USPS: Tri-Lateral Shipping Alliance Signed with eBay GC and China Post
Platform Established for Lightweight Goods Ordered by U.S. Consumers
SHANGHAI — The U.S. Postal Service entered into an international tri-lateral agreement today in Shanghai, China with eBay Greater China & Southeast Asia (eBay GC) and China Post Express & Logistics Corporation. The agreement creates a new, simplified shipping platform for international tracking and delivery of lightweight goods ordered by consumers in the U.S. from eBay sellers in China.
The collaborative service and marketing agreement for these lightweight shipments provides U.S. consumers with greater convenience and delivery confirmation information online at usps.com. Sellers using eBay GC can track their shipments with electronic notifications such as in-process and proof-of-delivery scans at ebay.cn. Upon arrival in the U.S., these shipments are processed as domestic First-Class Mail, with a one to three-day delivery standard.
Sellers in China using the shipping platform through eBay GC are expected to ship small items such as cellular telephone accessories and electronics weighing up to 4.4 pounds (2 kilos), with most in the range of 13 ounces and under.
“This collaboration will increase convenience and improve delivery consistency for American consumers ordering small shipments from merchants in China, and holds great potential for increasing international package volumes for the Postal Service,” said Pranab Shah, managing director and vice president, Global Business. “We look forward to working with our business partners to build upon this agreement as we move forward.”
The agreement is in keeping with strategies to increase revenue and meet demand in the global marketplace as outlined in a comprehensive plan announced recently by the Postal Service. Ensuring a Viable Postal Service for America, the Postal Service action plan for the next decade, describes a flexible, agile Postal Service that can adapt to America’s changing mailing habits and preferences.
The global alliance positions China Post and the Postal Service as the preferred shippers and delivery agents of choice for eBay GC. eBay GC developed a seamless shipping application which allows its sellers to print online shipping labels, request pickups and track the status of shipments. China Post’s alliance with the Postal Service includes development of cobranded, data-rich shipping labels integrated with barcoding technology readable by both China Post and the Postal Service, along with logistics planning and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) information exchanges.
Joining Shah today at the Shanghai Postal Museum for a signing ceremony to formalize the new agreement were Jeff Liao, CEO of eBay Greater China, and Mr. Wang, Biao, Managing Director of China Post Express and Logistics Corporation.
source: USPS
Postal Worker’s Letter to PRC: Don’t End Saturday Delivery – Save Money Elsewhere
A Texas Postal Worker in a letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission regarding the elimination of Saturday mail delivery he wrote:
Greetings Everyone!
My name is Bill Hall and I have been a mail processing clerk in the Amarillo, Tx facility for the past 18 years. What I see on a daily basis is the extreme waste that is being put forth in our facility. Money is being wasted on salaries for supervisory positions. We have too many of them. I feel the 204B program should be eliminated. We have more of need for these people as clerks than supervisor trainees. All of our trainees and supervisors work where needed and when needed. In other words, they supervise half the shift and work manually the remaining shift. There have been times when the MDO’s (shift supervisors) have done the job of supervising a particular area if that person is on vacation or even off a day or two. Why can’t the supervisors and MDO’s develop a plan to have rotating days off? I think this alone would curb the use of trainees and their salary. We need them as clerks. There have been occasions where there is no supervisor at the facility on weekends, only 1 trainee. This is
unacceptable.
Almost all of our supervisors have had no previous experience in leadership . Our maintenance is deplorable. The Postal Service is paying good money to a group of people who do nothing but play dominoes and take breaks. This is another area where jobs need to be eliminated. Either do your job or get out. The supervisor needs to get his group together or leave. If an employee can’t find a clean restroom on a daily basis, the supervisor and his crew are getting paid to do nothing.
Another area that needs to be addressed is the unbelievable amout of overtime that is being paid. Several of us go in 2 hours before shift to clean up empty equipment. Most of this is due to the negligence of supervision from the previous shift. They let their employees go home early to save hours but they won’t make them clean up after themselves. I hate to say it, but I will take advantage of the overtime for this stupidity.
I think the Postal Service is eliminating positions that they should leave alone. The mailhandler positions are a thing of the past in Amarillo. The processing clerks are presently doing all duties of the mailhandler with exception of actually unloading the trucks. I think in due time we will be unloading trucks.
Another area that needs to be addressed is the unnecessary paperwork that supervisors have to
complete. With all that there is to do, they don’t have time to supervise. We had a former supervisor that spent 8 of the 9 hours that he was there on the computer doing paperwork. If paperwork could be eliminated, then there would be jobs to be eliminated at all district offices. Big money can be saved in this area. The jobs being held in district offices needs to be scruitinized. To make this situation work that the Postal Service is in, you are going to have to eliminate jobs. But, those jobs should be at the top.
I don’t think we should give discounts to mailers. They should have to pay what everybody else pays per letter. Seems to me we have lost millions over the years because of this. This is an area where the Domestic Mail Manual needs to be rewritten. We could possibly make money just by changing and simplifying the legalese for customers and employees alike. Too many regulations with discounts.
The Postal Service is a SERVICE company. We have not been giving good service in my opinion. I
don’t think we should eliminate one day of the week of service to save money. On weekends we have plenty of mail to work and we get it out on time. It’s ridiculous to cut service to save money when the real problem of saving money is at the top.
Thank You!
Bill Hall
USPS and Hallmark To Introduce New Line Of Postage-paid Greeting Postcards
Starting next week, USPS and Hallmark will introduce a new line of postage-paid greeting postcards.
The postcards use Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) technology, allowing customers to buy them with pre-paid postage — also referred to as “Alternative Postage Payment.”
The postcards come in packs of eight. There are two sets, each with eight unique designs. The sets will be available in 2,000 Hallmark Crown Stores across the country.
Hallmark research suggests that making First-Class Mail easier to mail encourages consumers to send more greeting cards. With pre-paid postcards, customers won’t have to buy postage — or be concerned about how much postage is needed.
Barcode sorters performing IMb scans during normal mail processing will track the number of postcards entering the mailstream to calculate Hallmark’s total postage payment.
“Alternate Postage Payment is a breakthrough product that uses technology to create convenience for consumers and revenue for USPS and its business partners,” said Steve Monteith, manager of Transactions and Correspondence Mail. “When sorters read the IMb code, the prevailing rate for First-Class Mail postage will be applied.”
Alternate Postage Payment postcards also feature three other technology elements — a legend that includes a permit number, a new facing identification mark to orient, separate and trigger an image capture of both sides of the mailpiece, and an imprint that reads, “No postage necessary if mailed in the United States.”
Monteith says employees should follow normal processing and delivery procedures for these postcards. “To ensure timely processing, employees should not obliterate barcodes or other information within the address block,” he said.
For more information about postage-paid greeting postcards, send an e-mail to janine.m.kalthoff@usps.gov. Enter “Hallmark postcards” in the subject line.
USPS OIG: Federal Express – Transportation Agreement – Northeast Areas
This report presents the results of our self-initiated audit of the Federal Express (FedEx) transportation agreement. The objectives of our audit were to determine whether selected transportation operations were effective and economical (Project Number 09XG027NL000). See Appendix A for additional information about this audit.
On August 2, 2006, the U.S. Postal Service signed a new 7-year agreement with FedEx. FedEx transports time sensitive mail for the Postal Service, including Express Mail®, Priority Mail®, and First-Class Mail® (FCM). FedEx transportation is usually more expensive than commercial air carrier or surface transportation, and Postal Service policy requires transportation managers to balance service and cost in determining the best transportation mode. In addition, the Postal Service uses Terminal Handling Services (THS) contractors to prepare and load mail into containers for transport on FedEx planes. The containers include both bypass and mixed containers.
Bypass containers hold mail bound for the same destination airport and move through or “bypass” the sorting operations at the FedEx Memphis hub at no additional cost to the Postal Service. Mixed containers hold mail bound for various destination airports and must be sorted at the Memphis hub onto departing planes. The Postal Service is required to pay FedEx for sorting mail at the Memphis hub.
Conclusion
It was more effective and economical in some cases for the Capital Metro, Eastern,Great Lakes, and Northeast Areas to use ground transportation and domestic air carriers as well as to sort mail at Postal Service plants than to use FedEx to perform these functions.1 Because the areas used FedEx, the Postal Service incurred about $35.3 million in unnecessary costs. If these areas implement our recommended changes, we estimate the Postal Service could save $170.6 million over a 10-year period.
Transporting Surface Mail on FedEx
We concluded that in some cases using ground transportation was more advantageous than using FedEx. By flying surface mail on FedEx instead of using cheaper ground transportation, the Postal Service spent about $32.1 million more than necessary during fiscal years (FYs) 2007 and 2008. This occurred because plant employees did not properly segregate surface mail classes from FCM and Priority Mail. By using ground transportation, the Postal Service could lower overall FedEx lift requirements and save about $138.3 million over 10 years. See Appendix B for our detailed analysis of this topic.
Mixed Versus Bypass Air Containers
Finally, it was more advantageous in some cases for the Postal Service to sort mail than use FedEx to do it. During the period May 1, 2008, through April 30, 2009, the Capital Metro, Eastern, Great Lakes, and Northeast Areas unnecessarily spent about $1.5 million to pay FedEx to sort mail because processing plants did not separate and distribute it in available bypass containers.3 If these areas properly sort and distribute this mail, the Postal Service could avoid about $14.9 million in unnecessary costs over 10 years. See Appendix B for our detailed analysis of this topic.
USPS To Hold Public Meeting On Consolidation of Fox Valley and South Surburban Illinois P & DCs
AREA MAIL PROCESSING (AMP) FEASIBILITY STUDY
Fox Valley, IL P&DC to South Suburban, IL P&DC
Date: 5/19/10
Area Mail Processing (AMP) is the consolidation of mail processing operations from one or more postal facilities to other facilities to improve operational efficiency and/or service.
An AMP study was initiated to evaluate the transfer of originating mail processing operations from the Fox Valley, IL Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) with those performed at the South Suburban, IL P&DC. The initial results of this study support the business case for consolidation.
This study, currently in review at United States Postal Service Headquarters and its Area Office, is subject to change.
A public meeting will be held to share the initial results of the study and allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback. The public’s input will be considered prior to a final decision.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 3, at Waubonsee Community College, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554 at 7:00 pm.
Below are preliminary highlights from the feasibility study:
1. Business Case:
Proposed annual savings in the draft AMP feasibility study are approximately $1,552,397.
2. Postal Employees:
Due to the consolidation, a net decrease of approximately 40 positions is projected. All
reassignments will be made in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.
3. Local Customer Considerations:
Services that are currently available from the Fox Valley facility will continue to be available to
customers.
• Collection box pick-up times will not change as a result of the AMP.
• Retail services will remain the same.
• Business mail acceptance will remain the same.
• A local postmark will be available for stamped First-Class Mail.
• Delivery of mail to residences and businesses will not change as a result of the AMP.
4. Commercial Mailers:
• Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive applicable postage discounts.
• Mailers who drop ship mailings will continue to deposit them at the Fox Valley facility.
Comments may be sent to:
CONSUMER AFFAIRS MANAGER
CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT
6801 W 73RD ST
BEDFORD PARK IL 60499-9631
All comments must be postmarked by June 18, 2010.
USPS Reports $382 Million Loss For April 2010 And YTD Employee Bonus Payments
The US Postal Service filed its February 2010 (unaudited) preliminary financial report yesterday with the Postal Regulatory Commission. USPS reported a net income/ loss of $382 million. The total Fiscal Year to year loss is $2.3 billion ($592 million lost for the month of January, $179 Million gain the month of December; $255 million lost for November; $221 Million lost the month of October) . see full report via Postal Regulatory Commission
Monthly and Year To Date Lump Sum Performance Payments, Bonus/Merit Payments
| Month Beginning Balance | Month Activity | YTD Balance | |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD-PECS (PM) | $157,761.00 | $0.00 | $157,761.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD-PECS (SUPVR) | $1,001,516.00 | $0.00 | $1,001,516.00 |
| PERSONNEL COMPENS.-LUMP SUM PERF.AWARD-PCES | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERF AWARD-PCES (ASC) | $15,266.00 | $0.00 | $15,266.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERF AWARD-PCES (FAC SERV CTR&OF | $31,710.00 | $0.00 | $31,710.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERF AWARD-PCES (PURCH SVC CTR) | $24,470.00 | $0.00 | $24,470.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD-PECS (MGMT TECH SUP CTR | $4,716.00 | $0.00 | $4,716.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD-PECS S.E.U. & S.D.N. | $4,398.00 | $0.00 | $4,398.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERF AWARD PCES (AREA COUNSEL) | $134,968.00 | $0.00 | $134,968.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERF AWARD-PCES (RATES & CL. CTR | $9,973.00 | $0.00 | $9,973.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD (FD COMM OFF) | $12,559.00 | $0.00 | $12,559.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERF AWARD-PCES NHRSC – EMP. REL | $5,640.00 | $0.00 | $5,640.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD PCES (IS/IG) | $84,701.00 | $0.00 | $84,701.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD-PECS (ADMINISTRATION) | $5,680.00 | $0.00 | $5,680.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD PCES (AREA) | $376,863.00 | $0.00 | $376,863.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD PCES (IBSSC/COSC) | $33,260.00 | $0.00 | $33,260.00 |
| LUMP SUM PERM AWARD PECS (HQ) | $1,334,422.00 | $0.00 | $1,334,422.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS-EAS (PM) | $17,161,475.00 | $32,424.00 | $17,193,899.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (SUPVR) | $5,641,252.00 | $89,839.00 | $5,731,091.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (CLK) | $13,107.00 | $1,731.00 | $14,838.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (CAG K CLK) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (MAILHANDLERS) | $2,078.00 | $0.00 | $2,078.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (RURAL CARRIERS) | $4,743.00 | $0.00 | $4,743.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (CITY CARRIERS) | $9,416.00 | $0.00 | $9,416.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (BLDG SERV) | $5,644.00 | $1,057.00 | $6,701.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (PO OPER EQUIP) | $550,629.00 | $7,255.00 | $557,884.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (BLDG & PLANT) | $496,389.00 | $3,560.00 | $499,949.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (ADM SUPPORT) | $625,253.00 | $4,120.00 | $629,373.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (PROF ADM TECH)ADM TECH) | $3,239,237.00 | $60,322.00 | $3,299,559.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (VEH MAINT) | $260,130.00 | $6,769.00 | $266,899.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (MESS) | $203.00 | $0.00 | $203.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (ASC) | $27,941.00 | $0.00 | $27,941.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (FAC SERV CTR&O) | $47,372.00 | $0.00 | $47,372.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (PURCH FLD PERS) | $7,107.00 | $0.00 | $7,107.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (PURCH SVC CNTR) | $11,988.00 | $0.00 | $11,988.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS(MAINT TECH SUPP CTR) | $2,979.00 | $0.00 | $2,979.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS S.E.U. & S.D.N. | $2,788.00 | $0.00 | $2,788.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (AREA COUNSEL) | $16,930.00 | $0.00 | $16,930.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAY(RATES & CL. CTR) | $2,567.00 | $0.00 | $2,567.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (FD COMM OFF) | $2,564.00 | $0.00 | $2,564.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS NHRSC – EMP. REL | $11,889.00 | $0.00 | $11,889.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (ADM) | $4,256,485.00 | $1,000.00 | $4,257,485.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (PROT FORCE) | $33,414.00 | $0.00 | $33,414.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (AREA) | $579,519.00 | $8,324.00 | $587,843.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (IBSSC/COSC) | $94,088.00 | $0.00 | $94,088.00 |
| MERIT BONUS PAYMENTS (HQ) | $612,346.00 | $2,352.00 | $614,698.00 |
USPS Launches Improved Employee Website
New look, new features — same commitment. USPS has launched a revitalized LiteBlue to help employees stay better informed about the organization, their careers and their benefits.
“LiteBlue is now becoming a destination for all employees,” said Tony Vegliante, executive vice president and chief Human Resources officer. “When we engage our employees online, they have immediate access to career and benefits information.”
The new LiteBlue is more than a makeover. It’s a joint project of three departments — Human Resources, Information Technology and Corporate Communications — to meet the Postal Service’s pledge to provide employees with an easy-to-use, one-stop online resource. And it’s the Postal Service’s response to employee feedback to make information easily accessible 24/7.
“We are pleased to be able to help make LiteBlue more accessible and attractive for our employees,” said Ross Philo, chief information officer and executive vice president. “It’s all about making the information you need easier to find. IT looks forward to delivering additional capabilities in the future that will benefit USPS employees.”
LiteBlue includes more Human Resources information than ever before. Employees can now access a variety of relevant life, health and career options on the new “My HR” tab of the website. Continuing are LiteBlue’s more popular applications, such as eJob bidding, PostalEase and Change of Address. Whether it’s forms, policies or applications, employees will continue to find the latest HR information on LiteBlue.
New features also have been added to the website. Check out Behind the Blue, a behind-the-scenes look to discover “How does USPS do that?” There also are links to Sustainability and Shipping Services updates, area and district news, and information about how everyone can help USPS confront challenges and meet corporate goals.
You’ll need your Employee ID and USPS PIN to check out LiteBlue. No PIN? No problem. Go to LiteBlue’s Log In page, click on “Forget Your PIN?” enter your employee ID number, and request a new one.
LiteBlue is secure, convenient and reliable. Most of all, it’s yours. Check it out and let us know what you think of the website’s new content and format at LiteBlue@usps.gov.
source: USPS News Link
Postalreporter reader: Some things like ePayroll and e-Reassign are harder to find.
Unions Reach Settlement In Lawsuit Charging USPS With Intrusions Into Employees Medical Records
APWU News
The APWU and National Association of Letters Carriers (NALC) reached a settlement [PDF] with the Postal Service on May 20, 2010, ending a 2008 lawsuit in which the unions charged the USPS with “systematic and widespread intrusions” into members’ medical records. The settlement requires the Postal Service, agents of the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG), and officers of the Postal Inspection Service to provide specific documentation to healthcare providers when they request medical information about postal employees.
In accordance with the agreement, the Postal Service and its agents must present a “HIPAA letter” to healthcare providers before asking them to disclose any health information about employees. The letter must include a description of the information sought and a statement demonstrating how it is relevant to a legitimate law enforcement inquiry. The letter also must instruct healthcare providers to provide only information that is relevant to the investigation of the employee’s alleged violations of law.
HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which protects the security of health data. The law outlines rigorous rules for safeguarding the privacy of medical records, but permits healthcare providers to disclose information to law enforcement officers and “health oversight” agencies without patient consent for legitimate law enforcement purposes and other activities authorized by law.
In accordance with HIPAA rules, the letter requesting medical information instructs healthcare providers to refrain from notifying employees of the disclosure of their records for a period of 30 days, unless OIG agents or Postal Inspection Service officers request a longer period.
The settlement addresses two major concerns that prompted the lawsuit: The alleged intimidation of healthcare providers by OIG agents and Postal Inspectors, who frequently demanded employees’ medical records without explanation, and the indefinite prohibition against healthcare providers notifying postal employees about the disclosure of their records.
“The OIG can no longer violate employees’ rights by using police state tactics when conducting sick-leave or workers compensation investigations,” said APWU President William Burrus. “The obligation to provide details about a request — instead of demanding access to private records — prevents the OIG from abusing its power when investigating routine personnel matters.”
Update: USPS Retail Survey Lacks Privacy Act Safeguards?
Update regarding USPS Retail Survey Lacks Privacy Act Safeguards?
The POS Identification Number “was only used at the aggregated level. The survey has now been discontinued.” Meaning? Yet two days later, it is still online and working. If you leave your POS ID # blank, it states: “Text Response is Required.” There is still no ‘Privacy Act Notice.’ Typical postal double-speak?
Don Cheney
Auburn WA
________________________________________
From: USPSEmployees @ usps.gov
To: doncheney @ xxxx.com
Date: Thu, 20 May 2010 05:36:47 -0500
Subject: FW: USPS Retail Employee Survey Lacks Privacy Act Safeguards
Good morning Mr. Cheney,
We appreciate your patience while your inquiry was being investigated. The Retail Employee Survey was never reviewed or approved by the Privacy office. The POS Identification Number was not pulled into the survey results and was only used at the aggregated level. The survey has now been discontinued.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
USPS Privacy Office
________________________________
From: Don Cheney [mailto:doncheney @ xxxx.com]
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 4:18 PM
To: PRIVACY OFFICE
Subject: USPS Retail Employee Survey Lacks Privacy Act Safeguards
Some USPS managers are requiring all window clerks to answer an online survey regardless of how many hours they work the window. I clicked on the link, https://USPSLSSA.questionpro.com, and didn’t see a valid ‘Privacy Act Notice.’ Specifically, content items b, c, d, and e listed in section 3-2.2.b.1 for a ‘Privacy Act Notice’ are missing. Since the retail clerks have to enter their POS ID, they are personally identifiable and should receive a ‘Privacy Act Notice.’ Did your office approve this online survey?
Don Cheney
Auburn, WA
Handbook AS-353 Guide to Privacy, the Freedom of Information Act, and Records Management
3-2.2 Privacy Notice
The following describes privacy notice requirements.
a. General. When the Postal Service asks customers, employees, or other individuals to provide information about themselves and that information is maintained in a system of records, the Postal Service must provide an appropriate privacy notice. The Privacy Office must approve all new forms (hard copy and electronic) that collect customer, employee, or other individuals’ information. This includes hard copy and electronic forms, new forms, and forms scheduled for revision and reprinting.
b. Content. The privacy notice must contain the following information:
1. For individual consumers, employees, or other individuals, the privacy notice must explain:
a. The reason the information is being collected.
b. Whether providing it is mandatory or voluntary, and the effects of not providing it.
c. The disclosures (known as routine uses) that may be made of the information.
d. Which statute or executive order authorizes the collection.
e. That the customer privacy policy is available on usps.com.
Exhibit 3-2.2 Procedures to Provide a Privacy Notice
Online
For employees, a privacy notice that meets the content requirement of section 3-2.2b must be available on the screen near where data is collected.
Mikulski, Cardin, Kratovil Call for Postal Service to Schedule Public Information Meetings on Fate of Easton Mail Processing Facility
Delegation asks for at least four meetings, one each in Easton, Chestertown, Salisbury, and Ocean City
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski, Benjamin L. Cardin, and Congressman Frank M. Kratovil (all D-Md.) today sent a letter to Postmaster General John E. Potter, asking that the U.S. Post Office schedule additional public information meetings on the Area Mail Processing Study of the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility in Easton, MD.
The text of the letter follows:
May 19, 2010
Mr. John E. Potter
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, D.C. 20260
Dear Postmaster Potter:
In today’s difficult economy, families, businesses and local governments have been forced to make tough economic choices, and the U.S. Postal Service is no exception.
We respect the difficult economic decisions that the U.S. Postal Service is currently facing and we appreciate that the changing role of mail delivery services in today’s high-tech society further complicates the situation. However, we call to your attention a significant issue to many of our constituents: the Area Mail Processing Study of the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility in Easton, MD.
While we understand that a study is necessary and important, it is critical that residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore are given a voice in the process.
We think it is unacceptable that the U.S. Postal Service intends to hold only one public meeting prior to making a decision on the fate of the facility. Even though the facility is located in Easton, your decision will affect the entire Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore’s unique geography already limits capabilities for a quick mail turn around and closing the facility will slow down the process even more. The residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore demand and deserve to have a voice in a decision that will impact the future of the facility and mail delivery times throughout the area.
Given the regional impact of any proposed closure and the importance of postal services to citizens throughout the Eastern Shore, we strongly encourage you to schedule at least one public information meeting in each of the following cities: Easton, Chestertown, Salisbury, and Ocean City. We look forward to hearing back from you by June 1.
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
Benjamin L. Cardin
United States Senator
Frank M. Kratovil, Jr.
Member of Congress