PostalReporter.com Blog

The National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) objected to the Postal Service’s insistence that “fletters” (Flats and Letters) be processed on flats automation equipment when they can just as easily be processed as letters. As a result, they said mail is being improperly presented to rural carriers for delivery.

Former NRLCA President Gus Baffa’s Letter to USPS Contract Administrator Andrea Wilson (2/27/03)
The method of presenting certain mailpieces, mailpieces that the United States Postal Service has unofficially identified as “fletters”, to rural carriers constitutes a violation of, but not limited to, the USPS/NRLCA National Agreement MO-38, and Handbook PO-603. The Postal Service is consciously and by design diverting mail from the mailstream that is compatible with letter automation equipment to equipment intended to process oversized letter mail and flat mail. Although not strictly limited to the AFSM 100 flat sorting machines, the occurrence of the contractual violation is most commonly associated with the AFSM 100’s. This processing irregularity resuls in mail that is not properly presented to rural carriers. The Association seeks an appropriate remedy including an immediate cessation of this practice.

In a long-awaited decision, National Arbitrator Dana Eischen denied the Association’s class action grievance challenging the Postal Service’s practice of commingling letter-sized mail with flats when mail sorted on flat-sorting machines is presented to rural carriers for casing. We are extremely disappointed with the outcome and distressed at the limited analysis Arbitrator Eischen gave to the issue in the final four pages of his decision. Arbitrator Eischen did not acknowledge and ignored altogether most of the arguments advanced by the Association in support of the grievance. RuralInfo.net

Arbitrator Dana Edward Eischen’s 11-13-07 award on the merits of the NRLCA’s National “Fletters” grievance

As I understand it, the Association’s fundamental position is that the language of P0-603 Chapter 2, §212.13, 212.2,222 and 223, supra, and “past practice” thereunder, evidence a mutual intent of the parties, albeit by implication, that the Postal Service is contractually barred from presenting to rural carriers for casing Post-Wells machine -processed “fletters” which are “commingled” in flat tubs with other machine-processed flat-sized mail pieces. [Handbook P0-603 was jointly adopted by the parties in June 1991, as the successor to Handbook M-37, issued in May 1983. That handbook, in Sections 211,222 and 223, described the letter and flat presentation and casing provisions in virtually identical language to that in P0-603. (Postal Service Exhibit 7.) The prior version of Handbook M 37 was issued in December 1965 and likewise contains the same letter and flat presentation and casing requirements. (Postal Service Exhibit 8.)].

Below is the actual excerpt from the file.

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USPS Press Release:

In two short days, the U.S. Postal Service begins to deliver 20 billion pieces of mail across the country and around the world, a task that requires more than 200,000 trucks, a 30 percent increase in air cargo transport, 37,000 Post Offices and 700,000 employees.

All to make sure that holiday cheer arrives on time.

The Postal Service expects to deliver 20 billion pieces of mail between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, with the busiest mailing day set for Monday, Dec. 17. More than 275 million cards and letters should be mailed that day, more than three times the average daily volume of 82 million. Total mail volume (cards, letters, catalogs, packages, magazines) for the busiest day should approach 1 billion, up from an average daily volume of 703 million pieces.

The busiest delivery day will be Wednesday, Dec. 19. Staff at the National Operations Center report for “24-7 duty” on Dec. 1 to help navigate, literally, mail movement around the world.

“This is one of the most challenging and exciting times of the year for us,” said Pat Donahoe, deputy postmaster general and chief operating officer. “Whether you’re sending a holiday card to Idaho or a care package to Iraq, our employees across the country are committed to success.”

In addition to the logistics of moving and delivering all this mail, the Postal Service will have extended hours at more than 7,000 Post Offices. Customers will be able to purchase stamps online or at more than 55,000 alternate access points, including banks, grocery stores, drug stores and Automated Postal Centers (APCs).

APCs handle 80 percent of the same transactions customers can conduct in a Post Office and are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for added customer convenience. Packages can be mailed regardless of Post Office hours using these self-service kiosks, located in thousands of Post Office lobbies across the country. APCs are as easy to use as an ATM, but without the fees. Many APCs let customers conduct business in Spanish.

And, as the way Americans celebrate the holidays change, the Postal Service is changing as well. There are working mothers, single fathers, blended families. Families are multi-cultural, multi-generational and multi-taskers. They are plugged in, wireless, blogging, podcasting and texting.

That’s today’s holidays. The Postal Service has products and choices to help meet these growing and changing needs.

“In the time it takes you to download a tune or a video for your iPod, you can create your own postage and design unique greeting cards online. You can order free, environmentally friendly packaging or find the nearest Post Office with late hours while you’re watching the late, late show,” said Delores Killette, vice president and consumer advocate. “That’s today’s mail.”

With 37,000 Post Offices around the country and a virtual Post Office only a click away, the Postal Service, like Santa, is everywhere during the holidays. And like Santa, the Postal Service will be delivering mail on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Donahoe stressed that mailing early is key, recommending that all First-Class Mail and Priority Mail be sent by Dec. 20 and that Express Mail be sent by Dec. 22. Mail sent by Parcel Post, the most economical service, should be in the mail by Dec. 15.

Mail destined for servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4. Mail destined for any other military installation around the world should be mailed no later than Dec. 18. All military mail, regardless of destination, is sent at domestic mail rates.

“Marking these dates and taking advantage of the convenience of our online products and services will give you something you really can use this time of year,” Donahoe said. “More time.”

From USPS News Link 

More than 500 people attended last Wednesday’s Postal CareerSMART, a job fair highlighting professional employment opportunities at the Postal Service. The event was held in Washington, DC.

Job hopefuls met with USPS representatives at Postal CareerSMART.

From marketing and law to engineering, accounting and finance, Postal CareerSMART showcased the Postal Service’s push for professionals. The event also offered job seekers the chance to meet with USPS representatives and talk about the advantages of a Postal Service career. Candidates learned about opportunities in 16 professional disciplines and dropped off resumes.

“Our business is processing and delivering mail,” said Deborah Giannoni-Jackson, Vice President, Employee Resource Management. “But few know the Postal Service is one of the largest employers in the world and has occupations in every profession from IT to engineering to supply management.”

Giannoni-Jackson added the Postal Service wants people to learn about the many opportunities and benefits USPS offers. “The Postal Service is an innovation and technology leader,” she said. “It’s committed to protecting the environment and it’s a leader in the communities where we operate.”

According to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in a nonprecedential decision:

Ronald Calvin was transferred from his position of Manager, Postal Police Division, EAS-21 to that of General Analyst, EAS-21. Both positions carry the same grade and basic rate of pay. The Postal Service cited loss of confidence in Mr. Calvin’s managerial abilities as the reason for the transfer.  Calvin stated that the transfer was in retaliation for his having filed a discrimination claim against his supervisor, and points to his consistent high performance evaluations. He also points to his 36 years of service, and argued that his transfer was, in effect, a constructive demotion, since he lost the retirement and other benefits and credentials of being a police officer. He argued that his removal from the position of Manager, Postal Police Division, harms him both in terms of the retirement benefits he would gain under the Law Enforcement Safety Act of 2004 and in terms of his prestige as a Captain of Postal Police. He also argued that he was the victim of an illegal reduction-in-force procedure. He states that these various grounds entitle him to a hearing on the merits of his case.

MSPB held that a transfer without a reduction in either grade or the basic rate of pay is not a personnel action that is appealable to the Board, and did not discuss the various arguments presented. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals agreed. Calvin vs MSPB (PDF)

 Post Office: Williamstown, OH 45897

http://www.apwu.org/index2.htm

APWU-Backed Bill Introduced in Congress; Legislation Would Require Bargaining Over Subcontracting
The APWU won a significant victory on Nov. 15, when Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA) introduced legislation that would require the Postal Service to bargain with postal unions before making a commitment to significant subcontracting. H.R. 4236 would require the USPS to submit to arbitration if management and the affected unions were unable to reach agreement. The APWU has been strenuously advocating such legislation for several months.

Mail handler Chester Reed is an inspiration in many ways.

He began working at the San Bernardino, CA, P&DC in 1973, after retiring from the Air Force — and has never missed a day of work during 60 years of combined federal service. At 93, Reed is the oldest postal employee still working in the nation.

“Chester is a good role model,” Plant Manager Ken Lucas said. “He’s helpful, keeps busy, and you can count on him to do anything you ask.”

“I started as a mail handler and I’m a mail handler today,” Reed said. “I used to cancel letters but now I’m an equipment operator. I’m not ready to retire. I like the work I do.”

Reed is often questioned about his secret to longevity and his answer is always the same: “Onion sandwiches. I eat one every day.”

source: USPS News Link

WHAT:
Glendale Postmaster Billy Garrett and the Glendale Post Office will welcome American Idol winner Jordin Sparks home by offering a special postmark commemorating the hometown hero’s return at the first night of Glendale Glitters.

WHEN:
5:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 (Stamps & postmarks available 5-10 p.m.)

WHERE:
Glendale Glitters Celebration at Murphy Park, Downtown Glendale

BACKGROUND:
When Jordin Sparks returns home to Glendale on Nov. 23 to help flip the switch on the Glendale Glitters display of 1.5 million holiday lights, Glendale Postmaster Garrett will help thousands of fans celebrate by issuing a collectible postmark to honor the hometown hero.

During the Glendale Glitters festivities, Sparks will be presented with a giant-sized version of the commemorative postmark featuring her likeness.

The collectible postmark will be available to event attendees from 5 to 10 p.m. at a special Glendale Post Office station set up at Murphy Park, where various holiday postage stamps will also be available for purchase. The postmark may be applied to any item bearing First-Class postage stamps, including holiday cards and envelopes.

The City of Glendale will provide, on a first-come, first-served basis, a limited number of free postcards to which stamps and postmarks may be applied. Glitters-goers are also encouraged to bring their own cards, envelopes, posters or other items upon which to affix stamps and obtain postmarks.

The collectible postmark will also be available by mail for 30 days following the event. Customers may send stamped, self-addressed envelopes or cards inside another envelope addressed to: Jordin Glitters Postmark, c/o Postmaster, 5955 W. Peoria Rd., Glendale AZ 85302-9998. Mailed requests for the special postmark must be received no later than Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. Postmarked cards and envelopes will be returned via First-Class Mail.
 

Stamp prices likely will increase in 2008, the chairman of the U.S. Postal Service’s Board of Governors said Thursday.

Jim Miller said when the Postal Regulatory Commission recommends a rate increase — which he said probably will happen in “the next few months” — it will be capped at the rate of inflation. Congress passed a law in 2006 that established a more predictable, inflation-based system of postage rate increases. Full story from Federal Times

From USPS Press Release

Fiscal Year 2007 Results

The Postal Service also announced its financial results for fiscal year 2007, which ended Sept. 30. The Postal Service concluded the fiscal year with a $5.1 billion net loss, attributable to mandatory funding requirements in the Postal Act of 2006 (see chart). The year-end loss is about $300 million less than projected earlier in the year.

“It’s important to note that we not only achieved our plan, which had to be adjusted to reflect the new law, but we overcame a slow start and did better than our mid-year projection,” said Potter. Without the financial impact of the law, the Postal Service would have ended the year with net income of $1.6 billion.

Total revenue in FY 2007 was $74.9 billion and expenses totaled approximately $80 billion. Mail volume was 212 billion pieces.

The Postal Service recorded an eighth consecutive year of productivity growth in FY 2007. Total Factor Productivity, which measures the relationship between workload and resource usage, was up 1.7 percent over FY 2006. Productivity was aided by a reduction of 36 million work hours, which is equivalent to $1.2 billion.

Letter Is Response to APWU Criticism of Executives’ Strategy Recommendations

APWU News

In response to criticism by APWU President William Burrus, the Postal Service has officially notified its managers that efficiency-improvement strategies must be in full compliance with collective bargaining agreements.

“Strategic programs designed to increase efficiency will always prove to be more successful when accomplished by adhering to the contractual requirements in our respective collective bargaining agreements,” wrote the Postal Service’s highest-ranking Labor Relations executive in a letter sent to postal managers and executives nationwide.

The Nov. 15 letter [PDF] was in response to Burrus’ criticisms of an October USPS News Link report on the outcome of a meeting of 700 USPS managers. When asked to identify the best opportunities for improving postal efficiency, participants at a National Executives Conference gave top-ranking to managing sick leave, managing overtime, and maximizing the use of non-career employees.

In a letter to Postmaster General John E. Potter, the APWU president noted that “each of these issues is governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which details the rights of the employees.” Compliance with the National Agreement was not among the highly-ranked objectives, Burrus pointed out, even though USPS contract violations have resulted in numerous grievance settlements totaling in the millions of dollars.

The Labor Relations letter cautioned managers that, “While all three of these areas provide potential to increase our efficiency, we must proceed by being mindful of our contractual obligations that govern these areas.”

“Accordingly, it is fully expected that any and all programs designed to increase efficiency… will be accomplished in full compliance with the collective bargaining agreements.”

Burrus said, “We are pleased that the Postal Service has withdrawn what seemed to be an invitation to ignore labor agreements. As long as the agreement is honored we do not object to efforts to improve the quality of service.”

Participants at the USPS conference were asked to rank in importance from among a “list of areas of opportunities.” The list did not include compliance with labor agreements or such areas as morale and harassment of employees. “Managers who simply adhere to the collective bargaining agreement can bring about serious change that would improve efficiencies,” Burrus said.