USPS OIG Report: Small Package Sorting System Performance

Objective Our objective was to evaluate the performance of the U.S. Postal Service’s Small Package Sorting System (SPSS) machines. The continued growth of eCommerce and the package delivery market provides opportunities for the Postal Service to increase revenue. The Postal Service has directed resources and management attention toward building a world-class package platform to compete…

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USPS: Employees reminded of Hatch Act rules

USPS wants employees to follow the Hatch Act’s rules on politicking in the workplace. The Hatch Act is a law that prohibits Postal Service and other federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, while wearing a uniform, while on federal property or while inside a federal vehicle. These rules apply to activities…

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New NLRB Policy: Offensive and Abusive Speech is No Longer Protected Activity

July 21, 2020 Washington D.C. – In a decision issued today in General Motors LLC, 14-CA-197985 369 NLRB No. 127 (2020), the National Labor Relations Board modified the standard for determining whether employees have been lawfully disciplined or discharged after making abusive or offensive statements—including profane, racist, and sexually unacceptable remarks—in the course of activity…

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Judge to determine if mail carriers were disciplined for reporting injuries

An administrative law judge must determine whether the testimony provided by two mail carriers who claim they were disciplined for reporting workplace injuries is credible. In Secretary of Labor v. U.S. Postal Service, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission on Tuesday reversed and remanded a decision to vacate a citation levied against the U.S….

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USPS hand sanitizer warning: Watch out for toxic products

The Postal Service and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are warning employees and customers to be on alert for hand sanitizers that may contain methanol, a dangerous, highly toxic chemical often used as an industrial solvent. The coronavirus pandemic has spurred demand for hand sanitizer products. However, the FDA recently warned the public that…

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USPS could borrow as much as $10 billion

The Postal Service has reached an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department on terms and conditions associated with a new lending authority that could allow USPS to borrow as much as $10 billion. The lending authority was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act — also known as the CARES Act —…

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APWU-USPS 2018-2021 National Collective Bargaining Agreement is available

The electronic version of the Collective Bargaining Agreement is here. The hard copy is available for pre-order from the APWU Store and orders will begin shipping in August. All contracts are spiral bound and priced at $10. A limited number of contracts [no charge] will ship to local unions and all NBAs and National Officers….

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USPS: Handle Election Mail, Political Mail properly

The Postal Service wants employees to continue to be mindful of the differences between Political Mail and Election Mail tags when handling mail. Red Tag 57, for Political Mail, should be used for any political campaign mailing by a registered candidate, campaign committee or committee of a political party. This tag also can be used…

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