All articles tagged with #postal workers
Federal and postal workers will face double-digit health care premium increases in 2026, with federal employees paying an average of 12.3% more and postal enrollees seeing an 11.3% rise, amid concerns over workforce and healthcare policy impacts.
The U.S. Postal Service reports a rise in dog attacks on letter carriers, with 5,800 incidents last year. California had the highest number of cases, followed by Texas and Ohio. The USPS is running a National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to highlight the issue and advises dog owners to secure their pets to prevent attacks. Legal and financial consequences for dog owners can be severe if their pets harm postal workers.
Delivery drivers for companies like Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and the US Postal Service are facing an increase in robberies and carjackings during the holiday season. Postal workers have reported a 231% increase in assaults over the past three years, with armed robberies of letter carriers rising from 36 to 154 reported incidents. Thieves are targeting postal workers for their "arrow keys," which can open most postal boxes and provide access to valuable items like financial documents and prescriptions. The US Postal Inspection Service has implemented initiatives to enhance security, including installing additional security features on mail collection boxes and making arrests for robberies and mail theft. Recent incidents include an Amazon driver being held up by carjackers in Connecticut and a FedEx driver being shot by a carjacker in Colorado. In response to the rise in postal crime, Senators Dick Durbin and Susan Collins have introduced the Postal Police Reform Act to allow Postal Police Officers to operate offsite and carry out arrests.
Delivery drivers for companies like Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service are facing an increase in robberies and carjackings during the holiday season. Postal workers have reported a 231% increase in assaults over the past three years, with armed robberies of letter carriers rising from 36 incidents in 2018 to 154 incidents in 2021. Thieves are targeting mail carriers for their "arrow keys," which can open most postal boxes and provide access to valuable items like financial documents and prescriptions. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has implemented initiatives to combat these crimes, including the installation of additional security features on mail collection boxes and electronic locks. Recent incidents include an Amazon driver being held up at gunpoint in Connecticut and a FedEx driver being shot during a carjacking in Colorado. In response to the rise in postal crime, Senators Durbin and Collins have introduced the Postal Police Reform Act, which aims to expand the authority of Postal Police Officers to operate offsite and carry out arrests.
The Bemidji post office in rural Minnesota has been overwhelmed by a sudden influx of Amazon packages, causing chaos and delays in mail delivery. Local postal workers claim they have been ordered to prioritize Amazon packages, resulting in backed-up mail, extended delivery routes, and frustrated residents waiting for important documents. At least five carriers have quit, and the post office has banned scheduled sick days for the rest of the year. Similar disruptions have been reported in other rural communities across the country. The situation highlights the strain on the U.S. Postal Service, which has a contract with Amazon and relies on package volume for its financial future.
Russian missile strikes hit a mail depot in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, killing at least six postal workers and injuring 17 others. The attack occurred as Kyiv declared its positions in Avdiivka were "protected" despite ongoing Russian assaults. Separate Russian attacks on villages near Bakhmut also resulted in two deaths. Both Ukraine and Russia are preparing for a challenging winter, with Ukraine warning of renewed strikes on its energy infrastructure and Russia facing a Ukrainian counteroffensive. In addition, Russian forces shot down three missiles targeting Crimea, while Ukraine claimed to have destroyed a guided missile and three drones launched by Russian forces.
Six postal workers were killed and 16 others injured when a missile struck a distribution center in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine. The attack targeted the Nova Poshta sorting office, with pictures showing the building's blown-out windows. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strike and a rescue operation is ongoing. The victims, aged between 19 and 42, all worked for the postal company. Kharkiv's regional governor condemned the attack as an act of terror by Russia, while Russia has not yet commented on the incident. The city, located near the Russian border, was heavily bombed during the early stages of the war in February 2022.
Two mail carriers in San Francisco were assaulted by robbers who stole mailbox keys and mail, prompting federal officials to triple the reward for information leading to arrests related to mail carrier assaults to $150,000. The attacks occurred in the Mission District, and the suspects fled in a gray sedan. No arrests have been made yet. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is actively investigating these incidents and warns that the penalties for such crimes can be severe.
Postal workers in Des Moines rallied to protest the USPS's 10-year "Delivering for America Plan," claiming that it is not working for rural communities. The plan aims to transform the postal service into a self-sustaining and high-performing organization but has resulted in extended delivery services and substandard service for rural areas. The workers are urging the community to get involved and voice their concerns to the postmaster general.
USPS workers in Medford, Oregon, are picketing against a potential consolidation of mail processing operations that could result in the closure of the local processing center and the transfer of outgoing mail to Portland. The workers argue that this change would lead to job losses, mail delays of up to three days, and potential disruptions to important services like elections and medication delivery. The American Postal Workers Union is urging the community to sign a petition to stop the consolidation, with a goal of gathering 5,000 signatures.
Several postal workers, including both U.S. Postal carriers and private delivery workers, have been robbed at gunpoint in Chicago and the western suburbs. The incidents occurred in Ukrainian Village, Logan Square, Wicker Park, and River Grove, with one incident involving an exchange of gunfire. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Over 5,300 postal workers in the US were attacked by dogs in 2022, with California topping the list of states with the most dog bites. The USPS is advising dog owners to keep their pets indoors, behind a fence, or on a leash when letter carriers arrive at their homes. Many of these attacks came from dogs whose owners had regularly stated, “my dog won’t bite.” The USPS is urging responsible pet ownership to help reduce the number of dog attacks on postal workers.
The US Postal Service is observing Dog Bite Awareness Week to promote safety for postal workers and dogs. Postal workers are encouraged to use caution and protective gear when delivering mail to homes with dogs, while dog owners are reminded to keep their pets secured and away from postal workers. In 2020, there were over 5,800 dog attacks on postal workers in the US, highlighting the importance of awareness and prevention.
Dayton, Ohio ranks 18th on the list of cities with the most dog attacks on postal workers, with 18 reported incidents. The USPS reports that many attacks come from dogs whose owners claim they won't bite. Ohio ranks fifth in the list of states with the most dog attacks on mail carriers, with 311 reported incidents. The USPS urges responsible pet ownership to reduce the number of attacks.
Postal workers are protesting against employee shortages and poor working conditions that have led to mail delays. They are demanding that the Postal Service hire more workers and improve working conditions to ensure timely delivery of mail.