Senator: USPS to resume North Pole Santa letters

"...An Alaska senator says the U.S. Postal Service is resuming a program allowing volunteers to respond to letters sent to Santa Claus in care of the North Pole, Alaska, post office...."   

::► Source: www.google.com

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Postal Service eyes options beyond layoffs and buyouts

"...Employee layoffs are not the only solution to digging the agency out of debt, said Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform's federal workforce subcommittee. "It would be a mistargeting of our problems to look at the backs of our employees."..."   

::► Source: www.govexec.com

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Post Office Deadlines For Holiday Packages to Troops

"...The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military installations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is ..."   

::► Source: www.local12.com

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Postal Service Military mailing discount offered

"...The U.S. Postal Service will offer discounts on mailing for military families sending packages overseas...."   

::► Source: www.wausaudailyherald.com

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Health Care Reform: What will it cost you?

U.S. Sen. Grassley: Q and A

"...Are there tax increases in the Finance Committee bill that would apply to middle class families as defined by President Obama and the Congressional Democratic Leadership (that is, families making less than $250,000 a year)? ... roughly 77% of the burden of the tax increases in the Finance Committee health care reform bill would be borne by middle class taxpayers. ..."   

::► Source: www.iowapolitics.com

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USPS closes Propst Drugs site for audit

"...The U.S. Postal Service has closed its location at Propst Discount Drugs in Five Points to conduct an internal audit, an agency official said Wednesday. ..."   

::► Source: www.al.com

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Incentive Update

"...9/23 Update Alert: We’re coming up on the 9/25 deadline for full-time employees to opt in to the early out incentive option. As calls, faxes, emails and correspondence pour in about the incentive offer, we want to address the top questions and clarify a few points to help you make your decision. Click here to view...."   

::► Source:

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Federal Guidelines Encourage Employers to Plan Now for Upcoming Influenza Season

"...The guidance, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is designed to help employers prepare now for the impact of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza could have this fall and winter on their employers and operations. Employers’ plans should address such points as encouraging employees with flu-like symptoms or illness to stay home, operating with reduced staffing, and possibly having employees who are at higher risk of serious medical complications from infection work from home, according to the CDC guidance...."   

::► Source: Department of Homeland Security

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Post Office Offers $15,000 Retirement Incentive

USPS Offers $15,000 Retirement or Resignation Incentive
The United States Postal Service is offering a $15,000 Retirement or resignation incentive to certain employees. The first installment will be $10,000 in November 2009 and the other $5000 will be one year later. Mailings will go out in the next few days to eligible employees. Stay tuned for more details. Update coming soon. The Postal Newsgroup

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Unions oppose 5-day delivery, other proposals to cut USPS costs

"...two unions collectively represent about 415,000 employees — roughly two-thirds of the Postal Service’s full-time workforce.
Burrus and Rolando were adamant that the Postal Service should not move to five-day delivery..."   

::► Source: www.federaltimes.com

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K-9 Unit Sniffs Out Marijuana Sent Through the Mail

"...notified the Postal Inspectors Office about a package that may be enroute to Panama City via the U.S. Mail service...."   

::► Source: www.panhandleparade.com

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Stopping Saturday mail delivery could mean layoffs for USPS

Stopping Saturday mail delivery could mean layoffs for USPS
"... If Congress eliminates Saturday mail delivery to help the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service, then layoffs are a possibility, a top USPS official acknowledged to House lawmakers on Thursday...."

Article Reference Source: www.govexec.com
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Rumor Control: USPS Payroll

Responsible Website Attempts to Squash Rumors on USPS Being Unable to Make Payroll

"...The Postal Newsgroup, a leader in postal news, has been unable to confirm the validity of the postal service not being able to make payroll in October...."   

::► Source: postal-newsgroup.blogspot.com

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DPMG SAYS CHANGE IS NEEDED TO MEET THE CHALLENGE

MAIL VOLUME CONTINUES TO DECLINE

"...To increase delivery efficiency, Donahoe says USPS will continue to reduce the number of routes and move forward with other operational changes to help reduce costs...."   

::► Source: liteblue.usps.gov

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Biz Spotlight: Postal Pete - Postal Jeeps

Postal Pete ...#1 Postal Jeep Dealer in the World!

If you are looking for a postal Jeep there are many dealers specializing in this area. One dealer is Postal Pete at postalpete.com. Here's what
Rosean & Pete have to say about their experience in the postal jeep business:

"Selling Postal Jeeps has broadened our horizons and introduced us to hundreds of interesting people. We have found that the people who work for the postal industry are friendly and honest. In this business, as in the postal carrier delivery business, the people you deal with day to day make the difference between enjoying your occupation or not. God bless you all and hey, be careful out there."

  
See Also: http://galenachrysler.com/

Fred Smith and FedEx

"...Smith started FedEx in 1971 with a $4 million inheritance and $80 million more from his rich friends. In 2006, when he made the Forbes’ billionaires list, his net wealth was $2.1 billion. Last year, he added another $44.49 million from his compensation as CEO. FedEx’s, and Smith’s, contribution to the mailing industry has been to undermine the union wages and conditions won by the U.S. postal and UPS workers...."   

::► Source: www.pslweb.org

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Letter carrier discovers abandoned kitten in street mailbox

"...The 8-week-old kitten was named Postina by the MSPCA’s assistant manager after she arrived at the organization’s Jamaica Plain headquarters Saturday afternoon. “She thought it was appropriate, being that she was somewhat mailed,’’ Adams said. Because the postman had to complete his route..."   

::► Source: www.boston.com

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Union Challenges USPS Interpretation of Layoff Memo

"...In his April 17 letter to the Postal Service, Burrus wrote, “As you are aware, ‘protected’ status, temporary or permanent, is unaffected by the reassignment of employees from one bargaining unit or craft to another. A contrary interpretation would result in an employee who was employed within a craft that did not negotiate a Layoff Protection Memorandum achieving such protection by virtue of his/her transfer to the APWU craft during the term of the 2006 National Agreement.” ..."   

::► Source: www.apwu.org
File Under: Postal News
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Guilty plea for theft from postal service

"...A former executive with the U.S. Postal Service in Ohio has admitted embezzling more than $190,000 that was supposed to be used for vehicle repair. Ulysses Bradley, 42, who headed vehicle operations in Northeast Ohio..."   

::► Source: www.upi.com

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Reassigned postal workers facing big financial hardships

"...Some African-American postal workers in Memphis fear that skin color will be used as a factor as the reductions are made. “We need to be assured that the reduction in workforce will be a fair and equitable process across the state of Tennessee and without racial bias,” said Deborah Becton, a mail handler at the Memphis P&DC...."   

::► Source: tri-statedefenderonline.com

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Sell U.S. Postage Stamps to your customers

"...Learn how you can join the 800+ other business establishments that sell U.S. Postage Stamps to their customers — Banks, Department Stores, Pharmacies, Supermarkets, Grocery Stores, Catalog Companies, etc., etc., etc...."   

::► Source: www.uspsstampstogo.com

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Former postal carrier charged with stealing stamps, selling them on eBay

"...postal carrier from Macomb Township has been charged with stealing $19,110 worth of stamps and selling them at a discount on the Internet to fund his mortgage payments..."   

::► Source: www.macombdaily.com

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Postal service inspector general seeking data on sick time views

"...The OIG is collecting the data as anecdotal information, and it may be used as part of an ongoing audit on attitudes in the postal service, an OIG spokesperson said. According to the blog, the USPS indentified about 35,000 of its 640,026 employees who had 20 or more unscheduled absences last year, which translates to 5% of employees with nearly one absence for every pay period...."    

This Article is From: www.dmnews.com

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EU probes new China postal law over trade concerns

"...investigating whether China broke world trade rules with a new postal law that allows only a state monopoly to deliver domestic letters and documents...."   

::► Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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Passing postal worker helped find missing Jamesburg boy, police say

"...A 9-year-old borough boy went missing Tuesday morning, but turned up hours later when a passing postal worker found him hiding in bushes a few blocks from his home..."   

::► Source: www.mycentraljersey.com

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OPM FERS and CSRS Federal Employee Pre-Retirement Information and Services

"...Retirement benefits are among the important benefits of Federal employment. It’s never too early to start planning for your retirement. In this section of the OPM website, prospective Federal employees, current Federal employees, and HR specialists can find information about Federal retirement benefits...."   

::► Source: www.opm.gov

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Postal Employee Salary/Wage Database

This site will tell you salary and other information for postal employees.If you know the zip code (Example: 20260) of a specific mail processing facility or headquarters for example, you can type that in alone and it will show you all (at least most) of the current employees, how much they make, job title, and hire year ...click here to see the Postmaster General John Potter's salary ....and here is all of USPS Headquarter's database   

::► Source: courierpostonline.com

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Postal Service users upset over bulk mail delays

"...Timothy J. Wagner, a grocery store owner who depends heavily on advertising through bulk mail, has a problem with the U. S. Postal Service. Wagner, who owns the Super Saver market on Broadway, said he dropped off slingers..."   

::► Source: www.buffalonews.com

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VA Economic Stimulus Payments--Special Tax Rebate

 
VA Economic Stimulus Payments--Special Tax Rebate
"...Veterans who last year received disability compensation, pensions or survivors’ benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be entitled to an economic stimulus payment of at least $300. ..."
Reference: va.gov

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New Postal Voluntary Early Retirement VER for July 31, 2009

Postal News

Read it here: New Postal Voluntary Retirement VER for July 31, 2009

ALL EMPLOYEES except Electronic Technicians (ET); Maintenance Mechanics, Mail Processing Equipment (MPE); Part-time Postmasters.

"... Please Note: The age and years of service criteria must be met by the effective retirement date of this VERA: July 31, 2009. If you don’t meet the criteria by July 31, 2009, you are not eligible for voluntary early retirement...."  
Source: The Postal Newsgroup

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USPS Changes: District Closings, Voluntary Early Retirement, and Reductions

On March 20, the US Postal Service announced District Closings, Voluntary Early Retirement, and Reductions. The announcement reads as follows:

USPS ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE CLOSINGS, EARLY RETIREMENT OFFER AND
STAFFING REDUCTIONS

Today the Postal Service has announced it will close six of its 80 district offices. USPS is also
eliminating positions across the country and offering another round of voluntary early retirements.
These actions are expected to save the Postal Service more than $100 million annually.
The six offices closing — located in Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Washington State — house administrative functions and will not adversely affect
customer service, mail delivery, Post Office operations or ZIP Codes. The functions of these offices will
be assumed by 10 surrounding districts.
The Postal Service’s districts are being re-aligned as follows:
�� The Boston and Connecticut districts will assume the operations of the Massachusetts District.
�� The Northern New England (formerly Maine) District will assume the operations of the New
Hampshire/Vermont District.
�� The Western Pennsylvania (formerly Pittsburgh) District will assume the operations of the Erie
District.
�� The South Florida and Suncoast districts will assume the operations of the Central Florida
District.
�� The Seattle and Salt Lake City districts will assume the operations of the Spokane District.
�� The Northern New Jersey and Southern New Jersey districts will assume the operations of the
Central Jersey District.
USPS will reduce administrative staff positions at the district level nationwide by 15 percent. In addition,
more than 1,400 mail processing supervisor and management positions at nearly 400 facilities around
the country will be eliminated, and nearly 150,000 employees nationwide are being given the


The Mandatory Stand-Up Talk reads as follows:

Mandatory Stand-Up Talk
District Closings, Staffing Reductions and VER Announced
With the economic recession resulting in the Postal Service ending fiscal year 2008 with a loss of nearly $3 billion, we
are facing an extremely difficult financial challenge.
Streamlining operations and improving efficiency throughout the Postal Service is a constant, ongoing process. Over
the past year, we have refined this process by modifying networks, consolidating functions, adjusting delivery routes
and restructuring administrative and processing operations. Today, Postmaster General Jack Potter announced new
steps to further our efforts. These actions are expected to save the Postal Service more than $100 million annually.
First, the Postal Service is closing six district offices.
These six administrative district offices were chosen based on their proximity to other districts that could absorb the
additional workload without compromising the delivery, retail and mail processing functions of the Postal Service.
Today, more than 500 employees were notified by their area vice president and/or district manager that their district
offices were closing.
An opportunity for voluntary early retirement (VER) also is being offered.
This nationwide offer is open to nearly 150,000 employees who meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
conditions, and who are at least 50 years of age with 20 years of creditable federal service, or any age with 25 years
of creditable federal service. An annuity estimate will be mailed to all VER-eligible employees starting April 6, 2009.
Another step being taken is instituting a 15% administrative staffing reduction of positions in all remaining 74
district offices.
Postal headquarters already has reduced its employee complement by approximately 15% and the area offices are in
the process of a similar staffing reduction.
At nearly 400 of our mail processing facilities around the country, more than 1,400 supervisor and
management positions are being eliminated.
Reduction in force (RIF) avoidance strategies will be in place for employees impacted by district closings and staffing
reductions.
There are no signs of an early economic recovery. Financial projections call for a continued decline in mail volume and
revenue.
Now, more than ever, we all must look for ways to do our jobs more efficiently and help to continue the service
performance and customer satisfaction improvements we have gained in recent years.
By doing so, we can help ensure that the Postal Service will continue to deliver for America now and in the future.
Additional information — and questions and answers — about all of these new changes can be found under the Hot
Topics section on Blue. VER information can be found under the Hot Topics section on LiteBlue.



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Stopper postcard measures Postal delivery speed

"...The Postal service better step up their game with gadget concepts like this one on the loose. The Stopper Postcard measures how long it takes that postcard..."   

::► Source: www.slipperybrick.com

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Changes to the Rehabilitation Act

"......"   

::► Source: www.napus.org

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"...For example, Macy said, to ship from Anchorage to Cold Bay via bypass mail costs about $15.09 for every 68 pounds of cargo. That rate will increase to $22.08 per 68 pounds under the proposal being considered by the Postal Regulatory Commission. But the actual cost to the postal service is $153, Macy said...."   

::► Source: www.adn.com

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Fatal stabbing in Clayton post office

"...A suspect is in custody in the stabbing death of a Clayton man today inside the city's main post office, the first homicide in the normally tranquil city, authorities said...."   

::► Source: www.sfgate.com

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Postal Parking Goes Green

"...The University of Pennsylvania announced today that Penn Park, a $40 million green swath of open space and athletic fields, will replace 14 acres of asphalt parking lots once owned by the United States Postal Service...."   

::► Source: University of Pennsylvania

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Federal Employee Law Observer Blog

This is an interesting blog relating to Federal Employee and Postal Employee law. This might be a good resource for union representatives, as well as labor representatives.   

::► Source: fedemplaw.blogcollective.com

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Many tiny Idaho places with post offices no longer exist

Arthur Hart: Many tiny Idaho places with post offices no longer exist

"...Basin, a Mormon settlement in Cassia County, had a post office from 1883 until 1909. In 1889 it had a water-powered lath, shingle and picket mill and a steam-powered shingle mill. Five Basin cattle ranchers were listed in R.L. Polk & Co.'s Oregon, Washington & Idaho Business Directory...."   

::► Source: www.idahostatesman.com

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Postage To Cost 2 Cents More Starting May 11

"...Post offices will charge 44 cents for first-class mail stamp or 2 cents more starting May 11, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced on its Web site Tuesday...."   

::► Source: www.allheadlinenews.com

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Lakeland P&DC

Save Lakeland Mail Center

"...The Lakeland P&DC met growth by running a full operating facility, centrally located in Florida. It has easy road access to all interstates where we are able to service many surrounding areas. We can better serve these communities from our location on Lakeland Hills Boulevard in Lakeland...."   

::► Source: www.theledger.com

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