impaired court settlement - The Postal Service has entered into a settlement to resolve all claims in a national employment discrimination class action lawsuit regarding deaf or hard of hearing employees and applicants. Among other things, the settlement requires the Postal Service to competitively select and enter into a contract with an independent ombudsperson. Comments (Count) NALC opposes Issa bill H.R. 3801— yet another attack on the Postal Service H.R. 3801 would require even greater delivery service cuts than does H.R. 2748, the disastrous postal bill passed by the HOGR committee last year. The new bill would target the Postal Service’s booming package delivery business as well as letter mail delivery. Video: Issa continues crusade against USPS -Ed Schultz & NALC President Frederic Rolando discuss USPS- fast-forward to 1:35 thru 6:00 Comments (Count) Appeals Court Upholds Demotion Of Postal Manager Claiming Whistleblower Retaliation - The MDO claimed the USPS rushed to remove her from the position in retaliation for signing a December 8, 2009 letter to Members of Congress. Comments (Count) Malad, Idaho post office robbed at gunpoint New York: Broken mailboxes cause chaos at Mott Haven post office Alaska: Another vehicle strikes Mendenhall Valley Post Office USPS mail delays continue in Ann Arbor 3 days after winter storm USPS Considers Scannable Codes For Direct Mail Broken mailboxes cause chaos at Mott Haven post office Rhode Island letter carrier sentenced to probation for mail theft Postal limbo annoys citizens
			January 7, 2014 Florida letter carrier charged with theft in tax refund checks scheme Video: Postal Workers Bundles Up For Frigid Mail Delivery A deeper look at Issa's plan to replace military-pension cuts with postal savings Mail carriers face delivery troubles amid bitter cold Man found dead by postal carrier in Akron USPS Truck Catches Fire The corporatization of the Postal Service: Post office closures, suspensions, relocations and reductions in 2013 Postal workers, city crews brave freezing temps USPS Exceeded Holiday Package Delivery Volume How Much Longer Will Netflix's DVD Cash Cow Last?
			January 6, 2014 USPS Board Of Governors to Meet In Closed Session on January 7-8, 2014 Suffolk Police investigating crash involving USPS truck Reshaping Direct Mail for 2014 U-Haul truck smashes into Detroit’s Fort Street Post Office Car crashes into Belews Creek post office California Letter Carrier killed on jog before work Postal Service plans to deliver in Indiana Letter: Postal Service came through
			January 5, 2014 Winnipeg postal workers out getting signatures for petition Rhode Island: For Providence mail carrier, 16 degrees is far from a cold day Regarding the sale and preservation of historic post offices and their art: An open letter to the Inspector General PA: Mail Connection leaves customers disconnected from their mail Postal Inspectors Sound the Alarm Over What's Becoming a Popular Scam Anita Nelson to Retire After 35 Years With Postal Service Postal Service looking for 50 city carrier assistants in Rochester, NY Residents mail delivery not so special
			January 4, 2014 Dead Tree Edition: Flexible Workforce Lowers USPS Wages — and Hurts Productivity The U.S. Postal Service’s shift to a more flexible workforce has reduced average hourly pay, but adding so many new employees has also hindered productivity gains. At last report, the “straight-time” pay of postal employees was averaging $25.63 per hour in FY2013, down 1.4% from $25.98 a year earlier. Despite a big jump in overtime hours, even the average total hourly pay had dropped slightly during the year. Most employees had small wage increases, but the hourly averages were dragged down by temps and other non-career employees who replaced retiring workers. USPS’s career workforce decreased by 37,000 during FY2013, while 26,000 non-career employees were added, More than one in five postal workers is now a non-career employee, versus less than one in six only a year earlier. Comments (Count) Darrell Issa’s Cruelest Cut: A Seriously Cynical Attack on the Postal Service - Ending mail delivery of the weekend would dramatically undermine the ability of the postal service to meet the demands of modern shipping and communications. The likely result would be a rapid shift of traffic to private firms, which contribute heavily to politicians but which do not provide the universal, low-cost service that is the hallmark of the postal service. And it has the potential to do something else: harm the employment prospects of veterans. The USPS has historically been one of the nation’s largest employers of veterans — second only to the U.S. Department of Defense... Roughly 120,000 postal service employees — more than 20 percent of the total workforce — have records of service in the military. Roughly a third of those employees are rated as 30 percent or more disabled, a reflection of the fact that the postal service goes out of its way to provide an array of employment services and options for veterans. Issa sees opportunity to fulfill his agenda of shutting down USPS \| Bloomberg Video: How Killing Saturday Mail Delivery Hurts Companies Comments (Count)
			January 3, 2014 USPS ordered to reinstate Postal Worker/Vet -14 yrs. of back pay, fees may run into millions - 7 Years of Litigation Poised to Yield 14 Years of Back Pay, Benefits, Attorney Fees, and Retirement Enhancements Comments (Count) Video: NJ Letter Carrier rescued after mail truck got stuck In 4 feet of Icy water Fire crews in New Jersey had to rescue a U.S. Postal Service worker after his truck got stuck in ice water during high tide near the Shrewsbury River Comments (Count) Postal Workers Among Philadelphia City Employees Fired for Working Two Govt Jobs Section 8-301 of the Home Rule Charter forbids City employees in most circumstances from holding a “position of profit” with another government agency, including a second job. Comments (Count) Pennsylvania man sues USPS over roadway incident with tractor trailer driver While the two drivers never collided, the plaintiff maintains he was forced to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting the defendant’s vehicle. Comments (Count) Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issues $5,224 penalty to USPS Portland Mail Facility - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $5,224 penalty to the U.S. Postal Service for violating the terms of the DEQ-issued stormwater permit. Comments (Count) USPS seeking mobile fueling suppliers Video: Where’s my mail? Portland, OR Man says post office won’t deliver APWU Assistant Clerk Director Krueth Retires TSP Ends 2013 On A Positive Note Delayed Christmas Shipping Affected Lobsters, Medicines NC: 40-Year Postal Career at a Close in Kinston CALIF.: Capitola window clerk retires after 39 year in Postal Service Customers surprised to find Salem Contract Post Office out of business Los Gatos at Work: 'Martin' the Downtown Letter Carrier Postal Service Removes Nine Mailboxes Around Redlands Cash-strapped Postal Service seeks DVD-mail price increase
			January 2, 2014 Did UPS and FedEx Get a Bum Rap for Holiday Delays? The delivery delays that plagued UPS and FedEx during the 2013 Christmas shopping season were largely the result of factors beyond the carriers’ control, according to one parcel industry veteran. Comments (Count) OPM seeks changes to feds' benefits, insurance opportunities Video: Postal workers push through sub-zero temperatures to deliver mail Historic downtown Fort Worth post office to relocate Deregulating and Privatizing Postal Services in Europe Next Time Use The US Postal Service Conscientious rural mail carrier helps law enforcement make 2 arrests Two postal centers or one, that's the question for downtown Vallejo Oversight hearing set for man behind 2001 Tulsa postal worker slaying Cyber Monday Officially the Busiest Online Shopping Day Mail stolen after post office box break-in January 1, 2014 A New Year’s Resolution: Support the People’s Post Office Postal service handles others’ deliveries