Carper, Coons, Carney & Markell Write to PMG Urging Review of Hare’s Corner Proposal
Filed under: politics, post office closings, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
Officials highlight concerns regarding USPS’s proposal to revamp Delaware’s only mail processing and distribution center
February 3,2012
WILMINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the U.S. Postal Service, along with Gov. Jack Markell, Sen. Chris Coons and Rep. John Carney (all D-Del.) wrote to United States Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe urging him to review the U.S. Postal Service’s proposal that would revamp Delaware’s only mail processing facility, causing a significant negative impact on Delaware. Specifically, the Postal Service has proposed transferring the mail processing functions from the Delaware Processing and Distribution facility at Hare’s Corner in New Castle, Del., to another facility in Bellmawr, N.J.
The letter highlights several concerns with the proposal and the process the Postal Service has employed when considering revamping the Hare’s Corner facility. It includes statements from businesses and state and federal agencies noting that this proposal would negatively impact their operations. It also urges the Postmaster General to reconsider the Area Mail Processing study that led to the current proposal, explore the concerns raised regarding the proposal, and consider the possibility of consolidating other operations into the Delaware Processing and Distribution facility. Read more
Scammers Use USPS Online Change of Address To Steal Woman’s Identity
A local woman says someone from Nigeria stole her identity, opened multiple accounts in her name and took out a big loan, all things she says she probably would’ve caught except she stayed in the dark for weeks because scammers managed to stop her mail.
The culprits used a free online change of address service known as “Updater, Inc.” That website then forwarded the information to the postal service. Read more
USPS Love Ribbons Forever Stamps Goes on Sale Before Feb 14th
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced the new Love Ribbons Forever Stamp is on sale today at usps.com and by phone at 800-782-6724. Stamps are arriving in Post Offices over the next few days and will be sold as soon as they are available.
“We are excited to bring this colorful new stamp to our customers in time for them to mail their Valentine’s Day greeting cards and letters,” said Stamp Services Manager, Stephen Kearney. “We will continue selling the Garden of Love stamps too.” The official dedication ceremony for Love Ribbons will be held Feb. 14 in Colorado Springs, CO. Read more
Video: Senator Sanders: Modernize the Postal Service
Sen. Bernie Sanders on Tuesday urged Congress to modernize the U.S. Postal Service to avert the closings of post offices and processing centers and the elimination of more than 100,000 jobs. Read more
CRS: The USPS’s Financial Condition: Overview and Issues for Congress
Below is a summary from The Congressional Research Service’s report on “The U.S. Postal Service’s Financial Condition:Overview and Issues for Congress”
This report provides an overview of the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS’s) financial condition,legislation enacted to alleviate the USPS’s financial challenges, and possible issues for the 112th Congress. It also includes a side-by-side comparison of two of the postal reform bills, H.R. 2309 and S. 1789.
Since 1971, the USPS has been a self-supporting government agency that covers its operating costs with revenues generated through the sales of postage and related products and services.
In recent years, the USPS has experienced significant financial challenges. After running modest profits from FY2004 through FY2006, the USPS lost $25.4 billion between FY2007 and FY2011.Were it not for congressional action, the USPS would have lost an additional $9.5 billion. Read more
Mail Handlers Contract Update: Impasse Declared, Dispute Resolution Procedures Forthcoming
As previously announced, National negotiations between the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and the U.S. Postal Service over the terms of the 2011 National Agreement stalled late last week, on January 20, 2012. At that point, representatives of the Postal Service made clear that they would not agree to extend the expiration date for the current National Agreement for a fourth time, and thus the parties had no choice but to declare impasse in the negotiations.
Although progress was made during bargaining on certain issues, including Articles 12 on seniority and reassignments and Article 15 governing the grievance-arbitration procedure, the parties remain at loggerheads on issues concerning wages under Article 9, health insurance under Article 21, employee complement under Article 7, and subcontracting under Article 32. The Postal Service also has been working in Congress to undermine the bargaining process, seeking legislative changes in the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program, as well as changes in the binding arbitration provisions that ultimately control collective bargaining. Read more
Senator Sanders said he hopes postal reform legislation will protect 100,000 jobs in jeopardy
Filed under: politics, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
Addressing the National League of Postmasters on Monday at a conference in Crystal City, Va., Sen. Bernie Sanders was greeted with a standing ovation from local officials who welcomed his effort to block widespread closings of post offices and processing plants.
Sanders said he hopes legislation slated to come before the Senate next week will protect 100,000 jobs that are in jeopardy under a plan to close facilities around the country, including 15 post offices and two mail sorting centers in Vermont. Sanders also wants Congress to preserve overnight delivery of first-class mail and maintain Saturday mail service, both of which could fall under the budget ax as a result of drastic cost-cutting measures the Postal Service is considering.
Under an agreement with the Postal Service worked out by Sanders and other senators, closures and job cuts under study by the Postal Service were delayed until May 15 to give Congress time to consider reforms. Read more
NPMHU Responds to USPS City Letter Carrier Position Job Posting
The Postal Service recently solicited all Mail Handlers with a message to consider transfering to a city letter carrier position. The message outlined how you could transfer to carrier and enumerated the advantages. USPS letter and NPMHU response Read more
NAPUS: Senate Postpones Consideration of Postal Bill
Filed under: NAPUS, postal, postal news, postal reform, usps
On Thursday, January 26, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the Senate would take up the “Stock Act,” rather than postal reform legislation during the week of January 30. The Stock Act bans insider trading by Members of Congress. In his State of the Union Address, President Obama indicated that he would promptly sign into law the Stock Act, when passed.
At this point, there is some uncertainty about scheduling Senate consideration of S. 1789, although the Senate Leadership, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Joseph Lieberman, and Ranking GOP Member Susan Collins would like to begin consideration during the week of February 6. A number of speed-bumps confront floor action: the Committee has yet to file its report on the bill; the Congressional Budget Office calculated a significant cost associated with bill; and there are number of controversial provisions in the bill that are generating strong opposition.
via NAPUS.
OWCP Issues Statement Regarding USPS, Align Networks Partnership For Physical Therapy Services
Apparently , APWU is not alone with our concerns regarding the partnership between the Postal Service and Align Networks.
Recent communications from the United States Postal Service and Align Networks generated enough distress among OWCP officials that its Division of Federal Employees’ Compensation issued a statement earlier today on its website that asserts OWCP as the only authority with the power to determine what medical care will be authorized. It emphasizes medical providers are not required to refer claimants to Align Networks for authorization for physical therapy and that postal employees are not required to use Align Networks, or affiliated physical therapists for scheduling or treatment of a condition approved by OWCP under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. The posting clarifies the authorization and billing processes, and deflates the Postal Service’s notion that utilization of Align Networks will save employees money. Read more