False alarm over parcel at U.S. Embassy to Vatican

  False alarm over parcel at U.S. Embassy to Vatican "...ROME (AP) — Bomb squad teams were dispatched to the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican on Wednesday after it reported a suspicious package — but it was a false alarm, police said. Embassies in Rome have been on high alert for a week after anarchists mailed package bombs to..." Reference: www.usatoday.com  

Package Bombs Explode At Swiss And Chilean Embassies In Rome

  Double Terror As Package Bombs Explode At Swiss And Chilean Embassies In Rome "...Two hours later another letter bomb went off at the Chilean embassy in the Italian capital, again injuring a staff member working in the post room ..." Reference: peacefmonline.com  

Grievance and Arbitration Tracking System (GATS 2.0 ) - A brief history of GATS 2.0

  C. Employee Compensation and Career Advancement
(39 U.S.C. 101(c)) "...In the area of Labor Relations Systems, the redesign of the Grievance and Arbitration Tracking System (GATS 2.0) was fully implemented. With all field offices now required to input grievances at the Step 2 level of the process, GATS 2.0 offers aid to management in identifying and analyzing workplace disputes earlier in the grievance process. In addition, GATS 2.0 continues to facilitate changes in the grievance/arbitration scheduling process as agreed to by the major unions, resulting from negotiations. Additional enhancements to the system are under way to further increase management’s use of GATS 2.0 as a labor relations tool...." Reference: 2001 Comprehensive Statement on Postal Operations; http://www.usps.com/history/cs01/c1c.htm  

When do the Mail Handler Contract Negotiations Begin?

  "...NPMHU begin negotiations next year approximately 90 days prior to the midnight Nov. 20, 2011 contract expiration date..." Reference: Mail Handler Contract Negotiations  

Rural carriers reject USPS proposal for wage freeze, benefits cuts

  Rural carriers reject USPS proposal for wage freeze, benefits cuts "...The union had countered with what it termed "appropriate and reasonable wage increases, continued cost-of-living adjustments and the maintenance of core benefits," the document said. The union had also advanced "several proposals that would have resulted in substantial savings for the Postal Service," it said...." Reference: www.federaltimes.com  

Only seven (1st class) mailing days left before Christmas

  "...California - Mail handler Kim Rose on Monday handles packages at the small parcel and bundle sorter at the United States Postal Service's North Bay processing and distribution center in Petaluma...." Reference: www.pressdemocrat.com

Alabama Amber Alert for Brittany Mae Smith

  Alabama Amber Alert for Brittany Mae Smith "...Easley has ties to Alabama and may be headed here or is here at this time. Easley has purchased a blue tent since the alleged abduction so he and Brittany Mae Smith may be camping around or in wooded areas. ..." Reference:

NPMHU 1.2% contractual wage increase to be reflected in Friday, Dec. 10 pay

  "...The last general wage increase under the 2006 National Agreement, set at 1.2%, will be implemented effective November 20, 2010, and will be reflected in paychecks issued on December 10, 2010. ..." Reference: National Postal Mail Handlers  

Postal Mail Carrier Shot in Miami

  $25K Reward Offered In Mail Carrier's Murder "...Mail carrier Bruce Parton was shot to death in the parking lot of a north Miami-Dade apartment complex. ..." Reference: cbs4.com  

Postal Employee Hazards - Spiders in the Mail

  Web of deceit unravels as tarantulas found "...Operation Spiderman, began in March when postal workers conducting a routine inspection found 300 live tarantulas tapping against small plastic containers stacked tightly together inside..." Reference: www.smh.com.au  

Two Madison County Alabama women plead guilty to stealing from post office outlets

  Two Madison County women plead guilty to stealing from post office outlets "...U.S. Postal Service contractors in Huntsville pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing from the postal service, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office...." Reference: al.com  

Postal Contract Station

Can you be fired for posting to Facebook, Blogs, or other sites?

 Workers Rights Extend to Facebook
Company Accused of Firing Over Facebook Post "...“Employers should review their Internet and social media policies to determine whether they are susceptible to an allegation that the policy would ‘reasonably tend to chill employees’ ” in the exercise of their rights to discuss wages, working conditions and unionization. ..." Reference: www.nytimes.com  

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New Pay Scale

  WAGES TO INCREASE EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 20, 2010 "...The last general wage increase under the 2006 National Agreement, set at 1.2%, will be implemented effective November 20, 2010, and will be reflected in paychecks issued on December 10, 2010. ..." Reference: National Postal Mail Handlers Union  

Seattle attorney who sent suspicious letter to GOP senator sentenced

  Seattle attorney who sent suspicious letter to GOP senator sentenced "...On May 8, a mail handler examining a letter sent to Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., was hit in the face by a blast of white powder emanating from the envelope. Concerned that the powder could be anthrax -- the biological agent that killed five in a string of attacks beginning in 2001 -- the mail handler was decontaminated and the substance analyzed. ..." Reference: www.seattlepi.com  

Mail Handler Inducted into Cambridge Who's Who

  Danita L. Bialek Inducted into Cambridge Who's Who
"...Ms. Bialek has served the United States Postal Service as a mail handler; she was attracted to this position by the benefits that it offered her. On a daily basis, she is responsible for processing and scanning mail, printing placard and unloading mail trucks. ..."
Reference: www.einnews.com  

Post office will sell Iron Bowl logo envelopes

  Post office will sell Iron Bowl logo envelopes
"...There will be 500 with Alabama stamps available in Tuscaloosa on Friday and 250 that feature two stamps for people who live in a “house divided,” said Carol Brekle, manager of retail for the postal service’s Alabama division. Five hundred envelopes with an Auburn stamp..."
Reference: www.tuscaloosanews.com  

Union dues increase ($.50 per pay period)

  DUES INCREASE TO BE IMPLEMENTED WITH NEGOTIATED WAGE INCREASE "...Of this amount, forty cents ($.40) per pay period will be sent to the Local Union, and ten cents ($.10) per pay period will be retained by the National Office in the form of increased per capita tax...." Reference: www.npmhu.org  

Remember! It's Open Season for Health Benefits

  Open Season Simply go to USPS LiteBlue and log in to make changes to your FEHB, Dental and Vision. Reference: National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 317  

USPS Answer: More job cuts?

  More USPS red ink to lead to bloodletting "...Chief Financial Officer Joseph Corbett is predicting growth in mail volume next year. He says the Postal Service will have to handle it with fewer people.

The announcement of impending job cuts comes as the Postal Service is in contract negotiations with two of its unions, with two more scheduled to be negotiated next year. ..." Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com  

Issa to Push for Postal Service Changes

  Rep. Issa (R-CA) to Push for Postal Service Changes "...He has cited the need to downsize the labor force and reduce costs..." Reference: nytimes.com  

November 20, 2010 Mail Handler contract salary increase

  Mail Handler contract salary increase "...Effective November 20, 2010 – the basic annual salary for each grade and step shall be increased by an amount equal to 1.2% of the basic annual salary for the grade and step in effect on September 2, 2006...." Reference: National Postal Mail Handlers Union  

USPS Priority Rates Rise January 2011

  USPS to Raise Priority Mail Rates in January "...The U.S. Postal Service said prices for Priority Mail and other Shipping Services would increase overall by 3.6 percent effective January 2, 2011..." Reference: Auction Bytes  

Postal Service studies consolidation of Huntsville facility with Birmingham

  Postal Service studies consolidation of Huntsville facility with Birmingham "...The Postal Service is soliciting the public's input as part of the study process. Comments may be submitted to: Consumer Affairs Manager, U.S. Postal Service, P.O. Box 395, Birmingham AL 35203-0395..." Reference: The Postal Newsgroup  

Union Stewards: An example of the 'Douglas Factors' in action

  DLA supervisor blames Italy for harassment "...12 factors and said the agency should" weigh and balance them in deciding what an appropriate penalty is. In order to make sure the penalty is appropriate for the misconduct. They include the "nature and seriousness of the offense, lack of prior discipline, performance record, how long you've been on the job, whether other employees have received the same treatment for similar behavior," among other mitigating circumstances. ..." Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com  

Parcel bomb plotters 'used dry run', say US officials

  Parcel bomb plotters 'used dry run', say US officials "...official has told the BBC that suspect packages from Yemen were intercepted in September, in what may have been a dry run for last week's foiled parcel bomb..." Reference: www.bbc.co.uk  

USPS set to appeal postal rate increase rejection

  USPS set to appeal postal rate increase rejection "..."We have a fundamental disagreement with the PRC's interpretation of the law," said Postmaster General John Potter, according to DMNews. "This action is an investment in our future. We need to understand and define the rules under the current law..." Reference: www.overnightprints.com  

Postmaster General Announces Retirement

  A LETTER TO ALL EMPLOYEES FROM POSTMASTER GENERAL JACK POTTER "...I have reached a point in my life where it is time to move on to other things. Pat Donahoe, Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Operating Officer, will become our new Postmaster General when I “end tour” Dec. 3...." Reference: usps.gov  

Huntsville Branch Union Meeting

  "The union meeting will be held at the China Buffet on Thursday, October 28, 2010, at 11:00 AM." Reference: National Postal Mail Handlers Union 317