54 Post Offices to Close Retail for July 2 Only

Retail hours at several South Florida Post Offices will be adjusted for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Fifty-four Post Offices in Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties, regularly open on Saturday, will be closed on Saturday, July 2. Revised retail hours will be posted at each Post Office. Visit usps.com for a list of impacted Post Offices.

The following Post Offices will observe reduced retail operations on Saturday, July 2:
9 am – 12 Noon: Greenacres Branch, 4300 Jog Road, Lake Worth

9 am – 1 pm: Boca Rio Postal Store, 8185 Via Ancho Road, Boca Raton; Delray Beach Main Office, 14280 Military Trail, Delray Beach

10 am – 12 Noon: Port Saint Lucie Main Office, 290 NW Peacock Blvd, Port Saint Lucie

10 am – 1 pm: Woodlands Station, 604 Banyan Trail, Boca Raton; Deerfield Beach Main Office, 212 E Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach

10 am – 2 pm: Jupiter Main Office, 1095 Military Trail, Jupiter

Regularly open on Sunday, but will be closed on Sunday, July 3: Avenue of the Americas Postal Store (1455 NW 107 Ave, Miami), El Mercado Postal Store (2440 W 60 St, Hialeah), Sawgrass Postal Store (12801 W Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale), Town and Country Postal Store (8266 Mills Rd, Miami), and West Palm Beach Main Office (3200 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach).

Commercial customers should verify USPS Business Mail Entry Unit hours of operation for the holiday weekend. The Postal Service advises customers to observe the holiday schedule posted on blue collection boxes.

There will be regular mail delivery on Saturday, July 2. Only Express Mail will be delivered on Monday, July 4; regular mail delivery will resume on Tuesday, July 5.

Customers are reminded that they may conduct postal business in places they already frequent. At www.uspseverywhere.com, an easy-to-navigate, interactive map provides local Post Office
information and alternate access locations --- retail outlets, grocery stores, and pharmacies ---that offer stamps, shipping and packaging, Post Office Boxes, passport acceptance, and other services --- in their own neighborhood. Customers type their ZIP Code to identify locations, and icons assist them in locating alternate access options.

USPS Puts Brakes on Mobile Vans

Postal mobile vans now serving customers in the Haverhill and Juno Beach area permanently will cease operations at close of business on Friday, July 22.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. Just like any business, the Postal Service is streamlining operations to reduce costs and capture savings.

West Palm Beach Officer-In-Charge Robert Weiser sent a letter to mobile van customers, thanking them for their business and sharing information on alternate access locations to conduct postal transactions. He encouraged customers to visit a nearby Post Office or conduct postal business in places they already frequent. At http://www.uspseverywhere.com/, customers will find dozens of locations to purchase postal services within their neighborhoods by visiting an interactive map and typing in a ZIP Code. Icons (pictured above) designating stamps, shipping and packaging, PO Boxes and other services assist customers in locating alternate access options in the ZIP Code(s) of their choice.

Customers who frequent the Haverhill and Juno Beach mobile vans may conduct retail transactions at the Jupiter Main Post Office at 1095 Military Trail in Jupiter; Tequesta Branch Retail Unit at 401 Old Dixie Hwy in Tequesta; North Palm Beach Post Office at 643 U S Highway 1 in North Palm Beach; and Palm Beach Gardens Post Office at 3330 Fairchild Gardens Ave in Palm Beach Gardens.

Also posted at http://www.uspseverywhere.com/ are alternate access locations to purchase stamps at face value: CVS at 11586 US Highway 1 in Palm Beach Gardens; CVS at 312 Northlake Blvd in North Palm Beach; Publix Supermarket at 11566 US Highway 1 in Palm Beach Gardens; Publix Supermarket at 374 Northlake Blvd in North Palm Beach; TD Bank at 316 Northlake Blvd in North Palm Beach; and Wachovia at 11710 US Hwy 1 in Palm Beach Gardens. Office Depots offering postal products and services also can be located on this website.

“We’re Everywhere So You Can Be Anywhere.”

POW-MIA Flag Display for July 4th Weekend

July 4 is Independence Day — one of six days each year all Postal Service facilities are required to fly the POW-MIA flag. If a postal facility is closed July 4, the facility is required to display the POW–MIA flag on the last business day before July 4. For detailed information about flying the U.S. flag and the POW-MIA flag, check the Administrative Support Manual, sections 472 and 476.

Raising the Value with eBay's Half.com

Half.com — an eBay company that purchases and sells books, games, movies and music online — has added the USPS shipping platform to its website. The addition means an estimated $10 million in package business for the Postal Service.

Half.com lets sellers offer products at fixed prices. Like its parent company, Half.com is not a retail site and has no physical stock or inventory. It offers a place for individual sellers to list their items and potential buyers a central location in which to view them, providing a standardized transaction and money-exchange process.

“Half.com’s addition of our shipping platform further strengthens our relationship with eBay and drives much needed package volume and revenue,” said Mary Anderson, manager, Domestic Sales Support. “The shipping platform provides a seamless label–printing experience on Half.com and helps sellers operate more efficiently.”

With the USPS shipping platform, Half.com sellers can print labels faster with pre-populated shipping info, instant PayPal payment, USPS tracking and package pickup. Shippers also can compare shipping services, include custom information in labels, and track and manage their shipping labels.

Don't Leave PO Without AmEx Gift Cards

Recognizing the natural tie between the use of gift cards for gifting and the use of the mail for sending gift cards, the U.S. Postal Service is now selling “the most-requested holiday gift” at more than 1,800 Post Offices --- including those in South Florida.

The new line of “open-loop” gift cards — so-called because they can be used at any merchant that accepts the card brand — is part of a two-year market test of the ability of gift cards to increase customer convenience and enhance Postal Service revenue by encouraging use of the mail. To take advantage of cross-selling opportunities, the gift cards are being sold at Post Offices that currently sell greeting cards.

“We are always looking for new ways to improve the customer experience and generate new revenue,” said Kelly Sigmon, vice president, Channel Access. “Selling gift cards, greeting cards and stamps all at one location is a natural fit for our business model and a natural fit for our customers.”

According to Sigmon, the market test will expand to up to 3,000 additional locations — including locations without the greeting cards — in October 2011, to capture holiday sales. “Gift cards are the single most-requested gift, with 77 percent of consumers buying at least one gift card during the holiday season,” Sigmon said.

While the Postal Service can expand the market test to other vendors, American Express is the first company to participate in the program. American Express Gift Cards will be sold in denominations of $25 and $50 and in variable-load denominations, with a minimum denomination of $25 and a maximum denomination of $100.

The Postal Service will operate only as a sales agent and will receive a negotiated portion of the purchase price of $3.95 for the $25 denomination; $4.95 for the $50 denomination; and $5.95 for the variable-load cards. American Express will provide all customer support.

USPS Resumes Accepting Mail to Canada

The U.S. Postal Service will resume accepting mail for Canada starting Tuesday, June 28, as a result of legislation passed yesterday by the Canadian government requiring Canada Post employees to return to work tonight.

Mail that was held in the U.S. Postal Service network since the work stoppage began is being released today and transported to Canada in stages. Customers will experience some delays in service due to the large volume of mail that was being held. The U.S. Postal Service is working closely with Canada Post to keep these delays to a minimum and return service levels back to normal for all products as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) remains the best option to avoid delays in service. GXG is a premium, date-certain international shipping option with international transportation and delivery by FedEx Express. GXG is available online at usps.com and at thousands of participating retail locations throughout the United States or through Click-N-Ship at usps.com.

Additional information and updates regarding acceptance and movement of international mail is available at www.usps.com/communications/news/serviceupdates.htm.

'We're Everywhere So You Can Be Anywhere'

The Postal Service encourages customers to visit their local Post Office or conduct postal business in places they already frequent. At uspseverywhere.com, customers will find dozens of locations to purchase postal services within their neighborhoods by visiting an interactive map and typing in a ZIP Code. Icons designating stamps, shipping and packaging, PO Boxes and other services assist postal customers in locating alternate access options in the ZIP Code(s) of their choice.

USPS Urges Congress to Enact Legislation to Return Organization to Financial Stability

The U.S. Postal Service has asked members of Congress --- including U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government --- to enact legislation to return the organization to financial stability.

In a letter signed jointly by Board of Governors Chairman Louis Giuliano and Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, USPS urged U.S. Representative Diaz-Balart to support action to:

· Eliminate current mandates requiring $5.5 billion annual retiree health benefit pre-payments;
· Allow the Postal Service to access Civil Service Retirement System and Federal Employee Retiree System (FERS) surpluses; and
· Give the Postal Service the authority to determine the frequency of mail delivery.

USPS is in “a dire financial predicament” according to Giuliano and Donahoe, despite ongoing aggressive cost-reduction initiatives. Over the last four fiscal years, the Postal Service has reduced its size by 110,000 career positions and saved $12 billion in costs.

Absent legislation this fiscal year, Giuliano and Donahoe said making the mandated $5.5 billion pre-payment due Sept. 30 will not be possible. “This pre-payment for future retiree health benefits is no longer tenable given present-day financial challenges,” they said.

Federal retirement law also has resulted in a $6.9 billion surplus for Postal Service contributions into the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). The letter calls for these funds to be restored to the Postal Service to help avoid insolvency. The Postal Service informed the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that it is suspending employer contributions for the defined benefit portion of FERS annuities effective June 24.

The Postal Service will continue to transmit employees’ FERS contributions to OPM, as well as employer automatic and matching contributions and employee contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan, and employees will continue to receive service credit. The annuity payment suspension is an emergency cash conservation measure expected to free about $800 million in the current fiscal year.

The letter states a cash shortfall is projected to occur as early as October: “The Postal Service is facing the real prospect that it will not be able to meet payroll next (fiscal) year, thus disrupting mail delivery.”

The Postal Service has been communicating regularly with U.S. Representative Diaz-Balart and others in Congress and the Administration about its serious financial position, expressing support for provisions of two separate pieces of legislation introduced by Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) and by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), respectively.

“The need for legislative change is immediate,” Giuliano and Donahoe said. “We urge your support of this vital postal legislation and ask that you work for immediate enactment this fiscal year to avoid the possibility of mail and package delivery disruptions.”

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.We’re everywhere so you can be anywhere: www.uspseverywhere.com

Mobile Vans to Shut Down on July 22

Effective Friday, July 22, customers who transact business with the Haverhill and Juno Beach postal vans will need to exercise alternate access options. The two mobile vans will shut down at close of business that day.

The Postal Service's "We're Everywhere So You Can Be Everywhere" promotion includes an interactive map at http://www.uspseverywhere.com/. Customers who frequented the mobile vans have several alternate access locations including:

Retail services at the Jupiter Main Post Office, 1095 Military Trail, Jupiter FL 33458; Tequesta Branch Retail Unit, 401 Old Dixie Hwy, Tequesta FL 33458, North Palm Beach Post Office, 643 U S Highway 1, North Palm Beach FL 33408; and the Palm Beach Gardens Post Office, 3330 Fairchild Gardens Ave, Palm Beach Gardens FL 33410.

Stamps are sold on consignment (at face value) at the following alternative access locations:

CVS, 11586 US Highway 1, Palm Beach Gardens FL 33408; CVS, 312 Northlake Blvd, N Palm Beach FL 33408; Publix Supermarket, 11566 US Highway 1, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408; Publix Supermarket, 374 Northlake Blvd , N Palm Beach FL 33408; TD Bank, 316 Northlake Blvd, N Palm Beach FL 33408; and Wachovia, 11710 US Hwy 1, Palm Beach Gardens FL 33408.

With nearly 100,000 places to buy stamps, ship a package or renew a passport, the U.S. Postal Service is expanding customer access to its products and services. It’s not about brick-and-mortar Post Offices anymore, as postal products move online and into retail outlets, grocery stores, office supply chains, and pharmacies.

The Postal Service is teaming up with hundreds of new stores so customers can do postal business at places where they already shop. Responding to changing customer needs and a business plan that calls for expanding access to postal products, stores including Costco and Office Depot, are offering shipping and mailing services.

Customers can find dozens of locations to purchase postal services within their neighborhoods by visiting an interactive map at http://www.uspseverywhere.com/ and typing in a ZIP Code. Using a simple icon guide designating stamps, shipping and packaging, PO Boxes and other services, customers can easily navigate to retail outlets, grocery stores, Automated Postal Center (APC) kiosks and Post Offices, among other options.

With Post Office hours usually ending by 5 p.m. or earlier, customers can send a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box and buy Forever stamps as long as the alternate sites are open – often as late as 9 p.m. Some sites are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the additional shipping provider locations, customers have about 100,000 locations and ways to do business with the Postal Service.

Nearly 35 percent of the Postal Service retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as Costco, Office Depot, grocery stores, drug stores, APCs, ATMs and usps.com, open 24/7.

Happy Centennial, Miami-Dade Courts!

Chief Judge Joel H. Brown addresses crowd that gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 11th Judicial Courts, Miami-Dade Court System.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Lawrence A. Schwartz and Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Arthur L. Rothenberg purchased cachet envelopes commemorating the centennial celebration. Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Rose Castro stamps commemorative envelopes at the Dade County Courthouse Station.

On Friday, June 10, the U.S. Postal Service joined in the centennial celebration of the 11th Judicial Court, Miami-Dade County.

At a ceremony in the lobby of the Dade County Courthouse, Marcia Pedraza, Miami Manager, Customer Service Operations, presented a token of a special postmark and cachet envelope to Chief Judge Joel H. Brown. Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Rose Castro and Sales & Service Associate Maria Negrin sold cachet envelopes, generating more than $1,000 in revenue.

Local artist Romero Britto designed the cachet commemorating the 100th anniversary. A cachet is a printed or stamped design or inscription, other than a cancellation or pre-printed postage, on an envelope, postcard, or postal card to commemorate a postal or philatelic event. Philatelists (stamp collectors) consider cachet-making as an art form. Cachets may be produced by using any number of methods, including drawing or painting directly onto the envelope, serigraphy, block printing, lithography, engraving, or laser printing. Photographs or other paper memorabilia may be attached to commemorate the special occasion.

EAP: It's Free, Confidential, Voluntary

Employees and their families have immediate access to services through the EAP4YOU Service Center, and they will always reach a live person when they call.

Employee Assistance Program professionals are available to answer your calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Each caller will have his or her needs assessed immediately. The employee can then choose a referral to a community resource, face-to-face counseling, or telephone counseling. There’s greater flexibility in providing employees specialized information for handling emergencies and smoother follow-up.

Child and elder care is increasingly a concern for many employees. The EAP's website, http://www.eap4you.com/, contains information available when you need it. Click onto this website to obtain names, addresses, and phone numbers of care providers who are close to you.

Need some information on Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)? As fast as you can move your mouse, you can find out what it means, read a description of the symptoms, and get help with finding resources to confront this problem. Or, you can speak to an EAP representative for this type of information, if you do not have Internet access by calling 1-800-EAP-4-You.

Getting an EAP professional’s guidance on what to do in a crisis is quick and easy. Help in handling a difficult situation is available at any time.

The South Florida District EAP Advisory Committee, composed of management and union representatives, is responsible for promoting the EAP and maintaining the human touch for the local services that you can continue to trust.

The EAP is a resource for you and your family. It’s free. It’s confidential. It’s voluntary.

Only GXG Shipments Sent from US to Canada

Due to the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, USPS suspended accepting mail destined to Canada — effective Saturday, June 18, 2011, 11:59 p.m. CDT — with the exception of Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) shipments.

“As a convenience to our customers and to minimize service disruptions, we arranged to accept mail destined for Canada as long as possible,” said Giselle Valera, Vice President, Global Business. “We will continue to closely monitor the strike situation, and once Canada Post resumes operations, the Postal Service will again begin accepting mail for Canada. We also will then resume processing any Canadian-destined mail currently held in our network.”

To avoid service disruptions or delays — regardless of the duration of the strike at Canada Post — USPS customers can continue to send letters and packages using GXG — the premium, date-certain international shipping option with international transportation and delivery by FedEx Express. GXG is available online at usps.com and at thousands of participating retail locations throughout the United States.

USPS Honors Scientists "Forever"

On June 16, the Postal Service honored four American scientists with collectible Forever stamps during a ceremony at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul.

The stamps — the third set in the American Scientists series — honor chemist Melvin Calvin, botanist Asa Gray, physicist Maria Goeppert Mayer and biochemist Severo Ochoa. Each made significant contributions to the advancement of science.

The American Scientists stamps are available nationwide at Post Offices, online at usps.com and through the toll-free line, 800-782-6724.

USPS Employment Opportunities thru June 17

Newly-designed Postal Support Employee (PSE) positions are vacant and currently being posted in all Post Office lobbies for applicants who are either non-career USPS employees or non-USPS employees.

These positions are excellent new opportunities for those needing jobs or for those non-career USPS employees (Casuals, Transitional or Postmaster Relief/Leave Replacement). These postings will be ongoing so all interested parties should be aware to check them at least once a week and become familiar with the application process.

PSEs are a new category of non-career employee established to provide the USPS with flexibility. These positions are in accordance with the new labor contract agreement with the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), AFL-CIO, which went into effect May 23, 2011.
Employees will be appointed for a term not-to-exceed 360 calendar days. If there is still an operational need, a PSE may be reappointed for another not-to-exceed 360-day term after a five-day break in service. PSE employees will enjoy limited benefits.

Announcements for these new positions are being posted to all interested persons on www.usps.com/employment. At that page, click on ‘2-Search jobs online’ listed in the box on the right side of the page. At the next ‘Job Search’ screen, under location, scroll down and click on ‘Florida,’ then ‘Start.’ All jobs currently in a posting period will appear. If they do not appear, go back and narrow the criteria, then try again.

Applicants should click on each position of interest and ‘Apply’ online. Instructions on email addresses, registration process, logins and passwords must be followed exactly as stated to be sure your applications are complete. A new eCareer Candidate Profile should be created to use during the application process. All applications for vacancies must be completed and submitted by the closing date. Separate applications must be submitted for each PSE position. All descriptions, grades, locations, salaries and other information are included with each posting.

These positions are challenging employment opportunities for highly motivated and innovative individuals. Successful candidates must demonstrate certain requirements for each job title through a combination of education, training and experience.

What's Cooking in Miramar on Sat, June 18?

What’s cooking in Miramar this Saturday?

Hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued chicken, and baked beans. Salads, desserts, soft drinks, cotton candy, and snow cones also are on the menu.

Are you interested in a fun-filled day of activities for the entire family? How about face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, interactive water playground and beach area, playground, volleyball games, and musical entertainment with deejay?

Who: Postal workers and other federal employees

What: South Florida Federal Executive Board 5th Annual Federal Family Picnic

When: Saturday, June 18, 12 Noon to 4 pm

Where: Miramar Regional Park (corporate shelter), 16801 Miramar Parkway (one mile west of I-75)

Why: To have fun and mingle with other federal workers in South Florida

Tickets are $9.00 per adult, $6.00 per child 4-9 years of age, and FREE for children 3 yrs and under. There is a $1.50 per person (children 5 years and under are free) entrance fee to the park.

Employees may contact the Learning, Development, and Diversity Department at 305-470-0250/0360/0489/864 or 561-697-1992 to purchase tickets/wrist bands for this off-the-clock event.

Flag Day is Tuesday, June 14

Tomorrow is Flag Day.

For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation's strength and unity. It's been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. And the American flag has been a prominent icon in our national history.

Today the flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies; the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence, and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.

Flag Day is one of six days each year that all postal facilities are required to fly the POW-MIA flag. The flag and its display at postal installations honors the sacrifices made by members of the U.S. Armed Forces held as Prisoners Of War or listed as Missing In Action. The POW-MIA flag must fly below the U.S. flag. For additional information, refer to Sections 472–476 of the Administrative Support Manual.

De Facto Choice Pushes the Envelope

Real estate forms, property deeds, leases, business plans, taxes and legal settlements — these are just some of the documents customers might find inside legal-sized envelopes.

And they’re the reason USPS expanded its offering of Legal Flat Rate Envelope products. The Priority Mail Legal Flat Rate Envelope provides 2- to 3-day service for $4.95 ($11.95 to Canada and Mexico, $13.95 to other countries).

The Express Mail Legal Flat Rate Envelope guarantees overnight service for $18.30 ($26.95 Canada and Mexico, $29.95 other countries).

As a product designed primarily with businesses in mind, Legal Flat Rate Envelopes are not stocked in retail units — but they may be shipped by individuals and businesses alike, and postage can be paid at a retail counter. Customers can order them online at The Postal Store or from the Expedited Package Supply Center at 800-610-8734.

In addition, unmarked Priority Mail and Express Mail legal-sized envelopes may still be available at many Post Offices. But remember:

-- Priority Mail legal-sized envelopes ship for the same flat rate of $4.95, regardless of whether they are preprinted with “Flat Rate” on the envelope.

-- And when it comes to Express Mail, only envelopes preprinted with the words “Flat Rate” ship for the flat rate price of $18.30. Unmarked legal-sized Express Mail envelopes ship for the weight/zone-based rate.

Why the difference? USPS wanted to preserve options for customers shipping Express Mail legal envelopes to close destinations for less than the flat rate of $18.30.

Grow Your Business Day Events Blossom

It’s now easier for small-business owners to harness the power of direct mail to drive traffic, attract new customers and increase revenue. That’s because the U.S. Postal Service recently introduced Every Door Direct Mail, a simple, low-cost service that allows local businesses to market to every address in their neighborhoods without the need to rent mailing lists.

Every Door Direct Mail uses mail-delivery route information, instead of names and exact addresses, to reach targeted groups in specific geographic areas. The mail can be addressed to “Postal Customer,” “Residential Customer,” or “PO Boxholder” and dropped off at a local Post Office. Every Door Direct Mail saves mail preparation time and money and is delivered by local, trusted Postal Service carriers.

Businesses use a simple online tool at https://smp.usps.gov/ to identify neighborhoods and number of households, prepare mailing documentation and calculate postage. With Every Door Direct Mail, no permits are needed, and there are no special fees.To teach local businesses about Every Door Direct Mail — including a demonstration of the online tool — local Post Offices are holding free Grow Your Business Days seminars throughout the summer.

“Every Door Direct Mail is ideal for restaurants, doctors’ offices, hair salons — or any kind of local business that is not currently using the mail,” said Paul Vogel, president and chief marketing/sales officer. “Direct mail has long been a proven advertising tool of choice of successful large businesses and Fortune 500 companies to promote products and drive sales.

Now it’s easier and less expensive for small businesses to grow using direct mail.“Direct mail has strengths other advertising media can’t claim — it’s personal, tangible, portable (to re-read later and share with others), manageable and measureable,” Vogel added. According to the Direct Marketing Association, every $1 spent on direct mail generates $12.57 in sales. For more information about Every Door Direct Mail and Grow Your Business Days seminars, visit www.usps.gov/everydoordirectmail. Or contact South Florida Grow Your Business Days Coordinator Ellen Uptgrow at ellen.t.uptgrow@usps.gov.

USPS Challenges PRC on 5-Day Delivery

In a report issued today and delivered to Congress, the U.S. Postal Service asserted that the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) based a recent advisory opinion on a questionable analysis of the potential cost savings that could be achieved by implementing a five-day delivery schedule to street addresses.

The Postal Service has estimated that making the move would yield a net annual cost reduction of $3.1 billion based on extensive market research and financial estimates provided to the PRC March 30, 2010. The PRC issued a non-binding advisory opinion March 24, 2011 that concluded that transitioning from a six-day delivery schedule to a five-day street delivery schedule would only achieve $1.7 billion in net annual savings.

The $1.4 billion discrepancy between the respective estimates results from the Commission’s unwillingness to recognize about $760 million in savings from increased city carrier productivity and efficiency under a five-day schedule; the Commission’s failure to account for more than $260 million in highway transportation and mail processing economies associated with one less day of street delivery; and the Commission’s summary dismissal of the unrefuted testimony of market research experts to reach its conclusion that the Postal Service estimate of annual revenue loss resulting from the change was understated by $386 million.

The USPS report is posted at:

http://www.usps.com/communications/five-daydelivery/assets/pdf/USPS-Report-re-PRC-Advisory-Opinion.pdf

Critical Mail: That's the Ticket!

Critical Mail is tailored for customers requiring cost-effective mailing solutions for important documents in many types of businesses, including those in the entertainment, financial services, membership services, and tourism industries. Event tickets, identification documents, stored-value cards, education transcripts, and urgent direct mail messages are but a few of the items ideally suited for Critical Mail.

Available to customers who qualify for Commercial Plus pricing or who have signed a customer commitment agreement, Critical Mail is an automation-compatible product requiring use of an authorized postage payment system. Critical Mail features 1- to 3-day delivery depending on destination, with Track & Confirm service included at no extra cost. Extra services such as Signature Confirmation and Insurance are available.

Critical Mail requires use of USPS-supplied envelopes at a mailing cost of $3.50 for letters (5 ¾” x 9”) and $4.25 for larger, flat-size pieces (9” x 12”). Flat rates apply, regardless of domestic destination for Critical Mail letters (up to 3.0 oz. and 1/4” thick) and Critical Mail Flats (up to 13 oz. and 3/4” thick). More details can be found online at usps.com/shipping/criticalmail.htm.

For more information on Commercial Plus pricing, customers can contact their Postal Service account manager or the Office of Commercial Pricing at commercialpricing@usps.gov.

Hurricane Prep: Watch Out for Storm Surge

In general, the more intense the storm, and the closer a community is to the right-front quadrant, the larger the area that must be evacuated. The problem is always the uncertainty about how intense the storm will be when it finally makes landfall.

Wave action associated with the tide also causes extensive damage. Water weighs approximately 1,700 pounds per cubic yard; extended pounding by frequent waves can demolish any structure not specifically designed to withstand such forces. The currents created by the tide combine with the action of the waves to severely erode beaches and coastal highways. Many buildings withstand hurricane-force winds until their foundations, undermined by erosion, are weakened and fail.

STORM SURGE SAFETY ACTIONS:
-- Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location; the further you drive, the higher the likelihood of encountering traffic congestion and other problems on the road.
-- Select the nearest possible evacuation destination, preferably within your local area, and map out your route.
-- Do not get on the road without a planned route or a place to go.
-- Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside a designated evacuation zone and discuss your plan before hurricane season. You also may choose a hotel/motel outside the vulnerable area. If neither of these options is available, consider the closest possible public shelter, preferably within your local area.
-- Use the evacuation routes designated by authorities and, if possible, become familiar with your route by driving it before an evacuation order is issued.
-- Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information regarding anyone in your household who may require special assistance in order to evacuate.
-- Prepare a separate pet plan; most public shelters do not accept pets.
-- Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects, and turning off all utilities.
-- Before leaving, fill your car with gas and withdraw extra money from the ATM.
-- Take all prescription medicines with you.

Happy 100th Anniversary, Dade County Courts

On Friday, June 10, the U.S. Postal Service will join the centennial celebration of the 11th Judicial Court, Miami-Dade County.

At a 10:00 am ceremony in the lobby of the Dade County Courthouse at 73 W Flagler Street, a postal official will present a token of the special postmark to Chief Judge Joel H. Brown. A cachet envelope with the special postmark may be purchased for a nominal fee from a postal representative onsite from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Local artist Romero Britto designed the cachet commemorating the 100th anniversary. A cachet is a printed or stamped design or inscription, other than a cancellation or pre-printed postage, on an envelope, postcard, or postal card to commemorate a postal or philatelic event. Philatelists (stamp collectors) consider cachet-making as an art form. Cachets may be produced by using any number of methods, including drawing or painting directly onto the envelope, serigraphy, block printing, lithography, engraving, or laser printing. Photographs or other paper memorabilia may be attached to commemorate the special occasion.

People are on the Move at usps.com

To protect our customers’ privacy, when the Postal Service receives a change-of-address order, the National Customer Support Center sends out two confirmation letters to validate the authenticity of the order.

The Customer Notification Letter (CNL) is sent to the new address and contains the customer’s name, new and old address, move type (family or individual), and move effective date. If the data in the CNL is correct, the customer can ignore this letter. If the change-of-address order contains an error or is the result of a fraudulent action, the customer can take the necessary steps to stop the change order by calling 800-ASK-USPS (800-275-8777).

The Move Validation Letter (MVL) is sent to the customer’s old address and contains the customer’s name, old address, move type, and the move effective date. The letter is addressed to the name on the change-of-address order or “CURRENT RESIDENT” to ensure delivery to the address, if occupied. The letter contains a notice stating that the Postal Service received a change-of-address order for the named family or individual at that address, and asks that the customer review the information and report any incorrect or fraudulent information by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (800-275-8777). If the named individual or family has moved, the current resident can ignore the notice and it will not have any effect on the delivery of their mail.

You may also submit a change-of-address by telephone at 1-800-ASK-USPS. If the change-of-address order is submitted via the Internet or phone, the customer must use a major credit card to validate and complete the transaction. If the customer submits the change-of-address order found in the Movers Guide, the customer must sign the form to verify that he or she has read the notice and understands that an unauthorized change-of-address order is a federal offense. The form should then taken to their local Post Office, given to the letter carrier or mailed.

If you have a business lead for free EDDM workshop, please contact District Grow Your Business Days Coordinator Ellen Uptgrow at ellen.t.uptgrow@usps.gov.

HURRICANE PREP: Important Phone Numbers

There are many types of emergencies. But there’s only one source of information on work schedule and reporting time changes, facility openings and closings, and other workplace announcements due to an emergency. To check your work schedule and/or status of your facility in an emergency (including before, during, and after a tropical storm or a hurricane), call the USPS National Employee Emergency Hot Line at 888-363-7462.

ONLY in case of a natural disaster requiring you to leave your home, city, or state, report your location, physical condition, and contact information to the USPS Employee Notification Line at 866-666-5349. Please DO NOT call this number for information on your work schedule and facility status.

Deaf/hard-of-hearing employees who are seeking the above workplace information should call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 or the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771. Ask the operator to call the USPS National Employee Emergency Hot Line, and then relay the information to you. This communication method also should be used for the USPS Employee Notification Line, if needed.)

HURRICANE PREP: How to Update Your eOPF

It only takes one hurricane to realize the importance of having current information in your eOPF (electronic Official Personnel File). Your manager/supervisor may need to contact you if a hurricane hits South Florida. Here are five updating options:

http://www.liteblue.usps.gov/
Go to http://www.liteblue.usps.gov/. On the welcome page, enter your Employee Identification Number (EIN) and Postal Identification Number (PIN). On the right side of the next page, click on Change of Address/Phone/Emergency Contact.

Personnel Computer Kiosks
At a personnel computer kiosk, look for a tab titled Present Job Info/Change of Address on the main page. South Florida kiosk locations: Fort Lauderdale P&DC Cafeteria, Miami ISC Kiosk Room (located along the northern perimeter of the workfloor), South Florida L&DC, Miami P&DC Cafeteria, South Florida P&DC Cafeteria, Pompano Beach Main Office Breakroom, West Palm Beach P&DC Cafeteria and PEDC/Training Room # 143 (both located along the north wall), Haverhill Post Office General Clerk’s Office (located between the retail reception area and the workfloor), Riviera Beach Post Office Conference Room (located in the front of the building), Palm Beach Gardens Post Office Breakroom, and Palms West Station (in the rear of the southwest corner of the Cafeteria/Breakroom).

Blue Page (USPS internal web page)
All employees who have access to the Blue page may change their mailing and residential address and emergency contact information:
1. Select Log On from the upper left corner.
2. Log on with your ACE ID and password. Ensure the welcome screen has your name on it.
3. Select the tab labeled My Life. Under this tab, on the right side of the page is the heading My Profile, where you will find two links titled Address/Phone and Emergency Contact. Select Address/Phone.
4. Select the Address type from the drop menu and click on the Change button. Make your desired change(s) and click on Save.

PS Form 1216, Employee’s Current Mailing Address
Use a PS Form 1216, “Employee’s Current Mailing Address.” Send Copy 1 of your completed form to HRSSC COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, PO BOX 970400, GREENSBORO NC 27497-0400.

HRSSC
Call the Human Resources Shared Service Center (HRSSC) at 1-877-477-3273, and select Option 5. Validate your identity with your EIN or PIN. Follow the prompts.

USPS Mobile Apps Download is Climbing

More than 1 million iPhone, iPod touch and iPad customers have downloaded the U.S. Postal Service mobile app since it launched in December 2009. The free business app has consistently been one of the top 10 in the App Store.

“We’re expanding access to our products and services,” said PMG Pat Donahoe. “We know simpler is better — a million mobile customers can’t be wrong.”

The new USPS Mobile application takes advantage of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) capabilities, using the Locator function to show the closest Post Offices, Automated Postal Centers and collection boxes. Maps and directions to the closest location — driving, walking or mass transit — are available.

The Postal Service app also has a ZIP Code lookup, providing the ZIP Code of the user’s current location by tapping into the phone’s GPS capability.

The Track and Confirm feature offers information on the progress of mailpieces and requires 1-time entry of tracking code numbers. This means follow-ups are only one click away.

Source: NewsLink 6/7/11

Electronic Post Office is Just a Click Away

Need stamps but don’t want to leave the house? Go to usps.com/shop. Need to send a package but can’t leave the office? Go to usps.com/shipping. Need to track a package or find a ZIP Code while sitting in a meeting? Use the Postal Service’s mobile applications. The Postal Service is providing access to postal products and services when and where its customers want them and the “electronic post office” is open 24/7 to meet that need.

“We know our customers are busy people and they need simple solutions to conduct their postal business,” said Kelly Sigmon, vice president, Channel Access. “Whether it’s online or on smart phones, we’re creating easy, more convenient access to postal products and services when and where our customers want them.”

The Postal Service launched its first mobile application for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices in December 2009. Since then, it has consistently been listed as one of the top 10 free business apps in the App Store. Using this application, customers can find Post Offices, look up ZIP Codes, calculate postage prices and track packages. This application has been downloaded by nearly 985,000 customers and more than 50,400 use it at least once a week.

In March of this year, the Postal Service launched a mobile application for Android devices. To date, it has been downloaded by more than 36,000 customers. It is listed in the top 25 free business applications in the Android Marketplace.

“Don’t look at the Postal Service and see only brick and mortar post offices. Nearly one and a half million customers each day go online to usps.com or on the postal smart phone applications,” added Sigmon.

Postal customers receive an online discount for postage and free Delivery Confirmation service on Priority Mail and Express Mail packages when using Click-N-Ship at usps.com/clicknship.
Click-N-Ship offers a quick and easy way for customers to print mailing labels with postage using a desktop computer at home or the office. And when the package is ready to be shipped, customers can schedule free package pickup from their home or office at usps.com/pickup.

Stamp sales account for roughly 85 percent of all postal retail transactions and they can be purchased at 100,000 locations around the nation, including bank ATMs and grocery stores, as well as online at usps.com/shop.

EDDM is a Dog-Gone Good Idea

When Randi Slocum’s dog Kaylee ran away from her Stillwater, NY, home, Slocum and her friends did what any group of concerned pet owners would do — they formed a search party and knocked on neighbors’ doors looking for the chocolate Labrador mix.

But Randi’s mother, Carolyn, had a better idea — use Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) to notify residents in Stillwater and nearby Schuylerville, NY, of the dog’s disappearance.

Carolyn Slocum, a board member of the local Postal Customer Council, had just attended an EDDM seminar given by Albany District Grow Your Business Coordinator Natalie Dolan. “I knew that the best way to reach every household was through the new EDDM program,” said Slocum. “Since many people work all day, this would be the most likely way to reach them.”

By the next morning, Carolyn had the mailings prepared to EDDM standards and dropped them off at the Stillwater and Schuylerville Post Offices. The flyer helped unleash a series of phone calls, and that helped lead to Kaylee’s safe return. -- Source: NewsLink 6/8/11

EDDM lets a business market to every address in the neighborhoods near the business without the need for names or street addresses. The business saves the cost of renting a mailing list and does not require a postage permit to mail. That means no annual fee! Just bring mail bundles to the Post Office that services the area you want to reach, and letter carriers will deliver these mailpieces during regular delivery. And the postage is only 14.2 cents per piece!

Nearly any business can take advantage of EDDM’s marketing power, according to Grow Your Business Days Coordinator Ellen Uptgrow. Retailers include auto dealers, restaurants and pizzerias, pharmacies, clothing stores, furniture dealers, flower shops, coffee shops, and bakeries would benefit. Not to mention service-based businesses such as attorneys, health care professionals, dry cleaners, home improvement companies, and real estate firms.

EDDM Requirements: Mail must be dropped at the Post Office that services the carrier routes being targeted, 5,000 maximum mailpieces per mailer per day, per-piece weight up to 3.3 ounces, Standard Mail flats only.

Do you know a business that would benefit from a free “Every Door Direct Mail” workshop? If so, ask the business to check out usps.com/growyourbusinessdays. How about you? Are you a small business owner? Employees are invited to attend an EDDM workshop, but participation must be off the clock. You also must register to reserve a seat. If you have any questions, please email Ellen Uptgrow at ellen.t.upgrow@usps.gov.

DPMG Addresses Liberty City Residents as Edison PO Closes, New Options Open

Front Row L to R: Angela Randle, Manager, Customer Service Operations (Miami); Lori Moore, Manager, Customer Service; District Manager Jeffrey Becker. Back Row L to R: Alain Iglesias, Marketing Manager; Robert Carr, Miami Postmaster; Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman; Chris Simmons, A/Manager, Operations Programs Support; and Rick Suarez, Miami Plant Manager.

Miami APWU Local 172 President Carol Sutton and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson strike a pose.

Marketing Manager Alain Iglesias holds map as District Manager Jeffrey Becker points to alternate access options in the Liberty City neighborhood.

DPMG Ronald A. Stroman chats with Brenda Davis, President, Edison Triplex Tenant Association.

DPMG Ronald A. Stroman greets Congresswoman Frederica Wilson prior to the community meeting.

Liberty City residents met with DPMG Ronald A. Stroman who explained the USPS's dire financial situation and welcomed questions on alternate access options.

Lovette McGill, President, Philip Randolph Institute, Greater Miami-Dade Chapter, told the DPMG how much the Edison Center Finance Unit meant to her.

At the invitation of Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman came to Miami on Saturday, June 4, to address the Liberty City community on the closing of the Edison Center Finance Unit. Residents wanted to keep open their Post Office (open since 1953), but the DPMG explained the Postal Service’s current financial condition and the need to review operations and close Post Offices where alternate access was available. There are two other Post Offices within three miles of Edison Center, plus 20 alternate access locations in the neighborhood.

He further explained that 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, coupled with the unique burden of prefunding retiree health benefits, the Postal Service is in a financial crisis and must take action to reduce the size of its retail and delivery network. This financial pressure has created a situation the Postal Service hasn’t faced before --- the need to adjust its entire infrastructure at every level.

South Florida District Manager Jeffrey Becker and staff gave a presentation on alternate access options in the neighborhood and responded to questions from residents. At one time virtually every postal transaction required a visit to the local Post Office retail counter. Today nearly 35 percent of transactions are conducted using alternate access channels. Customers may purchase stamps or discounted shipping labels, request free package pickup, or research PO Box availability at usps.com. Stamps also may be purchased at 1-800-STAMP24 or by order form from a letter carrier. The DPMG encouraged businesses to seek additional information on “Every Door Direct Mail.”

District Staff attending included District Manager Jeffrey Becker, Miami Postmaster Robert Carr, Miami Plant Manager Rick Suarez, A/Manager, Operations Programs Support Chris Simmons, Marketing Manager Alain Iglesias, Communications Programs Specialist Debra Fetterly, Miami Manager/Customer Service Operations Angela Randle and Little River Manager/Customer Service Lori Moore (Little River PO is the parent station for Edison Center Finance Unit).

Local media promoted www.uspseverywhere.com as part of our “We’re Everywhere So You Can Be Anywhere” Campaign.

USPS Employment Opportunities

Do you know individuals who may be interested in working for the Postal Service? If so, be sure to let them know that applications for new, non-career positions will be available the week of June 13 only.

The South Florida District will begin the process of hiring employees for new positions called Postal Support Employee (PSE). These employees will work in Window Services, Mail Distribution, Motor Vehicle, and Maintenance operations. The posting will include specific geographic locations.

Applications must be submitted through the eCareer automated application process at www.usps.com/employment. The posting will open at 12:01 am on Monday, June 13, 2011. The announcement will be open five business days and will close at 11:59 pm on June 17, 2011.

As information, all current and former non-career employees may apply. However, these individuals must have a different external email address from one that was associated with a prior candidate profile submitted for an eCareer posting. Additionally, a new external profile must be created. Follow auto-generated email instructions to self schedule for an appropriate examination with our testing vendors.

Please ensure you add the following email addresses to your contact list to allow correspondence to be received, especially if you use SPAM blocking software, use a yahoo account or a military email address:

ecareerworkflow@usps.gov

usps_support@panpowered.com

uspseServices@geninfo.com

When Age Makes a Difference ...

A new age-verification service from the U.S. Postal Service is expanding the suite of delivery options available to merchants and customers looking for greater control over delivery of their shipments. Adult Signature is now available as a delivery option for commercial account holders and online customers choosing Express Mail, Priority Mail, Critical Mail and Parcel Select barcoded (nonpresort and Regional Ground) shipping services.

Designed to meet the security and privacy concerns of the marketplace and for shipments requiring the signature of an adult by law, Adult Signature offers control over the delivery recipients of high-value merchandise such as pharmaceuticals or documents such as legal instruments.

The service requires adult age verification in the form of government-issued photo identification from a recipient at the time of delivery. There are two variations of Adult Signature:

-- Adult Signature Required verifies the signature of a recipient 21 years of age or older upon delivery. The cost is $4.75 per piece.
-- Adult Signature Restricted Delivery verifies the signature of the addressee (or agent with written authorization) only, who must be 21 years of age or older upon delivery. The cost is $4.95 per piece.

Adult Signature is available to commercial and online customers and can be combined with other extra services such as insurance. Adult Signature is not available for purchase at retail locations or for delivery to APO/FPO/DPO addresses. Adult Signature represents the first service placed within a new “Competitive Ancillary Services” product category. Additional details can be found online at usps.com/shipping/adultsignature.htm.

USPS Has Leg Up on Carbon Footprint

The Postal Service has reported an eight percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, based on a fiscal year 2008 baseline. The reduction of 1,067,834 metric tons of carbon dioxide is an amount equal to the annual emissions of approximately 204,000 passenger vehicles.

“These results demonstrate the Postal Service’s commitment to reduce our GHG emissions 20 percent by fiscal year 2020,” said Emil Dzuray, acting chief sustainability officer. “Our leaner, faster, smarter energy reduction and conservation efforts have placed us more than one third of the way toward our goal.”

Reduced facility energy use represented almost half of the Postal Service’s GHG emissions decrease. “Postal Service employees are laser-focused on reducing energy use at Post Offices and mail processing centers,” said Tom Samra, vice president, Facilities. “We’re proud to have reduced our facility energy-related emissions 12 percent from FY 2008 to FY 2010 — enough to power approximately 39,000 average American households for a year.”

From FY 2003 to FY 2010, USPS reduced its facility energy use by more than 29 percent, or 9.9 trillion Btus, an amount equal to the energy used by approximately 100,000 average American households in a year.

Other USPS positive GHG results include:

-- Creation of more than 400 cross-functional Lean Green Teams across the country, which have produced significant results in energy reduction and resource conservation.
-- More than 44,000 alternative fuel-capable vehicles.
-- "Green mail delivery,” including nearly 10,000 “fleet of feet” walking routes, nearly 70 bicycle routes and close to 80,000 “park and loop” routes, where carriers deliver mail on foot after driving to neighborhoods.
-- More than 27 billion Cradle-to-Cradle Certified stamps and shipping supplies provided to customers in FY 2010 — which meet established standards for human and environmental health and recyclability. USPS is the only mailing and shipping company in the world to have earned this certification.
-- USPS also helps customers reduce their own carbon footprints. Visit usps.com/green and the green newsroom for more information.

Parcel Return Service Grows Our Business

Wrong color? Wrong size? Or maybe you just changed your mind. Whatever the reason, Parcel Return Service (PRS) makes it easy for our customers to return something they bought from a catalog or on the Internet.

Businesses provide customers with a special Parcel Return Service mailing label with their order. If customers need to return items, merchants pay the postage. All our customers need to do is to affix the label to the package and mail it. Quick. Easy. Convenient.

Couldn't be simpler, right? Well . . . not so fast. The return label has the address of the Network Distribution Center (NDC) in the customer's service area. And the NDC address on the label contains a unique ZIP Code — one that begins with 569. Because ZIP Code span 569 is unique and different than the expected NDC ZIP Code span, some employees believe it's incorrect. In some cases, Parcel Return Service packages have been rejected at retail counters or returned to the sender because to some employees, the address appears to be an incorrect ZIP Code. But the ZIP Code span is correct, and these packaged must be accepted, collected, and processed.

USPS Continues Service to Canada

Despite the 24-hour rotating strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers that began in Winnipeg at 11:59 last night, the U.S. Postal Service will continue to accept, process, and deliver mail to Canada until further notice. This limited action by the Winnipeg local is expected to have minimal impact on service, as Winnipeg represents two percent of the population of Canada.

U.S. Postal Service officials have been closely monitoring the possible strike situation in Canada and have been making contingency plans in the event of a full or partial strike by Canadian postal workers.

In the unlikely event of a nationwide Canadian postal strike, the U.S. Postal Service will still be able to provide customers letter and package service via Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service. GXG is the premium, date-certain international shipping option from the U.S. Postal Service with international transportation and delivery by FedEx Express. GXG is available online at usps.com and at thousands of participating retail locations throughout the United States.

Additional information and updates regarding acceptance and movement of international mail are posted online at usps.com/communications/news/serviceupdates.

Postal Service Adds Alternate Access Options; Edison Center, MIA Finance Units Close June 3

With nearly 100,000 places to buy stamps, ship a package, or renew a passport, the U.S. Postal Service is expanding customer access to its products and services. It’s not about brick-and-mortar Post Offices anymore, as postal products move online and into retail outlets, grocery stores, office supply chains, and pharmacies.

Friday, June 3, is the last day of operation for two Miami Post Offices --- Edison Center Finance Unit, 760 NW 62 Street, and Miami International Airport Finance Unit, 4th floor of the airport terminal. However, customers still may conduct their postal business at alternate access locations listed at http://www.uspseverywhere.com/.

For example, customers who conduct business at the Edison Center Finance Unit now may purchase stamps at CVS, Publix, Walgreens, and Winn Dixie stores --- all within 3.5 miles of the closing Post Office. Customers who need money orders may choose from 10 locations within a one-mile radius. Many alternate access locations are open later than Post Offices --- some as late as 9 pm and others 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Little River Station, 140 NE 84th Street, and the Buena Vista Station, 66 NE 39 Street, respectively located 2.4 and 2.5 miles from the Edison Center Finance Unit, are the two closest full retail Post Offices. Customers who visited the Miami International Airport Finance Unit also have options at http://www.uspseverywhere.com/ or may visit Post Offices within 5 miles of the closing Post Office: Miami GMF Postal Store, 2200 NW 72 Avenue, Miami (5 miles); Milam Dairy Branch, 5600 NW 72 Avenue, Miami (5 miles); Blue Lagoon Branch, 6200 NW 7 Street, Miami (4.5 miles); and Miami Springs Finance Unit, 107 Westward Drive, Miami (4 miles).

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, coupled with the unique burden of prefunding retiree health benefits, the Postal Service is in a financial crisis and must take action to reduce the size of its retail and delivery network. This financial pressure has created a situation the Postal Service hasn’t faced before --- the need to adjust its entire infrastructure at every level.

The decision to close these two Post Offices was based on a lengthy feasibility study that included operational reviews and community input. Such studies have been conducted at Post Offices in many locations across the country. The South Florida Postal District also has consolidated some of its carrier annexes, adjusted carrier routes, and restructured administrative and processing functions.

The Edison Center and Miami International Airport Finance Units are retail operations; their closure will not impact local mail delivery. Customers with computer access may request letter carriers pick up packages --- at no charge --- from their homes and offices.

At one time virtually every postal transaction required a visit to the local Post Office retail counter. Today nearly 35 percent of transactions are conducted using alternate access channels. Customers may purchase stamps or discounted shipping labels, request free package pickup, or research PO Box availability at usps.com. Stamps also may be purchased at 1-800-STAMP24 or by order form from a letter carrier.