USPS and France’s La Poste to Honor Miles Davis and Edith Piaf on Forever Stamps
WASHINGTON — The United States Postal Service today announced the joint issuance of new Forever stamps honoring two of the world’s greatest musicians, Edith Piaf and Miles Davis. The stamps will be issued with the French postal service, La Poste in June.
“We look forward to issuing these great stamps jointly with La Poste, continuing a tradition of international celebration of stamps,” said USPS Manager, Stamp Services, Stephen Kearney.
Americans may know Edith Piaf best for her cheerful song “La Vie en Rose” (“Life in Pink”), about the experience of falling in love and seeing life through rose-colored glasses; the tune is still heard on the streets of Paris today.
Piaf’s tumultuous life got off to a stormy start. Born Edith Gassion in Paris, she was abandoned by her mother and later traveled with her father, singing on the street while he performed acrobatics. The tiny singer was discovered by a nightclub owner who gave her the stage name “Piaf,” Parisian slang for sparrow. She quickly became a star, singing tragic songs about heartbreak that have been called a French equivalent of the blues. Piaf toured the U.S. ten times and sang twice at Carnegie Hall. In 1960, the ailing chanteuse discovered the defiant song that would become her anthem, “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” (“No Regrets”). Read more
USPS, NAPUS and League Agree to Postmaster Pay Talks Extension
An agreement has been reached between the Postal Service and the two Postmaster organizations (NAPUS and the League of Postmasters) to extend Postmaster pay talks until February 29, 2012. The original deadline for discussions on pay and benefits for Postmaster for Fiscal Years 2011-2015 was scheduled to end on January 27, 2012. Read more
U.S. Postal Service Launches Express Mail Flat Rate Box
Overnight Domestic Shipping Up to 70 Pounds for $39.95
WASHINGTON — Expanding on the success of its line of Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, the U.S. Postal Service has introduced the first Express Mail Flat Rate Box.
Ideal for consumers and small businesses selling merchandise online, the Postal Service’s Express Mail Flat Rate Box takes the guess work out of shipping, providing overnight delivery — up to 70 pounds — almost anywhere in the country for $39.95.
“With the Express Mail Flat Rate Box, there’s no need to use a zone chart to calculate prices. If it fits, it ships,” said Gary Reblin, vice president, Domestic Products. “The Express Mail Flat Rate Box offers convenience, ease of use, free packaging and a flat-out value price.” Read more
Congressman Lynch Joins Higgins in Fight Against Closing of Buffalo Mail Processing Facility
Ranking Member on Postal Subcommittee Latest Voice Asking Postmaster to Keep William Street Center Open
Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-9) is joining Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) in asking the U.S. Postmaster General to remove the Buffalo Mail Processing facility from the list of those slated for closure. Congressman Lynch is a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he serves as Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy.
“Congressman Lynch understands the struggles of hard-working communities and the devastating economic impact closing the Buffalo facility would have on families and businesses in Western New York,” said Higgins. “We are thankful to add the Congressman’s name to the hundreds of others locally who are fighting to keep the William Street plant open.”
“The Buffalo Processing and Distribution Center plays a key role in western New York’s economy and its closure could have serious economic ramifications for the entire region,” Congressman Stephen F. Lynch said. “Based on the U.S. Postal Service’s own criteria for closing facilities, it makes no sense that the Buffalo facility should be closed. I join with my colleague, Congressman Brian Higgins, in asking that it be removed from consideration for closure.”
Prior to serving in Congress, Lynch worked as an ironworker for 18 years at sites across the country and was eventually elected president of his local union. Congressman Lynch is the son of a postal clerk.
Below is a copy of the letter sent jointly by Congressmembers Higgins and Lynch:
January 26, 2012
The Honorable Patrick R. Donahoe
Postmaster General
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington D.C. 20260-3500
Dear Postmaster General Donahoe,
We write in strong opposition to the potential closing of the Buffalo Processing and Distribution Center (Buffalo P&DC) and respectfully urge you to remove this site from the United States Postal Service’s list of Area Mail Processing facilities that could be subject to consolidation. Importantly, the Buffalo P&DC plays a vital economic, service, and community role in the Western New York region and its continued operation is essential to the economic vitality of the City of Buffalo and its surrounding areas, all of which depend on this facility as an invaluable source of employment, commercial stimulus, and exceptional delivery standards.
In examining the consolidation and closure of any mail processing or retail facility, we believe that USPS must consider all relevant factors prior to reaching a determination that a site will subject to such action. In particular, due diligence requires that the Postal Service afford maximum consideration to the overall impact of a decision on local residents, postal employees, businesses, and the affected community at-large. Included among the variety of factors that must be taken into account is the economic importance of the facility to the continued vitality of the region. In this regard, the Buffalo PD&C is essential to maintaining economic growth in the City of Buffalo and the greater Western New York area. Read more
Video: PMG Donahoe On Future of the Post Office
In a CNBC interview, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe responds to comments made earlier this week on “Squawk Box” by Rep. Darrell Issa regarding the Post Office and its reforms.
“we’re looking to work with everybody very closely over the next couple weeks up there and see if we can push something through.”
“if we make any changes it probably won’t be in effect until next year, probably january time frame, because what we want to do is any change like that, we’ve got to work with the mailers and give them a chance to adjust schedules, et cetera, et cetera..”
Postal Employee And Four Others Indicted For Stealing And Cashing U.S. Treasury Checks
Feds Establish Task Force After String of Thefts, Large Losses
ATLANTA, GA – DEBORAH FAMBRO-ECHOLS, 49, of Hapeville, Georgia, WENDY B. FRASIER, 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, DARALYN M. WEAVER, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, JABRIL O. McKEE, 24, of Fairburn, Georgia, and OHMAR D. BRADEN, 36, of Lithonia, Georgia have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of stealing U.S. Treasury checks from an Atlanta mail distribution center and then cashing them at banks and other businesses using fake identification documents.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said of the case, “Georgia ranks third in the country in the number of U.S. Treasury checks – including federal tax refund, Social Security, and Veterans checks – reported stolen from the mail before they reach their intended recipients. And Georgia is actually ranked first on such stolen checks based on a percentage of population. This is unacceptable. Our office has established a task force, including 14 federal, state, and local authorities, to specifically address this problem, with the goal of removing Georgia from this unfortunate list. This indictment is a key step in that direction as we target both those who directly steal from the mail, but as this indictment shows, we will also go after the network of brokers and check cashers who are key parts of these theft rings.” Read more
APWU Discourages Members from Participating In Align Networks Physical Therapy Services
The Postal Service has notified [PDF] the APWU that it has established a relationship with Align Networks to provide physical therapy services for employees with work related injuries and illnesses. APWU strongly discourages member participation.
It is our understanding that as a contract provider, Align Networks and their therapists can share information with the USPS that would otherwise be protected by doctor-patient confidentiality, including information that is unrelated to workplace injuries.
In addition, Align Networks strives to achieve reduced costs for its payor companies. Read more
Democrats Oppose Additional Cuts to Federal Pay and Benefits
17 Members of Congress call on Conference Committee to Oppose Salary or Retirement Security Cuts, Citing Previous Sacrifices
Washington, DC – Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led 17 Members of Congress today in urging the conference committee considering legislation to extend the payroll tax cut through 2012 to oppose any additional cuts to the pay or benefits of Federal employees.
“Federal workers have already made significant sacrifices to help reduce our government’s budget deficit,” the Members wrote. “Subjecting these dedicated public servants to additional pay cuts and retirement benefit reductions in order to pay for such expenditures as a payroll tax cut for all middle class Americans is unfair and illogical, particularly as the vast majority of federal workers are middle-income earners as well. Such cuts would also impede the federal government’s efforts to recruit and retain the best and brightest individuals.” Read more
USPS Board Of Governors Sets Agenda For February 8 & 9 Meetings
Board of Governors; Sunshine Act Meeting
DATES AND TIMES: Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at 10 a.m.; and Thursday, February 9, at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
PLACE: Washington, DC, at U.S. Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., in the Benjamin Franklin Room.
STATUS: Wednesday, February 8 at 10 a.m.–Closed; Thursday, February 9 at 8:30 a.m.–Open; and at 10:30 a.m.–Closed.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
Wednesday, February 8 at 10 a.m. (Closed)
1. Strategic Issues.
2. Financial Matters.
3. Pricing.
4. Personnel Matters and Compensation Issues.
5. Governors’ Executive Session–Discussion of prior agenda items and Board Governance.
Thursday, February 9 at 8:30 a.m. (Open)
1. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings.
2. Remarks of the Chairman of the Board.
3. Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO.
4. Appointment of Committee Members and Committee Reports.
5. Quarterly Report on Financial Performance.
6. Quarterly Report on Service Performance.
7. Tentative Agenda for the March 21, 2012, meeting in Washington, DC.
Thursday, February 9 at 10:30 a.m. (Closed–if needed)
1. Continuation of Wednesday’s closed session agenda.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Julie S. Moore, Secretary of the Board, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC
20260-1000. Telephone (202) 268-4800.
Julie S. Moore,
Secretary.
source: Federal Register
AFGE Statement on Federal Employee Retirement Hearing
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2012 – American Federation of Government Employees National President John Gage today issued the following statement in response to the congressional hearing on federal employees’ retirement security before the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on the federal workforce, U.S. Postal Service and labor policy:
“Congress created the Federal Employees Retirement System in the mid-1980s to mirror leading private sector practices. The vast majority of a federal employee’s retirement income comes from personal investments in the government’s 401(k) plan and mandatory payments into Social Security. Federal employees also receive a very modest pension that provides an average of $939 a month when they retire. As NARFE Director of Retirement Benefit Services David Snell so eloquently stated in his testimony before the subcommittee, ‘federal employees are not retiring rich.’ Read more