[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Announces New Prices for 2021
No Increase in Forever Stamp

WASHINGTON, DC — The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) today of price changes to take effect Jan. 24, 2021.

The proposed prices, approved by the Postal Service Board of Governors, would raise Mailing Services product prices approximately 1.8 percent for First-Class Mail and 1.5 percent for other categories. Although Mailing Services price increases are based on the consumer price index, competitive International Shipping Services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions. The governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with needed revenue.

If favorably reviewed by the PRC, the new prices will include no increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, which would remain at 55 cents. The single-piece letter additional ounce price would increase to 20 cents, the metered mail 1-ounce price would increase to 51 cents and the prices of postcard stamps would increase to 36 cents. Single-piece 1-ounce flat prices will remain unchanged at $1.

The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:

The Postal Service has some of the lowest letter-mail postage rates in the industrialized world and continues to offer a great value in shipping. Unlike some other shippers, the Postal Service does not add surcharges for fuel, residential delivery or regular Saturday delivery.

The PRC will review the prices before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filings with prices for all products can be found on the PRC site under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. For the Mailing Services filing, see Docket No. R2021-1. For the International Shipping Services filing, see Docket No. CP2021-15. The price change tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

The Washington Post reports the U.S. Postal Service had a really bad spring, even before the arguments over voting by mail reached their height. “The documents, which mostly span March and April, depict an agency in distress,” according to documents obtained by the newspaper. The problems include its finances, its business relationship with Amazon and of course the coronavirus pandemic.

The paper also reports that at one point, the USPS, working with HHS, planned to deliver 5 face masks to every American household. “The White House nixed the plan,” says the Post.

You can read the WaPo story here. A subscription may be required if you have used up your quota of free articles.

The Virtual Stamp Club reports on postal agency issues, because what happens to these agencies is likely to affect stamp collectors.

Postal agencies are rarely attention-getting issues in political races, but 2020 is a year like no other: The U.S. Postal Service is a lead item in the presidential election coverage.

President Trump charged the Democrats with holding up the coronavirus stimulus bill by demanding aid for the U.S. Postal Service.

“The items are the post office and the $3.5 billion for mail-in voting,” Trump told Fox Business News’ Maria Bartiromo. “If we don’t make the deal, that means can’t have the money, that means they can’t have universal mail-in voting. It just can’t happen.”

He opposes widespread voting-by-mail, saying it would lead to widespread corruption and fraud in this election. However, he plans to vote by mail in Florida, now his official residence.

There are charges that new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy [left], President Trump’s pick, is hobbling the USPS’ capability to deliver mail-in ballots.

This is a fast-developing story, so we’re going to do something they tell you never to do as a website host: Go to your favorite news website and read the latest there. We can’t keep up. We shouldn’t keep up: This is a stamp collecting news site, not a mainstream news or opinion site.

Commenting has been turned off for this post.

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Provides Recommendations for Successful 2020 Election Mail Season

WASHINGTON, DC — Today [May 29, 2020] the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) released a letter that is being sent to local and state election officials and state party officials around the country. This letter highlights key aspects of Election Mail delivery processes — and ways to help educate the public on what to expect when using the mail to vote.

The letter, signed by USPS General Counsel and Executive Vice President Thomas J. Marshall, is a continuation of an ongoing outreach effort aimed at educating all interested parties about the Postal Service’s mailing requirements and services in advance of the 2020 elections.

“It is critical that the Postal Service’s delivery standards be kept in mind when informing voters how to successfully participate in an election using the mail,” says Marshall, noting the importance of this information “when state and local election officials are making decisions as to the establishment of deadlines and the means used to send a piece of Election Mail to voters.”

The letter and the accompanying Publication 632, State and Local Election Mail — User’s Guide, are intended to provide boards of election and other election officials the tools needed to make the upcoming elections more successful when voting by mail. These guides are a follow-up to the more extensive 2020 Official Election Mail Kit (Kit 600), which was distributed to 11,500 election officials in March. All of these materials are also available on the Postal Service’s Election Mail website, about.usps.com/election-mail/election-mail-resources.htm.

Publication 632 includes an overview of how to properly use the mail during the election process, the mailing standards of the Postal Service, postmarking guidelines and the specifics of military, diplomatic and overseas mailing instructions. The Postal Service has personnel ready to assist election officials with mailpiece design and everything else needed for a successful election cycle.

The letter also provides Postal Service recommendations on how to ensure the efficient and timely handling of mail pertaining to elections. The Postal Service recommends that election officials use First-Class Mail, which is typically delivered in 2 to 5 days, for all Election Mail and to allow one week for delivery to voters. USPS further recommends election officials use Intelligent Mail barcodes for all Election Mail. The Postal Service has designed an Intelligent Mail barcode identifier specifically for ballots, to increase mailpiece visibility within the processing system. The identifier can be used by both the Postal Service and the mailer to track ballot deliveries and returns.

The letter notes that voters should be made aware of the mail delivery standards and transit times both when requesting an absentee ballot be mailed to them and when deciding when to mail the ballot back to election officials. The Postal Service recommends that voters mail their ballots at least one week before the due date and that they should contact local election officials for information about the specific deadlines.

The Postal Service is proud of its role as an important component of the nation’s democratic process and remains committed to providing the resources needed to implement a successful election season.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

[press release]
Board of Governors Announces Selection of Louis DeJoy to Serve as Nation’s 75th Postmaster General

WASHINGTON – The Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service today announced its unanimous selection of Louis DeJoy to serve as the 75th Postmaster General of the United States and Chief Executive Officer of the world’s largest postal organization. DeJoy is an accomplished business executive with more than 35 years of experience. As Chairman and CEO of New Breed Logistics, DeJoy spent decades in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service, Boeing, Verizon, Disney, United Technologies and other public and private companies to provide supply chain logistics, program management and transportation support. He is expected to begin serving in his new role effective June 15th.

“Louis DeJoy understands the critical public service role of the United States Postal Service, and the urgent need to strengthen it for future generations,” said Robert M. (Mike) Duncan, chair of the Board of Governors. “The Board appreciated Louis’ depth of knowledge on the important issues facing the Postal Service and his desire to work with all of our stakeholders on preserving and protecting this essential institution.”

DeJoy becomes the fifth Postmaster General to join the institution from the private sector since the Postal Service became an independent establishment within the Executive Branch in 1971.

“Having worked closely with the Postal Service for many years, I have a great appreciation for this institution and the dedicated workers who faithfully execute its mission. I look forward to working with the supporters of the Postal Service in Congress and the Administration to ensure the Postal Service remains an integral part of the United States government. Postal workers are the heart and soul of this institution, and I will be honored to work alongside them and their unions. It will be an incredible honor to serve as Postmaster General, and I commit myself to upholding the Postal Service’s cherished role in our nation,” said Mr. DeJoy.

As Chairman and CEO of New Breed Logistics, Inc., he transformed a small, family owned transportation company with 10 employees into a nationwide provider of highly engineered, technology-driven, contract logistics solutions employing more than 9,000 people. New Breed Logistics was a contractor to the U.S. Postal Service for more than 25 years, supplying the Postal Service with logistics support for multiple processing facilities. The company received Quality Supplier Awards from the Postal Service in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

In 2014, New Breed merged with XPO Logistics, with DeJoy serving as CEO of XPO Logistics’ supply chain business in the Americas before retiring in December 2015 as CEO and joining the XPO Logistics board of directors, where he served until 2018.

DeJoy is a member of the Board of Trustees at Elon University in North Carolina and the Fund for American Studies in Washington, DC. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Stetson University. He currently resides in Greensboro, North Carolina with his wife, Dr. Aldona Wos.

DeJoy’s appointment comes upon the retirement of Megan Brennan, the nation’s 74th Postmaster General, who announced her intent to step down in October 2019. The Board of Governors then began an extensive nationwide search, employing a national executive search firm to conduct the search with additional advisory services from Chelsea Partners. In the ensuing months, the Governors reviewed the records of more than two hundred candidates for the position before narrowing the list to more than fifty candidates to undergo substantial vetting. Subsequently, the Governors interviewed more than a dozen candidates in first round interviews, and invited seven candidates for follow-up interviews. A narrow list of finalists then underwent a final vetting process before the Governors made their decision.

Press Coverage:

Associated Press (via Washington Post website)
Republican donor, fundraiser DeJoy next postmaster general

The Washington Post:
Top Republican fundraiser and Trump ally named postmaster general, giving president new influence over Postal Service
Under fire from Trump, Postal Service braces for arrival of new postmaster general allied with White House

Wall Street Journal:
North Carolina Businessman Tapped to Head the Postal Service

The New York Times:
Postal Service Pick With Ties to Trump Raises Concerns Ahead of 2020 Election

Reuters:
Republican donor named U.S. postmaster general

CNN.com
Trump ally Louis DeJoy named next postmaster general

No stories specifically on DeJoy were found at USA Today, FoxNews.com, Bloomberg News and the Los Angeles Times.

As noted in the press release, a USPS spokesman tells The Virtual Stamp Club “stamp sales are up significantly.”

[press release]
Mail Helps Americans Feel Connected During COVID-19 Pandemic

Now more than ever, consumers rely on cards and mail to keep in touch with family and friends and to overcome feelings of isolation, according to a recent survey conducted by the US Postal Service. The survey highlighted the important role that sending and receiving mail plays in helping Americans stay connected during a time of social distancing and stay-at-home mandates.

The majority, or 65% of respondents, said that receiving “cards and letters from family and friends lifts my spirits during this time” while 62% said that “receiving a card or letter in the mail makes me feel more connected during social distancing.” Another 60% said it means more to me to receive a card/letter in the mail than an email, while 55% said they feel less isolated when receiving a card or letter in the mail.

The research, conducted by the USPS Market Research & Insights department, was conducted on-line during April 15 – 17, 2020, with more than 1,000 adults, with demographics matching weighted census data.

Survey highlights include:

• Approximately 67% of consumers are feeling increasingly isolated and distant from people, and have acknowledged the effect of the pandemic on their mental well-being.
• When asked how the pandemic has changed their activities over the past few weeks, approximately 1-in-6 consumers said they have sent more mail to family and friends over the past few weeks.
• During the corona virus pandemic, two-thirds of those surveyed indicated that they would be likely to send mail. Family members and friends would be the most common recipients. Those who are younger, have higher income and those with children in the home are more likely to want to send cards and letters.
• 42% said they were more reliant on mail as a result of social distancing and 38% indicated the importance of being able to shop for mail products such as cards and stationery in retail locations permitted to be open during the pandemic.

A recent trend reflects what this survey has shown. Over the past several weeks, the Postal Service has observed significantly higher stamp sales, particularly through the mobile-friendly online Postal Store on usps.com. Stamps celebrate the people, events and cultural milestones that are unique to the history of our great nation. Cards, stamps, stationery, shipping supplies and other postal products can be ordered online through the Postal Store at www.usps.com/store.

The complete survey – including questions and responses – is posted on PostalPro™

[press release]
Christmas-level parcel volumes resulting in delays as Canada Post continues to deliver

OTTAWA – With many Canadians isolating at home and shopping more online, Canada Post is now processing and delivering parcels at levels only experienced during the busiest weeks of the Christmas season. We are working hard to respond in a responsible manner, putting the safety of our people, and the communities we serve, first.

Canada Post is advising customers across the country to expect delays with their parcel deliveries. The heavy incoming parcel volumes, combined with the important safety measures we’ve implemented in our processing facilities, mean it is taking longer to process. Those measures include physical distancing in facilities that were never designed for keeping people two metres apart.

We continue to operate across the country and have been delivering in record numbers. For example, on Monday April 20, we delivered more than 1.8 million parcels to Canadians. That’s similar to the biggest delivery days we see during the Christmas season. Customers should continue to track their parcels online through canadapost.caor the Canada Post app.

Canada Post is proud to continue providing an essential service to Canadians as everyone does their part to stop the spread of the virus. Our top priority from the start has been to put safety first. That has meant implementing significant changes right across our operations, following the guidance of national and local public health authorities.

Other important changes regarding parcels:
Parcel Delivery: To eliminate customer interactions at the door, reduce post office customer traffic and support social and physical distancing, we have implemented a Knock, Drop and Go approach. Delivery employees knock or ring, choose the safest location available to leave the item and then depart for the next address. This change eliminates the need for signatures at the door, speeds up delivery and has greatly reduced the number of parcels sent to our post offices for pickup.

Parcel pickup at post office: For the remaining parcels left at the post office for pickup (items requiring ID), they will not be returned-to-sender until further notice. We’ve suspended our normal 15-day hold period. We ask that customers who are feeling ill or self-isolating, to please delay their visit to the post office and to pick up their parcel when it’s safe to do so. We’ve put physical-distancing measures in our post offices and installed clear plastic guards at the counter.

We thank Canadians for their continued patience and support for the measures we’ve put in place for everyone’s safety. Please continue to provide our people with at least two metres of space when you see them out in the community or at a post office.
For a full list of the changes we’ve put in place and other updates related to COVID-19, please visit canadapost.ca and click on the banner at the top of the page.

Photos courtesy Canada Post.

The first known U.S. postal worker has died from the coronavirus, according to the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. Anthony Smith (below) was a member of Local 307 in Detroit.

Smith worked for the USPS for 30 years, and served in the Army for 12. He “was married and loved kids; he helped raise fifteen children,” the NPMHU said. “Anthony loved music, a good barbeque and singing karaoke. He was a funny man that enjoyed telling jokes and spending time with family and friends.”

U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) are worried the U.S. Postal Service “will not survive the summer” because of the coronavirus epidemic, and is calling for billions of dollars from the federal government. She says the postal agency has seen a “drastic” reduction in mail volume, and says the end of the USPS would imperil the delivery of prescription drugs and election ballots.

“Based on a number of briefings and warnings this week about a critical fall-off in mail across the country, it has become clear that the Postal Service will not survive the summer without immediate help from Congress and the White House,” Maloney and Connolly said in a statement Monday night, which you can read here.

The original House emergency funding for the coronavirus epidemic included extra money for the USPS. That may or may not survive in the eventual compromise approved by the House and Senate. However, Maloney and Connoly have also introduced a bill providing $25 billion to the USPS, while requiring it to prioritize medical deliveries.

As of 3 a.m. Wednesday, the U.S. had 55,225 known cases of COVID-19. They include at least 20 postal workers. The U.S. makes no mention in its latest update on the epidemic [March 22, 2020] of any impact on its mail volume. In fact, it boasts, “We are the leading delivery service for online purchases,” while Amazon.com and other mail-order merchants are reporting a surge in business caused by all the stay-at-home orders.

The New York Times looked — exhaustively — at that question. While it is impossible to say for certain that the coronavirus cannot be transmitted from the letters, flyers and packages in the mail, especially given possible mutations of the disease and the wide variety of papers and cardboards, it appears not.

David Partenheimer, a spokesman for the Postal Service, noted that the surgeon general, Dr. Jerome M. Adams, along with the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, has “indicated that there is currently no evidence that COVID-19 is being spread through the mail.”

The NYT article includes the history of quarantines (including the word’s origin) and sequestering the mail to make sure it didn’t carry disease.

“The bottom line is that there is some hypothetical risk of viable viruses surviving on mail,” Dr. James O. Lloyd-Smith of UCLA said. “But given the time periods involved, this seems like a pretty minimal risk to the general public.”

One of the experts interview by the Times simply recommends washing your hands with soap and water after handling your mail. “I want to preserve the good sanitizers for risky things, and hand washing works just as well as spraying,” said Ben Chapman of North Carolina State University.

Lloyd-Smith says he’s more worried about the mail sorters and carriers who are handling the mail as much as 12 hours a day.