The USPS has issued a pair of FAQs on its “POStPlan” initiative for rural post offices- one general FAQ, and one focused on HR issues:

Postplan FAQ

Postplan HR FAQ

The USPS notified the APWU [PDF] today, May 16, that it has developed a modified network consolidation plan and, “Now that the moratorium has expired, consolidation activities will begin this summer.” However, postal managers did not provide the union with a list of which facilities would be affected and when. The information will be made available to the union on May 17, in advance of the public release, the letter says.

The USPS letter, which was faxed to the union at approximately 3 p.m., says that postal managers will begin giving “stand-up talks” to employees on Tour 3 on May 16. Copies of the service talks [PDF] were provided.

APWU President Cliff Guffey said, “The Postal Service’s actions are the best evidence there is that union members must contact their U.S. representatives and urge them to address postal reform immediately, using the recently-approved Senate bill as a starting point for discussion.”

Fall Break, Service Changes

There will be a break in consolidation activities from September through December for the election and holiday mailing seasons, the letter says. Following the break, the first phase of consolidations will resume in January 2013. Phase two will be completed by the end of 2014.

The letter says that a new, interim regulation to modify existing Service Standards for overnight delivery will be introduced that “will shrink the geographic reach of overnight service to local areas.

“This new interim Service Standard will enable consolidating activity in 2013, and will be replaced with a permanent Service Standard for overnight delivery in 2014.”

The stand-up talks say that “Actions taken will comply with collective bargaining agreements, Postal Service regulations and policies, and other applicable law.” It also says, “The Postal Service is working with its unions regarding an employee incentive offer and will announce details when final decisions are made,” but the USPS and APWU have not been negotiating about incentives, Guffey said.

The talk for employees who interact with customers says, “Some consolidation activities will begin this summer, but there will be no facilities closures this summer.” The other talks do not include this language, nor does the letter to the APWU. (In fact, the stand-up talks for other employees refer to “closing facility.”)

“The Postal Service’s plans seem to be in constant flux,” Guffey said. “I hope members of Congress are paying attention. They must act quickly to prevent a severe degradation of service and massive cutbacks in the mail processing network.”

Will a knowledge of Yoga, rum, canned soup and french cuisine help the USPS to market its services more effectively? We may be about to find out. Federal Times reports that the USPS’s new Chief Marketing Officer is Nagisa Manabe. Manabe is currently Vice President, New Growth Platforms at Coca Cola Japan. She also owns a yoga studio in New Jersey, and has served as Vice President of Rums (and later Vice President of Beer) at Diageo, the company that produces Guinness, Captain Morgan and other beverages. She also worked for Campbell Soup at one time. (Just in case you’re wondering, Manabe’s tenure at Campbell’s started several years after the company had “spun off” Bob Bernstock and the ill fated Vlasic Pickle division).

Here’s how Manabe describes her experience on her LinkedIn profile:

I have held a broad range of marketing and innovation positions at leading marketing companies since graduation from Harvard Business School in 1991. As of October 2011, I have joined Coca Cola Japan to lead the New Growth Platforms Business Unit. I also own and operate a successful yoga studio in the Princeton area. We have 15 teachers on staff and have classes 4-5 times daily. In addition to my work experience, I have worked as a chef in a Boston french restaurant, L’Espalier. I am also a devoted and passionate student of Iyengar yoga, and recently completed the Iyengar Institute of New York City’s 2009-2011 Teacher Training program.

Specialties:
Marketing & Innovation, Beverage Alcohol, Food, Music and Fitness (Yoga)

From Postcom:

Word has it that Paul Vogel will be moving on to other duties at USPS headquarters, and that the announcement of a replacement for his current position is in the offing. Stay tuned.

Vogel’s current title is President and Chief Marketing/Sales Officer.

via PostCom: Postal News and Information from Around the World.

As we told you yesterday, the House will do nothing about postal reform this week before taking yet another week long vacation. Why the inaction? Well it seems that Congressman Darrell Issa can’t even get enough Republicans to back his “reform” bill:

House GOP leaders say they want to move Issa’s bill. "The postal service needs more meaningful reform than the Senate bill provides," Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said. "They don’t even have enough Republican support," said Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee that oversees the postal service. Lynch, a supporter of postal unions that oppose the collective-bargaining changes in Issa’s bill, said Republicans will eventually have to bring up the Senate-passed bill and try to amend it. Not yet ready to concede that necessity, House Republicans appear stalled.

We should note that Lynch’s postal reform bill is co-sponsoed by a bipartisan majority in the House. Issa’s bill has exactly one co-sponsor- his faithful freshman sidekick, Dennis Ross.

National Journal

via PostCom: Postal News and Information from Around the World.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Greensburg, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of false statements, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Jeffrey Allen Gogets, 51, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Alan C. Bloch.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Gogets was a supervisor at the Jeanette, Pa., Post Office. On April 18, 2011, Gogets staged an assault and robbery on his person while on postal property. The assault and robbery never occurred. Gogets self-inflicted a wound to his head. Based upon the feigned injury, Gogets was flown by Life Flight helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital. Gogets received $8,578.94 in healthcare and workers compensation benefits. On April 19, 2011, Gogets made false statements about the assault and robbery to United States Postal Inspectors who were investigating the incident.

Judge Bloch scheduled sentencing for Sept. 6, 2012, at 11:30 am. The law provides for a total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Gogets on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gogets.

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The U.S. Postal Service is offering the 2012 Mobile Commerce and Personalization Promotion to encourage commercial mailers to use mobile marketing tools — such as QR codes — on their mail.

During July and August, the Postal Service is offering an upfront 2 percent postage discount on Standard Mail and First-Class Mail letters, flats and cards (presort and automation) that include a two-dimensional barcode or print/mobile technology that can be read or scanned by a mobile device. When scanned, the technology must activate a link directly to either a mobile-optimized Web page that allows the mail recipient to purchase a product or service or to a mobile-optimized and customized Web page uniquely tailored to the mail recipient and accessible by a personalized URL.

“Mobile technologies continue to be one of the fastest-growing marketing sectors,” said Gary Reblin, vice president, Domestic Products. “During the holidays, mobile purchases were up from 5.5 percent of ecommerce sales in 2010 to 11 percent in 2011.

“The integration of direct mail with mobile technologies will not only improve the long-term value of direct mail but also increase returns for merchants,” added Reblin.

According to MarketingProfs, 2012, 48 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers own a smartphone, and one in five U.S. smartphone owners scanned a QR code with their phones, as of Dec. 2011. The Direct Marketing Association estimates that marketing mail returns $12.75 for every $1 spent.

“Personalization has always been an effective attribute of direct mail, and studies show that it improves return on investment,” said Reblin. “Tying personalization with mobile technology is the next obvious step to enhancing the value of both mail and mobile marketing.”

Commercial mailers may register for the 2012 Mobile Commerce and Personalization Promotion now through Aug. 30, 2012. For more information, visit usps.com/mobile-barcode.

.@USPS needs responsible legislative action to get out of the red: 1.usa.gov/IM4JKC #USPS #postal #bailout

— Darrell Issa (@DarrellIssa) May 11, 2012

While Dennis Ross and Darrell Issa tweet a good game on the urgency of doing something about the US Postal Service, they don’t seem in any hurry to actually DO anything. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Jamie Dupree, the House has no plans to take up the “reform” legislation proposed by the pair this week. Maybe the week after? Sorry, no- after another week of speeches, tweets, and inaction, our hardworking representatives plan to take yet another vacation:

While the Senate has approved a postal reform bill, there is no rush in the House, as no postal reform legislation is on the schedule again this week.

And since the House will be taking another 10 day break at the end of this week, no postal legislation could even reach the floor until June.

via What’s Next on Postal Reform | Jamie Dupree Washington Insider.

NATOMAS, CA – Police say it’s a new low for crooks. They were caught on tape stealing food intended for the needy.

via Postal food drive intercepted by thieves | Video | news10.net.

SCHUMER: WILLIAMS ST. PROCESSING CENTER WILL REMAIN OPEN FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS – DECISION COMES JUST DAYS AHEAD OF POSSIBLE CLOSURE & SAVES HUNDREDS OF JOBS

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Williams Street Processing Center, which would have been eligible for closure when the current post office and facility moratorium expires on May 15th, will remain open for at least three years. Throughout the postal reform debate, Schumer lobbied the Postmaster General to keep the processing facility open, in order to preserve overnight mail service in Western New York and the facility’s 700 jobs. In a personal conversation with Postmaster General Patrick Donohue, Schumer secured a commitment that the Williams Street center will remain open for the next three years.

“Western New York businesses, residents, and senior citizens rely each and every day on the Williams St. Processing Center for timely and reliable mail service that delivers everything from paychecks to Social Security payments at their door. The Buffalo processing facility is simply too important to the Western New York community, and its 700 employees, to be shut down, and I’m thrilled to announce that the Postmaster General agrees,” said Schumer. “While I recognize the importance of making cost-saving reforms in order to preserve Post Office’s vital services, I lobbied the Postmaster General to keep the Williams Street facility open, in order to prevent the loss of hundreds of jobs at the facility and hardship for families and businesses in Western New York. Today’s news means the Buffalo processing facility’s doors will be open for years to come, providing Western New Yorkers with the timely mail delivery that they deserve.”

Following news in September 2011 that Buffalo would be one of eight facilities to be studied for closure or consolidation within New York State, and throughout the postal reform debate in April, Schumer pushed to keep the Buffalo Center open. In February, USPS announced that the Buffalo facility was included in the closure and consolidation moratorium which would have ended on May 15th, when the Postal Service planned to transfer the operations of the William Street facility to Rochester. Schumer’s effort will keep the facility open for at least 3 years.

via Senator Charles E. Schumer.