Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

Parcel Select Exhibit ZIP Code Deletions

Effective July 8, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) E751 Exhibit 8.0 is corrected to delete 10 ZIP Codes™. Now that these ZIP Codes have been deleted from this exhibit, drop shipments for these 10 ZIP Codes must be deposited at the location specified in the Drop Ship Product maintained by the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) in order to be eligible for destination delivery unit (DDU) discount rates. For more information about the entry standards, please refer to DMM E751.1.1c.

We will incorporate this revision into the printed version of DMM 59 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

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E Eligibility

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E700 Package Services

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E750 Destination Entry

E751 Parcel Select

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EXHIBIT 8.0 DELIVERY FACILITIES DIFFERENT
FROM THOSE IN THE DROP
SHIPMENT PRODUCT

[Revise Exhibit E751.8.0 by deleting ZIP Code entries 02108-02111, 14, 21, 24, 27, 41, and 42 for Massachusetts.]

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- Operational Requirements and Integration,
Operations, 7-8-04

DMM REVISION

New Terminology for Presorted Destination Mail

Effective July 8, 2004, the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM™) is revised to change terminology from "package(s)" to "bundle(s)" and from "packaging" to "bundling" when referring to all classes of individual presorted destination pieces secured together for workshare mailings. As examples, "5-digit packages" becomes "5-digit bundles," and "firm packages" becomes "firm bundles." This change in terminology will alleviate the confusion that occurs when "packages" and "packaging standards" are used to mean both presorted pieces secured together and individual parcels. This change affects terminology only and does not represent any change to mail preparation standards or Postal ServiceTM policy.

The revised terminology will ensure that both employees and mailers understand that any official references to "packages" and "packaging" refer to parcels prepared as individually addressed pieces, and any references to "bundles" and "bundling" refer to presorted destination letters, flats, and irregular parcels in workshare mailings. The term "bundle" often is used already by both mailers and Postal Service personnel when referring to presort destination mail.

We recognize that the use of the term "packages" when referring to bundles will likely continue, just as packages are sometimes called "bundles" today. However, all official Postal Service communication must use the new terminology for clarity. All official publications, such as posters and training materials, will be updated as they are reprinted or revised to incorporate the new terminology.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of DMM 59 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.gov.

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 7-8-04

DMM REMINDER

Standard Mail Low-Weight Flats: 15-Piece Minimum for 5-Digit and 5-Digit Scheme Packages

Employees are reminded that effective August 1, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) E620.2.0, E640.1.5, M610.4.2, M820.5.1, and M950.3.2 are revised to raise the required minimum number of pieces from 10 to 15 at which 5-digit and optional 5-digit scheme presort destination packages are prepared in a Standard Mail® job consisting of flat-size pieces each weighing no more than 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) and measuring no more than 3/4 inch thick. When presenting mailings of pieces (5 ounces or less and not more than 3/4 inch thick), mailers will be required to prepare 5-digit packages whenever there are 15 or more pieces to a destination and will not be permitted to prepare packages containing fewer than 15 pieces to a 5-digit ZIP CodeTM or optional 5-digit scheme destination.

For Standard Mail mailings that contain any pieces that weigh more than 5 ounces, and for mailings of upgraded flat sorting machine (UFSM) 1000 automation rate flats measuring more than 3/4 inch thick, regardless of weight, mailers will be required to prepare 5-digit packages whenever there are 10 or more pieces to a destination. Mailers must also use the 10-piece 5-digit package minimum for mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces if any pieces in the mailing weigh more than 5 ounces.

Also effective August 1, 2004, mailers are no longer permitted to use the current optional 5-digit package minimum, from 10 to 17 pieces.

Standard Mail flats entered for verification and acceptance beginning Sunday, August 1, 2004, must meet the new standards.

See Postal Bulletin 22125 (4-1-04, pages 12-14) for additional details regarding this change.

Background

Thanks to the throughput efficiency of the automated flat sorting machine (AFSM) 100, small 5-digit packages of certain low-weight flats are no longer cost-effective to sort and process. For example, the overall mail processing costs for handling 48 flats prepared in one single 3-digit package may be lower than if they are prepared by the mailer in four 5-digit packages of 12 pieces each.

Because mailers pay the same postage for Standard Mail flats prepared in either 3-digit or 5-digit packages (the 3/5 rate), the Postal Service™ can change the minimum piece per package threshold without petitioning the Postal Rate Commission.

Approximately 1 year ago, the Postal Service increased the point at which mailers were required to make 5-digit packages from 10 to 17 pieces, thus allowing business mailers to set their own minimum threshold anywhere from 10 to 17 pieces. While some mailers converted to the new, higher 17-piece minimum level, many have continued to use the 10-piece minimum, primarily because it represents the default setting in most presort software.

Setting a new required minimum of 15 pieces per 5-digit package for Standard Mail mailings of pieces that weigh 5 ounces or less represents an opportunity for modest cost savings for the Postal Service and commercial printers and requires only minor changes to presort software. More importantly, the change represents progress in postal efficiency. Updating the package minimum to reflect current flats technology and improved piece processing productivities is one of the Product Redesign steps called for in the Transformation Plan. Making the change now will accrue cost savings through reduced package handling costs and gives a clear indication of the direction the Postal Service is moving in future efforts and in the next omnibus rate case.

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 7-8-04

Employees

ELM REVISION

Type 1 Uniform Requirements

Effective July 8, 2004, the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 933.1, Type 1 Uniforms, is revised to reflect current uniform requirements.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the ELM and also into the online version, available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, next to "PolicyNet," click on text.

• Click on Manuals.

It is also available on the Postal Service Internet:

• Go to www.usps.com.

• Click on About USPS & News, then Forms & Publications, then Postal Periodicals and Publications, and then Manuals.

Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM)

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9 Labor Relations

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930 Work Clothes and Uniforms

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933 Authorized Uniform Items and Combinations

933.1 Type 1 Uniforms

933.11 Type 1 Items

933.111 Type 1a

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[Revise the table and footnotes to read as follows:]

933.112 Type 1b

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933.12 Type 1 Combinations

[Revise the table and footnotes to read as follows:]

Male Combinations

¹ Motor vehicle operator, tractor trailer operator, driving instructor, and examiner trousers are without braid stripe.

² Shirtjacs are not to be tucked in or worn with any outer garments (e.g., sweaters, jackets, etc.) except rain gear. They are not to be worn with ties.

³ Knit shirts are to be worn tucked in. They may be worn only with authorized sweaters or windbreakers.

⁴ Hems of walking shorts should not be more than 3 inches above mid-knee. Shorts must be worn only with uniform socks.

⁵ Craft tabs are worn only on bomber jackets and windbreakers. Bomber jackets may be purchased and worn with optional zip-in lining. Liners may not be worn alone as outer garments.

⁶ Vests may be worn with or without jackets or parkas; however, they must not be worn without shirts and ties.

⁷ Delivery personnel may not purchase or wear the retail service personnel sweater.

⁸ Coveralls are authorized for motor vehicle operators when exposed to dirty or toxic materials.

Female Combinations

¹ Motor vehicle operator, tractor trailer operator, driving instructor, and examiner trousers are without braid stripe.

² Shirtjacs are not to be tucked in or worn with any outer garments (e.g., sweaters, jackets, etc.) except rain gear. They are not to be worn with ties.

³ Knit shirts are to be worn tucked in. They may be worn only with authorized sweaters or windbreakers.

⁴ Hems of skirts, jumpers, culottes, and walking shorts should not be more than 3 inches above mid-knee. Skirts and jumpers may be worn with uniform socks or skin-tone nylon stockings. Shorts and culottes must be worn only with uniform socks.

⁵ Craft tabs are worn only on bomber jackets and windbreakers. Bomber jackets may be purchased and worn with optional zip-in lining. Liners may not be worn alone as outer garments.

⁶ Vests may be worn with or without jackets or parkas; however, they must not be worn without shirts and ties.

⁷ Delivery personnel may not purchase or wear the retail service personnel sweater.

8 Coveralls are authorized for motor vehicle operators when exposed to dirty or toxic materials.

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- Labor Relations Systems, Labor Relations, 7-8-04

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 July 10, 2004 (pay period 16-04), the equipment maintenance allowance (EMA) will increase from 40.0 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile.

The EMA is 41.5 cents per mile, or a minimum of $16.60 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 41.5 cents per mile or $4.75 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 42-43 supersedes all previously published EMA schedules for employees receiving EMA.

- Collective Bargaining and Arbitration,
Labor Relations, 7-8-04

You Can Take That to the Bank — New Campaign Focuses on Saving Sick Leave

Building a cushion or a nest egg to protect yourself during hard times makes sense. You get a little money and set it aside in case your roof needs repairs or your car needs work.

That's exactly what banking your sick leave is like. It's a little something set aside for days when you're physically unable to make it to work due to illness or injury.

That's the theme behind a new employee awareness campaign from Health and Resource Management called "Protect Your Future - Bank Your Sick Leave."

About 10,000 Postal ServiceTM facilities will receive a copy of the field kit this month. The kit contains a video titled "Don't Let Your Team Down," related service talk, and poster. Six new kits will be issued every other month.

Remember, sick leave is an employee benefit - a cushion - for when you fall on hard times.

And it's one you can bank on.

- Health and Resource Management,
Employee Resource Management, 7-8-04

The Postal Service's 2004 National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement

The Postal ServiceTM seeks nominations for the 2004 National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement. Established in 1993, this awards program recognizes in- dividuals and teams that have made significant contributions to encourage and promote diversity within their organization.

All career Postal Service employees are eligible for nomination and participation - excluding the Diversity and Human Capital Development manager, senior Diversity Development program coordinator, Diversity Development specialist, and Hispanic Program specialists, except where noted as an essential member of a team.

The Postal Service gives awards in the following five categories:

• Individual

• Leadership

• Team

• Altruism

• Dot Sharpe Lifetime Achievement

Nominate employees who demonstrate excellent performance in achieving diversity goals that focus on the customer, the employee, and the business.

The nomination deadline is August 20, 2004. Choose between the following two ways to submit your nominations:

• If you have intranet access, complete and submit nominations through the Diversity Development Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/diversitynet/awards/welcome.htm.

• If you do not have intranet access, contact your local senior Diversity Development programs coordinator or specialist for instructions to complete and submit a nomination. If you do not know who your local senior Diversity Development programs coordinator and specialist are, you can call Manny Vasquez, Diversity Development specialist, at 202-268-5134.

Winners will be recognized within their own areas or districts at a time specified by the area vice presidents or district managers. See the "Eligibility at a Glance" table below for specific criteria.

National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement - Eligibility at a Glance

- Headquarters and Field Programs,
Diversity Development, 7-8-04