IMb Set for January 2014

Mailers who want to continue taking advantage of automation prices for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals and Bound Printed Matter will have to use the Full-Service Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) starting Jan. 26, 2014.

The final rule for the implementation of the Full-Service Intelligent Mail requirements for automation prices appears in the April 18 issue of the Federal Register.

The rulemaking includes information to help mailers prepare for the transition to Full-Service IMb. USPS is encouraging mailers to contact their mail service providers and software vendors for the latest updates on how to get the best value for automation mailings under the new rule.

Additional information can be found at the RIBBS website. The “Latest News” tab under the Intelligent Mail Services has the most recent information on Full-Service IMb — including the Intelligent Mail barcode, Electronic Documentation and the simplified approval process.

IMb offers several benefits to USPS and mailers, including:

• Accurate tracking of mail as it moves through the postal network.
• Improved tools to monitor service performance.
• Scan data on containers, trays, and mailpieces to measure the number of hours and minutes between operations.
• Simplified mail acceptance that will increase productivity and reduce costs.  

PMG Presses for Legislative Action

 

In his latest state of the business video, PMG Pat Donahoe discusses the Postal Service’s plans to continue working with Congress to pass legislation to help USPS return to financial stability.

The PMG begins by noting the continuing resolution passed by Congress that mandates continued Saturday mail delivery. The Postal Service had hoped to institute a 6-day package, 5-day mail delivery schedule.
Donahoe says he’s optimistic that Congress will allow USPS to put a new schedule in place this year. He points to overwhelming public support for the new schedule, along with President Obama’s budget plan that supports 5-day mail delivery. “We can’t continue to deliver mail on Saturdays with the volume losses we’re seeing,” says Donahoe.
Changing to a 6-day package and 5-day mail delivery schedule would save the Postal Service $2 billion annually.
The PMG also says USPS will continue working with Congress for comprehensive legislative reform to give the Postal Service the ability it needs to adapt to market forces.
“We would be profitable today if we had the flexibility to solve our financial problems,” says Donahoe.
The PMG closes the video by noting how USPS continues to look for ways to reduce costs and raise revenues. He also thanks employees for their continuing hard work.

Knowledge is (Generator) Power

If you own a portable generator, compliance with equipment operating procedures is critical to the safety and well being of your family.  Non-compliance with safety regulations and operating guidelines could result in the carbon monoxide poisoning of loved ones and extensive fire damage to your home. 

Employees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these generator safety tips so that they’re knowledgeable and are well prepared for hurricane season: 

      Always operate a generator in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions. 

      To avoid being electrocuted, use heavy duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate to plug individual appliances into your generator.  Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating allows. 

      Never connect a generator to a wall outlet or to the electrical system in your home since that can cause damage to your equipment and can be a life-threatening danger to your family, neighbors, and repair crews.

      Always operate your generator outdoors on a level surface in a well-ventilated, dry area away from air intakes to your home.  Your generator needs an unlimited supply of fresh air for proper cooling during operation so ensure that it has a minimum of three to four feet of spacing on all sides, including the top.  An open door or window will allow dangerous exhaust fumes to enter your home.  Since combustion engines create carbon monoxide, which can be lethal, good ventilation is critical.

      Be sure to have adequate fuel for your generator and manage consumption by running for only a few hours at a time.  Never add fuel to your generator when it is running, and always store additional fuel in approved gasoline containers.

      If connecting a generator into your home wiring is necessary on a temporary basis, a transfer switch must be installed by a licensed electrician.  A transfer switch permits the transfer of the load from the utility company power source that normally supplies power over to the portable generator.  A transfer switch will isolate the circuits supplied by the generator.  This transfer switch will prevent “backfeeding,” a term that refers to the inadvertent energizing of circuits in both systems.  Backfeeding most commonly occurs when a generator is connected directly to the electric panel or circuit in a home.  Feeding power into the utility system during an outage will energize the transformer.  This could pose a serious threat to the power line and to the service crews who are unknowingly working with an energized line as they attempt to restore power to your home and your neighborhood. 

Shell CPU Can 'Fill Er Up' with Stamps

By LuAnn Warner
West Palm Beach residents now have more choices to fulfill their postal needs.  Postal officials and the Mayor of Wellington participated in a dedication ceremony to open the first Contract Postal Unit (CPU) within the Shell Station located at 12000 Southshore Blvd in the Village of Wellington.

The Shell CPU offers customers an additional option to access postal products and services, and is a quick, easy, and convenient alternative to larger postal facilities for mailing needs.  The CPU provides a full range of postal services at Post Office prices with the exception of Post Office boxes and postal money orders.

At the dedication ceremony, Shell Manager Neil Looknanan shared that Shell employees are happy to provide this convenient service for the village residents. 

“We are here to serve you and are excited about the prospect of serving our customers with their postal needs,” Looknanan told his customers at the dedication.

Whether you want to mail a Priority or Express Mail package, send a letter via Certified Mail, or simply purchase postage stamps, Shell station employees are eagerly ready to assist.

USPS Board of Governors Prevents New Delivery Schedule in August

As part of recent action to fund government operations for this year, Congress approved language that prevents USPS from implementing the new delivery schedule that was proposed to launch in August. The new schedule would include package delivery Monday through Saturday and mail delivery Monday through Friday.

The USPS Board of Governors met April 9 to discuss this action, and has directed the Postal Service to delay implementing the new delivery schedule. The delay will continue until Congress and the president approve a law that will allow USPS to make changes that would include the authority to adjust its delivery schedule. This decision by the Board of Governors means that for the time being, we will continue delivering mail and packages six days a week.

In addition, the Board has directed Postal Service management to take other actions, including seeking to reopen negotiations with the postal unions and consultations with management associations, taking administrative actions to reduce costs, and evaluating further options to increase revenue, including an exigent rate increase, to raise revenues across current product categories and products not currently covering their costs.

The Board views a new delivery schedule as a necessary part of a larger five-year business plan to restore the Postal Service to long-term financial stability, and continues to support legislative goals identified in that plan.

The Board urged Congress to quickly pass comprehensive postal legislation, including provisions that would give the Postal Service the ability to establish an appropriate national delivery schedule.

More information on the Board of Governors’ decision is available in a Newsbreak posted on employee bulletin boards.