POSTAL NEWS
No.16 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
POSTNL Delivering for Food Startup Stockon. February 19, 2018.
The Russian Post, VTB and Magnit signed a memorandum at the Sochi 2018 Forum. February 16, 2018.
POSTNORD To Levy New Fee On Mail Items From Countries Outside Eu Customs Union. February 16, 2018.
Airbus conducts first demonstration of Skyways drone delivery project. February 14, 2018.
Postal Workers take Pay Equity fight to Arbitration. February 13, 2018.
POSTNL Delivering for Food Startup Stockon
February 19, 2018
PostNL has helped fund food delivery startup Stockon - and will handle its fortnightly grocery deliveries to customers' doorsteps.
So what's different about Stockon? The Utrecht-based company primarily focuses on items that can be kept longer, rather than foods with a short shelf-life.
The concept is that customers make a one-off digital storage cupboard with products they want to keep in stock at home, such as toilet paper, fabric softener or shampoo.
Via a magical consumption formula (taking into account order history, and household size and composition), Stockon calculates what products customers will need restocked each fortnight. Then, 72 hours before PostNL delivers the groceries, customers receive an overview of the products to be delivered. Customers can change the order up to 24 hours before delivery.
Customers can choose a delivery time slot. There is a two euro discount if the customer has no preference for delivery time slot.
Orders with a value of 25 euros or more are delivered free of charge. For 'small boxes' a delivery rate of 2.49 euros applies.
Stockon doesn't hold any of the groceries. Instead, orders are shipped from manufacturers to customers. Customer data is shared with manufacturers.
Source : Postal Hub
The Russian Post, VTB and Magnit signed a memorandum at the Sochi 2018 Forum
February 16, 2018
Within the framework of the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi, FSUE Russian Post, VTB Bank (PAO) and PJSC Magnit signed a memorandum on strategic partnership.
On the part of the Russian Post, the document was signed by the General Director Nikolai Podguzov, by VTB President and Chairman of the Board Andrei Kostin, from the side of Magnit, General Director Sergei Galitsky.
Under the terms of the memorandum, the parties intend to develop a concept for a new retail format for the combined provision of offline trading, postal, logistics and banking services to their customers. In addition, based on the analysis of consumer preferences, it is planned to develop and implement optimal online mechanisms for the sale of goods and services, as well as joint loyalty programs in order to improve the quality and customer satisfaction.
"The implementation of the memorandum will help create a technological, integrated format of logistics and postal services for retailers. This will significantly improve the level of service and efficiency of using the resources of both Russia's Post and partner companies, "stressed Nikolai Podguzov, General Director of the Russian Post.
Russian Post and "Magnit" plan to consider the possibility of creating a joint service for the delivery of goods to the public through the courier service of the Russian Post, as well as coordinate the use of the distribution and sorting centers of both companies, transport through a wide network of routes in Russia.
In addition, VTB is planned to be identified as a reference bank for servicing the strategic partnership.
At the signing ceremony of the memorandum, Andrey Kostin noted that this strategic partnership is an important step towards the creation of a modern high-tech platform capable of uniting the leaders of the market of various industries in order to maximize the satisfaction of clients' needs on the principle of "one window".
Source : Pochta.Ru
POSTNORD To Levy New Fee On Mail Items From Countries Outside Eu Customs Union
February 16, 2018
PostNord has announced that, from 1 March, all mail items with a declared value that come from outside the EU Customs Union will have VAT applied to them from the first krona, usually at a rate of 25%.
“It is very good that we have been able to agree on a solution for how the levying of VAT on such a large volume of mail items can be handled,” said Post Nord Head of Corporate Affairs Thomas Backteman.
At the same time, a new fee model involving a lower fee than the current SEK 125, including VAT, will be introduced.
A fee of SEK 75 will be charged for consignments with a declared value of less than SEK 1,500.
For consignments with a declared value of SEK 1,500 or more, the current fee of SEK 125 will still apply. In addition to the cost of the VAT declaration, this will also cover the cost of making a customs declaration.
If the recipient does not want to pay the VAT and the fee for the VAT declaration, the consignment will be returned to the sender.
“Establishing a process that can handle the huge volumes involved over the course of just a few weeks has not been easy. But on the first of March we expect to have the process in place and the new handling fees will apply,” added Backteman.
Source: Post and Parcel
Airbus conducts first demonstration of Skyways drone delivery project
February 14, 2018
Airbus Helicopters, a division of aircraft manufacturer Airbus, has completed the first demonstration of its Skyways automated air delivery system at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The drone took off from its dedicated maintenance center and landed on the roof of a specially designed parcel station, where a package was automatically loaded via a robotic arm. Once successfully loaded with the parcel, the Skyways drone took off for a short time before landing again to demonstrate its automatic unloading capabilities.
The experimental project was launched in February 2016 in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) with the aim of developing an urban unmanned air system for cities such as Singapore. The collaboration was subsequently extended in April 2017 when Singapore Post (SingPost) was unveiled as the logistics partner for the project.
Airbus Helicopters is the overall Skyways system architect and provider, contributing its capabilities in drone platforms as well as its concept of future parcel delivery. This concept involves systems and structures that allow drones to land, dock with secure structures, discharge or take on payloads, and then fly off to other destinations.
Alain Flourens, executive vice president of engineering and chief technical officer, Airbus Helicopters, said, “This flight demonstration paves the way for our local trial in the coming months. It is the result of a very strong partnership among the stakeholders involved, especially the close guidance and confidence from the CAAS. Safe and reliable urban air delivery is a reality not too distant into the future, and Airbus is certainly excited to be a forerunner in this endeavor.”
For the full trial, campus students and staff will be able to use Skyways to deliver small parcels weighing between 2kg (4.4 lb) and 4kg (8.8 lb) to designated parcel stations within the campus.
Alex Tan, chief information officer, SingPost Group, said, “The urban logistics challenge is complex and an ecosystem of parcel lockers and autonomous vehicles will be a key piece to solving this puzzle. The trial service that is taking off later this year will be an important step forward for SingPost in our efforts to develop solutions for the future logistics needs of Singapore and other cities of the world.”
Prof. Ho Teck Hua, senior deputy president and provost, NUS, said, “Project Skyways aligns with the NUS vision of serving as a living lab to pilot innovative technologies and solutions. The NUS community is very excited to be the first in Singapore to experience this novel concept of parcel delivery by drones – an endeavor that could redefine urban logistics. Students from the NUS Faculty of Engineering also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience as interns with Airbus for this project. We look forward to working closely with Airbus, CAAS and SingPost to carry out the campus-wide trial.”
Source : Postal and Parcel Technology International
Postal Workers take Pay Equity fight to Arbitration
February 13, 2018
Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers make 25% less than their Urban Male Counterparts at Canada Post
Hearings begin next week into the largest active pay equity case in Canada. At the end of collective bargaining in 2016, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post reached a separate agreement to expedite the pay equity process for Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC).
A joint committee was established to study RSMC pay equity issues and implement the changes within a 19-month timeframe. Now, the findings are in dispute and CUPW has been forced to go to arbitration to settle the matter.
“Canada Post says that there is no wage gap, but RSMC’s can see the difference on pay day,” said Nancy Beauchamp, Pay Equity Committee member and Chief Negotiator for the RSMC bargaining unit. “While we made some gains to wages and benefits during our last round of negotiations, they were nowhere near enough to erase the gap and make RSMC’s equal.”
Nearly two-thirds of RSMCs are women. They make approximately 25% less per hour than their equivalent urban counterparts, the majority of whom are male. RSMCs also receive fewer benefits.
This isn’t the first pay equity case against Canada Post. CUPW is aware of at least two others. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) launched a case in 1983, which took almost 30 years to pay out. The Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA) started its case in 1993 and is still waiting for a resolution.
“Canada Post is a serial offender when it comes to pay equity. We agreed to the joint committee to ensure that our members would not have to wait decades for equal pay,” said Mike Palecek, National President of CUPW. “It’s 2018 and everyone but Canada Post is on board.”
The government intends to create proactive pay equity legislation for federally-regulated workplaces – including Crown corporations – by the end of this year. The government also recently stated it wants to improve labour relations at the Crown Corporation. Canada Post’s approach is doing little to help.
“Pay equity is a fundamental issue that the government has acknowledged needs to be fixed in the federal sector. Women must be paid the same as men for work of equal value,” said Beauchamp. “We’ve completed our research and could start to fix this immediately. We don’t need to wait for legislation that could take years to have an impact.”
Source: CUPW – Canada
POSTAL NEWS
No.17 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
APWU: White House Budget for 2019 Continues Attacks on Postal and Federal Workers. February 21, 2018.
POSTE ITALIANE Reports 10% Profits Increase.
February 20, 2018.
Hermes opens US$50m sorting facility in southern Germany. February 19, 2018.
The post office is still working during the shutdown
Mail and post offices aren’t affected. January 22, 2018.
Shop the clever way with Profital. January 16, 2018.
APWU: White House Budget for 2019 Continues Attacks on Postal and Federal Workers
February 21, 2018
The White House introduced its proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget to Congress last week. This non-binding proposal begins an annual, months-long government funding process and also showcases the Administration’s funding priorities, setting the tone for budget negotiations.
For postal and federal workers, this budget is largely a reintroduction of last year’s failed attacks on our pay and benefits, but takes them even further. It:
Increases employee FERS contributions 1% a year for each of the next six years;
Eliminates FERS Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and reduces CSRS COLAs by 0.5%;
Eliminates the special retirement supplement;
Reduces retirement benefits by using a “high five” salary average formula, rather than the current “high three” average;
Lowers the G-fund interest rate to provide worse returns on Thrift Savings Plan investments;
Increases the share postal and federal workers pay for care under the FEHBP;
Slashes Postal Service personnel costs and reduces mail service to the American people to achieve $44 billion dollars in postal-specific savings;
Decrease FECA compensation for injured workers and institute a new waiting period before they can receive benefits;
Cuts $237 billion from Medicare.
Each of these proposals would be severe cuts to dedicated postal employees, both active and retired.
“We’ve been down this road before, and once again we cannot allow the budget to be balanced on the backs of working people,” said President Mark Dimondstein.
As justification for attacking our paychecks and retirement security, the White House cites the need to reduce the federal deficit; however, the White House and its allies seemed unconcerned with the deficit when they passed a $1.5 trillion bill to finance tax cuts for the wealthy elite.
“Just as we feared when we fought against the disastrous tax proposal, the White House is coming after our hard-earned pay and benefits to ‘fix’ the deficit they are growing,” said Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard.
Many of the Administration’s disastrous proposals were incorporated into last year’s House budget, as part of a $32 billion dollar cut targeted at federal and postal worker pay and benefits. Postal workers, active and retired alike, rallied last year against the budget attacks and stood arm-in-arm with our sisters and brothers in the Federal-Postal Coalition to defend our livelihoods. We flooded Congress with tens of thousands of calls on our coordinated Day of Action against the budget, and thanks to our activism, we were victorious. Congress ultimately abandoned the House budget and instead adopted the Senate budget which excluded these terrible provisions.
As this year’s budget process begins anew, we will bring that same vigilance and action to succeed.
Source : Postal Times
POSTE ITALIANE Reports 10% Profits Increase
February 20, 2018
Poste Italiane has reported a consolidated net profit of €689m for 2017, up 10.8% on 2016, while revenue was up 1% at €33.4bn.
In common with most postal operators, Poste Italiane saw a continuing growth in parcels, and decline in traditional mail.
Commenting on the results, Matteo Del Fante, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Poste Italiane, said: “The 2017 preliminary results illustrate the strength of Poste Italiane with strong earnings, providing quality services to customers, whilst creating value for shareholders and employees.
“The numbers confirm Poste Italiane Group’s growth trend in terms of revenues, operating profit and net profit. 2017 also saw a significant increase in BancoPosta’s savings collection and PosteVita’s operating profit.
“The increased parcels revenues are encouraging, a sign of the company’s capacity to seize the growing of e-commerce opportunities in Italy.
“These results mitigate the expected drop in revenues in postal services, linked to the ongoing fall in mail volumes.
“Poste Italiane continues to invest in innovation and in digital solutions. An important step in this direction is the creation of the new Payments Mobile & Digital division, which will offer advanced payment solutions through Poste Italiane’s physical and online distribution channels.
“The 2017 results represent a solid basis for the strategic plan, which will be presented in Milan on 27 February.
“We confirm the distribution of 80 per cent of 2017 preliminary net profit, corresponding to a €0.42 dividend per share up from 2016.”
Source: Post and Parcel
Hermes opens US$50m sorting facility in southern Germany
February 19, 2018
Hermes Germany has inaugurated its new logistics center in the southern municipality of Graben. The €40m (US$50m) hub is capable of processing up to 13,000 items per hour, equating to 100,000 packages each day. The state-of-the-art Belt Tray Sorter from Siemens sits within an 8,700m² (94,000ft²) main hall with 100 gates for loading and unloading packages.
The Graben hub is the fourth of nine new centers to open as part of a wider €300m (US$370m) infrastructure program by Hermes Germany, which is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The new hub will be home to more than 120 employees.
Markus Hobein, general area manager Munich at Hermes Germany, said, “Our new logistics center in Graben is a central hub for large parts of Bavaria and eastern Baden-Württemberg. Due to the continuously increasing number of consignments nationwide, the construction of a state-of-the-art distribution center in the south of the republic was indispensable for us. Of course, our customers also benefit from the faster turnaround times and the resulting shorter delivery times.”
Dirk Rahn, operations manager at Hermes Germany, said, “Overall, by the year 2020 we will build nine new state-of-the-art distribution centers. With these new locations, we can continue to be one of the leading parcel service providers in Germany and reliably manage the sustained growth in e-commerce volumes.”
Like the other new logistics centers from Hermes, the German Sustainable Building Council will award the new location in Graben with Gold status. The certificate recognizes the exemplary handling of resources and the environment. In addition to ergonomic and barrier-free workstations with height-adjustable tables, there are also extensive green areas surrounding the new center.
Source : postal and parcel technology international.
The post office is still working during the shutdown
Mail and post offices aren’t affected.
January 22, 2018
Monday is the first weekday of the government shutdown, and things are beginning to get real. But while the shutdown has affected government agencies and services in different ways, some are carrying on — including the US Postal Service.
That means post offices are open and mail delivery will continue despite the shutdown.
Although the post office is a federal entity, its operating budget is not funded by federal tax dollars. Instead, the Postal Service earns the money it needs to function every time you mail a care package to a relative or put a stamp on the upper right-hand corner of an envelope.
“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 USPS website reads.
While this method of funding might serve the Postal Service well during a shutdown, it’s worth noting that its financial situation is otherwise looking pretty grim. The USPS reported a $2.7 billion loss in 2017 and a $5.6 billion loss in 2016.
Last year, the House introduced a bill to restructure a 2006 law that requires the USPS to pay $5.4 billion to $5.8 billion to fund pension and health benefits for postal retirees. Although a House panel approved the bill, it has not been passed or voted on, leaving the Postal Service with a $6.9 billion debt to the government as of the last fiscal year.
But if you’re waiting for a letter or a package today, you can rest easy knowing it should arrive on time.
Source: Vox.com
Shop the clever way with Profital
January 16, 2018
Get the best offers on your mobile phone instead of spending hours searching for good offers yourself. The new app, Profital, can help you out with this.
Most people in Switzerland look for information on offers online before deciding to buy. OK, perhaps that’s not true in every case. But researchers at the University of Zurich have found out that people do look for offers online 75% of the time, as shown in their research report “Internet-Anwendungen und deren Nutzung in der Schweiz” (Internet applications and their use in Switzerland).
How an app can make your life easier.
Until now, searching for the best offers for each product has been fairly difficult. Each retailer has their own website, and you have to go to the effort of clicking through various product categories. Even finding out how to search for branches is not always an intuitive process. Powered by internal Innovation Management and the Offerista Group, Swiss Post has found a way to bring together all your shopping needs in one place. The start-up Profitalis the first Swiss provider to offer printed advertising leaflets in digital form. You can receive local offers from the latest advertising leaflets as if on a silver platter via the app and the online portal. In this way, Profital links the physical and digital shopping experiences. And the best part: you decide which channel is the right one for you.
What Profital can do ?
Once the app is installed on your mobile phone, you can mark your favourite leaflets and then receive an automatic notification once a new one has been added. Of course, you can also browse through all the other leaflets.
The wish list function is especially handy. If you spot an interesting offer, you can simply mark it, and the next time you buy something from that provider, you will remember why you are there. In addition, if retailers have their own online shop, there are direct links to the products. You can also submit your online order straight from the leaflet without having to spend a long time trawling through the website. If you are looking for the item of your dreams but want to see it in real life first, Profital can also show you where your preferred retailer’s nearest store is thanks to the app’s localization function. It will also display the opening times so you know whether it’s worth making the trip on the same day.
“Consumers have the same needs, but the preferred medium is different for many people.”
Profital is a new addition to the Swiss marketplace. Raphael Thommen, Head of Profital, explains how the launch went and what we can expect in the future.
Mr Thommen, Profital has been online for two or three months. More than 250,000 active users, over 10,000 Facebook fans.
Are you satisfied with the launch?
We are very satisfied with the launch and are receiving plenty of positive feedback from our users. For example, the Profital app has already been rated as “very good” more than 500 times in the App Store and Play Store. Our user numbers are increasing substantially every day, and we recorded more than 1 million leaflet openings in the first two months alone.
Swiss Post: Why has there never been an app like this before in the Swiss marketplace? Is the competition asleep?
Swiss Post has been active in the unaddressed promotional mailings market for a long time and understands the potential and impact of advertising leaflets. We have a correspondingly wide range of expertise and are extremely confident that we can also apply this online. Consumers have the same needs, but the preferred medium is different for many people.
Swiss Post: How will Profital continue to develop? What’s next?
We will continue expanding the range of offers on Profital to provide our users with a comprehensive overview of the best offers in their area. This is why we are trying to integrate as many leaflets and promotions as possible into Profital. The technology behind the Profital app is also continually being developed, and its functions are adapted to our users’ needs. We are already working to incorporate additional functions with a wow factor, such as video integration and dynamic leaflets. As well as striving to meet our users’ needs, we are also focusing on retailers’ needs. For example, leaflets can also be viewed via a Switzerland-wide partner network, which includes Stocard, the largest loyalty card app in Switzerland. This ensures that retailers always reach their customers at the right point on the customer journey – when they plan their purchase and during the shopping process.
Source: Swiss Post.
No.16 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
POSTNL Delivering for Food Startup Stockon. February 19, 2018.
The Russian Post, VTB and Magnit signed a memorandum at the Sochi 2018 Forum. February 16, 2018.
POSTNORD To Levy New Fee On Mail Items From Countries Outside Eu Customs Union. February 16, 2018.
Airbus conducts first demonstration of Skyways drone delivery project. February 14, 2018.
Postal Workers take Pay Equity fight to Arbitration. February 13, 2018.
POSTNL Delivering for Food Startup Stockon
February 19, 2018
PostNL has helped fund food delivery startup Stockon - and will handle its fortnightly grocery deliveries to customers' doorsteps.
So what's different about Stockon? The Utrecht-based company primarily focuses on items that can be kept longer, rather than foods with a short shelf-life.
The concept is that customers make a one-off digital storage cupboard with products they want to keep in stock at home, such as toilet paper, fabric softener or shampoo.
Via a magical consumption formula (taking into account order history, and household size and composition), Stockon calculates what products customers will need restocked each fortnight. Then, 72 hours before PostNL delivers the groceries, customers receive an overview of the products to be delivered. Customers can change the order up to 24 hours before delivery.
Customers can choose a delivery time slot. There is a two euro discount if the customer has no preference for delivery time slot.
Orders with a value of 25 euros or more are delivered free of charge. For 'small boxes' a delivery rate of 2.49 euros applies.
Stockon doesn't hold any of the groceries. Instead, orders are shipped from manufacturers to customers. Customer data is shared with manufacturers.
Source : Postal Hub
The Russian Post, VTB and Magnit signed a memorandum at the Sochi 2018 Forum
February 16, 2018
Within the framework of the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi, FSUE Russian Post, VTB Bank (PAO) and PJSC Magnit signed a memorandum on strategic partnership.
On the part of the Russian Post, the document was signed by the General Director Nikolai Podguzov, by VTB President and Chairman of the Board Andrei Kostin, from the side of Magnit, General Director Sergei Galitsky.
Under the terms of the memorandum, the parties intend to develop a concept for a new retail format for the combined provision of offline trading, postal, logistics and banking services to their customers. In addition, based on the analysis of consumer preferences, it is planned to develop and implement optimal online mechanisms for the sale of goods and services, as well as joint loyalty programs in order to improve the quality and customer satisfaction.
"The implementation of the memorandum will help create a technological, integrated format of logistics and postal services for retailers. This will significantly improve the level of service and efficiency of using the resources of both Russia's Post and partner companies, "stressed Nikolai Podguzov, General Director of the Russian Post.
Russian Post and "Magnit" plan to consider the possibility of creating a joint service for the delivery of goods to the public through the courier service of the Russian Post, as well as coordinate the use of the distribution and sorting centers of both companies, transport through a wide network of routes in Russia.
In addition, VTB is planned to be identified as a reference bank for servicing the strategic partnership.
At the signing ceremony of the memorandum, Andrey Kostin noted that this strategic partnership is an important step towards the creation of a modern high-tech platform capable of uniting the leaders of the market of various industries in order to maximize the satisfaction of clients' needs on the principle of "one window".
Source : Pochta.Ru
POSTNORD To Levy New Fee On Mail Items From Countries Outside Eu Customs Union
February 16, 2018
PostNord has announced that, from 1 March, all mail items with a declared value that come from outside the EU Customs Union will have VAT applied to them from the first krona, usually at a rate of 25%.
“It is very good that we have been able to agree on a solution for how the levying of VAT on such a large volume of mail items can be handled,” said Post Nord Head of Corporate Affairs Thomas Backteman.
At the same time, a new fee model involving a lower fee than the current SEK 125, including VAT, will be introduced.
A fee of SEK 75 will be charged for consignments with a declared value of less than SEK 1,500.
For consignments with a declared value of SEK 1,500 or more, the current fee of SEK 125 will still apply. In addition to the cost of the VAT declaration, this will also cover the cost of making a customs declaration.
If the recipient does not want to pay the VAT and the fee for the VAT declaration, the consignment will be returned to the sender.
“Establishing a process that can handle the huge volumes involved over the course of just a few weeks has not been easy. But on the first of March we expect to have the process in place and the new handling fees will apply,” added Backteman.
Source: Post and Parcel
Airbus conducts first demonstration of Skyways drone delivery project
February 14, 2018
Airbus Helicopters, a division of aircraft manufacturer Airbus, has completed the first demonstration of its Skyways automated air delivery system at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The drone took off from its dedicated maintenance center and landed on the roof of a specially designed parcel station, where a package was automatically loaded via a robotic arm. Once successfully loaded with the parcel, the Skyways drone took off for a short time before landing again to demonstrate its automatic unloading capabilities.
The experimental project was launched in February 2016 in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) with the aim of developing an urban unmanned air system for cities such as Singapore. The collaboration was subsequently extended in April 2017 when Singapore Post (SingPost) was unveiled as the logistics partner for the project.
Airbus Helicopters is the overall Skyways system architect and provider, contributing its capabilities in drone platforms as well as its concept of future parcel delivery. This concept involves systems and structures that allow drones to land, dock with secure structures, discharge or take on payloads, and then fly off to other destinations.
Alain Flourens, executive vice president of engineering and chief technical officer, Airbus Helicopters, said, “This flight demonstration paves the way for our local trial in the coming months. It is the result of a very strong partnership among the stakeholders involved, especially the close guidance and confidence from the CAAS. Safe and reliable urban air delivery is a reality not too distant into the future, and Airbus is certainly excited to be a forerunner in this endeavor.”
For the full trial, campus students and staff will be able to use Skyways to deliver small parcels weighing between 2kg (4.4 lb) and 4kg (8.8 lb) to designated parcel stations within the campus.
Alex Tan, chief information officer, SingPost Group, said, “The urban logistics challenge is complex and an ecosystem of parcel lockers and autonomous vehicles will be a key piece to solving this puzzle. The trial service that is taking off later this year will be an important step forward for SingPost in our efforts to develop solutions for the future logistics needs of Singapore and other cities of the world.”
Prof. Ho Teck Hua, senior deputy president and provost, NUS, said, “Project Skyways aligns with the NUS vision of serving as a living lab to pilot innovative technologies and solutions. The NUS community is very excited to be the first in Singapore to experience this novel concept of parcel delivery by drones – an endeavor that could redefine urban logistics. Students from the NUS Faculty of Engineering also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience as interns with Airbus for this project. We look forward to working closely with Airbus, CAAS and SingPost to carry out the campus-wide trial.”
Source : Postal and Parcel Technology International
Postal Workers take Pay Equity fight to Arbitration
February 13, 2018
Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers make 25% less than their Urban Male Counterparts at Canada Post
Hearings begin next week into the largest active pay equity case in Canada. At the end of collective bargaining in 2016, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post reached a separate agreement to expedite the pay equity process for Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC).
A joint committee was established to study RSMC pay equity issues and implement the changes within a 19-month timeframe. Now, the findings are in dispute and CUPW has been forced to go to arbitration to settle the matter.
“Canada Post says that there is no wage gap, but RSMC’s can see the difference on pay day,” said Nancy Beauchamp, Pay Equity Committee member and Chief Negotiator for the RSMC bargaining unit. “While we made some gains to wages and benefits during our last round of negotiations, they were nowhere near enough to erase the gap and make RSMC’s equal.”
Nearly two-thirds of RSMCs are women. They make approximately 25% less per hour than their equivalent urban counterparts, the majority of whom are male. RSMCs also receive fewer benefits.
This isn’t the first pay equity case against Canada Post. CUPW is aware of at least two others. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) launched a case in 1983, which took almost 30 years to pay out. The Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA) started its case in 1993 and is still waiting for a resolution.
“Canada Post is a serial offender when it comes to pay equity. We agreed to the joint committee to ensure that our members would not have to wait decades for equal pay,” said Mike Palecek, National President of CUPW. “It’s 2018 and everyone but Canada Post is on board.”
The government intends to create proactive pay equity legislation for federally-regulated workplaces – including Crown corporations – by the end of this year. The government also recently stated it wants to improve labour relations at the Crown Corporation. Canada Post’s approach is doing little to help.
“Pay equity is a fundamental issue that the government has acknowledged needs to be fixed in the federal sector. Women must be paid the same as men for work of equal value,” said Beauchamp. “We’ve completed our research and could start to fix this immediately. We don’t need to wait for legislation that could take years to have an impact.”
Source: CUPW – Canada
POSTAL NEWS
No.17 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
APWU: White House Budget for 2019 Continues Attacks on Postal and Federal Workers. February 21, 2018.
POSTE ITALIANE Reports 10% Profits Increase.
February 20, 2018.
Hermes opens US$50m sorting facility in southern Germany. February 19, 2018.
The post office is still working during the shutdown
Mail and post offices aren’t affected. January 22, 2018.
Shop the clever way with Profital. January 16, 2018.
APWU: White House Budget for 2019 Continues Attacks on Postal and Federal Workers
February 21, 2018
The White House introduced its proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget to Congress last week. This non-binding proposal begins an annual, months-long government funding process and also showcases the Administration’s funding priorities, setting the tone for budget negotiations.
For postal and federal workers, this budget is largely a reintroduction of last year’s failed attacks on our pay and benefits, but takes them even further. It:
Increases employee FERS contributions 1% a year for each of the next six years;
Eliminates FERS Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and reduces CSRS COLAs by 0.5%;
Eliminates the special retirement supplement;
Reduces retirement benefits by using a “high five” salary average formula, rather than the current “high three” average;
Lowers the G-fund interest rate to provide worse returns on Thrift Savings Plan investments;
Increases the share postal and federal workers pay for care under the FEHBP;
Slashes Postal Service personnel costs and reduces mail service to the American people to achieve $44 billion dollars in postal-specific savings;
Decrease FECA compensation for injured workers and institute a new waiting period before they can receive benefits;
Cuts $237 billion from Medicare.
Each of these proposals would be severe cuts to dedicated postal employees, both active and retired.
“We’ve been down this road before, and once again we cannot allow the budget to be balanced on the backs of working people,” said President Mark Dimondstein.
As justification for attacking our paychecks and retirement security, the White House cites the need to reduce the federal deficit; however, the White House and its allies seemed unconcerned with the deficit when they passed a $1.5 trillion bill to finance tax cuts for the wealthy elite.
“Just as we feared when we fought against the disastrous tax proposal, the White House is coming after our hard-earned pay and benefits to ‘fix’ the deficit they are growing,” said Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard.
Many of the Administration’s disastrous proposals were incorporated into last year’s House budget, as part of a $32 billion dollar cut targeted at federal and postal worker pay and benefits. Postal workers, active and retired alike, rallied last year against the budget attacks and stood arm-in-arm with our sisters and brothers in the Federal-Postal Coalition to defend our livelihoods. We flooded Congress with tens of thousands of calls on our coordinated Day of Action against the budget, and thanks to our activism, we were victorious. Congress ultimately abandoned the House budget and instead adopted the Senate budget which excluded these terrible provisions.
As this year’s budget process begins anew, we will bring that same vigilance and action to succeed.
Source : Postal Times
POSTE ITALIANE Reports 10% Profits Increase
February 20, 2018
Poste Italiane has reported a consolidated net profit of €689m for 2017, up 10.8% on 2016, while revenue was up 1% at €33.4bn.
In common with most postal operators, Poste Italiane saw a continuing growth in parcels, and decline in traditional mail.
Commenting on the results, Matteo Del Fante, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Poste Italiane, said: “The 2017 preliminary results illustrate the strength of Poste Italiane with strong earnings, providing quality services to customers, whilst creating value for shareholders and employees.
“The numbers confirm Poste Italiane Group’s growth trend in terms of revenues, operating profit and net profit. 2017 also saw a significant increase in BancoPosta’s savings collection and PosteVita’s operating profit.
“The increased parcels revenues are encouraging, a sign of the company’s capacity to seize the growing of e-commerce opportunities in Italy.
“These results mitigate the expected drop in revenues in postal services, linked to the ongoing fall in mail volumes.
“Poste Italiane continues to invest in innovation and in digital solutions. An important step in this direction is the creation of the new Payments Mobile & Digital division, which will offer advanced payment solutions through Poste Italiane’s physical and online distribution channels.
“The 2017 results represent a solid basis for the strategic plan, which will be presented in Milan on 27 February.
“We confirm the distribution of 80 per cent of 2017 preliminary net profit, corresponding to a €0.42 dividend per share up from 2016.”
Source: Post and Parcel
Hermes opens US$50m sorting facility in southern Germany
February 19, 2018
Hermes Germany has inaugurated its new logistics center in the southern municipality of Graben. The €40m (US$50m) hub is capable of processing up to 13,000 items per hour, equating to 100,000 packages each day. The state-of-the-art Belt Tray Sorter from Siemens sits within an 8,700m² (94,000ft²) main hall with 100 gates for loading and unloading packages.
The Graben hub is the fourth of nine new centers to open as part of a wider €300m (US$370m) infrastructure program by Hermes Germany, which is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The new hub will be home to more than 120 employees.
Markus Hobein, general area manager Munich at Hermes Germany, said, “Our new logistics center in Graben is a central hub for large parts of Bavaria and eastern Baden-Württemberg. Due to the continuously increasing number of consignments nationwide, the construction of a state-of-the-art distribution center in the south of the republic was indispensable for us. Of course, our customers also benefit from the faster turnaround times and the resulting shorter delivery times.”
Dirk Rahn, operations manager at Hermes Germany, said, “Overall, by the year 2020 we will build nine new state-of-the-art distribution centers. With these new locations, we can continue to be one of the leading parcel service providers in Germany and reliably manage the sustained growth in e-commerce volumes.”
Like the other new logistics centers from Hermes, the German Sustainable Building Council will award the new location in Graben with Gold status. The certificate recognizes the exemplary handling of resources and the environment. In addition to ergonomic and barrier-free workstations with height-adjustable tables, there are also extensive green areas surrounding the new center.
Source : postal and parcel technology international.
The post office is still working during the shutdown
Mail and post offices aren’t affected.
January 22, 2018
Monday is the first weekday of the government shutdown, and things are beginning to get real. But while the shutdown has affected government agencies and services in different ways, some are carrying on — including the US Postal Service.
That means post offices are open and mail delivery will continue despite the shutdown.
Although the post office is a federal entity, its operating budget is not funded by federal tax dollars. Instead, the Postal Service earns the money it needs to function every time you mail a care package to a relative or put a stamp on the upper right-hand corner of an envelope.
“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 USPS website reads.
While this method of funding might serve the Postal Service well during a shutdown, it’s worth noting that its financial situation is otherwise looking pretty grim. The USPS reported a $2.7 billion loss in 2017 and a $5.6 billion loss in 2016.
Last year, the House introduced a bill to restructure a 2006 law that requires the USPS to pay $5.4 billion to $5.8 billion to fund pension and health benefits for postal retirees. Although a House panel approved the bill, it has not been passed or voted on, leaving the Postal Service with a $6.9 billion debt to the government as of the last fiscal year.
But if you’re waiting for a letter or a package today, you can rest easy knowing it should arrive on time.
Source: Vox.com
Shop the clever way with Profital
January 16, 2018
Get the best offers on your mobile phone instead of spending hours searching for good offers yourself. The new app, Profital, can help you out with this.
Most people in Switzerland look for information on offers online before deciding to buy. OK, perhaps that’s not true in every case. But researchers at the University of Zurich have found out that people do look for offers online 75% of the time, as shown in their research report “Internet-Anwendungen und deren Nutzung in der Schweiz” (Internet applications and their use in Switzerland).
How an app can make your life easier.
Until now, searching for the best offers for each product has been fairly difficult. Each retailer has their own website, and you have to go to the effort of clicking through various product categories. Even finding out how to search for branches is not always an intuitive process. Powered by internal Innovation Management and the Offerista Group, Swiss Post has found a way to bring together all your shopping needs in one place. The start-up Profitalis the first Swiss provider to offer printed advertising leaflets in digital form. You can receive local offers from the latest advertising leaflets as if on a silver platter via the app and the online portal. In this way, Profital links the physical and digital shopping experiences. And the best part: you decide which channel is the right one for you.
What Profital can do ?
Once the app is installed on your mobile phone, you can mark your favourite leaflets and then receive an automatic notification once a new one has been added. Of course, you can also browse through all the other leaflets.
The wish list function is especially handy. If you spot an interesting offer, you can simply mark it, and the next time you buy something from that provider, you will remember why you are there. In addition, if retailers have their own online shop, there are direct links to the products. You can also submit your online order straight from the leaflet without having to spend a long time trawling through the website. If you are looking for the item of your dreams but want to see it in real life first, Profital can also show you where your preferred retailer’s nearest store is thanks to the app’s localization function. It will also display the opening times so you know whether it’s worth making the trip on the same day.
“Consumers have the same needs, but the preferred medium is different for many people.”
Profital is a new addition to the Swiss marketplace. Raphael Thommen, Head of Profital, explains how the launch went and what we can expect in the future.
Mr Thommen, Profital has been online for two or three months. More than 250,000 active users, over 10,000 Facebook fans.
Are you satisfied with the launch?
We are very satisfied with the launch and are receiving plenty of positive feedback from our users. For example, the Profital app has already been rated as “very good” more than 500 times in the App Store and Play Store. Our user numbers are increasing substantially every day, and we recorded more than 1 million leaflet openings in the first two months alone.
Swiss Post: Why has there never been an app like this before in the Swiss marketplace? Is the competition asleep?
Swiss Post has been active in the unaddressed promotional mailings market for a long time and understands the potential and impact of advertising leaflets. We have a correspondingly wide range of expertise and are extremely confident that we can also apply this online. Consumers have the same needs, but the preferred medium is different for many people.
Swiss Post: How will Profital continue to develop? What’s next?
We will continue expanding the range of offers on Profital to provide our users with a comprehensive overview of the best offers in their area. This is why we are trying to integrate as many leaflets and promotions as possible into Profital. The technology behind the Profital app is also continually being developed, and its functions are adapted to our users’ needs. We are already working to incorporate additional functions with a wow factor, such as video integration and dynamic leaflets. As well as striving to meet our users’ needs, we are also focusing on retailers’ needs. For example, leaflets can also be viewed via a Switzerland-wide partner network, which includes Stocard, the largest loyalty card app in Switzerland. This ensures that retailers always reach their customers at the right point on the customer journey – when they plan their purchase and during the shopping process.
Source: Swiss Post.