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Postal Service, Rural Carriers Sign Contract Extension-The U.S. Postal Service and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) have extended their collective bargaining agreement by two years.  Postmaster General Jack Potter and NRLCA President Dale Holton signed the agreement earlier this week.  The existing collective bargaining agreement was originally set to expire on Nov. 20, 2004.  It has now been extended to Nov. 20, 2006.

Report: USPS Seeks Approval to Increase First Class Postage to 41 Cents -"Ralph Moden, senior vice president of government relations for the Postal Service, said the agency was already planning to file for a rate increase early next year to "cover inflationary pressures," the (Wall Street) Journal reported. But now the percentage of the increase likely will be in the double digits if the postal service must keep contributing to the pensions of veterans and can't tap the pension-fund savings, Moden said.|

- USPS Set to Stick Us With 41-Cent Stamp

- USPS Goes Postal-"As its high-margin business moves elsewhere, USPS has increasingly been relegated to the role of junk mail transporter."

National Level Postal Arbitrator Carlton Snow Dies- Professor Carlton Snow, a renowned law professor at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and a national level arbitrator who arbitrated numerous and significant postal related cases, died suddenly Nov. 19, 2004 at the Salem Hospital from a massive brain hemorrhage, Ironically, Professor Snow was giving a class to a group of arbitration students on Thursday, November 18th when he suddenly collapsed. Professor Snow's funeral is scheduled for 2PM on November 30th in Salem-Summary by Bob Patterson President Salem (Oregon) Area Local APWU |

Embattled Postal Vice President to retire-Francia Smith, the U.S. Postal Service vice president and consumer advocate who is the subject of an inspector general investigation, will retire in February, the agency said Nov. 17.The Postal Service said that Smith made the decision to retire on her own and that there was no connection to the IG’s investigation. The IG’s office is looking into whether Smith tried to influence a contract award. |

- GAO Report(pdf)

 Houston Carrier Uses Army Experience to Fight Off Knife-Welding Attacker-Police are on the hunt for a man who tried to sexually assault a letter carrier, but he quickly found out he'd picked the wrong postal worker. Tijuana Abbott says she was delivering mail when a man armed with a knife grabbed her, and tried to get her into his truck.  She wrestled herself free, grabbed his knife, and hurled it at him, but he got away. Abbott called the post office about the assault, but claims her supervisor told her to just continue her mail route. The supervisor denies that claim. |

USPS Transformation Plan Progress Report 2004-"The Transformation Plan Progress Report (November 2004) details specific developments and successes of transformation efforts since publication of the Transformation Plan Progress Report (November 2003). The Postal Service is on track to meet and perhaps even exceed its $5 billion savings commitment made in the 2002 Transformation Plan. Through 2004, the estimated incremental annual savings totals $4.3 billion. Cumulatively, that equates to $8.8 billion for the first three years of the Transformation Plan."  Outsourcing Injured Employees: "Currently, 356 employees have been outplaced, have retired, or have received compensation reductions through the rehabilitation program." |

Postal delivery goes into the night-"Nighttime mail delivery has become commonplace in Upland and San Antonio Heights as staffing shortages translate into longer routes for carriers. "It's been pretty brutal," the 50-year-old carrier said of the past few months at the Upland post office. "We're working 12-, 13-, 14-hour days. It adds up. We get tired. It's not just me. People have been working as late at 9 p.m."|

 Missouri Group Protests Postal Woes: Organizers want renovations and better service. Scores of customers sign petition asking for more staff and funding to remodel the Columbia, MO post office . “We’re not blaming the workers for the poor service; there is not enough staff.”

Report: USPS Seeks Approval to Increase First Class Postage to 41 Cents-First-class stamps, which have risen 12 percent since 2001, would increase to at least 41 cents, the Wall Street Journal reported in a story on its Web site |

- USPS Set to Stick Us With 41-Cent Stamp

- USPS Goes Postal-"As its high-margin business moves elsewhere, USPS has increasingly been relegated to the role of junk mail transporter."

Sunday Premium Settlement Payment Due in Dec. 17 Paycheck -The settlement provided that any employee whose regular schedule included a period of service, any part of which was within the period between midnight Saturday and midnight Sunday, including those employees on court leave, military leave or continuation of pay (COP), who was not paid Sunday premium for each hour or COP, military leave, and court leave during those periods of service from February 2000 through the present, as a result of disputed changes to the Employees and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) made in calendar year 2000, shall receive payment at the then-current rate for Sunday premium not paid.

Hazards for Letter Carriers On The Rise-"Twice in the past month, robbers have targeted East Bay (Calif.) letter carriers. The incidents have raised a red flag at the Postal Inspectors Office because the carriers -- not the mail -- have become the targets. The recent crime spree against East Bay mail carriers has been mirrored by activity elsewhere in the country during roughly the same period. If that criminal activity is a predictor of the coming season, it's time for postal inspectors to start working overtime." |

Postal Supervisor faces possible discipline for speaking out over mail stoppage-Less than a week after going to the press about the U.S. Postal Service's cancellation of his mail delivery because of two dog signs on his front door a postal supervisor said he is now facing possible disciplinary action at work because he spoke out.|

- NAPUS Announces Mitigating Factors Process for Pay For Performance

Commentary: Rain, Sleet -- Phooey... NASCAR Sponsorship is a Money-Wasting Snowjob -by Sam Ryan of the Lexington Institute: Teaming up with NASCAR is just one more wrong turn for the postal service. "Despite its huge captive market, the postal service continues to use advertising to blow its own horn. Last year, its Office of the Inspector General released a report revealing that the USPS spent $48 million on sports sponsorships from 1996 to 2002 — and still couldn't tell whether its largess was making a wit of difference. The report found that the postal service "lacked goals and objectives" for 10 out of 11 sponsorships examined. It also found that "no single executive or office [had] complete knowledge and accountability" over sponsorships. Moreover, the postal service "was unable to verify revenue claimed as a result of sponsorships and, therefore, could not determine return on investment." .. until the postal service becomes a legitimate private company, it's got no business burning millions at the races. "(LA Times subscription) |

'Please Mr. Postman' delivers gold for Motown's Marvelettes 43 years later-  Motown  presented the Marvelettes with gold records for the 1961 hit "Please, Mr. Postman" during a ceremony at the Marvelettes' alma mater, Inkster High School in Detroit MI. | lyrics

Mailman ticketed for attacking dog- A letter carrier accused of attacking a dog on his route and then threatening some witnesses was ticketed today by animal control investigators. Witnesses said Thelma, a 30-pound terrier mix, was provoked into biting the mail carrier outside a house in Shreveport's Highland neighborhood. Rick Quillen, a Caddo Parish animal control officer, issued two misdemeanor citations to substitute letter carrier Tom Lewis after interviewing four witnesses. He was ordered to come to city court to answer misdemeanor charges of cruelty to an animal and simple assault.

 eBay Drop-off Business Offers Nationwide Pickup through USPS

Alleged Overuse of Mace Spurs Mailman Threats -A mailman was threatened by a resident and his dog on a mail route Nov. 6. The mailman said when the dog charged at him, he sprayed it with Mace. After the third spray, the dog's owner confronted the mailman and threatened to beat him up if he sprayed his dog again. The mailman advised the owner to keep his dog on a leash and the owner made more threats.  |

NALC salutes Veterans Day with 3 stories (pdf): NALC member  Kent Chicosky (pictured at right) in Army Reserve restructures Iraq's postal system,  wins field promotion to (postmaster) general; postcards to military in Iraq; Band of Brothers vets at WWII Memorial; |

Oakland (CA.) Letter Carrier Shot While Delivering Mail-Police say three young men approached the victim and demanded his wallet and cell phone. When the postal worker refused, the suspects began beating him and then shot him in the leg. The letter carrier is in serious condition but is expected to recover. The Postal Inspection Service is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the men |

- Help Wanted - USPS has Mandatory Contract with Manpower

Postal Revamping Returned to Senders -Without a Bill Soon, a Double-Digit Rate Hike Is Likely in 2006, Advocates Say -"When the lame-duck Congress convenes next week, lawmakers are expected to turn their attention to such matters as unfinished appropriations bills and reorganizing U.S. intelligence agencies. So postal officials, lawmakers and members of the mailing industry are assessing what went wrong, what went right and how to resurrect postal legislation next year in time to blunt a prospective double-digit increase in mailing rates in 2006." |

Postal Service to Build D.C. Irradiation Unit for Federal Mail- USPS plans to build its own mail-irradiation plant at the handling and distribution facility in northeast Washington, D.C. Since the anthrax attacks, which killed two of the workers at the former Brentwood facility, the Postal Service has spent between $9 million and $10 million a year to ship mail destined for Capitol Hill and other federal offices to New Jersey for irradiation. Congressional Quarterly Homeland Security reports that USPS officials hope to save between $5 million and $7 million a year with their own irradiation equipment at the D.C. facility, and eliminate the current two-day delivery delay as mail is shipped from Washington to New Jersey and back. Officials expect to send preliminary drawings of the project to the National Capital Planning Commission later this month. If approved, construction is expected to start next spring, and the facility could open by May 2006. |

Postal Service Unveils Ronald Reagan Stamp  -The Reagan stamp, honoring the nation's 40th President, will be issued in February 2005. "The United States Postal Service is honoring the man who was known by his fellow Americans as the great communicator," said PMG Potter |

Security Breach: Robo-Cops Replace Postal Police-According to Flo Summergrad, APWU NY Metro  "The Postal Inspection Service is moving full steam ahead with its plan to "downsize" the trained Postal Police force and replace them with electronic security technology and private contractors." "At a time when the New York metropolitan area has been placed on a high terrorism alert, it is horrifying that the Postal Service is seeking to reduce protections for Postal workers and the public."  |

 Deaf Letter Carrier Delivers-While all who deliver the mail on foot must confront the historic obstacles of rain, sleet and snow - and fang-bearing dogs - Danville, KY letter carrier Della Nevels must surmount an additional barrier. Or so it would seem to someone who doesn't know her--she is deaf. Nevels also wants to be a role model for deaf children.|

NAPUS:  Rural America Delivers for Bush and GOP (PDF)-In the legislative newsletter NAPUS reminded its members "This flexing of regional electoral power was key for Republicans and included a strong message for Postmasters. The red areas, those counties that decided the election, are postal reliant. " NAPUS also reports that on the day President Bush declared victory, he made two recess appointments to the Postal Board of Governors - Carolyn Gallagher and Louis Guilano. |

Arbitrator: Preferred Duty Assignment Awarded to 204-B Circumvented Contract- The issue in this case involved the Postal Service awarding a Preferred Duty Assignment to an employee detailed to a non-bargaining unit position (204-B). The National Agreement prohibits awarding an employee detailed to a Nonbargaining unit position unless the employee voluntarily returns to the craft. It also provides that the employee detailed to a Nonbargaining unit position will not be returned to the craft solely to circumvent the intent of this provision. note: This issue applies to all crafts. |

Postal Service Launches NetPost CardStore/Gift Card Service
NetPost CardStore combines the speed and convenience of the Internet with the value and sentimentality of First-Class Mail, marrying a personalized greeting card with a retail gift card that is delivered by a letter carrier. "With this service, our customers will be able to sit down in front of a computer in the comfort of their own home and design their family's personalized holiday greeting cards complete with a family photo."  |

- Why Kerry Lost

USPS May File Phased Rate Increase in '05 -Mailers are taking a wait-and-see approach to news that the U.S. Postal Service may file a phased rate increase next year. The USPS is expected to file a rate case in the spring, and rates could rise in early 2006 -- possibly a double-digit increase. However, Steve Kearney, vice president of pricing and classification at the USPS, said officials are considering a phased rate increase.

Petition response riles postal workers-Employees say 'mentality of 1991' resurfacing in Royal Oak. The 200 Royal Oak and Madison Heights postal workers who signed a petition demanding an explanation of spending decisions got their answer — and they don't like it.

USPS MOVES INTO MUSIC PROMOTION-Band's Name Dispute Leads to Cross-Promotion Deal-When the behemoth U.S. Postal Service found out that a young rock band had named itself "Postal Service," executives weren't happy. They sent a cease-and-desist letter to the band's label, Seattle-based independent Sub Pop Records. But what began as an argument over name rights turned into the mail-delivering institution's first cross-promotional music deal. Postal Service, the band, is set to perform at an annual conference of 800 senior Postal Service executives in a few weeks, and there are possibilities for using the band's music in USPS ad campaigns and promotions. "It's a great way for us to extend our brand into new areas," said Gary Thuro, manager of communication services for USPS. "They reach a young audience that's very important to our future, and music is such a powerful medium." Also under consideration: using local USPS facilities as a distribution point for the Postal Service album, a move that mirrors what many record labels are trying to do in finding alternative distribution.

USPS Received about 8,000 Absentee Ballots this Weekend -Election troubles continue in South Florida as Election officials in Broward and West Palm Beach Counties deliver some 8,000 absentee ballots to the Postal Service for delivery just three days before the election. |

Postal Service tinkers with workers' salaries -Postmasters' incentive pay - the amount they earn above their base salary for exceptional performance - will soon be subject to slightly different standards. The new rules, which will be released by the end of the year, will likely put less emphasis on factors that are outside of postmasters' control |

Commentary: First-Class Costs, Third-Class Mail Stream-" USPS has continued on its productivity path with a reduction of 21 million work hours versus fiscal year 2003. This resulted in a reduction of more than 21,000 career employees. More revealing to me about Strasser’s presentation were his comments that the postal service’s health benefits expense was nearing $6 billion annually, and unlike many domestic corporations, the USPS has a cost of living increase built into its union contracts. The expectation is that it will be extremely difficult to eliminate the COL increase in any future labor negotiations." |

 Postmaster General Outlines Streamlining Effort To Cut Costs-The U.S. Postal Service will save billions of dollars over the next several years by streamlining mail operations, trimming redundant facilities and upgrading processing equipment, Postmaster General John Potter said Nov. 16. In an exclusive interview with Federal Times, Potter said he wants to correct a long-standing problem with the agency’s mail-moving process: Different types of mail are processed in different facilities." |

Looking to Recharge the Postal Service-Technology provides a blessing and a curse for the U.S. Postal Service's future-Some people think USPS is broken. The agency has been losing money with no replacement in sight for those lost dollars as more people send e-mail and pay their bills online. But that is not the only challenge facing the agency. .. USPS officials also expect a potential workforce crisis that could dramatically affect their ability to deliver on this IT-heavy strategy: More than three out of five managers who work for the agency's chief technology officer will become eligible to retire by 2007. Also, according to APWU President William Burrus, "By allowing the (mailer) discounts, USPS officials forgo $17 billion a year in income for the agency.." |

South Carolina Postal Workers Hospitalized after Becoming Ill; 25 More are Quarantined-As many as nine postal workers were transported to the hospital after they became sick at work. Authorities don't know if their illnesses are connected to a leaking package that was removed earlier in the day by a hazardous materials team and turned over to the FBI.

 Mail Carrier Observes 50 Years On Job-Retirement isn't 69-yr. old Louis Kapustin's plan. The mail carrier, assigned to the Verdugo Viejo post office in Glendale, Calif. marked his career milestone by renewing his commitment to his work and the people he serves along the way. Kapustin has had five routes in his career, all in Glendale. For his 50th anniversary the Postal Service presented Kapustin with a diamond pin. |

Postal Service, Rural Carriers Sign Contract Extension-The U.S. Postal Service and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) have extended their collective bargaining agreement by two years.  Postmaster General Jack Potter and NRLCA President Dale Holton signed the agreement earlier this week.  The existing collective bargaining agreement was originally set to expire on Nov. 20, 2004.  It has now been extended to Nov. 20, 2006.

USPS Discontinues Volume Discount for IPA and ISAL Mailers – Federal Register – In a final rule, the U.S. Postal Service deleted International Mail Manual (IMM) 292.212, 292.213, and 293.75, which authorized mailers who spent $2 million or more combined on International Priority Airmail (IPA) and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) in the preceding Postal Service fiscal year to receive discounted postage rates.  The Postal Service proposed to discontinue these discounts due to recent Postal Service reviews of costs for providing these services.  These cost reviews identified increases in transportation, terminal dues, and other costs that have all risen while published rates for IPA and ISAL have remained static since 2001.  

USPS Rule on First Class, Standard Draws Mixed Reviews -USPS got 402 written comments in response to the proposed rule, including 350 nonprofit groups as well as private individuals, voting and election officials, financial industry representatives, those concerned with privacy issues and one congressional comment. The top concern was that a literal application of the proposed rule might disqualify nonprofit mail consisting of program-related content as well as a solicitation for donation. Postal officials agreed with these concerns and modified the final rule, which now states: "The exclusive reason for inclusion of all the personal information is to support the advertising or solicitation in the mail piece."

USPS Approves NSA, Priority Mail Test

Commentary: An Ugly Sign of the Times-You don't need a crystal ball or the ability to read entrails to figure out what may be lying ahead for those who use mail for marketing and advertising. A gander at the U.S. Postal Service's most recent financial statements will do the trick. Mail volume overall is not growing. In fact, the only category that has consistently shown a pattern of growth is Standard Mail — the one category most widely used for business development. From a postal rate perspective, this is not good

WORKPLACE $ICK DAZE - -- The massive shortage of flu vaccine could cost American businesses $40 billion in employee sick days — twice the amount of a normal year when supplies are sufficient, a prominent Harvard University economist predicts. Professor David Cutler warned that the economy could take an even bigger hit if hard-nosed employers pressure already-sick workers to stay on the job. "If somebody is really feeling ill, they should not come in [to work] because many more people than usual will not have been vaccinated," which increases the chances of catching a bug from their co-worker, leading to even more lost work days, Cutler said. Employers should "be extra vigilant about having a sick worker at work," said Cutler, a former member of President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers. "It's obviously going to be worse if they don't."

 Customers Join Employees in Complaining About Post Office-"I've heard from more postal workers, local and otherwise, who tell me the problem is that the postal service continues to be bulky in terms of administrators and their salaries but skimpy on front-line staff. I've been told that administrators such as Boonville Postmaster Eddie Hudson win hefty bonuses based on cutting expenses with no regard for customers." |

11/25/04

Community says goodbye to beloved mail carrier

Stamps worth $7,000 stolen-No suspects in Rough and Ready post office theft

Growth taxes postal carriers
Angry Swiss postal workers block sorting offices
Letter Carrier in Iraq Sends American Flag to Post Office

Never mind dog, beware of owner signs not funny to mailman

11/24/04

USPS to Hold  News Conference on November 29th -Patrick Donahoe, chief operating officer, USPS will hold a news conference on holiday mail volume, mailing deadlines for service men and women overseas and mailing packaging tips on Nov. 29th at 10

Postal Service, mailing industry hope for overhaul by spring

Probationary Postal Employee Fired for Dumping Mail

Reward Offered in Postal Truck Robberies

Kittens survive two-day trip in mail

More postal carrier routes coming to keep up with area growth
Settlement Reached in UPS Canada Strike

 Is post office mural inappropriate?

Ellet (Ohio) postal workers to cook free dinner-The employees of the Ellet post office will cook Thanksgiving dinner for people who are unable to be with family and friends on Thanksgiving. The Ellet Amateur Athletic Association and members of the Ellet community pay for the dinner . This is the 12th year for the free dinner.
 

11/23/04

Mail Bags Stolen From USPS Truck

Mobile postal unit delivers in Woodville

Fiery Accident Kills Mail Truck Driver, Destroys Mail

Postal Service Offers Free Shipping Materials for Military Families

USPS Proposes Premium Forwarding Service

Military, support groups at odds over mailings to Iraq

Postal Service is Top 'Banana' in Shipping Test

Postal Service Expands Reach of Money Transfer Service

Postal Worker Testifies Against Father of Boy Killed by Pit-bull

Former postmaster charged with misappropriating $129,000

UPS workers in Canada strike; pilots refuse to fly into Canada

Minor injuries in mail truck wreck

Mailbox Bandits Target Apartments

USPS seeks approval of experimental premium forwarding service

Secure Mail Box Provides Optimal Mail Security and Protection Against Identity and Mail Theft

11/22/04

Operations to begin at $3.5 million postal site

American Idol Winner to perform on float sponsored by USPS at Macy's Parade

Board Of Governors To Meet December 7 in DC

Trouble brewing at post office parking lot
Tacoma Postal manager reinstates donations after customer complaints
USPS Certifies Mailnet for NCOALink
USPS Gearing Up for Strong Holiday Season
Mailman might need some help with these heavy publications
Chain letters irk post office