South Florida Postal Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:17:00 +0000

Are you looking to broaden your postal horizons? The West Palm Beach In Plant Support Department is offering not one, but two, opportunities to learn more about that functional area. Both Ad Hoc Operations Support Specialist positions (not to exceed two years) are open to all qualified career employees within the South Florida District. The following Ad-Hoc positions are being posted February 11-24, 2012:

EAS-20 Non-Scheduled Days: Sunday/Monday Hours: 0200-1100

EAS-18 Non-Scheduled Days: Saturday/Sunday Hours: 0400-1300

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Knowledge of postal operations, including mail processing, delivery, facilities, equipment, and operational staffing functions.

2. Ability to prepare and maintain an operating budget.

3. Ability to analyze data to determine requirements for new or modified facilities, equipment, and operational staffing.

4. Ability to analyze quality improvement and operational performance data and prepare test sampling plans.

5. Ability to implement, monitor, and evaluate quality and operational improvement programs and procedures to ensure they meet established specifications.

6. Ability to communicate orally and in writing at a level sufficient to work with customers, contractors, and major mailers and to prepare information related to operational programs.

Interested employees must submit their eCareer profile, along with a summary of accomplishments addressing the above requirements, to Manager, In Plant Support, PO Box 16425, West Palm Beach FL 33416-6425. This information must be received by COB Saturday, February 25.

Any questions should be directed to the In Plant Support Department at (561) 697-2012.

USPS Offers '2nd Ounce Free'

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:51:00 +0000

Roll Tide! USPS Salutes Alabama National Football Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:35:00 +0000

To celebrate the University of Alabama’s National Football Championship, the U.S. Postal Service’s Alabama District is accepting orders for limited-edition collectible commemorative envelopes at $10 each and double-matted artwork —suitable for framing —at $25 each. Supplies are limited so order quickly with the attached form. Call 205-521-0957 for more information.

The Latest on S. 1789 Postal Reform

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:31:00 +0000

On Thursday, January 26, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that the Senate would take up the “Stock Act,” which bans insider trading by Members of Congress, rather than postal reform legislation during the week of January 30.

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.

S. 1789 would change the laws that govern postal operations. Major provisions of the bill would:

§ Transfer more than $11 billion in surplus retirement contributions from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) to the Postal Service Fund

§ Change the payments that USPS is required to make to the USPS Retiree Health Benefits Fund (PSRHBF)

§ Permit the USPS to reduce mail delivery from six days per week to five

§ Authorize the USPS to offer employees credit for additional years of service as an incentive to retire

§ Reduce payments to most federal workers receiving benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) and reform the administration of that act. In addition, other provisions of S. 1789 would aim to help the USPS reduce its costs and increase its revenues.

There are some “speed bumps” associated with the bill:

§ The Committee has yet to file its report on the bill.

§ The Congressional Budget Office calculated a significant cost associated with bill.

§ Several controversial provisions are generating strong opposition.

Feindt is New Southwest Area Vice President

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:29:00 +0000

A familiar face has returned to the South … make that Southwest.

Jo Ann Feindt is our new Vice President, Southwest Area Operations, following the retirement of Linda J. Welch in December 2011.

Many readers will remember Feindt as a South Floridian who progressed through the managerial ranks locally for most of her 32-year career. Her outstanding leadership contributed to record level service performance. Throughout the years, she has continued to value, recognize, and thank employees for their contributions to the success of the organization.

In 1979, Feindt began as a Fort Lauderdale distribution clerk, and then served in a variety of positions, including Supervisor, Delivery and Collections; Manager, Quality Control; Manager, Operations Services; and Manager, In Plant Support. Feindt also served as Plant Manager, South Florida Processing and Distribution Center and Senior Plant Manager, South Florida District. She was South Florida District Manager prior to her promotion to Area Vice President, Area Operations in the Great Lakes Area in 2003.

As AVP, Feindt is the senior postal official responsible for mail processing and distribution, delivery, retail and administrative operations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, parts of Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Summer Stamp Sales Skyrocket

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:53:00 +0000

On the heels of improving sales numbers during the summer, Post Office stamp sales for September showed an increase over this time last year.
September 2011 stamp sales increased more than 3.2 percent compared to those in September 2010. The top selling stamps were the “Lady Liberty and U.S. Flag” coil of 100, with 322 million stamps sold. Customers purchased 213 million “Liberty Bell” book stamps.
Commemorative stamps also were popular and continued to drive overall stamp sales. Commemorative stamp revenue for the month comprised 9.2 percent of total sales, a half-point percent increase over the ratio reported for August.
Top commemorative sellers were:
“Send a Hello”: 14 million stamps
“Owney the Postal Dog”: 9.2 million stamps
“Edward Hopper”: 7.3 million stamps
“U.S. Merchant Marine”: 5.7 million stamps
“Go Green”: 5.2 million stamps
“Send a Hello” Forever stamps feature characters from Disney•Pixar Animation Studios movies and include, Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story”, Lightning McQueen and Mater from “Cars”, and the robot Wall•E from “Wall•E”.
Most best-selling commemoratives, along with the month’s top selling stamps, reflect continuing customer interest in Americana, patriotic and animal themes. “Owney the Postal Dog” is proving popular. Available since July 27, the stamp honoring the mail train-riding pooch sold over 11 million copies in its first month and more than 20 million stamps to date.

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:10:00 +0000

Telemarketers Masquerading as USPS Workers

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:06:00 +0000

The Postal Inspection Service is warning postal customers to avoid a telemarketing scam targeting personal information such as birth dates and Social Security numbers.

Fraudsters masquerading as USPS employees are phoning residents and requesting birth dates and Social Security numbers as requirements for package delivery. While the Postal Service may require proof of age to sign for certain items, it never asks for Social Security numbers.

The Postal Service recently introduced an Adult Signature Required service for shipping ― including Express Mail service, Priority Mail and certain Parcel Select services.

Recipients must show government-issued photo identification that includes a date of birth. This verification must be made in person and never will be requested by phone. Adult Signature Required mailpieces cannot be left at an address without first obtaining the signature of an adult who is 21 years of age or older.

The Postal Inspection Service says safeguarding personal information is crucial to financial well-being. Employees and customers never should provide Social Security numbers or birth dates over the phone if they didn’t initiate contact.

November is Native American Heritage Month

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:02:00 +0000

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the historical and cultural contributions of Native Americans. More than 4,500 USPS employees trace their origins to either American Indian or Alaskan Native roots.
Native American culture has been reflected on U.S. postage since 1898 with the issuance of a 4-cent stamp known as “Indian Hunting Buffalo.” Since then, nearly 60 stamps have portrayed Native American themes.
Click here for a look at more Native American-themed stamps in a National Postal Museum online exhibit.

The Benefits of Technology in Bad Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:00:00 +0000

Consider the benefits of technology in a weather event. Here are some helpful tips for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry and Smart Phones users:

·Download flashlight APPs on smart phones. When Japan experienced the tsunami, flashlight apps were the #1 download at that time. This feature will come in handy during a power outage.

·From the ABC newsroom, Hurricane HD lets you track storms with moving radar and satellite imagery from the National Hurricane Center. It provides tropical bulletins, forecasts, and advisories. You can watch video updates for current storms and find data on major storms of the past.

·The Weather Channel has fully customizable weather maps, animated radar maps, detailed weather conditions and forecasts, severe weather alerts, and a notification bar with the current temperature and severe weather alert indicator. It allows you to get weather forecasts for your location or search by city, ZIP Code, street address, or landmark. The app also includes interactive maps that are fully customizable and feature the functionality of Google Maps. You can decide to display layers such as radar, clouds, UV index, rainfall and more.

·Global Alert Network delivers hands-free national traffic and weather alerts. See iTunes for Apple devices or go to BlackBerry for a download. The Global Alert Network is a location-aware network platform that automatically broadcasts audible hands-free alerts to mobile devices. You can choose to subscribe to weather or traffic alerts, which are geo-targeted to your location.

One last reminder: Make sure to have your electronic device fully charged before the hurricane.

It's Almost Employee Benefits Open Season

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:54:00 +0000

It’s getting to look a lot like open season. In the next several weeks, employees will have opportunities to sign up, make changes to their employee benefits — or consider a new program.

Open Season for the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) program begins Monday, November 7, while Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) begin Monday, November 14.

Employees should note that the 2010 Affordable Care Act changed FEHB eligibility requirements allowing children up to age 26 as eligible dependents for Self and Family coverage. Employees also should check their insurance coverage for details that could save them money.
Employees can make FEHB and FSA selections on PostalEASE. For FEDVIP elections, go to http://www.benefeds.com/ or call 877-888-FEDS (877-888-3337) or TTY 877-889-5680.

Open Season for the Annual Leave Exchange (ALE) begins Tuesday, November 15. Employees eligible to make an ALE election will receive a letter.

FEHB, FSA and FEDVIP booklets also will be arriving in the mail. Look for the information and save it when it arrives or go to the “My HR” section on LiteBlue for more details.

Employees will need their employee identification numbers (EIN) and USPS personal identification numbers (PIN) to enter PostalEASE or LiteBlue.

Enrollment changes and new enrollments made during the 2011 FEHB Open Season will become effective January 14, 2012 (Pay Period 03-12). New premium payments will be reflected in paychecks dated February 3, 2012.

New enrollments made during the 2011 FEDVIP and Flexible Spending Accounts Open Season will be effective January 1, 2012.

SFL P&DC AMP Meeting is Thurs, Nov 17

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:53:00 +0000

The U.S. Postal Service will conduct a public meeting to discuss its proposal to relocate mail processing operations from the South Florida Processing and Distribution Center, 16000 Pines Blvd in Pembroke Pines, to the Miami Processing and Distribution Center, 2200 NW 72 Avenue in Miami.

The meeting will take place from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 17, at Florida Technical College, 12520 Pines Blvd in Pembroke Pines.

With the deep decline in mail volume due to current economic conditions and continuing electronic diversion, the Postal Service has an excess of employees and equipment in some mail processing operations. A study was begun on September 15, 2011 at the South Florida Processing and Distribution Center to determine the feasibility of consolidating redundant operations to see if any efficiencies and cost savings would be achieved.

Initial study results support consolidating mail processing operations that are currently being performed at the South Florida Processing and Distribution Center by taking advantage of available processing capacity at the Miami Processing and Distribution Center in order to increase efficiency and improve productivity.

While no final decision has been reached, Postal Service managers will give an overview of the reasons for the proposal and its possible outcomes, and will listen to community input and concerns. A summary of the proposal and presentation materials will be made available on usps.com one week before the meeting date.

Anyone who wishes to submit comments in writing can send them to Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact, South Florida District, 2200 NW 72 Ave, Rm 225, Miami FL 33152-9631. Public comments will be accepted through December 2, 2011.

Arrests Made in Carrier Attacks, Robberies

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:07:00 +0000

Before a standing-room-only crowd at today’s press conference, Miami Division Inspector-In-Charge Enrique Gutierrez (center) announced arrests made in recent letter carrier attacks and robberies.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, North Miami Police Department, and Miami Gardens Police Department joined forces to investigate recent attacks and robberies of letter carriers.
At a press conference today, Miami Division Inspector-In-Charge Enrique Gutierrez addressed a standing-room-only crowd filled with reporters and announced the arrests of an adult and two juveniles.
In the October 5th robbery, a Miami Gardens letter carrier was beaten, and in the October 17th incident, a North Miami letter carrier was robbed at gunpoint.
Investigators are looking to solve a third robbery, also in North Miami, that occurred October 14th. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a $5,000 award for information that leads to an arrest. Call 1-877-876-2455.

Owney Look-a-Like Found in CA

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:48:00 +0000

In a battle of canine cuteness, one pooch broke from the pack as a spitting image of Owney the Postal Dog.
Bentley, a terrier mix from Fremont, CA, ― in Bay-Valley District ― recently won the Owney Look-Alike Contest sponsored by the National Postal Museum and Washington Humane Society. More than 70 dogs nationwide were photographed on mailbags, by mailboxes and in letter carrier uniforms. The public voted for the three dogs that best represented the spirit of Owney.
Owners of Bentley and the second- and third-place winners will receive prizes. Photos of the winners will be displayed next to the real Owney in the Postal Museum for two weeks.

Election Season and the Hatch Act

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:35:00 +0000

There are no national elections this year. But plenty of jurisdictions around the U.S. are holding municipal or state-wide elections this fall. If there’s an election in your area, remember to review provisions of the Hatch Act.

Among other provisions, this federal law prohibits employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, in any government office, while wearing an official uniform or while using a government vehicle.
That means no shirts and no hats, buttons or other items displaying the name or likeness of a candidate or political party. The law also prohibits partisan political messages in the workplace.
Using a postal computer or telephone to make a political contribution is prohibited by the Hatch Act, as is making political contributions while on the clock. Employees who use USPS email to send partisan political messages violate federal law and risk losing their jobs. Employees who receive email containing such messages from outside the postal network should immediately delete them.
Employees can place political bumper stickers on their personal vehicles. However, there are limitations. If the car is parked on postal or other government property, the Hatch Act limits to one the number of visible bumper stickers that can be placed on the vehicle. If the vehicle is used for postal business, the employee must cover all political bumper stickers during the time the car is used for official work.

Employees aren’t completely prohibited from participating in the political process. They can register to vote and can support their favorite candidates by voting on Election Day. Employees can participate in registration drives and contribute money to political organizations. They also can be candidates for public office, but only in nonpartisan elections.

Holiday Stamps are Here 'Forever'

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:11:00 +0000

All of this year's holiday stamps have a common thread --- they are all "Forever" stamps. To help get everyone in the spirit, the Postal Service is kicking off the 2011 holiday season with stamp issues.

Inspired by 1950s-era ornaments, the festive Holiday Baubles Forever stamps feature four colorful ornaments sure to add to the joys of the season. These baubles also may inspire fond memories of beloved ornaments from childhood — objects that still have the power to enchant us today.

For many years, the Postal Service has issued traditional Christmas stamps featuring the Madonna and Child. The Christmas stamp for 2011 presents a detail from a painting by the Italian master Raphael, entitled Madonna of the Candelabra. This circular painting dates around 1513, and, is now in the Walters Art Museum collection in Baltimore, MD.

The eight days and nights of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begin on Dec. 20. During Hanukkah, family members gather each night during the festival to light candles on a special candleholder called a menorah. Other Hanukkah traditions include singing, the exchange of gifts, and the spinning of the dreidel, a four-sided top. Children typically use chocolate gelt (coins) to make bets on the outcome of each spin of the dreidel.

Kwanzaa, a non-religious holiday, takes place over seven days beginning each year on Dec. 26 and ending Jan. 1. Kwanzaa draws on African traditions and takes its name from the phrase for “first fruits" in Swahili, a widely spoken African language. Its origins are in harvest celebrations that occurred in various places across the African continent in ancient and modern times. The holiday is intended to be a celebration of seven principles — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith — based on values prevalent in African culture.

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:10:00 +0000

USPS Delivers Holidays to Service Members

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:01:00 +0000

In anticipation of a busy holiday shipping season, the U.S. Postal Service has announced recommended holiday mailing dates and a discounted, flat rate price of $12.95 on packages sent to military service personnel worldwide. The price includes a $2.00 per box discount on Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes for military mail being sent to APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office) destinations worldwide. In addition to a lower cost per package, customers can be assured that shipping with the Postal Service will provide reliable, trusted, and secure delivery to military personnel stationed worldwide.

For a list of recommended holiday mailing dates, please visit: http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2011/pr11_115.htm

The recommended last day to mail the most economical postage to overseas military destinations is November 12.
For online ordering of the large Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo and information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations, visit Priority Mail APO/FPO Boxes under “Order Free Boxes.”

The Postal Service also offers free military care kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. Each kit includes two “America Supports You” large Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes. The mailing kits can be ordered by requesting them at 800-610-8734.

Additional savings are available for customers printing Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship where additional discounts can be obtained for preparing your military mailing online.

Mail addressed to military Post Offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. To see an online table of updated APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP codes, click on APO/FPO Addresses, select “Pull-Out Information” and click on “Other Information.”

usps.com Now in English, Spanish, Chinese

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:53:00 +0000

The Postal Service has made multilingual translation easy for usps.com customers by giving them the option of browsing the website’s product pages and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in English, Spanish or simplified Chinese. Multilingual translation is one of several new enhancements that have been added to the Postal Service’s revamped website. The new feature — located on the upper left hand corner of usps.com — gives customers the choice of viewing the translated content by clicking on the down arrow and selecting the language (English, Spanish or Chinese). Not all applications will be translated right away. Any informational product or service page that has been converted to the website’s new look and feel will be available for translation, along with Track and Confirm, Lookup a ZIP Code and FAQs.

PO Community Meetings Begin This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:52:00 +0000

The U.S. Postal Service is proposing to consolidate the Northwood Branch at 516 Northwood Road in West Palm Beach with the Downtown West Palm Beach Post Office at 640 Clematis Street. The distance between the two Post Offices is one mile.

The public is invited to meet and discuss this proposal with postal officials on Wednesday, October 26, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Mary V. McDonald-Wilson Center Gaines Park, 1505 N. Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach. Earlier in October, customers were provided questionnaires as part of this postal study. Employees who wish to attend this meeting are reminded that it is an off-the-clock activity.

As a self-supporting government enterprise, the Postal Service receives no tax dollars, but relies solely on the sale of postage, products, and services to pay for operating expenses. Due to the drastic decline in mail volume, the Postal Service is in a financial crisis and must take action to reduce the size of its retail and delivery network.

Nationwide, there are 26,000 Post Offices that do not generate enough revenue to cover costs. However, by law (Title 39), the Postal Service cannot close a Post Office for solely economical reasons. The proximity to other Post Offices and expanded access availability are considerations.

There was a time when virtually every postal transaction required a visit to the local Post Office retail counter. Now many customers are looking for postal services other than at brick and mortar Post Offices. Today nearly 35 percent of transactions are conducted using alternate retail channels. Customers may purchase stamps or discounted shipping labels, request free package pickup, or research Post Office Box availability at usps.com. Stamps also may be purchased at 1-800-STAMP24 or by order form from a letter carrier. Many drug stores, grocery stores, and office supply companies carry stamps for the convenience of their customers. Retail locations are listed at usps.com.

The following community meetings in the West Palm Beach area also are scheduled:

Southboro PO Community Meeting
Thursday, November 3
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Gaines Park Community Center, 1505 N Australian Ave, West Palm Beach

Singer Island PO Community Meeting
Monday, November 7
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Gaines Park Community Center, 1505 N Australian Ave, West Palm Beach

ISC Team Races for the Cure

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:28:00 +0000

ISC Plant Manager Ben Vidal (background) with ISC Employees (L to R ) Lucille Roberson, Sandra Walker, Pamela Brantley, and Jean Hagood-Gallon.

USPS Implements Social Media Policy

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Effective October 20, 2011, the Postal Service is revising the Administrative Support Manual (ASM), by adding new Part 363 which delineates the Postal Service policy concerning social media. For the purpose of this policy, “social media” is defined as any form of online publishing or discussion, including but not limited to: Blogs, Wikis, YouTube, Podcasts, Social Networking — Social sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn), Twitter/Microblogs, and Web 2.0.

For the purpose of this policy, “social media” is defined as any form of online publishing or discussion, including but not limited to: Blogs, Wikis, YouTube, Podcasts, Social Networking – Social sites (such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn), Twitter/Microblogs, and Web 2.0.

Whether Postal Service employees choose to participate in social media on their own time is their decision. However, when using social media in a personal capacity, employees may not speak for or act on behalf of the Postal Service. All uses of social media related to the conduct of official postal business require management consent. Contractors and consultants are prohibited from representing the Postal Service in the use of any social media tool. While contractors may create content on behalf of the Postal Service, only Postal Service employees may identify themselves as Postal Service spokespersons and post information relating to the conduct of official postal business.

Today's Postal Bulletin features the addition of our Social Media Policy and may be reviewed at:
https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2011/pb22322/pdf/pb22322.pdf.

PMG on USPS-Sponsored Health Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:08:00 +0000

In his latest “State of the Business” video to employees, PMG Pat Donahoe says the proposal to move away from the current Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP) to a USPS-sponsored benefit is a vital element of a more sustainable business model.

Donahoe says his all ties into the larger picture of what has been talked about over the last several months regarding legislative change, making changes in the Postal Service’s retail, delivery and processing networks, and growing the business to get it on the path to profitability. The whole idea and aim, he says, is to secure a strong financial future for the organization, the industry and employees.

Donahoe acknowledged that employees are used to the FEHBP and having comfort in knowing they’re part of a large plan. But that doesn’t mean it’s the best plan or the plan that offers the best flexibility for you or the Postal Service as a business he says. “By pulling this piece of costs away from the FEHBP, we’d be able to save about $500-700 million a year.”

The PMG said this proposal is the same business model followed by other large companies like General Electric and IBM with big employee bases. Those companies leverage their size to get the lowest cost and best value for their employees. Donahoe says this is the model USPS wants to follow.

He says although everyone has been taking great steps to reduce the organization’s costs, the health care cost is one USPS is unable to address in its current model. The business model needs to be changed to maximize the benefit to employees and to the Postal Service he says.

The Postal Service’s proposal will require congressional approval. It will allow USPS to establish its own health benefits program.

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:22:00 +0000

Trenton P&DC Holds Remembrance Ceremony

noreply@blogger.com (Flipper) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:21:00 +0000

The Trenton, NJ, P&DC held a remembrance ceremony yesterday observing the 10th anniversary of the 2001 anthrax attacks.

Within weeks of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, letters containing anthrax-causing bacteria were mailed through the Trenton P&DC to members of Congress and the news media. The facility was shut down for decontamination, and nearly 1,000 postal workers were treated. The P&DC reopened in 2005.

“These unspeakably tragic events served as a defining moment for the Postal Service,” said Joshua Colin, acting manager, Operations Support, Eastern Area. “The use of the mailstream for these despicable acts threatened all Americans — and it placed at risk our national service network like nothing before or since.

“Your dedication and work to reopen this facility is a testament to an indomitable spirit,” Colin continued. “You responded with a resounding sense of duty and, as we gather today, we are proud to be one of the most trusted organizations in the world.”

Those attending the ceremony — who also dedicated a memorial plaque — included Judith Herrick, senior plant manager; Russell Herrick, plant manager; New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith; and Philip Bartlett, Postal Inspector In Charge.

Source: NewsLink