The U.S. Postal Service's Board of Governors is expected to support the rate case settlement proposal at its annual meeting in Washington today.
Under the settlement plan, rates would go up an average of 8.7 percent on June 30.
The USPS submitted signatures Jan. 4 from 34 parties involved in the settlement talks who have agreed to the proposal. The USPS said it expects to receive additional signatures as well. There are 60 parties involved in the discussions.
Yesterday was the deadline the PRC gave parties who intend to oppose the settlement agreement and cross-examine postal service witnesses. As of press time, no parties have filed against the settlement.
However, Foucheaux said “I think there are a couple of parties that do intend to oppose the settlement, so we’ll just have to wait and see what they want to do.”
Meanwhile, USPS’ postmaster general, John E. Potter is expected to introduce a report at the BOG meeting by the Mail Security Task Force that will include information about security of the mail, and keeping confidence in the mail.
The Mail Security Task Force was formed last fall and is led by chief postal inspector Kenneth Weaver. Representatives from postal unions, management associations, and the Office of the Inspector General, along with safety and medical specialists and members of the mailing industry also are on the task force.
