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| Forecast Is Cloudy for USPS in 2004 | ||
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It’s the start of a new year. With that should naturally come renewed optimism. But though the U.S. Postal Service and its customers have things to be optimistic about, potential major roadblocks exist.
Posted by John Durben @ 09:15 AM CST | ||
| Testimony of John E. Potter, Postmaster General/CEO before Special Panel on Postal Reform and Oversight Commitee on Government Reform | ||
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JANUARY 28, 2004 Chairman McHugh and members of the Special Panel, I welcome the opportunity to meet with you today to discuss the very real need for comprehensive reform of the legislative framework governing the Postal Service. For a number of years, Chairman McHugh, other members of this Panel and the Committee on Government Reform have recognized that fundamental change is necessary to protect the right of affordable, universal mail service for everyone in America. In addition to Chairman McHugh, I particularly want to recognize Committee Chairman Tom Davis and Representatives Dan Burton, Henry Waxman and Danny Davis for their work on this issue.
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| Potter to Congress: USPS Needs Legislative Change | ||
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Postmaster General John E. Potter said yesterday at a congressional hearing on postal reform that the U.S. Postal Service's "underlying business model remains problematic and compels legislative change." The special panel for postal reform and oversight is chaired by Rep. John M. McHugh, R-NY, and reports directly to House Government Reform Committee chairman Tom Davis, R-VA. Potter said Congress should build upon the five reform principles that President Bush outlined to Congress last year:
Posted by John Durben @ 08:55 AM CST | ||
| Employers Must Post Injury/Illness Summaries on Feb. 1 | ||
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Sharpen those pencils, because beginning Feb. 1, employers must post a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred last year. Employers are required to post only the Summary (OSHA Form 300A) – not the OSHA 300 Log – from Feb.1 to Apr. 30, 2004.
Posted by John Durben @ 08:42 AM CST | ||
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| Not All Postmasters are Happy With the New Pay for Performance Procedure (NAPUS Hotline) | ||
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The NAPUS National Office is receiving an increased number of complaints from Postmasters about the way the core requirements part of the new pay-for-performance system is being interpreted by some of their managers.
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| NEW EEO OFFICE - Centralized location will serve employees better | ||
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One office, better service. That's the reason for the new centralized Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) claims investigations office located in Tampa, FL. The office will consolidate USPS EEO investigations under one manager. It will use a staff of professional EEO analysts to monitor investigations conducted by private independent contract investigators. The new office reports to Labor Relations V.P. Tony Vegliante. The independent contractors will bring neutrality to USPS EEO investigations - a long-held goal of the Postal Service. Previously, USPS employees conducted EEO investigations of claims made by USPS employees for USPS. "This new process will be fairer and more impartial for employees, investigators and USPS," said Vegliante. These neutral investigators - trained in accordance with EEO Commission policy and regulations - will perform unbiased investigations, gather all relevant facts and provide an investigative summary of their indings. Area EEO offices will still be responsible for providing the results of the investigation to the complainant. "This new process will provide quality investigations in a timely manner for all Postal Service employees," said Vegliante. Employees contacted by EEO investigators should respond promptly and give their full cooperation and support.
Look for a nationwide mailing on the new process coming to USPS employee mailboxes soon. Source: Postal Link Posted by John Durben @ 08:42 AM CST | ||
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| Prospects good for postal reform | ||
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President urges congress to move quickly; labor issues could be stumbling block by Carol Krol
With President Bush’s support, direct marketers and publishers may finally see postal reform legislation pass this year, after years of political wrangling. Click here for complete story! Posted by John Durben @ 10:21 AM CST | ||
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| Bush: Government Payed $2 Billion in Workers' Comp in FY 2003 | ||
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Like other employers across the country, the federal government is struggling with rising workers' compensations costs. The federal government, with its 2.7 million workers, paid out more than $2 billion in workers' compensation costs in FY 2003.
Click Here for complete story! Posted by John Durben @ 05:23 PM CST | ||
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| Postal Automation Redirection System PARS from LuNewsViews | ||
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Check out all the information about Automation Reduction System (PARS) that is listed on the LU's Views & News Website - Just Click Here! Posted by John Durben @ 10:06 AM CST | ||
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| Edwards Calls for Ambitious OSHA Reform | ||
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Criticizing the Bush administration for failing to protect U.S. workers, Sen. John Edwards, D-NC, has become the first of nine candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination to release a comprehensive program that is intended to strengthen OSHA's enforcement of workplace safety rules.
Posted by John Durben @ 09:03 AM CST | ||
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| UPCOMING POSTAL REFORM HEARINGS | ||
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DMNews reports that Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), who leads a panel on postal reform and oversight, will hold three hearings in the next two months focusing on postal reform. The first hearing will take place Jan. 28 in Washington. Representatives from USPS and the General Accounting Office will testify. The second hearing, Feb. 5 in Chicago, will hear from USPS employee organizations. The third hearing, Feb. 11, will hear from mailers, postal-reliant businesses and competitors, said the article.
USPSNEWSLINK | ||
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| Judge Delays Rules on Union Member Dues | ||
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Federal Judge Delays New Rules Requiring Unions to Detail How Member Dues Are Spent The Associated Press WASHINGTON Jan. 2 — Regulations that were to take effect with the new year requiring unions to report to the government the details of how they spend their members' dues have been delayed one year by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler ruled on New Year's Eve that unions needed more time to comply with "extensive and sophisticated" changes approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget in November.
Click here for complete story...
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| How the Windfall Elimination Provision Can Affect Your Social Security Benefit | ||
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If you paid Social Security tax on 30 years of substantial earnings you are not affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). The following chart shows the maximum monthly amount that your benefit can be reduced because of WEP if you have fewer than 30 years of substantial earnings.
Click Here to view Chart | ||
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