USPSNEWS@WORK

"Intelligent Mail" fully operational by 2009: Advanced technology to revolutionize business mail

The Postal Service recently presented to the Board of Governors its new vision to revolutionize business mail by using standardized intelligent barcodes, continuous mail tracking and real-time feedback to business customers. These services, referred to as Intelligent Mail, will be fully operational for all commercial mailers by 2009.

With Intelligent Mail, the entire mailing process is seamless, transparent and efficient. Advanced planning, increased communication through "e-dialogue," trouble-shooting and better use of technology provide benefits to both the Postal Service and the business community.

The full suite of products that currently encompass Intelligent Mail is being pilot tested by three large businesses and the results are promising. One large mailer improved its "scan rate" (automated reading) to 99 percent, ensuring that 140,000 pieces a day were processed by postal equipment instead of by hand.

"Intelligent Mail is like having a GPS system for mail," said Postmaster General Jack Potter during the January Board of Governors meeting where the vision was presented.

CO/WY District registers record numbers of bone marrow donors

Denver employee Jimi Cho presents her swab, part of the registration process to become a volunteer bone marrow donor.

A total of 403 district employees registered to become potential bone marrow donors during a drive that began in late November and ended in early December. The drive centered on postal facilities in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Cheyenne.

Equally significant, more than 100 volunteers were ethnically diverse, helping reduce a nationwide shortage.

Newspaper ad praises work of Northern Illinois District employees

From left, BSN Customer Service Representative Victor DuBois, Senior Plant Manager Ron Woodall, District Manager Lynn Smith, Segerdahl Representative Mike Buttita and Account Manager Lori Jensen with the "Thanks a Billion" ad.

The Wheeling, IL- based printing, graphics and direct mail company is a happy USPS customer. Instead of merely sending a letter of gratitude to USPS, the company's management recently placed a full-page ad in the Daily Herald, the Chicago metropolitan area's largest newspaper, exhibiting their pleasure for all to see.

The ad - which led with the phrase "Thanks a Billion!" - praised USPS Northern Illinois District employees for their work in helping Segerdahl Group succeed and grow. "We stand in awe of the efficiency of the U.S. Postal Service," the ad reads. "They are the professionals who deliver our 550 million pieces, plus billions more, accurately and on time."

New passport rules take effect this month

Beginning Jan. 23, air travelers to and from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean will for the first time need a passport to cross the U.S. border. The new regulations represent the most significant changes in border control in years, as federal officials try to bring the process of checking identification into the digital age.

The Postal Service has offered rotating passport fairs on Saturdays at facilities in the Bay Area region, said USPS spokesman Gus Ruiz, as would-be travelers have been thronging Post Offices to apply for passports in recent months.

TIME magazine gets Saturday delivery date

TIME magazine, a weekly staple of letter carriers everywhere, is shifting its on-sale date from Monday to Friday. That means the typical TIME subscriber will now receive his or her copy in the mail on Saturday instead of the following Tuesday.

TIME's research shows that weekend delivery will allow readers to spend more time with the magazine. "The new Friday on-sale date gives advertisers an opportunity to convey their message to 27 million readers during the weekend," said TIME President and Worldwide Publisher Ed McCarrick.

"TIME magazine is an important Postal Service customer and we're going to make sure we have a smooth transition of their publication to Saturday delivery," said USPS Senior Vice President of Operations Bill Galligan.

USPS says president is not exerting new authority.

USPS Government Relations Senior Vice President Tom Day issued a statement, saying, "As has been the longstanding practice, First-Class Mail is protected from unreasonable search and seizure when in postal custody." Day was responding to claims that a signing statement attached to the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act may allow the federal government to open mail without a warrant. He said the president was not exerting new authority.

According to Associated Press and other media reports, the White House said, "The signing statement merely recognizes a legal proposition that is totally uncontroversial: that in certain circumstances - such as with the proverbial "ticking bomb" - the Constitution does not require warrants for reasonable searches."

Letter carrier named "Best of Brentwood"

Brentwood, CA, Letter Carrier Kris Lue.

This year, in keeping with the importance of mail delivery to the growing town 50 miles east of Oakland, Letter Carrier Kris Lue won the "Best of Brentwood" award, bestowed by the town's Brentwood Press. The publication regularly awards the town's restaurants, stores and businesses for their commitment to excellence and their value to the city.

But this is the first time a letter carrier has been honored.

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