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Postal Service Operations

T-GGD-88-36 Published: May 19, 1988. Publicly Released: May 19, 1988.
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Highlights

GAO discussed the Postal Service's (USPS) operations relating to congressional oversight. GAO found that USPS: (1) did not consistently adhere to its policy of offering a choice of mail delivery options other than cluster boxes; (2) increased its use of automated equipment to process zip codes; (3) saved about $10 annually for each address by using cluster boxes in residential areas; (4) implemented its ZIP-Plus-4 program to reduce the cost of processing first-class letters and cards; (5) planned to establish a systematic accounting method for National Postal Forum expenses; (6) took action to correct the weaknesses in its procurement practices; (7) reduced its 1988 and 1989 planned commitments by $1.6 billion and $635 million, respectively; (8) rejected proposed cost savings measures such as closing air terminal hubs and merging different classes of mail; and (9) decided not to offer early retirement to its employees or to increase its use of temporary personnel.

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Topics

Budget cutsCongressional oversightCost controlInternal controlsMechanizationPolicy evaluationPostal servicePostal service employeesProcurementGovernment employees