Chaffetz calls Postmaster General’s retirement package ‘ridiculous’
Rep. Jason Chaffetz called the $5.5 million retirement package for outgoing Postmaster General John Potter absurd and unfair in the wake of the United States Postal Service’s announcement that it had lost $8.5 billion this year.
“That was ridiculous,” Chaffetz said in a phone interview with The Daily Caller. “It doesn’t seem fair to anybody.”
The congressman from Utah is the ranking Republican member on the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and District of Columbia. He has been working with California Rep. Darrell Issa, the ranking Republican member of the Oversight Committee, on “introducing a comprehensive postal reform bill,” he said.
Postal Employee Gets 30-Months In Prison For Stealing 11,000 Packages
An overnight mail handler, who stole more than 11,000 packages over two years before he was caught by federal agents, received the maximum sentence under the guidelines for his crimes Monday.
David Schmauder, a 48-year-old former U.S. Postal Service employee, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of theft by mail in federal court in August. He was sentenced in a federal court to the maximum sentence under the guidelines of 30 months after a judge rejected Schmauder’s claims that obsessive-compulsive disorder and mental illness were the reasons he stole the mail.
Schmauder apologized to the people he stole packages from at his sentencing.
Upon being observed and caught by USPS special agents in January 2010, Schmauder admitted to stealing about 50 packages two or three nights a week from the post office he worked at in Highland Ranch since January 2008.
The postal service estimated losses at $283,913 but admitted there’s no way to know how much Schmauder stole. The plea agreement calls for Schmauder to pay a fine of $4,000 to $40,000.Read the rest of this story at 9News.com.
NALC: Proposed Federal Pay Freeze Does Not Include Postal Workers
The National Association Of Letter Carriers released the following statement:
Proposed federal pay freeze: President Barack Obama announced on Monday a plan to freeze federal employees’ pay for two years, calling the measure necessary to help reduce the federal deficit. Postal workers, however, are paid by the self-sustaining U.S. Postal Service, and so they are not included in this proposal.
Contract Talks Approach Deadline; USPS Extends Bidding
Union and management representatives continued bargaining Nov. 30, and will meet again on Dec. 1 — the day the contract is set to expire. “The final days of contract negotiations are always the toughest, and that’s where we’re at,” APWU President Cliff Guffey said.
“But we are determined to meet the challenge and negotiate a contract that is fair to postal workers and that will strengthen the Postal Service. We will continue our efforts to reach a just settlement.”
In the meantime, the Postal Service has extended the timeframe for bidding under the terms of the 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement [PDF]. Employees will be permitted to continue to bid, and where they are designated successful bidders after Nov. 20, those bids may be counted toward the bid maximum for the next contract.
Wisconsin Postal Worker Charged With Theft From Mail
Madison, Wisconsin — A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Theresa L. Kuehl, 42, Neillsville, Wis., is charged with theft from an item of mail while employed at the Neillsville U.S. Postal Station. The indictment alleges that on December 22, 2009, she removed a prepaid Citibank debit card in the amount of $100 from a piece of mail.
If convicted, Kuehl faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The charge against her is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of this case has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson.
source: US Department Of Justice
National Deficit Commission Proposed Big Hits on Feds and Postal Workers, Retirees
Filed under: NAPS, postal, postal news, postal supervisors, usps
Archived National Association of Postal Supervisors Legislative Report
Deficit Commission Proposes Big Hits on Feds and Postal Workers, Retirees
The co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility on Wednesday released their recommendations for significant savings in federal spending. As feared, the proposals would bring significant pain to the active and retired federal and postal workforce.
Co-commission chairs Erskine Bowles and former Senator Alam Simpson in a preliminary document proposed:
– A 3-year pay freeze on all federal employees;
– A 10% cut in the federal workforce;
– Increasing the federal “high-3″ retirement formula to a “high-5″ approach;
– A significant increase in federal and postal employee contributions for retirement benefits;
– Lower federal civilian and military retiree benefits, and
– Increases in federal and postal retiree premiums for health benefits.
In addition the co-chairs would curb Social Security benefits and eliminate up to $100 billion annually in various tax breaks.
Whether these draft recommendations become the final recommendations of the commission is highly uncertain. President Obama’s directive establishing the deficit commission and appointing its 18 members requires 14 of the panel’s 18 members to agree to any proposal for it to become the commission’s official recommendation.
The scary prospect for federal and postal employees is that even if the deficit commission fails to reach agreement on changes in some controversial areas affecting all Americans — like the changes to the tax code or Social Security benefits — the commission could still go ahead and zero-in on federal workforce pay and benefits, and recommend changes there. Any deficit commission recommendation would still need to be approved by Congress and signed-off by the President.
The commission is required to file its report with President Obama by December 1st. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) previously pledged to bring to a House vote before the end of the year on any proposals officially proposed by the commission.
NAPS is closely monitoring the work of the deficit commission and will continue to advocate for the preservation of postal pay and benefits. NAPS joined with 17 other federal and postal employee groups last month in urging the commission to respect the value of public service and the solvency of the health insurance and retirement systems that cover federal and postal workers and retirees.
Bruce Moyer
Congressman Blasts Process for Moving Oshkosh Postal Facility, Requests Audit
Filed under: Congress, consolidations, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
Press Release from Rep. Tom Petri, Representing Wisconsin’s 6th District
For Immediate Release:
November 29, 2010
With the U.S. Postal Service considering closing the Oshkosh Processing and Distribution Center and consolidating the work in Green Bay, Rep. Tom Petri has sent a strongly-worded letter to Post Office Inspector General David Williams calling for an audit. Petri wrote that the process used to potentially bring about the move has raised numerous questions.
“I believe USPS has developed a business case for closing the Oshkosh facility without fully analyzing all of the purported savings and costs associated with moving the mail processing operations currently performed at the Oshkosh Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) to the Green Bay P&DC,” he wrote. “Regarding the proposed savings of $4.6 million, I would like assurance that USPS has taken into consideration all the one-time costs associated with this potential consolidation, such as the costs of relocating and retraining staff, moving mail processing equipment, and redesigning the facility to accommodate the new equipment, increased truck traffic and increased mail volume.”
Petri brought up questions about the lack of Postal Service space in Green Bay if processing is consolidated there, and about the cost of carrying vacant space in Oshkosh for an undetermined time due to the state of the current commercial real estate market.
Petri wrote that he is “concerned about the lack of information provided to my office, postal employees, and the local community. We have been asked to comment on the study, but have been given no information on what data or assumptions were used to reach the estimate of $4.6 million in savings.”
“Also, we have not received an adequate response as to why an 11-month study of the Green Bay facility was abruptly halted earlier this year only to have the USPS launch the Oshkosh AMP which was completed in a few months,” he wrote. “In September, I requested information on the Green Bay study and was told by letter dated November 19, 2010, that such information would not be released because the study was never completed. However, the City of Oshkosh, the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, and WBAY TV in Green Bay have filed a Freedom of Information Act request and it is my understanding that they will receive the information (with some redactions) in early December.”
“Additionally, an earlier Oshkosh AMP from 2007, which also was never finalized, was released to the American Postal Workers Union. At the very least, the Postal Service’s policy on releasing AMP information to Congress, employees and the impacted public is confusing and appears to be applied inconsistently,” he wrote.
OSHA levies $46,200 in proposed penalties against U. S. Postal Service in Des Moines, Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center in Des Moines for two alleged serious and one alleged repeat violation of federal workplace safety standards for failing to properly train workers on powered industrial truck hazards. Proposed fines total $46,200.
“Our inspection revealed that workers were not being properly trained to identify hazards associated with operating powered industrial trucks,” said Charles Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. “It is imperative that employers take the necessary steps to eliminate hazards by training workers and providing a safe working environment.”
OSHA initiated an investigation in October at the Des Moines facility following a complaint alleging a lack of powered industrial truck training and operation deficiencies. The serious citations include failing to provide refresher training when workers were observed operating powered industrial trucks in an unsafe manner and to certify that workers were properly trained. A serious citation is issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The repeat citation was issued for failing to conduct an evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator at least every three years. OSHA issues a repeat violation when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
The U.S. Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center in Des Moines has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Des Moines or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The inspection was conducted by OSHA’s Des Moines Area Office, telephone 515-284-4794. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
The U.S. Department of Labor has filed an enterprise-wide complaint against the U.S. Postal Service for electrical work safety violations. The complaint asks the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to order the Postal Service to correct electrical violations at all its facilities nationwide. This complaint marks the first time OSHA has sought enterprise-wide relief as a remedy.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov
APWU Contract Negotiations Resume
APWU Web News
Contract negotiations between the APWU and the Postal Service resumed Nov. 29, with a Dec. 1 deadline fast approaching. Talks will continue on Nov. 30.
The union and management discussed returning subcontracted work to USPS employees and issues related to workforce structure, as well as pay and benefits. “The APWU is seeking an agreement that will benefit our members and the Postal Service,” APWU President Cliff Guffey said.
The 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement was scheduled to expire on Nov. 20, but the union and management agreed to extend it twice – first to Nov. 23, and then to Dec. 1.
The union will continue to provide frequent updates on bargaining table. For the latest news, please visit www.apwu.org often. Members are also encouraged to follow the union on Twitter and Facebook to receive up-to-the-minute alerts by e-mail or text message.
USPS news Release: Getting Ready for the Most Wonderful Time of Year
U.S. Postal Service Delivers the Holidays
WASHINGTON — Neither rain nor snow nor heat nor gloom of night will keep the Postal Service from doing what it does best — delivering the holidays. Between now and Christmas Eve, the Postal Service will deliver 15.8 billion cards, letters and packages across the country and around the world.
“The holiday season isn’t just the busiest time of the year for the Postal Service — it’s our best time of year,” said Steve Forte, senior vice president, Operations. “We’re the holiday mailing and shipping experts.”
The Postal Service expects to deliver nearly 3 billion cards and letters over the holidays and there are more than 3 billion holiday stamps available to handle the volume. This year, a snowman and the words “Happy Holidays” will appear in the upper right-hand corner of greeting cards and letters mailed during the month of December.
During this holiday season, the Postal Service also expects:
• 97 million customers to visit a Post Office
• 30 million pounds of mail to be delivered to overseas military installations, including Iraq and war zones in Afghanistan
• 4.7 million shipping labels to be printed using Click-N-Ship
The busiest mailing day is set for Monday, Dec. 20. More than 800 million cards, letters and packages are expected to be mailed on that day alone, compared to 559 million on a typical day. Wednesday, Dec. 22, will be the busiest delivery day. Staff at the National Operations Center work 24/7 to help navigate mail movement around the world.
“We’ve been delivering the holidays for the past 235 years, and we’re proud to deliver excellent service to our customers, especially during this busy time of year,” added Forte.
More than 47 million customers will skip the trip to the Post Office this holiday season and take advantage of the Postal Service’s convenient online shipping at usps.com. Customers can print shipping labels, pay for postage and request free package pickup while staying warm and comfortable in their homes or offices. The Postal Service will deliver free shipping supplies, including the popular Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, and also pick up packages for free when customers ship online using the Postal Service’s website.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
Visit the Postal Service’s holiday press room at usps.com/holidaynewsroom.