Monday, September 23, 2024
USPS announces no stamp price changes for January 2025
PMG’s recommendation accepted by Postal Service governors
A recommendation by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy not to raise prices in January 2025 for market-dominant products — including First-Class Mail — has been approved by the Postal Service governors.
Accordingly, the price of a stamp to mail a 1-once single-piece First-Class Mail letter will not increase.
The Postal Service’s operational strategies are designed to boost service reliability, cost efficiency and overall productivity.
“Our strategies are working, and projected inflation is declining,” DeJoy said. “Therefore, we will wait until at least July before proposing any increases for market-dominant services.”
USPS remains committed to continued cost saving measures and to keeping its products and services affordable. Only a handful of countries have a lower price for a domestic single-piece letter.
The organization continues to deliver on the tenets of the Delivering for America 10-year plan, while fulfilling its public service mission — to provide a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term.
USPS, union extend contract talks
Negotiations with the APWU will continue
USPS and the American Postal Workers Union (APWU, AFL-CIO) have agreed to extend contract negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Although the contract with the APWU expired on Sept. 20, the Postal Service and the union mutually agreed to extend negotiations.
The APWU represents more than 200,000 employees nationwide.
National PCC Week is here
Postal Service executives will meet with business customers at events across the nation
USPS leaders will meet with business customers throughout the nation this week to update them on the transformational changes occurring within the organization.
The meetings are part of National Postal Customer Council Week, which encourages USPS leaders and postal customer councils (PCCs) to come together to network and discuss the latest trends in the mailing and shipping industry.
More than 95 events will be held during this year’s National PCC Week, which begins Monday, Sept. 23, and continues through Friday, Sept. 27. The theme is “Connecting at the Crossroads — Innovation. Education. Partnership. Growth.”
Each event will feature a presentation given by a USPS executive, along with a video message from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who will share details on the organization’s progress under the Delivering for America plan and how changes are benefitting commercial mailers.
Additionally, DeJoy will deliver the keynote address at a Twin Cities PCC event in Minneapolis.
The PostalPro website has more information about PCCs, including a tool that allows users to locate events in their community.
Heroes
Broyles foils bitcoin scam
This postmaster saved a customer from losing $32,000
Benton, MS, Postmaster Chris Broyles recently encountered a familiar customer who appeared to be shaky and anxious.
As the older woman prepared to send a Priority Mail Express package, Broyles struck up a conversation.
She showed him $32,000 in cash that she was preparing to send.
The postmaster told her that she might be a victim of a scam, but the customer insisted she was purchasing a legitimate bitcoin product and asked him to proceed with the transaction.
After the customer left, Broyles contacted a local postal inspector, who investigated and confirmed the customer was the victim of a scam.
The cash was returned to the customer, who praised the postmaster for his “generosity and dedication.”
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Sept. 15-21
Holiday stamp releases and USPS Operation Santa made news
Link ushered in the holiday season last week.
We covered the joint dedication ceremony for the Holiday Joy and Christmas Madonna and Child stamps, held at the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, and the dedication of the latest Hannukah stamp, held at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, also in Washington.
“These stamps provide our customers with beautiful images for the holidays and are more than just decorations for their cards and packages — they enable and provide a bridge between families and friends across America,” said Mark Guilfoil, the Postal Service’s supply management vice president, who spoke at the Holiday Joy and Christmas Madonna and Child event.
Link also reported on the start of this year’s USPS Operation Santa program; the Postal Service’s new approach to agreements with companies that group together large volumes of packages for entry into the USPS network; the retirement of Simon Storey, the organization’s human resources vice president; the Postal Service’s announcement that it won’t raise stamp prices in January; and the extension of negotiations on a new labor contract between the Postal Service and the American Postal Worker Union.
Additionally, we told you about Benton, MS, Letter Carrier Chris Broyles, who foiled a bitcoin scam that ensnared a customer, and Grafton, WI, Letter Carrier Michelle Kuenn, who delivered a card a day — for 100 days — leading up to the 100th birthday of customer Bob Charles.
“Bob is a nice guy,” she said. “And I don’t know, it doesn’t take much to make someone else’s day better.”
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USPS announces no stamp price changes for January 2025
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USPS, union extend contract talks
Negotiations with the APWU will continue
-
National PCC Week is here
Postal Service executives will meet with business customers at events across the nation
-
Heroes
Broyles foils bitcoin scam
This postmaster saved a customer from losing $32,000
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Sept. 15-21
Holiday stamp releases and USPS Operation Santa made news