Former Senior Exec For USPS Sentenced To Two Years in Prison for Bribery
Filed under: postal, postal managers, postal news, press releases, usdoj
Defendant Offered Contracts in Return For Money, Took $15,000 -
WASHINGTON – Ron Middlebrooks, a former senior executive with the U.S. Postal Service, was sentenced today to two years of incarceration on a bribery charge stemming from his acceptance of $15,000 in cash from a businessman he promised to reward with government contracts, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Unbeknownst to Middlebrooks, the businessman was working with law enforcement.
Middlebrooks, 47, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, pled guilty in August 2011 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to receipt of a bribe by a public official. The Honorable James E. Boasberg sentenced him today. Upon completion of his prison term, Middlebrooks will be placed on two years of supervised release. As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to resign from the Postal Service. Read more
Postal Manager’s Demotion for Dropping His Pants Upheld
Filed under: legal cases, postal, postal managers, postal news
The United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit ruled against former EAS-24 Postal Manager for unacceptable conduct.
Natty joined the Postal Service in 1990. By June 2010, he served as an EAS-24 Manager of Distribution Operations (MDO), supervising a total workforce of 130 employees, including six subordinate supervisors. On June 19, 2010, the agency demoted Natty to a PS-04 Part-Time Flex Mail Handler based on a finding of unacceptable conduct. Natty appealed his demotion and the Administrative Judge (“AJ”) found that Natty’s comments about race and sex, and the intentional dropping of his pants, supported the unacceptable conduct charge. Natty v. U.S. Postal Serv., No. SF-0752-10-0847-I-1 (M.S.P.B. Oct. 29, 2010). The AJ also found the agency’s action timely and Natty’s demotion to a non-managerial position within the agency’s discretion. Id. The AJ’s decision became the final decision of the Board after the Board denied Natty’s petition for review. Natty v. U. S. Postal Serv., No. SF-0752-10-0847-I-1 (M.S.P.B. May 6, 2011). Natty timely appealed. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(9). Read more
USPS Launches New ‘DRIVE’ Approach To Strategy Execution
Filed under: postal, postal managers, postal news, USPS News Link
‘DRIVE’ to Success
As the relentless reduction of mail volume continues — fueled primarily by the continuing decline of First-Class Mail — USPS continues to look for ways to more effectively manage its challenges and to forge effective solutions for the future.
This process begins at the top of the Postal Service’s leadership, which has been working since earlier this summer on a new effort called “Delivering Results, Innovation, Value and Efficiency” (DRIVE).
Administered by the Postal Service’s Strategic Planning department, the DRIVE process is based on a well-established methodology used by many corporations to improve the development and execution of major business strategies. The version of DRIVE the Postal Service has created is centered on a set of 36 strategic initiatives, each guided by a senior USPS executive and supported by a cross-functional team of subject-expert managers. The ambitious initiatives — ranging from network optimization to executive transparency — include cost cutting, revenue generation, and capability enhancement necessary for the organization’s success.
Development of the DRIVE process has been on a fast track. “Now that we’ve established the portfolio of initiatives, it’s time to focus on execution,” said Director, Strategic Planning Emil Dzuray. “Each initiative is guided by a set of Roadmaps — high-level plans teams will use to guide implementation and chart progress.”
Dzuray says the USPS leadership expects concrete results in each of the 36 initiatives. Some initiatives may take years to complete, but progress in others could take place before the end of the year.
“We work in a dynamic and competitive environment,” said Dzuray. “It’s vitally important that we tap the resources and experience of this organization to improve the way we execute key business strategies. The DRIVE process is designed to help us achieve these goals.”
Click here for more information on the DRIVE process.
National Association of Presort Mailers Hires Retired USPS Manager as Executive Director
Filed under: mailers, postal, postal managers, postal news, press releases, usps
The National Association of Presort Mailers announced today that Robert Galaher has accepted the position of Executive Director for the association starting August 1, 2011. Bob recently retired from the United States Postal Service after 37 years of dedicated service. Bob has always been a change agent for the Postal Service. Starting out as distribution clerk, Bob moved up the ranks to Manager of Business Mail Acceptance, where he was responsible for the oversight of the national acceptance network processing approximately 12 million mailings yearly with $36 billion in annual revenue. Most recently Bob worked as Manager of Special Projects responsible for developing a plan to identify business and technical solutions to modernize the mail acceptance process, and develop a strategic vision and tactical roadmap for the Mail Entry and Payment Technology organization.
Rich Gebbie, President of NAPM said “Bob brings an invaluable set of skills and experience with business mail acceptance along with a real passion. Bob’s knowledge and experience will be a great asset as NAPM continues to work actively with the USPS and the mailing industry to develop a new intelligent Streamlined Acceptance process.”
The current NAPM Executive Director Joel Thomas will be retiring after many years of dedicated service. Rich said “NAPM thanks Joel for his leadership and guidance and we wish him the best in the years to come.”
source: National Association of Presort Mailers
District Court Allows Federal Manager to be Sued After Firing Employee
From PostalReporter.com reader:
A recent court decision has many federal managers and supervisors asking serious questions about their exposure and personal liability in civil or ‘personal capacity’ lawsuits for work-related matters and decisions.
Court Allows Federal Manager to be Sued After Firing Employee
For legal representation of Postal Service employees in civil and criminal cases, see ELM 668 Legal Assistance Provided by the Postal Service
Postal Service strives to maintain a deep bench for executive jobs
In the face of budget deficits and a shrinking workforce, the U.S. Postal Service is looking to develop its leaders and recruit new talent, according to an agency official.
In an interview with Government Executive, USPS Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President Anthony Vegliante said having a strong workforce succession planning process to identify employees to fill important leadership vacancies is the key to managing the agency’s 500 executive and 40 officer positions.
“The most important thing [about succession planning] is it delivers results,” he said. “People see results for their efforts.”
Full story: Government Executive
USPS OIG: Former Postal Marketing Exec Robert Bernstock misused staff, contractors
From the Federal Times
The U.S. Postal Service’s former top marketing executive repeatedly used government staff — and at least two business associates he hired with sole-source contracts — to manage his personal finances and outside business interests, according to a new report. Robert Bernstock, who resigned June 4, admitted to Office of Inspector General investigators that he had used postal resources and staff to handle his personal business while on the agency’s time. The report, released today, said his use of Postal Service employees and property to conduct personal business was improper. The report also raises questions about Postal Service general counsel Mary Anne Gibbons’ apparent failure to report Bernstock’s improper use of postal staff. download the entire report by clicking here.
USPS President Under Fire For Directing Postal Contracts To Former Associates Resigns
USPS President Under Fire For Directing Postal Contracts To Former Associates Resigns
Postmaster General Announces Leadership Change
Bernstock to Leave U.S. Postal Service in June
WASHINGTON — Postmaster General John Potter today accepted the resignation of Robert F. Bernstock as president of Mailing and Shipping Services, effective June 4.
Bernstock will pursue opportunities in the private sector.
Bernstock joined the Postal Service as president of the newly created Mailing and Shipping Services in June 2008, agreeing to work with the Postal Service for an initial period of two years.
“Bob led the effort to rethink and redesign the USPS customer experience. His talent, creativity and extensive business experience have benefitted the Postal Service, our customers and our employees,” Potter said.
As president, Bernstock was responsible for all product management, product development, retail and commercial products and services, as well as commercial sales. The division is responsible for more than $65 billion in annual revenue.
Among Bernstock’s achievements during his tenure at the Postal Service are:
* The Summer Sale and other groundbreaking pricing incentives that successfully generated incremental mail volume and increased revenue.
* The Priority Mail Flat Rate Box integrated marketing campaign, “A Simpler Way to Ship” that engaged employees across the country, provided consistent and unified messaging across all retail channels and led to record growth.
* A complete reimagining and revenue-focused redesign of the Postal Service website, usps.com. When complete this fall, customers will find a 21st Century system architecture that is easier to navigate, with customer-friendly interactive features making it even easier to do business with the Postal Service.
* The first Postal Service mobile applications launched earlier this year are part of ongoing efforts to channel technology for customer and business benefits.
* The first Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) “app” that allows customers to buy greetings with postage included for one price. “Postage Paid Greetings” uses a unique IMb on each card included in a package of cards. The business customer pays the postage expense when the cards are mailed.
“Bob’s work will have long-lasting, positive impact on the Postal Service and its customers,” Potter said.
Related link: USPS Executive Moonlights For Cash From Corporations
Senator, Congressman Introduce Bills To Address Postal Managers Unreasonable Workload
Filed under: politics, postal, postal managers, postal supervisors, Postmasters, usps
From the Postmasters.org website:
“Senator Akaka (D HI) and Congressman Gerald Connolly (D VA) have both introduced a bill that would add language to title 39 that puts into law that postmasters and other supervisory personnel shall have a reasonable and sustainable workload and schedule. These bills both address the unreasonable overload that the Postal Service has placed on managers over the last several years. The bills would also clarify certain provisions concerning consultation and changes or terminations in certain proposals.- The League, along with Napus and Naps, supports these bills.”
USPS Attendance Control Crackdown 2010
District Managers
SUBJECT: Attendance Control Programs
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently conducted an audit of the Postal Service’s attendance control policies and procedures. The report concluded that supervisors have failed to comply with Postal SeiVice policies and procedures regarding unscheduled absences and recommended the following three actions: provide refresher training to supervisors, establish and implement internal controls to evaluate and ensure supervisors compliance, and mandate the use of the Enterprise Resource Management System.
We have continually discussed on performance telecons the lack of accountability around the attendance control programs within your districts and the negative impact unscheduled absences have on finances and service. ThiS report only reinforces what we already know. Accordingly, the following actions are required effective immediately.
All newly promoted supervisors will be provided classroom leave control training within 90 days of promotions and refresher eLearning training to seasoned supervisors as described below beginnIng this quarter.
Employees’ absence analysis (form 3972) must be reviewed each quarter by every immediate supervisor’s manager.In the initial review, if it is determined that inadequate corrective action has been taken by the supervisor, the supervisor shall be required to take/repeat the eLearning course. If the supervisor fails to address irregular attendance in subsequent quarterly reviews, corrective action will be taken. Records must be maintained to ensure continued compliance. As the District Manager, you will be required monthly to submit to me a report of your performance with respect to attendance control and actions taken to correct
deficiencies of managers/supervisors under their control. Your first report is due in my office February 1, 2010 and should be broken out by POOM area and plants.
Finally, all supervisors and Labor Relations Specialists will use the eRMS System and maintain all corrective action and grievance information within the system for review. There shall be no exceptions to this requirement.
Terry Wilson
source: PostalReporter reader -Terry Wilson is VP Area Operations, Southeast Area. Terry Wilson suddenly retired at the end of this month. Linda Welch is taking over February 1st. The attendance crackdown is probably happening nationwide