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Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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From the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department:

The United States Postal Service is jumping on the outsourcing and privatizing bandwagon at the expense of good jobs, safety and security, and reliable delivery of basic services.

According to a new USPS program, all new mail delivery locations will be considered for outsourcing to companies that often provide low wages, no benefits, and have no equivalent background check requirements. This program and other attempts to outsource core mail handling functions violate the spirit of the policy established by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, which reinforced collective bargaining obligations. In its effort to employ fewer union workers, the USPS is opening its doors to a far less accountable workforce.

“In this post-Anthrax era, it is counterintuitive that the USPS would entrust any portion of its service with unscreened subcontractors,” Wytkind said. “Mail can be sensitive cargo, and Americans expect first-class service for their bills, ballots, and prescription drugs, not to mention their identity protection.”

Read the TTD’s Policy Statement on postal outsourcing here

Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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The following information was released by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas:

A federal jury has convicted a former rural mail carrier for possessing stolen mail, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

Diana Quinones, 49, who had worked for the United States Postal Service since October 2001, was convicted of possessing stolen mail Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007. The jury’ verdict comes after three days of trial testimony and approximately three hours of deliberation.

During the trial, which began Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, the jury heard testimony establishing that Quinones was assigned as a rural mail carrier at the Cypress, Texas, Main Post Office, located at 16635 Spring Cypress Road and delivered mail along Route 43. Beginning in September 2006, complaints were received at the post office regarding the non-delivery of mail along Route 43. In response to the complaints, special agents of the U. S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General initiated an investigation involving the placement and monitoring of undercover test packages for delivery along Route 43. In January 2007, Quinones was observed removing a test package from the post office without authorization. Later that day, as Quinones was preparing to leave the post office for the day in her personal vehicle, agents found the same package with the contents removed. However, the item contained in the package was never recovered. Quinones was immediately relieved of duty following the discovery of the package.

Quinones was originally charged with both theft of the mail and possession of stolen mail. The jury acquitted Quinones of the theft of the mail charge alleged in the indictment.

United States District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt, who presided over the trial, has set sentencing for Dec. 17, 2007. Quinones faces a maximum of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the possession of stolen mail conviction. Quinones was released on bond after surrendering to federal authorities following her indictment in February 2007 and has been permitted to remain free on bond pending her sentencing.

The case was tried by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertram Isaacs and Special Assistant United States Attorney Tammie Y. Moore.

Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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Postage Due- an original comic strip by Mike Morgan

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