Daily printout: Dec. 5, 2024

The Postal Service will soon implement a new contractual approach with package consolidators, companies that enter large volumes of packages into various points in the USPS network.

The change is a result of the organization’s refreshed product offerings and improved operational and financial strategies.

Effective Jan. 1, USPS will no longer offer discounted rates through negotiated service agreements for packages entered by consolidators at Post Office delivery units.

This change will support the Postal Service’s business strategy to build its own ground package product — USPS Ground Advantage, a new offering that allows customers to ship packages in 2-5 business days across the contiguous United States.

“We will make agreements with consolidators who are willing to negotiate deals based upon a more rational use of our network in a fashion that is mutually beneficial,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.

The Postal Service announced its new approach to contracts with package consolidators in September.

The organization’s decision to reevaluate its business relationships with package consolidators and to eliminate contractual price discounts for delivery unit entry is a crucial step toward long-term operational excellence and financial stability, two important components of the 10-year Delivering for America plan.

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps made it possible for American troops to get letters from their loved ones during World War II.

Some 80 years later, the story of these women is being told on the big screen.

“The Six Triple Eight,” which stars Kerry Washington, was written and directed by Tyler Perry. It will be in theaters starting Friday, Dec. 6, followed by a Friday, Dec. 20, release on Netflix.

The film tells the story of the only U.S. Army unit during World War II composed predominately of Black women. Most of the 6888th served as postal clerks, working 24 hours a day in three eight-hour shifts. Others served as cooks, mechanics and in various support roles. 

The 6888th was tasked with clearing a three-year mail backlog in six months, which was viewed as an insurmountable feat. Led by Lt. Col. Charity Adams, whom Washington plays in the film, the battalion sorted through nearly 18 million pieces of mail — thousands of which had incomplete names and addresses.

Despite being placed in segregated housing with poorly maintained facilities and limited resources, the battalion accomplished their mission in 90 days — half the time allotted. 

There are two surviving members of the 6888th, whose motto was “No Mail, Low Morale.” In 2023, Adams became the first African American woman to have an Army fort named in her honor. 

High-deductible health plans are one of the options available to Postal Service employees during this year’s open season.

Here are some facts about the plans, also called HDHPs:

• HDHPs generally offer lower premiums than other plans. This means you’ll have less money taken out of your paycheck.

• HDHPs offer greater flexibility. While HDHPs have higher annual deductibles and out-of-pocket limits than other Federal Employees Health Benefits Program plans, they have features that help pay your medical expenses, including the ability to pay expenses on a pretax or tax-deductible basis.

• HDHPs work with HSAs and HRAs. With HDHPs, a portion of your premium or a credit is automatically deposited into a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

This is money you can use for out-of-pocket health care costs or to save for future medical expenses. HDHPs combine an HSA or HRA with the traditional coverage offered by health maintenance organization and fee-for-service plans.

Any unused money in your HSA rolls over from year to year and stays with the employee, even if they change plans or leave the Postal Service.

The MyHR website’s open season page has more information.

Open season, the annual period when you can make changes to your health coverage, is underway through Monday, Dec. 9.