THOMAS E. LEAVEY

Postal Affairs Department

The Postal Service was created as an independent establishment of the executive branch by the Postal Reorganization Act (39 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), approved August 12, 1970. The United States Postal Service commenced operations on July 1, 1971.

The Postal Service has more than 830,000 employees and handles more than 160 billion pieces of mail annually. The chief executive officer of the Postal Service, the Postmaster General, is appointed by the nine Governors of the

Activities

In order to expand and improve service to the public, the Postal Service is engaged in customer cooperation activities, including the development of programs for both the general public and major customers. The Consumer Advocate, a postal ombudsman, represents the interest of the individual mail customer in matters involving the Postal Service by bringing complaints and suggestions to the attention of top postal management and solving the problems of individual customers. To provide postal services responsive to public needs, the Postal Service operates its own planning, research, engineering, real estate, and procurement programs specially adapted to postal requirements, and maintains close ties with international postal organizations.

A fundamental commitment of the Postal Service is to provide swift and reliable mail delivery. Activities designed to facilitate postal operations include design and maintenance of the postal rate structure, development of mail classification standards, and generation of

Postal Service, who are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate for overlapping 9-year terms. The 9 Governors and the Postmaster General appoint the Deputy Postmaster General, and these 11 people constitute the Board of Governors.

In addition to the national headquarters, there are regional and field division offices supervising more than 40,000 post offices, branches, stations, and community post offices throughout the United States.

internal information necessary for effective management of the postal enterprise.

The Postal Service is the only Federal agency whose employment policies are governed by a process of collective bargaining. Labor contract negotiations, affecting all bargaining unit personnel, as well as personnel matters involving employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements, are administered by the Human Resources Group.

The Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the Postal Service, protects the mails, postal funds, and property; investigates internal conditions and needs that may affect postal security and effectiveness; apprehends those who violate the postal laws; and audits financial and nonfinancial operations.

There is a Regional Chief Inspector in each of the five postal regions. Information and complaints of postal violations should be presented to the nearest Postal Inspector in charge.

There are five Regional Postmasters General, each managing postal activities in a geographical area as indicated below.

Sources of Information

Inquiries on the following information should be directed to the specified office, U.S. Postal Service, Washington, DC 20260, or to the appropriate regional office or post office, as indicated above. Consumer Information Contact the Consumer Advocate. Phone, 202-2682281. Information on specific products and services is available from the Marketing Department. Phone, 202-2682222. Information on past and present schemes used to defraud the public is available through the Public Affairs Branch, Postal Inspection Service. Phone, 202-268-4293.

Contracts and Small Business Activities Contact the Procurement and Supply Department. Phone, 202-268-4040. Employment General information about jobs such as clerk, letter carrier, etc., including information about programs for veterans, may be obtained by contacting the nearest post office. Individuals, generally college graduates interested in engineering, management, finance, personnel work, or in employment as physicists, mathematicians, and operations research analysts, may obtain information by contacting the Employee Relations Department. Phone, 202-268-3643.

Information about Inspection Service employment may be obtained from the Chief Postal Inspector. Phone, 202-2684267.

Films Contact the Communications Department for films available for loan to the public. Phone, 202-268-2190.

Philatelic Information Contact the Philatelic and Retail Services Department. Phone, 202-268-2200.

Philatelic Sales Contact the Philatelic Sales Branch, Merrifield, VA 202659998. Phone, 703-573-5416. Publications Pamphlets on mailability, postage rates and fees, and many other topics may be obtained free of charge from the nearest post office.

Most postal regulations are contained in Postal Service Manuals covering Domestic Mail, International Mail, Postal Operations, Administrative Support, Employee and Labor Relations, Financial Management, and Postal Contracting. These manuals and other publications including the National ZIP Code and Post Office Directory (Publication 65) may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-0001. (The National ZIP Code and Post Office Directory is also available through local post offices.) Reading Rooms Located on 11th Floor North, Library Division. Phone, 202– 268-2900.

Speakers Contact the Assistant Postmaster General, Communications Department, to schedule speakers and to coordinate Postal Service participation in meetings of national organizations and associations. Phone, 202-268-2143. Speakers for meetings that are regional or local in nature are scheduled by the appropriate Regional Postmaster General's office or the Regional Chief Inspector's office.