US Postal Service Statement on Election Mail Process

13 Mar 2012 | No Comments | posted by admin | in News

The U.S. Postal Service announced this week that its plan to consolidate its mail processing network includes a suspension of the consolidation efforts during the election mailing season in order to avoid any adverse impact on the November election. The Postal Service will also utilize an Election Mail Task Force to work with all 50 states to develop strategies that address the questions and concerns of state and local election boards. Together, these measures will ensure the timely delivery of election-related mail.

“Mail is an increasingly important part of the U.S. election process and we areconfident in the dependable and timely delivery of election-related mail,” stated U.S. Postmaster General and CEO Patrick R. Donahoe.

In December, the U.S. Postal Service formed an agreement with Congress that no consolidation or closing of any postal facility will occur prior to May 15, 2012. Therefore, most closures or consolidations would have to take place starting after May 15, 2012, and be completed by August 31, 2012. Further consolidation of facilities would then continue in early 2013. The pursuit by the Postal Service of the significant consolidation of its national network of mail processing facilities is contingent upon its adoption of a final rule changing its delivery service standards.

For primary elections after May 15, the U.S. Postal Service is instituting a stateby-state outreach program to address the questions and concerns of election boards, political candidates and mailers.

In addition, for states that are promoting vote by mail, the proposed plan to study 3,600 Post Offices around the U.S. for possible closure will not adversely affect the voting process as customers have many ways in which to deposit mail, including with their carrier, with a retail partner, at a collection box location, or at a neighboring office within reasonable distance to their current location. The Postal Service is exploring options to provide customers with alternate access to postal services and products where they live, work and shop.

USPS Central District announces consolidation of Williamsport Processing and Distribution Facility

13 Mar 2012 | No Comments | posted by admin | in News

The following letter is from Dale M. Walker, District Manager, Central PA District

An update from Consumer & Industry Affairs Vice President Susan M. LaChance

24 Feb 2012 | No Comments | posted by admin | in News

Last September, the Postal Service proposed changes relating to service standards and network operations, and made a commitment to you, our PCC members and customers, to maintain open communications on these proposed changes.

In keeping with that commitment, the results of the Area Mail Processing (AMP) facility studies announced last September are now available at http://usps.com/ourfuturenetwork.

This website provides information on the decision made in each study, including whether each facility will be closed or consolidated, remain open, or have its study placed on hold. For those facilities facing a change, the name of the “gaining site”— the facility where mail processing operations will be relocated — also is included.

Implementation of any consolidation or closure, however, is contingent upon the outcome of proposed revisions to existing service standards. In addition, no network changes will be implemented prior to May 15 of this year, in keeping with a moratorium on closing or consolidating postal facilities intended to give Congress and the Administration the opportunity to enact an alternative plan.

I would like to make it clear to you, our valued customers, that there will be no changes at this time to retail services and business mail acceptance located at any of the facilities involved in these studies.

Our commitment to you is:

  • No immediate changes to business acceptance locations or hours of operation
  • Deliberate timing of operational moves to limit customer impact
  • Continuation of Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) discounts at affected Bulk Mail Entry Units (BMEUs).
  • Expanded Drop Shipment Appointments will be available
  • Continual communications

Many of you have asked about the impact of these actions on BMEUs. Again, there will be no changes to BMEU hours or locations. Should a BMEU need to be relocated in the future, all customers would receive 120 days notice of the intended move, and any new location would be in close proximity to the original.

In addition, DSCF discounts will continue to be available for mailings entered at BMEUs that remain in impacted facilities. Mailers will be encouraged to align their preparation and entry to the new network. However, they will continue to receive drop-ship entry discounts for mail entered at impacted facilities based on 3-digit ZIP Codes currently allowed.

There will be no major consolidations during the fall mailing season, nor during the election mailing period, and Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST) appointments will be expanded to support shifting volumes across the network.

We know how important it will be for you, our customers, to have detailed site-specific information. In the very near future, our District Managers across the country will be inviting commercial mailers to meetings where they will share more detailed information and answer site-specific questions.

All of us at the Postal Service value your business and your support. Over the coming months, we will continue to keep you informed, and work closely with you to ensure a smooth transition.

Susan M. LaChance
Vice President
Consumer & Industry Affairs