WE’RE NUMBER ONE!

USPS is top-ranked federal agency, survey says

Americans give the Postal Service a big thumbs-up when it comes to protecting their privacy. Of 60 government agencies, the Postal Service is rated highest by the American public in terms of safeguarding personal information, according to an independent survey.

The Postal Service is committed to protecting our customers’ privacy, said Deputy Postmaster General John Nolan. “We are extremely pleased postal customers recognize that the Postal Service takes seriously the privacy and security of the mail and all transactions with us,” he said. “These qualities are at the core of the Postal Service brand.”

The Privacy Trust Survey was conducted by the Ponemon Institute and sponsored by the CIO Institute of Carnegie Mellon University. “The goal of our study was to determine whether or not individuals believe the government is committed to protecting their privacy and which agencies they trust most with their personal information,” said Dr. Larry Ponemon, director of the institute.

Americans have a special relationship with their letter carriers. That’s the reason respondents ranked the Postal Service so high, said Ponemon. “They associate the Postal Service with the friendly person who delivers their catalogs, birthday cards and holds their mail when they go on vacation. They told us that they trust their mail carrier and in turn the Postal Service,” he said.

The Postal Service was one of the first government agencies to appoint a chief privacy officer, whose mission is to protect and enhance the Postal Service’s commitment to privacy. USPS has developed a comprehensive privacy policy that reflects best practices from the private and public sectors.

POSTAL REFORM

The laws governing the Postal Service need to be changed, said members of the House Government Reform Committee’s special panel on postal reform during its third hearing.

We need “to modernize our nation’s postal laws,” said Chairman John McHugh (R-NY). “The Postal Service’s current business model formed as it was in 1970 is no longer sustainable going into the 21st century.” McHugh pointed out that the Postal Service is the linchpin of the $900 billion mailing industry — a sector that employs 9 million people nationwide.

Testifying were mailers, competitors and postal-reliant businesses, including FedEx, Time, Inc., Pitney Bowes and R.R. Donnelley. UPS and DHL Worldwide submitted written testimony. In the previous two hearings, the panel heard from the Postal Service, other government agencies, postal unions and management associations. Most are generally in favor of reform.

Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA), who serves as ranking minority member of the Government Reform Committee, laid out the scope of the panel’s mission: “Our challenge is to modernize the laws that govern Postal Service so it can remain effective and viable in the 21st century.” Waxman added, “Change is essential if we are to strengthen and preserve the Postal Service.”

Representative Tom Davis (R-VA), chairman of the Government Reform Committee, said the President’s Commission on the Postal Service laid the groundwork for reform of the nation’s postal laws, but the time to act is now. “If we do nothing, the Postal Service will be defunct before we know it,” said Davis.

But for postal reform to occur, Representative Dan Burton (R-IN) warned that cooperation is necessary from all stakeholders. “All interested parties must be involved in a positive way,” said Burton.

The Postal Service is vital to our nation, said Representative Danny Davis (D-IL). “We need and must protect the Postal Service.”

McHugh said the panel may convene a fourth hearing in the near future.

NPCC WEBSITE MAKEOVER

The National Postal Customer Council (NPCC) website, www.usps.com/nationalpcc has been redesigned. These changes have reorganized and enhanced the former NPCC web pages for a better user experience under the USPS brand. The NPCC pages provide the most recent news, events, and other resources to NCPP members.

BACK ON SALE

Breast Cancer Research stamp authorized for two more years

It’s well-rested and ready to generate funds for a good cause again. After a short hiatus, the Breast Cancer Research (BCR) stamp is available again for purchase through December 31, 2005.