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Postal News - November 2005 |
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November 30, 2005 -
Technology Helps USPS Market Holiday
Services -The
holiday advertising budget is about the same as last year’s, Deputy Postmaster
General Patrick Donahoe said, though labor costs will be considerably smaller
as technological innovations have cut down on the need for manpower. This year
fewer than 10,000 temporary workers will be needed to handle the great increase
in mail volume, according to Donahoe. That is down from 20,000 temporaries last
year, 30,000 the year before that and 40,000 three years ago, he said. The biggest
labor saver is the introduction of machines that can read 93 percent of addresses
automatically and spray a bar code on them, greatly reducing the need for human
intervention. | - Postal Service Prepares for Busiest Mailing and Delivery Days
November
30, 2005 -
Speed,
efficiency gain national stamp of approval -
"The best post office in the
top-performing postal district in the country is in Highlands Ranch, also one
of the nation's fastest-growing mail stops. The building is big, like an airport
terminal. In the back, where customers rarely go, is focused chaos. Carts whirl
across the painted concrete floor, machines churn like they're chopping hay,
carriers crack jokes as they collect their deliveries. There's no goofing off
when you have 280,000 pieces of mail to deliver to 36,582 homes and businesses
each day." Until a few years ago, the Colorado-Wyoming district was among the
slowest, Postal Service spokesman Al DeSarro said. The turnaround started when
the district brought in new managers who made customer service a priority
November 30, 2005 - Kingsport postmaster says plenty of Christmas stamps available - Contrary to popular belief, there will be Christmas stamps available for purchase this Christmas. Earlier this month, the main branch of the Kingsport Post Office had several holiday stamps available for purchase, including a Hanukkah stamp, a Kwanzaa stamp, an Eid Greetings stamp, a holiday cookies stamp and a Madonna and Child stamp. However, rumors have been circulating in the community and on the Internet that the post office had sold out of the Madonna and Child stamp and that they were unable to order any more. Postal officials said they had been receiving inquiries about the stamps from the public. Mark Saunders, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, said there should be an adequate supply of the Madonna and Child stamp nationwide, that some 200 million stamps were printed when the stamp was issued in October 2004.
November 30, 2005 APWU: Compensation for Disabled Vets to Increase Effective Dec. 1
Superheroes, Americana Grace 2006 Stamps
Federal workers facing deadline on health plans
November 29, 2005 - Postal Workers Plan Picket Over Working Conditions (Phoenix AZ) Postal workers of the National Association of Letter Carriers plan on staging an informational picket Wednesday. Union officials say because of staff shortages, postal workers often must work extremely long hours. In fact, postal carriers say their workload is so big, they are sometimes unable get to certain routes until hours as late as midnight. |
November 29, 2005 - New Jersey Mailman Beaten Unconscious On Route
A mailman was beaten unconscious
yesterday in an unprovoked attack because a resident didn’t like the way
he delivered the mail, police said. Police say a resident of the Trenton side
of Lalor, allegedly beat the mailman after he opened the door of the alleged
assailant’s home to drop mail through the slot on the door and left. "The resident
didn’t like the way the mailman shut his storm door," |
South Jersey Mailman Recovering
After Severe Beating
Postal Carrier Describes Brutal Attack
November
29, 2005 -
Ask President
Burrus
November
29, 2005 -
Postal Reform: A Voice of Reason From a Business Perspective
November 29, 2005 Feds charge Wyoming postmaster with fraud USPS Performance Evaluation System Crashes Mobile Post Office Parks in Mall
Smiling postal worker to retire 19 Million Packages Sent Via Carrier Pickup, USPS Says
Postal Service extends hours at 280 offices Postman charged with stealing cash, gift card from mail Arcadia post office collecting toys Mail starting to go through in Dakotas and Minnesota Stamp increase isn’t unreasonable
Mail carriers get defensive
Feds charge Wyoming postmaster with fraud Giuliani Firm Anthrax Work Ends in a Feud
November 28, 2005 - OIG: USPS Eyeing 3,000 More Facilities for APCs Deployments
"After placement of the APCs
(Automated
Postal Centers)
in FY 2004, the 65 district facilities revenue increased from $41 to $141 million,
and the approximate wait time in line decreased from six to three minutes.
In March 2005, during our audit, Postal Service officials identified 3,000 potential
new Postal Service facilities, nationwide that could receive APCs during future
deployments, at an estimated cost of approximately $30 million. We plan to review
the Postal Service's future deployment plans and strategy for these APCs in
a separate audit."
November
28, 2005 -
Daniels' Death Brings USPS Board
Vacancies to 4
-With the
passing of LeGree Daniels on Nov. 19, the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors
now has four vacancies. That number rises to five on Dec. 9 when board member
Robert F. Rider's term expires. Under postal law, six board members out of 11
constitute the quorum needed to do business. The issue is causing concern for
the USPS, and officials alerted the White House. However, because the rate case
was approved earlier this month, there's less urgency, said Bob McLean, executive
director of the Mailers Council.
November
28, 2005 -
OIG Audit : USPS Officers
Travel and Representation Expenses for Fiscal Year 2005 [pdf]
- "Postal Service officers
shape the strategic direction of the Postal Service by setting goals, targets
and indicators within the framework established by the Postal Service's Board
of Governors. Their positions are classified as Postal Career Executive Executive
Service II (PCES) and they include the Postmaster General and all vice presidents.
The Board of Governors has authorized 50 Postal Service officer positions. Postal
Service officers are reimbursed for actual expenses incurred on official travel.
They are also reimbursed for representation expenses incurred with customer,
industry, or employee groups with whom the Postal Service conducts officials
business."
November 28, 2005 International Mailers Group Reorganizes Into Nonprofit Catalogers Struggle to Make Mail Plans
Mailers Ask: What's the Hurry? Pilot's union to picket UPS stores Caps on, off! Belgian post office to time workers
November 27, 2005 - Editorial: The Stamp of Inclusion -"Many of the millions of holiday cards that will send letter carriers slumping to their chiropractors will carry this year's Christmas stamp, a glowing Madonna and child. On talk radio, furious-voiced callers fume about any reference to a holiday season instead of a Christmas season, and in courtrooms lawyers argue about the constitutional condition of creches and candles. But in December's real headquarters, the post offices where Americans stagger under the packages and cards of connection, a seasonal bouquet of multicolored, multicultural seasonal stamps blooms serenely." | - Check out 2006 stamps list (which includes Madonna and Child)
November 27, 2005 - Question: Postal Clerk Concerned About Safety
"I am concerned about the safety of
leaving one clerk to work the window at any time during the day by themselves.
I work in an office with high traffic revenue. However, this office is
open until 7pm at night. Because of the staffing there is generally only
one clerk on the window between the hours of 6 to 7 pm. Is there a general
Postal regulation that states this is not safe for the Post Office Personnel?"
November
27, 2005 -
Ohio post office, 2 trucks vandalized with Hate
graffiti -
Vandals targeted the Point Place
Post Office, using orange spray paint to write derogatory remarks against the
police and blacks. They also spray painted swastikas all over the walls in the
back. Police say the vandals also spray painted several post office vehicles
and smashed windows on the postal trucks.
November 27, 2005 Post office expecting up to 12,000 wish lists from needy families Activists aim to block shipping of baby birds Marshall Islands wait nearly five months for mail from US No need for express line at the post office
Point Place
post office, 2 trucks vandalized with Nazi graffiti Thanks to USPS, mom can't see son's graduation Tires slashed at post office in Virginia
Postal worker hits tree Post office works overtime to get holiday packages where they belong Post offices around the world gear up for Santa mail
November
25, 2005 -
Opinion: Mailing It In -
Imagine a business where the more you use them, the more irritated you become
with them. Now imagine that despite their poor performance, they probably will
never improve or go out of business. Where does such a place exist? In the hinterlands
of post-Soviet Russia? In a backwater of proto-capitalist China? In Fidel's
Cuba? Try a post office in New York.
November 25, 2005 Photo: Postal Workers Open Home to Katrina Evacuees Dental Benefits Plan Doesn't Pay Postal Worker Lawmaker helps White Rock with post office dilemma White Rock to lose access to postal services Bulk mail weighs on people's minds
Postal Bulletin 11/24/05 Issue A million miles, a million thanks No mail, no satisfaction in Norwich
November 23, 2005 - USPS Financial & Operating Statements -October, FY 2006 (pdf)
Year-to-date (YTD), Total Revenue
is $198 million or 3.2% under plan. Permit Revenue accounts contribute to the
majority of the Total Revenue underrun to plan, $167 million, with First-Class
Permit Imprint being the largest contributor. YTD Total Revenue is $110 million
less than last year. Year-to-date, Total Mail Volume is 3.5% or 682 million
pieces below SPLY. The most significant mail volume decrease below SPLY for
FY 2006 YTD is in the lower revenue-per-piece Standard Mail category which decreased
458 million pieces or 4.5%. YTD, First-Class Mail volume is 3.5% less than SPLY,
generating $118 million or 3.9% less revenue than SPLY. Total workhours for
October, 2005 YTD are 0.4 million hours or 0.3% below SPLY. To date, Mail Processing
and City Delivery Services workhours combined have been
November 23, 2005 -
Officials Question Bolger Center -Restaurant
Owner Cary Prokos has contacted county leaders and federal legislators to complain
about the
William F.
Bolger Center, a United States Postal Service training
facility that has opened its food and lodging services to the general public.
Because the Bolger Center sits on federal land, its operations aren't subject
to state and county regulations. That was OK when it was carrying out its stated
purpose as a training and conference center for postal employees, Prokos said.
But when the center expanded its operations to draw in business from the general
public — it hosts wedding and bar mitzvah receptions, Sunday tea service and
other special events open to the public — Prokos said it became an unfair competitor
to Montgomery County restaurant owners.
November 23, 2005 - APWU: Postal Operations Identified for Consolidation or Study- APWU has received notification from the USPS that some operations at the facilities listed below would be consolidated, or that the facilities would be the subject of AMP (Area Mail Processing) studies. : Canton (OH) into Akron (OH) - Zanesville (OH) into Columbus (OH) -Jackson (TN) into Memphis (TN) - Beaumont (TX) P&DF to Houston P&DC Binghamton (NY) P&DF into Syracuse (NY) P&DC - Watertown (NY) Post Office into Syracuse (NY) P&DC - Utica (NY) P&DF into Syracuse (NY) P&DC - Plattsburgh (NY) Post Office into Albany (NY) P&DC - Burlington (VT) P&DF into White River Jct. (VT) P&DC -Springfield (MA) P&DC into Hartford (CT) P&DC - Cape Cod (MA) P&DF into Brockton (MA) P&DC - Portsmouth (NH) P&DF into Manchester (NH) P&DC - Dallas P&DC to North Texas P&DC -Las Cruces (NM) PO to El Paso (TX) P&DC - Kansas City (KS) P&DC to Kansas City (MO) P&DC - Sioux City (IA) P&DF to Sioux Falls (SD) P&DC | - Mail handling change sparks union protest - USPS : Some Las Cruces mail already re-routed to El Paso - Union to Fight Mail Processing Plant Closures - Owensboro, KY Post Office could lose 29 postal jobs
November
23, 2005 -
Lawmakers Seek Clarification of Transfer of Olympia
Mail Operations
-
U.S. Reps. Brian Baird and Adam Smith have sent
letters to PMG John Potter outlining six areas of the
Postal Service's plans that they feel need clarification. Baird and Smith shared
their disappointment with the Postal Service's lack of clarity about the future
of the Olympia postmark, mail service effects, worker effects, union concerns
and if the history of the Olympia postmark was taken into consideration
- Olympia Local APWU President Questions USPS Move - USPS Notice to APWU of Decision to Consolidate Mail Processing Operations
November 23, 2005 Pentagon says mail facility had toxin false alarm Postal service, Greyhound pull out of plan Loyola post office plans its comeback
U.S. lobby urges fair playing field over Japan Post privatization
Man arrested for trying to cash fake postal money orders
November
22, 2005 -
USPS seeks suppliers to provide 100% outsourced relocation
services to employees -
November 22, 2005 Automated postal center lacks a human touch
USPS Performs Site Work on New Parcel Sorting Hub in Michigan
November 21, 2005- APWU: USPS Granted Rehearing on FMLA Ruling -A U.S. Appeals Court has granted a Postal Service petition for a rehearing in a landmark court decision that invalidated return-to-work requirements for employees with absences of more than 21 days. The appeals court action vacates the July 19, 2005, ruling that had been hailed as a major victory in the fight to preserve workers’ rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). |
November
21, 2005-
APWU: Consolidation
of USPS Network Begins - APWU: Consolidation Begins in Bits and Pieces
November 21, 2005 - Mailers Already Eye Bigger '07 Rate Hike -"So what will the next rate case be like? Board chairman James C. Miller has said to anticipate a mid-single-digit increase in 2007." Bob McLean, executive director of the Mailers Council, for example, said "all of the postal union and management association contracts expire in 2006, "so we don't know what kind of a labor increase might result ... and how that would further influence rates in 2007 and beyond." One thing is certain, he said: "You will not see an across-the-board increase. You will see variable increases, if not a full [reclassification]." -|
November 21, 2005 - USPS Submits Application for Hours- of -Service Exemption from DOT for Contract Drivers -FMCSA announces that it has received an application for exemption from the hours-of-service (HOS) requirements from the United States Postal Service (USPS) on behalf of motor carriers that transport mail under contract for USPS. USPS requests that some of its contract motor carriers be allowed to operate under the HOS rules in effect prior to January 4, 2004. USPS believes the exemption would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety obtained under the current 14-hour rule (which prohibits operators of property-carrying vehicles from driving after the 14th hour of coming on duty) . USPS requests the exemption apply to an unspecified number of motor carriers operating under approximately 5,100 separate contracts..| - Postal Workers are exempt from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations [pdf]
November 21, 2005
US judge sends
anthrax suit back to state court
Woman Crashes Into Post Office
November 20, 2005 Consumer Specialist Puts FedEx, UPS, USPS To Test
Mail and more: Postmaster delivers news and camaraderie,
too
November 18, 2005 -Police Shoot Gunman Suspected of Firing at Missouri Postal Worker -Police shot a gunman Friday afternoon after he allegedly fired shots at a Postal worker -|
November 18, 2005 - Postal worker asks judge to discard evidence in urine case-Thomas Shaheen who is accused of tainting his co-workers' coffee with urine was in court Thursday attempting to have evidence thrown out. Shaheen's attorney, argued that the video recording and interview were obtained illegally. In the case of the video, the co-worker who had the camera installed didn't have post office permission and wasn't authorized to be in the building. The co-worker who videotaped Shaheen was suspended for seven days, according to testimony. No charges have been filed against him.- -|
November 18, 2005- USPS to share story of ergonomics success at National Conference on Dec. 2. - "US Postal Service is among the largest employers (700,000) in the world. The USPS has a long tradition of service and a continuing commitment to the health and safety of its employees, but the USPS does have injuries and illnesses. In 2004 Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) accounted for 37.6% of all these injuries and illnesses. Prompted by OSHA's planned ergonomic standard, the USPS embarked on a pilot to develop an ergonomics process, and test the feasibility of implementing such a process in the Postal Service." -| Changing the - Culture of the Postal Service : An Ergonomics Success Story
November 18, 2005 e-NAPUS Legislative Newsletter: USPS Sends Reform Letters to Capitol Hill Soldiers salute their postal heroes Sacramento mail carrier indicted for stealing debit cards Postal Workers: Fast action by Postmaster saved Brooklyn post office For mail carriers, holidays weigh heavy
Postal officials warn Minnesotans about secret shopper scam Misplaced Radioactive Material Sparks Concerns Postal Watch : Inability to Control Costs Causes Postal Service to Raise Rates
Postal Service declines comment about arrest of postmaster
November 17, 2005 - APWU: Consolidation Begins in Bits and Pieces -The long-expected USPS network consolidation has begun in bits and pieces, with individual offices now being notified of changes to their mail processing operations. Over the past several weeks the union has received notification from the USPS of the planned consolidation of “some operations” at 10 offices one week, followed by a dozen more the following week. It is now clear that USPS management plans to alter the national network through a series of piecemeal changes. It is expected that in the coming months the Postal Service will inform the union of additional offices identified for change. |
November 17, 2005 - OU Postal Training Contract at NCED May End - - - The 35-year relationship between OU and training operations of the U.S. Postal Service could end some time in the next week. The U.S. Postal Service awarded a 10-year contract to OCCE in 1995 to provide administrative and instructional staff to the National Center for Employee Development (NCED). “There are some major, major contractors that are competing for this, along with the university,” according to Richard Little, associate vice president for the University Outreach organization at OU’s College of Continuing Education. The contractors include Lockheed Martin, IBM and Express Personnel Services. NCED is the sole technical training facility for the U.S. Postal Service. -|
November 17, 2005
Editorial: Postal Rates -Is there a better bargain
anywhere? As Time Winds Down, Postal Service Bill's Provision Wins Support Lufkin postmaster and wife arrested
Mailman denies indecency charges
November 16, 2005 - Saginaw postal workers worry about safety --Postal carriers on the east side of Saginaw (MI) say they are worried about the violence in certain neighborhoods. If the climate doesn't change soon, there could be changes in the way people get their mail. Postal trucks are being vandalized and more and more gunshots are being heard as postal carriers are having to worry about more dangers than just dogs.
November 16, 2005 - eFunds and USPS Enter Facilities Management and Debit Gateway Processing Agreement - eFunds Corporation, a leading provider of risk management, electronic payments and global outsourcing solutions, announced today that it will provide payment processing switching services, debit gateway processing and back office solutions to the United States Postal Service (USPS). This new solution, which follows a previous software agreement signed in 2004, will be delivered through facilities management and debit gateway processing agreements that provide a flexible hybrid of in-house software and outsourced payment services. With the new agreement in place, the eFunds solution will drive transaction processing at more than 34,000 USPS locations and 65,000 point-of-sale (POS) devices nationwide once fully implemented. Other payments channels including the USPS' eCommerce business and its 2,500 Automated Postal Center (APC) self-serve kiosks will also be supported under this agreement.
November 16, 2005 APWU Katrina Forum: What's going on in New Orleans?
Canada Post fires shift-selling carriers Saginaw postal workers worry about safety Ex-Sub Pop Employee eBays Postal Service Gold Record USPS Awards Nilfisk-AdvanceAmerica New Vacuum Contract Bush Social Security Plan Laid to Rest
Employees of a Brooklyn post office were tied up by a pair of armed robbers this morning who got away with two bags bulging with cash. Police say the robbers burst into the James E. Davis United States Post Office sometime after 5:00 a.m. and announced the robbery. The employees were tied up and held at gunpoint while the two bandits filled mail bags with cash. | - Post office hit in 60G robbery | - Photos - Video: Three Gunmen Pull Brooklyn Post Office Heist
November 15, 2005 Postal employee gets jail term, probation for stealing union dues -| Letter carrier foils burglary attempt Violence worries postal carriers || Mail Carriers Under Siege? -| When a Postal Transfer Leads to Extra Cash USPS probe into fake money orders in American Samoa Dogs in pound, allegedly attacked postal worker USPS re-ups Lockheed Martin for address recognition work
Postal employee gets jail term, probation for stealing union
dues
November 14, 2005 - USPS Board Accepts PRC Decision; Rate Hike Effective Jan. 8 - The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors voted today to accept the Postal Rate Commission's recommendations to increase most postal rates and fees 5.4 percent. | Mailer Groups Object to Jan. 8 Rate Hike Implementation L. L. Bean, Collins back plan for postal rates
November 14, 2005 - Postal official sentenced for stealing dues from APWU- It's three years probation, full restitution and 180 hours of community service for the assistant to the Bullhead City postmaster. Authorities say 34-year-old April Henderson stole 68-hundred dollars in dues from the Bullhead City chapter of the American Postal Workers Union. A 45 day jail sentence was also imposed, though Henderson is eligible for work release or house arrest. Henderson pled guilty to theft.
November 14, 2005 - Federal Trade Commission Stops Bogus Post Office Job Offers- Three corporations and their officers have been barred from making false promises to consumers concerning employment with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) under the terms of a temporary restraining order issued by a U.S. district court judge at the request of the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC alleged the defendants promised consumers help in registering for and obtaining postal employment in the consumer’s area, and guaranteed them job placement if they obtained a score of 90 or above on the USPS employment examination. In reality, the defendants are not connected with the USPS, and postal jobs are not available through them
November 14, 2005 Walking Delivers On-the-job exercise keeps carriers fit- Buddy Scaccio hoofs it uphill for several blocks, dashing up and down porch stairs along the way to deliver mail. His legs are getting so muscular from his daily walking that Scaccio said he's having trouble finding pants to fit over his thicker calves [ PR: one carrier described enlarged calves similar to legs of cartoon character "Alley Oop" ]. Carriers Bob Gunia and Buddy Scaccio are walking all over the stereotype of the traditional postal worker, portrayed in such characters as beer-drinking Cliff Clavin in "Cheers" and lazy, overweight Newman in "Seinfeld." Every workday, they exceed the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended amount of exercise. |
November 14, 2005 - Postal Service working to stamp out mail woes in New Orleans -Almost no part of daily life in New Orleans is anything close to normal more than two months after Katrina's onslaught. Postal officials acknowledge that the mail service continues to face significant challenges. Mail carriers are covering 181 delivery routes out of 404 in the city. Eight of News Orleans' 15 post offices are open. The city's main facility remains closed, which means all mail is sorted in Baton Rouge, Dallas, Houston and Beaumont, Texas. About half of the city's 4,000 postal employees are back at work |
November 14, 2005- |
November
30, 2005 - 
November
21, 2005- 
November
15, 2005 - ![Alley Oop](http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?method=4&dsname=Wikipedia+Images&dekey=Alleyoop.jpg&gwp=8&linktext=<IMG height=140 alt="Alley Oop USPS stamp" src="http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/a/a1/180px-Alleyoop.jpg" width=180>){kind=link}