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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Another U.S. Postal Service early retirement incentive this year?
The big question from postal employees at or near retirement age is, will there be Another U.S. Postal Service early retirement incentive this year? Many employees feel that in these hard economic times they need to delay their retirement or not retire at all. The last three early retirement offers have failed to get the needed numbers of employees to retire. The last retirement offer provided a small monetary incentive, but it failed as well. A recent article from Bloomberg BusinessWeek.com, dated March 30, 2010, quotes the the deputy postmaster general as saying, 'We may not have to. It's a timing issue. The average age of postal employees is 53, and their retirement packages are already funded.' However, if you talk to a postal employee, their opinion tends to differ from this managerial position. Postal Employees, as well as most federal employees, are limited to a $25,000 VSIP if their agency decides to request a monetary incentive. The Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment Authority, also known as buyout authority, allows agencies that are downsizing or restructuring to offer employees lump-sum payments up to $25,000 as an incentive to voluntarily separate. Many employees say it will take the $25,000 VSIP to get them to even consider retiring and many complain that the past 'early out' offers are made without enough prior announcement to permit employees to prepare for such a huge, life-altering decision. Employees would like to see the USPS make and announcement far enough in advance that they could investigate finding other employment or simply having an appropriate amount of time to discuss it with families. Additionally, with the APWU going into contract negotiations this year, employees say they have to at least wait until they see where the USPS will go with pay raises, benefits, and health insurance costs. If the USPS fights to further raise Health Insurance costs, many employees will be forced to continue working just to be able to afford insurance in retirement. If the past (last three offers) is any sign of the average USPS employee retiring any time soon ...it's just not going to happen without dangling several juicy carrots in front of them!
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USPS VP: It’s Time to Implement Five-Day Mail Delivery
"... Assuming the PRC and Congress approve the plan, Pulcrano said it would take about six months to implement five-day mail delivery. PRC Chairman Ruth Goldway said last week it might take six to nine months for her panel to issue an advisory opinion...." 
Source: multichannelmerchant.com
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Friday, March 26, 2010
Royal Mail Agreement
Article Title: Royal Mail Agreement
Snippet of Article: "...Between now and 2012
- Basic pay will rise by a minimum of 6.9 per cent
- Further payments will accompany the phased introduction of change in the workplace
- The CWU will play a full part in the introduction, deployment and review of change
- The working week will reduce by one hour with no loss of pay
- Royal Mail will remain a 75 per cent full-time industry
- Existing job security will be further enhanced ..."
Source: www.cwu.org
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Potter for President Campaign (Humor ...we hope)
"...is this a hint of an upcoming Potter for President Campaign. Please say it ain't so! (LOL). ..."
This Article is From: postal-news-network.blogspot.com
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USPS governors approve five-day mail plan
"...street delivery and blue box collections will be eliminated on Saturdays, Express Mail service will continue seven days a week, Post Offices currently open on Saturday will remain open, PO Box accessibility will continue and bulk mail and drop shipments will continue to be accepted at facilities that are currently open. If implemented, Pulcrano told the Board the estimated annual savings would be $3.1bn...."
This Article is From: postandparcel.info
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USPS Launches Five-Day Delivery Internet Site
"...This website is designed to provide postal customers with information regarding our proposal to implement a five-day delivery schedule for street addresses. ..."
This Article is From: www.usps.com
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Postal Service Lending Hand to Competition?
Some competitors hope to capitalize on proposed cessation of Saturday mail delivery
This Article is From: northwestern.edu
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"...“One thing that’s likely going to happen is when USPS pulls their Saturday service, business owners that have a need for Saturday delivery are likely going to hop on the Internet and do a typical Google search,” he said...."
This Article is From: northwestern.edu
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A Bold Move to Attract Young Union Activists (APWU)
"...Toward that end, the national union will assume the cost of transportation and lodging (in double-occupancy rooms) for members 35 or younger to attend. In addition, the national union will pay 50 percent of lost time for 35-or-younger attendees from locals that compensate delegates for their lost time when they participate in the convention...."
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Monday, March 22, 2010
USPS official directs sole-source $4.5M contract to former colleague
"...investigating Bernstock's approval of the Tatum contract and other sole-source deals to determine if he violated procurement rules, IG spokesman Wally Olihovik said. The Tatum deal is the fourth no-bid contract Bernstock directed toward former business associates that ..."
This Article is From: www.federaltimes.com
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Is Congress Biting the Postman?
"...the Postal Service has been scaling back its workforce more than proportionately to the decline in mail volume ..."
This Article is From: employment-assistance.blogspot.com
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Pay Up! Excise tax on so-called "Cadillac plans"
"...the proposed excise tax on so-called "Cadillac plans" slaps a 40 percent tax on every dollar spent on an insurance plan..."
This Article is From: voices.washingtonpost.com
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Monday, March 15, 2010
USPS worker caught delivering more than mail
"...Investigators said an undercover camera in Fonseca's mail truck showed him driving the delivery van with his knees while snorting cocaine up to six times per day.
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This Article is From: www.ksn.com
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PRC Issues Advisory Opinion Affirming Customer Rights in U.S. Postal Service Retail Office Closing Decisions
"...The Commission finds that the current ten days advance customer notice is insufficient and limits opportunities for community consultation. Further, inconsistent financial and operational analyses impair evaluations of facility closures and consolidations. The Commission finds that standardized review procedures should be developed and consistently applied nationwide to ensure adequate and efficient service levels and comply with statutory guidelines...."
This Article is From: www.prc.gov
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White Powder Reported in Baltimore City Hall Mail Room
"...Baltimore police are investigating a report of white powder found in an envelope at City Hall...."
This Article is From: wjz.com
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USPS seeks classification change
"...Today’s filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission is a part of that strategy. The filing seeks to move about 32,000 P.O. Boxes in 49 Post Offices from the current market dominant classification into the competitive class of products. This will allow the Postal Service to test consumer interest in enhancements to the current P.O. Box offering..."
This Article is From: postandparcel.info
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Taxpayers Might Have to Fund the U.S. Postal Service
"...Unless Congress breaks ties with the U.S. Postal Service or at least lets it implement major cost-savings plans, taxpayers will be stuck funding the mail. "We have to make a decision now because we are at a fork in the road," says Potter..."
This Article is From: www.usnews.com
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With the Post Office Losing Billions of Dollars, Where is the Money Coming From to Run Everyday?
DOES USPS WASTE TAXPAYER DOLLARS?
This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov
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"...the Postal Service has not received taxpayer funds to support its operations since 1982. In fact, though the Postal Service often is described as “quasi-governmental,” it’s required by law to cover its costs.
Don’t let myths about the Postal Service cloud the truth. “Misconceptions about the future of the Postal Service abound,” says PMG Jack Potter. “Dispelling these myths will show we can continue to deliver the mail.”..."
This Article is From: liteblue.usps.gov
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
U.S. postal rates are inconsistent
"...The Postal Service wants to cut back, yet it allows companies like National Grid to pay 33 cents for postage. (I received my bill today. National Grid charged 53 cents for billing, yet paid 33 cents to send it.)..."
This Article is From: www.timesunion.com
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Junk mail deluge feared as postal union and Royal Mail reach deal to end strikes
"...The agreement also outlined a 6.9% pay rise over three years for Royal Mail workers, a cut in working hours and further assurances that there will not be compulsory..."
This Article is From: www.guardian.co.uk
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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
NPMHU Arthur S. Vallone Scholarship Application Now Available
"...National Postal Mail Handlers Union is pleased to offer the opportunity for regular craft members of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, and members of their immediate families, to apply for scholarship assistance from the NPMHU Arthur S. Vallone National Scholarship Program...."
This Article is From: npmhu317.blogspot.com
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Saturday, March 6, 2010
Worst class post: One in four first class letters fails to arrive on time, say devastating figures
"...First class post has plunged to its worst performance in more than a decade. ..."
This Article is From: www.dailymail.co.uk
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Pink Floyd get Royal stamp treatment
"...Classic Rock magazine reports that Pink Floyd have teamed up with Royal Mail, the national postal service of the UK, to produce a special stamp available from March 6, 2010...."
This Article is From: www.therockradio.com
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Will end of USPS Saturday delivery kill Netflix?
"...I get a lot of Netflix movies — and I get them on Saturdays. This gives me plenty of time to watch them over the weekend and send them back en masse on Mondays. See, I strategically plan my returns and arrivals, and I’m pretty good at it. Ending Saturday mail delivery throws a monkeywrench in those plans...."
This Article is From: www.geekwithlaptop.com
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
Union Rejects USPS Call For Five-Day Delivery, New Business Model
"...“Postal management has intensified its financial problems by offering excessive worksharing discounts to major mailers and by subcontracting work at exorbitant costs,” Burrus said. Worksharing discounts are given to mailers that pre-sort and pre-barcode their mail, he said, but the discounts exceed the costs the Postal Service avoids when the work is performed by mailers. “Subcontracting is another important source of waste and inefficiency,” he noted.
“We call for a thorough investigation by the Office of the Inspector General into the expanding role of subcontracting and the inflated costs associated with them,” he said.
“Furthermore, we reject any effort to pollute the collective bargaining process with threats of draconian work-rule changes.” Contract negotiations will begin in August. ..."
This Article is From: www.apwu.org
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Postal Service expected to announce 'significant changes'
"...Officials will also seek greater flexibility in forthcoming union negotiations, including addressing ballooning health-care costs, Potter said. ..."
This Article is From: www.washingtonpost.com
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Monday, March 1, 2010
Beloit man receives accident settlement
"...The federal government agreed to pay $29,000 to a Beloit man and his Medicare bills to settle a lawsuit in which he alleged a postal worker’s negligence caused a collision between his motorized wheelchair and a postal vehicle. In May 2007, George K. Skilling, 62..."
This Article is From: www.beloitdailynews.com
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Five Myths About the U.S. Postal Service
"...For 235 years, the U.S. Postal Service has delivered your mail in snow, rain and dark of night. However, tough market conditions are creating new challenges for our business. Misconceptions about the future of our enterprise abound; dispelling these myths will show that we can continue to deliver the mail. ..."
This Article is From: www.postmarksal.com
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USPS Ponders No Saturday Mail
"...On Monday the USPS will share its survival plan. Word is officials plan to ask Congress for permission to shorten its work week and to change its retiree health benefits...."
This Article is From: www.nbcwashington.com
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