USPS News 
Top News
- Sequestration, budget cuts taking their toll on DoD
- Small companies won't feel effect of lowered contractor pay cap
- GSA trying innovative approaches to disposing of real property
- IRS draws new criticism over $70M employee bonuses
- VA identifying project managers, then improving their skills
- OMB sets new deadlines to improve data on USASpending.gov
- As VA works to eliminate one backlog, one more might emerge
- BRAC-like commission proposed to hunt down government cost savings
- Postal Service closing Capitol Hill offices
- Web guru Dorris brings new life to government websites
- Navy strikes enterprise licensing deal with Oracle
- Contractors with security clearances lack path to report problems
- 8 contract executives guilty of 8(a) contracting fraud
All things federal
Host Mike Causey will talk about the top federal stories with Federal Times reporters Stephen Losey and Sean Reilly.
April 25, 2012
Senate OKs postal reform bill
The Senate approved a bipartisan bill Wednesday aiming to restructure the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service. The final bill refunds USPS overpayments to the federal retirement system and clears the way for the agency to reduce its workforce by 100,000 positions but throws several hurdles in the agency's path toward closing underused postal facilities.
Senate OKs postal amendments to limit conference spending, stave off closures
In a marathon series of votes Tuesday, the Senate considered more than a dozen amendments to a postal reform bill, approving a provision to limit all federal agencies' spending on conferences, but voting down an amendment expanding the federal workers' compensation program. Lawmakers also rejected an amendment that would have required retirement-eligible USPS employees to retire without a buyout payment. The Senate will resume voting on amendments Wednesday at 2 p.m. before voting on a final version of the 21st Century Postal Service Act.
Postal bill amendment seeks to cut backlog ahead of USPS retirement 'deluge'
An amendment to a Senate bill aiming to restructure the U.S. Postal Service's financial framework would institute new agency reporting requirements for retiring federal workers in anticipation of a "deluge of retirees" from USPS. Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), introduced an amendment last week that requires the Office of Personnel Management to take new steps to chip away at the longstanding backlog of federal retirement claims.
The Incredible Shrinking Postal Service
Even if you never, or hardly ever, go to a Post Office there's a good chance you went there Tuesday to mail your taxes, and get an SOS from some worried postal employees, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
USPS plans for workforce cuts as Senate expected to take up reform bill
This week the Senate is expected to take up legislation to reform the Postal Service. The bill could close post offices, end Saturday deliveries and return funds the Postal Service as pre-paid for retiree health benefits. USPS already has started considering how it would operate with a slimmed-down workforce.
What's new at the U.S. Postal Service?
Bill Doucette, head of Federal Sector Sales at the U.S. Postal Service, joins host Roger Waldron to talk about some of the agency's programs and services.
April 3, 2012
OSC initiative zeroes in on worst vet discriminator - the government
The Office of Personnel Management recently reminded federal agencies that the White House has "zero tolerance" for discriminating against veterans in hiring and promotions. But the federal government is still one of the biggest offenders. Patrick Boulay from the Office of Special Counsel told the Federal Drive about a new pilot program aimed at streamlining the complaint process for veterans in the federal government.
CBO: House postal reform bill to save $20B in decade
The bill — introduced last summer by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) — would eliminate Saturday mail delivery, close mail processing facilities, require postal employees to pay the same percentage in their health and life insurance premiums as federal employees do, and allow the Postal Service to use nearly $11 billion in surplus retirement contributions.
USPS plan to set up own health plan faces lawmakers' skepticism
Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe testified today before a House subcommittee saying a USPS-sponsored plan would save $7 billion a year. Such a plan, Donahoe said, would offer equal or better coverage to current employees and retirees.
Union objects to Postal Service plan to withdraw from FEHBP
The Postal Service is on Capitol Hill today pitching its strategy to withdraw employees from the federal health insurance program.
Senate debates future of Postal Service
The Senate will take a procedural vote today to start debating on bipartisan legislation, S.1789.
USPS supporter in Senate criticizes postmaster general
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a staunch USPS supporter, takes Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to task for pursuing a plan to close thousands of postal facilities in order to save $7.1 billion annually.
SES mobility not 'musical chairs'
Host Mike Causey will talk career mobility with
Carol Bonosaro, president of the Senior
Executives Service. Federal Times Senior Writers
Stephen Losey and Sean Reilly will talk about
how pending legislation in Congress will affect
your pay and benefits.
March 14, 2012
Retirements, buyouts, and downsizing
NARFE's David Snell and Federal Times reporters Stephen Losey and Sean Reilly join host Mike Causey to talk about the issues affecting your job and retirement.
March 7, 2012
OSHA suing Postal Service over whistleblower retaliation
Vincent Melehy, federal employment expert and an attorney with Melehy and Associates, joins The Federal Drive with Tom Temin to offer his analysis of the case.
Feds have become 'easy pickings' for Congress, FMA says
Host Mike Causey will discuss federal pay and
benefits with Federal Times Senior Writer Stephen
Losey and Federal Managers Association Legislative
Director Jessica Klement.
February 29, 2012
Cardin: Scaling back USPS service to save money 'counterproductive'
There are a number of proposals to put the cash-strapped Postal Service on firmer financial ground. But Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) says many of them would reduce the service levels the public has come to expect and further drive away business. He joined In Depth with Francis to discuss why he thinks maintaining service levels is the best framework for fixing the Postal Service's finances.
USPS says piecemeal approach to cost-savings plan won't do
The Postal Service's revamped five-year business plan, which is aimed at putting the troubled agency on firmer financial ground, is made up of a number of elements. But Joe Corbett, the USPS chief financial officer, said that all of the changes the agency recommends need to be taken up in order to restore the Postal Service to financial stability.
USPS to shutter, consolidate more than half of mail-processing centers
The U.S. Postal Service recommends cutting its network of mail-processing centers in half, capping a five-month review of its facilities as part of a plan to restore it to financial stability. Of 264 facilities examined, 223 will be consolidated or closed. USPS officials projects the closures will affect 30,000 full-time employees.
