Postal Rate Hikes Disappoint Mailing Industry

http://www.adweek.com/news/press/postal-rate-hikes-disappoint-mailing-industry-152735

Magazines, newspapers and marketing businesses that depend on the U.S. mail suffered a setback in the fight to ward off an exigent rate hike on top of the annual rate that's tied to the consumer price index.

Citing its "precarious financial condition," the Postal Board of Governors proposed a rate increase of 5.9 percent on top of the annual CPI increase of 1.6 percent. If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the rates would go into effect Jan. 26, 2014.

http://www.dmnews.com/postal-board-asks-for-43-exigent-increase/article/313438/

In a letter to mailers today, Postal Board of Governors Chairman Mickey Barnett announced that the U.S. Postal Service will file a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) for a 4.3% increase in Standard Mail. If approved, the exigent increase will come in addition to the standard Consumer Price Index hike of 1.6%, totaling a 5.9% rise in rates for mailers.