May 6, 2008

According to Business Week, "Coupons are making a comeback. In the face of rising food prices and a slowing economy, consumers are clipping coupons once again. Only, they don't need scissors and a local newspaper so much as a computer, printer, and maybe a mobile phone."

Reuters has reported that "Barnes & Noble Inc, the world's largest bookseller, said on Tuesday it will sell digital and print magazine subscriptions though its online segment, BN.com."

According to Reuters, "Newspapers seeking to compete with the Internet are likely to become free and place greater emphasis on comment and opinion in the future, a survey of the world's editors showed on Tuesday. The report, conducted by Zogby International for the World Editors Forum and Reuters, revealed that newspaper editors were still optimistic about the future of their publications but believed they would have to adapt further for the digital age. According to the survey, 56 percent of respondents believed that the majority of news, be it via print or online, would be free in the future."

Syslore Ltd. Itella Mail Communication and the Finnish software company Syslore Ltd. have signed a contract for the delivery of an address recognition system for mail sorting and electronic message delivery services. By adopting the Syslore mCorrection® Receiver Matching EngineTM (RME) fuzzy matching system, Itella will improve the address and receiver recognition quality in their hybrid and electronic message delivery service and increase the level of automation in their mail sorting process. mCorrection RME system incorporates new-generation computing algorithms that can recognise faulty, inaccurate and incorrect address and receiver data more effectively and more precisely than was possible before. The system will be deployed to all Itella address recognition processes by 2010 in Finland and abroad.

From ProNews: "May, 2007 postal rate case. Flat size mailers received a blow to the chin in the form of one of the most onerous rate increases in recent memory on flats. This particularly impacted mailers of small catalogs and other self-mailers. The USPS advised flats mailers to re-design their mailpieces into automation letters often called "slim jims" in order to avoid the significant increases in flats postage rates. As a result many mailers have followed the advice of the USPS and these types of letter-size booklets and folded self-mailers have been significantly increasing in volume. The Postal Service now says that many of the letter automation designs being used, while in compliance with existing Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) specifications, cannot be processed on letter sorting equipment."

From Media-Newswire: "The United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) and the Universal Postal Union ( UPU ) have agreed to work together to slash the CO2 emissions caused by members of the postal sector. Under the agreement signed in Berne last week by Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP, and Edouard Dayan, Director General of the UPU, UNEP will help the UPU calculate the volumes of greenhouse gases generated by the postal sector, using a clearly-defined methodology. The UPU's International Bureau is shortly to launch a survey of the organization's 191 member countries, to collect data on the sector as a whole, including buildings and vehicles, the mileage these vehicles cover, and the volumes of fuel consumed. Once this information has been gathered, UNEP will help the UPU develop a method to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the postal sector. The UPU and UNEP will then offer postal operators a range of solutions to cut these emissions, and will monitor the impact of these measures from year to year."

Management Today has reported that "Big business is the surprise benefactor of competition in the postal market, according to a new report. The end of the Royal mail’s 350 year monopoly in 2006 has seen a boom in competition in the bulk mail business, with a consequent lowering of prices and (arguably) improvement in service offered to large organisations. That sounds suspiciously like good news for a change."

PR Watch has noted that "A recent blog about the pro-junk mail lobby and its front group Mail Moves America, a coalition of businesses that oppose efforts to create a legislated "Do Not Mail" list to protect citizens from being showered with unwanted junk mail, drew many comments. Junk mail is clearly a hot topic that arouses strong emotions on all sides. As electronic mail moves closer to overtaking paper mail as the medium of choice for written communication, it is clear that the Post Office remains an essential way to communicate and transfer goods. Still, many people are overwhelmed with junk mail and have little idea how to stop it."

Caribbean Net News has reported that "postal service for the people of the US Virgin Islands, Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen has asked the US Postal Service’s Inspector General, David Williams to investigate the unacceptable level of USPS mail service in the territory."

BBC has reported that "The liberalisation of the UK postal service has produced "no significant benefits" for either households or small businesses, a report has said. That is the initial finding of an independent review of the UK postal sector commissioned by the government. It warned there was now a threat to the Royal Mail's financial stability."

According to Bloomberg, "Deutsche Post AG, Europe's biggest postal service, replaced the head of the DHL Express unit's U.S. operations as the company tries to turn the division around. Ken Allen, 52, previously chief of DHL Express in eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, is taking over from Hans Hickler, Chief Executive Officer Frank Appel said at the annual shareholders meeting in Cologne, Germany, today. Hickler will remain on DHL Express's global management board, said Nicole Mommsen, a company spokeswoman.

Hellmail has reported that "The figures on prosecutions for theft at Royal Mail make for shocking reading, particularly for a service based on trust. Granted we do live in a more crime-ridden age with values such as honesty and integrity seemingly less important for some, but the main reason I started Hellmail was because I lost three parcels I was expecting, in one week. The only information Royal Mail would supply at that time, was that there 'had been an incident' - but they were not prepared to elaborate further. I was told I could do nothing and that the senders had to make a formal claim. I never did find out why my parcels did not arrive, and could only deduce what may have happened after reading almost a year later, about three men posing as postal workers, literally picking up mail sacks. It had gone on for months."

Traffic World has reported that "FedEx Corp. has awarded a four-year grant totaling $1 million to Teach For America to support its goals to grow in scale and diversity. Teach For America is the national corps of top college graduates who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity for all children."

Union Network International has noted that "The UNI affiliate, the EPMU, and the newly merged Postal Workers Union of Aotearoa (PWUA), have made joint claims for a new collective contract for postal workers in New Zealand Post. the claims include a wage rise and a number of claims around hours of work and shift rosters including the PWUA claiming that there be a 5 day week for postal delivery staff (now a 6 day week)."

From Business Wire: "R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company has developed a unique variable trim co-binding technology designed to provide customers with a critical strategic advantage as they seek to maximize postal savings. This industry leading capability allows for variably sized products to be co-mailed into a single, cost effective mail stream."

According to Jane Littrel, retired postmaster, in a letter to the Des Moines Register, "On the surface, the "do not mail" legislation proposed in several states appears to be a good thing. But, when the entire picture is considered, it falls into the "be careful what you wish for" category."

According to BloggingStocks, "When you need to ship a package, which company first comes to mind? According to last year's Battle of the Brands non-scientific poll, an overwhelming majority said they favored United Parcel Service Inc. over FedEx Corp. Higher fuel surcharges, a weak economy, reduced domestic package volume, and a recent push from the U.S. Postal Service have impacted both of these international shipping companies in the past year, but Americans still want the same quality service at a discount price."

May 5, 2008

USPS.OIG: The latest report has been posted on the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General website (http://www.uspsoig.gov/). If you have additional questions concerning the report, please contact Wally Olihovik at 703.248. 2201, or Agapi Doulaveris at 703.248.2286.

• Marysville (CA) Processing and Distribution Facility Consolidation (Report Number EN-AR-08-003) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/EN-AR-08-003.pdf

The New York Times has wondered "Can print media survive the transition to the Internet? A faltering economy is heightening the pressure on newspapers and magazines to find a sustaining future online, as the flight of readers and advertisers to the Web accelerates."

Federal Register:  The Postal Service has posted today its official rules for the 2008-2009 CASS/MASS Cycle M. The link below will take you to the Official Rules  Release document. The Postal Service also has posted answers to questions  raised by industry in its comments on Cycle M. If you need additional information or have specific issues the USPS can help you with, please feel free to call the USPS Certification Department at 800-642-2914. National Customer Support Center. CASS/MASS Certification Dept. Phone: 800-642-2914 Fax: 901-681-4440 Email: cassman.ncsc@usps.gov

JP.DK has reported that "The arrival of foreign competition and liberalisation of the national postal service may result in new postal codes Liberalisation of postal services may be the demise of the nation's 40-year-old postal codes as the system, devised and administered by Post Danmark, may undergo drastic reform in the upcoming liberalisation of the nation's postal service. One proponent of such a reform is Citymail, Post Danmark's only competitor."

The Wall Street Journal has reported that "The Associated Press and more than 100 of its member newspapers are launching a service Monday that will make news stories available on Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone and other mobile devices."

The New York Daily News has shared its thoughts on "How to lick higher postage prices."

From PR Newswire: "Endicia is hosting a series of educational, 30-minute webinars entitled "May 12, 2008 USPS Price Change -- Endicia Makes It Easy," led by Senior Product Specialist, Mike Colegate. Colegate explains the new discounts, USPS offerings, shipping pricing and more."

From Business Wire: "FedEx Truckload Brokerage, Inc., a subsidiary of FedEx Custom Critical, Inc., can now meet its customers’ needs for truckload shipments between the U.S. and Canada. When the company launched in January 2007, it focused solely on U.S. shipments. With the addition of Canadian coverage, customers can now receive truckload solutions for select provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta."

From the U.S. Postal Service: "Effective May 12, prices for Express Mail, the Postal Service’s premier overnight service, will be lower at the weights and in the delivery zones used by most customers. Also, the Postal Service will offer price incentives for both Express Mail and Priority Mail, its two- to three-day shipping service. Online users and commercial Priority Mail customers will see lower prices, while high-volume Express Mail shippers will get quarterly rebates and price reductions. These savings are now possible due to a recent change in federal law."

The National Association of Major Mail Users has noted that "New Council Director, Jim Wiseman, Transcontinental – RBW, is currently finalizing the agenda in collaboration with Dale Bemben, Product Manager, Publications Mail, for the planned Council meeting, May 27th. Agenda items will include a status report on address correction for publishers, an important program that has positive ramifications for other types of mail. Members will be sent their meeting information shortly."

Bloomberg has reported that "Deutsche Post AG, Europe's biggest postal service, rose the most in more than three months in German trading after the company said first-quarter operating profit increased and met its forecasts. Deutsche Post gained as much as 65 cents, or 3.2 percent, to 20.88 euros, the biggest jump since Jan. 24, and was up 2.8 percent as of 11:54 a.m. in Frankfurt. That pared the stock's decline this year to 12 percent. Earnings before interest and taxes, excluding one-time gains or costs, increased from a year earlier and were ``in line with our targets and guidance,'' Bonn-based Deutsche Post said in a statement today. Business ``was very satisfactory.'' The company is scheduled to release figures for the quarter on May 14."

The Philadelphia Examiner has reported that "The U.S. Postal Service commissioned Burlingame-based TrackingTheWorld to create the world’s first letter-tracking GPS device that will ensure letters never again are lost in the postal Bermuda Triangle. Dubbed the Letter Logger, the device stores GPS coordinates throughout its journey and stores information on its micro-SD flash memory card so the post office can keep tabs on the letter’s location. The Letter Logger weighs just two ounces and is 3.9-by-1.5 inches. It is placed inside a regular No. 10 envelope and can operate for two weeks. The recipient of the chip can then upload the GPS data onto their computer and see the envelope’s route on Google Earth."

The Bangkok Post put it rather succinctly, "R.I.P. the telegram."

According to the Times Leader, "Community members and groups looking for ways to support U.S. troops fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas can take advantage of programs offered by the U.S. Postal Service and the Adopt a U.S. Soldier program, online at www.adoptaussoldier.org."

IndyBay.org has reported that "The day after International Workers Day, San Francisco postal workers showed their strength at the Bryant Annex at Bryant and 15th Street. About 100 workers threw up a lively picket line that stretched half a block, demanding the removal of Mail Carrier Supervisor Ron Malig because of is his chronic abusive behavior. This was an informational picket, and so did not block the entrance to the post office. The action happened from 4 to 7 p.m., and was called for by the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO, Golden Gate Branch 214. The picketers carried signs reading, “Ron Malig Is Hostile and Cruel,” “It’s Impossible To Work With Ron Malig,” and “First Class Stamp 42 Cents, Gallon of Gas $4, Being Abused By Ron Malig, Priceless.” The picketers chanted with gusto, “What Do We Want, Ron Malig To Go, When Do We Want It, Now!”

May 4, 2008

Royal Mail has been requested by Postcomm, the UK postal regulator, to demonstrate that industrial action last year, which saw mail pile up in delivery and sorting offices, was wholly the result of transformation plans, and that the industrial action only had caused a drop in quality of service.

One writer for the Star Gazettee maintains that "Based on the amount of junk mail I get, it is the only industry in the U.S. that is thriving and not affected by the economy, the cost of oil or the billion-plus people in China who we blame for the rising price of everything. That's why junk mail officials keep tabs on postal customers. Without our mailboxes to stuff, the junk mail industry would collapse and the nation would plunge into a recession, depression and regression."

The Sun Coast Daily has reported that "Australia Post has embarked on a major redevelopment of its Nambour mail-processing facility and is upgrading its other Sunshine Coast delivery centres in preparation for major population growth."

May 3, 2008

DM News has reported that "Despite efforts by the US Postal Service as well as some direct mail service companies such as Pitney Bowes, news about the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMB) may not be reaching the majority of mailers."

RTE News has reported that "Postmasters throughout the country have backed an appeal by the St Vincent De Paul to keep rural post offices open. Both organisations want the Government to make it obligatory to maintain branches and have warned of the damage their closure could have on the disadvantaged."

United Press International has reported that: "Canadian postal workers are bent on eliminating delivery to rural areas based on safety concerns, officials said. The Ottawa Citizen reported Saturday there are 843,000 roadside mailboxes in Canada, and Canada Post is spending $500 million to review the safety of each of them using criteria developed by three consulting firms.

   
The latest issue of the PostCom Bulletin is available online. In this issue:

• The Postal Service this week updated MTAC meeting attendees on operational changes it is making to achieve the modern service standards for market-dominant products finalized in December 2007, which the USPS said are now in effect. The changes include new Critical Entry Times, a new color-coding policy to support achievement of the service standards for Standard Mail, streamlining and standardizing mail flow processes, and potential changes to mail preparation and entry.
• In addition to a lengthy dialog on its new service standards and operational changes in support of those standards, the Postal Service leadership team also dedicated a considerable portion of the MTAC meeting agenda to discussing its plans to implement service performance measurement. The USPS said although it has committed to begin some type of measurement for all market-dominant products October 1, 2008, it does not mean the entire realm of mail volume will be measured at that point.
• The U.S. Postal Service this week published its proposed rule for Intelligent Mail Barcode implementation in the Federal Register, with comments due to the USPS by May 30, 2008. The USPS provided additional information on some of the open issues around the proposed rules at the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee meeting this week. The agency also urged MTAC members to submit their key comments as early as possible and submit additional comments later in the comment period if necessary.
• In response to the recent industry outcry about the negative impacts of wood pallets on mailer and USPS operations, the Postal Service told this week’s Mailers Technical Advisory Committee meeting that it has purchased 500,000 new plastic pallets that are lighter weight and cheaper than the traditional plastic pallets. The Postal Service also said it is forming a new non-MTAC workgroup that will look at longer term issues around Mail Transport Equipment inventory management.
• The Postal Service this week reported the number of zones to be processed by Flats Sequencing System equipment in the Phase 1 deployment has been increased from 1,500 to 1,800 zones as a result of a continuing decline in flats volume. While the number of FSS machines deployed in Phase 1 will not change, more zones are necessary to achieve the necessary volumes.
•  Mailers should prepare now for changes to the Move Update requirement that will take effect November 23. Mailers should run their addresses through an approved Move Update method between August 20 and November 23 to be compliant with those changes.
• The USPS made Repositionable Notes a permanent classification April 4. Now, in advance of publishing its final rule, the Postal Service says the notes have proven compatible with postal automation letter and flat processing equipment that over a three-year testing period. The notes were among the Postal Service’s early products based on “value pricing.”
• House postal oversight hearing scheduled for May 8. PRC seeking comments on Universal Service Obligation. USPS says sales of Forever Stamps are soaring. Postal Service reissues popular Purple Heart stamp. New Postal Service Inspector General reports posted online. Union issue a tag-on to FAA reauthorization bill. NALC food drive set for May 10. Aloha Airlines ends inter-island cargo service.German postal workers get seven percent raise. Britain’s Postcomm: Help wanted at the top. UPS offers business advice podcasts for Canada.
• A list of upcoming postal-related events.

The PostCom Bulletin is distributed via NetGram

May 2, 2008

The latest copy of the National Association of Postmasters of the U.S. electronic governmental affairs newsletter is available on the NAPUS web site. Be sure to read "NAPUS Helps Deflect Overseas Ballot Privatization."

Federal Register:  The USPS has published in the Federal Register its proposed Intelligent Mail Barcode implementation rules. Comments must be submitted by May 30, 2008, and the USPS at the MTAC meetings earlier this week encouraged stakeholders to submit comments with their key issues as early as possible, even if it means submitting additional comments closer to the closing date.

The Ottawa Sun has reported that "Canada Post's new union president is warning Canadians that their mail delivery could be in jeopardy and hundreds of jobs could be lost."

Canada NewsWire has reported that "Purolator Courier Ltd. and Teamsters Canada have reached a new tentative agreement for a contract renewal for Purolator's couriers, package handlers, transport truck drivers and owner/operators across Canada."

As Hellmail has noted, "Health and wellbeing initiatives introduced by Royal Mail Group could hold the key to reducing the impact of absence across the UK’s worst performing sectors and deliver savings of £1.45 billion a year, a study by the London School of Economics revealed today. In its ‘ Value of Rude Health’ report - the result of a unique, year-long study - the London School of Economics also calculated that the value of Royal Mail Group’s approach to tackling absence could bring more than 94,000 people absent through illness or injury back into work more quickly."

The Star has reported that "Deutsche Post AG, Europe's biggest postal service, will raise wages for 130,000 employees to avert a strike that would have brought German mail delivery to a halt. Deutsche Post and the Ver. di. labour union agreed to a 4 per cent pay increase effective Nov. 1 and another 3 per cent raise starting in December 2009, the Bonn-based mail carrier said in a statement yesterday. Employees will also receive a one-time payment of 200 euros ($310 U.S.).

Traffic World has reported that "DHL Express, a leading provider of global express services, has today announced it will improve its carbon efficiency by 30 percent by 2020. The company has set strict targets, reducing emissions per package sent, ton transported and square meter of real estate used initially by 10 percent by 2012, and by 30 percent by 2020 when compared to 2007 levels."

May 1, 2008

You can find the "Preliminary Revenue, Pieces, And Weight By Classes Of Mail And Special Services For Quarter 2 Fiscal Year 2008 (Jan. 1, 2008-Mar. 31, 2008) Compared With The Corresponding Period Of Fiscal Year 2007" posted on the Postal Regulatory web site.

AllAfrica.com has reported that "The director of information and communication in the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, has revealed that the postal policy and new postal legislation are near completion after both documents were subjected to extensive stakeholder sensitisation. He listed the objectives of the postal reform including; "to grant the postal sector sufficient autonomy to run its own affairs; guarantee all segments of the population access to universal service; provision of quality services which support the Universal Service Obligation (USO); separate between operators, regulator and policy makers; ensure an open, liberalised market with equal opportunity for all competitors; guarantee economic viability of the public postal operator; ensure that the population had access to services according to the technological evolution of the postal service; and ahieve quality standards similar to best international practice."

Federal Register:  The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service will meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at 11:30 a.m.; and Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC.

According to the Timmins Daily Press, "For an organization that relies heavily on communicating with members of the public, Canada Post has sure blown it when it comes to eliminating its parcel pickup service in downtown Timmins. Without any notification whatsoever to any member of city council or citizen in this community, Canada Post has decided to basically contract out its parcel service to two Shoppers Drug Mart locations - one west of the downtown core and another in the new location which recently opened further down Algonquin Boulevard East. Businesses and citizens who had become used to picking up and dropping off parcels at Canada Post's downtown terminal at the corner of Balsam Street and Second Avenue will now have to travel to either one of the Shoppers locations. This is certainly not the end of the world, but by proceeding with a major decision like this and not telling any of its customers is certainly not a good way to conduct business."

The Borneo Bulletin has reported that "To upgrade the quality of mail services as well as the mail process in the country, the Postal Service Department employed the services of a consultant from the Asian-Pacific Postal College (APPC), Bangkok, Thailand."

According to Thaindian News, "Swiss Post International (SPI), one of Europe’s leading postal organisations, Thursday launched its Indian operations in partnership with Mail Order Solutions (MOS). According to the agreement, MOS, an India-based company specialised in offering direct marketing (DM) solutions to advertisers and marketers, will operate as a sales agent of SPI in the country, said a MOS spokesperson."

As DC Velocity has noted, "From the pony express to its experiments with missile-based mail delivery, the USPS has never been shy about trying new ventures. Now it's making a play for a bigger share of the international business-mail market, and Paul Vogel's in charge."

The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2008 White House Closing the Circle (CTC) Awards. (Congratulations to the U.S. Postal Service on winning five of these awards.) This annual program is required by Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management, and recognizes outstanding Federal environmental stewardship

The Jerusalem Post has reported that "The Canadian Union of Postal Workers passed a resolution at its national convention in April supporting the international campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, labeling it an "apartheid state" and calling on the Canadian government to increase humanitarian aid to the Palestinians."

Hellmail has reported that "The Communication Workers Union which represents most postal workers at Royal Mail, has responded to Postcomm's Strategy Review for further changes to the UK postal market. The CWU, which has been a consistent critic of the liberalisation of the UK postal market, says that deregulation in the UK was too soon and that Postcomm has put the pursuit of competition ahead of safeguarding the USO. The union said it was also strongly opposed to any ownership separation of Royal Mail’s activities. The CWU did not agree such separation has been successful in other regulated industries and did not see a need for greater accounting transparency and that moves to split Royal Mail should not be at the expense of an efficient and integrated Royal Mail. "The nature of Royal Mail’s operations makes it an unsuitable candidate for such a costly, time-consuming and unpopular exercise." it said."

From Canada NewsWire: "Reaching out a helping hand to Canada's small business market, UPS Canada today announced the launch of a new advice-oriented podcast series called Logistically Speaking. Hosted by Canadian small business expert, journalist and blogger, Rick Spence, the podcasts will be available for download through iTunes and other podcast directories, as well as on UPS.com."

The Hill has reported that "Senate Democrats have spared Federal Express, for the time being, from a labor-backed provision that would give a big boost to its rival, the United Parcel Service (UPS). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill being debated on the Senate floor does not include language that would make it easier for unions to organize workers at FedEx. While FedEx has won a reprieve, the fight is not over."

Dow Jones has reported that "The European Commission Wednesday cleared EUR1.1 billion in aid paid by the Italian government to the country's post office, Poste Italiane, to cover the cost of providing a nationwide postal service."

Chennai Online has reported that "The Central Region of the Tamil Nadu Postal Department has achieved the highest business of Rs 1,017 crore from the 'Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI)' during the year 2007-08, against a target of Rs 690 crore, Post Master General (Central Region) S P Rajalingam said Wednesday."