May 31,  2011

When we work for the United States Postal Service we get military veterans and civilians who jointly make personal sacrifices to make this invaluable delivery service possible. The unfortunate reality of life for all of us is that nobody gets out alive! On Memorial Day don’t forget to think about all of the postal employees who have gone before all of us so that we may continue to keep this American business torch lit.  |

Former Oklahoma Postmaster Gets Prison And Ordered To Pay USPS $643,604 For Embezzlement - Former Elgin, OK Postmaster must pay the U.S. Postal Service $643,604.49 and IRS $129,061.66 for a total of $771,666.15. The former Postmaster was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for theft of public funds from the United States Postal Service and for filing a false tax return. Texas letter carrier gets prison and must pay $244,320 for theft of mail   |

According to Postal Inspector Michael Mulder, the charges stemmed from a January 15 incident that allegedly took place inside the McDavid Post Office. A female mail carrier alleged that Lee attempted to sexually assault her inside the Main Street building. Lee was placed on administrative leave. Read  responses about this case from an earlier story on the news website -  It appears many readers are on the Postmasters side.  |

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has been asked whether employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) who retire between October 28, 2009, and December 31, 2013, with 50 percent of their sick leave having been credited toward their FERS annuity computation, could have the remaining 50 percent of their sick leave recredited to their sick leave account if they return to Federal service as reemployed annuitants.  The answer is yes.  |

Will $13 million bribery scandal lead the Postal Service to reissue its procurement regulations?   Did the U.S. Postal Service's lack of procurement regulations inadvertently help USPS officials carry out a $13 million bribery scheme over several years? Five Postal Service employees were indicted in May 2011 by a Detroit, MI grand jury for taking bribes and steering as much as $13 million in vehicle maintenance work to a private contractor. Could this scheme have been prevented, or caught earlier, if USPS had not abolished its procurement regulations in 2006?  |

The End of Mail - Will the USPS collapse? The U.S. Postal Service is as old as the country, delivers 40 percent of the world's mail, and may be the world's greatest bargain. Unfortunately, it's also on the verge of collapse. GAO's Phillip Herr is "struck by how many USPS executives started out as letter carriers or clerks. He finds them so consumed with delivering mail that they have been slow to grasp how swiftly the service's financial condition is deteriorating. "We said, 'What's your 10-year plan?' " Herr recalls. "They didn't have one." Congress gave him until the end of 2011 to report on the USPS's woes. But Herr and his team concluded that the postal service's business model was so badly broken that collapse was imminent. Donahoe wants to close post offices and move some of their operations into convenience stores and supermarkets, where nonunion workers can staff them" The Postal Service Faces the Future   |

Additionally, he and others plan a rally for this Tuesday, May 31, 10 a.m. to noon, in front of the post office at 197 Broad St. Picketers will be protesting the planned July 8 shutdown of this branch by the United States Postal Service. Plans to close the long-time branch have drawn pages of signatures on a petition opposing the plan and objection from Mayor Daniel McKee, who said in a statement that the closing would "contribute further economic hardship and deterioration of the neighborhood" of Valley Falls.  |

A correction has been made to the Maintenance Craft Jobs Memorandum of Understanding that appears on page 181 of the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement.  |

A recent court decision has many federal managers and supervisors asking serious questions about their exposure and personal liability in civil or 'personal capacity' lawsuits for work-related matters and decisions.  For legal representation of Postal Service employees in civil and criminal cases, see ELM 668 Legal Assistance Provided by the Postal Service  |

Postal cuts may affect 3 stations

Miami Beach mail carrier mauled by dog

The Postal Service's New England District Office in Providence will move to Connecticut

Postmasters request a ruling that the Postal Service must obtain an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission before "closing thousands of post offices, affecting nationwide postal service, and before abdicating its responsibility to serve communities through maintaining its nationwide network of rural post offices as local federal government offices. Postmasters request a "Temporary Stay" on USPS post office closings nationwide. (5/23/11) |

"APWU President Cliff Guffey and Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe have signed the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Their signatures formalize the new contract, which was ratified by APWU members on May 11. " |

USPS stages trial mail truck runs from Staten Island to Manhattan

Kevin Kosar has written reports and given testimony on the financial condition of USPS. In one of his testimonies to the House Subcommittee he wrote that  most of the USPS "mail volume today consists of advertising mail and business-related correspondence." So it is baffling as to why he is giving tips on how to stop receiving  "junk mail." |

The Postal Service has said that it plans to request an Advisory Opinion within months related to the closing of a large number of post offices nationwide. It is apparent, however, from the volume of news reports and customer inquiries received by the Commission from around the country that the Postal Service is already taking substantial action to close post offices or evaluate them for closure. The Postal Service has not provided details of this activity to the Commission.  |

Rep. Dennis Ross Still Getting USPS Numbers Wrong

Recently, Congressman Dennis Ross wrote on his Facebook  page that 80-82% of USPS operating costs is labor. Normally, estimating figures in a public forum is no problem. But when the Chairman of a House Subcommittee covering the U.S. Postal Service starts doling out numbers they should be accurate and not pulled out of thin air. Also, if I'm not mistaken the other operating costs figures cited by Ross for UPS and Fedex are at least 10 years old. Perhaps the "postal reporter tweeps" can weigh in on these figures.  Comparing Labor Cost Proportions at the USPS, UPS, and FedEx |

Federal workers late to feel pension pinch

Huge Employee Contribution Hike for FERS? ...as part of a compromise to limit federal borrowing, many Democrats and Republicans want federal civil servants to do the same: Pay more into their pensions. A Republican plan would effectively impose a 5 percent pay cut by boosting federal employees’ contribution to 6 percent of their salary from the current 0.8 percent. Administration officials are pushing a smaller contribution hike that would be phased in gradually and exempt some workers.  |

"Last year, Burger King launched an ad campaign that included television commercials featuring a “letter carrier” singing about breakfast at Burger King rather than delivering the mail. USPS objected to the commercial, resulting in a negotiated settlement favorable to both sides." PostalReporter posted the video on this site last year but it has been removed. But it seems that USPS missed another Burger King video on YouTube  featuring a letter carrier. The letter carrier in the video is giving his mailbag to a customer so he can join others in singing and marching to Burger King for breakfast.  |

Amusing USPS Court Case

May 21,  2011

 APWU Tentative Guidelines For Effective Dates of New Contract

The new APWU and USPS collective bargaining agreement will be signed on Monday, May 23rd. The following is a timeline of effective dates (subject to change).  |

Will FedEx Be Stiffed by USPS?  

Courier, Express, and Postal Observer - When the Postmaster General previously stated that the Postal Service would default on its Federal obligations, he stated that the Postal Service would continue to deliver the mail and employees would still be paid.  So that leaves payments of postal contractor bills as the operating expenses that will not be paid.  In 2010, the Postal Service's largest contractors, and therefore the firms that face the greatest risk that the Postal Service will not pay its bills are as follows.  USPS Largest Suppliers For 2010  |

Police say no charges for postal worker in fatal accident
Letter carrier sentenced for fraudulently claiming injured worker benefits

May 20,  2011

USPS Gets Burger King To Change Commercial Featuring Letter Carrier

"Last year, Burger King launched an ad campaign that included television commercials featuring a “letter carrier” singing about breakfast at Burger King rather than delivering the mail. USPS objected to the commercial, resulting in a negotiated settlement favorable to both sides."   |

California postal worker pleads to grand theft charge

The NAPA postal worker  was "charged in September with one count of grand theft for allegedly stealing up to $16,744 in cash from the post office between Feb. 1, 1999 and June 30, 2010, court documents show." note: This is odd that she is being prosecuted by the local DA for stealing such a large amount of money.  |

USPS Reduces Online Retention Time for Track and Confirm Items

Indianapolis 500 Centennial Celebrated on Forever Stamp

Amazon.com now sells more eBooks than Print Books

May 19,  2011

 USPS Mail Volume Continues To Decline

Total mail volume in quarter 2 continued to decline, falling more than 500 million pieces compared to the same period last year, according to Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Joe Corbett. Although Package Services and Standard Mail volumes increased modestly, the increase was not sufficient to offset the loss of revenue from reduced First-Class Mail volumes.   |

Dennis Ross subcommittee quietly corrects USPS financial numbers

The House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy led by Congressman Dennis Ross (R-FL) issued a news release citing the wrong financial figures for USPS. The subcommittee added $400 million to the $2.2 billion USPS reported it  lost for the quarter ending March 31. Well, the subcommittee quietly corrected the numbers AFTER the hearing on May 12, 2011. The Dennis Ross "postal reporter tweeps" are closely watching this committee.. |

USPS Expands Access To Products, Services to 100,000 Non-Postal Locations With nearly 100,000 places to buy stamps, ship a package or renew a passport, the U.S. Postal Service is expanding customer access to its products and services. It’s not about brick-and- mortar Post Offices anymore, as postal products move online and into retail outlets, grocery stores, office supply chains and pharmacies.  |

2 Hearings, 2 Weeks, and 1 Message - eNAPUS -also Budget-Cutters Focus On Our Pensions

How many federal and postal employees are eligible to retire? Washington Post

NALC strongly supports the POST Act’s retirement cost provisions and the new commercial freedoms it offers. These provisions would restore the long-term viability of the Postal Service. Unfortunately, the bill is marred by two provisions that we cannot support.  Senator Akaka Says Carper Bill Would Favor USPS In Collective Bargaining -...both of these bills still contain a provision introduced in the last Congress which would bias the collective bargaining process to favor the Postal Service during arbitration. Sen. McCaskill expresses concern to PMG about five-day delivery  |

 Congressman Dennis Ross Says USPS did not ‘overpay’ any bill

The USPS did not "overpay" any bill. It was required to prefund retirement. Just a tip for any USPS Union Member reading this facebook page. If you think I have not had dozens and dozens of meetings with your leadership, don’t know the issues facing the USPS......– you are as blindly partisan as you accuse me of being.  |

APWU: Official Local-by-Local Ratification Vote Totals

Video: Ever wonder how mail is sorted?

APWU, USPS Agree To Timeline for Local Negotiations On New Contract

Rucker Named USPS Acting Vice President Of Sales

Federal Employee Threat Level: Pretty Darn High!

Federal judges join fight to save Raleigh post office

Utah postal worker sentenced to prison for stealing mail, gift cards

Public Fights To Keep Hickory NC Mail Distribution Center Open

Saturday mail delivery back on endangered list

Gary fights to keep postal jobs

Yakima Postal Carrier Donates $1,400 Worth of Food to Food Drive

25 Beaumont postal workers to be relocated as operations move to Houston

May 17,  2011

Postmasters President: Closing Small Offices Is A Measure To Make Senior USPS Managers Look Good  - Closing post offices, like the closing of Borders Bookstores or Blockbuster outlets, can seem like a fast way to cut costs, but it carries significant hidden costs. First, unlike other stores, post offices are not just retail outlets; they are part of a nationwide receipt and delivery network. This receipt and delivery network depends upon the existence of these rural offices, and without them there will be gaps in coverage of delivery and postal services. |

NAPUS: USPS needs to eliminate its still bloated administrative overhead before cutting more services - ...we are deeply concerned about statements, policies and regulations that would take the Postal Service in a completely different direction, to irrevocably contract its universal mission. Such misguided policies do irreparable harm to confidence in our postal system, and the economies of communities, large and small. For this reason, NAPUS is troubled by sections 201 and 202 of the POST Act, and urges the Chairman to revisit these provisions.  |

Federal-Postal Coalition Urges Senate To reject House Approved 2012 Budget 

The House Budget Resolution’s plan to freeze federal employee pay for five years, cut the workforce by ten percent, and require employees to significantly increase their contributions to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Trust Fund are short-sighted, unfair and unreasonable.   |

Guffey: Request For Legislators To Take Action on USPS Pre-Funding Is Not A Bailout

The union president also expressed the APWU’s “unalterable opposition” to proposals that would change the standards for arbitration when contract negotiations end in an impasse. “The draft legislation we have seen would destroy the fairness of postal bargaining in several ways: It would put an arbitrary time limit on interest arbitration; it would make postal employees pay the price for congressionally-caused deficits employees have been powerless to prevent or alleviate, and it would place a cap on increases in postal wages. |

Testifying before the Federal Financial Management Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe said that the financial condition of the Postal Service is such that in the absence of comprehensive legislation, there are required federal payments that are now in jeopardy. “As things stand, we do not have the cash to make a $5.5 billion prepayment for future retiree health benefits due Sept. 30,” he said. He also alerted subcommittee members that the cash shortfall could extend to operational expenses. “Despite our significant role in the American economy and our aggressive cost cutting and revenue generating efforts, I regret to say we are in a serious financial predicament today,” he said.  |

Sen. Carper Introduces Comprehensive Postal Service Act

Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) introduced the Postal Operations Sustainment and Transformation (POST) Act of 2011. The POST Act addresses the current budget issues plaguing the U.S. Postal Service by proposing a series of provisions including: easing postal employee pension and retiree health costs; addressing postal employee wages and benefits; allowing partnerships with state and local governments; continuing and enhancing efforts to preserve its existing business; and giving the Postal Service leeway to close post offices, market certain non-postal items, and eliminate Saturday delivery.   |

Fox Launches Misleading Attack On Postal Service

On Fox & Friends, Fox Business host Stuart Varney attacked the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for seeking a "bailout" because if it "were run like a business," the USPS would be "cutting costs" and wouldn't need federal assistance. In fact, the USPS has been cutting costs for years, and like the USPS, hundreds of private businesses have recently received federal assistance.  |

GAO Report: USPS needs new trucks, can’t afford them

The U.S. Postal Service needs new trucks to deliver the mail, but replacing its entire fleet would cost almost $6 billion, a price too high for an agency losing billions annually, according to a new government report.It owns more than 161,000 right-hand drive trucks that are nearing the end of a 24-year life cycle. About 21,000 of the trucks are capable of running on either gasoline or ethanol, as are another 22,000 left-hand-drive minivans and 3,490 delivery vehicles. Sen. Carper Highlights Report Detailing Declining State of USPS Vehicle Fleet |  click here for live video on Senate Hearing on Addressing USPS Financial Crisis  |

PMG names two new Vice Presidents

Kelly Sigmon, currently vice president, Engineering Systems, will become vice president, Channel Access, effective June 1. Meanwhile, Michael Amato is set to become the new vice president, Engineering Systems.  |

USPS blames 'Murphy's Law' for late arrival of cards announcing PO closure meeting

 California - A USPS spokesman said the reason why it took two weeks to deliver postcards announcing a public meeting on the proposed closure of the downtown Ukiah post office may never be known, and the delay is an example of "Murphy's Law." The 1,450 pieces addressed to Ukiah Post Office Boxes were delivered the next day," Vogel wrote in a letter to Inspector General David C. Williams dated May 4. "The remaining 1,487 addressed to residences within a 10-minute walk of the main Ukiah Post office were delayed 14 to 15 days, until April 28 and 29."    |

NALC: Final Contract COLA Under 2006-2011 Agreement Stands at $832

The projected accumulation toward the ninth and final contract COLA under the 2006-2011 National Agreement stands at $832 following the May 13 release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March.   |

Michigan: Detroit: Postal Workers Report Not Receiving Paychecks

Editorial: Five-day mail plan gains strength

Atlanta: Thousands in Checks Stolen From US Mail

Deadtree Edition- "In an error-filled editorial, The Wall Street Journal chided the U.S. Postal Service Saturday for not acting more like a business and for being too slow to cut costs. Be careful what you wish for. 'If this were a private business, the obvious response to these losses would be urgent cost-cutting to avoid insolvency,' Good point. Let's start with cutting the Postal Service's subsidization of the Journal. Within the Postal Service, the Journal is famous for complaining vociferously if any of its newspapers are delivered a day late, even if the Journal misses the deadline for getting the papers to a postal facility. Postal managers generally acquiesce, creating special (and labor-intensive) procedures to expedite handling of the Journal.   |

The Coming Postal Bailout

Wall Street Journal - One thing we'll say about federal bailouts—if you pay attention, you can usually see them coming a mile away. It was true of Fannie Mae and General Motors, and it's increasingly clear that the next candidate will be the U.S. Postal Service.   |

Three postal workers have filed a lawsuit claiming racial discrimination. The men claim it all started back in 2007. That's when they overheard the postmaster Jeffrey Jenkins make a statement that "he hated to work with Mexicans."  |

Postal Service Uncertainty Hurting Paper Industry

May 13,  2011

Postal Manager Accused in bribe scam Shot in 1993 Post Office Rampage

A U.S. Postal Service manager now accused of accepting bribes, free dates with a hooker and erectile dysfunction pills from a contractor was shot in a 1993 post office rampage — and blamed by some coworkers for the attack. In a June 2005 deposition filed in U.S. District Court, another supervisor charged yesterday said  that  Union was using the shooting rampage as leverage against management  USPS contractor still servicing postal vehicles after charges filed  | Metro Diesel outed as company that bribed USPS supervisors  | see portions of Gorski's 2005 testimony on behalf of Plumb .  |

Postal Workers Challenge Md. Consolidation Plan
Woman feeling blue after losing $3,200 in USPS mailbox in Industry

APWU: Changes to Federal Workers Compensation Laws Would Negatively Affect Postal Workers - At a congressional hearing on May 12, “Reviewing Workers’ Compensation for Federal Employees,” Carney enumerated significant deficiencies in the proposed legislation, stating that the sweeping changes proposed in FIERA provisions would “bring additional favor to employing agencies; cause unnecessary harm, in some cases irreparable harm, to injured workers and their families, and do little to promote the non-adversarial program FECA is intended to be.”   |

OSHA proposes $93,500 in fines to USPS for recurring hazards at Morgan P & DC in Manhattan - OSHA found exit routes blocked by bins, carts, boxes and other equipment, and electrical control panels blocked by carts and bins. In addition, fire extinguishers were not mounted and readily available for use, floor expansion joints and other areas where powered industrial trucks are operated were not maintained in good condition.  |

Sioux City's FOIA Request for Postal Study Details Denied
PRC May cause Fresh Postal Pain

Charges filed in mail carrier attack, standoff

Robbers targeting mail carriers in Chicago

May 11,  2011

APWU Members Ratify Contract

APWU members approved a new contract May 11, with more than 75 percent of those casting ballots voting in favor of ratification. The final tally was 69,451 to 22,351 in balloting that ended May 10. The agreement will expire May 20, 2015.   |

Postal Inspector, Paralegal Charged With Perjury and Obstruction Of Justice

The indictments allege that on May 19, 2010, the postal inspector and paralegal testified falsely under oath in a court hearing that took place before United States District Judge. "The indictments allege that their testimony on May 19th was false, in that contrary to their testimony, they had social out-of-office and out-of-court meetings that were not of a professional nature and that they exchanged emails that were of a personal nature."  |

Obama Nominates Former Aide of GOP Congressman To PRC

"Robert G. Taub is currently the Special Assistant to Secretary of the Army John McHugh. He has extensive expertise with postal policy and was instrumental in developing the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which modernized America’s postal laws for the first time since 1970." Obama also nominated Mark Acton- "Action has served on the Postal Regulatory Commission and its predecessor the Postal Rate Commission since August 2006."   |

Dennis Ross Led House Subcommittee Is Confused on USPS Financial Loss Numbers -The Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy lead by Congressman Dennis Ross (R-FL) issued a news release citing the wrong financial figures for USPS. USPS announced a $2.2 billion net loss--Ross committee said it was $2.6 billion. But what harm is a $400,000 difference from a committee looking to get USPS  back on financial stability?  |

Man charged in beating of Massachusetts postal supervisor

According to the complaint, as the supervisor was speaking with VIGEANT, when VIGEANT began striking the supervisor in the head and body with his fists. They went to the ground, where the struggle continued.  |

As of 12:45 p.m., the numbers stand at 69,451 “yes” votes, and 22,351 “no” votes.. There has not been update since 12:45.? The numbers will be updated periodically as they become available.  |

Postal "Watchdogs" Trying to Unleash USPS Innovation

Letter carrier accused of slapping person

May 10,  2011

USPS Ends FY Second Quarter With Net Loss Of $2.2 Billion

Default on $5.5 Billion federal  payments looming - The U.S. Postal Service ended the second quarter of this fiscal year (Jan. 1 - March 31, 2011) with a net loss of $2.2 billion, compared to a net loss of $1.6 billion for the same period in FY 2010.  |

Chiropractor Who Treated Mostly Postal Workers Gets Prison For OWCP Fraud

House Subcommittee holds hearing on mailing industry May 12

Governor questions central South Dakota mail switch
 

May 9,  2011

USPS: Understanding The General Reduction In Force (RIF) Notice

"There have been questions about the General Reduction in Force (RIF) Notices that were mailed by Human Resources (HR) on April 28 — including why some employees got one and others did not. HR used the information available at the time the General RIF Notices were issued — including which employees took the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) — to determine which competitive areas may still be subject to RIF and, if a RIF is conducted, which employees could be impacted.  Get your profile created or updated in eCareer by May 11." USPS rejects postmasters’ recommendations on saved grade for RIF’d employees | RIF Competitive Areas for the Postal Service Updated | General RIF Notices sent to Postal Employees  |

New Jersey postmaster in federal court for allegedly stealing $17,000

the allegation is that the postmaster input fictitious hours into the U.S. Postal Service payroll system (for an employee who had since resigned),” “(Mayo) then intercepted those checks that came in, and he transferred the money to his own account.”  |

Oregon lawmakers looking to change accessibility requirements for clustered mailboxes - “The Oregon Legislature is trying to make it easier for some people with disabilities to reach their mailboxes. The measure would require cities and counties to adopt accessibility standards for clustered mailboxes, ensuring people with wheelchairs and other disabilities can get their mail. The U.S. Postal Service does not have accessibility requirements for clustered mailboxes.”   |

USPS Revises ELM To Clarify OIG Role Regarding Whistleblower Protection

Effective immediately, Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 666.32 and 666.35 are revised to clarify certain responsibilities of the Office of Inspector General when investigating allegations of reprisal for the release of information under the provisions of ELM 666.18.  |

Nebraska Congressmen Urge USPS to Evaluate Impact of Closing Small Post Offices - On March 31, 2011, the USPS proposed a rule which would change the process of closing small, rural post offices. While current law prohibits USPS from closing an office solely for financial purposes, there is concern rural post offices are being targeted for closure because they are not generating revenue, not because it would save a significant amount of money.   |

USPS closing four regional centers, more than 20 small post offices

"By January it will take two days instead of one to send a letter from far Eastern Kentucky to Lexington, Frankfort and other parts of the state.The U.S. Postal Service will be closing sorting centers in Pikeville and Ashland, routing mail instead through Charleston, W.Va.Work from two other sorting centers also is being transferred, and more than 20 small Kentucky post offices are being closed as the postal service tries to save operating expenses." Postal service cutbacks will slow deliveries from Eastern Kentucky  |

USPS Introduces Prepaid Forever Priority Mail Flat Rate Packaging

Dead Tree Edition:" The Postmaster General didn’t just tell major customers this week that the U.S. Postal Service is a business and not a government agency. He followed up with a move right out of the corporate playbook – announcing plans to stiff a major creditor." (5/8/11) |

"Rudy Tempesta, 85, the longest-serving mailman in the United States. For 65 years, first in New York City, and since 1959 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina he's been delivering good news and bad, checks and bills, letters and magazines, catalogs and packages. For the past 20 years, his route has been a seven-mile stretch in the central part of Chapel Hill."  In 2009, Rudy was honored for  60 years of safe driving.   |

Parishville: Postal closure fight promised

Possible post office closures in Northeast Iowa aren't sitting well with residents in targeted towns.
Discussions Wednesday night in New Hartford reached the boiling point, according to participants, and two postal service officials abruptly left the gathering at the middle school. "They just walked out on us. They didn't even give us the courtesy of answering our questions," said Sue Nickalaus, who attended. "... They didn't even care what we wanted to say." Thomas Allen is manager of post office operations for the Hawkeye District, hosted the event in New Hartford along with Sarah Lindauer. Allen offered no explanation why he and Lindauer left the New Hartford meeting without officially closing the proceedings. He did say it was a "bad meeting" and futile to continue. |

USPS posted a notice last month on Federal Business Opportunities website seeking vendors for Small Footprint Flat Sequencing System (FSS Lite).  Following are questions asked with regard to the Small Footprint Flat Sequencing System (FSS Lite) Sources Sought Notice and the USPS responses:  |

Two men arrested in murder of Florida letter carrier

According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, the assailant stole the victim’s U.S Postal key and the keys to the postal truck.  Witnesses saw the postal truck speeding away from the crime scene shortly after they heard shots from inside the Condominium complex. The postal truck was later found abandoned. Subsequently, investigators received a tip that a person named “Diddy,” a person named “Gangsta,” and another person committed the murder to steal the victim’s mail key so they could use the key to steal mail and commit identity theft and tax fraud.  |

Former letter carrier gets probation for workers comp fraud

A 31-year-old former letter carrier was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to one year of probation, 50 hours of community service and $16,546 in restitution for making a false statement to obtain workers comp. "On Jan. 18, 2010, Minhas had an appointment with a doctor for another independent medical examination. He walked with an exaggerated limp, and stated on forms that he would not be working until after he had surgery. After Minhas limped to his car, he drove some 187 miles to Oregon, stopping only once at a rest area." |

USPS To Test Picture Permit Imprint Indicia Concept

Sen. Schumer Urges USPS Not To Close Staten Island Mail Center

USPS Execs Discuss Priorities, Strategies At National Postal Forum Q & A

Pitney Bowes Introduces New Reliant Sorting Solution

USPS courts business community, touting impact of print mail campaigns

May 4,  2011

Guffey to Congress: USPS Will Continue as ‘Vital Public Service'

But Needs Relief from Pre-Funding Requirement - Guffey made the remarks in response to a series of questions posed by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The questions were presented following an April 5 hearing that examined labor costs in light of the APWU’s tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement. At the April 5 hearing, Republican committee members said the Tentative Agreement is too favorable to workers and blamed labor costs for the Postal Service’s financial crisis. |

USPS To Expand Outdoor Billboard Advertising Program

USPS  seeking contractor for Outdoor Billboard Advertising Management Services. "The Contractor’s services will include, identifying properties within the USPS portfolio and evaluating the properties for potential use as an outdoor advertising site. The outdoor sites may have existing structures in place or the structures will have to be constructed to provide for “signage” that may include various types of outdoor formats, such as but not limited to, digital billboards, wallscapes, bulletins and posters."  |

Former APWU National Officer Gets Prison For Theft Of Union Funds

Former APWU Southern Regional Coordinator Frankie Sanders was sentenced  to 18 months in federal prison without parole for theft of union funds. "Indicted in March 2010, Sanders was convicted by a jury’s verdict following a trial for submitting false travel receipts seeking and obtaining more than $10,000 in union funds for reimbursement". Sanders recently ran in the APWU National Election of Officers to get his old job back, but was unsuccessful. archives: APWU Files Embezzlement Lawsuit Against Former Southern Regional Coordinator |  Former APWU National Officer Found Guilty   |

Editorial: USPS Loose Change for 'Paid Performance'

by Ronald Williams, Jr. - Recently at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing the USPS Postmaster General made statements to the effect that 65,000 non-bargaining employees get no COLA or step increases. He summarized that the pay-for-performance system has been around for 10 years and his experience is that managers like it because it is competitive, and it sets goals for national service, finance, people and individuals…In a hands-off leadership approach where bosses don’t care who, what, where, when, why, or how their direct reports get the “numbers” the evaluation criteria is wide open for any individual or group to manipulate data to impress the big bosses (Seek ways to circumvent collective bargaining agreements, and find loopholes in the system to exploit people for administrative purposes anyway you can.) On the postal workroom floor we all know that the craft employees drive productivity, and the managers drive numbers.  |

Sen. Harkin Opposes Proposal that Would Allow USPS to More Easily Close Rural Post Offices

Mulvane: Residents Rally Against US Postal Service Changes

Postal officials say someone robbed post office in small Arkansas town

Postal Service investigates missing Port Orange mail

May 3,  2011