Bernie Sanders to Postal Service: Relaxed Mail Standards “a Disaster”

In an August 26, 2015 Washington Post article, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (D-VT) addressed problems with the US Postal Service. He called the recent cost-cutting measure of closing mail processing plants a “disaster that is negatively impacting Americans all over this country.” Senator Sanders called the US Postal Service’s required pre-funding of future health-care…

Amazon Looks to USPS to Deliver the Goods

Beginning in October of 2014, the Postal Service has been successfully delivering groceries for Amazon customers in certain cities including San Francisco and New York. And, similar delivery services could expand. Postmaster General Megan Brennan told Bloomberg Business that the USPS is seeking more customers who are interested in customized delivery of their products. Amazon…

New USPS Sorting Machines Can Sort 6,000+ Small Parcels per Hour

The USPS is pilot testing new small package sorting equipment as part of an effort to grow its package delivery service. Earlier this year, USPS installed the Small Parcel Sorting System (SPSS) machines in select facilities in Florida, Arizona, California, Texas and New York. The machines have been hugely productive. The SPSS machines can sort…

News About P.O. Boxes

New post office services and features are available at 8,400 competitive post offices. A competitive post office means the USPS provides some of the same services offered by its competitors at comparable prices. Here are some new services for PO Boxes that are available at many of these 8,400 post offices:  Baker’s Dozen: 13 months…

Renewal Options in the USPS Lease

The landlord needs to review his or her USPS lease periodically if it contains a renewal option or a series of renewal options. When the USPS is exercising a renewal option, the USPS is required to give the landlord notice during a specific time period. If the Postal Service does not exercise the option before…

USPS No Longer Insisting on Five-Day Mail Delivery

In 2010, the Postal Service sought to end Saturday mail delivery, which it estimated would save approximately $3 billion per year. However, as the economy has improved and postal reform legislation has stalled in Congress, the USPS has backed away from its insistence on five-day delivery. Instead, the Postal Service is concentrating on optimizing its…

The Inspectors’ is a Fall TV Show about Postal Inspectors

Beginning on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 10:30 a.m., CBS will air a weekly program featuring the Postal Service Inspection Service. The 30-minute drama series will feature actress Jessica Lundy, a postal inspector, whose team specializes in consumer fraud and other postal crimes. Each week, “real life” Chief Postal Inspector Guy Cottrell will deliver a…

Digital Detectives Decode Unreadable Addresses

If you’ve ever wondered how the Postal Service can decipher illegible handwriting, the answer is at the USPS Remote Encoding Center in Salt Lake City, UT. Each of the 1,500 postal employees at the Center examines 7,000 images every day to determine where the indecipherable mail should be delivered. The majority of letters received by…

New Surface Visibility Device to Help USPS Grow Package Delivery

A new Surface Visibility (SV) device will allow USPS plant workers to scan mail and packages more efficiently. The lightweight mobile device will replace current equipment. Testing has been completed at plants in Dulles, VA and Nashua, NH. Postal employees at those facilities said that the SV device made their job easier. The device will…