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- Do You Carry Health Insurance That You Chose Through The FEHBP (postal service options)? - If you do then you have the same coverage Congress Has
- 'Junk mail' deliveries drop off
- Army moves to consolidate postal services
- Postal service adjusts to declining volume by taking away collection boxes
August 02. 2009
- Hundreds of Post Offices Could Soon Close
The Washington Post
- Sun City paves the way for postal workers of the future with the T3
August 01. 2009
- NALC Pres.: Seeing past the gloom to a brighter tomorrow
- Burrus: Station and Branch Closures, Five-Day Delivery: Acts of Surrender, With the Battle’s Outcome in Doubt
- Stopping Saturday mail delivery could mean layoffs for USPS
Govexec.com
- USPS: EAS 17 Selection Plan for Supervisor Customer Services and Supervisor Distribution Operations
- NPMHU is now forced to oppose S. 1507
- Will the USPS Seek An 'Exigent' Rate Increase?
- U.S. Postal Service weighs service cuts
- Eklhart County mail carrier charged with stockpiling mail
July 31. 2009
- USPS Station/Branches Identified For Full Study
- Testimony from Subcommittee Hearing on USPS
Click here to watch a video of this hearing
- USPS: 677 Facilities Face Closure, Consolidation
- Lawmakers Get Conflicting Advice On Fixing US Postal Service
- Florida RCA admits to stealing mail
- D-Day Coming in September
July 30. 2009
- Senate panel OKs whistleblower bill, delays vote on USPS aid
“If we keep trying to fix things thinking the formal model of the Postal Service is going to work, we’re never going to fix things,” Coburn said.
- Time: Officials: Postal Service Is 'Troubled'
- The Central Nervous System of Mail Delivery
- Rep. Kildee peeved that Flint might lose postal mark, jobs
- Postal Service investigates vandalism at Burton post office; 40 tires slashed on mail trucks
July 29. 2009
- APWU Urges Legislators To Reject Amendments to Senate Bill - Read Suggested Amendments
- Bailout in the Mail
A break from pension obligations won't touch the Postal Service's fundamental problems.
- NALC: Postal relief bill goes to Senate mark up after White House meeting
- Singing postal workers from Richmond lose in semifinals
- GAO adds Postal Service to list of high-risk programs
- Postal Service in crisis
- Route change will separate long-time letter carrier from 'extended family'
July 28. 2009
- Postal Worker Files FEC Complaint for Illegal Union PAC Money Laundering Scheme
Granite State union bosses illegally diverted postal employee's membership dues to fund political coffers.
- Postal Service Joins 'High Risk' List
The Government Accountability Office will add the Postal Service to its "high risk" list, according to Congressional sources, ahead of a House hearing on Thursday that will further explore the future of American mail service. See article below
- GAO: Restructuring the U.S. Postal Service to Achieve Sustainable Financial Viability
USPS urgently needs to restructure to address its current and long-term financial viability. USPS has not been able to cut costs fast enough to offset the accelerated decline in mail volume and revenue—particularly costs related to its workforce, retail and processing networks, and delivery services.
- Senate committee will tackle Postal Service financial woes
A Senate panel on Wednesday will consider a bill that would restructure how the financially-strapped U.S. Postal Service pays for its employees' retirement health benefits.
- Health Care Reform & Your Health Plan
Federal News Radio
- Williamstown man pleads guilty to postage meter counterfeiting
July 27. 2009
- OIG Blog: To Award or Not to Award: What’s the Postal Service to Do?
Should the Postal Service be allowed to freely award employees for a job well done?
- Meeting: The Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia will hold an oversight hearing entitled “Making Sense of It All: An Examination of USPS’ Station and Branch Optimization Initiative and Delivery Route Adjustments” on Thursday, July 30, 2009. The hearing will also explore related consolidation efforts such as USPS’ approach to delivery route adjustments.
- Post Office and Retail Postal Facility Closures: Overview and Issues for Congress
- NALC receives fiscal update on USPS operations
Meeting for the first time since President Fred V. Rolando was sworn-in as this union’s new leader, the 28-member NALC Executive Council convened July 20-22 at NALC headquarters, faced with a Postal Service struggling to overcome a sharp decline in mail volume due to the economic crisis.
- Confessions of a Former Station Manager Part IV
The 5 types of bad supervisors from Guy Norenberg.
- FERS Flu Cure Yet to Come
- Anthrax case: Seeking an ending - Also see US on verge of closing anthrax probe after 8 years
- Woman accused of stealing 78 gift cards while working at post office
- Postal Service's Future: Mail Change Marches On
- 11 Suspicious Letters With White Powder Sent to N.J. Government Offices
July 26. 2009
- Republicans, Blue Dog Democrats, industry blast public option for mail
PEN Ed - Am I missing something here? Has Obama introduced or suggested legislation that would reform the Postal Service? If he has then I believe Mr. Obama read my article "Postal Service: Going Out of Business Sale" and included his version in his health care reform package. IF, I repeat, IF this is true then what he is suggesting is the U.S. Postal Service revert back to being the Post Office Department. By the way - you read it first here at PEN.
- Quincy, IL mail center won't close, some operations may move
- Post offices in White Plains and Mount Vernon may close
July 25. 2009
- Sen. Carper Introduces Bill To Ease Financial Strain On The Post Office
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) today introduced legislation to help address the dire financial situation facing the United States Postal Service.
- So Long, Snail Shells and For 'Snail Mail,' a Rapid Demise
Mail Volume Expected to Decline; U.S. Postal Service Adapts by Pulling Collection Boxes.
- The Kiplinger Letter says "Are we headed to a high-tech e-postal service? It’s at least a fair bet"
- Could the USPS Turn a jobless recovery into a job full recovery?
- City post office to drop Sunday hours
- Postal Inspection Service investigates Indiana postal employee
July 24. 2009
- Credit for Unused Sick Leave For FERS Employees? Amendment Dies Again in Senate
In a development that will certainly disappoint some readers who are under the FERS system, an amendment that would have expanded federal employee benefits, including the provision that would have provided credit for unused sick leave by FERS employees who are retiring, has been dropped.
- Postal Officials Ponder Emergency Rate Increases
Postal officials are spreading the word that they may seek emergency rate increases next year.
- Postal Service Announces Waiving the ASP Requirement for Impacted Employees
- Mail distribution, processing to shift to Dulles facility
- Trends force postal cuts
- From the Citizen Files
This article states "As part of the United States Postal Service's exchange program, Laconia mail carrier Charlie Banfield and Pittsfield, VT carrier Harlow Powers spent six weeks in West Germany. The trip served two purposes : to better the relations between postal services of the two countries, and provide insights into a foreign country's method of mail delivery and culture." PEN Ed: I was not aware that USPS had an exchange program - were you?
- OIG: USPS Could Overfund Retiree Health Care Liability by $13.2 Billion - Also see A few billion here and there
- CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 22 would result in on-budget costs of about $5 billion and off-budget savings of $2.5 billion
July 23. 2009
- OIG: USPS Could Overfund Retiree Health Care Liability by $13.2 Billion - Also see A few billion here and there
- CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 22 would result in on-budget costs of about $5 billion and off-budget savings of $2.5 billion
- Neighbor lets dog out to stop mail delivery for neighborhood, woman says
- New Developments in Federal Disability Retirement
This article is of interest to Federal or Postal employees who may retire or have retired because of disability. Reilly v. OPM, decided July 15, 2009 by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, has toppled another idol of a false standard imposed by OPM: that medical documentation which post-dates separation from Federal Service may be considered near-irrelevant in evaluating and reviewing a Federal disability retirement application.
- Postmaster admits to stealing
- 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.
- Mail Carrier Pleads Guilty To Mail Fraud
BALTIMORE ― Federal prosecutors say a Baltimore mail carrier has pleaded guilty in a scheme to steal more than $100,000 in treasury checks.
- New postal routes will affect delivery times, postal carriers
July 22. 2009
- Saving the 6th Day
Is eliminating the 6th day of delivery wise? Are there alternatives?
- Postal Employees On America's Got Talent
They're going to Vegas baby!
- Lousy economy has a bright side: Less junk mail
- Tough economy hits USPS’ bottom line
- Postal surveys won't be mailed
- Postal inspectors targeting business mailers
- Mistake on Hawaii's New Stamp
- Thousands of Union Member Jobs Under Fire by Schwarzenegger
July 21. 2009
- USPS hopes to implement 5-day delivery by FY 2011
Charley Mapa, President National League of Postmasters, discusses 5 day delivery and other possible USPS strategies to stay afloat.
- OIG: Brainstorm Ideas Part 2
- 46 Pounds of Wacky Weed Sent via Priority Mail
- Selection Revised for EAS Employees
- Postal Service Makes Woman Cry
- Tidal Wave Running A Little Late
- What is the EAP?
July 20. 2009
- Health Premiums Could Slam Retirees
- Plainview, TX postal employee under investigation for throwing mail away
- Postal Service eyes closing thousands of branches
July 19. 2009
- Fewer people and businesses are going the postal route
- Little town makes big stink over mailbox
- USPS officials sometimes just don’t seem to get it
July 18. 2009
- List of Companies Lobbying the Postal Rate Commission
We had no idea that the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) could be lobbied by any company or person - apparently they can.
- Neither snow nor rain nor recession nor technology?
- Sacramento postal worker accused of stealing gift cards
- Calif. postal worker sentenced for opening mail
July 17. 2009
- The disappearing USPS union letter
Federal Times says - The major postal unions — APWU, NALC, NRLCA and NPMHU — sent a letter on Tuesday to Jim Messina, the White House deputy chief of staff. They requested a meeting to discuss the Postal Service’s “deepening crisis.” They want the White House to intervene with Congress and reduce the Postal Service’s contributions to its retiree health care trust fund. Without that change, the Postal Service is going to run out of cash this year. The letter was posted on at least one of their Web sites (APWU) earlier today; it has since been removed. I printed it out earlier this afternoon, and we’ve posted a scanned copy (pdf) here — I guess hard copies are still useful sometimes, huh?
- 155 post office employees in Cleveland assigned to new jobs, some up to 330 miles away
- PMG briefs employee organizations on the USPS’s current situation
- Postal workers picket post office
July 16. 2009
- The PRC has initiated a case to address allegations of undue discrimination and other issues raised by GameFly, Inc
- OIG Reviews Estimates of Postal Service’s Liability for Retiree Health Care Benefits
- Donahoe Says FSS Will Improve Delivery
- Mail carrier charged in 2 more sex assaults
A mail carrier who was charged earlier this month with sexual assault in two attacks in 2006 and 2008 has been charged in another two, police said Wednesday night.
- New Castle Postal Employees Presents USPS With a Petition Including 14,000 Signatures
- AZ: Deadline fast approaching for USPS street mail delivery surveys
- Money Orders and Imprinting Machine Missing After Ucon Post Office Burglary
- Postal employee harmonizers get big TV break
- Better the Second Time Around?
- Inaction in the Senate
July 15. 2009
- Reminder: USPS Class Action Lawsuit
There is a Class Action Lawsuit for Letter Carriers in the SW Region; TX, OK, NM, LA, & AR; addressing the problems of OT being disallowed, supervisors changing your time, having to work thru lunch to finish your route, working off the clock, and working OT and not being paid. USPSLawsuit.com or call 800-460-2756. Check it out...opt in now. You don't want to miss out if and when there is a significant monetary recovery.
- Sentencing pushed back for former Mt. Pleasant postal worker
- Former postal employee indicted for suspicion of stealing mail
- USPS prepares for five-day delivery
Federal Times: The U.S. Postal Service is drafting a plan for switching to five-day mail delivery — and for overcoming strong opposition to the idea from labor unions and Congress. An internal study group, composed of managers from across the Postal Service, has been working privately for three months to figure out the complicated logistical changes involved in switching to five-day mail delivery. Those include creating new schedules for the transportation network that moves mail across the country, for example, and major reductions in work hours for carriers and other employees.
- APWU: Changes and Challenges
In response to the staggering decline in mail volume, the Postal Service has implemented significant changes to the postal network, with more to come. Many of the changes have had an adverse impact on employees — including widespread excessing, the loss of the equivalent of 100,000 jobs in the last four years through attrition, and a significant reduction in the number of hours worked by part-time flexibles. And, as the USPS continues to face financial difficulties, management plans to make additional cuts to the postal network and to service.
- USPS to Otisfield, MN - we're taking your only collection box - Otisfield to USPS - NO YOUR NOT!
- USPS revenues: Falling faster than expected
- Mail carrier saves three from fire
- Round one to residents in mailbox dispute
July 14. 2009
- Can This Life Ring Save the Postal Service?
A House committee has thrown the U.S. Postal Service a lifeline, but it won't be substantial enough to allow the agency to fully escape the financial quicksand pulling it under.
- USPS Never Told Congress They Would Have Trouble Making Payroll
- The Best and Worst Jobs
Mail carrier ranks 189 on a list of 200 of the best and worst jobs - just above construction worker.
- Mail carrier will spend 2 years on probation for stealing money
- Bridgeport Postal Clerk Pleads Guilty
- Post Office Critic Answered
- Will Postal Rates Decrease Next Year?
- USPS goes open-source with tracking system
- Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Big Scary Dogs
July 13. 2009
- Swiss Postal Service Is Moving Some Mail Online
The Swiss postal service has started redirecting some mail from the letter box to the in-box. A program introduced by the Swiss Post in June allows subscribers to receive scans of their unopened envelopes by e-mail message and then decide which ones they want opened and scanned in their entirety, to be read online.
- Terrain is toughest part of Pittsburgh letter carriers' jobs
- CSRS Retiree? Where Is Your Stimulus Payment? The Check May Not Be in the Mail
- Learn from Postal Service
- Postman launches program to encourage letter writing
- Missed Opportunities
July 12. 2009
- Bailing the Mail
The federal government came to the rescue of America's financial institutions, the automobile industry and others. But is it capable of returning its own U.S. Postal Service to profitability, or to the point where it at least breaks even?
- Feds Should Be Smarter About Closing Post Offices
- U.S. Postal Service affected by 'snail mail' image, changing lifestyles - Feeling the squeeze
It's hard to sound hip and cutting-edge when your two biggest products go by the nicknames "snail mail" and "junk mail."
- Gay pride display fails to get postal stamp of approval
- Secrets of the post office
- Our View: Postal Service is lacking service
July 11. 2009
- NAPUS Newsletter
House Committee OKs Emergency Postal Relief Bill for House Vote | NAPUS “Intervenes” in Facility Consolidation Initiative | Al Franken Makes Sixty. Also see: List of Co-Sponsors for HR 22 (doc file)
- Postal Rate Commission Initiates Docket to Review USPS Retail Network Optimization Plan
July 10. 2009
- House panel votes relief for Postal Service
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted Friday to approve HR 22, which would save the U.S. Postal Service $2.3 billion this year in health care costs. The bill allows the Postal Service to pay health care premiums for its current retirees using a trust fund designated for future retirees. Also see APWU: House Committee Approves HR 22
- NALC: USPS pushing ahead on five-day delivery study
- The End of The Postal Service?
- Mail carrier attacked by dog for third time
- USPS Going Green - shipping the first of 6,500 new alternative-fuel delivery vehicles
- Mail Carrier's Reunion With Baby Turns Emotional
A mail carrier who likely saved the life of a newborn girl was recognized Thursday by his co-workers and representatives from Franklin County Children Services.
July 09. 2009
- NALC Intensifies Effort To Save 6-Day Delivery
NALC President Fred Rolando is making it clear to the Postal Service and to Congress that ending six day mail delivery to American households is unacceptable and this union will fight it with all the energy and power it can muster. “Termination of six-day delivery would open the floodgates to all other delivery services in America to fill the void, resulting in a continual diminution of postal service, especially in the cost-effective areas of package and specialty delivery in which lies the economic future of the Postal Service,” Rolando said.
- Bailing the Mail
The federal government came to the rescue of America's financial institutions, the automobile industry and others. But is it capable of returning its own U.S. Postal Service to profitability, or to the point where it at least breaks even?
- Replay: USPS: The Biggest Loser
- CMOs slash marketing budgets in 2009, direct mail takes hit
July 08. 2009
- Delivered: U.S. Postal Service Workers Indicted on Drug Charges Amid Investigation
Seven current or former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees and one non-postal employee were indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury in documents unsealed Tuesday on multiple drug trafficking and drug possession charges after a one year investigation lead by Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) in Cleveland, OH.
- Lawmakers question plans of Postal Service to cut costs
- Postman Sentenced For Stealing Mail, Gift Cards - Also see Thieving postman gets year in prison
- Mailman accused of on-duty hit and run
- 750 local postal employees sign petition to protest consolidation
- London Postal Workers Commence Three-Day Strike Over Job Cuts
July 07, 2009
- Ex-postal worker pleads guilty to mail theft
- Few postal employees take latest early retirement offer
- U.S. Postal Service: Stamped out?
- $50G reward for North Jersey post office bandit
- OIG Blog: Do you think India Post’s experience providing universal service has any lessons for the United States Postal Service?
- Mail Carrier Credited With Saving Man's Life
July 06. 2009
- Rolando Elevated to Letter Carriers’ Presidency
Fredric V. Rolando assumed the presidency of the 300,000-member National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO) today, following the retirement of William H. Young after more than 6 1/2 years as head of the postal union. Rolando, 56, a member of Sarasota, Florida NALC Branch 2148, moved up from his position as the union’s executive vice president under terms of the union’s constitution. Also see: President Young retires, hands reins to Rolando
- Does Federal Law Limit Post Office Consolidation?
The laws of economics say the U.S. Postal Service needs to reduce the number of post offices. But the laws of the United States may say otherwise.
- Electronic Outreach Tests House Rules
Congressional rules bar lawmakers from using their free-mail privilege -- known as franking -- to send mass mailings through the U.S. Postal Service in the 90 days before an election. One goal of those limits is to curtail the advantage of incumbency and to discourage entrenched lawmakers from driving up taxpayer costs in a flurry of pre-election appeals to potential voters. But rules for email, congressional Web sites and social-media tools are far less restrictive, and in some cases nonexistent.
- Postal workers picketing in front of downtown Jackson post office
July 5, 2009
- Fewer days of mail delivery to fix Postal Budget?
- Postal Worker 'Did What He Had To Do' In Bank Robbery Shooting - See video
"I went around the corner, and we were face-to-face. He was in my face," Norman said. "He was bringing the gun up, and I grabbed the pistol with my hand and he shot me in the face."
- Postal union: Curbside delivery might eliminate jobs
July 4. 2009
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!
The Fourth of July is Independence Day. Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.
- A Michael Jackson Stamp? Maybe. Rev. Al Sharpton wants day of mourning, stamp
- Packages missing, postal probe in progress
- The Facts and Fallacies of Online Shipping Costs
July 03. 2009
- Letter Carrier commits fraud to get his picture in Magazine ..... Faces name change
- Peorian allegedly shot at Postal Service truck
- Pierre's Hand Car Wash owner pleads guilty to defrauding Postal Service
- Karl Malden and The Post Office
July 02. 2009
- USPS: Going Out of Business Sale
by Rick Owens
- President of the National Association of Postmasters Comments on Royal Case
- Chicago letter carrier faces sexual assault charges
- Postal worker pleads guilty to tossing mail into dumpster
- Postal service must make tough choices to survive
- Florida Editorial: Postal predicament
July 01. 2009
- Happy Anniversary - USPS ZIP Code
Today the USPS ZIP Code turns 46 years old. However, the cartoon figure, Mr. ZIP, originated serveral years earlier. Mr. ZIP, was adopted by USPS as the trademark for the Zoning Improvement Plan or ZIP Code, which began on July 1, 1963. More
- Postal carrier's letter ignites complaints
- Carrier Robbed at Gunpoint in SC
- Dozens of Del. Post Offices to End Bulk Mail Service Tuesday
- What's your hurry? Grand Rapids-area post offices collect mail only once a day
June 30. 2009
- Number of Postal Employees Continues to Decline
USPS filed their ON ROLLS AND PAID EMPLOYEE STATISTICS with the PRC recently. The results of this report indicates that the decline in the number of postal employees continues. Due to automation and the decline in volume the clerk craft is losing the greatest number of employees. From June 2008 to June 2009 the clerk craft lost approximately 8% of their employees - a loss of 15,374 employees.
- Postal Unions Slam Saturday Mail Cut Plan
AFL-CIO NOW BLOG
- Rural carrier pleads not guilty to identity and mail theft
- Former Postal Worker Facing Prison Time
- Modern postal service could use Ben Franklin’s help
- U.S. Post Offices observing holiday early
June 29. 2009
- Ask Burrus: Will USPS Not Be Able to Make Payroll Soon?
Employees are hearing that the Postal Service will not have sufficient funds to pay employees come September. Many of us are worried that we will not get paid. Is the rumor true? What is the union planning on doing to prevent this from happening?
- Mail priorities - POSTAL CUTBACKS IN AGE OF E-MAIL
- Stamped for extinction
It dawned on me that an entire generation has been raised without ever receiving a love letter. They have never experienced the anticipation of ripping open a perfume-laden envelope with page after page of handwritten raw emotion. I’m sorry, but getting a text that says "miss you" is hardly the same thing.
- Backcountry mail pilot helps preserve way of life
June 28. 2009
- More Theft By Union Officials
Listed in this article are some of the 2009 investigations and charges of theft by union officials.
- Friends rally to keep popular Brookside mail clerk’s job
- Mail Carrier Robbed At Gun Point
- Mail Carrier Finds Infant In Plastic Bag
- MATV launches its online mail portal for Same-Day & Next-Day Mail delivery to any address in the U.S.
June 27. 2009
- Richmond, Va. APWU Official Indicted for Theft
- Carwash company accused of bilking U.S. Postal Service of $1600 and discharging wastewater into the Lehigh River
- Postal Service loses $677 million in May as volume declines
- PRC Job Opening: Commission Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer - Salary Range: $117,000‐ 153,000
- APWU: Drive for Sick-Leave Credit Gains New Life
- Santa Monica, CA locals react to possible loss of mail delivery
- Wyden, Merkley Urge Congress, Postal Service to Protect Oregon's Vote-by-Mail
- U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: It's outstanding and affordable
- Canada Post seeks 20% price increase by 2014
June 26. 2009
- APWU: Unions Rally for Healthcare, Now!
- House Panel oks Postal Relief Bill
- MSPB Sustains Supervisors Demotion
- House Approves FERS Sick leave Bill
- Save Your Post Office!
A rallying cry can be heard across the country, from the swanky streets of SoHo to the tiny town of Randolph, Kan.: "Save Our Post Office!" As the United States Postal Service, weighed down by a crippling multibillion-dollar deficit, shrinks down its operations, post offices across the country are on the chopping block.
- Postal Carrier's Embezzlement Stamped Out
June 25. 2009
- Key House Panel Passes HR 22
A House subcommittee has approved an amended version of H.R. 22, legislation that would provide temporary relief from a provision of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act that requires the Postal Service to prefund the healthcare benefits of future retirees. The funding obligation — combined with the nation’s sharp economic downturn — has brought the USPS to the brink of insolvency.
- Complaints Fill Hearing About Federal Employees' Health Plan