Postal News
Read it here: Postal Voluntary Retirement VER for July 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
New Postal Voluntary Early Retirement VER for July 31, 2009
Read it here: Postal Voluntary Retirement VER for July 31, 2009
"... Please Note: The age and years of service criteria must be met by the effective retirement date of this VERA: July 31, 2009. If you don’t meet the criteria by July 31, 2009, you are not eligible for voluntary early retirement...."
Monday, March 23, 2009
Postal Service: District Closings, Reductions, Voluntary Retirements (VER)
On March 20, the US Postal Service announced District Closings, Voluntary Early Retirement, and Reductions. The announcement reads as follows:
USPS ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE CLOSINGS, EARLY RETIREMENT OFFER AND
STAFFING REDUCTIONS
Today the Postal Service has announced it will close six of its 80 district offices. USPS is also
eliminating positions across the country and offering another round of voluntary early retirements.
These actions are expected to save the Postal Service more than $100 million annually.
The six offices closing — located in Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Washington State — house administrative functions and will not adversely affect
customer service, mail delivery, Post Office operations or ZIP Codes. The functions of these offices will
be assumed by 10 surrounding districts.
The Postal Service’s districts are being re-aligned as follows:
�� The Boston and Connecticut districts will assume the operations of the Massachusetts District.
�� The Northern New England (formerly Maine) District will assume the operations of the New
Hampshire/Vermont District.
�� The Western Pennsylvania (formerly Pittsburgh) District will assume the operations of the Erie
District.
�� The South Florida and Suncoast districts will assume the operations of the Central Florida
District.
�� The Seattle and Salt Lake City districts will assume the operations of the Spokane District.
�� The Northern New Jersey and Southern New Jersey districts will assume the operations of the
Central Jersey District.
USPS will reduce administrative staff positions at the district level nationwide by 15 percent. In addition,
more than 1,400 mail processing supervisor and management positions at nearly 400 facilities around
the country will be eliminated, and nearly 150,000 employees nationwide are being given the...
The Mandatory Stand-Up Talk reads as follows:
Mandatory Stand-Up Talk
District Closings, Staffing Reductions and VER Announced
With the economic recession resulting in the Postal Service ending fiscal year 2008 with a loss of nearly $3 billion, we
are facing an extremely difficult financial challenge.
Streamlining operations and improving efficiency throughout the Postal Service is a constant, ongoing process. Over
the past year, we have refined this process by modifying networks, consolidating functions, adjusting delivery routes
and restructuring administrative and processing operations. Today, Postmaster General Jack Potter announced new
steps to further our efforts. These actions are expected to save the Postal Service more than $100 million annually.
First, the Postal Service is closing six district offices.
These six administrative district offices were chosen based on their proximity to other districts that could absorb the
additional workload without compromising the delivery, retail and mail processing functions of the Postal Service.
Today, more than 500 employees were notified by their area vice president and/or district manager that their district
offices were closing.
An opportunity for voluntary early retirement (VER) also is being offered.
This nationwide offer is open to nearly 150,000 employees who meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
conditions, and who are at least 50 years of age with 20 years of creditable federal service, or any age with 25 years
of creditable federal service. An annuity estimate will be mailed to all VER-eligible employees starting April 6, 2009.
Another step being taken is instituting a 15% administrative staffing reduction of positions in all remaining 74
district offices.
Postal headquarters already has reduced its employee complement by approximately 15% and the area offices are in
the process of a similar staffing reduction.
At nearly 400 of our mail processing facilities around the country, more than 1,400 supervisor and
management positions are being eliminated.
Reduction in force (RIF) avoidance strategies will be in place for employees impacted by district closings and staffing
reductions.
There are no signs of an early economic recovery. Financial projections call for a continued decline in mail volume and
revenue.
Now, more than ever, we all must look for ways to do our jobs more efficiently and help to continue the service
performance and customer satisfaction improvements we have gained in recent years.
By doing so, we can help ensure that the Postal Service will continue to deliver for America now and in the future.
Additional information — and questions and answers — about all of these new changes can be found under the Hot
Topics section on Blue. VER information can be found under the Hot Topics section on LiteBlue.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
U.S. Postal Service offering early retirement to 150,000 workers
"... would reduce management staff by 15%, which would eliminate more than 1,400 processing, supervisor and management posts at nearly 400 facilities...."
This Article is From: www.latimes.com
Monday, March 9, 2009
The top paying federal government jobs
Article Title: The top paying federal government jobs
Snippet from Article: "...those who are drowning in a sea of advanced degrees and student loan debt, taking a look at government employment might be an attractive option. According to www.payscale.com, physicians working for the Department of Veteran's Affairs had an average salary of $149,845 in 2008. But salaries for VA doctors..."
Source: ohmygov.com
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Federal Union Boss Calls Limbaugh's Comments 'Unacceptable'
Article Title: Federal Union Boss Calls Limbaugh's Comments 'Unacceptable'
Snippet from Article: "...for his recent comments on President Obama. “Rush Limbaugh had the audacity to announce on national radio, 'I hope he fails.' Imagine anyone saying that. If he fails, our country fails. That is unacceptable," she said during opening remarks at the union's annual legislative conference...."
Source: voices.washingtonpost.com
Federal Employee Generosity Shines Again
Article Title: Federal Employee Generosity Shines Again
Snippet from Article: "...Federal employees pledged almost $62.6 million through the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA) in 2008, officials announced today. The total pledged amounts to a $1.8 million increase, up nearly 3 percent, over the 2007 pledge total. ..."
Source: www.csrwire.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
Unions praise acting chairwoman of labor board
Article Title: Unions praise acting chairwoman of labor board
Snippet from Article: "...Carol Waller Pope, President Obama's choice to becoming acting head of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, is popular with government employee unions, at least two of which recommended her for the job...."
Source: www.govexec.com
Anti-Terrorism: Evaluating Federal Air Marshal Service Difficult
Article Title: Anti-Terrorism: Evaluating Federal Air Marshal Service Difficult
Snippet from Article: "...Because the number of air marshals is less than the number of daily flights, FAMS's operational approach is to assign air marshals to selected flights it deems high risk -- such as the nonstop, long-distance flights targeted on September 11, 2001. In assigning air marshals, FAMS seeks to maximize coverage of flights in 10 targeted high-risk categories..."
Source: www.hawaiireporter.com
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Pentagon's Personnel System Under Fire
Article Title: Pentagon's Personnel System Under Fire
Snippet from Article: "...personnel system has resulted in "widespread distrust and discontent within the ranks of the hundreds of thousands of dedicated DOD employees." The NSPS has long had a bull's-eye on it back. Federal employee unions have..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Thursday, February 19, 2009
500 more at Yucca face layoffs
Article Title: 500 more at Yucca face layoffs
Snippet from Article: "...The latest round of reductions will bring the project's population to fewer than 900, from a high of about 2,750 three years ago, DOE officials said. Besides the prime contractor and Sandia National Laboratories, there are about 250 federal workers and smaller groups of support personnel. ..."
Source: www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com
Monday, February 16, 2009
FERS Redeposit Act
Article Title: Ex-Workers Could Retain Credit for Federal Service
Snippet from Article: "..."This legislation is about enticing experienced federal employees to return to government service at a time when our nation needs its best and brightest the most," said Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), who introduced the bill on Tuesday. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Monday, February 9, 2009
F-22 Design Shows More Than Expected
Article Title: F-22 Design Shows More Than Expected
Snippet from Article: "...Hoping to win support for F-22 production beyond the current 183 aircraft, Lockheed Martin is revealing proprietary data that show performance in several areas is better than baseline requirements...."
Source: www.aviationweek.com
Unions press to suspend outsourcing
Article Title: Unions press to suspend outsourcing
Snippet from Article: "...The government’s largest union will press Congress this week to suspend government outsourcing studies until rules are narrowed for what work can be contracted out...."
Source: federaltimes.com
Monday, February 2, 2009
Federal Employee Performance Evaluations
Article Title: Quotes taken from actual (U.S.) Federal Employee Performance Evaluations
Snippet from Article: "...10. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better." 11. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together." 12. "A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."..."
Source: ohmygov.com
Friday, January 30, 2009
Obama Moves to Reverse Bush’s Labor Policies
Article Title: Obama Moves to Reverse Bush’s Labor Policies
Snippet from Article: "...The orders he signed, which union officials say will undo Bush administration policies that tilted toward employers, would require federal contractors to offer jobs to current workers when contracts change, and would make it more difficult for federal contractors to discourage union activities...."
Source: www.nytimes.com
78000 New Federal Union Members
Article Title: 78000 New Federal Union Members
Snippet from Article: "...According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership in the federal sector rose by 78,000 workers between 2007 and 2008, a 1.3 percent total increase in the number of federal workers in unions...."
Source: blogs.govexec.com
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Postal Service May See Radical Changes ...are they for the best?
The following links relate to today's Hearing and the future of the Postal Service. You must read carefully and completely to understand the dynamics of the situation in full.
STATEMENT OF POSTMASTER GENERAL/CEO JOHN E. POTTER BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, GOVERNMENT INFORMATION, FEDERAL SERVICES AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS UNITED STATES SENATE JANUARY 28, 2009
"...Contracts with the two unions that alone represent almost 75 percent of our 652,000 career employees – the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers – do not expire until late 2010 and late 2011. We cannot wait until then to address what are pressing needs today. So I am proposing to union leadership that we begin talks now to create needed levels of workforce flexibility. ..."
Article Reference Source: www.intelisent.com
Key Points Made By Witnesses before the
Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security "... Senator Susan Collins:
* Enactment of PAEA was an arduous process.
* We need to continue the nation's universal postal services. Mail is still a key part of the nation's economic infrastructure.
* The current recession has placed the Postal Service back on the congressional agenda.
* The question has been raised as to whether the Postal Service is trying to use this crisis as a way of pulling away from PAEA.
* The PAEA retiree payments were a key part of the negotiating to make PAEA possible.
* A rwo-year reprieve is doable. Beyond two years make take too much pressure off the USPS to respond to its other challenges.
* GAO has been disappointed with the USPS' responses. GAO expressed frustration with the USPS' lack of transparency.
* Very disappointed that the proposed solution is the elimination of the six-day a week delivery requirement. Service cutbacks also can impact mail volume adversely.
* Already received many complaints from publishers in Maine. Service has been compromised.
* I don't know how you can ask for relief while proposing cutbacks in service that could precipitate further losses.
* I'm very concerned about the lack of the Postal Service's financial transparency. You're coming to Congress for relief with the needed transparency. This is unacceptable.
..."
Article Reference Source: www.postcom.org
Video: Title: The Impact of the Economic Crisis on the U.S. Postal Service
"... U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security ..."
Article Reference Source: hsgac.senate.gov
Area offices to reduce staffing levels
"... With this action, complement at Area Offices has been reduced – some vacant positions have been eliminated, while other occupied positions are impacted. Starting this week, employees occupying impacted positions will be notified and given information and guidance...."
Article Reference Source: www.postalnewsblog.com
"...Contracts with the two unions that alone represent almost 75 percent of our 652,000 career employees – the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers – do not expire until late 2010 and late 2011. We cannot wait until then to address what are pressing needs today. So I am proposing to union leadership that we begin talks now to create needed levels of workforce flexibility. ..."
Article Reference Source: www.intelisent.com
Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security "... Senator Susan Collins:
* Enactment of PAEA was an arduous process.
* We need to continue the nation's universal postal services. Mail is still a key part of the nation's economic infrastructure.
* The current recession has placed the Postal Service back on the congressional agenda.
* The question has been raised as to whether the Postal Service is trying to use this crisis as a way of pulling away from PAEA.
* The PAEA retiree payments were a key part of the negotiating to make PAEA possible.
* A rwo-year reprieve is doable. Beyond two years make take too much pressure off the USPS to respond to its other challenges.
* GAO has been disappointed with the USPS' responses. GAO expressed frustration with the USPS' lack of transparency.
* Very disappointed that the proposed solution is the elimination of the six-day a week delivery requirement. Service cutbacks also can impact mail volume adversely.
* Already received many complaints from publishers in Maine. Service has been compromised.
* I don't know how you can ask for relief while proposing cutbacks in service that could precipitate further losses.
* I'm very concerned about the lack of the Postal Service's financial transparency. You're coming to Congress for relief with the needed transparency. This is unacceptable.
..."
Article Reference Source: www.postcom.org
"... U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security ..."
Article Reference Source: hsgac.senate.gov
"... With this action, complement at Area Offices has been reduced – some vacant positions have been eliminated, while other occupied positions are impacted. Starting this week, employees occupying impacted positions will be notified and given information and guidance...."
Article Reference Source: www.postalnewsblog.com
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Hearing on the Impact of the Economic Crisis on the U.S. Postal Service
Article Title: Hearing on the Impact of the Economic Crisis on the U.S. Postal Service
Snippet from Article: "...the hearing will be to examine how changes in the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) could improve Postal Service operations so it can better weather the current economic downturn.
..."
Source: postal-edaily
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Employee's Guide to Reduction in Force Benefits
Article Title: The Employee's Guide to Reduction in Force Benefits
Snippet from Article: "...If you are affected by reduction in force (RIF), you may have many questions about how your employee benefits will be affected. The information presented in this guide is intended to provide an overview of these benefits and entitlements. The information is general in nature and cannot cover every situation. It may not be applicable to every Federal employee. If you need more specific information, please contact your servicing human resources office...."
Source: www.opm.gov
Monday, January 26, 2009
Choosing the right day to retire can be a science
Article Title: Choosing the right day to retire can be a science
Snippet from Article: "...an employee can maximize their annuity, which goes into effect the day after retirement. Annuity is based on completed years and months of service...."
Source: www.tinkertakeoff.com
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Preserve Raptor Jobs Now
Article Title: Preserve Raptor Jobs Now
Snippet from Article: "...urge Members of Congress and the new Administration to take immediate action to release funds already authorized to continue production of the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-22 Raptor. Keeping the production line of this model aerospace program open currently requires no additional taxpayer dollars, and is not a rescue or bailout. Rather, it will allow us to maintain a healthy program that delivers considerable economic benefit while providing our Air Force with appropriate numbers of the best fighter aircraft ever made. Production of this aircraft is in jeopardy—and with it more than 95,000 American jobs, over $12 billion in national economic activity, and the superiority of America’s Air Force..."
Source: The Missile Defense Briefing
Friday, January 23, 2009
What are the top three federal civilian employee unions?
What are the top three federal civilian employee unions?
Answer: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the National Treasury Employee Union (NATEU), and the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE).
A Look at Federal Employee Unions
Article Title: A Look at Federal Employee Unions
Snippet from Article: "...Fed workers looking for additional job security and workplace protections might find their answer in union membership. Federal unions represent a diverse group of federal civilian employees, mainly those who would be classified as white collar or service industry workers..."
Source: ohmygov.com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
OPM reports it’s ready to handle influx of clearance investigations
Article Title: OPM reports it’s ready to handle influx of clearance investigations
Snippet from Article: "...The Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 requirements dictate that every new federal employee must complete a background and fingerprint check aside ..."
Source: www.federaltimes.com
Monday, January 19, 2009
Air Force One - National Geographic Special
Article Title: Air Force One - National Geographic Special
Snippet from Article: "... The top secret mission that risked everything. ..."
Source: www.nationalgeographic.com
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Federal authorities release sketches of suspects in robbery at Fairfield post office
"...Robinson said the U. S. Postal Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information and services that lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects..." 
Source: blog.al.com
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Washington's Wealth Boom
Article Title: Washington's Wealth Boom
Snippet from Article: "...in 2005, the average federal employee made $106,579 per year including benefits, about twice as much as the average person makes in the private sector. ..."
Source: www.foxnews.com
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Government Employee Benefits
Article Title: Government Employee Benefits
Snippet from Article: "...Federal government employees enjoy a wide range of "family-friendly" benefits that go far beyond insurance and retirement. Each agency is free to offer its own benefits package. The following is a sample of the benefits available to permanent Federal employee...."
Source: usgovinfo.about.com
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
TSP Tip
A Simple Change to Your TSP Contributions Could Save You Money
Article Title: A Simple Change to Your TSP Contributions Could Save You Money
Snippet from Article: "...federal employees under the FERS system should be careful when adjusting their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions each year...."
Source: www.fedsmith.com
2009 Disabled Veteran Compensation Rates
Article Title: VA Disability Compensation Rates
Snippet from Article: "...tables show the 2009 VA compensation rates for veterans with a disability rating 10 percent or higher. These rates are effective as of 1 December, 2008...."
Source: www.military.com
Instant Depression
Article Title: Instant Depression
Snippet from Article: "...Many, if not most, federal, postal and military investors in the federal Thrift Savings Plan are not happy with their account balances right now. Unless they had most or all of their money in the G and F funds...."
Source: www.federalnewsradio.com
Monday, January 5, 2009
Top technology advances of 2008
Article Title: Top technology advances of 2008
Snippet from Article: "...In March of 2007, the Office of Management and Budget issued its “Implementation of Commonly Accepted Security Configurations for Windows Operating Systems” memo mandating government agencies to standardize the configuration of approximately 300 configurations to bolster security with the release of Microsoft Vista™. ..."
Source: Carolyn Brubaker at FutureFed - The Microsoft Federal Blog
USPS Presidential Inaguration Commemorative Souvenir
Article Title: USPS Presidential Inaguration Commemorative Souvenir
Snippet from Article: "...A collectible stamped envelope with silk portraits of the newly elected President Barack Obama and Vice President-Elect Joseph Biden. An official commemorative Inaugural Digital Color Postmark...."
Source: www.usps.com
Sunday, January 4, 2009
FBI Jobs
Article Title: FBI Jobs
Snippet from Article: "...FBI MEGA HIRING TO FILL OVER 2100 PROFESSIONAL STAFF POSITIONS! UPDATES WILL BE ADDED DAILY THROUGH JANUARY 5, 2009. QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL STAFF CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A CAREER INVITATIONAL. ADDITIONALLY, THE FBI MUST HIRE 850 SPECIAL AGENTS...."
Source: www.fbijobs.gov
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Report shows mixed job satisfication for federal employees
Article Title: Report shows mixed job satisfication for federal employees
Snippet from Article: "...The report writers said, “Although supervisors are key to effective workforce management, federal employees continue to report that supervisors’ management abilities are inferior to their technical competence. That persistent gap suggests that agencies need to examine both what they expect of their supervisors, and how they select, develop, and evaluate their supervisors.”..."
Source: ohmygov.com
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Federal employee accuses government of misconduct in Stevens probe
Article Title: Federal employee accuses government of misconduct in Stevens probe
Snippet from Article: "...The judge also reported that the whistleblower accused at least two federal employees of intentionally violating government policies in the corruption investigation in Alaska..."
Source: www.kansascity.com
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A Lesson for Obama on Reaching Out to the Federal Workforce
Article Title: A Lesson for Obama on Reaching Out to the Federal Workforce
Snippet from Article: "...Obama's agenda may initially be tied to action by Congress, but it will be implemented by the federal workforce, and the ultimate success of his administration will rest with the capacity of the government to perform. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Are we next?
Article Title: Letter to the Editor of the Las Vegas Sun: GOP senators want to get rid of UAW
Snippet from Article: "...during the past eight years, we have seen jobs move overseas, massive layoffs, and now this union-busting effort. ..."
Source: www.lasvegassun.com
Sunday, December 21, 2008
AFGE
Article Title: AFGE
Snippet from Article: "...he American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union representing 600,000 federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Workers in virtually all functions of government at every federal agency depend upon AFGE for legal representation, legislative advocacy, technical expertise and informational services.
The union is headquartered in Washington, D.C...."
Source: www.afge.org
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Presidential order excuses federal employees from duty Dec. 26
Article Title: Presidential order excuses federal employees from duty Dec. 26
Snippet from Article: "...Part-time employees will receive pay only if they are regularly scheduled to work. Compensatory time off is not authorized for work performed on a holiday for which holiday premium pay is applicable. The regulations for regular full-time employees differ depending on their scheduled work week. ..."
Source: www.edwards.af.mil
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