Postal Reporter - Postal News

VER Group 1 includes clerks, mail handlers and initial level supervisors of mail processing and customer service. The group has 72,000 eligible employees. The application deadline was Sept. 30. USPS has approved the applications of 3,685 employees, whose retirement date is Dec. 31, 2008.VER Group 2 includes headquarters and headquarters-related employees, as well as rural and letters carriers. This group has 67,000 eligible employees. The applications deadline was Nov. 21. USPS has approved the applications of 4,049 employees, and their retirement date is Feb. 28, 2009 = 7,734 out of 139,000 |

80 Year-Old Postal clerk to retire after 56 years of service |

APWU Secures More Space For Inaugural Assembly, Invites NALC

USPS issues new proposed mailing standards
Delivered mail found to be tampered with

Charges filed after dog bites mail carrier

December 29, 2008

Forget dead letters; worry about a dead USPS |
THE PEOPLE SPEAK: Why this is happening to customer service |

Valassis/Advo Stock= Not Worth the Paper They're Printed On |

USPS Previews 2009 Commemorative Stamp Program

USPS FY 2008 Annual Compliance Report (PDF)

Changes coming for bypass mail program

Council to consider mailbox ordinance

Watch out, Problems With Intelligent Mail Barcode

December 28, 2008

APWU: Subcontracting Practices Contribute to USPS Woes

When we look at the USPS and its treatment of Postal Vehicle Service, we see the same sort of phenomena that led to the economic collapse: unregulated practices. In the case of the Motor Vehicle Craft, the unregulated practices involve subcontracting. The Postal Service is eager to contract out our work whether it will be cost effective or not. As a recent study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found, USPS managers cannot demonstrate that they save money through subcontracting. |

USPS: Changes to the Rehabilitation Act

Effective January 1, 2009, the definition of an individual with a "disability" as defined under both the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be significantly expanded. This is due to the passage of the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) that sets new standards for determining disability status. Managers, supervisors and the Reasonable Accommodation Committees (RACs) need to be aware of the extent of the changes in the ADAAA so they can assess requests for reasonable accommodation in accordance with these new standards.

Clinton mail carriers will work out of Beloit

December 27, 2008

Is the Post Office the next to crash?

Strapped Postal Service and mail carriers negotiating reorganization of Staten Island routes

Postal Service wants its plastic crates back

Delivery companies must play catch-up

December 26, 2008

Late night mail delivery frustrates some Quad-City customers
(Iowa) The reason the mail has become so tardy is that post offices nationwide are in the process of "right-sizing," said Davenport Postmaster David Rash, who added that he does not like using the term. The amount of mail being sent through the U.S. Postal Service has decreased greatly in recent years. For example, it is estimated that the amount of mail sent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve this year will be 19 billion pieces - down 1 billion from last year. As a result, the Postal Service is not replacing letter carriers who retire. and post offices nationwide are scrambling to create evenly divided routes. |

For late gift senders, Postal Service makes their day

December 25, 2008

Postal Worker spreads holiday cheer along his route

Tony Wade, a letter carrier, played Santa yesterday on his route. Tony, and about 30 students from area high schools, delivered food baskets and presents to to needy families along his South Side mail route in Syracuse, NY . Tony began this tradition 20 years ago. The gifts and food were purchased with the $2,500 Tony raised from a bowl-a-thon. Tony said he started this tradition because he wanted to do something good for the people in the neighborhood where he works. |

3 Florida Lawmakers Plan Push For Free Mail To Troops

Postal Workers Deliver Holiday Cheer

Post Offices Deliver For Former Postal Clerk

For a Va. Neighborhood's Dogs, Santa Arrives on a Mail Truck |

Santa Makes Christmas Day Deliveries in Aurora

Postal workers deliver care to troops

Albuquerque: USPS clearing mail backlog

PRC Treads Carefully on Universal Service and Postal Monopoly (PDF)

December 24, 2008

Child Dies Bringing Cookies To Mail Carrier

Kentucky state police say an 11-year-old Breckinridge County girl who was bringing cookies to her mail carrier was hit by a truck and killed. |

Ponzi scheme started out as Postal Scam
Woman dressed as postal worker invades home

NPMHU December Update (PDF)

December 23, 2008

Burrus: Potter Deserves Deferred Compensation and More

Question: With the Postal Service stating that the USPS lost money this year to the tune of $2.8 billion, and knowing that there are executive wage caps in the ...it seems odd that the Postmaster General is receiving $867,459 annually in compensation, as reported by the Postal Regulatory Commission. Burrus: The Postmaster General is deserving of the deferred annuity — and more — for presiding over the best postal system in the world. |

New Family and Medical Leave Act Poster

A revised Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) poster, reflecting the recently published final rule, is now available for viewing and downloading. The poster and forms become effective on January 16, 2009.

Congressmen Request Text Of Postal Bill Be Included in Economic Stimulus Package (PDF) - In a letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia Subcommittee Chairman Danny Davis (D-IL) and Ranking Minority Member John McHugh (R-NY) said: "We are writing to request that the text of H.R. 7313, introduced on December 9, 2008, be included in the economic stimulus package currently being developed. This bill would assist the U.S. Postal Service to address its serious financial constraints and would serve to protect existing Postal Service jobs. |

APWU Complaint Prompts OIG Audit of Philadelphia P&DC

Former postal worker admits stealing mail

WSJ: Mailing Packages for Christmas? You're Probably Spending a Bundle

Delivery guys get together for annual holiday lunch

No waiting at this post office

Come rain, sleet or snow, Diecks family keeps mail flowing
Snow keeps mail carrier from appointed rounds

New Jersey PM Elected Secretary Treasurer of NAPUS

Holidays Swamp Postal Service

December 22, 2008

Most Post offices Will Shorten Retail Hours on Christmas Eve

"All Post Offices nationwide will be open Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24. But most will shorten retail lobby hours and close at noon. In addition, customers should deposit their mail by noon for early pick-up on Dec. 24." Retail employees will have the option of taking annual leave or work in mail processing. |

Thinking Outside the Postal Box |

VER UPDATE; Irrevocable date changed from January 16, 2009 to February 9, 2009 for Postmasters, Field EAS, Field PCES, or Area Office EAS & PCES

South Jersey printer negotiating reimbursement from Postal Service after mailings ruined |

December 21, 2008

USPS Processing 1 Billion Fewer Pieces O Mail This Year

This means fewer packages are making their way across the country. "Your letter carrier is probably carrying four packages this year, for every five packages delivered last year. Packages are down by about 19 percent in your area, overall, this fiscal year," Marion said. That doesn't mean the U.S. Postal Service isn't busy, but there has been a dramatic drop in in mail volume. "Nationwide, we will still accept, process and deliver 19 billion pieces of mail this holiday season [Thanksgiving through January 2009]. Last year, it was 20 billion... we are very busy, but it is hard to ignore a billion pieces of mail."|

Union: Moving machines will hurt mail service
Postal Worker Saves Wisconsin Rapids Man
NY Postal Workers Bring Christmas To Sick Girl

Woman accused of stealing mail from mailboxes

December 20, 2008

Ice a challenge for letter carriers

White powder mailed to US embassies

APWU Files Second ‘Dispute’ Over Two-Tour Initiative
USPS Suspends Operation Santa After Maryland Pedophile Tries to Join In

Marysville Postal Worker Accused Of Theft

Postal worker of many hats puts her stamp on Christmas

December 19, 2008

PRC Report: Keep Postal Monopoly In Place

"Although no immediate changes are called for, recent events require the commission to recommend that Congress closely monitor the Postal Service's financial situation as the possibility now exists that significant changes may become necessary to preserve effective and efficient postal services for the nation," the report said. "And it said the value of the post office's monopoly on some types of mail, and on letter boxes, provides it a value ranging from $200 million to $7.1 billion, "with $3.48 billion as the most plausible estimate." See Report (PDF) |

Boston: Postal Union Seeks Support From The Public

...the Postal Service, one of the most honored institutions in America, is being systematically dismantled by a management group intent on following corporate ideology that prioritizes downsizing and outsourcing (even at higher costs) rather than growing our business through dedication to service. Postal Service management is fostering the long lines that now pervade local post offices. Why? To discourage you from conducting your transactions with a window clerk, forcing you to seek alternatives, and thereby justifying their predetermined and particularly self-fulfilling staffing cuts. If you do decide to conduct business at a window, be aware that the clerk is under strict instruction to “up sell” our products. If they were to advise you of a less costly but wholly reliable method, they could face disciplinary action. |

Postal Service Tells Gift-Givers Not to Help Santa

Gift-giving souls who reported to Operation Santa Claus at the post office on Eighth Avenue and 33rd Street, looking for the familiar cardboard boxes bursting with letters, were instead greeted with no boxes, no letters and no explanation. The United States Postal Service abruptly shut down public participation in all the Operation Santa programs — in New York and other major cities across the country — at 1 p.m. Wednesday, without offering post offices or letter-seeking citizens any understanding of why. Post Office Reopens Santa Program With Privacy Controls |

Meriden route adjustments to be reworked - Meriden post office and the National Association of Letter Carriers, Connecticut Merged Branch 20, have reached an agreement to jointly rework the city's postal route system starting next month. The post office cut carrier routes from 56 to 48 on Aug. 2, and used a computer program to reroute the remainder, which postal officials believed would create a more efficient system that would use less fuel and allow the elimination of 11 carrier positions. |

Donors Pay 'Mailman Steve's' fine for failing to deliver junk mail

Hot gold puts postal worker in hot water
Postal worker charged with stealing gift card
Manassas post office worker retires after 42 years

Postal Carrier Honored for Spotless Driving Record

Tampa mail carrier bitten by snake now pinched by bill collectors

FedEx Cuts Wages, Will Other Companies Follow?

Clayco to Design-Build First Green Buildings For USPS

December 18, 2008

Congressman Calls Off GAO Probe Of Philly Plant

U.S. Rep. Bob Brady said he was convinced that his pal Jim Gallagher was cleaning up the Southwest Philadelphia mail-processing center after a nearly three-hour "walk-and-talk" tour the two took yesterday afternoon. In fact, Brady said, Gallagher, a onetime Philadelphia letter-carrier who rose to become the new regional postal director, was sleeping at the plant so he could visit all three shifts. Brady, D-Pa., who on Dec. 5 called for a Government Accounting Office probe of the processing center, withdrew that request Monday to give Gallagher, a friend since childhood, "a little time before anybody was breathing down his neck." "I don't think it's a good sign that the Postal Service can sweet-talk GAO out of an investigation," said Gwen Ivey, president of APWU.. Philly: Deliver us from Postal Woes | Veteran puts his stamp on revamped mail operations |

APWU: Union Files 'Dispute' Over Elimination of Tour 2
The APWU has initiated a Step 4 dispute with the Postal Service, protesting management's nationwide plan to eliminate or drastically reduce Tour 2 assignments and employees. The dispute, filed Dec. 16 by union President William Burrus, is in addition to an Unfair Labor Practice charge filed by the APWU with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Nov. 25. |

New York Postmaster Sentenced To Prison For Embezzling $100,000 - Julie R. Cashmore was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by 2 years supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who handled the case, stated that from October 2006 through January, 2008, the defendant had been convicted of theft of governmental property while employed as Postmaster of the Greenhurst, New York Post Office. The defendant stole U.S. Postal Service money orders and the proceeds from the sale of postage stamps totaling $100,117.10. |

Postal Bulletin 12/18/08 issue

The Busiest Day Just Isn't As Busy

Who's it gonna be, me or the PRC?

Congressman weighs in on Manasota post office controversy

Chicago: Busy delivery day for postal workers

December 17, 2008

USPS Among Companies Cited As ‘Most Trusted’ For Privacy

Two Postal Union Officers Plead Guilty To Embezzlement

USPS.com still experiencing problems

Connecticut: Business Down 50 Percent at Post Office

Postal employee charged with theft
Assaulted Postal Worker Shares Story With FOX 5

Postal Rate Hikes: Less Than 4% in 2009

December 16, 2008

USPS: Declining Mail Volume Leads to Route Adjustments
As the economy declines, so does mail volume. And that affects carrier routes. The Postal Service is working to make route adjustments that reflect the current economic reality. The Postal Service plans to have evaluated thousands of routes across the country by year's end. Most of the changes resulting from those evaluations will go into effect in January 2009. The changes are designed to give letter carriers stability and consistency by assigning a single route that they will deliver on a regular basis. Adjustments are also made to ensure delivery of mail at the same time of day. Finally, these adjustments will allow customers to become more familiar with their carriers. |

USPS Still Embraces Shipping Franchise That Offends
APWU President William Burrus has posed a straightforward question to Postmaster General John E. Potter regarding the Postal Service’s decision to designate a shipping franchise with an offensive name as a participant in the USPS Approved Shipper program: Does the decision to embrace the term “Goin’ Postal” reflect the policy of the Postmaster General or is it an example of bureaucratic bungling by his subordinates? |

Postal worker faces charges of stealing funds from stamp sales

TSP officials face leadership challenges

Presents, packages and postage

Postal Service sees fewer holiday packages

Father and son hold postal contract for six decades

USPS Beefs Up RIBBS Website

Fighting post office cuts in Waterbury

December 15, 2008

Philadelphia: Office Snooping Pays Off

Postal worker uncovered mail madness -THE ANNOUNCEMENT in late August that the U.S. Postal Service planned to transfer 162 mail clerks made no sense to veteran postal worker Nick Casselli. With hundreds of overflowing unsorted mail bins blocking passageways at the Southwest Philadelphia processing plant and a yearlong ban on overtime, Caselli said, he knew there weren't enough clerks to process the daily mail. As a new shop steward, Casselli set out to find out why. Using the "eyes and ears" of co-workers, Casselli was first to uncover the Philadelphia post office's dirty little secret. Philadelphia: Tainted postal plant abruptly goes from backlog to no mail at all |Postal workers and customers see progress in mail flow |

APWU Christmas Holiday Facts

APWU Offers Commemorative Inauguration Buttons

Post office prepares to letter rip on busiest day of the year

Jersey City mail handlers say they could be put out of business

An Opportunity for Mail in the Decline of Local Media

December 14, 2008

Olympia APWU Local To Hold Picket for Fired President and Return of Mail Operations - The Olympia Local of the American Postal Workers Union will be holding an informational picket on Monday, January 12, 2009 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Olympia Downtown Post Office. The informational picket is to call for the Postal Service to bring fired Union President Clint Burelson back to work and to bring the outgoing mail operations back to Olympia. The Postal Service recently fired Local Union President Clint Burelson for his union activities and major role as a whistleblower in exposing the fact that mail consolidations would reduce service and not save money. |

Mail delivery slowed by storm

Postal Workers Give Santa a Hand

December 13, 2008

APWU Members in Florida Enlist Public’s Support in Consolidation Fight

Postal Workers Unable to Sort Out Their Future

Post office to lose sorters

December 12, 2008

Postal Workers Not Included In Bush Order To Give Feds December 26th Off - President George W. Bush has made Friday, December 26, a day off for federal employees. However, the "day off does not affect Postal Service workers, nor does it include Executive Branch employees whose agencies determine they cannot be excused for reasons of national security, defense or other essential public need." "Employee schedules are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the 2006-2010 agreement, which was ratified by APWU members early in 2007, does not include provisions granting APWU-represented employees holidays simply because they have been granted to federal employees." |

USPS Acknowledges Mail Meltdown

(New Mexico) Postal officials shifted from denial to apology Friday as KRQE News 13 continued its series of reports on a growing backlog of undelivered mail in Albuquerque. Service Manager Matt Lopez now concedes the post office is having delivery problems after all. He told News 13 that last month the service cut staff by 5 percent which had the remaining carriers adding new stops without overtime. At northeast Albuquerque's Steve Schiff Post Office, carriers told News 13 letters and packages have been piling up for weeks. |

Mailman Saves Infant's Life After Giving CPR

"Sacramento Mail carrier Robert Sweeney was making his daily rounds yesterday when a frantic woman came running out of a house with a lifeless infant in her arms. Robert went to work calming the woman down, and began giving the 19 month old girl C-P-R. And get this...he did it without any C-P-R training, relying instead on what he'd seen on reality TV shows." |

Burrus Meets with Obama Transition Team

APWU President William Burrus met with Stephen Crawford, a member of President-Elect Obama's Transition Team, at the union's national headquarters on Dec. 8, where the two "engaged in a thoughtful conversation about the future of the U.S. Postal Service and postal workers." |

Robert McGill: Legal Landmines in Federal Disability Retirement Law

eNAPUS: Postal veterans introduce late session postal relief legislation (PDF)

Fraser Papers sues Valassis/Advo for not paying $933,000 bill

Port Arthur postal employee pleads guilty to mail fraud

Glitch, high traffic knock Postal Service tools offline

Dear Friend: Lurid Tales From Junk Mail America

Police release sketch in letter carrier stabbing

December 11, 2008

USPS Announces Freeze on All Area and Districts Job Postings

Staffing changes will be made in the Field beginning early 2009. Due to these changes, effective immediately all Area and District job postings are frozen until further notice including laterals and downgrades. Any exceptions need to come through my office by contacting Bretta Bombac, Mgr. HR Integration and Support |

Mail dumped to thwart probe?

Nine days ago, Megan Brennan, the Postal Service's regional vice president, wanted to see for herself the hundreds of overflowing mail bins, rerouted mail trailers and allegedly falsified mail-volume reports at the Southwest Philadelphia mail-processing plant. When Brennan arrived - in response to the Daily News story on Dec. 1 - the processing plant was ready for her visit, according to a postal-union official. A trucking firm had just hauled away 19 tons of so-called "waste" mail to be destroyed, said Gwen Ivey, president of the American Postal Workers Union Local 89 in Philadelphia. "This was workable mail," she said. More Mailroom Screwups | Congressman calls for probe of Philadelphia plant | Philly Update: Postal Service's New Manager To Meet With Union Prez | Union: 'A lot' of late, lost mail found by inspectors| New Philadelphia manager says he'll work with unions to meet goals | Editorial: Philadelphia perfects fail mail plant problems | Philadelphia: Postal Service District Manager Gets Canned | Some Philadelphia Post Offices say the mail is not going through there, either |

December 10, 2008

NALC Guidance on the use of Carrier Optimal Routing (COR) for the Interim Route Adjustments (PDF) -This memo was sent to all NBA's/RAA's to clarify the use of the USPS Carrier Optimal Routing (COR) program. Joe Erber, the NALC rep of Greenwood, MS was told that all routes would be unilaterally adjusted by the COR program (without his input) and he literally flipped out. He contacted Fred Rolando and received this memo in reply. |

USPS Moves Up Effective Date for Voluntary Early Retirement

PMG Announces New Chairman of the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee

Postal employee stabbed while delivering mail expected to make full recovery
Where's the mail?
Postal Service scrambles to fix its online shipping tools
Some thoughts on the latest USPS Governor nominee

December 9, 2008

Mailman nearly targeted by plane
Connecticut Carrier Pleads Guilty To Thefts
Postal Official Offers Lost-Check Explanation
The Economic Challenge: Direct mail success in a tough economy

December 8, 2008

Philly Update: Postal Service's New Manager To Meet With Union Prez - Today, [Jim] Gallagher is to meet with Gwen Ivey, president of APWU Local 89, which filed a complaint on Oct. 24 about senior managers allegedly ordering clerks to undercount the mail by millions of pieces each week and about chronic understaffing at the plant . APWU attorney Nancy B. Lassen said she was contacted by the top investigator for the Postal Service's Office of Inspector General regarding the union investigation that led to the complaint." Lassen conducted interviews with numerous employees about the alleged falsification of the mail count, the rerouting of tractor-trailers containing uncounted mail and the bonuses managers received for carrying out what she called "potentially criminal actions." New Philadelphia manager says he'll work with unions to meet goals |: Editorial: Philadelphia perfects 'fail mail' | Philadelphia: Postal Service District Manager Gets Canned | Some Philadelphia Post Offices say the mail is not going through there, either |

Mail Carrier Stabbed in Apparent Robbery

Beer-stealing ex-cop now accused of spilling Kansas mail

Postal Worker's suit claims his idea for animated TV series was ripped-off

TIME: De-Cluttering Your Mailbox

Extreme Deliveries

Interim Route Adjustments May/Sept Computations Spreadsheet (Excel - XLS format)

December 7, 2008

For Some Postal Employees, Small Thefts Spell Big Trouble

When postal inspectors want to catch a thief in the ranks, the bait may be a little plastic gift card in a greeting card envelope, just like the holiday cheer you may be about to stamp and mail. That's exactly how Peter Lim was caught. The 17-year postal employee looked remorseful in Houston federal court on Dec. 1. He told the court that he was so angry with his supervisors he opened greeting cards and stole $55 in cash, a $10 Wal-Mart gift card, a $20 Target gift card and a $50 Lowe's gift card. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's latest Semiannual Report, there were 333 criminal cases filed nationwide against postal employees or contractors for mail theft, delay or destruction in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. |

Boston Postal Workers Goodbye To 84-Year-Old Retiring Co-Worker - "Herbert Baron [pictured at left] retired from the Boston [MA] P&DC on November 7,2008. He had 50 years of service. Herbie will be sadly missed not only by those he worked with, but also by the countless unseen customers he helped. His job has been replaced by a machine which will mark the mail "Return for better address." Herbie has two goals. The first is to see 90 years old, (at present he is 84). His second goal is to spend quality time with his lovely wife. |

Postal Service offering $15,000 reward in robbery

December 6, 2008

Notes from National APWU Telecon on Tour 2 Initiative

Less Mail, Later Delivery In Some Places

Texas Window Clerk convicted of filing false financial reports (PDF)

FedEx Agrees To Pay $26.8 Million To Settle Calif Contract Drivers Lawsuit

December 5, 2008

Philadelphia: Postal Service District Manager Gets Canned

The U.S. Postal Service has shaken up its Philadelphia-area management after a week of stories in the Daily News about late and missing mail deliveries. Frank Neri, the Postal Service district manager for the Philadelphia metropolitan district, was replaced yesterday by Jim Gallagher, a veteran USPS manager, spokesman Paul Smith confirmed yesterday. Some Philadelphia Post Offices say the mail is not going through there, either - Conditions at some local post offices mirror the problems at the U.S. Postal Service's processing plant in Southwest Philadelphia, according to letter carriers and a supervisor. In some stations in the 191- and 190- ZIP codes in Philadelphia and nearby suburbs. |Comments (189)

Long Trail of Mail Leads to Arrest of Truck Driver

Salina Postmaster Richard Brake tells KSAL News that his office was notified by local law enforcement late Thursday that mail was falling out of large box truck along the highway. The driver, who is not a postal employee but rather someone who was sub-contracted to drive the truck, did not properly secure the load. The driver of the truck, 42-year Brian Hill was arrested and booked into the Saline County Jail on charges that could include DUI. |

Two hurt in Chicago post office robbery |

South Carolina: Where are the Social Security checks?

New Hampshire: Social Security checks are late

APWU Boston Metro Talks About Service on "Labor Talk"
Letter Carriers Give Santa A Hand

Postal Bulletin 12/04/08 Issue

OIG Semiannual Report on the Audit, Investigative, and Security Activities of the USPS (PDF)

December 4, 2008

OPM Extends Open Season For Health Benefits

The new deadline to make employee self service FEHB elections using PostalEASE is Dec. 28, 2008 at 5 p.m. CT. Also, you will be able to make Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) belated elections past the original Dec. 8, 2008 closing date. The deadline for belated elections for FEDVIP is Jan. 31, 2009. Update: OPM to Provide Additional Protections in 2009 for FEHB Enrollees Who Use Out-of-Network Surgeons | Blue Cross/Blue Shield Christmas Gift to Federal Employees: Surprise, We’re Cutting Your Benefits | Congressman Requests FEHBP Open Season Be Extended Due to Blue Cross/Blue Shield 2009 Changes| |

Federal Judge Dismisses APWU Lawsuit Against Bush and Potter
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has dismissed an APWU lawsuit against President George W. Bush and Postmaster General John E. Potter that sought to compel the appointment of a Postal Advisory Council. The court’s Nov. 26 ruling concluded that the postal council, which was authorized by Congress in 1970 under the terms of the Postal Reorganization Act, was not specifically reauthorized by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. |

NAPS: Information On Unit Goals NPA 2008

Richmond Postal Worker Robbed, $50K Reward Offered

Officials: Postal service not complying with agreement

Death of the SCF, Part 3: Flats Sequencing |

Postal workers challenge cutbacks |

Denison postal worker fired for allegedly burning residents' mail

Suit by contract worker alleges post office unsafe work environment

Postal Deregulation II

Inauguration Commemorative Brought to You by the USPS

UPS delivers by bike this holiday season

December 3, 2008

APWU: Arbitrator Rules Tour 1 Casuals May Work After 5:00 am

In a national-level award, Arbitrator Shyam Das has ruled [PDF] that Tour 1 casuals may continue to work past 5 a.m., concluding that the intent of the 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement is to prevent management from assigning casuals starting times between the hours of 5 a.m. and noon. |Comments (56)

Lack of parts makes post offices dump vending machines

APWU: Union Wins Arbitration on Annual-Leave Exchange for PTFs

Controversial Postal Center Approved for Oak Creek

Sick Leave Removed as Core Goal for EAS Employees
Editorial: Disappearing mailboxes alarming

Policy clarification for NPA, Objective Setting Discussions and Behavioral Objectives

December 2, 2008

Americans hail a postman's junk-mail jihad | Comment (1)

Move Update goes into effect

Postal Service to trim costs by thinning out mailboxes

December 1, 2008

Burrus: Four-Day Work-Week Talks Stall

Discussions have been underway at the national level for several months regarding the implementation of the Modified Work Week known as “10-4,” where employees are scheduled to work 10 hours per day, four days per week. Over recent weeks these discussions have failed to make significant progress and therefore I am unable to project that a final agreement will be reached. The union’s concern is clear: As postal management plans to reduce mail processing to a two-tour operation, the union has no interest in facilitating the effort. |Comments (72)

Postal Service eyes mega-millions from FSS

The first phase of the Flats Sequencing System (FSS) will save the U.S. Postal Service hundreds of millions of dollars annually and result in thousands of job eliminations, a recent Postal Service presentation indicates. |Comments (57)

Where the Mail Goes To Die
Slow/ no delivery alleged at SW Philadelphia site - In interviews with the Daily News, postal service employees and a manager have described chaotic conditions in the chronically understaffed plant, which processes nearly six million pieces of mail a day on Lindbergh Boulevard near Island Avenue. In recent months, a manager and several employees said, unsorted mail sat for weeks in overflowing bins on the plant floor or was stuffed into trailers in the parking lot and - in some cases - even shipped in desperation to other distribution plants, from where it often returned for sorting days later. In some cases, the mail was destroyed, the employees said. News, meds, invites lost in alleged mail fiasco |Comments (198)

BOG Nominee's Qualifications Questioned

Murray Comarow, who headed the presidential commission that established the postal service as an independent federal agency in 1970, called [Robert] McGowan's nomination "irresponsible." "I don't know Mr. McGowan. He might be a splendid fellow in many respects," Comarow said, but he is "extremely unqualified." |Comments (17)

Postal Service cuts seasonal hires

Fewer letters and packages mean fewer seasonal workers for delivery services during the Christmas season. "It's just the economy," says Robert F. Boiselle, a regional spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service. "People will be buying less, so we think they will be shipping and mailing less. That's just our projection." |Comments (28)

November a gloomy month for all but two TSP funds

Oak Creek to vote on mail processing center

Postal Workers Accused Of Stealing Mail