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.