Despite job cuts, Postal Service still bleeding red ink
WASHINGTON — The US Postal Service said yesterday that it lost $8.5 billion last year despite cuts of more than 100,000 jobs and other reductions in recent years.
The post office has asked Congress for permission to reduce mail delivery to five days a week and eliminate annual payments for future retiree health benefits. A request from the agency for a 2-cent increase in postage rates to take effect next year was recently turned down by the independent Postal Rate Commission. The post office has appealed that decision in federal court.
Yup, MORE MONEY for LESS SERVICE!
Too bad you are not a BANK, USPS!
While the post office does not receive tax money for its operations, it still must answer to Congress, which has been reluctant to agree to closing of local post offices and centers.
Yeah, it is supposed to be independently-operated and finance itself like a regular business.
And you think government is the solution to anything anymore, America?
When was the last time they were not ripping you off or lying you into a war?
Don't worry, I have time. I'll wait until you can provide one example.
Some have suggested privatizing the service, but the requirement to provide service everywhere in the country at the same price is not likely to be attractive to private companies.
You know, I could do with less mail anyway!
Think this kind of crap adds to the cost?
"Ex-workers get first-class deals with Postal Service" by Ed O’Keefe, Washington Post | October 3, 2010
WASHINGTON — Who says you can’t go back? Apparently you can at the US Postal Service.
Dozens of former top executives and hundreds of former employees have returned to the agency in recent years as private contractors, sometimes making double the salaries they made as full-time workers, according to one of three watchdog audits.
Oh, so the PRIVATIZING has ALREADY BEGUN to $AVE you money, taxpayers!
Related:
"The U.S. Postal Service will reduce the amount it pays for homes of employees who are relocating in the wake of a CNN investigation that found it was buying large homes for more than $1 million"
Now you are getting to see why they are $8.5 billion in the hole.
The reports said the cash-strapped Postal Service is doing a poor job tracking its use of no-bid contracts, contributes more to worker health and life insurance benefits than other federal agencies, and should consider closing more of its regional offices to help address an expected $230 billion, 10-year budget gap.
Well, it is based and patterned after the military.
The Postal Service recently reported billions of dollars in losses because of declining mail volume.
And RIP-OFFS like THESE!
But last week, the Postal Regulatory Commission rejected its request for a 2 cent increase in the price of a first-class stamp, from the current 44 cents to 46 cents. It is locked in negotiations with two of its largest unions.
The Postal Service has awarded more than 2,700 contracts to former employees since 1991 and awarded 17 no-bid deals to former executives between 2006 and 2009, according to one of the audits. Most of those executives earned six-figure sums, the report said.
We call it LOOTING out here!
One unnamed executive received a $260,000 no-bid deal in July 2009 to train his successor just two months after retiring.
Why?
“It appears unethical to hire back former executives at nearly twice their former pay to advise new executives who were placed in their position based on their expertise and years of Postal Service experience,’’ the report said.
Who ever said government was ethical?
“There is also employee morale and public image issues management must consider when the Postal Service is closing post offices and seeking a reduced delivery schedule.’’
Oh, THAT is ALL THEY CARE ABOUT!
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And as I am typing this the mail comes.
The guy delivered a letter for next door here.
Sigh! Too busy talking on his cellphone!
"Panel rejects 2-cent increase in postage stamp cost" by Natasha T. Metzler, Associated Press | October 1, 2010
WASHINGTON — The independent panel overseeing the US Postal Service rejected yesterday the agency’s request to increase the cost of mailing a letter by 2 cents, keeping first-class stamps at 44 cents.
Ruth Goldway, chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission, suggested at a news conference that the problem with the proposal was more in the packaging than the plea.
They just don't get it.
In July, the Postal Service proposed raising first-class postage to 46 cents as part of a strategy for dealing with a worsening money shortfall. The request required the commission’s approval, because the margin of increase was higher than the rate of inflation. But the five-member panel unanimously voted no.
In light of the decision, the Postal Service has a number of options, including a legal appeal, filing a new special rate-increase request to the commission, or requesting a smaller rate increase that would be automatically approved for rising within the rate of inflation....
What a bunch of looters!
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And they NEVER GIVE UP!
"Postal Service tries again for rate hike" by Associated Press | October 23, 2010
WASHINGTON — The US Postal Service is trying again to get a rate increase next year.
Then we are BETTER OFF WITHOUT THEM!
The agency said yesterday it is appealing the Postal Regulatory Commission’s rejection of its requested increase.
The agency had asked for a 2-cent increase in the current 44-cent price for first-class stamps, beginning in January. Officials said the increase would help compensate for increasing losses caused by a drop in mail volume as a result of the weak economy, and a shift in communications and bill-paying to the Internet.
Yeah, ignore the million-dollar homes and triple-billing contractors.
The commission rejected that request on Sept. 30.
The Postal Service said it will ask a federal court of appeals in Washington to review the commission’s interpretation of the law that governs how prices can be set....
According to the Postal Service, the rate increase would generate about $2.3 billion in added annual revenue.
The agency is facing a $6 billion loss and has cut staff, taken steps to close offices, and asked Congress for permission to reduce mail delivery to five days a week.
Again, nothing about the rank corruption.
The Postal Service is an arm of the federal government but does not receive tax dollars for its operations.
So when is their bailout?
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Time for me to go deliver a letter.
Update:
Letter carrier wasn’t fired over alleged attack, officials say
The Smoking Gun published Hingham police reports showing that 60-year-old Erika Winchester had been previously arrested for drunken driving and for trespassing at a community theater, where she allegedly warned cast members that they would “get it with a machine gun.’’
The report said she also threatened to “chop off’’ the arresting police officer’s genitals.
Fun girl.
