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Postal Service: Difference between revisions
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On September 30, 2014, the USPS failed to make a $5.7 billion payment on this debt, the fourth such default.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2014/pr14_059.htm |title=U.S. Postal Service Reports Revenue Increase, $5.5 Billion Loss in Fiscal 2014 |publisher=USPS |date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521053051/http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2014/pr14_059.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the USPS defaulted on some of the last lump-sum payments required by the 2006 law, though other payments were also still required.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2017/09/usps-defaults-billions-mandatory-payments-despite-scheduled-relief/141404/ |first1=Eric |last1=Katz |website=Government Executive |title=USPS Defaults on Billions in Mandatory Payments, Despite Scheduled Relief |date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212020937/https://www.govexec.com/management/2017/09/usps-defaults-billions-mandatory-payments-despite-scheduled-relief/141404/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | On September 30, 2014, the USPS failed to make a $5.7 billion payment on this debt, the fourth such default.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2014/pr14_059.htm |title=U.S. Postal Service Reports Revenue Increase, $5.5 Billion Loss in Fiscal 2014 |publisher=USPS |date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521053051/http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2014/pr14_059.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the USPS defaulted on some of the last lump-sum payments required by the 2006 law, though other payments were also still required.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govexec.com/management/2017/09/usps-defaults-billions-mandatory-payments-despite-scheduled-relief/141404/ |first1=Eric |last1=Katz |website=Government Executive |title=USPS Defaults on Billions in Mandatory Payments, Despite Scheduled Relief |date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212020937/https://www.govexec.com/management/2017/09/usps-defaults-billions-mandatory-payments-despite-scheduled-relief/141404/ |url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Proposals to cancel the funding obligation and plan a new schedule for the debt were introduced in Congress as early as 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chaffetz |first1=Jason |title=Text – H.R.5714 – 114th Congress (2015–2016): Postal Service Reform Act of 2016 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5714/text#HFBD89F2925164BD4A6495C540F757BD0 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=December 8, 2016}}</ref> A 2019 bill entitled the "USPS Fairness Act", which would have eliminated the pension funding obligation, passed the House but did not proceed further.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeFazio |first1=Peter A. |title=Text – H.R.2382 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): USPS Fairness Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2382/text |website=Congress.gov |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=February 10, 2020|archive-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502133252/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2382/all-actions|url-status=live}}</ref> As of March 8, 2022, the [[Postal Service Reform Act of 2022]], which includes a section entitled "USPS Fairness Act" cancelling the obligation, has passed both the House and the Senate;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maloney |first1=Carolyn B. |title=Text – H.R.3076 – 117th Congress (2021–2022): Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3076/text#toc-HB830A11DFBE64D6BA4B9AF77ABBDBD12 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=March 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=LeBlanc |first1=Paul |title=What the USPS overhaul bill means for you |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/politics/usps-reform-act-explainer/index.html |access-date=March 15, 2022 |work= | Proposals to cancel the funding obligation and plan a new schedule for the debt were introduced in Congress as early as 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chaffetz |first1=Jason |title=Text – H.R.5714 – 114th Congress (2015–2016): Postal Service Reform Act of 2016 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5714/text#HFBD89F2925164BD4A6495C540F757BD0 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=December 8, 2016}}</ref> A 2019 bill entitled the "USPS Fairness Act", which would have eliminated the pension funding obligation, passed the House but did not proceed further.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeFazio |first1=Peter A. |title=Text – H.R.2382 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): USPS Fairness Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2382/text |website=Congress.gov |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=February 10, 2020|archive-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502133252/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2382/all-actions|url-status=live}}</ref> As of March 8, 2022, the [[Postal Service Reform Act of 2022]], which includes a section entitled "USPS Fairness Act" cancelling the obligation, has passed both the House and the Senate;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maloney |first1=Carolyn B. |title=Text – H.R.3076 – 117th Congress (2021–2022): Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3076/text#toc-HB830A11DFBE64D6BA4B9AF77ABBDBD12 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=March 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=LeBlanc |first1=Paul |title=What the USPS overhaul bill means for you |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/politics/usps-reform-act-explainer/index.html |access-date=March 15, 2022 |work=CNN|date=March 8, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315004800/https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/politics/usps-reform-act-explainer/index.html |archive-date= March 15, 2022 }}</ref> President [[Joe Biden]] signed the bill into law on April 6, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Durkee |first=Alison |title=Biden Signs Postal Service Reform Bill Into Law—Here's What It Means For Your Mail |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/04/06/biden-signs-postal-service-reform-into-law-heres-what-it-means-for-your-mail/ |date=April 6, 2022 |access-date=April 6, 2022 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220406213855/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/04/06/biden-signs-postal-service-reform-into-law-heres-what-it-means-for-your-mail/|archive-date= April 6, 2022 }}</ref> | ||
=== Rate increases === | === Rate increases === | ||
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==== During the Obama administration ==== | ==== During the Obama administration ==== | ||
[[File:USPS Mailbox.jpg|thumb|A USPS Mailbox]] | [[File:USPS Mailbox.jpg|thumb|A USPS Mailbox]] | ||
Comprehensive reform packages considered in the [[113th Congress]] include S.1486<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1486/text |title=Text – S.1486 – 113th Congress (2013–2014): Postal Reform Act of 2014 |publisher=US Congress |date=July 31, 2014 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081958/https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1486/text |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and H.R.2748.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2748/text |title=Text – H.R.2748 – 113th Congress (2013–2014): Postal Reform Act of 2013 |publisher=US Congress |date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081958/https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2748/text |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> These include the efficiency measure, supported by Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Miga |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/aug/02/usps-suggests-lifting-alcohol-delivery-ban/ |title=USPS suggests lifting alcohol delivery ban |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |date=August 2, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525012741/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/aug/02/usps-suggests-lifting-alcohol-delivery-ban/ |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> of ending door-to-door delivery of mail for some or most of the 35 million addresses that currently receive it, replacing that with either curbside boxes or nearby "cluster boxes". This would save $4.5 billion per year out of the $30 billion delivery budget; door-to-door city delivery costs annually on average $353 per stop, curbside $224, and cluster box $160 (and for rural delivery, $278, $176, and $126, respectively).<ref>{{cite news |last=Liberto |first=Jennifer |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/07/23/news/economy/postal-home-delivery/index.html?iid=EL |title=Postal Service moving away from at-your-door delivery |publisher= | Comprehensive reform packages considered in the [[113th Congress]] include S.1486<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1486/text |title=Text – S.1486 – 113th Congress (2013–2014): Postal Reform Act of 2014 |publisher=US Congress |date=July 31, 2014 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081958/https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1486/text |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and H.R.2748.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2748/text |title=Text – H.R.2748 – 113th Congress (2013–2014): Postal Reform Act of 2013 |publisher=US Congress |date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081958/https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/2748/text |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> These include the efficiency measure, supported by Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Miga |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/aug/02/usps-suggests-lifting-alcohol-delivery-ban/ |title=USPS suggests lifting alcohol delivery ban |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |date=August 2, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525012741/http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/aug/02/usps-suggests-lifting-alcohol-delivery-ban/ |archive-date=May 25, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> of ending door-to-door delivery of mail for some or most of the 35 million addresses that currently receive it, replacing that with either curbside boxes or nearby "cluster boxes". This would save $4.5 billion per year out of the $30 billion delivery budget; door-to-door city delivery costs annually on average $353 per stop, curbside $224, and cluster box $160 (and for rural delivery, $278, $176, and $126, respectively).<ref>{{cite news |last=Liberto |first=Jennifer |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/07/23/news/economy/postal-home-delivery/index.html?iid=EL |title=Postal Service moving away from at-your-door delivery |publisher=CNN |date=July 23, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016081957/http://money.cnn.com/2013/07/23/news/economy/postal-home-delivery/index.html?iid=EL |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.savethepostoffice.com/postal-service-delivers-last-mile-almost-changing-modes-delivery |title=The Postal Service delivers the last mile, almost: Changing modes of delivery |publisher=Save the Post Office |date=June 10, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615054648/http://www.savethepostoffice.com/postal-service-delivers-last-mile-almost-changing-modes-delivery |archive-date=June 15, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
S.1486,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/206532203/S-1486-Postal-Reform-Act-of-2014 |title=S 1486 – Postal Reform Act of 2014 |publisher=Scribd.com |date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609072328/https://www.scribd.com/doc/206532203/S-1486-Postal-Reform-Act-of-2014 |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> also with the support of Postmaster General Donahoe,<ref name="hpo">{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Miga |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/postal-service-alcohol-usps-deliveries_n_3695830.html |title=U.S. Postal Service Wants To Deliver Alcohol To Your Doorstep |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=August 2, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609024846/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/postal-service-alcohol-usps-deliveries_n_3695830.html |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> would also allow the USPS to ship alcohol in compliance with state law, from manufacturers to recipients with ID to show they are over 21. This is projected to raise approximately $50 million per year.<ref name="hpo" /> (Shipping alcoholic beverages is currently illegal under {{usc|18|1716}}(f).) | S.1486,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/206532203/S-1486-Postal-Reform-Act-of-2014 |title=S 1486 – Postal Reform Act of 2014 |publisher=Scribd.com |date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609072328/https://www.scribd.com/doc/206532203/S-1486-Postal-Reform-Act-of-2014 |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> also with the support of Postmaster General Donahoe,<ref name="hpo">{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Miga |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/postal-service-alcohol-usps-deliveries_n_3695830.html |title=U.S. Postal Service Wants To Deliver Alcohol To Your Doorstep |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=August 2, 2013 |access-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609024846/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/postal-service-alcohol-usps-deliveries_n_3695830.html |archive-date=June 9, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> would also allow the USPS to ship alcohol in compliance with state law, from manufacturers to recipients with ID to show they are over 21. This is projected to raise approximately $50 million per year.<ref name="hpo" /> (Shipping alcoholic beverages is currently illegal under {{usc|18|1716}}(f).) | ||
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* '''Contractors''' are not USPS employees, but work for the USPS under a written contract and usually paid per mile. They do not accrue benefits including health insurance, leave, life insurance, and pension. They must use their own vehicle and pay any cost to maintain, insure, or replace. Contractors generally make less than employees. Just like regular carriers they deliver packages and letters to mailboxes and doors. | * '''Contractors''' are not USPS employees, but work for the USPS under a written contract and usually paid per mile. They do not accrue benefits including health insurance, leave, life insurance, and pension. They must use their own vehicle and pay any cost to maintain, insure, or replace. Contractors generally make less than employees. Just like regular carriers they deliver packages and letters to mailboxes and doors. | ||
A major round of job cuts, early retirements, and a construction freeze were announced on March 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/20/post.office.cuts/index.html | publisher= | A major round of job cuts, early retirements, and a construction freeze were announced on March 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/20/post.office.cuts/index.html | publisher=CNN| title=Postal service to slash more than 3,000 jobs, offer early retirements | date=March 20, 2009 | access-date=May 26, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410184821/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/20/post.office.cuts/index.html | archive-date=April 10, 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
=== Workplace violence === | === Workplace violence === | ||