Tag: North America

UPS Extends Health Benefits to N.J. Civil Union Partners

Posted by | Jul 30, 2007 | |

UPS today announced it would offer health care benefits to all civil union partners of hourly employees in New Jersey who are covered under collectively bargained union plans. Management and administrative employees in the state already have such benefits.

The extension of benefits to civil union partners of hourly employees in New Jersey will affect approximately 8,700 workers, although it’s impossible to know how many of those employees have joined in civil unions. About 5,400 non-union UPS workers in New Jersey already are eligible.

UPS, which has provided same-sex benefits since 2004 to all non-union employees throughout the United States, has been committed to treating all of its hourly employees similarly. But until a new contract is negotiated and implemented with the Teamsters in 2008, the company must follow individual state definitions of “spouse.” In New Jersey, UPS has been grappling with the legal question of whether a “civil union” can be equated to “married spouse” when the state’s law does not explicitly use that language.

The extension of benefits is based on discussions and input from state officials, including the attorney general and governor, within the past few days.

UPS intends to address the issue of same-sex benefits for all its hourly workers – no matter where they reside – during negotiations with the Teamsters on a new 2008 contract. Currently, about 85,000 non-hourly workers are eligible for such benefits.

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Self Service Expo: USPS get exhibitor nod

Posted by | Jul 30, 2007 | |

The United States Postal Service was the People’s Choice Winner for Self-Service Street, a strip of interactive booths located at the back of the exhibit hall. Unlike the other Excellence Awards, the People’s Choice winner is voted on by the Expo’s attendees, not the expert judges.

At its Self-Service Street booth, the government agency set up a mock post office branch, complete with a self-service kiosk. The Automated Postal Center (APC) was part of a 2004 initiative by the USPS to integrate self-service to cut wait times. Since 2004, 2,500 APCs have been rolled out.

The APC dispenses stamps, which the USPS says is the overwhelming majority of transactions conducted at post offices. In addition, APC customers can access most of the services available at the counter, including shipment of first class parcel, ZIP code lookup, weighing and rating packages up to 70 pounds and delivery confirmation service.

Prices for shipping and stamps are the same as at the postal counter and there is no additional charge for using the APC.

Michael C. Adams, retail service equipment project manager, said that in the first two fiscal quarters of this year APCs have processed 22 million transactions.

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DHL reduces aircraft noise levels in Riverside, CA

Posted by | Jul 30, 2007 | |

DHL has announced plans to reduce noise impacts on the local community by changing out certain aircraft used during its night-time operations at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California.

Working with its contract airlift provider and leaders from the March ARB Joint Powers Commission, DHL will replace one DC-9 aircraft currently in operation with a quieter aircraft in September this year.

The company also continues to work with its airlift providers to potentially remove a second DC-9 from its operation in Riverside, as soon as September.

Red Alexander, DHL Express’ vice president for aviation & commercial transportation, acknowledged that switching aircraft presents considerable operational and financial challenges for the company.

However, in order to enable daytime ground deliveries, overnight delivery service providers must fly at night, so DHL hopes to reduce the impact by using the quietest planes practicable.

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Authentidate to Provide U.S. Postal Service EPM Service

Posted by | Jul 30, 2007 | |

Authentidate Holding Corp., a worldwide provider of software and web-based services that enable enterprises and individuals to securely conduct the trusted exchange of electronic content, has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Postal Service to become a non-exclusive authorized service provider of the USPS Electronic Postmark (EPM).

With Authentidate, USPS will help ensure performance standards and facilitate the potential for enabling multiple service providers.

Under this new framework, the USPS will license the necessary trademarks and intellectual property to potential authorized providers, helping them to independently price, as well as market, issue and verify EPMs. In addition, giving importance to ensuring a unified level of service across all providers, the Postal Service will define and maintain the technical and operational standards for the EPM service, and serve as backup verifier for all EPMs issued across all providers.

Meanwhile, Authentidate has made it clear that existing USPS customers will not experience any disruption to their existing EPM service as a result of this transition. Existing USPS customers of the EPM service will have the opportunity to become customers of Authentidate, effective August 1, 2007.

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Canadian market has its own preferences, needs and expectations

Posted by | Jul 27, 2007 | |

The most active groups of Canadians who have the highest response to catalogers are between the ages of 35 and 55. They like to purchase men’s apparel, women’s casual shoes, and home décor, according to a recent research project Canada Post did with NPD Group titled, “What Canadians Want – A study into direct buying behavior, July 2007.”

In 2006, retailers in Canada sold USD 391.4 billion worth of goods, up 6.4 percent from 2005 – the highest in nine years.

The most active online shoppers are 25 to 34 and buy small electronics, men’s clothing and skincare products.

Borderfree – Borderfree is a service provided by Canada Post that enables US retailers to accept payment in Canadian dollars as well as quotes of duties and taxes at the time of purchase. Through a white-labeled payment portal, Borderfree does customs brokerage and clearance leveraging Canada Post’s postal network, delivering to over 14 million addresses across Canada.

Canada Post recently introduced Canada’s first customer modeling tool specifically for the catalog market. The Snapshot segmentation system segments 12.5 million households into five major buying groups and over 150 subgroups to assist US mailers in determining market size, customer profile and circulation plans.

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