Postal News

Statement of NALC President On Compliance with National Agreement - Let Let me make the following clear to one and all, including Postal Service management at headquarters and in the field, and all letter carriers, at every level in the union and in every post office: No one, at any level, has any authority to amend or violate the national contract, period. PMG Potter memo on honoring contract (PDF). It is up to each one of us to make sure that the changes we bring to the organization are changes for the better,” Potter recently wrote. Respecting and protecting the provisions of the collective-bargaining agreements will help us to do that |

NALC: There Are No Plans To Eliminate Six-Day Delivery

USPS: Declining Mail Volume Leads to Route Adjustments

Report: Employment of Veterans in the U.S. Postal Service - FY 2007

PRC Annual Report: Postal Execs Compensation

USPS Says It Needs To Eliminate 9,200 City Carrier Routes in FY 2009

Postmaster, Supervisor Groups Reject Pay Freeze (PDF)

Tight Times Strain Postmasters

USPS, APWU Reach Tentative Agreement On Four-Day Workweeks

USPS Wants Commercial Outdoor Advertising On Its Property

USPS to Implement Two Tour Initiative Nationwide

Re: Postal Employees Ordered to Stop Offering First-Class Mail

PMG Urges Leaders of Employee Organizations To Work With USPS

Flashback: Postal 1992 VER Cost $1.01 Billion

USPS To Launch Nationwide Program To Track Revenue Performance Of Window Clerks

Postmaster General Cautions of Perfect Economic Storm

Connecticut Congressman Presses Postal Service for Answers Regarding Meriden Route Changes

Appeals Court Upholds Firing Of Postal Carrier For Unsafe Driving

GAO: New Delivery Performance Measures Could Enhance Postal Managers’ Pay for Performance Program

Postal Manager Demoted Over Violation of NALC Contract?

Postal Worker's Self-Defense Claim Can't Save Job

NAPS Challenges USPS Network Plan, Questions USPS Outsourcing

USPS Posts $1.1 Billion Loss For Third Quarter

House Passes FERS Sick Leave Legislation

GAO: Data Needed to Assess the Effectiveness of USPS Outsourcing | Watchdogs question US Post Office outsourcing system

USPS Names Two Postal Execs To New VP Slots

USPS Releases Details Of Voluntary Early Retirement Offer

Burrus: Employees Would Be Best Served by Postponing Early-Out Decisions

NALC: Young Urges Congress to Reject Study for 5-Day Delivery

USPS Early Out Offer Excludes ETs - No Cash Incentives

PMG Potter Announces Reorganization At USPS Headquarters

House Committee Approves Study On Ending Saturday Mail Delivery

EEOC: Postal Worker Was Not Provided Smoke-Free Vehicle

ASFM-100 Work Awarded Back to Clerk Craft at Trenton P&DC

Court of Appeals Keeps Alive 14-Year-Old Lawsuit Against NALC

Postal Service Selects First-Ever Vice President of Sustainability

Video: Postal Workers Protest Terrorism On The Job

EEOC Rules USPS Must Process Class Action Complaint For Rehab Postal Employees

OPM Submits Proposal To Create Short-Term Disability Insurance Program

To Err Is Not Human for Demoted Postal Supervisor

USPS Resolves Dispute With Unions Over Computer Security Rules

USPS Selects Former Halliburton Executive As New CIO

Big Pay Increases Approved For Top Postal Service Officers

USPS Retail Cost Cutting (PDF)

click here to read the award (PDF) | A Short Comparison of USPS Contracts With APWU, NPMHU, NALC and NRLCA |

Flat Sequencing System (FSS) Strategy



			December 31, 2009 APWU: Is The OIG Workers’ Comp Fraud Campaign Scamming USPS? "The USPS Office of Inspector General recently launched a “Workers’ Compensation Fraud Campaign.” In typical OIG fashion, one of its strategies involves demonizing injured workers by having an actor posing as a postal employee cheerfully brag about cheating the Workers’ Comp program. One has to wonder whether it’s the OIG itself that is guilty of scamming the USPS . In Fiscal Year 2009, the OIG was appropriated $239.3 million in Postal Service funds from which, at its own admission, OIG “commits significant resources toward identifying claimants who defraud the system." Un-Merry Christmas For 27-Year Postal Employee Fired After Failing Window Training - Postal Employee fired after volunteering --then failing window training. The employee was not assigned to a bid with window duties. Letter Carriers to Deliver Medicine in Case of Anthrax Attack, Obama Orders The U.S. Postal Service would be responsible for delivering the medical countermeasures, such as antibiotics, to residents for self administration across all communities in the United States, according to the President's Executive Order issued today. The Order requires that a plan for supplementing local law enforcement personnel with local federal law enforcement officers as well as other appropriate personnel, to escort U.S. Postal workers delivering medical countermeasures must be developed within 180 days. \| USPS Unveils 2010 Stamp Program - Mother Teresa, Katherine Hepburn, Gene Autry APWU: A Pathetic Way to Treat a Public Service (Contract Postal Unit in Pawn Shop) Postal Service to hold public hearing on moving Tupelo mail operations to Memphis USPS Plans Hearing on Consolidation of Panama City Processing and Distribution Center USPS Looks to Save $527K by moving mail operations from Wheeling to Pittsburgh
			December 30, 2009 APWU Sues USPS To Halt Closure Of Philly L & DC Until Dispute Over AMP Study Is Settled - In this suit, the Union is asking the Court to order the Postal Service to maintain the status quo until an arbitrator can resolve the parties' dispute over the need for an Area Mail Processing study. The Union is seeking to expedite the processing of its grievance in this case so that it can be arbitrated at the earliest possible date -- as soon as there is an arbitrator from the parties' arbitration panel available to hear it.. Note: Some portions of the summary were taken from the Union's Step 2 Grievance Appeal and not the court case. Postal Workers, Congressman, go to court to save Philadelphia L&DC Mail Handlers Union Signs Settlement On National Reassessment Program The National Office of the NPMHU recently signed a settlement with USPS management concerning the National Reassessment Program (NRP), which is being used by the Postal Service to re-evaluate all limited duty and rehabilitation positions held by mail handlers and other postal employees who have been injured on the job. Mother Teresa, Gene Autry on upcoming US stamps Postal Accounting Snafus Might Be Bad News for Publishers
			December 29, 2009 Connecticut postal worker killed by falling tree A postal worker in Bethlehem was killed this morning when a tree fell on her postal truck. Letter carrier brought kindness, joy to route \| Connecticut postal worker killed by falling tree Blizzard halts weekend mail delivery Olivehurst plant closure debated In the mail: Central NY readers defend U.S. postal system
			December 28, 2009 Connecticut District Court Dismisses Postal Clerk’s Sexual Harassment Suit Guy Johnson, a postal clerk in North Stonington, CT. claims stem from a number of allegedly harassing incidents at work. A supervisor allegedly sexually harassed him on the basis of his sexual orientation and gender. Johnson sought assistance from his supervisor , but the supervisor refused. Johnson filed suit in separate cases against both supervisors. The district court dismissed both of the cases saying Johnson failed to exhaust his administrative remedies prior to filing suit. Postal Service as Editorial Fodder Postmaster Spilde retires after 37 years 'Mailman Gene' Santa letter effort gets boost from controversy
			December 27, 2009 Appeals Court Upholds Demotion of California Postmaster Robert Di Paolo appeals a decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board (“MSPB” or “Board”) sustaining his demotion from the position of Postmaster to Supervisor in the Lincoln Post Office, Sacramento District, Pacific Area. The demotion was based on four charges: (1) inappropriate stamp purchases, (2) receipt of alcohol on postal property, (3) failure to follow instructions, and (4) inappropriate use of information technology. Postal Service isn't perfect, but is there a better answer? But you'd still have to wonder how any such private-sector players would be more successful at the game than a long-established heavyweight like the Postal Service.' If the system was privatized, it might cost 44 cents to get a letter across Los Angeles but $5 to get it to Connecticut,'' said Maher, the Postal Service spokesman.' When you think about a network that delivers to all homes every day -- it's huge,'' he said. ''Would a private company be able to do that? I don't think so. I think we would lose universal service.'' Shirley L. McLennan, APWU Clerk National Business Agent Dies Arcola fire breaks ‘heart’ of town; post office closed indefinitely Possible Bowling Green (KY) consolidation of mail operations is causing concern
			December 26, 2009 APWU Wins Work Assignment Dispute with NPMHU In 2001, APWU grieved the Postal Service’s assignment of bar code scanning work at the Oakland (CA) Airport Mail Facility . The Postal Service responded that the grievance was not a jurisdictional claim because the assignment was made before April 1992. NPMHU then sued in federal court to overturn the arbitrator’s decision. The District Court upheld the arbitrator’s decision on arbitrability even though it was, in the court’s words, “probably erroneous.” The Court of Appeals agreed with the District Court upholding the arbitrator’s decision in this case. WV: Hacker Valley post office sparks national inquiry NC: Highway Reopens after semi hauling mail for USPS overturns Families surprised by Express Mail on Christmas Colorado mail carrier swaps blues for Santa suit to deliver Christmas packages First Christmas Card Was Arty, Riled Scrooges California: UPS deliveryman arrested for stealing $40,000 in packages
			December 25, 2009 California Plant Reduces Window Of Operations The Long Beach plant faced shrinking mail volumes, a reduced workforce, elimination of outgoing letter and flat operations, and excess processing capacity. “We needed to align our reduced workforce to meet our operating plan commitments,” explained Plunkett. The solution was a “super tour,” compressing work that was once done in three 8-hour tours into one 12-14 hour timeframe, beginning between 4-5 p.m \| Senate-Passed Health Bill Safeguards FEHBP Risk-Pool, But Taxes Premiums One of the major points of contention in the soon-to-be-started House-Senate Conference Committee will be the Senate-passed 40% excise tax on high-premium insurance plans. This tax proposal has created a firestorm of protest, particularly from unions, and has created a major political problem for Democrats. One of the defining issues in 2008 elections was taxation of employer-provided health benefits – Democrats, led by Presidential Candidate Obama, campaigned against the levy. (Interestingly, this morning’s Washington Post reported that President Obama accepts the tax.) \| Not your usual Santa’s sleigh Tiny post office carries the mail with plenty of charm Postal Service deserves respect
			December 24, 2009 USPS OIG: San Francisco Napoleon Street Post Office Carrier Delivery Efficiency Review (PDF) This self-initiated audit addresses operational risk and is the first in a series of city delivery efficiency reviews. By making adjustments to its operations, the Napoleon Street Station’s overall productivity would increase, thereby saving approximately $2.1 million annually, or $21,308,433 over 10 years. Although the Postal Service has achieved significant gains in automated mail processing plants, mail delivery remains primarily a manual process. To effectively manage this process and improve productivity, delivery managers must eliminate process inefficiencies and manage costs by accurately matching workload to workhours, adjusting or eliminating unnecessary routes, managing staff resources, and following a rigorous standardization of best practices. Delivery operations are the Postal Service’s largest operational function, accounting for approximately 45 percent of salary expenses and workhours \| Holiday Grinch goes postal — scatters letters, steals parcels Massachusetts: Ex-postal clerk on probation in embezzlement Arizona: $10,000 reward offered after mail collection box stolen Stamp of approval for Santa’s letters Postal truck crashes in Deer Park CA Group uses military flat rate priority boxes to ship simple gifts to troops in Afghanistan That's Not Coal In Those Packages December 23, 2009 UPDATE: Gunman is in custody: Hostages safe in Wytheville Post Office stand off - Police indicate that the hostages came out first. The suspect, Warren "Gator" Taylor, then came out in his wheelchair without any weapons or explosives Hostages Held At Wytheville Virginia Post Office A armed wheelchair-bound man carrying explosives held five hostages Wednesday afternoon at the Wytheville, Va., Post Office, police said. Southwest Virginia Today reported multiple gunshots were heard in the vicinity. Police said the man had 5 pounds of the plastic explosive C-4 strapped to his wheelchair. Postal worker Walt Korndorfer told Southwest Virginia Today he ran from the building after hearing shots. He’s holding 3 postal workers and 2 customers hostage Wytheville Hostage Update 8:30 p.m. \| Rasmussen Reports: 28% Using Postal Service Less This Holiday Season A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 12% report using the post office more this holiday season. Most Americans (60%) say they are mailing about the same amount as always. \| NAPS Accuses USPS of Lowering Managers Performance Ratings (PDF) Due to the financial condition of the Postal Service, somewhere in the organization there was the belief that individuals who had achieved good and, in some cases excellent results in their Core goals should not have the ratings that the program calls for due to the poor financials of the Postal service. \| Postal workers make Christmas bright for Pennsylvania family Editorial: Making sure the US Postal Service delivers
			December 22, 2009 Burrus Update: A Clear Picture A recent study [PDF] proudly reports the low cost of processing automated letters: just $6.17 per 1,000 pieces. The analysis neglects to mention, however, the wide disparity between USPS processing costs and the discounts the Postal Service grants major mailers for “worksharing. \| Editorial: Not going postal This is government bureaucracy at its worst. The Postal Service cannot compete with private rivals FedEx or UPS despite having nearly 700,000 subsidized employees, a monopoly on first-class mail and the sole right to use every Americans' mailbox. \| Great Falls Postal Carriers Deal With Icy Conditions Mail carriers double their work load after weekend snow storm The Cost of Reducing the Workforce Former postal worker accused of threatening to blow up post office Time runs short for sending packages Mail carrier braves elements on 7-mile downtown route Massage Envy to offer free back rubs at post office What to Do While Waiting in Line at the Post Office Triangle post office mailboxes overflowing Post office modifies collection hours
			December 21, 2009 Paying More to Send U.S. Mail at U.P.S. Stores Posing as customers, reporters for The New York Times visited several U.P.S. stores last week looking to mail an item by Priority Mail — one of the postal service’s signature offerings. In nearly every instance, they were quoted prices well above the government postal rate, and only one of them was told they were paying a premium for the convenience of using a U.P.S. Store. \| Santa in Blue: Postal workers continue one man's charity Oregon: Postal Service union fights consolidation Washington DC: Federal Government But All Postal Workers Must Report to Work The Postman Who Paints Stamp collectors cling to hobby of a vanishing breed Answering letters to Santa in North Pole inspires filmmaker
			December 20, 2009 District Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against USPS For Selling Employees Personal Data - This is an update on the nationwide class action court case involving Postal employees filed two years ago.. Postal Employees claimed that USPS violated the Privacy Act by selling its employee master file, containing personal, private employee information, including “the complete home address database of all career and non-career, full and part-time employees. The Postal Service argued in part the lawsuit should be dismissed because (1) it is an improper challenge to a Postal Service regulation, i.e., the “Strategic Business Initiatives Plan, Management Instruction - AS-333-2004-7,” ; (2) it arises out of Postal Employees’ employment relationship with the Postal Service. \| APWU National Officer Prevails In MSPB Case On USPS Reassessment Program - The Postal Clerk’s supervisor issued a letter directing her to leave work that day and not to return until contacted. The letter stated it was based on a determination, as part of the USPS' National Reassessment Process (NRP), that there were no operationally necessary tasks meeting the clerk's medical restrictions within her regular hours of duty at her facility. OPM’s regulations provide the following restoration rights to a partially recovered employee: Agencies must make every effort to restore in the local commuting area, according to the circumstances in each case, an individual who has partially recovered from a compensable injury and who is able to return to limited duty. At a minimum, this would mean treating these employees substantially the same as other handicapped individuals under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. USPS did not follow those regulations. \| USPS Plans To Root Out Sex Offenders The United States Postal Service plans to conduct an ongoing data comparison program to identify any current Postal Service employees who are required by law to register on a public registry of sex offenders. These registries contain information about individuals who are statutorily required to register, having committed offenses of sexual violence against adults or children, certain other crimes against victims who are minors, or other comparable offenses. \| Sick Leave Credit For FERS Employees Postal employees who retire under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) will receive credit for their unused sick leave when they retire. The new provision — which became effective Oct. 28 with the president’s signing of the fiscal year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act — will be phased in over four years. \| Time to privatize the Postal Service? The postal service isn't perfect. But it shows why public options are important -- and, in some cases, necessary. \| Letters to Santa show how children view the world Former USPS Employee Who Removed Items From Mail Pleads Guilty Postal worker sentenced to probation for gift card theft Indiana home, but Ohio mail
			December 19, 2009 Bad Post Office. Good Post Office Customers question postal service's efficiency during holidays Fewer people are sending holiday cards via snail mail in 2009 Holiday packages on the move US Post Office box stolen from busy street corner In Cornelius, the post office bustles on the busiest day of the year Postal Service's biggest day Postal Service considers 'efficiencies' for local operations
			December 18, 2009 USPS cutting losses, targets Saturday delivery FederalNewsRadio.com - Leaders at the Postal Service say they're going to ask Congress to end Saturday mail delivery next year in order to save money. The formal proposal could come soon in the new year. Pat Donahoe, Deputy Postmaster General, told the Federal Drive the Saturday elimination is what the customers would rather have. \| Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be mail sorters The Postal Service, printing, and newspaper publishing will be in the top 10 for employment declines between 2008 and 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics report says. The 30 occupations with the largest projected decreases during that period include “postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators” (-30%); “paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders” (-21%); “postal service clerks” (-18%); and “mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service” (-11%). \| In Cornelius, the post office bustles on the busiest day of the year Postal Service's biggest day Holiday card business is chilled by the economic downturn Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be mail sorters
			December 17, 2009 John McCain Complains About USPS Giving Senators Personalized Stampbook - "Until the Postal Service no longer owes American taxpayers billions of dollars, I request that you refrain from spending limited Postal Service resources on unnecessary items such as engraved albums showcasing commemoratives stamps for members of Congress and instead focus on moving the Postal Service to fiscal solvency. " \|Comments (97) Quarterly NAPUS/USPS Consultative Meeting (PDF) Short-term Supervisor Selection Process Info Parked mail truck makes resident fume Women fired from Postal Contractor claim harassment ‎ Former contract postal carrier sentenced to prison time Time for Postal Service fleet to go green, lawmaker says Postal supervisor stole student mail Postal Worker Hospitalized After Dog Attack Frigid Delivery Olivehurst: Postal plan prompts protest Ex-postal carrier given probation for not delivering mail
			December 16, 2009 Editorial: Make the appointed rounds If the United States Postal Service can deal with wind, rain, sleet and snow it should be able to handle darkness. The inability of the Postal Service to deliver mail to some sectors of Pittsfield in a timely fashion is indefensible, the challenges of the Christmas season notwithstanding. Original Story (12/16) \| Lack of clerks leads to postal frustration The busiest Christmas mailing day is here and if you tried to send something, you probably noticed some pretty long lines. Those lines were caused in part by a shortage of postal workers. Customers using this post office say they were surprised to see just one counter worker with so many people waiting to be helped. . (12/15) \| A PWU Appeals to Arbitration USPS Decision to Subcontract FSM 1000 Modifications Postal workers handling holiday mail worry their jobs are fragile Mail processing to stay in Salinas Holidays mean thieves have mail set in their sights NJ lawmakers to consider 'Do-Not-Solicit' registry Postal supervisor pleads guilty to embezzlement and theft charges -Twenty-two year postal career ends in courtroom F rederick (MD) consolidation plan questioned at public hearing Pittsfield (MA) residents miffed by lack of mail deliveries Postal workers handling holiday mail worry their jobs are fragile Closing Post Offices ... in Switzerland Marriage, Divorce, Birth, Death House-sized boulder falls on road, just misses postal worker
			December 15, 2009 USPS adjusts Express Mail refund eligibility for Dec 22-25 Postal Service stampede Post offices pack 'em in, but not like before on busiest day of the year Postal Complaint Leads to Scuffle, Shots Fired Congress and the Postal Service Hub Post Offices May Be on Chopping Block Changes at Bristol Post Office cause concern for town USPS OIG: The Changing Change of Address System
			December 14, 2009 GAO: USPS National Reassessment Program For Injured Employees Needs Improvement --After 3 years, none of the Service’s districts had completely implemented the program, and implementation in most is far from complete. Available data on employee outcomes are limited and preliminary because implementation is ongoing, and the Service does not track employees who receive medically suitable and necessary work—the goal of the program. . \| USPS: Fewer Than 170 Post Offices Remain On Closure List Fewer than 170 offices remain under review for possible consolidation under the U.S. Postal Service station and branch consolidation initiative. \| Deadbeat Feds: Employees owe Uncle Sam $3 Billion in unpaid taxes The agency with the most tax scofflaws is the U.S. Postal Service, with 28,913 employees who owe $297,933,756. But that is still a dramatic improvement from 2007 when more than 54,000 employees owed more than $407 million. We urge our employees to comply with all tax laws and are encouraged that many who have been delinquent have agreed to payment plan with the IRS," USPS spokesperson Mark Saunders tells WTOP in a statement. \| Deaf postal worker greets customers with a smile Most days, Joe Ortiz works at the Seventh Street branch of the U.S. Postal Service. He'll greet you with a smile and handle your business quickly and efficiently. It's only then that you realize you haven't heard him speak during the transaction. Ortiz, an employee of the Postal Service for 25 years, is deaf, but that doesn't slow him down. \| Congressman: Postal Service not being honest about Elmira consolidation CA: Neither rain, wind stop Yuba-Sutter Mail facility protest to save 170 jobs Salinas Mail Processing Center won't close for now Tradition of holiday cards survives a Scrooge of an economy Richmond-area nonprofits express concern about Postal Service delivery problems Not your father's post office
			December 13, 2009 Connecticut: Union leader claims Waterbury post office overwhelmed, hiding leftover mail in closets Ray Arcovio, president of the Waterbury area postal workers' union, says managers at the post office have been hiding mail in closets and unused rooms at mail facilities in Waterbury and Wallingford because they've had trouble processing and delivering a high volume of mail \| Survey: American Are Tipping Mail Carriers Less This year ..Americans have become more choosy about whom and how much to tip at the holidays, according to a nationally representative survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. During the 2008 holidays, fewer people than in the previous year tipped their mail carrier and others. See chart of what tippers gave \| Flat-rate shipping -- is it really a great deal? Mail Carrier Haunted By Brutal Attack On Job Postal workers warn of delivery delays if Marysville center closes Pennsylvania town would like to have its mail delivered Holiday stamp a tradition for Rudolph (WI) Christmas mail Pittsburgh: Arnold, Parnassus post office branches could be closed
			December 12, 2009 Snow cancels mail in Bellevue, elsewhere Changes at Indiana Post Office cause concern for town Postal worker or thief? Don't be fooled Who suffers from postal cuts? Post office is Grinch for Rutland mailman Updated: The Unofficial Guide to Flats Sequencing eNAPUS: Senate Democrats Focus on FEHBP as Potential Vehicle for 'Public Option' (PDF) Postal services get exclusive '.post' address Female letter carrier used post office pet repellent to fight off attacker Teays Valley post office a 'hidden jewel' Purolator USA, Canadian in the US Parcel Market
			December 11, 2009 No Christmas Miracle at the Post Office Dozens of Post Office Locations May See Their Last Holiday as Postal Service Struggles to Get Back in the Black. \| Health care update: Excise tax amendments, possible FEHBP role NALC e-activist Network - Two U.S. senators have responded to the campaign by NALC and other unions to remove an excise tax on health plans, now in the Senate health care bill, that could negatively affect letter carriers’ health plans later in the next decade. Joined by workers and labor leaders at a press conference, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced an amendment to strip the Senate health care bill of the provision which would tax so-called “Cadillac” health plans. \| Post Office Rats Take Big Bites Out Of Manhattan Packages A situation has been eating away at the residents of Brevoort East in Greenwich Village, as locals claim that rodents have been chewing on their packages at the local post office. \| Elmira: USPS Responds to Postal Workers Claims Open Season resource: All you need to know before Monday Post office robber gets 12 years Post office still stuck with $10K rent Postal Service Delays Decision Putting flat-rate shipping deals to the test Wheeling: Postal Workers Will Learn Fate in January 'An outstanding year' pulls Valpak off market Postal Worker Attacked at Knifepoint in Dorchester Losing a Lifetime Benefit Former postal carrier charged with stealing Muncie mail UPS driver accused of stealing shipments, then selling them on eBay
			December 10, 2009 APWU: Department of Labor to Reconsider Bush’s Last-Minute FMLA Changes - Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis ann o unced [PDF] Dec. 7 that she is reviewing changes made early this year to regulations governing the Family and Medical Leave Act. The announcement has set off speculation that the Department of Labor will overturn revisions implemented at the very end of the Bush administration. \| Burrus: Here We Go Again Influential voices within the postal community have once again begun the drumbeat for postal “reform,” suggesting that the USPS business model is fatally flawed. We have heard this song many times before — throughout the 1990s and during the early part of this decade. The record is clear. Despite the promises, the effects of “reform” have been more harmful than helpful. And one reform seems to lead inevitably to the next. \| Holiday mail declines due to economy, e-mail Victor Dubina, U.S. Postal Service corporate communications coordinator said single-piece stamped mail, like greeting cards and bills, seem to be the product line most affected by electronic diversion such as online bill pay and online greeting cards." We're actually now processing at levels I've not seen since 1964," he said. "Yes, the holiday seasons are still big times for us, but the past couple of years it's still gone down. We have seen a steady decline locally as well as nationally. \| USPS misused over $4.86 million in no-fee money orders (PDF) this audit disclosed that personnel used no-fee money orders for convenience when other payment methods were prescribed and, in isolated instances, to commit fraud. In addition, employees did not maintain adequate documentation to support the use of no-fee money orders and input incorrect reason codes when processing transactions. Nationwide, we determined that units have misused over $4.86 million in no-fee money orders over the last 24 months. In another instance, the district manager authorized the use of no-fee money orders to purchase tickets for an annual luncheon sponsored by the Department of Labor. \| Postal Service Processes Billionth Intelligent Mail Piece AT&T Government Solutions Awarded $120 Million Contract Extension from USPS Avoca wants post office to remain Iowa: Mail delivery may be delayed until streets are cleared of snow Postal Service defends Marysville closure study As post office branch faces uncertain future, community takes action Man struck by mail truck Royal Mail profits rise despite postal fall Local mail carriers slowed but not stopped by snow CA: Postal Service shifts some Oxnard operations Pennsylvania: postal contract carrier sentenced to probation Health Plans: The Usual Suspects, except... Historic downtown Golden post office may be put up for sale Former NY postmaster gets probation for PO theft Residents Up in Arms over Mailbox Ordinance Union: Mail Delivery Could Take Drastic Hit If London KY processing operation is moved to Lexington
			December 9, 2009 U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers to Collect Food Dec. 12 Get ready to wait at the Norwood post office Magazine and Newspaper Publishers Introduce Their Digital Newsstand Elderly residents angry over moved mailbox Town adamant about getting post office Postal service union dissatisfied with BU admin Senator Collins questions moves by post office Postal workers find scam Carrier pleads guilty to drug charges Married mail carriers make t
			December 8, 2009 USPS DPMG Reports Average Wait Time In Line Is Just Over Three Minutes Reviewing year-to-date performance for WTIL, Donahoe reports that the average WTIL in Post Offices surveyed is just over 3 minutes. Year-to-date WTIL performance stands at 84.3 percent. This year’s goal is for 88 percent of customers to experience a wait time in Post Office lobbies of 5 minutes or less. \| Excessed Postal Workers Concerned More than a dozen postal workers don't know where they'll be working at the end of this month. In November, 60 day notices were given to approximately 36 clerks and mail handlers at the Sullivan Street processing facility. PR note: In my facility twelve postal employees were given notices back in September stating they will be excessed by December 5th. Now that date has come and gone without any notification as to whether will be excessed or not. \| Popular Mailman Is Back On Old Route Hundreds of residents of a Brooklyn Heights apartment tower hailed the return of their beloved letter carrier, four months after their building had been removed from his route amid supposed budget shortfalls four months ago. \| Mail Model for Rural America Homer Glen, the town with no post office House Passes Bill to Raise Funds for Endangered Species Through New Postage Stamp 'Going Postal' Identifying Factors Flexible Spending Account Tax Break in Trouble? Federal Workers Gripe About Senate Health Bill
			December 7, 2009 USPS employee? Filed a grievance? Federal Times: I’m working on a story about the Postal Service’s labor grievance process, and I’m looking for postal employees who have filed grievances against USPS. Don’t care what the outcome was — whether you won, you lost, or the complaint is still pending. \| NALC Joins Other Labor Unions In Urging Senate to Drop Tax on Health Plans NALC President Fred Rolando, in a joint letter with leaders of four other major labor unions, urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) December 1 to seek an alternative in pending health care legislation to a proposed excise tax on health insurance plans that would unjustly penalize millions of middle-income workers. APWU, Other Federal Unions Assail Excise Tax \| Letter From Concerned Postmaster to PMG Potter I am a working Postmaster with two clerks in my office. I would like to be able to shorten the hours of the window and perform the daily operation by myself. However, the paperwork and computer burden that I have to perform is creating and administration position. I work in the Northeast Area and we have logs, check offs, computer check offs, mail measurements, and the list goes on. If I were able to do what was mandated by Headquarters or I could eliminate both of my clerk positions and save $130,000 a year in salary and benefits. I’m amazed that every District and every Area has their own way of doing things. We should have one business model, like McDonalds. \| House Passes Bill to Raise Funds for Endangered Species Through New Postage Stamp Calif.: Wrong way driver dies in collision with mail contractor semi truck Amazon: Avoiding the Post Office \| Update: Amazon denies the story Possible Closures for Two Indianapolis Post Offices
			December 6, 2009 National Conversation on the Future of Mail Congressman intervenes, PO won't reduce hours Clarksville residents don't want post offices to close Local fisherman finds mail dumped
			December 5, 2009 OIG: USPS Executives In Non-Compliance With Spending on Events, Meals and Purchases (PDF) No business justification was provided for $355,451 of food - While overall spending using the SmartPay2® Purchase card has declined in the past year, our audit disclosed non-compliance with the policy on meals and events and continued imprudent purchases during this time of economic uncertainty for the Postal Service. Based on our review of judgmentally selected transactions, we identified over $792,000 in purchases that were not made in accordance with Postal Service policy and over $54,000 in imprudent purchases. A postmaster installation celebration and reception held in October 2008 included unallowable food purchases totaling over $17,000. The menu included crab cakes, beef wellington, shrimp, and scallops. archive: USPS OIG’s Review Of Postal Managers Unnecessary Purchases \| OIG Audit: USPS Los Angeles District Unable To Account For Over $1.6 Million In Money Orders (PDF) This report presents the results of our audit of financial accountability in the Los Angeles District . We identified internal control deficiencies over stamp, money order, and cash accountability; and financial accounting and reporting. Management at three units did not properly account for 4,204 unrecorded, missing, or old style money orders valued at $1,681,600.9 Postal Service policy requires the postmaster to maintain an accurate inventory of all accountable paper within the postal retail unit. The xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx attributed these conditions to inadequately trained supervisors, frequent detail assignments, and acting manager assignments. When controls are not functioning as prescribed, there is an increased risk the Postal Service could lose cash, accountable items, and revenue without detection and misstate financial records. \| OIG Audit Identifies Nearly $9 Million In Unrecoverable, Unsupported Costs For Office Supplies Transactions (PDF) The Postal Service established the backdoor order entry process when it created the OfficeMax contract in January 2000. At that time, there were still a substantial number of offices without access to the Internet or the eBuy system. The backdoor process allowed these offices to mail, fax, or telephone orders to OfficeMax, who would enter the order into the system for processing and payment. Since there is no validation of purchase approval or independent certification of the invoice before payment, we identified $8,979,032 in unrecoverable unsupported questioned costs8 for the 163,446 backdoor transactions that occurred from July 2007 through June 2009. \| Orlando Postal Workers Picket Closure Plans Oklahoma: Stephens County Ex-Postal Employee Under Investigation Most Wanted Posters Not Wanted By Post Office Massachusetts mailman shot by BB gun Postal workers await flurry Mailing to Santa: How do other countries handle it? Tom Brokaw, wife uninjured in fatal vehicle accident involving postal truck
			December 4, 2009 Cutting Hours or Cutting Post Offices The Postal Service has reduced operating hours at Post Offices across the U.S. for much of the past year. The Portland Press Herald recently reported on decisions affecting 52 offices in New England. Similar actions have taken place in Maryland, including my local post office in Silver Spring. What the Postal Service is now doing is not much different than what public libraries, recreations centers, parks and other government service centers do when struck with declining budgets. When the agency cannot close a library do to community or political pressure, it finds it politically easier to cut hours of all libraries instead. Community pressure is less intense if the hours are cut by 10% instead of cutting 10% of facilities. \| USPS Reports Net Income Loss of $221 Million For October 2009 The U.S. Postal Service filed its October 2009 (unaudited) preliminary financial report today with the Postal Regulatory Commission. USPS reported a net income loss of $221 million Mail volume was down across all classes with an overall total decrease of 17.3%. The Postal Service continues to reduce its workhours with reduction of 10.0%. \| Former postal inspector admits illegally mailing golf clubs, booze and ammo A retired U.S. postal inspector has admitted in federal court that he sent nonmailable items through the mail and used government mailing labels to send dozens of parcels to avoid payment of postage \| Former Postal Employee Gets Prison for Stealing Stamps Worth Over $682,000 According to his plea agreement, Foster was a window clerk at the Elkridge USPS office since 1998. First class postage stamps are provided by USPS to local post offices packaged in “bricks” of 2,000 stamps valued at $840 per brick and “coils” of 100 stamps valued at $42. From at least June 2008 through March 2009, Foster stole “bricks” and “coils” of stamps from the post office, which he provided to a co-conspirator and others to sell. The Elkridge USPS office has lost $682,809 as a result of the postage stamp theft scheme. ;\| 'Dear Santa' letters ending up in the shredder Saginaw postal employees picket to inform residents: 25 jobs in jeopardy USPS Santa program reinstated in the Los Angeles district Earning Profits in Local Delivery Japan Blocks Postal Service Privatization Thieves target delivery packages on doorsteps Eau Claire: USPS agrees to pay thousands of dollars in fines List of health benefits plans reducing service areas FedEx to raise Ground, Home Delivery rates at least 5%
			December 3, 2009 Mailing holiday cards? Avoid discount stamps Use local post office or lose it, mayor says Zumbox launches in major cities Postal facility takes shape in Eagan Please Mr. Postman Postal Service mail tracking system doesn't deliver Future of mail facility hanging USPS employee charged with child porn L.A. Postal Workers Continue 'Dear Santa' Letters 2 W. Seneca youths held in threats to mailman
			December 2, 2009 Postal worker charged with 27 counts of burglary Mail carrier dies after rollover in LaFayette Saginaw postal workers plan to protest Thursday Postal Service mail tracking system doesn't deliver $50K Reward Offered In Postal Truck Robbery Postal Puzzle In Pittsburgh Is An Art Project Specifics scarce at hearing in Kalamazoo on postal-consolidation plan All Funds Increase in November Kalamazoo: Postal workers in limbo from consolidation Financial Insolvency
			December 1, 2009 Flats Sequencing Forecast: Cloudy With a Chance of Bravado Despite equipment problems, schedule delays, and evidence of engineering miscues, postal officials are eagerly moving ahead with installation of the Flats Sequencing System. Dead Tree Edition Blog Not Dead Yet \| USPS OIG: We "Advertise" for You? Is selling advertising space on delivery vehicles and/or Postal Service property a good idea? \| Soldier's mom sues over letter stamped 'deceased' Semi-Annual Report on the Audit, Investigative and Security Activities of the USPS (PDF) Lake Station post office to stay open; victory march on Wednesday The highs and lows of direct mail Government CIOs Must Focus on Results, Not Data Centers Postman wins national award Bike, mail truck collide; 1 dead Muppets Join USPS To Kick Off Holiday Mailing Season Postal Service asks for return of equipment in Western NY USPS To Keep Rocky Mount Mail processing night shift Postal Service Hearing on Moving Kalamazoo Sorting Facility to Grand Rapids Tonight FEHBP Premiums: Only Half The Story Three armed men assault and attempt to rob Indiana letter carrier

UPDATE: Gunman is in custody: Hostages safe in Wytheville Post Office stand off - Police indicate that the hostages came out first. The suspect, Warren "Gator" Taylor, then came out in his wheelchair without any weapons or explosives

Hostages Held At Wytheville Virginia Post Office