The Postal Regulatory Commission approved the U.S. Postal Service's "Summer Sale" today and predicted it will be profitable for the agency.
"The Postal Service is to be commended for its response to current market conditions," the PRC said in its order. It is, however, requiring USPS to report results of the sale in detail, including information regarding whether it causes customers to shift mail from First Class to Standard class.
"Development and use of appropriate metrics in evaluating the program are critical in determining whether the program is successful, and also for assessing the long-term implications of such an approach," the PRC wrote in approving the "short-term pricing experiment."
Based on the Postal Service's projections and its own analysis, "the Commission concludes that a positive contribution from the program is likely."
Formal comments filed with the PRC about the proposal were overwhelmingly supportive, with expected opposition from rural letter carriers never materializing. In addition to the formal documents, the PRC said it had "received nearly 300 letters, expressing nearly unanimous support for the program."
The Summer Sale will provide rebates of 30% on incremental Standard flats and letters sent by large mailers during the months of July, August, and September this year. The Postal Service has indicated that it might repeat this sort of incentive to boost volume during generally slow periods.
What about the carriers? What do we get out of this? Hmmm.... The usual....Nothing!!!
ReplyDeleteas carriers we are getting screwed again!
ReplyDeletewell bend over again the summer sale approved. for hourly employees this is good for them they now don't have to keep making work all day. maybe not sleep under that tree for as long. however, since the rural have taken a hard hit this last mail count it is BS.. and yeah u will chide "O you get done early" jealousy gets u nowhere. We bust ass out there and get the job done, and our reward we get to go home early. We'll out work any of the hourlys. So for the rural on this wonderful announcement...FUPO..pass the KY around, warming kind only....
ReplyDeleteThe PRC screwed up royally starting two years ago when they wrongheadedly jacked up the rates on catalogues and magazines by 20% and forced many companies to cut back on mailings (if they didn't go out of business). As a rural carrier I have lost thousands due to the decline in volume thanks to these jerks. The "summer sale" is a correction of their nitwit actions.
ReplyDeleteRural carriers are paid on an average volume basis throughout the year. If the Postal Service artificially inflates the volume with a "sale" during a non-count period, the union will undoubtedly file a grievance for restitution.
I hope the sale is a bust!!! Just like my last mail count!!!!!! They say they may do it again during slow times. Bet next February wont be one.
ReplyDelete