Philately (continued)

They are issued in ascending numerical sequence in lots of 100 cards to SDOs and 50 cards to authorized CAG A-G Post Offices (see Handbook F-1, 423.43-2). When your current supply of PS Forms 3205 is depleted, order a new supply by submitting PS Form 3206, Order for Form 3205, which is shown in Figure 3.

Please note the new packing requirements. To facilitate the processing of your requisition, order only in the carton sizes shown on PS Form 3205 (Figure 2) and/or the chart of carton sizes shown in Figure 4. You must circle a specific packing size on PS Form 3205 or you will receive the 2,500-size carton for the #10 and #9 envelopes, and the 5,000-size carton for the #6-3/4 envelopes, for quantities in those amounts or greater. When ordering full pallets of envelopes, refer to Figure 5 for the standard palletized quantities used to meet new Postal Service shipping and stacking requirements.

The EP-10E envelope, preaddressed to SFS can be ordered as follows:

• Touch Tone Order Entry: Call 1-800-332-0317, option 1, then option 2.

• cc:Mail: Send an F3Fill-completed PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition, to MDC Customer Service at TOKS001L.

• Mail: Send a completed PS Form 7380 to the following address:

SUPPLY REQUISITIONS
500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR
TOPEKA KS 66624-9702

The relevant ordering information for the EP-10E envelope is as follows:

PSN: 7530-01-364-7065
PSIN: EP-10E
Unit of Issue: EA
Quick Pick#: N/A
Bulk Pack Quantity: 2,500
Price: $0.0545
Edition Date: 10/99

If you have not already done so, please order this new envelope immediately, and destroy all previous issues of EP-10E envelope. Using the new envelope will speed up the delivery and processing of your requisition.

Emergency Requisitions

If you need stamped envelopes urgently to fulfill customer demand outside the normal requisitioning cycle, you may submit an emergency requisition. Submit a memorandum with the requisition listing the reason for the out-of-cycle order, the date the envelopes are required, the requisition number, the quantity and item, the signature of the local manager, and the Post Office telephone number, city, state, and ZIP Code. If this information is not included on the memo, the requisition will be processed as a normal requisition. Processing orders out-of-cycle increases shipping and handling cost, so please submit emergency requisitions only if you are unable to get stock from your SDO or accountable paper depository (APD).

Receipt of Stock

Examine each shipping carton to ascertain that all cartons are addressed to your office, that the seals are not broken, and that the cartons are not damaged. If there are any signs of tampering, report to the inspector in charge immediately (see Handbook F-1, 423.6-3).

Always enter the total value of the stock as noted on PS Form 3309, Advice of Shipment/Stamp Invoice, even if physical quantity is not the same. This amount has been charged to your finance number as of the date of shipment. If you enter a figure other than the total from PS Form 3309, you will receive a statement of difference from the postal data center (PDC). Allow 3 weeks from date of shipment before reporting full-carton nonreceipts to SFS. If you ordered the incorrect item, contact your SDO for permission to return or exchange the stock. If the contractor furnished you the incorrect item, contact SFS for information on how to receive a PS Form 3309 for stock received (Treat-As- Filled) or how to return stock to SFS for replacement if it cannot be used. To report nonreceipt of a carton or cartons, send a memo to SFS. Do not use PS Form 8144, Stamp Discrepancy Report, to report nonreceipts of full cartons or for incorrect items.

Shortages in Sealed Cartons

Report by telephone to Stamp Acquisition, Quality Assurance (202-268-6542), if one or more boxes of 500 are missing in a sealed carton. Follow up by reporting shortage on PS Form 8144 to the address on the form. Total all PS Forms 8144 at the end of the accounting period and file a claim for loss (see Handbook F-1, 423.72-2).

Include the "PLAIN PACKED BY" numbers shown on the preprinted panel on each inside box on the PS Form 8144 so that the contractor can be appropriately notified.

Shortages in Open/Damaged Cartons

If there are any signs of tampering and stock is missing from a carton, report it to the inspector in charge immediately (see Handbook F-1, 423.6-3).

Damaged Cartons

Handle stamped envelopes that are damaged according to Handbook F-1, Part 452.

Overages in Sealed Cartons

Report overages on PS Form 8144 immediately and send a copy to the address on the form. Send the overage stock with the original PS Form 8144 by registered mail to the following address:

US POSTAL SERVICE
STAMP DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
22403 RANDOLPH DR
DULLES VA 20103-0001

Include on the PS Form 8144 the "PLAIN PACKED BY" numbers shown on the preprinted panel on each inside box so that the contractor can be appropriately notified.

Defective Stock

Defective stock is not saleable and must remain the property of the Postal Service. It must be returned immediately to main stock and then to the SDO, if applicable. Follow the procedures for shortages as noted previously (report on PS Form 8144 and file a claim for loss).

Include the "PLAIN PACKED BY" numbers shown on the preprinted panel on each inside box on the PS Form 8144 so that the contractor can be appropriately notified.

Stamped Envelope Discount

Full boxes of stamped envelopes may be sold to customers using the rates shown in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) P020, which results in making sales at a discount. Your office was charged the individual price when the envelopes were shipped to you. Use PS Form 3220, Claim for Stamped Envelope Discount, to account for all full boxes of envelopes sold to customers at a discount (see Handbook F-1, 426.82).

Figure 1. Requisition Schedule FY 2002

Note: The requisition schedule for stamped envelopes is not the same as the schedule for stamps and postal cards.

Figure 4. Carton Sizes

Maximum quantity that can be ordered per requisition is 2,500,000.

* For quantities greater than 5,000, must order in multiples of 5,000.
** For quantities greater than 2,500, must order in multiples of 2,500.

Figure 5. Standard Palletized Quantities

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 12-27-01

ANNOUNCEMENT 02-A

2002 Stamps and Postal Stationery

"2002 Stamps and Postal Stationery" (Announcement 02-A, December 2001), which appears on page 5, is intended to replace the quarterly announcement of the same name, previously printed and sent to customers on request through Stamp Fulfillment Services in Kansas City. The announcement is a listing of stamps and postal stationery items scheduled for issuance during calendar year 2002. Post Offices may wish to post this schedule on their bulletin boards.

Customers may also be directed to access the Postal Bulletin through the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com, then by clicking on Info, and then Postal Periodicals and Publications.

This announcement will be updated every 2 to 3 months, as changes warrant.

How to Order First Day of Issue Cancellations and Covers

Customers may purchase new stamps or postal stationery items at their Post Office, from the USA Philatelic catalog, by calling 1 800 STAMP-24, or online at www.usps.com by clicking on Buy Stamps & More. Then they should prepare their own covers by affixing new stamps to the upper right corner of envelopes or postcards of their choice, and address those envelopes, postcards, or postal stationery items to themselves or others. (Postage must equal the current First-Class Mail rate.) For sturdiness, include a card of postcard thickness in each cover (envelopes only) submitted, and tuck in the flap. Place the cover in a larger envelope addressed to: NAME OF ISSUE, POSTMASTER, CITY, STATE, and ZIP CODE (followed by -9991). Covers submitted for first day of issue cancellations may include additional uncancelled stamps only if the uncancelled stamps were issued before the first day of issue of the new stamps or postal stationery items. All orders must be postmarked on or before the deadline indicated in the "2002 Stamps and Postal Stationery" announcment that follows.

The U.S. Postal Service offers uncacheted first day covers for new stamp issues and postal stationery items post-marked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has its own catalog number in USA Philatelic, issued quarterly. Customers may request a free catalog by phoning 1 800 STAMP-24, by sending an email to sfs@email.usps.gov, or by writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT, DEPT 6270, US POSTAL SERVICE, PO BOX 219014, KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014.

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 12-27-01

2002 STAMPS AND POSTAL STATIONERY
This schedule is subject to change. Announcement 02-A (December 2001)

This is a periodic announcement of new stamps and postal stationery items being issued during the calendar year. For additional information on stamps and stamp products visit our Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com.

C: Change in previously announced date and/or site
N: New issue
P: Pictorial first day postmark
+ Customers must affix additional postage to bring total postage to at least the minimum First-Class Mail rate for an envelope (34 cents) or stamped
card (21 cents), depending on which is used. Also, the cost for a stamped envelope is the value of the postage plus 8 cents, and the cost for a
stamped card is the value of the postage plus 2 cents.

Pictorial Cancellations Announcement

As a community service, the Postal Service offers pictorial cancellations to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. A list of events for which pictorial cancellations are authorized appears below. If available, the sponsor of the pictorial cancellation appears in italics under the date. Also provided, as space permits, are illustrations of those cancellations that were reproducible and available at press time.

People attending these local events may obtain the cancellation in person at the temporary post office station established there. Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the cancellation, may submit a mail order request. Pictorial cancellations are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial cancellation date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail postage. Items submitted for cancellation may not include postage issued after the date of the requested cancellation. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a cancellation should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others,insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: PICTORIAL CANCELLATIONS, followed by the NAME OF THE STATION,ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP + 4 CODE, exactly as listed below (using all capitals and no punctuation, except thehyphen in the ZIP + 4 code).

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for cancellation, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial cancellation, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 12-27-01

Special Cancellation Die Hubs

Postmasters and plant managers who have any of the special cancellation die hubs listed below may use them for the periods designated. At the end of the period, these die hubs must be withdrawn and stored. Postmasters and plant managers who do not have these special die hubs may not request them from the sponsors.

Post Offices

Postal Employees

RURAL CARRIERS

Equipment Maintenance Allowance Rate Schedule for Rural Routes

In accordance with provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.3 of the Rural Carrier National Agreement, effective December 29, 2001 (pay period 2-02), the equipment maintenance allowance (EMA) will decrease from 39.0 cents per mile to 38.0 cents per mile.

The EMA is 38.0 cents per mile, or a minimum of $15.20 per day, whichever is greater.

Auxiliary Rural Carriers, Rural Carrier Reliefs, Rural Carrier Associates, Rural Carrier Part-Time Flexibles, and Auxiliary Assistance

Employees providing auxiliary assistance or serving auxiliary routes under provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.5, receive an EMA of 38.0 cents per mile or $4.40 per hour, whichever is greater. This EMA should not exceed the amount provided in the special EMA for the route stops and miles.

EMA Rate Schedule

The EMA rate schedule on pages 19-20 supersedes all previously published EMA rate schedules for employees receiving EMA.

Optional EMA Rate

The optional EMA rate, effective November 3, 2001, remains at 58.1 cents per mile.

- Collective Bargaining and Arbitration,Labor Relations, 12-27-01

Safety Bulletin

Attention Postal Drivers! - Holiday Pedestrian Safety

Unfortunately, there have been two pedestrian accidents involving children in the last several weeks. The Postal Service operates one of the largest fleets of motor vehicles in the U.S., and we must drive safely at all times. The holiday season is here, which includes winter's bad weather, decreased visibility, and ice and snow in much of the U.S. The holiday season also brings many more pedestrians and children out onto streets and sidewalks.

For postal drivers, this means millions more possibilities that unwary young pedestrians may wander into roads or dart into streets from between parked cars or hidden places. This is a test of anyone's defensive driving skills! However, a truly defensive driver recognizes when he or she must take preventive action to avert an accident. A defensive driver anticipates the need to slow down, stop, or yield the right-of-way to avoid an accident. Pedestrian safety is paramount. Please take extra care at this time of the year.

In the U.S., pedestrian-related fatalities account for about 13 percent of all motor vehicle-related deaths. In 1998 alone, 5,220 pedestrians died from traffic-related injuries and 69,000 pedestrians sustained nonfatal injuries. The National Safety Council and the Center for Disease Control report that pedestrian fatalities related to motor vehicle accidents are second only to vehicle occupant fatalities.

Unfortunately, children are at highest risk. In 1998, children aged 15 years and younger were 30 percent of all nonfatal pedestrian injuries, 11 percent of all pedestrian fatalities, and 18 percent of non-traffic-related fatalities. These statistics include vehicle incidents in driveways and other nonpublic roads. Twenty-five percent of children aged 5-9 years who were killed in traffic crashes had been pedestrians. Statistics indicate that all age groups are most at risk when crossing at or entering between intersections, and children under 5 years old are most vulnerable when standing or playing in roads.

What do these tragic statistics mean? Drivers must be on high alert for children and pedestrians, especially at this time of year.

Despite training, parent instruction, and admonition provided to children, they do run and play in streets. And more dangerously, they play near streets and leap out suddenly to chase a ball or a dog, or they sled into a street by accident.

When you drive your vehicle or deliver mail, always take these precautions:

1. Never back up a vehicle to redeliver a missed box. Get out and walk to the back of the vehicle if you can do so safely.

2. Never give mail to children from the vehicle. If children approach, stop the vehicle, get out, and ask them to move away from the vehicle before driving away. If available, ask an adult for assistance.

3. If you have any doubts about whether children or other pedestrians are around your vehicle, do not depend exclusively on your mirrors. "GOAL" - get out and look. Double check around and under entire vehicle before proceeding.

4. Always yield to pedestrians crossing the road or at crosswalks; not only is it the law in most states, it is the right thing to do.

5. If an ice cream vendor enters a neighborhood, watch in all directions for approaching children.

6. Pay attention to the lone child walking along the street. A single youngster is much more likely to be overlooked than several together.

7. Watch for children and others on roller skates, skateboards, in-line skates (such as Roller bladesTM), sleds, or skis. They require a driver's extreme alertness, because they can lose control or roll down a driveway or hill into the street.

8. Watch carefully for bicyclists, especially young or novice riders, and provide them plenty of room.

9. Take extra care near schools or playgrounds.

10. Slow down when you see a ball roll in the street, for a child is likely to follow. Be prepared to stop quickly.

11. When children are near your vehicle, "GOAL" - get out and look - before proceeding, if you have any doubts of their whereabouts.

- Safety Performance Management, Employee Resource Management, 12-27-01

PLEASE POST ON ALL BULLETIN BOARDS.

Retail

CORRECTION

What's in Store - December Retail Coaches Corner

In Postal Bulletin 22065 (12-13-01, page 83), the December Retail Coaches Corner contained incorrect measurements for balloon rates.

The corrected sentence is as follows (corrected text appears in bold here):

Parcels weighing under 15 pounds and measuring over 84 inches and not more than 108 inches in combined length and girth are charged a minimum rate equal to the rate for 15-pound parcels addressed to the same zone.

The corrected Retail Coaches Corner for December is on page 24.

- Retail,Retail, Consumers and Small Business, 12-27-01

Retail Coaches Corner

Welcome to the December Corner!

What's the goal of the Retail Coaches Corner?

The goal of the Retail Coaches Corner is to provide timely and relevant information for every employee who has responsibilities at the retail counter.

DMM Reminders

Oversized Rate - Available for Parcel Post and Parcel Select Only

Only Package Services Parcel Post® and Parcel SelectTM have an oversized rate. Pieces measuring over 108 inches in combined length and girth, but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth, are mailable at the applicable oversized rate. If the piece is over 130 inches, it's not mailable. Oversized rates are not available for Priority Mail® parcels. The maximum size for Priority Mail parcels is 108 inches in combined length and girth. Parcels exceeding 108 inches are not mailable at Priority Mail rates.

Balloon rates are available for Priority Mail, Parcel Post, and Parcel Select services. Parcels weighing under 15 pounds and measuring over 84 inches and not more than 108 inches in combined length and girth are charged a minimum rate equal to the rate for 15-pound parcels addressed to the same zone.

Customer Education - Priority Mail or Express Mail Reminder

During this particularly heavy mailing season, please remember to communicate clearly to our customers the major difference in our two expedited services, Express Mail® and Priority Mail services. Express Mail service offers a money-back guarantee if the service commitment is not achieved. Priority Mail service offers a service standard and not a guarantee. Even when this service is used with any ancillary service such as Delivery ConfirmationTM or Signature ConfirmationTM service it is still a service standard and not a guarantee.

Refunds for Express Mail Corporate Account Customers Reminder

How is a refund processed for Express Mail service paid by an Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA)? DMM section P014.5.7 states, "If the USPS determines that the mailer is entitled to a refund and postage was paid through an Express Mail Corporate Account or a federal government agency account, then the USPS refunds the postage by issuing a credit to that account within 5 business days."

In that refunds for EMCA customers are only to be processed through the Expedited Service Office (ESO), the customer can complete PS Form 3533, Application and Voucher for Refund of Postage and Fees, and submit it to the local unit. The completed form should then be forwarded to the District ESO for processing and credit to the customer's account through the Electronic Marketing Reporting System (EMRS).

Holiday Ideas - Stocking Stuffers

Surveys tell us that associates offer stamps 90 percent of the time as a suggested extra additional item to purchase. What about suggesting other products or services? Example: Offer phone cards or packaging products. Have a daily special item that every Sales and Services associate "suggests" to our customers. If you do suggest that customers purchase stamps, offer current/popular or commemoratives.

Happy Holidays

This is the 1-year anniversary of our Retail Coaches Corner. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Your Comments are Welcome

• What kind of information do you need to see in the Corner for 2002?

• What best practices or success stories can you share to assist other retail units?

Questions or comments? Submit them via cc:Mail to Retail Coaches Corner.

CORRECTION

What's in Store - January Calendar

In Postal Bulletin 22065 (12-13-01, page 86), the January calendar for The Employee Mailbox contained incorrect and incomplete stamp issue dates. The correct stamp issue dates are as follows:

• Lunar New Year - Horse commemorative stamp: February 11, 2002 (not January 14).

• Mentoring a Child commemorative stamp: January 10, 2002.

• Winter Sports commemorative stamp: January 8, 2002.

The corrected January calendar for The Employee Mailbox is on page 26.

- Retail,Retail, Consumers and Small Business, 12-27-01

REVISED FORM

PS Form 1094, Request for Post Office Box Key or Lock Service

PS Form 1094 (see page 28), Request for Post Office Box Key or Lock Service, has been revised to reflect the January 7, 2001, fee changes. In particular, a $10 lock replacement fee has been added under the "Reason for Request" section. The "Fee Calculation (For Additional Keys Only)" section has also been changed to $5. Included in the $5 fee is $1 for the key deposit and $4 for each additional key. Recycle old forms and replace them with the revised PS Form 1094. Supplies are available in the Material Distribution Center.

Remember that the primary box customer (box applicant) may request that the Post Office box lock be changed. To change the lock, the customer must first pay the applicable lock fee as described in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) R900.19.0. Lock fees are charged for replacing keyed locks and combination locks and for resetting combination locks. Lock fees are not refundable. Customers may turn in Post Office box keys for the old lock and receive a refund of the key deposit. Two keys are provided with each new lock, with a refundable deposit for each key charged under R900.19.0. Customers may obtain additional keys for the new lock under R900.19.0.

You can order the revised PS Form 1094 by one of the following means:

• Touch Tone Order Entry: Call 1-800-332-0317, option 1, then option 1.

• cc:Mail: Send an F3Fill-completed PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition, to MDC Customer Service at TOKS001L.

• Mail: Mail a complete PS Form 7380 to the MDC at the following address:

SUPPLY REQUISITIONS
MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR
TOPEKA KS 66624-9702

The relevant ordering information for PS Form 1094 is as follows:

NSN: 7530-02-000-7345
PSIN: PS 1094
Unit of Issue: SH
Bulk Pack Quantity: 0
Price: $0.0101
Edition Date: December 2001
Quick Pick Number: 112>

- Delivery and Retail, 12-27-01

REVISED FORM

PS Form 1093, Application for Post Office Box or Caller Service

The August 2001 edition of PS Form 1093 (see pages 31-32), Application for Post Office Box or Caller Service, is now available from the Material Distribution Center (MDC). After ordering and receiving your supply of the new PS Form 1093, discard all prior versions of the form.

You can order the revised PS Form 1093 by one of the following means:

• Touch Tone Order Entry: Call 1-800-332-0317, option 1, then option 2.

• cc:Mail: Send an F3Fill-completed PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition, to MDC Customer Service at TOKS001L.

• Mail: Mail a completed PS Form 7380 to the MDC at the following address:

SUPPLY REQUISITIONS
MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR
TOPEKA KS 66624-9702

The relevant ordering information for PS Form 1093 is as follows:

NSN: 7530-02-000-7165
PSIN: PS1093
Unit of Issue: Each
Bulk Pack Quantity: 1,000
Price: $0.0241
Edition Date: August 2001
Quick Pick Number: 112

- Delivery and Retail, 12-27-01