Employees

REVISED PUBLICATION

Publication 354 Celebrates African-American Culture and History

The latest edition of Publication 354, African Americans on Stamps: A Celebration of African-American Heritage, features five new stamps honoring Paul Robeson, Wilma Rudolph, Alvin Ailey, James Baldwin, and a second 37-cent Kwanzaa stamp. This publication contains ninety-nine stamps that honor leaders, explorers, pioneers, inventors, athletes, entertainers, and educators. Since 1978, when the Postal ServiceTM issued the Harriet Tubman stamp, the Black Heritage series stamps have depicted our rich heritage.

Publication 354 is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then PUBs. They are also on the Internet at www.usps.com; click on About USPS & News, then Forms & Publications, then Browse All Periodicals & Publications, and then Publications (either PDF Format or Text Format).

You can order additional copies of Publication 354 from the Material Distribution Center (MDC) by using Touch Tone Order Entry (TTOE): Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order.)

Use the following information to order Publication 354:

PSIN: PUB354
PSN: 7610-03-000-9403
Unit of Measure: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: 25
Bulk Pack Quantity: 200
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Price: $0.3187
Edition Date: 01/04

- Headquarters and Field Programs,
Diversity Development, 4-1-04

RURAL CARRIERS

Equipment Maintenance Allowance Schedule for Rural Routes

In accordance with provisions of Article 9, Section 2.J.3 of the Rural Carrier National Agreement, effective April 3, 2004 (pay period 9-04), the equipment maintenance allowance (EMA) will increase from 39.0 cents per mile to 40.0 cents per mile.

The EMA is 40.0 cents per mile, or a minimum of $16.00 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 40.0 cents per mile or $4.60 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 schedules for employees receiving EMA.

- Collective Bargaining and Arbitration,
Labor Relations, 4-1-04

Thrift Savings Plan Open Season and PostalEASE

The next Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) open season is April 15 through June 30, 2004. This TSP open season ends June 30, 2004, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time (CT). The following information is provided to assist personnel offices in conducting this open season.

The booklet TSPBK08, Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal Employees (dated May 2001), provides a good overview of TSP. Newly eligible career employees receive a copy of TSPBK08 from Headquarters through a direct mailing. Pending delivery of new stock from TSP to the Material Distribution Center (MDC), offices can order additional copies of TSPBK08 from the MDC by using touch tone order entry (TTOE): Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order.)

Use the following information to order TSPBK08:

PSN: 7530-03-000-9364
Unit of Measure: EA
Bulk Pack Quantity: 150
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Price: No cost

TSP Open Season Dates

The dates of TSP open seasons are October 15 through December 31 and April 15 through June 30 (see TSP bulletin 02-12, dated May 2, 2002). The corresponding election periods are December and June. The "election period" is the earliest period during which a contribution election to start or to change the amount of contributions made during a TSP open season can become effective (see TSP bulletin 01-4, dated February 2, 2001).

Employees may change their fund investment choices (contribution allocations) both during and outside of the TSP open season. To make a fund investment choice, an employee must contact TSP directly, not PostalEASE. If employees do not contact TSP, their existing fund investment choice continues. The earnings statement (paycheck stub) shows the TSP contribution percentage or dollar amount, but the statement does not show the TSP fund investment detail.

Because the TSP has moved the open season election period to December, the increases in the TSP employee contribution limits become effective each December (see TSP bulletin 01-3, dated January 23, 2001). For example, during the October 15 through December 31, 2003, open season, employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) became eligible to contribute up to 14 percent of basic pay in 2004 (the maximum was 13 percent for 2003). Eligible FERS employees still receive the Agency Automatic (1 percent) Contribution and the Agency Matching Contribution of up to 4 percent from the Postal ServiceTM - these amounts have not changed. Employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and CSRS Offset employees became eligible to contribute up to 9 percent of basic pay in 2004 (the maximum was 8 percent for 2003).

The limits for FERS, CSRS, and CSRS Offset employees will continue to increase by 1 percentage point per year through 2005. Then, in 2006, all participants will be eligible to contribute up to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) annual deferral limit without any percentage limit. The IRS annual deferral limit for 2004 is $13,000. This amount is scheduled to increase by $1,000 each year through 2006 to $15,000. (See table below.)

A newly hired career employee may elect to participate in TSP until the 61st day after the date of hire and in every subsequent open season. The waiting period of one to two open seasons continues to apply to the Agency Automatic (1 percent) Contribution and the Agency Matching Contribution for FERS employees.

Using PostalEASE for Enrollment

Employees must use the PostalEASE telephone system or the PostalEASE employee Web site to enroll, to make contribution elections, and to make cancellations. PostalEase's toll-free number is 877-4PS-EASE (877-477-3273). For Web access through the Postal Service Intranet, employees must go to http://blue.usps.gov, click on Employee Self Service, and then click on PostalEASE. The employee must have his or her USPS personal identification number (PIN) to use PostalEASE (for information on PINs, see "USPS PIN" and "TSP PIN" below).

Note: Personnel and employing offices must not distribute Form TSP-1, Thrift Savings Plan Election Form, to employees for making TSP open season elections. TSP-1 is no longer stocked at the MDC.

Contacting TSP to Make a Fund Investment Election

Employees have three methods to make a fund investment election as follows:

• Web site: Go to the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov.

• Telephone: Call the TSP ThriftLine at 504-255-8777.

• Mail: Mail Form TSP-50, Investment Allocation (dated August 2002), to the TSP service office in New Orleans.

Note: Personnel offices must not accept and cannot process completed Forms TSP-50. Form TSP-50 is not available from the TSP Web site but only from the MDC. Personnel offices should maintain a supply of Form TSP-50. The relevant ordering information is as follows:

PSN: 7530-05-000-4305
Unit of Measure: EA
Bulk Pack Quantity: 3,800
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Price: No cost

The TSP Web site and ThriftLine are convenient methods for making fund investment elections. Employees' elections will take effect more quickly by using the TSP Web site and ThriftLine than by using Form TSP-50. To use the TSP Web site or TSP ThriftLine, participants must use their TSP PIN.

Using Pins to Make TSP Elections

To make TSP elections, use two Pins: USPS PIN and TSP PIN.

USPS PIN

The Postal Service maintains the USPS PIN. Employees must use their USPS PIN to (1) begin a contribution percentage or a dollar amount election, or (2) change their current TSP contribution percentage or dollar amount, or (3) cancel TSP participation via PostalEASE. If employees do not know their USPS PIN, they must contact PostalEASE at 877-4PS-EASE (877-477-3273) and do the following steps when prompted: (1) press 1 for PostalEASE; (2) enter their Social Security number; (3) when prompted to enter their PIN, pause and then press 2. Employees' USPS PIN will be mailed to their address of record, usually by the next business day.

Note: When an employee requests his or her USPS PIN, the USPS PIN does not change (unlike the TSP PIN). The employee's old USPS PIN remains valid. (The USPS PIN is the same PIN employees use for telephone bidding and computerized bidding.)

TSP PIN

The TSP PIN is maintained by TSP. Employees must use their TSP PIN to make fund investment choices via the TSP Web site or the TSP ThriftLine. If employees are TSP participants and they do not know their TSP PIN, they have

three methods for having a new TSP PIN mailed to their address of record:

1. Go to the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov and select Account Access, or

2. Call the TSP ThriftLine at 504-255-8777, choose 2, enter the Social Security number, and then follow the instructions, or

3. Call the TSP service office at 504-255-6000.

Once TSP has received an employee's TSP PIN request, his or her former TSP PIN is no longer valid.

Direct Mailings to Employees

Headquarters will mail to career employees leaflet TSP0404, TSP Open Season, and PostalEASE instructions at their mailing address of record during April.

In addition to receiving TSP0404, newly eligible career employees receive from Headquarters a direct mailing of TSPBK08, Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal Employees, as well as a cover letter and PostalEASE instructions at their mailing address of record soon after their accession PS Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, is processed.

The return address for undeliverable TSP enrollment information for newly eligible employees is the employing office of record. The disposition of returned items is at the discretion of the district office or other administering office. When employees receive a forwarded enrollment package at their employing office of record, they should submit a correct PS Form 1216, Employee's Current Mailing Address (dated June 1993). (Employees with access to Web job bidding on the intranet should make address changes via the Web. Other employees should return a completed PS Form 1216 to their local personnel office.)

Personnel offices should maintain a supply of PS Form 1216. They may obtain it from the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then Forms. They may also order PS Form 1216 from the MDC using the following information:

PSN: 7530-02-000-7354
Quick Pick Number: 118
Unit of Measure: SE
Bulk Pack Qty: 4,000
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Price: $0.0147

Eligibility

All career employees are eligible to make employee contribution elections this open season (subject to financial hardship withdrawal and cancellation exclusions). FERS employees hired before December 1, 2003, receive Agency Automatic (1 percent) Contributions and Agency Matching Contributions (as appropriate) beginning in June 2004.

All employees who participated in TSP and cancelled their TSP contributions after December 31, 2003, are not eligible to participate in this TSP open season. They must wait for the TSP open season beginning October 15, 2004.

Effective Dates

PostalEASE automates the processing of TSP elections. The windows of opportunity for employees to make TSP open season elections and the resulting effective dates are as follows.

Because PostalEASE provides employees the ability to complete a TSP open season election without contacting the local personnel office and automates the processing of such elections, using PostalEASE should minimize the use of PS Form 6886, Thrift Savings Plan - Request for Retroactive Contributions. PS Form 6886 is used to correct administrative errors for TSP open season elections.

Personnel offices have the authority to determine whether an administrative error has occurred. If an error has delayed a TSP open season election past the appropriate effective date, personnel offices and the employee must complete PS Form 6886 and submit it to the Eagan Accounting Service Center (ASC). The effective dates for employees' elections delayed due to an administrative error must be made retroactive to June 12 or June 26, 2004, depending on the date the employee would have otherwise entered his or her open season election via PostalEASE.

Note: PS Form 6886 must be reproduced locally as needed. See page 57 for a copy of PS Form 6886.

Personnel offices also have the authority to determine whether a belated open season election opportunity exists. In such instances, personnel must submit the employee's election to the Eagan ASC for processing, in accordance with administrative instructions provided to personnel offices regarding PostalEASE. Belated open season elections are not retroactive in most circumstances.

Note: The processing dates and the closing dates of this TSP open season fall within a two pay-period timeframe, as indicated above.

Open Season Materials

In addition to the direct mailing of TSP information to employees, the MDC will automatically distribute residual supplies of the open season leaflet TSP0404, TSP Open Season, to Human Resources at district offices, area offices, processing and distribution centers/facilities (PDC/Fs), bulk mail centers (BMCs), airport mail centers/facilities (AMC/Fs), remote encoding centers, the Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service divisions, Headquarters, and selected Headquarters field units.

Non-Open Season Materials

Most of the current TSP publications and forms have been revised for the new TSP record-keeping system, which was implemented in June 2003.

The MDC completed its automatic distribution of all non- open season items to Human Resources at district offices, area offices, PDC/Fs, BMCs, AMC/Fs, remote encoding centers, the Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service divisions, Headquarters, and selected Headquarters field units.

Ordering TSP Items

Offices may place orders for new or revised TSP forms and/or publications with the MDC on an as-needed basis. It is not necessary to maintain a large stock of TSPBK08 because Headquarters mails this booklet to each newly hired career employee and newly eligible employee. In all cases where the MDC will stock a new or revised TSP item, the MDC will make an initial distribution to Human Resources at installations as noted earlier. Offices may check the TSP Web site for new or revised items. Note: Form TSP-50 is not available from the TSP Web site.

Participant Statements

Each employee with a TSP account will receive a participant statement from the TSP service office in April 2004.

Publicity

Human Resources at district offices, area offices, PDC/Fs, BMCs, AMC/Fs, remote encoding centers, the Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service divisions, Headquarters, and selected Headquarters field units will receive a supply of posters this open season from the MDC. Installations that receive the posters must widely distribute them and post them on bulletin boards.

To assist in publicizing this TSP open season, all offices must post (1) the open season notice provided on page 59 of this Postal Bulletin through June 30, 2004, and (2) the current TSP fact sheet on bulletin boards.

- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 4-1-04

[D-Link]

Information Technology

NEW HANDBOOK

Handbook AS-805-G, Information Security for Mail Processing Equipment/Mail Handling Equipment

Handbook AS-805-G, Information Security for Mail Processing Equipment/Mail Handling Equipment, is now available.

This handbook contains the policies and requirements for information security for the mail processing equipment/mail handling equipment environment that are not addressed in Handbook AS-805, Information Security. We have established these procedures, based on the policies established in Handbook AS-805, as part of the Postal Service'sTM continuing efforts to protect the computerized systems and electronic data that support its mission.

Handbook AS-805-G is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then HBKs. We will not issue a printed version of this handbook.

- Corporate Information Security Office,
Information Technology, 4-1-04

International Mail

ICM UPDATES

International Customized Mail

We have combined ICM updates into one Postal Bulletin article to save space and paper. 18 ICM updates appear here.

On March 12, 2004, the Postal ServiceTM amended an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement dated May 12, 2003. The Agreement was published on page 42 of Postal Bulletin 22105 (6-26-03). The Amendment modifies the term of the Agreement. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service previously announced entering into an International Customized Mail Service Agreement with this qualifying mailer and now makes public the following information regarding this Amendment:

a. Term: May 26, 2003, through May 25, 2006.

b. Type of mail: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

c. Destination countries: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

e. Minimum volume commitments: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

f. Worksharing: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

g. Rates: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

On March 2, 2004, the Postal Service entered into an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement with a Qualifying Mailer. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service now makes public the following information concerning the Agreement:

a. Term: March 16, 2004, through March 15, 2006.

b. Type of mail: Global Express MailTM (EMS). Every item must conform to the mailing requirements set forth in the IMM for EMS.

c. Destination countries: Worldwide.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: The Postal Service has agreed to transport EMS to international destinations for delivery by the appropriate authorities.

e. Minimum volume commitments: The Mailer has agreed to meet an annualized minimum commitment of 600 pieces of EMS mail or $12,000 in postage for EMS.

f. Worksharing: The Mailer has agreed to:

1. Comply with the terms and conditions for mailing EMS as set forth in the IMM.

2. Pay postage for EMS by means of a dedicated Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) in accordance with the EMCA requirements set forth in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM).

g. Rates: The Mailer has agreed to pay postage at a rate discounted at eight (8) percent off nondiscounted published rates in effect on the date of mailing in accordance with Exhibit 1.

Exhibit 1

On March 10, 2004, the Postal Service amended an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement dated March 3, 2003. The Agreement was published on page 70 of Postal Bulletin 22099 (4-3-03). The Amendment modifies the term of the Agreement. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service previously announced entering into an International Customized Mail Service Agreement with this qualifying mailer and now makes public the following information regarding this Amendment:

a. Term: March 17, 2003, through March 16, 2005.

b. Type of mail: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

c. Destination countries: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

e. Minimum volume commitments: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

f. Worksharing: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

g. Rates: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

On February 5, 2004, the Postal Service entered into an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement with a Qualifying Mailer. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service now makes public the following information concerning the Agreement:

a. Term: February 19, 2004, through February 18, 2005.

b. Type of mail: Global Express MailTM (EMS). Every item must conform to the mailing requirements set forth in the IMM for EMS.

c. Destination countries: Worldwide.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: The Postal Service has agreed to transport EMS to international destinations for delivery by the appropriate authorities.

e. Minimum volume commitments: The Mailer has agreed to meet an annualized minimum commitment of 600 pieces of EMS or $12,000 in EMS postage.

f. Worksharing: The Mailer has agreed to:

1. Comply with the terms and conditions for mailing EMS as set forth in the IMM.

2. Pay postage for EMS by means of a dedicated Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) in accordance with the EMCA requirements set forth in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM).

g. Rates: The Mailer has agreed to pay postage at a rate discounted at eight (8) percent off nondiscounted published rates in effect on the date of mailing in accordance with Exhibit 1.

Exhibit 1

On December 16, 2003, the Postal Service amended an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement dated December 3, 2002. The Agreement was published on page 72 of Postal Bulletin 22092 (12-26-02). The Amendment modifies the term of the Agreement. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service previously announced entering into an International Customized Mail Service Agreement with this qualifying mailer and now makes public the following information regarding this Amendment:

a. Term: December 17, 2002, through December 16, 2004.

b. Type of mail: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

c. Destination countries: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

e. Minimum volume commitments: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

f. Worksharing: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

g. Rates: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

On January 9, 2004, the Postal Service amended an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement dated January 16, 2003. The Agreement was published on page 40 of Postal Bulletin 22096 (2-20-03). The Amendment modifies the term of the Agreement. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service previously announced entering into an International Customized Mail Service Agreement with this qualifying mailer and now makes public the following information regarding this Amendment:

a. Term: January 30, 2003, through January 29, 2006.

b. Type of mail: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

c. Destination countries: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

e. Minimum volume commitments: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

f. Worksharing: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

g. Rates: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

On March 9, 2004, the Postal Service entered into an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement with a Qualifying Mailer. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service now makes public the following information concerning the Agreement:

a. Term: March 23, 2004, through March 22, 2005.

b. Type of mail: Global Express MailTM (EMS). Every item must conform to the mailing requirements set forth in the IMM for EMS.

c. Destination countries: Worldwide.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: The Postal Service has agreed to transport EMS to international destinations for delivery by the appropriate authorities.

e. Minimum volume commitments: The Mailer has agreed to meet an annualized minimum commitment of $20,000 in EMS postage.

f. Worksharing: The Mailer has agreed to:

1. Comply with the terms and conditions for mailing EMS as set forth in the IMM.

2. Pay postage for EMS by means of a dedicated Express Mail Corporate Account (EMCA) in accordance with the EMCA requirements set forth in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM).

g. Rates: The Mailer has agreed to pay postage at a rate discounted at ten (10) percent off nondiscounted published rates in effect on the date of mailing in accordance with Exhibit 1.

Exhibit 1

On January 13, 2004, the Postal Service amended an International Customized Mail (ICM) Service Agreement dated January 27, 2003. The Agreement was published on page 42 of Postal Bulletin 22096 (2-20-03). The Amendment modifies the term of the Agreement. In accordance with International Mail Manual (IMM) 297.4, the Postal Service previously announced entering into an International Customized Mail Service Agreement with this qualifying mailer and now makes public the following information regarding this Amendment:

a. Term: February 10, 2003, through February 9, 2005.

b. Type of mail: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

c. Destination countries: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

d. Service provided by the Postal Service: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

e. Minimum volume commitments: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

f. Worksharing: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

g. Rates: All other provisions of the Agreement shall remain in force.

International Mail continued...