Most Recent Blog Posts
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The Men and Women behind the E The Men and Women behind the Eagle
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
The Men and Women behind the Eagle
FedSmith reporter Marilyn Loeser reports...
To most Americans, the Postal Service is a seamless operation: mail a letter and it gets to its destination as promised. But behind the service are 620,000 employees, each with their own stories to tell - on and off the job.
USPS Consumer Affairs Clerk Connie Dulworth uses lemon juice to read addresses that the eye cannot see (a trcik she learned from TV show CSI).
In Chapel Hill, NC, 83-year-old Rudy Tempesta — the oldest active letter carrier in the state — was recently inducted into the National Safety Council's Two Million Mile Club for driving 60 years without an at-fault accident.
One of every four postal employees is a military veteran and more than 1,200 employees are currently on active duty. - Blog post
- 1 year ago
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POSTAL EMPLOYEE AND CONSPIRATO POSTAL EMPLOYEE AND CONSPIRATOR INDICTED IN SCHEME TO STEAL STAMPS WORTH OVER $682,000
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
April 14, 2009
POSTAL EMPLOYEE AND CONSPIRATOR INDICTED IN SCHEME TO STEAL STAMPS WORTH OVER $682,000
Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury indicted Marvin Lamont Foster, age 54, of Rosedale, Maryland, and Kyle Mathias, age 23, of Joppa, Maryland, today for conspiracy to steal from the United States Postal Service (USPS), announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
“Anyone who buys stamps at a discount should be on notice of the risk that they are purchasing stolen property,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the indictment, Foster was a window clerk at the Elkridge Post Office, having been employed there since 1998. First class postage stamps are provided by USPS to local post offices packaged in “bricks” which consist of 2,000 stamps valued at $840 per brick and “coils” which consist of 100 stamps valued at $42. The indictment alleges that from June 2008 through March 2009, Foster stole “bricks” and “coils” of stamps from the post office, which he provided to Mathias and others to sell. Mathias sold the stamps through an account he set up on E-bay. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $682,809.11, alleged to be the proceeds of the scheme.
Foster and Mathias face a maximum sentence of five years in prison.An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service - Office of Inspector General and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson and Rachel M. Yasser, who are prosecuting the case.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 892
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Former RCA Imprisoned For Iden Former RCA Imprisoned For Identity Theft - Mail Theft
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
April 9, 2009
(HOUSTON) - Former rural carrier associate Rodney Ervin has been sentenced to prison for mail theft, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, acting United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today.
U.S. District Court Judge Melinda Harmon sentenced Ervin to one month imprisonment on the mail theft count, one month for the access device count to run concurrently. He will also serve a two-year mandatory statutory maximum sentence for the aggravated identity theft count, to run consecutively for a total of a 25-month sentence. Indicted on July 17, 2008, Ervin pleaded guilty on Nov. 7, 2008, admitting he stole mail containing credit cards from customers residing along Rural Route 127, delivered out of the Bear Creek Station located on Cairnway Drive in Houston.
Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) initiated an investigation upon receiving a customer complaint advising use of a Chase MasterCard credit card stolen from the mail. Follow-up investigation revealed two additional Chase credit cards stolen from the mail. USPS-OIG agents determined Ervin had been assigned to the effected route when the reported mail losses had occurred. In addition, Ervin was captured and identified from video surveillance at various merchant locations using the credit cards and signing the legitimate customers’ names. The customers advised they did not authorize Ervin possession or use of their credit cards and Ervin was identified as being responsible for $2,517.52 in fraudulent charges.
Following the sentencing of another rural carrier associate in just less than two weeks, also resulting in the mandatory two-year-term, once again, the USPS reiterates: “Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States and is a serious federal offense,” said Max Eamiguel, Executive Special Agent-in-Charge, USPS-OIG, Southwest Field Office. “The American public trusts the Postal Service to deliver its mail intact. When a postal employee betrays that trust and steals mail, then uses stolen financial information to wreak havoc in the lives of our citizens, Special Agents of the Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General investigate. Fortunately, these incidents are not common and the overwhelming majority of the 700,000 postal employees are honest and hard working. With the prosecutive support of the United States Attorney’s Office, we will aggressively pursue any employee committing a postal crime.”
Ervin began his employment with the United States Postal Service as a rural carrier associate on Aug. 28, 1999. His employment has since been terminated.
Ervin will be allowed to self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on within 45 days. In addition to the 25 months sentence plus the mandatory two-year prison term, Judge Melinda Harmon also imposed a two-term of supervised release to begin following his release from prison and further ordered he pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $2,517.52.
The investigation leading to Ervin’s indictment and arrest was conducted by Special Agents with USPS-OIG. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Tammie Y. Moore.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 670
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USPS Closing Charleston Remote USPS Closing Charleston Remote Encoding Center
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
April 2, 2009
CHARLESTON, WV - The U.S. Postal Service today announced that the Charleston Remote
Encoding Center (REC) will be closed as part the next phase of a nationwide consolidation plan. The
facility, located at 1002 Lee Street E, Charleston, WV will close in October, 2009. In addition, the
centers located in (Ft. Wayne, IN and Glendale, AZ) will be closing also.“The Remote Encoding Centers were designed as a temporary solution to automate and expedite
the processing of handwritten and poorly printed addresses,” said Michael Thompson, Manager Remote
Encoding Center for the U.S. Postal Service. “The plan from the start was to phase out the REC
operation as technology enhancements enabled us to automate more mail.”When the Charleston REC and 54 others were established, postal computerized sorting equipment
could only read two percent of addresses on handwritten envelopes. Since that time, with new
technology improvements, postal computers are currently able to read and process 95 percent of the
mail electronically.Thompson said the decision about which facilities to close was based on a variety of business
factors, including operating costs, facility costs, lease expiration dates and the ability of other RECs to
absorb the workload. Since the consolidation process began in 1999, 50 sites have been closed. The
closing of the three centers will reduce the number of RECs to two, located in Salt Lake City, UT, and
Wichita, KS.The Postal Service is providing the REC employees with a minimum six months’ notice of the
closings. The 82 career postal employees at the Charleston REC will be reassigned to available
positions in accordance with employee union collective bargaining agreements. The 252 part-time
temporary employees will receive outplacement counseling to help them find new employment.The remote encoding process involves transmitting electronic images of handwritten mail from mail
processing plants to RECs where operators view them on computer screens and key in address
information. This information is transmitted back to the postal processing plant where a barcode
corresponding to the address is printed on the envelope so that it can be processed on automated
equipment. With ever-increasing improvements in optical character recognition technology, the volume
of images sent to RECs has diminished significantly and the Postal Service has gradually consolidated
them. As technology evolves, the Postal Service will continue to look for opportunities to reduce
operating costs. This could lead to the remaining centers being phased out at some point in the future.Source: USPS
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 1618
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Oakland APWU Seeking Congressi Oakland APWU Seeking Congressional Investigation Into USPS Practices
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
The APWU in Oakland, CA, via the petition below, is seeking Congressional investigation in USPS practices
The Honorable Senator Diane Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Senator Barbara Boxer
United States Senate
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Representative Barbara Lee
United States House of Representatives
2444 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senators/Representative:We, the undersigned Oakland Post Office P&DC bid cluster Postal Service employees, union officials, customers, concerned citizens, and constituents of the 9th Congressional District, over the years have stood by helplessly and dismayed as the Postal Service deteriorated. The methodical decline of the Postal Service has been primarily caused by a conspiracy involving special interest groups, Postal Service Headquarters, and some members of Congress, with the objective of privatizing the Postal Service. We have watched as Postal Service Headquarters pandered to large mailers to the detriment of the public, small businesses, non profit organizations, Postal Service employees, and the Postal Service.
For years, management has falsified figures regarding the volume of mail processed and delivered at the Oakland Post Office P&DC bid cluster; understaffed postal operations, used inept managers to run these operations, and used outdated equipment that is seriously in disrepair. This has caused mail delivery to be delayed, the closure of facilities, hiring freezes, unsafe working conditions, blatant violations of Federal laws and the employees’ Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the loss of numerous Postal Service jobs.
It is time for the new leadership in Congress and the new administration to take a serious and sincere look at the Postal Service business practices. We urge Congress to conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation of the Oakland Post Office P&DC bid cluster, that will include interviews with craft employees and visits to all facilities.
If the Postal Service is privatized this will devolve into private industry a responsibility that it cannot handle adequately and mail would not be under the protection of Federal law. People living in remote areas would be denied mail service or it would become very expensive for mail because of delivery cost and volume.Moreover, many jobs would be lost.
Yes, it is true, the Postal Service has its problems just as other businesses; however, the United States Postal Service moves more mail more cheaply and efficiently than any other government or private systems in the world.
The Postal Service is a vital public service. It connects citizens like nothing else. You can be at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, in prison, or even homeless, yet you still get your mail. Now it’s time to revive the Postal Service for the common good and to protect a service that citizens need and deserve. - Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 1043
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"Restoring the Financial Stabi "Restoring the Financial Stability of the U.S. Postal Service: What Needs to be Done?”
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a hearing entitled, “Restoring the Financial Stability of the U.S. Postal Service: What Needs to be Done?”
The Subcommittee will examine how the nationwide economic downturn, coupled with technological trends, has produced declining volumes and revenues for the United States Postal Service.
“With the Postal Service facing budget shortfalls the Subcommittee will consider a number of options to restore financial stability, and examine ways for the Postal Service to continue to operate without cutting services,” Chairman Stephen F. Lynch said.
The Postal Service’s recent decision to close six of its 80 district offices, eliminate positions across the country and offer another early retirement opportunity makes the Subcommittee’s hearing very timely.
The hearing aims to generate effective short and long term strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency at the Postal Service. In addition, the Subcommittee will question the Board of Governors on Postal executives’ compensation packages.
“Given the ongoing financial losses at the Postal Service, there has been a considerable backlash among postal customers and current and former employees regarding the Postal executives’ compensation packages, including that of Postmaster General Potter. Members of Congress have been hearing from our constituents and we intend to look into this matter at the hearing and ascertain how those pay levels were determined and how to bring them in line with the current reality,” added Chairman Lynch.
Witnesses’ testimonies, the Chairman’s opening statement and a 10 a.m. live broadcast of the hearing can be found on the Subcommittee’s website, federalworkforce.oversight.house.gov
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 646
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Post office changes made to ma Post office changes made to maintain affordable service
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
To the Editor:
Cumberland Times-News
March 24, 2009Post Office Changes Made to Maintain Affordable Service
Because of the current economic downturn, the United States Postal Service is taking certain tough but necessary steps here in the Baltimore District and around the country. In order to maintain affordable service and remain viable, we’re making changes to operations, staffing and facilities similar to what other businesses are doing in these tough economic times.
That perspective is important to keep in mind. The Postal Service is a self-supporting agency, funded entirely from the sale of postal products and services, not from tax dollars. Like any commercial business, the Postal Service is subject to increased costs and reduced revenue. We’re facing competition from e-mail and online bill paying. And this past year we’ve seen some of our biggest mailing customers, in fields like financial services, insurance and housing, struggle at an unprecedented level.
This general economic decline has had an historic impact on the volume of mail, which fell nationally by an unprecedented 9.5 billion pieces, or 4.5 percent last fiscal year, resulting in a net operating loss of $2.8 billion after the Postal Service paid a law-mandated $5.6 billion to prefund retiree health benefit liabilities.
Some recent negative stories in the media may seem inconsistent with the Postal Service’s current cost cutting efforts. However, the facts show that in 2008, the Postal Service, which was rated as the most trusted government agency in a Ponemon Institute survey, undertook extraordinary efforts to cut costs. We have reduced work hours by 50 million or the equivalent of 25,000 employees and took a total of $2 billion in costs from our budget while providing the American consumer with record breaking on-time service.
Eligible workers were offered early retirement, redundant mail processing operations are being consolidated, routes are being reorganized, overtime is being reduced and operating hours at processing facilities and Post Offices are being adjusted to match mail flow and customer use.
We’re adapting products and services to contemporary lifestyles and working to improve customers’ experiences in Post Offices, on usps.com, and by phone. We’re launching competitive shipping prices, driving technology, and using our service to every home and business in new ways to create value for customers.
The Postal Service has been a vibrant part of the highs and lows of every economic cycle for more than two centuries. We will keep it that way by pursuing innovative approaches that support our mission of delivering trusted, affordable, universal service to America.
Edwin B. Turner
Postmaster - BaltimoreSource: Cumberland Times-News
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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USPS Will Announce District , USPS Will Announce District , EAS Staffing Changes Friday March 20th
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
USPS Announcement March 20, 2009 - District Changes and EAS Staffing Changes
NAPS Headquarters was advised today that the announcements that we have been anticipating for some time on District changes will be made formally at 12:00 noon on Friday (tomorrow).
This morning NAPS Headquarters participated in two meetings with the USPS at L’Enfant Plaza. The first meeting dealt with tomorrow’s announcement of changes in EAS staffing in Plant operations. The full details of Function One changes will be provided tomorrow in a USPS Newsbreak.
The second meeting was with the Postmaster General and all of the unions and management associations. The discussion centered on current legislation which would modify the pre-funding of retiree health benefits. All of the unions and management associations are supporting this legislation. 03-19-09
Source Link: http://www.naps.org/index.shtml
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 1577
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Restoring the Financial Stabil Restoring the Financial Stability of the U.S. Postal Service: What Needs to be Done?
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
House Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia to Hold Meeting On Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 on March 25, 2009
Business Meeting/Hearing Notice
H.R. 626 the “Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009”/“Restoring the Financial Stability of the U.S. Postal Service: What Needs to be Done?”The Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia will hold a business meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office Building, to markup H.R. 626 the “Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009.”
Immediately following the business meeting, the subcommittee will hold a hearing entitled, “Restoring the Financial Stability of the U.S. Postal Service: What Needs to be Done?”
The hearing will examine the financial stability of the USPS and discuss the short and long term strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
For further information regarding the hearing, please contact the Subcommittee Clerk/Press Secretary, Marcus A. Williams, at ext – 65845.
For witness list go here: http://federalworkforce.oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=2344
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 847
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PRC Goldway - Compares USPS Wo PRC Goldway - Compares USPS Woes to Banking Industry
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
March 16, 2009
ORDER REVIEWING POSTAL SERVICE MARKET DOMINANT PRICE ADJUSTMENTS - DISSENTING OPINION OF COMMISSIONER GOLDWAY
On February 10, 2009, the Postal Service submitted to the PRC its plan to change rates for all its market dominant products. This is the second time the Commission has reviewed such adjustments under the regulatory authority established by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 (PAEA). The Commission authorizes all proposed rate adjustments except the new Confirm annual fees for mailing agents to take effect.
PRC Commissioner Ruth Goldway dissented - her remarks, in part, are listed below. Notice that Commissioner Goldway compares USPS financial problems to the banking industry.
DISSENTING OPINION OF COMMISSIONER GOLDWAY
The First-Class Mail prices proposed by the Postal Service fail to comply with the statutorily imposed workshare requirements of 39 U.S.C. § 3622(e), when analyzed under the established analytical methodology. To circumvent this problem, the Postal Service employs a different analytical methodology, which effectively delinks singlepiece
First-Class Mail prices from presort First-Class Mail prices.This unilateral decision on the part of the Postal Service is far reaching in that it directly influences the design of economically efficient rates, the distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars in workshare discounts, and potentially could lead to Postal Service decisions that place an unequal, and potentially unfair, price burden on single-piece mailers. I believe that major methodological changes should not be made in a vacuum without thorough
review, including the consideration of the view of those that use the mail.It strikes me that there are close parallels between what is happening to the Postal Service financially, and what has been happening to the banking industry. The banking industry was given wide discretion to lend how and on what terms it chose. The assumption was that this was safe because the managers’ discretion would be bounded by certain basic principles (e.g., that investors would have knowledge of the kind of securities marketed, and the risks would be publicly known either through an SEC filing or prospectus) and accountability would be provided by a diligent board of directors.
It is now clear that these basic principles and institutional safeguards were allowed to become mere window dressing. I fear this to be the direction in which postal regulation is headed. Congress intended that there be a certain economic “rhyme and reason” to both class prices and product discounts; hence, provisions such as section 3622(c)(2) (attributable cost floor) and section 3622(e) (discounts match avoided costs). Are these on the way to becoming window dressing? The uneconomic approach to rate setting can be a factor contributing to the Postal Service slide into financial distress.
NOTE: PRC decision here > http://prc.gov/Docs/62/62705/Order_No_191.pdf
Please post comments at PEN's newfront [ http://www.postalemployeenetwork.com/ ] or below.
FROM PEN:
While here at The Eagles Den check it out - click on Home above - watch a few of our videos - read blog posts - join us today and tell your coworkers about The Eagles Den. Thank you for visiting with us. - Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 592
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Looking Back to 1934 - Mail de Looking Back to 1934 - Mail delivery reduced in Worthington
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
Looking Back: 1934 - Mail delivery reduced in Worthington, MN
75 years ago
Curtailment of mail delivery service started Monday in Worthington as a result of the post office department’s latest economy move. There was no mail delivery in the city’s residential area on Monday afternoons through July 1, although service continued as usual in the rural areas and in the business district. The service curtailment was necessary because each postal employee was directed to take a vacation without pay one day each month until July 1.
Source: Worthington Daily Globe
March 9, 2009
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 389
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USPS Monday Morning Meeting USPS Monday Morning Meeting
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
The following was submitted to PEN March 5, 2009. We cannot confirm nor deny any of the statement within the message.
(Message Quote)
Larry has started a weekly Monday morning meeting to discuss current events: Below are the notes from the meeting. Larry attended a telecom last week with Terry Wilson, these items were discussed:1.There are upcoming changes which will be revealed in about 2 weeks. Districts will be consolidated and District staffing will be reduced. No particulars are known or were discussed at thist ime. If you have not already done so, it is recommended that you update eCareer with your information.
2. Sick leave abuse is at an all time high - take corrective action for those employees abusing SL.
3. The Memphis BMC is closed now on Sundays effective 3/1/09 as a result of reduced mail volume.
4. Chattanooga REC site is now closed.
5. Minimal tour 2 staffing at plants.
6. Service scores /performance are down.
7. USPS realized a $750 M revenue shortage to plan in January.
8. Letter volume is down 32%, periodical volume is down 13.5%.
9. Volume projection for 2018 is being realized now. (Meaning we're 9 years ahead of what was projected for volume decline.)
10. USPS has a $3B borrowing cap - we are above that now.
11. Fed Ex/UPS is using the USPS for "last mile" deliveries, they're giving us mail to deliver that is not profitable for them to do so.
12. Administrative staff will be cut (no specifics given) / supplies request are severely restricted.
13. USPS looking at "rapid re-negotiations" with unions.
14. Share with your employees - the USPS is sound, however we need to take action to ensure it's longevity.
15. Space consolidation may occur - get out of leased space - which means those in offices may be working in cubicles.
16. USPS is converting PVS routes to HCR routes.
17. USPS is still pursuing 5 day delivery.
18. Statement personally from Terry Wilson - "There are some things that will be fatal to Managers who do not perform in the future." Larry did not expound much on this statement.
19. Have hope. Work diligently to save the company.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 2013
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UPS CEO Scott Davis On The Eco UPS CEO Scott Davis On The Economy and USPS
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
UPS CEO Scott Davis On The Economy and USPS
Speaking before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Thursday UPS Chief, Scott Davis, had a couple of things to say regarding the stimulus bill and the United States Postal Service.
He said that he has a feeling that the stimulus bill will help but he added "If somebody said you have $800 billion to stimulate the economy, I might have spent it differently."
Mr. Davis was asked what his thoughts were regarding recent talk about the postal service possibly reducing the number of delivery days due to financial problems - he said that while the Postal Service has some real challenges, it has been doing a better job running itself like a business.
He suggested that it was unlikely that UPS would get into the business of delivering first-class mail. "That would be a real challenge for our company to accept," Davis said, noting that UPS charges based on cost of service while the Postal Service will deliver a letter requiring one stamp anywhere in the country.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 1667
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Is The OIG Issuing "Tickets"? Is The OIG Issuing "Tickets"?
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
Is The OIG Issuing "Tickets"?
It is apparent the OIG is issuing "tickets" in some parts of the country to postal employees. The clerk craft is aware of three instances of tickets being issued as follows:
After the APWU won a removal case at Palatine, IL, the OIG issued a $125 ticket to the union steward for allegedly lying at the hearing. The APWU law firm represented the steward in the matter and before she was scheduled to appear before the Federal Magistrate Judge, the U.S. Attorney dismissed the charges.
Also at Palatine, IL, a clerk was alleged to have been selling bootleg DVDs and CDs at work. The OIG gave the employee a $50 ticket, which he paid. I understand a removal is now in the works. The local was advised against filing an Article 28 case as this is not a demand for money. It is a citation and an associated fine.
An employee in Hawthorne, CA was issued a ticket for allegedly selling bootleg DVDs.
We wanted to make you aware of this since it looks like it may be spreading. Obviously the union should intervene to represent our employees in cases similar to the first one. The grievance procedure; however, is not the appropriate venue in the APWU's opinion. Since these "tickets" would have to go in front of a Federal Magistrate, there is serious doubt that an arbitrator would consider them substantively arbitrable.
Please advise the NBA Office if you are aware of any of these tickets being issued in our area.
Russ Bugary, NBA, Clerk Craft, APWU
NOTE: PEN cannot confirm the validity of the above information at this time.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 7045
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More DO NOT MAIL Legislation More DO NOT MAIL Legislation
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
Mail Moves America Legislative Update
SB 2132, a Do Not Mail bill, has been introduced in New York by Sen. Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn). The bill is a variation on the standard Do Not Mail bill we have seen in that it is styled as a “Do Not Offer” registry. It exempts only existing business relationships and verbal or written requests from the customer. Non-profits appear to be exempted by definition, in that the bill defines a “direct mail marketer” as one who mails for financial profit or commercial purposes. This is a refile of SB1403 from the 2007-2008 session, which never received initial consideration in the Senate. However, the November elections brought the Democrats in control of the Senate, so the dynamic is somewhat different now. There are two other bills we are watching in NY that are not Do Not Mail bills per se, but could have a limiting effect on mail in the state.
This makes the fifth DNM bill we have in 2009, two in CT, two in FL and now one in NY. The Legislative Committee of MMA is reviewing response options.
Ben Cooper
Executive Director
Mail Moves America
1155 21st Street NW/ Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036 - Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 540
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USPS: EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVITY USPS: EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVITY KEY TO USPS SUCCESS
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
STATE OF THE BUSINESS
EFFICIENCY, PRODUCTIVITY KEY TO USPS SUCCESSThe state of the American economy has changed drastically in the last year. And the outlook for financial recovery anytime soon dwindles as the recession that began in late 2007 continues.
Outlining trends that led to the current economic crisis, Deputy Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe and Budget and Financial Analysis Manager Tony Morrow on Friday presented a “Budget Overview” webinar to explain how the Postal Service will meet the challenge.
Donahoe praised all postal employees for their efforts to improve efficiencies and reduce costs over the past several years, adding that without their hard work, the economic situation facing USPS would be even worse.
He also urged employees to continue their efforts. “We cannot count on growing our way out of the crisis when the economy isn’t growing,” he said. “We have to look inward, making changes to become leaner and control costs. The more we improve productivity, the better we will be positioned when the economy improves.”
According to Donahoe, a financially healthy Postal Service is dependent upon a healthy U.S. economy, but the various crises among the retail, banking, credit and housing markets continue to deepen. Companies are scaling back their operations to weather the storm, and consumer spending — the driver of advertising mail volume — has dropped to a 30-year low. And mail-volume trends paint a gloomy picture.
The 9.3-percent drop in mail volume during the first quarter of FY 2009 marked the eighth consecutive quarter of accelerating volume declines. First-Class Mail volume decreased by 1.8 billion pieces and Standard Mail volume was down 3 billion pieces — a trend that began to gather speed three years ago.
After peaking at 213 billion pieces in 2006, total mail volume dropped to 203 billion in 2008, and preliminary projections show it could drop a further 12 billion to 15 billion pieces in 2009 — unprecedented in postal history. This 22 billion piece drop in mail volume would hit levels last recorded in 1996, according to Morrow.
“Not only that, but — if current trends continue — revenue this fiscal year will be lower than in FY 2008,” said Morrow. “If that occurs, it will mark the first year-over-year decline in revenue since 1946.”
While legislative changes adjusting the Postal Service’s current payment schedule to fund retiree health benefits would offer some short-term financial relief, it would not by itself be enough, according to Donahoe.
“In the near term, a continued focus on efficient service and customer value will strengthen our ability to meet the challenges we face,” said Donahoe.
Source: USPS
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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USPS Hiring Freeze USPS Hiring Freeze
- From: RickOwens
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Description:
On Feb. 4, 2009 PostCom.org said the following has been sent to all USPS headquarters officers regarding new hires and the hiring freeze:
"We continue to be under a hiring freeze for Headquarters and Headquarters Field Units. The freeze includes position upgrades, additions to complement, laterals, reassignments and requests for new positions. All current requests to announce a position vacancy will be returned to the requesting manager. Any job posting announcement which is contained in the vacancy package with an issue date of February 3 with a closing date of February 18 will be canceled and those employees who have submitted an application will be notified. Bargaining unit position vacancies will be filled in accordance with the applicable agreement. If a formal job offer was extended prior to today. please provide the specific details to Manager. Corporate Personnel Management."
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 2572
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Obama's Executive Pay Cap Obama's Executive Pay Cap
- From: mailgurl
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Description:
Just curious is the Presidents Executive pay limits of $500,000 to any CEO that receives help from the government. You think that would include PMG Potter?
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 508
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Post Office Viability in the F Post Office Viability in the Future
- From: mailgurl
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Description:
I wish others could see this situation the way I picture it in my head.
First you have lowered mail volumes. So you adjust routes by adding addresses to them, making them larger. You have fewer carriers necessary to do these routes.
Now, you have extra carriers, and plus alot of extra clerks because the FSS has come online.
Asking for an elimination of a delivery day to cut costs. This is like shooting yourself in the foot!
We beat the other companies because we deliver 6 days and they only do 5 days. We have a total coverage area, and they have limited coverage. We are cheaper on most products, and FREE on others! We have no surcharges, and we do FREE pickup.
Will cutting service help us keep customers? No. Will adding service help us keep customers? Yes.
We can do this...we can have it all...we can reshape our employee compliments, at the same time as giving more and better service, all with just a small postage increase that was going to happen anyway.
We need 7 day delivery. Not 5 day delivery.
Mail is processed 7 days anyway. Mail gets moved 7 days anyway. Mail waits till Monday to be delivered.
Adding a day of delivery could boost sales to business' that ship. Lots of companies and small business' work 7 days. We live in a 24/7 world. Lets catch up to it!?!
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
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Support 6 day delivery!! Support 6 day delivery!!
- From: Shopsteward
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Description:
I thought you would be interested in this petition to Keep 6 day mail delivery. Please sign this petition and tell congress you want to keep 6 day mail delivery. Also please forward this e-mail to everyone in your address book. Thank you for your support!
http://www.rallycongress.com/keep-6-day-mail-delivery/Be sure to visit http://www.rallycongress.com/keep-6-day-mail-delivery/ for important action items.
- Blog post
- 1 year ago
- Views: 308
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