Postal Service Execs Pocket Moving Money

Associated Press ^ | 05/03/2005 | LARRY MARGASAK, Associated Press Writer

[dvan]

WASHINGTON - The Postal Service gives its executives moving expenses of $10,000 or $25,000 without requiring receipts, allowing employees to pocket any leftover money.

The mail service says it uses the payments as a way of easing transitions to new, sometimes more expensive cities and ensuring that executives won't be lured away by competitors.

One senior vice president received $75,000 — $25,000 each for three moves from June 1998 to February 2001. The mail service gave 265 executives $10,000 each and 10 others $25,000 each in the past two years, according to information gathered by Senate Finance Committee investigators.

[dvan]

At least we know where our money is going. :)) Now we know why the cost of stamps is continually going up and why they can't(or won't) compete with email, FedEx and UPS.

[RightWhale]

They were told to operate the Postal Service more like a business. Is that what we had in mind? More like Enron?

[AppyPappy]

And they do such a great job. No wonder they try so hard to keep them.

Like the mafia, without cannolis.

[Pondman88]

Moving expenses are the only way you are going to get an executive to move....So what????

When I relocated the company picked up my tab, and threw in some spending money. Some guys end up moving quite a bit--I'm sure they don't do it because its fun.

[MineralMan]

"Now we know why the cost of stamps is continually going up and why they can't(or won't) compete with email, FedEx and UPS."

Really. Take your envelope down to FedEx or UPS and ask them how much it will cost to send it across the country. See if FedEx will give you free boxes to ship your packages in via Priority Mail. Check the prices for that, too.

I don't condone these phony moving expenses, but I've used the USPS for all my package shipping for my business for over 10 years. Not a single package lost or damaged in that time. It's always cheaper, too.

They compete nicely.

[The Great Yazoo]

Postal Service gives its executives moving expenses of $10,000 or $25,000...

To compensate for lost mail?

[The Great Yazoo]

I've used the USPS for all my package shipping for my business for over 10 years. Not a single package lost or damaged in that time.

What an incredible string of luck you've experienced. I hope it continues for your sake.

I have used Express Mail in my business exactly twice in 21 years of business. Both ten to 15 years ago. Neither package has arrived. Yet.

I won't even bother you with tales of First Class mailing woe.

[MineralMan]

"What an incredible string of luck you've experienced. I hope it continues for your sake.
"

I can see no reason why it shouldn't. I have, however, had several packages shipped to me via UPS disappear, whether by mistake or through the insane practice of leaving them beside my front door if I am not home.

My experience is that a properly labeled mailpiece always arrives. Always. I don't even insure my packages any more when I send them via USPS. Since I have had no lost packages, including international mailings, I can see no reason to pay for insurance.

So, you're welcome to ship stuff any way you wish. I'll stick with the USPS, thanks.

[The Great Yazoo]

My experience is that a properly labeled mailpiece always arrives. Always.

My experience is that a properly labeled mailpiece sometimes arrives. Sometimes.

I have never lost a FedEx or UPS package. Ever.

Go figure!

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Postal Service gives its executives moving expenses of $10,000 or $25,000...

To compensate for lost mail?

I'm an E-7 in the Navy. I get up to 12,500 lbs of my household goods gratis, plus a about $1,200 for dislocation, $50 per diem for me, $37.50 per diem per dependent over 12, plus a $110 per day temperary lodging allowance for up to ten days.

So, even if I'm single, I'm looking at getting my stuff moved and getting an extra $2,500.

I'm not exactly a top-tier executive. $10,000 to $25,000 hardly seems out of line for these guys.

[muawiyah]

Let's see ~ "compete with" ~ what ever could that mean? Do you mean in terms of volume or what?