Ruralinfo Postal News

This page will be moving soon

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:35:00 +0000

Just wanted to let everyone know that I now have a brand new Postal News Portal. Instead of keeping up with Postal and Rural News separate, it will all be on one page.

No need for you to worry, if you come to this page, it will redirect you and if you have signed up for the Daily News email, it will automatically redirect. You dont have to do a thing, just maybe update your bookmarks if you have this page bookmarked!

I hope you will all like the new page, I am very proud of it and I think it will be much easier to keep up with all of the news! Thank You.. If you want to update your bookmarks right now, here is the new link:

http://www.news.ruralinfo.net/

Congress too partisan to manage post office

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:12:00 +0000

Congress too partisan to manage post office (Viewpoint) - MLive.com:

MLive.com

Congress too partisan to manage post office (Viewpoint)
MLive.com
By letter writers Gazette file photoFennville postal carrier Rachelle Lacy says she serves 180 post office boxes at Gertsner's Hardware in Glenn. When the postal service announced they were closing the post office in Glenn, Viicki and Bob Amburg, ...

A Close Up Look at goPost

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:18:00 +0000

A Close Up Look at goPost | Courier Express and Postal Observer: "What a Customer First Sees
A customer interested in using goPost will have no trouble finding it. the bright red and blue colors make it stand out just like Redbox and Blockbuster kiosks do. The use of color focuses the consumers attention right where they have to go, the center console and given that it is both bright red and stands out a few inches from the lockers themselves it is impossible to miss."

Saying Goodbye to 2011..

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:04:00 +0000

Saying Goodbye to 2011

This has been a year full of rumors, double speak, mail counts, blow hards, misleading news stories, lying Congressmen, head scratching "USPS initiatives" and much more. Any postal worker is within their rights if their head is spinning. I know mine is. We hear one thing, then another, then something different, and then flat out false punditry that leaves us wondering what the hell just happened.

And never fear, the coming year will be more of the same. It has become almost comical to read the stories calling for privatization. Those people have NO IDEA the impact on the economy and their every day lives and pocketbooks if the USPS were to go private, and isn't it funny that none of those stories mention that the USPS delivers 30% of Fed Ex parcel volume NOW! They also fail to mention while championing our demise and comparing us to Fed Ex and UPS that we currently provide something that none of them do. We provide UNIVERSAL SERVICE! We offer every single person in this country mail delivery in one form or the other, while Fed EX and UPS cherry pick the most profitable deliveries and drop the unprofitable ones off on us.

And everyone grab a front seat under the Big Top for the Greatest Show on Earth! The coming Congressional "USPS" tug-o-war! Issa and Ross will be headlining with their comedy act "USPS Taxpayer Bail out". But don't worry, not to be outdone, along will come Lieberman and Collins to sweeten the show for us all. And don't worry, McCain will be there with his version of the Issa/Ross show, and Michelle Bachman will be there teaching us how to hold bake sales to support the USPS. Yes, come one, come all and sit with me in the "Peanut Gallery" and we can all throw peanuts to our hearts content to show our disapproval. The only thing we can be certain about is that when the Circus does come to town, it will be entertaining, but probably will not hold any real solutions that do not hurt the workers that actually TOUCH the mail! We can all be sure, whatever they decide, we will lose something. After all, isn't that the "name of the game" in this country these days? Everyone else is losing, so why not postal workers?

Ok, enough venting for 2011, but I promise to return in 2012 with more rantings and ravings of my inner soul, and I hope you will all stick with me and continue to read them.

Questions of the Year

If I deviate from my line of travel to deliver an Express Mail, how do I get paid and where can I find it in writing?
What is "Bank Time"
What does the phrase "Full Day of Relief" mean?
Does Management have to consult with the regular carrier before assigning the route's sub to a different route?
What is the High/Low Option?
What is the Guarantee Year?
If I miss the last dispatch of the day, can management force me to drive the mail to the plant?
I need to file a grievance but there is no local steward and I have no idea where to begin. Can you help me?
What is the ruling on express mail coming into the office after the carrier is out on the route?
This will be my first count and I hear that there is a certain time line of events? Can you help me?
I am so confused. How can the USPS count us if we do not have a contract? They have not opted me in yet? Do they have to?
What is the difference between UBBM (Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail) and OUBBM (Other Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail)?
Many More: Click below to see them all

Click here to see all the top questions from 2011

I want to thank all of you for your constant support. Your participation here is what drives this website. Thanks to all of you that took the time to answer a question, or just add your thoughts to a blog post! As we all look towards 2012 with apprehension for what is to come, lets always remember that we are each other's support. If we get nervous or scared of what will come in the future, we can all breathe a little easier knowing that we all are going through it together!

2011 Top Rural Carrier Questions of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:53:00 +0000

These are all of the questions from the weekly newsletters from 2011

Ruralinfo.net is not sponsored or authorized by the NRLCA or any state or local association. It is presented here for only informational use. The information presented here comes with no warranties, either expressed or implied, as to its accuracy. Links to sites outside this site are presented for informational purposes and not controlled or moderated by this site. Ruralinfo.net will not be responsible for any content contained in those links. This website does not replace the avenues available to you through the NRLCA, or your state or local steward system. If a problem arises, do not rely on the accuracy of this site for your grievance against the USPS. Your grievance can only be pursued legally through the steward system.

Q: If I deviate from my line of travel to deliver an Express Mail, how do I get paid and where can I find it in writing?
A: Regular rural carriers(covered under the FLSA Section 7(b)(2)) or leave replacements (when compensated on the evaluation of a regular or auxiliary route served and when actual hours do not exceed 40 hours for the week) will be compensated at 2 minutes for each mile required for the deviation from the established line of travel. Rural carriers serving a regular route or an auxiliary route that do not have an assigned employer-provided vehicle, will receive EMA for each mile the carrier is required to deviate when the total miles (route mileage and deviations) for the day exceed 40 miles. During the Christmas OT period, regular rural carriers, as noted above, will NOT receive additional compensation for these deviations. Reference

Question: What is "Bank Time"

Answer: "Bank Time" is a term used to define the time accumulated on a route as a result of adding new boxes, miles, etc. to the route. This time is accumulated each time a PS Form 4003 is submitted with new data. This accumulated time is printed on the bottom of the PS Form 4241-A until the route accumulates an additional one hour of time. At that time an interim adjustment is triggered in the route's evaluation. The "bank" disappears each time an interim adjustment becomes effective, or when the route undergoes a mail count Related Information:
Question: How do I know how much time I have accumulated toward the next one-hour adjustment? Answer: Carriers whose routes were recently counted will receive a new PS Form 4241-A. These routes will no longer have any "bank" time as a result of the mail count. At this time routes that were not counted will have to refer to the most recent PS Form 4241-A received prior to the base hour change to see the "bank" time. A copy of this form should be in the route book at the carrier's case. Carrier's are encouraged to keep track of their own copy of this form at home. Question: Will I receive an updated PS Form 4241-A, which will show the amount of time accumulated toward my next one-hour adjustment? Answer: Carriers whose routes were recently counted should have received an updated PS Form 4241-A as a result of the mail count. There is currently discussion being held as to the possibility of providing those carriers whose routes were not being counted, an updated PS Form 4241-A, once the mail count has been properly processed. (Ref.: NRLC Mag. 11/11/00) Reference: (Ref.: NRLC Mag. 11/11/00)

Question: What does the phrase "Full Day of Relief" mean?
Answer: A full day of relief means since the leave replacement working the relief day for the regular carrier is compensated for a full day of evaluation, then the substitute should perform normal duties on the relief day the same as the regular carrier on any other day. References: #1 #2

Question: What is a "Phantom route"?
Answer: Phantom routes are created to hold a regular carrier on a route so the carrier will not be forgotten by the office. When the regular rural carrier is unable to perform all the duties of her or his assigned rural route for a period of 2 years as a result of a job-related illness or injury, the employee must relinquish the route and such route will be posted for bid. The bid is in accordance with Article 12, Section 3, of the National Agreement Between the United States Postal Service and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) Reference: F-21 Section 555

Question: I hear that a rural carrier is covered by the post office while delivering mail in their personal vehicle. If that is so, why do I have to provide insurance for my vehicle?
Answer: A carrier is covered by the Tort Claims act while "in the scope of employment", but the TCA only covers damage done to another person or a person's property. Whenever an employee is driving a vehicle on Postal business, "within the scope of their employment", an employee cannot suffer a financial loss because of injuring someone or causing damage to someone's property. Within the scope of their employment would not normally mean driving to and from their office. Carriers are covered by OWCP at that time if they are driving a vehicle they will use on the route that day but Tort claims would not be allowed until after the carrier is on the clock.
Reference: #1 #2

Question: Does Management have to consult with the regular carrier before assigning the route's sub to a different route?
Answer: The NRLCA and the USPS agree that there is no contractual obligation or that it is not practical in every situation to consult with the regular before assigning the routes sub to another route. However, they do agree that such a practice where practical is advantageous to both parties. Reference:

What is the High/Low Option?
A Rural Carrier’s pay grows with the size of their route. In certain situations a Rural Carrier may have the additional opportunity of choosing what is called a "high option". This basically means they are requesting to work more hours per week, in order to receive more pay. Reference

What is the Guarantee Year?
This is the legal basis for the rural compensation system. The basic requirements of the Act, as applied to rural carriers, are as follows:
1. Employee shall be employed on an annual basis at a guaranteed annual wage.
2. The guarantee must be a minimum of 1840 and a maximum of 2080 hours.
3. The employee shall receive overtime compensation for all hours actually worked in excess of:
(a) 12 hours in one day; (b) 56 hours in one week; (c) 2080 hours in one year.
4. The employee may not actually work more than 2240 hours during the 52-week guarantee period..
Reference

I am an RCA and I frequently work in other offices. My regular carrier says since I am their "assigned" sub that I can be made to leave the other office if I am needed on my assigned route. Is this true?
While your main obligation is to the regular route in the office you are assigned, there are guidelines for RCA's that are working in other offices!
1. The regular carrier should be first asked by management if they intend to take the day in question.
2. If the regular carrier will be taking the day in question off, they should prepare a leave slip and the RCA will work on their assigned route.
3. If the regular carrier does not intend to take the day off, then the RCA will be assigned to work in the neighboring office and will be unavailable to the regular carrier on the day in question.
Reference

If I miss the last dispatch of the day, can management force me to drive the mail to the plant?
We have a Pre-arbitration agreement on this issue: The parties agree that rural carrier leave replacements may be utilized to perform this work when necessary. It is also agree that regular rural carriers will not be utilized to perform this work except in emergency situations pursuant to Article 3.f of the National Agreement.
Article 3.f. defines an "emergency": Allows management to take whatever actions may be necessary to carry out its mission in emergency situations; i.e., an unforeseen circumstance or a combination of circumstances which calls for immediate action in a situation which is not expected to be of a recurring nature. Reference

I need to file a grievance but there is no local steward and I have no idea where to begin. Can you help me?
First of all, this is not intended to be official advice. This is simply a few tips on how to get started. This website does not replace the avenues available to you through the NRLCA, or your state or local steward system. If a problem arises, do not rely on the accuracy of this site for your grievance against the USPS. Your grievance can only be pursued legally through the steward system.
Every rural carrier needs to realize that when management gives an order, as long as that order is not patently harmful or dangerous to the employee or the people who will be affected by the employee's compliance to the order, the employee needs to follow the order first, and attempt to reverse and/or restore losses at a later date. Every employee, not just stewards and Union officials, needs to understand the process for resolving disputes that inevitably occur in the workplace. The responsibility for ensuring that management conforms to the rules and regulations set forth in the contract and relevant Postal manuals starts with each one of us as individuals. Stewards are facilitators of dispute resolution; they are not the personal servants or supervisors of either craft or management. Tips

If you have no steward in your office, you can find the stewards in your state at the two links below:
Assistant State Stewards
State Stewards

There are always a lot of upside down pieces in my DPS. My PM tells me it is just part of my job. I just need clarification that there is no credit for upside down DPS. Is my PM correct?
No, your PM is not correct. The NRLCA and the USPS have a mutual agreement signed in 2009 which provides credit during a mail count for upside down(inverted) DPS mail.
The issue in this grievance is whether rural carriers are entitled to additional compensation when delivery point sequence (DPS) mail pieces are received upside down (inverted)
1. It is the position of the Postal Service that employees should not feed any mailings into an inverted position into the DPS mail processing equipement in order to enhance readability.
3. Rural routes will receive additional credit during the mail count for letters received inverted in the DPS letter tray as follows:
During the mail count, the route will credit for one additional DPS letter for every four DPS letters received inverted. Appropriate credit will be added to the DPS daily total by rounding down to the nearest whole number.
Reference

What is the ruling on express mail coming into the office after the carrier is out on the route?
There is a prearb that addresses this exact situation: The issue in this case concerns the compensation to rural carriers when being required to make deliveries after returning from the standard street duties.. Reference

With a count and route inspections coming in the near future, who is allowed to conduct an inspection of my route? My PM says he is going to let one of our RCAs do route inspections.
From the 2010 Mail Count Guide
Rural Route Inspection
A rural route inspection is the physical observation of the official line of travel, identification of safety hazards, condition of the boxes served, adequacy and quality of service to the customer and the character and performance of the carrier. This inspection is to be made by the postmaster or a designee while accompanying the carrier on the route. This task must not be delegated to craft employees unless detailed to a higher level assignment.
An inspection must be conducted either during or immediately prior to a National or Special Mail Count.
Ref: PO-603 Section 521
Ref: M-38 Section 511
Mail Count Guide

This will be my first count and I hear that there is a certain time line of events? Can you help me?
Welcome to the wild wonderful world of mail count. It will be nothing like you have ever experienced before and you will have to make sure you learn all about it. Go to a mail count seminar and take notes and be ready for the fight of your life. Go into mail count armed with information and a diligence to get every second you are entitled to.
You are correct there are certain timelines that must be met before count for certain activities. I recommend that you download the mail count guide and learn every thing you can about it. The timelines are included in the count guide. You can download the mail count guide from my mail count page linked at the beginning of this newsletter. In the meantime, here is a link to the specific timelines that must be met: Reference

I am so confused. How can the USPS count us if we do not have a contract? They have not opted me in yet? Do they have to?
This is a nationwide mail count. There is no opt in/opt out provisions in this count. This is from the 2011 mail count guide and hopefully it will help explain why the USPS can count us without a contract The Postal Service has the right to conduct a national count of mail for all rural routes during the last twelve (12) working days in September of any year. Before the Postal Service can schedule a September national count, the Union at the national level must be notified at least thirty (30) days in advance of the commencement of the count. Ref: Article 9.2.C.3.a.(4) By letter dated July 25, 2011 (see next page), the US Postal Service notified the NRLCA of its intent to exercise the option to conduct a national mail count the last twelve working days of September as provided for in Article 9.2.C.3.a.(4). Who Counts? All routes will be counted in accordance with established procedures, Saturday, September 17, 2011 through Friday September 30, 2011. This is not considered a special count, therefore the negation provision does not apply and all routes will be adjusted based on the results of the mail count.

I am planning on working my relief day during count and my PM says it is ok. My RCA is upset but I told them that it was my right to work during count. Am I correct?
No, I am sorry but this is not correct. A regular carrier can go in on their relief day and observe, but a leave replacement is entitled to their scheduled work days during the mail count.
This is from the mail count guide - Page 21: Regular carriers may observe the mail count of their own route on their relief days or on days they are in an annual leave status. Any carrier who observes the mail count must be in a non-duty status. Regular carriers who are observing in a non-duty status may not participate in office work. The relief carrier is entitled to work his/her scheduled work days during the mail count period.

What is the difference between UBBM (Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail) and OUBBM (Other Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail)?
Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail (UBBM). UBBM with a specific customer name and address. When a piece of UBBM with a specific name is undeliverable-as addressed, place the mail to one side of the case ledge or in another designated location at the case. After completing casing of all mail designated for delivery that day, bundle this mail and mark the top piece UBBM, put your initials and route number on it, and leave it on the case ledge. Other Undeliverable Bulk Business Mail. UBBM addressed to Occupant, Resident, or using the exceptional address format (John Doe or Current Address). Normally, this type of mail is undeliverable only because the delivery point is vacant or the address is incorrect. Place undeliverable UBBM marked occupant, resident or current resident to one side of the case ledge, or in another designated location. After completing casing of all mail designated for delivery that day, bundle this mail and mark the top piece Other UBBM, put your initials and route number on it, and leave it on the case ledge.
In a mail count, you receive bundle markup credits for each which is 15 seconds for each bundle. You can find this printed in the online mail count guide on page 32.

My PM says the box count obtained during my route inspection is what gets turned in as my official box count even though I have gained two boxes since my route inspection. Is this correct?
No, that is not correct. The final box count that will be turned on the official count forms should be the actual number of boxes the carrier is serving on the last day of the mail count. Reference
MY PM says we have to scan all of our parcels Arrival at Unit with no credit? Is this correct?
We have a Step 4 from April of this year that says it is NOT a rural carrier function. If you are being required to do this function, whether during a count or not, call your steward ASAP. Click here to see the Step 4
My PM says there are "new rules" about the count coming from district. Can they change the rules now?
The rules and procedures of the mail count should have been discussed in your precount conference which should have been completed by Sept. 2nd, 2011. The precount conference is management's last opportunity to introduce administrative changes in carrier procedures. Once the conference is completed, procedures are locked in throughout the count and by extension, the remainder of the year, unless corresponding changes are made in salary for additional functions. No changes in carrier work methods, casing equipment, or office procedures can be made between the date of the local conference and the mail count unless these items were specifically discussed at the conference
You can find the above information in the online 2011 Mail Count Guide Page 18
What do I have to do if I dont agree with my count?
If you do not agree with your count, you can refuse to sign your count but you must provide specific documentation as to what you disagree with. Just saying something like "I dont agree with this count because the mail didnt show up" is not good enough. You must provide specific items with detailed documentation. Click here
All of a sudden my manager is insisting he can make me case my DPS letters first. He says the union agreed to it? Has something changed?
There was a Step 4 agreement in April of 2010 that addresses this issue. It states in part: After reviewing this matter, we mutually agree that management has the right to require rural carriers to case DPS letters before other size mail in accordance with Handbook Po-603 223.23, Flats and Odd size Pieces which states in part, "Generally, case these items after letter size mail. If management approves, such items may be cased before letter size mail if this does not delay the redistribution of missorted preferential mail or hinder the efficient casing of letter mail" Management may also consider various programs designed to capture missorted DPS letters (i.e. MHTS, Unplanned Event) before implementing this requirement. Rural carriers who do not have an Employer provided vehicle and receive DPS flats may exercise their option to case DPS flats prior to DPS letters. Reference
Do you have any idea what goes into the calculation of our EMA?
EMA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.. They use the private transportation index... The price of fuel is not the only thing that goes into figuring our EMA. See more
On my 4241-A, my route evaluation has a V after it. What does that mean?/Reference: July 2009 National Rural Letter Carrier Magazine

Question: I see "Auxiliary Rural Carrier" and "Substitue Rural Carrier" mentioned in our contract, along with Rural Carrier Associates and Rural Carrier Reliefs. I am an RCA and it seems that all of these describe me. I substitute for regular carriers, and I run an auxilliary route. Why are there so many different terms mentioned?
Answer: You are correct that there are many different terms used to describe relief rural carriers. The important thing to know is your "designation" In previous years, there were several terms used to describe part time rural carriers who covered the route in the regular carrier's absence. Some of these terms stop being used at a certain date. The only carriers that would have some of the designations are those that appointed prior to the change. See this link for the difference in the terms and their designations. Reference
Question: My PM told me that the USPS gets to determine when I take my lunch break. He mandates I have to take it in the office before I leave for the day. Is this correct?
Answer: That is incorrect. Article 30.1 .F.2 states in part: "Lunch may be taken in segments of less than 30 minutes, at the carrier's option, provided the time taken does not exceed 30 minutes. Segments may be taken in the office or on the route provided the normal schedule is maintained to the extent possible." Also click here for a Step 4
Question: We were mandated to make a 2nd parcel run after we returned from the route. Can they make us do this?
Answer: Yes, the USPS may send carriers back out to deliver after they return from the route. Except during the Christmas OT period, carriers will be compensated for 2nd trips to the route. Click here for more details. Reference
Question: Are postal employees covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act?
Answer: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers private-sector employers while the Rehabilitation Act covers public-sector employers. Even though the ADA does not apply to the Postal Service, the two Acts mirror one another and the same regulatory standards apply.Reference
Question: What should I do if I feel I am being pressured into working in an unsafe manner during the Christmas Overtime period?
Answer:First and foremost the NRLCA instructs all rural carriers that they are to work safely and should not be pressured to work in a manner that places their well-being or life at risk. If any rural carrier feels that they are being pressured or forced to work in a manner that places them in an unsafe situation, just to comply with unrealistic directives, you may request a PS Form 1767, fill out the form and return it to your immediate supervisor, discuss the issue with your immediate supervisor and if unresolved, immediately file a grievance and contact your assigned assistant state steward or state steward for your area. Click here for more
Question: Can management make me carry my DPS to the street just to try to keep me out of overtime during the Christmas Overtime period?
Answer: This should only be done when carriers are consistently working over their weekly evaluation and should be monitored all year not just as a reaction in trying to make the numbers. Reference

Question: Can management change my start time if they plan to give me aux assistance during the Christmas OT period?
Answer: NRLCA: Scheduling is addressed in Article 30.G. ofthe contract. It states in part, "Schedules should be realistic, based upon the receipt and availability of mail and other related service conditions. The rural carrier will receive reasonable advanced notice when the schedule is to be changed. While management has the right to give auxiliary assistance to control over-time hours during the Christmas Period, it is the position of the NRLCA National Board that reporting times should not be changed on a daily or weekly basis. Reference
Question: What is the last day I can use my excess annual leave days for the 2011 leave year?
Answer: The 2011 leave year extends for 27 full pay periods, ending January 13, 2012 (Pay Period 02-12). The leave year always begins the first day of the first full pay period in the calendar year. The 2012 leave year begins January 14, 2012 (Pay Period 03-12), and extends for 26 full pay periods, ending January 11, 2013 (Pay Period 02-12). The maximum leave carryover for bargaining unit employees is 55 days.

The postman – and the memories he carries – fading

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:10:00 +0000

The postman – and the memories he carries – fading | Bill Hall - The News Tribune: "I’ve always been amazed that mean dogs and some of the meaner members of Congress are so hateful toward post office workers.

Door-to-door delivery is a useful tradition, a unification tool that merges every last one of us into a nation, a massively inclusive service connecting every home and business.

In the early days, when the postal service became a unique bureaucracy specifically authorized by the Constitution and headed by Benjamin Franklin, it became an enduring instrument for keeping in touch. (It’s hard to imagine a dog or a member of Congress being mean to a jolly old dude like Ben Franklin.)"

Public meetings planned in Corpus Christi by Postal Service, mail union :

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Public meetings planned in Corpus Christi by Postal Service, mail union : Corpus Christi Caller Times: "The proposed closure of the U.S. Postal Service's Corpus Christi processing center coupled with a change in service standards for the agency could boost costs for business owners and delay services for everyone, postal union representatives said.

The proposals are ways in which the Postal Service is looking to trim a multibillion-dollar shortfall and no decisions would be made for at least several months, a postal service spokesman said.

The Corpus Christi Processing and Distribution Center is one of 252 regional plants like it under review by the Postal Service. The center is a hub where mail flowing into and out of Corpus Christi is sorted for distribution or shipment."

Postal Woes Spell Opportunity for Online Banking and Bill Pay

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Postal Woes Spell Opportunity for Online Banking and Bill Pay - American Banker Article: "The U.S. Postal Service has announced a number of proposed steps to slash costs in recent months, after losing $5 billion last fiscal year. The agency is projecting greater losses going forward, as mail volumes continue to decline.

"We're talking inevitably about a significant and universal disruption of one of the most entrenched networks in this country, affecting every single household," says Eric Leiserson, a senior research analyst at Fiserv Inc. "Disruption means bills get lost, payments get lost and payments are late." That, says Leiserson, leaves "huge openings for banks to promote online bill pay in tactful ways."

Commission Starts Clock on Postal Service’s Cutbacks

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:09:00 +0000

Commission Starts Clock on Postal Service’s Cutbacks -- Occupational Health & Safety: "The U.S. Postal Service recently proposed cutbacks and service changes to gain $2.1 billion in annual savings and asked on Dec. 5 for an advisory opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission. The commission now has set in motion the process of considering the request and has set a Jan. 4 prehearing conference "to consider all possible ways to expedite and streamline this proceeding."

U.S. Postal Service ranked tops (yes, you read that right)

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:07:00 +0000

U.S. Postal Service ranked tops (yes, you read that right): At the end of a dismal year for the U.S. Postal Service, let’s end on an upbeat note: For all its problems, the nation’s mail carrier is the best-performing among major developed countries. That’s the judgment of Oxford Strategic Consulting, a British firm that took a look at the operations of 19 national posts, including those of [...]

Occupy the Post Office? Tucson Postal Workers, Supporters, Fight Back Against Threatened Job Cuts

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:59:00 +0000

Pamela Powers Hannley: Occupy the Post Office? Tucson Postal Workers, Supporters, Fight Back Against Threatened Job Cuts: "Between 2006 and 2010, first class mail declined 20 percent, according to Brian McCoy, a USPS representative who addressed a capacity crowd at the Tucson Convention Center on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2011. Although "business mail" (AKA "junk mail") volume held steady, and USPS package deliveries increased during the same time period, the first class mail decline is ominous because first class "pays the bills," McCoy reported."

Postal employees honored for 225 years of cumulative service

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:52:00 +0000

Postal employees honored for 225 years of cumulative service - Shore News Today:

Postal employees honored for 225 years of cumulative service
Shore News Today
From left, Fred Pilatsky, Pat Cassidy, Joe Frech, Dean Umscheid, Bob Knerr, Stanley Longo Jr., Joe Vendetta, George Seville, and Cape May Post Office's Acting Postmaster Robert P. Hudson. CAPE MAY – Eight employees from the Cape May Post Office were ...

Why Mail Matters: It Drove the Decline of Newt Gingrich in Iowa

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:04:00 +0000

Why Mail Matters: It Drove the Decline of Newt Gingrich in Iowa | Courier Express and Postal Observer: "The New York Times today has a wonderful story about the role that mail played in driving the decline of Newt Gingrich’s poll numbers in Iowa. While the article quotes a Republican activist that is not persuaded, it is hard to image how the average voter is not affected by wave after wave of print ads painting a negative picture of Newt Gingrich sent by Mitt Romney and super PAC’s that support him. The decision makers in these campaigns know that the “mail moment” that a postcard advertisement creates grabs a voter’s attention more fully than any web, television or radio advertisement could possibly do."

Kansas newspapers anxiously watch USPS closures -

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:07:00 +0000

Kansas newspapers anxiously watch USPS closures - Kansas City Star:

Kansas newspapers anxiously watch USPS closures
Kansas City Star
But if the US Postal Service follows through with its proposal to send Colby's mail to Denver for sorting, meaning a two- to three-day delivery window, some of the paper's mail subscribers will be getting news days late. While the post office has said ...
Postal service closures could affect small town newspapersKansas CW

all 11 news articles »

Postal Service should make bulk mailers pay more

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:07:00 +0000

Postal Service should make bulk mailers pay more - StandardNet:

Postal Service should make bulk mailers pay more
StandardNet
By Lynne Jansen According to the news, the US Postal Service is going bankrupt. It is needing to increase costs of first class mail, or is needing to cut down deliveries. This semi-government agency has things backwards. Instead of "all of the above," ...

Verizon Drops Plan for $2 Fee on Some Bill Payments

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:06:00 +0000

Verizon Drops Plan for $2 Fee on Some Bill Payments - NYTimes.com: "In a remarkably swift reversal, Verizon Wireless has canceled plans to impose a $2 “convenience fee” on some bill payments, just a day after announcing the new policy.

The company said in a statement that it was dropping the plan in light of customer feedback.

“Verizon Wireless has decided it will not institute the fee for online or telephone single payments that was announced earlier this week,” it said. “The company made the decision in response to customer feedback about the plan, which was designed to improve the efficiency of those transactions. The company continues to encourage customers to take advantage of the numerous simple and convenient payment methods it provides.”"

Going Postal: How to 'Save' Your Post Office

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:58:00 +0000

Going Postal: How to 'Save' Your Post Office: "Save the Post Office is a fantastic website that details all you could ever want to know with regard to keeping your local post office open. This entry discusses the ways in which I've determined I would like to "save" post offices -- that is, preserve their memories through physical items you can actually obtain from your local post office before it closes. I'll share why it matters to me and how you too can get involved."

Study: Older Americans Expect to Work Longer; Many Expect to Never Retire

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:07:00 +0000

News Articles: Study: Older Americans Expect to Work Longer; Many Expect to Never Retire: "As older Americans (aged 50+) in the workforce continue to progress towards retirement, the recent recession has left many of them expecting to work longer or even to never retire according to data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).
The EBRI analysis found that just before the recession in 2006, 11.2 percent of workers age 50 or over expected to retire at age 70, but by 2010 (after it had officially ended) that had increased to 14.8 percent. Even at higher ages, the expected retirement age has jumped: Just 1.7 percent of workers age 50 or over planned to retire at age 80 in 2006, while that more than tripled to 5.2 percent in 2010."

Verizon Outages, New $2 Fee Irk Customers

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:06:00 +0000

Verizon Outages, New $2 Fee Irk Customers - WSJ.com: "Verizon Wireless has built its reputation on the quality of its cellular network, touting its reliability over rival AT&T Inc., but a series of outages this month threatens the largest U.S. wireless carrier's image.

The FCC said it was "concerned about Verizon's actions" and is looking into the carrier's decision to charge some customers $2 to pay their bills. Read updated story

On Thursday, Verizon Wireless said its engineers had fixed the third outage in December for its new high-speed data network. Some customers had complained they were getting slower connections or no signal at all."

The RAOI Advisory Opinion: A Transformative Moment or a Bump in the Road?

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:00:00 +0000

The RAOI Advisory Opinion: A Transformative Moment or a Bump in the Road? | Save the Post Office: "It’s been a week since the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) issued its Advisory Opinion on the Retail Access Optimization Initiative (RAOI), the Postal Service’s plan to close 3,652 post offices. The Postal Service has yet to issue a reply. Maybe the attorneys and strategists in postal headquarters just don’t know what to say.

The Advisory Opinion says the plan to “optimize” the postal retail network won’t optimize it at all, and the PRC identifies several flaws in the plan that need to be addressed if the Postal Service wants to close a significant portion of its retail network. The decision has to take some of the wind out of the sails of the effort to close post offices, cruising along as it was, with over 500 closings this year and thousands more on the horizon."

PRC Blasts USPS Retail Closure Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:58:00 +0000

PRC Blasts USPS Retail Closure Plan: (12/30/11) The Postal Service plans to close a many as 3,600 retail facilities is based on questionable data, Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) recently concluded. In a Dec. 23 advisory opinion, the PRC challenged the methods with which the Postal Service developed its "Retail Access Optimization Initiative," charging that the USPS lacked sufficient data for determining which closures would reduce costs the most and that it lacked sufficient data and analysis to make the best decisions.

Postal facility closure would save more than $14 million, USPS report says

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:58:00 +0000

Postal facility closure would save more than $14 million, USPS report says - KYTX:

WBAL Radio

Postal facility closure would save more than $14 million, USPS report says
KYTX
Mrs. Phillips was among more than 90 people who crowded into the second-floor conference room at the Hampton Inn on Thursday night to hear US Postal Service representatives talk about possibly closing the East Texas Processing and Distribution Center. ...
Concerns voiced about proposal to close Youngstown US Postal Service ...WFMJ
Meeting held on mail site (video)Warren Tribune Chronicle
Toledo residents react to USPS distribution center closureWTOL.com
Indian Country Today Media Network.com
all 211 news articles »

Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Premiums Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:15:00 +0000

Effective January 1, 2012, Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) premiums will change for certain age bands for Option B — Additional, and all age bands for Option C — Family, coverage. These premium changes apply to employees and annuitants.

There will be no change in premiums for Basic employee or Option A — Standard coverage.

The Office of Personnel Management determined that the changes are required to Option B, Option C, and Post-Retirement Basic premiums based on a study of funding and claims experience in the FEGLI Program.

Option B premiums will decrease slightly for the following age bands: Under 35, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, and 70–74. There will be no change in premiums for ages 75–79 and 80 and over.

Option C premiums will reduce for enrollees in the following age bands: Under 35, 35–39, and 40–44. Option C premiums will increase for age bands 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, and 80 and over.

There will also be changes to premiums for Post-Retirement Basic Insurance (annuitants only). The extra premium for Post-Retirement Basic FEGLI will increase for enrollees who elect the 50% Reduction and No Reduction coverage at retirement. The extra premium for the 50% Reduction election for Basic insurance is $0.64 per $1,000 of coverage, and the extra premium for the No Reduction election for Basic Insurance is $1.94 per $1,000 of coverage.

Employees affected by the FEGLI premiums changes should review their Pay Period 03–2012 earning statements to determine that the correct FEGLI premiums are being withheld.

Human Resources:

Postal Bulletin (12-29-11)

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:11:00 +0000

Postal Bulletin 22327:

USPS News Link - Dec. 30, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Ruralinfo.net) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:10:00 +0000

USPS News Link - Dec. 30, 2011:

Ruralinfo Postal News

This page will be moving soon

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Kansas newspapers anxiously watch USPS closures -

Postal Service should make bulk mailers pay more

Verizon Drops Plan for $2 Fee on Some Bill Payments

Going Postal: How to 'Save' Your Post Office

Study: Older Americans Expect to Work Longer; Many Expect to Never Retire

Verizon Outages, New $2 Fee Irk Customers

The RAOI Advisory Opinion: A Transformative Moment or a Bump in the Road?

PRC Blasts USPS Retail Closure Plan

Postal facility closure would save more than $14 million, USPS report says

Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Premiums Changes

Postal Bulletin (12-29-11)

USPS News Link - Dec. 30, 2011