http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/index/ en alliance@nonprofitmailers.org Copyright 2012 2012-03-28T20:26:56+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_march_28_2012/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_march_28_2012/#When:19:26:56Z Today’s Alliance Report is available for members and sponsors… Today’s Alliance Report begins with an article on the failed Senate attempt to bring postal reform legislation to the floor for consideration.  Other pieces include a Federal Times story about the Senate cloture vote on postal reform legislation; an unusual bipartisan press release blasting the Postal Service’s plant consolidation and service reduction proposal; Senator Susan Collins’ strong floor statement calling for bipartisan postal reform; and a suggestion to visit with Alliance Executive Director Tony Conway at next week’s National Postal Forum in Orlando, Florida. On this day in 1979, the operators of Three Mile Islands Unit 2 nuclear reactor outside Harrisburg, PA fail to recognize that a relief valve in the primary coolant system has stuck open following an unexpected shutdown.  As a result enough coolant drains out of the system to allow the core to overheat and partially melt down. We hope you enjoy today’s Alliance Report and look forward to seeing you at the Postal Forum! Click here to get the Alliance Report News 2012-03-28T19:26:56+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_march_14_2012/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_march_14_2012/#When:16:57:39Z Today’s Alliance Report is available for members and sponsors… Today’s Alliance Report features an article that questions whether the Postal Service will be able to move forward on plant closings and consolidations after May 15.  Other stories cover a leading Senator’s criticism of the Postal Regulatory Commission’s work; the Postal Service’s announcement to discontinue the use of POSTNET barcodes for automation rate mail in January 2013; a postal union launches a television advertising campaign related to the plant closing and consolidation proposal; and a noted postal journalist questions the wisdom of Postal Service secrecy about postal operations. On this day in 1962 Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings became the second player of the National Hockey League to score 500 goals.  Also on this day in 1997 a 68-year old Gordie Howe signed an American Hockey League contract with the Syracuse Crunch.  We hope you enjoy today’s Alliance Report! Click here to get the Alliance Report News 2012-03-14T16:57:39+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_february_29_2012/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_february_29_2012/#When:19:59:40Z Today’s Alliance Report is available for members and sponsors… Today’s Alliance Report features a piece that looks at the similarities between the postal crisis and the Detroit auto crisis.  Other stories are on the Postal Service’s announced intention to consolidate 223 of its mail processing plants; President Obama’s postal provision in his FY 2013 federal budget proposal; Tony Hammond is nominated to serve another term as Commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission; and the passing of former Alliance Board president Mark Silbergeld. On this day in 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind.  We hope you enjoy today’s Alliance Report! Click here to get the Alliance Report News 2012-02-29T19:59:40+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/2_24_12_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/2_24_12_update/#When:14:00:26Z Area Mail Processing Facility Study Results Announced The results of the Area Mail Processing (AMP) facility studies announced last September are now available… Area Mail Processing Facility Study Results Announced The results of the Area Mail Processing (AMP) facility studies announced last September are now available at http://usps.com/ourfuturenetwork. 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. 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. Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) discounts will continue to be available in the near-term for mailings entered at Business Mail Entry Units (BMEUs) that remain in impacted facilities. 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. News 2012-02-24T14:00:26+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_february_7_2012/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_february_7_2012/#When:14:00:19Z The latest issue of the Alliance Report is available for members and sponsors… Today’s Alliance Report features a piece on the efforts of mailers to get S. 1789, the 21st Century Postal Service Act, to the Senate floor.  Other articles cover the Postal Service’s views on the 21st Century Postal Service Act; congressional leaders’ concern about extensive travel by the Chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission; and the engagement of Senator Susan Collins! Click here to get the Alliance Report News 2012-02-08T14:00:19+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_january_25_2012/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_january_25_2012/#When:20:23:38Z The the first Alliance Report of 2012 is now available for members and sponsors… The first Alliance Report of 2012 features an article about postal reform legislation heading to the Senate floor.  Other stories cover the Postal Service and two labor unions reaching impasse on contract negotiations; a Postal Service request for an expedited Postal Regulatory Commission review of the proposed mail processing network redesign; and a postal union announcing a significant milestone in support of continued six-day mail delivery… Click here to get the Alliance Report 2012-01-25T20:23:38+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/1_23_12_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/1_23_12_update/#When:20:03:22Z New Standards for Domestic Mailing Services USPS revised various sections to reflect price adjustments and mailing requirements changes associated with the October 2011 filing with the PRC… New Standards for Domestic Mailing Services USPS revised various sections to reflect price adjustments and mailing requirements changes associated with the October 2011 filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). Domestic Shipping Services Pricing and Mailing Standards Changes USPS revised various sections to reflect changes to prices and mailing standards for the following Shipping Services: Express Mail®, Priority Mail®, First-Class Package Service™, Parcel Select®, Parcel Return Service, Mailer Services, and Recipient Services. These changes are associated with the November 2011 filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). Combined Mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals Flats USPS added a new section, 705.15.0, providing optional standards for combining Standard Mail® flats and Periodicals flats within the same bundle, when placed on pallets; and for combining bundles of Standard Mail flats and bundles of Periodicals flats on the same pallet. Periodicals PS Form 3541-M - Discontinued USPS revised 707.17.5.1 to revise the practice of submitting one Periodicals postage statement for all issues mailed in a calendar month. Priority Mail Commercial Plus Cubic Packaging Alternatives USPS revised 402.2.2, 423.1.4, and 425.2.3 to introduce two new Priority Mail Commercial Plus Cubic packaging alternatives—soft-pack envelopes and padded envelopes. Intelligent Mail Package Barcode Implementation for Commercial Parcels USPS revised various sections to provide new standards for the use of Intelligent Mail® package barcodes (IMpb). Combined Mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals Flats—Clarification USPS revised 705.15.0 to reflect standards changes related to combined mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals flats. Copalletized, Combined, or Mixed-Price Level Palletized Mailings—Correction USPS revised 705.8.7.4 to clarify that the presort level of Standard Mail letter-size pieces that are part of a copalletized or combined mailing must accurately reflect the postage and entry discount paid at the origin site. Eligibility for Destination Entry Prices per NDC and ASF Labeling Lists USPS revised various sections to delete destination network distribution center (DNDC) eligibility Exhibits 246.3.1, 346.3.1, 366.4.1, 446.3.1, 453.3.1.3, and 466.4.4. Products Mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail Prices USPS revised 703.1.6.11 to indicate that products mailed at Nonprofit Standard Mail prices must meet at least one of three exceptions. A low-cost item is one of the exceptions referenced in the Internal Revenue Code. Express Mail Domestic Postage Refund Policy and Waiver of Signature USPS revised various sections to modify the policy for filing claims for domestic Express Mail postage refunds from 90 days to 30 days after the date of mailing. Antique Firearms—Clarification USPS revised 601.12.1.1a to clarify that antique firearms that meet the definition of a handgun according to USPS standards are also subject to the mailing requirements in 601.12.2 through 601.12.7. The next scheduled DMM update is March 5. News 2012-01-23T20:03:22+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_december_8_2011/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_-_december_8_2011/#When:16:08:53Z The latest Alliance Report is now available for members and sponsors… Today’s Alliance Report features an article on another bold postal service proposal.  Also included is the Alliance letter urging USPS to withdraw exigency case and Tony Hammond is nominated for another term at PRC… Click here to get the Alliance Report News 2011-12-16T16:08:53+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_urges_usps_to_stop_exigent_increase_request/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_urges_usps_to_stop_exigent_increase_request/#When:15:23:47Z Alliance Urges USPS to Stop Exigent Increase Request Alliance Urges USPS to Stop Exigent Increase Request Breaking News 2011-12-07T15:23:47+00:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_november_15_2011/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/alliance_report_november_15_2011/#When:20:44:00Z The latest Alliance Report is now available for members and sponsors… Today’s Alliance Report features an article on the Postal Service’s decision to continue pursuing the exigent rate increase first proposed on July 6, 2010.  Other pieces are on the Senate postal oversight committee approving postal reform legislation; a press release on the Senate committee approval of S. 1789; and an article about the exigent rate increase request that won’t go away… Click here to get the Alliance Report News 2011-11-15T20:44:00+00:00