"...Accepting their analysis of the value of sorting and applying barcodes, the American Postal Workers Union has issued a challenge: We will accept their conclusion and we demand that the Postal Service compensate mail-processing employees accordingly. Set wages at a rate that would be slightly less expensive than the workshare discounts the USPS offers to major mailers...."
"... About 18,000 U.S. Postal Service employees are expected to take $15,000 buyouts to leave their jobs this year — far less than the 30,000 originally projected by the agency.
Postal officials say that figure isn’t final. Employees were required to sign up for the incentives by Oct. 16,..."
"...The features include Track & Confirm, Post Office locator, and the most popular application — ZIP Code lookup. ..."
"...employers must apply the law's protections (essentially nondiscrimination and reasonable accommodation) to more employees. On September 23, 2009, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued draft regulations to implement the newly-amended ADA...."
"...Plate proofs are the pre-production postage stamp “master copy,” because they were used by printers as the last step..."
"...APWU-represented postal workers will receive a 1.2 percent increase in annual salaries effective Nov. 21, based on the grades and levels in effect on Sept. 6, 2006. The raise will be reflected in paychecks issued Dec. 11, and apply to employees covered by the APWU-USPS 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement and the 2006-2010 Operating Services Agreement...."
"...subsidies for big business.
“With the economy faltering, the USPS simply cannot afford to offer giveaways,” he said. “Mail volume has declined in response to the nation’s tough economic climate, so this is a perfect time to return the work performed by private pre-sorters and mail consolidators to postal employees.”
Since the union offer would save the Postal Service one tenth of one cent on each letter and flat, the challenge is a win-win proposition, Burrus said. “I hope that the postmaster general gives it serious consideration.”..."
"... It was shocking, however, to read that the president of the Association for Postal Commerce suggests that “the time has come for postal employees to start sharing some of the sacrifices.” As APWU members know, postal employees have made tremendous sacrifices as the USPS confronts financial difficulties. More than 40,000 jobs have been wiped out in the last year; thousands of employees have been reassigned to work sites hundreds of miles from their homes; and part-time employees have had their hours slashed.
... I have issued a challenge to the Postmaster General:
Discontinue the exorbitant postage discounts that are offered to large mailers — which are currently as high as 10.5 cents per letter — and allow members of the APWU to perform all mail-processing functions at the rate of 10.4 cents for every letter and flat.
..."
"...The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
(CPI-W) decreased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months to an index
level of 211.322 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased
0.1 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.
..."
"...There are two bits of news regarding this holiday. First, USPS Holidays
list Columbus Day as a post office holiday. Their complete list is..."
"...As part of this proceeding, the Postal Service has filed periodic updates identifying the retail stations and branches that remain under consideration.
The filing does not represent a final decision on consolidation. To date, no facility-specific final decisions have been made as a result of this initiative. ..."
"...The US Postal Service is shutting down a Priority Mail facility in Gloucester County -- and with it, wiping out nearly 600 jobs. Officials with the USPS say they're losing too much money..."
"...allows the US Postal Service to delay $4 billion in payments to a retirees' healthcare fund. The measure, passed by a 62 to 38 vote, was added to legislation that extends funding federal programs at current levels and raises Congress' budget by 6%...."
