No Employee Impact from Missed RHB Prefunding Payments

The Postal Service’s decision not to make two payments to fund retiree health benefits — due August 1 and September 30 — will have no impact on employee pay or operations.

In a prepared statement, USPS said it will “continue to deliver the mail, pay our employees and suppliers and meet our other financial obligations.”

The $5.5 billion payment due August 1 and the $5.6 billion payment due September 30 are required by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, which became law in 2006.

The statement also said the Postal Service is moving ahead with implementation of its strategic plan, adding “comprehensive postal legislation is needed in order to return the Postal Service to long-term financial stability.” USPS says it “remains hopeful” a new law will be enacted during the current Congress.

Background

Under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, the Postal Service is required to prefund Retiree Health Benefits. The Act established an accelerated prefunding schedule for FYs 2007 through 2016. The Postal Service has made $17.9 billion of these payments so far, reflecting the required payments for FYs 2007-2010. A law was passed last year that deferred the FY 2011 $5.6 billion prepayment until Aug. 1, 2012. As a result, the total required to prefund Retiree Health Benefits in 2012 is $11.1 billion: the FY 2011 payment of $5.5 billion due by Aug. 1, 2012, and the FY 2012 payment of $5.6 billion due by Sept. 30, 2012. Absent legislative action, the Postal Service will not make either payment in order to fully fund its operations. 

Baseball Hall of Fame Ceremony

USPS held the official first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Major League Baseball All-Stars Forever stamps Friday at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY.

The celebration was the first of five ceremonies, with the remaining events taking place in the cities where four of baseball’s most iconic legends built their careers.
Orders for the stamps prior to their issuance exceeded more than two million “stamps batted in” (SBI). The stamps honor New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio, Cleveland Indian Larry Doby, Pittsburgh Pirate Willie Stargell and Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams.
“Today the Postal Service honors the memory of four great players whose unchanging dreams and exceptional skills propelled them to success,” said PMG Pat Donahoe. “Our Major League Baseball All-Stars Forever Stamps salute the accomplishments of these excellent players.”
Joining Donahoe in dedicating the stamps were former San Diego Padre and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn; Willie Stargell’s wife, Margaret Weller-Stargell; Larry Doby’s son, Larry Doby Jr.; Kathie Stein, a granddaughter of Joe DiMaggio; National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Chairman Jane Forbes Clark; Postal Service Board of Governors member Louis Giuliano; and Brian Kenny of the Major League Baseball Television Network.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Four of baseball’s most revered icons will be immortal­ized on Forever stamps later this month with the issuance of the Major League Baseball All-Stars Forever Stamps. The stamps honor Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees; Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians; Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates; and Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox.

First-Day-Of-Issue dedication ceremonies will take place in five cities:

On July 20, 10 a.m., Cooperstown, New York, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

The First-Day-Of-Issue Major League Baseball All-Stars stamps dedication ceremony for the sheet of stamps featuring all four players is taking place at the museum as part of opening day festivities for the 4-day Hall of Fame Weekend celebration in Cooper­stown. Available nationwide that day, the stamps can also be purchased at the museum and at the Cooper­stown Post Office.

On July 21, First-Day-Of-Issue dedication ceremonies for each of the individual player stamp sheets are being planned to honor DiMaggio in New York; Doby in Cleveland; Stargell in Pittsburgh; and Williams in Boston.

Joe DiMaggio (1914–1999) led the New York Yankees to ten pennants and nine World Series titles. Many consider him the greatest all-around player of his time.

Larry Doby (1923–2003) was the first African American to play in the American League, joining the Cleveland Indians shortly after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League. He faced prejudice with dignity and courage.

Willie Stargell (1940–2001) powered the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, a multicultural team known as “The Family,” to a World Series title. He is also remembered for promoting har­mony between players from different backgrounds.

Ted Williams (1918–2002) of the Boston Red Sox was the last Major League player to bat over .400 for a single season (1941). During his stellar career, he won six American League batting titles and four home run titles. Today, “the Kid” is regarded as one of the all-time greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history. 

Takin' Care of Business: Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming PCC Events

     National Postal Customer Council (PCC) Day is a time when postal officials and the nation’s PCC memberships get together to exchange ideas and viewpoints.  Beginning this year, this premier Fall event will expand and will be known as “National PCC Week.”

     During PCC Week, scheduled September 18-20, approximately 8,000 PCC members will hear PMG Pat Donahoe discuss the current state of the Postal Service. The week’s events also will include recognition of PCCs that have grown professionally through focused educational programs.

     USPS will distribute a pre-recorded video message available at all PCC venues. The video also will contain current information and product announcements.   Stay posted for information on PCC Week events in South Florida.  In the meantime, there are other local PCC activities scheduled:

     On Thursday, July 19, the PCC of the Palm Beaches is offering two educational seminars at the West Palm Beach Main Office at 3200 Summit Blvd in West Palm Beach.  The first seminar is to assist political campaign and election mailers.  This seminar is scheduled from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.  The second seminar will focus on the benefits of the Intelligent Mail barcode to track your mail.  This seminar is scheduled from 12:00 Noon to 2:30 pm.  There is a fee associated with the seminars (which include a continental breakfast and light lunch).  Contact Customer Relations Coordinator LuAnn Warner at 561-697-2145 for additional information and registration.

     On behalf of the Miami-Dade County Postal Customer Council, Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Briggett Glinton invites business mailers to register for presentations on political mail and POSTNET retirement on Friday, July 20.  These seminars are scheduled from 9:00 am to 11:00 am in the Miami Postmaster's Conference Room (#535), 2200 NW 72 Avenue in Miami.  Refreshments will be provided.  Visit miamipcc.com to register.  Questions may be directed to Briggett at 305-470-0386.

     The PCC of Broward will be hosting two events at the Fort Lauderdale Main Office, 1900 West Oakland Park Blvd in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, July 26.  The first seminar will cover "Election/Campaign Mail" from 8:30 am to 9:30 am and the second seminar titled "Intelligent Mail Barcode Implementation" from 9:45 am to 12:00 Noon.  There is a nominal fee for the seminars which include breakfast and lunch.  For more information, contact Customer Relations Coordinator Tashia Romano at 954-527-3281.  

     The PCC of Broward also will host an event on Every Door Direct Mail from 9:00 am to 10:30 am on Thursday, August 9.  This event will take place at Priority One Credit Union at 3000 N University Drive in Sunrise. 

It's Four in a Row in Tequesta

 
MPOO 8 Robert Weiser would like to commend employees from the equesta PO for their outstanding effort in achieving their "4th in a row" 100% RCE Mystery Shop!

Pictured (L to R):  SSAs Mark Brekke; Cliff Jackson; Derek Arron; MCS Brian Coulton.  Not pictured:  SSAs Delores J Morton and Reni Echemendia.  Photo:  Ann Marie Tighe

Three's a Charm in Hobe Sound

MPOO 8 Robert Weiser would like to recognize employees from the Hobe Sound PO for their outstanding effort in achieving 100% in their recent RCE Mystery Shop!

Pictured (L to R):  Christine Storey, Joan Yoson-Weber, Romelia Moreira, and Robin Gazo.
Not pictured are SSDAs Eileen Haggerty and Eva Bressler who also supported the effort in achieving 100%.  Photo:  Ann Marie Tighe
Postmaster Catherine Gangi's comments of her employees: "I am very proud of them. This is the third 100% in a row!"