Postal Reform Bill S.1486: Destruction of the national infrastructure and employee benefits

  Can it get much worse? The Senate tries postal reform, again

"...While the bill doesn’t take postal employees and retirees out of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan (FEHBP), it does create a separate postal risk pool and a separate postal plan within FEHBP. With a few exceptions, employees and retirees will only be permitted to join plans within the postal plan. Those eligible for Medicare must fully enroll in both Medicare Part A and Part B (there are exceptions but those are limited and eventually every eligible is shifted to Medicare). There is an open season for those currently eligible for Medicare who have not enrolled, and a waiver period is granted for penalties that would apply to those who did not enroll in Part B when first eligible...."

Reference: www.savethepostoffice.com  

VW, a company supporting blue coller workers; Will VW workers vote for a union?

  VW Plant's Union Vote Could Be a Southern Labor Breakthrough

"...VW considers labor-management cooperation a competitive advantage, and the company has said it concluded that the creation of a works council in the U.S. would require union representation at the plant...."

Reference: www.businessweek.com

Meta Tags: Volkswagen (VW),  

Shortage of 'outsourced' locks for cluster mailboxes

  Postal privatization sneaking in? Outsourced postal locks, forced neighborhood cluster mailboxes instead of curbside service

"...The nationwide shortage started after the Postal Service, which had historically manufactured the locks, decided last year to outsource..."

Reference: postal-edaily.blogspot.com  

Processing facility closures postponed as closures required implementation of mail service standard changes

Revised Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products; Postponement of Implementation Date

Snip from the Article: "... This document announces the postponement of the implementation date for the revised service standards for market-dominant mail products that were scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2014, as part of the Network Rationalization initiative. The new implementation date will be announced by the Postal Service in the Federal Register at least 90 days before it takes effect. ..."

Reference Source: www.federalregister.gov  

Six Sigma: Postal Service touting program of failure to managers?

  Six Sigma: Postal Service touting program of failure to managers?

"...Is the Postal Service becoming too dependent on a management program that has been discounted by some as a proven failure? It appears they are employing ‘Six Sigma’ heavily[1], but history and the S&P 500 may be proof as to why the Postal Service may be investing in the wrong direction with Six Sigma. Read more on the process and you decide...."

Reference: postalaffairsblog.intelisent.com  

Privatization, Delivery Standard Changes, closing processing facilities and reducing the number of postal employees

 

With a smile on his face as he gives postal employee jobs to Staples' stores, Donahoe said privatization “would be a crazy idea..."

Staples’ selling postal products without USPS workers stirs fears of privatization

"...Delivery standards are a personal issue with Tester, an issue he wants addressed in postal reform legislation that has bounced around Capitol Hill for years. “I’ve been late for house payments” because of poor delivery resulting from the closing of processing centers, he said in an office interview. He said his wife mails payments a week earlier than previously...."

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com  

USPS Headquarters staff increases, Mail Handlers and Clerks hit hard in employee cuts

  Clerks hit hardest by USPS cuts, stats show. Headquarters grows.

"...The one sector to grow during that time was headquarters staff (not counting field support), which increased a little more than 5 percent...."

Reference: federaltimes.com  

Mail service standard changes: Request for public comment

  Service Standards for Destination Sectional Center Facility Rate Standard Mail

"...The Postal Service seeks public comment on proposed revisions to the service standards for Standard Mail that is eligible for Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) rates. The revisions would change the service standard (a) from three days to four days for Standard Mail pieces that..."

Reference: www.menafn.com  

Postal Service is booming! ...but being oddly quiet about outstanding revenue growth

  USPS Exceeded Holiday Package Delivery Volume

"...The USPS said package volume grew by 210 million pieces (6%), and that fiscal year revenues increased $923 million...."

Reference: multichannelmerchant.com  

Protecting the wealthy while slamming the working class

 

The new compromise budget is seen by unions as a scheme by Reps. Paul Ryan and Boehner to raid the pensions earned by workers.

Union leaders slam federal budget deal

"...In a letter to budget bargainers Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Ryan, a coalition of unions and other groups-including the Laborers, AFGE, AFSCME, the Fire Fighters, the Letter Carriers, the Mail Handlers/Laborers, the Machinists, the Postal Workers, the Air Traffic Controllers, NTEU, the Government Employees and the Rural Letter Carriers-said pension cuts are "simply unacceptable."..."

Reference: peoplesworld.org  

What Does the UPS Union Contract Look Like? (PDF Document)

  National Master United Parcel Service Agreement
Excerpt:

Reference: teamster.org  

More late mail and some residents claim they are not getting mail service

  Residents report late mail deliveries

"...a larger-than-usual load of greeting cards, letters and packages to mail carriers' loads, and some residents are not receiving their mail until after dark, if at all. Willard Lemonds of Cape Girardeau has not seen his mailbox flag pushed down over the last couple days because his mail has not been delivered...."

Reference: www.semissourian.com  

Mark Stevens, Mail Handler, 46, St. Paul Park (Obit)

  Mark Stevens, 46, St. Paul Park

"...In 1997, Mark started his career with the United States Postal Service as a mail handler until his death. Mark made and had a great number of friends there which he enjoyed...."

Reference: www.albertleatribune.com  

Former Montgomery postal mail handler gets 10 year sentence for shooting

  Ex-postal worker gets 10-year sentence for shooting at co-workers

"...Darby was a former part-time mail handler. He had pleaded guilty to attempted assault, discharging a gun during a violent crime and possession of a firearm in a federal facility. ..."

Reference: www.tuscaloosanews.com  

Funeral held for murdered postal carrier; killer still on the loose

  Funeral held in Rock Hill for slain postal worker
"...Barnette was murdered Nov. 23. He was shot multiple times while delivering the mail..."
Reference: www.wsoctv.com  

Nalcrest, Florida Retirement Community Open To Mail Handlers

  NALC Retirement Community Opened to Mail Handler Retirees

Nalcrest, Florida

"...Attention Mail Handler Retirees --- See the attached letter from NALC President Fred Rolando regarding openings at the NALC retirement community located in Nalcrest, Florida. An application form is also attached...."
Reference: www.npmhu.org  

Open Season: Federal Health Plans for singles

  The single life: Celebrating Open Season

"...the Consumers' Checkbook Guide to Federal Health Plans 2014 , says the good news for workers, retirees and survivors is that all the FEHBP plans are good. But some are too expensive. He says most people can save $1,000 to ..."

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com  

Upcoming NPMHU Union Dues Increase

^ Click for full article  ^

Unfair Labor Practice Challenging USPS Lean Mail Processing Project Resolved

  Unfair Labor Practice Challenging USPS Lean Mail Processing Project Resolved

"...The Unfair Labor Practice regarding the lean mail project has been resolved; see attached letter from the Manager, Contract Administration Department, T. J. Branch for additional details. ..."

Reference: www.npmhu.org  

Mail Handlers to receive tiny pay increse of 1% ; MHAs to receive 2%

  Mail Handlers to Receive Wage Increase Effective November 16, 2013

Mail Handler Pay Chart - Nov. 2013

"...As provided for in Article 9.1 of the NPMHU 2011 National Agreement, the wage scales for all Mail Handler employees will be adjusted upward effective November 16, 2013. This is the first of three guaranteed wage increases provided for in the 2011 contract. Specifically, with regard to career employees: “Effective November 16, 2013 – the basic annual salary for each grade and step of Table One and Table Two shall be increased by an amount equal to 1.0% of the basic annual salary for the grade and step in effect on February 15, 2013.” In addition, in accordance with Article 9.7 of the National Agreement, the hourly wage rate for Mail Handler Assistant (MHA) employees also will be increased, as follows: “The hourly rates for MHAs shall be adjusted by the general increases provided for in Article 9.1. In addition, MHAs will receive the following adjustments: Effective November 16, 2013, the hourly rates for all grades shall be increased by 1.0%.” The hourly wage rate for MHAs will therefore be increased by a total of 2.0% effective November 16, 2013. Click here to view or download a chart which reflects the new wage rates, for both career and MHA Mail Handlers, resulting from these November 16, 2013 contractual increases. ..."
Reference: www.npmhu.org

Postal Plan To Alter Healthcare For Employees (Video)

  State of the Postal Service (Oct 8, 2013)

"...A message to all employees of the United States Postal Service from Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe. ..."

Reference: USPS

 

APWU Elects New President

  Dimondstein Wins Presidency

"...Mark Dimondstein was elected the new president of the American Postal Workers Union in a hotly-contested race that ended Oct. 7. His “Members First” team won most of the offices they sought, defeating incumbents. ..."

Reference: www.apwu.org  

Shift change not adverse employment action

  Shift change not adverse employment action

"... Employers should be aware, however, that shift changes or transfers can constitute adverse employment actions if, for example, an employee is transferred to a “dead end” job. It is always prudent to consult with counsel in order to properly determine whether any shift change or transfer may be considered an adverse employment action...."

Reference: www.lexology.com  

Union files Unfair Labor Practice against the USPS: Unlawful Formation of Lean Mail Processing Teams

  NPMHU Files Unfair Labor Practice Against USPS for Unlawful Formation of Lean Mail Processing Teams

On September 18, 2013 President Hegarty notified Local Presidents of an unfair labor practice filed by the NPMHU against the United Stated Postal Service. Specifically, the Union asserts that the USPS violated Sections 8(a)(1) and 8(a)(2) of the Act through the unlawful formation and domination of labor organizations in the form of so-called Lean Mail Processing Teams. As of now, the matter is being investigated by Region 5 of the NLRB in Baltimore, MD, with NPMHU witnesses scheduled to be interviewed next week. Additional details will be disseminated to the Locals as appropriate.

Click here for more information and a copy of the charges filed with the NLRB. (PDF)

Reference: www.npmhu.org

 

Tim Costello recognized as top 3 'District Manager of Year'

  Postal Customer Council recognizes Tim Costello top 3 'District Manager of Year'

Tim Costello

"... Timothy R. Costello, District Manager, Alabama District, is the recipient of the "PCC District Manager of the Year" Bronze Award. ..."
Reference: www.wsfa.com

Colorado flooding impacts postal facilities

  Postal facilities relocated due to flooding

"...A number of post offices have been impacted due to the flooding and road closures in Colorado. The Postal Service has relocated several facilities and addresses...."

Reference: www.9news.com  

2013 Mail Handler Pay Increase

click here for contract language referenced above

Reference: NPMHU.org

Postal early-out VER and plant re-rankings coming

  NAPS engages USPS in dialogue regarding processing plant re-ranking

"...A VER will be offered to all field EAS employees. The VER offer includes all area and district EAS employees. VER-eligible employees will be mailed retirement applications and annuity estimates during the week of September 16-20...."

Reference: www.naps.org  

Disturbing attack on USPS employee benefits launched

  Postal Service IG Puts Retirement and Leave Benefits Under the Microscope

"...The USPS’ inspector general posted the requests on the FedBizOpps, asking for a supplier with “subject matter expertise” to develop a report that compares the Postal Service’s leave and paid holiday program and retirement benefits to those offered by “major private-sector companies.”..."

Reference: www.govexec.com