PrintFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations 202-268-2155
March 2, 2004
News Release No. 04-018
www.usps.com
EXPANSION OF LABOR SCHEDULING TOOL ENSURES RIGHT PEOPLE, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors today approved expansion of a web-based management tool that develops an optimal workforce schedule to improve efficiencies in mail processing operations.
"In our initial testing, we have seen plant managers use this tool to help them match their workforce to their workload. It matches employee skills in job assignments to ensure the right people are in the right place at the right time," said Paul Vogel, Vice President, Network Operations Management.
The software application, known as the Labor Force Schedule Optimizer System received initial funding last year, when the Governors approved $13.4 million for development and deployment. Today, the board approved additional funding of $1.2 million to expand the program to a total of 90 facilities nationwide.
Vogel said the application considers each plant's operating plan, network responsibilities, mail processing equipment and specific mail flows. It incorporates all scheduling requirements of postal employee labor agreements.
"Maximizing resources with the Labor Scheduler results in improved employee utilization and reduced operating costs," noted Vogel.
Cost savings and efficiency are part of the Postal Service's Transformation Plan which was adopted two years ago. The plan embraces fundamental long-term transformation to include changes in postal business and operations that will affect customers and employees. This transformation will help the Postal Service secure a future for universal mail service at affordable rates and give it the tools to protect regular mail and ensure a sound national system well into the future.
Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 141 million homes and businesses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $68.9 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mailing and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 202 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves seven million customers each day at its 40,000 retail locations nationwide.