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  

Deadlines for Holiday Mailing to Deployed Troops

  Deadlines for Holiday Mailing to Deployed Troops "...Those who would like to mail holiday packages to friends and loved ones in the military will want to take note of the following dates, which have been recommended by the Military Postal Service Agency. Holiday shopping will have to be done early, with the earliest deadline for Hannukah packages due in less than three weeks...." Reference: usnavyseals.com  

First open season since health reform is around the corner

  First open season since health reform is around the corner "...will affect government workers. From Nov. 8 to Dec. 13, FEHBP participants can alter their health, dental, vision and flexible spending account benefits; switch plans; or cancel their enrollment without penalty...." Reference: www.govexec.com  

Second Early Out Payment Scheduled for Oct. 29

  Second Early Out Payment Scheduled for Oct. 29 "...part of the negotiated Early Out Incentive agreement are entitled to receive an additional $5,000, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 29, 2010..." Reference: The Postal Newsgroup  

Victims identified in Henning Post Office Shooting

  Victims of postal shooting identified "...Dunavant, a district attorney in Henning, told United Press International the victims were Judy Spray and Paula Robinson. Dunavant said the employees died in an apparent robbery..." Reference: www.upi.com  

Tennessee Post Office Shooting

  Two Shot and Killed Inside Henning Post Office "...found the two women’s bodies after entering the post office Monday morning and then made the call to police...." Reference: www.myfoxmemphis.com  

Mail Handler November 2010 Contractual Salary Pay 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.
For purposes of applying the November 24, 2007, February 16, 2008, November 22, 2008, November 21, 2009 and November 20, 2010 salary increases, the basic annual salary for Steps AA and P in effect on September 2, 2006, shall be assumed to be as follows: Grade 4, Step AA — $27,830: Grade 4, Step P — $46,296: Grade 5, Step AA — $29,295: Grade 5, Step P — $47,268...." Reference: 2006-2011 Mail Handler National Contract  

Note: Italicizing and bold print added for emphasis by this website.

2010 APWU Contract Negotiations

  2010 APWU Contract Negotiations "...Stay informed! It is wise to keep up with the 2010 APWU Contract Negotiations. Although the APWU is a separate contract with many different issues and contract language, we should educate ourselves by keeping an eye on the tone the USPS sets toward the employees. Forewarned is forearmed! ..." Reference: contractnegotiations.blogspot.com  

How does your local union rank on the web?

  How does your local union rank on the web? As a union member, we often ask, "Are we being provided up-to-date information relating to the postal service and the union?" ...if you are a member of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union with Local 317 of Alabama, you are being served the most up-to-date and relative information available. Under the leadership of our Local President, Jessie Leonard, your local web presence is ranked in the top ten globally on the three most popular search engines. On Google, a search for "National Postal Mail Handlers Union", at this writing, results in a placement of number six out of about 20,800 results. On Yahoo, our Blog comes up number five out of 202,000 results for "National Postal Mail Handlers Union", while over at Bing, the result for National Postal Mail Handlers Union results in a number five placement. Reference: npmhu317.blogspot.com  

2011 Open Season for Health Benefits for Federal and Postal Employees

  2011 Open Season for Health Benefits for Federal and Postal Employees "...The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that this year’s open season for health benefits, dental and vision insurance, and Flexible Spending Accounts will run from November 8 through December 13, 2010. This open season will give federal employees and retirees the opportunity to change their health-care coverage and employees who are not enrolled, but are eligible to participate, the opportunity to elect coverage. OPM also announced the use of a new claims database that will make it easier to reduce the growth in health care costs...." Reference: www.opm.gov  

Eight people indicted in Birmingham on mail theft charges

  Eight people indicted in Birmingham on mail theft charges "...In separate indictments filed in U.S. District Court, the grand jury charged five U.S. Postal employees, two employees of postal contract centers, and one man not affiliated with the Postal Service with stealing, delaying or destroying mail...." Reference: blog.al.com  

Postal Service executives get extra perks

  Postal Service executives get extra perks "...More than 800 U.S. Postal Service executives receive health insurance coverage at no cost, in just one example of the excess and mismanagement that's costing the agency $800 million annually, according to a Republican lawmaker. ..." Reference: www.govexec.com  

Washington postal worker struck, killed in Capitol Heights

  Washington postal worker struck, killed in Capitol Heights "...Burgess, a mail handler at a nearby post office, allegedly got off the Metro and crossed the street but not at the nearby crosswalk, Ellis said. ..." Reference: www.gazette.net

Huntsville Processing Facility Employee Makes National Media

  Warning: Union revolution is next "...Charles Breedlove, 56, of Huntsville, Ala. rallies with American Postal Worker Union members in Detroit..." Reference: Christian Science Monitor

Paper Payroll Savings Bond Program To Be Discontinued; Electronic Payroll Savings Available Through TreasuryDirect

  Paper Payroll Savings Bond Program To Be Discontinued "...The United States Department of the Treasury (Trea­sury) has announced that it will stop issuing paper savings bonds through federal agency, including USPS®, sav­ings plans as of September 30, 2010.

The Treasury currently offers TreasuryDirect, a secured web-based system to invest in savings bonds and other Treasury securities. It allows you a convenient way to pur­chase, manage, and redeem electronic (paperless) savings bonds along with Treasury marketable securities (bills, notes, bonds, and TIPS) online 24/7.

If you want to purchase Treasury securities through a payroll deduction, you will need to first establish a Trea­suryDirect account and ..." Reference: www.usps.com