From the Federal Register:
SUMMARY: The Postal Service is considering the adoption of a new criterion for eligibility of Bound Printed Matter (BPM) parcels by adding a physical density threshold for individual mailpieces.
DATES: Comments on this advance notice are due September 10, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446, Washington, DC 20260-5015. You may inspect and photocopy all written comments at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 11th Floor North, Washington, DC, by appointment only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 1-202-268-2906 in advance for an appointment. Email comments, containing the name and address of the commenter, may be sent to: MailingStandards@usps.gov, with a subject line of “New Eligibility for BPM Parcels.” Faxed comments are not accepted.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kayla Dobbs at 202-268-6753, or Wm. Kevin Gunther at 202-268-7208.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BPM parcels is an economical ground-based product containing qualifying bound printed matter, weighing no more than 15 pounds and requiring postage payment by permit imprint. BPM is primarily used by commercial shippers who do not require expedited delivery. This product is not available for purchase at Post OfficeTM retail units and is not typically used by non-business mailers.
Statutory requirements under title 39, U.S. Code, require that each class of mail or type of mail service bear the direct and indirect costs attributable to that class or service. In this regard, the Postal Service expenses related to the BPM parcel product continues to exceed the revenues generated by its sales. In fiscal year 2011, BPM parcels realized a 98.8% cost coverage.
Greater efficiency in the packaging of BPM parcels will provide for more expedient handling of BPM parcels and will contribute to the cost coverage of the BPM product. To that end, the Postal Service is considering the implementation of a new minimum mailpiece density requirement for BPM parcels, with an effective date targeted for July, 2013.
Less densely prepared parcels also tend to result in a higher incidence of conveyance problems on automated parcels processing equipment, increasing the need for extra handling.
If the Postal Service proceeds with its plan to adopt a new density eligibility requirement for BPM parcels, parcels will be required to meet or exceed the minimum physical density threshold to qualify for BPM parcel pricing. The proposed density requirement will not be applicable to Bound Printed Matter flats.
The principal intent of the Postal Service in proposing this new requirement is to provide guidance for mailers to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in the packaging of BPM parcels. The Postal Service also hopes to provide a mechanism for mailers to self-regulate the content of BPM parcels, as books and similar printed matter are naturally dense products.
To calculate density, first the length, height and width of each parcel is measured in inches, and then multiplied to obtain cubic inches. To determine the volume in cubic feet, the cubic inches product is then divided by 1,728 (cubic inches in a cubic foot). The weight of the mailpiece, in pounds, is then divided by the product of the prior calculation (the mailpiece volume in cubic feet) to yield a density value of the parcel, measured in pounds/cubic foot. For example, the density of a BPM parcel weighing 10 pounds and measuring 12 inches in length, 8 inches in height, 10 inches in width, would have a density of approximately 17.9 pounds/cubic foot, calculated as follows: 12 x 8 x 10 = 960 cubic inches, 960/1728 = .56 cubic feet, 10/.56 = 17.9 pounds/cubic foot. If this standard is adopted, to be eligible for BPM pricing, parcels must demonstrate a density of at least 10.0 pounds/
cubic foot. BPM parcels with densities under 10.0 pounds/cubic foot would not be eligible for BPM parcel pricing. When parcels intended for mailing at BPM prices are identified as falling below the minimum density threshold, the mailer will be provided with the option either to repackage the contents more efficiently to meet the minimum density
requirement, or mail the item using another mail class as applicable.
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2012-18085 Filed 7-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
The PMG of the USP can offer the VER, it is a time table now, whatever time is left will be used to negotiate the incentives, if Guffey ( who represents a dying union, as the USPS is is being dismantled and he cannot stop it ), persisit and USPS feels it can not go on, then PMG will offer the VER, unless there is such bad blood, but read APWU Toldeo OH President Arnie Cowells piece, it says it all.
http://apwulocal170.org/ ARNIE COWELL
See how this large local union president said it all, those who have a future in the USPS, is all the APWU is fighting for.
This Moron is Toledo OH President Arnie Cowell and takes Guffey and the Executives board stand, but if PMG had a brain he would go ahead with VER.
7/19/2012 – Early Outs:
Let me try to explain to you members who keep asking about the early-outs. I have written before that President Guffey will not negotiate any early outs until the Postal Service gives us the jobs back that were negotiated in the contract. Management still continues to violate the collective bargaining agreement at will. The Union has no obligation to negotiate an early out. He, President Guffey, is trying to save jobs. Isn’t that what a union is supposed to do? Incentives are not the top priority. The members who still have a future with the Postal Service are the main concern. Incentives are not a right or are they earned or owed. They are to eliminate jobs that we can’t afford to lose. So until management gives us our work back don’t be looking for any incentive anytime soon.
This is Guffey’s stupidity and those dimwits that back him in his stupidity, who votes for these morons?
https://twitter.com/uspsconnect/
http://www.apwu.org/about/directory-officers.htm
https://twitter.com/APWUnational
The agreement with the Postal Service is intended to provide a financial cushion, and added peace of mind, for Mail Handlers who might be prepared to move on to the next chapter of their lives by leaving the Postal Service – a decision that could be particularly trying during these difficult economic times. In addition, with many closings and consolidations expected to be implemented at mail processing facilities in August 2012 and February 2013, the MOU also will benefit remaining Mail Handlers to the extent that some Mail Handlers choose to retire because of this incentive. More specifically, remaining Mail Handlers will experience less excessing and will benefit from more landing spots if excessed, more bidding opportunities, and other results of reduced staffing.
So where is the communication ?
communications@apwu.org
cguffey@apwu.org
gbell@apwu.org
http://www.apwu.org/about/directory-officers.htm
https://twitter.com/APWUnational