USPS

Potter remarks take on do-not-mail movement

Kate Muth October 09, 2009

Postmaster General John Potter took on proponents of do-not-mail legislation last week, saying that mailed ads help fund the USPS.
 

USPS rescue plan passes House, Senate up next

Nathan Golia September 18, 2009

HR 22, the United States Postal Service Financial Relief Act of 2009, has passed the US House of Representatives, but postal officials say action in the Senate is needed quickly to head off potential problems. The bill cuts a required payment to postal retirees' health fund from $5.4 billion to $1.4 billion. The payment is due September 30, and unless a similar bill passes the Senate and is signed by the President by then, the USPS must still make the full amount.
 

USPS revisits schedule for branch closures

Cara Wood August 17, 2009

In the wake of declining mail volumes and over-the-counter retail transactions, the US Postal Service has updated its stance on closing postal branches nationwide. In May, the agency announced it was considering the closure of 3,105 of its 4,851 post office branches and stations. It amended that figure to less than 1,000 closures, to be done no earlier than October 2.
 
 

Amendments to postal bill rile unions

Cara Wood July 30, 2009

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee delayed its vote on the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Funding Reform Act of 2009 (S. 1507) at a business meeting on July 29. Instead, the committee, chaired by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), made four amendments to the bill that restrict employee bonuses, increase the annual allowable debt for the agency and require expedited reporting on the USPS's financial health.
 
 

Shipping not a parabox

June 15, 2009

The US Postal Service has created a new augmented reality Web tool, called the Virtual Box Simulator, to promote the fact that Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes can make shipping easier.
 

Summer Sale starts July 1 for eligible mailers

Cara Wood June 05, 2009

The Postal Regulatory Commission unanimously approved the US Postal Service's summer sale, formally known as the Standard Mail Volume Incentive Pricing Program, on June 4.
 

The PRC approves the USPS summer sale

Cara Wood June 04, 2009

The Postal Regulatory Commission today unanimously approved the US Postal Service's proposal to implement a "summer sale" or Standard Mail Volume Incentive Pricing Program. The seasonal rates are scheduled to take effect on July 1.
 

NPF: USPS financial situation drives morning panel

Lauren Bell May 19, 2009

The US Postal Service's financial situation dominated a discussion with Marie Therese Dominguez, VP, government relations and public policy, USPS, and Patrick Donahoe, USPS deputy postmaster general and COO, this morning at the National Postal Forum. Retiree health benefits, mentioned in Monday's opening session, were a main focus of the talk.
 

Gilligan formally named USPS chief postal inspector

Nancy Kearney May 19, 2009

Acting Chief Postal Inspector William Gilligan has been officially named to fill the position by US Postmaster General John E. Potter.
 

Potter likes USPS' chances despite recession: NPF

Lauren Bell May 18, 2009

Service was the key word at the National Postal Forum's opening general session this morning. Throughout his introduction and three short panel discussions, Postmaster General John Potter remained adamant that the USPS would maintain and even improve its service levels, in spite of economic difficulties.
 

Curiosity on summer sale reigns at NPF

Lauren Bell May 18, 2009

A major point of interest at this week's National Postal Forum has been the proposed USPS Summer Sale on Standard Mail letters and flats. The sale, pending approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission, is intended to drive volume during the traditionally slow July to September quarter.
 

NALC president: Frequent postage increases avoidable

Nancy Kearney May 11, 2009

Postage rate increases, such as the one that took effect today, can and should be avoided if Congress would rescind some of the "onerous financial shackles imposed" on the US Postal Service, according to the head of the national letter carriers union. The price of a first-class stamp rose 2 cents today, to 44 cents, the third straight annual increase.
 

USPS to test new shipping service

Nancy Kearney May 08, 2009

The US Postal Service will market test a new competitive, less-than-truckload shipping service known as Collaborative Logistics. The Postal Regulatory Commission signed off on the USPS proposal, which gives the postal agency two years to conduct the market test.
 

Postmaster presses Congress to act on retiree bill

Nancy Kearney May 07, 2009

In a letter to a key House subcommittee chairman, US Postmaster General John Potter again pressed his case for Congressional action on proposed legislation that would reduce the agency's out-of-pocket costs for retiree health benefits, which could save the US Postal Service $2 billion this year.
 

Postal initiatives hot topics at cataloger conference

Bryan Yurcan April 27, 2009

The second annual National Catalog Advocacy & Strategy Forum is slated for May 20-21, with the postage rate increase and the proposed "summer sale" among the topics of discussion.
 

Gamefly files postal discrimination complaint

Bryan Yurcan April 24, 2009

Online video game rental company Gamefly has filed a complaint against the US Postal Service claiming discriminatory practices against it. The complaint, filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission, alleges that the Postal Service unduly discriminated against Gamefly.
 

USPS marks Earth Day with green initiatives

Bryan Yurcan April 22, 2009

The United States Postal Service launched a campaign today to increase awareness and create results for energy conservation at a "Turning Over a Green Leaf" event in celebration of Earth Day. The agency, which says it wants to reduce energy use 30% by 2015, exhibited "green" initiatives at the event, including the USPS' green Web site, a carbon and lifestyle calculator, an office supplies swap Web site, energy-saving tips, and Cradle to Cradle-certified "green" packaging and shipping supplies.
 

USPS provides more details on 'summer sale'

Bryan Yurcan April 22, 2009

The United States Postal Service has issued further specifics on its proposed "summer sale." The sale will run from July 1 through September 30 and will be open to mailers who mailed more than one million Standard letters and/or flats from October 1, 2007, through March 31, 2008.
 

USPS mulls 'summer sale' on Standard Mail

Bryan Yurcan April 17, 2009

The US Postal Service is explor­ing a proposed "summer sale" for Standard Mail, and members of the mailing community are cau­tiously optimistic about the idea.
 

USPS offering summer mail discount, DMA says

Bryan Yurcan April 13, 2009

The US Postal Service has informed mailers that it will announce shortly a summer sale on postage for any increased Standard Mail volume for many Standard mailers, according to the Direct Marketing Association, which said it supports the plan.
 

Direct mail tale can have a happy ending

Peter Towner, account manager, Japs-Olson Company April 06, 2009

These are the best of times and the worst of times — a tale with a present day ring to it for us all.
 

SF leads California Do Not Mail push

Bryan Yurcan April 06, 2009

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has approved a non-binding resolution last week calling on the state of California and Congress to create a Do No Mail registry — the first time lawmakers in the US have voted on creating a policy to allow citizens to block receiving unsolicited mail. No states have yet passed any kind of Do Not Mail legislation, although several have measures pending, and it is unclear whether the California state legislature will take up the issue.
 

USPS delays Move Update fines

Bryan Yurcan March 30, 2009

The US Postal Service will delay implementation of the Standard Mail Move Update noncompliance charge from May 11 to January 4, 2010, in a notice filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission.
 

USPS sends an SOS to Congress

Bryan Yurcan March 27, 2009

With a $2.8 billion loss last year, decreasing mail volume, and a suggestion by Postmaster Gen­eral John Potter that the agency may run out of money this year, the venerable US Postal Service is facing uncertain times.
 

USPS sets 30% Move Update error threshold

Bryan Yurcan February 23, 2009

With a May 11 deadline loom­ing to improve their bulk mailing lists or face fines, mailers now can receive reports on how well their mail is performing through the US Postal Service. Beginning May 11, 2009, a mail­ing with a 30% or more error rate for Move Update requirements will no longer qualify for automa­tion discounts.
 

Mail industry ponders its future after rate hike

Bryan Yurcan February 13, 2009

With the US Postal Service announcing its rate increases for 2009, the agency and the mailing industry face an uncertain future.
 

USPS 2009 rate increase set to go into effect

Bryan Yurcan February 10, 2009

The US Postal Service Board of Governors announced on February 10 new postal rates for 2009 including a two-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail stamp to 44 cents. Prices for mailing services are reviewed annually and adjusted each May. The new prices will go into effect Monday, May 11.
 

Benefit reform may help solve USPS' woes

Bryan Yurcan February 09, 2009

The call for Congress to help the US Postal Service address its bal­looning deficit by allowing it to pay its share of retiree health benefits out of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund instead of its own pocket is growing. To do so, Congress would need to amend the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, which requires the pre-funding of the premium in annual payments ranging from $5.4 billion to $5.8 billion through 2016.
 

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