To Carole Hayashino and many other residents of Hawaii, the Byodo-In Temple is much more than a building. The temple, located in Kaneohe on the island of O’ahu, also symbolizes many of the things that make Hawaii unique. “While this beautiful Byodo-In Temple today stands as a symbol of Japanese culture and tradition, it is […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. By how much did the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp increase this week? a) 1 cent b) 2 cents c) 49 cents d) 50 cents 2. What […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Where did Letter Carrier Brandon Franklin rescue the driver of a runaway car? a) Bloomfield Hills, MI b) Birmingham, MI c) West Bloomfield, MI d) Westbranch, MI 2. Fill […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: USPS is extending voluntary early retirement offers to eligible mail handlers and clerks. a) True b) False 2. What year did the Upton, NY, Post Office begin serving […]
USPS is moving the mail despite harsher-than-usual winter weather across much of the nation, including rare snow in the South, bone-chilling temperatures in the Midwest and a ferocious blizzard in the Northeast. Post Offices have suspended operations in some locations along the East Coast, which has been hit with snow, ice and heavy winds. Officials […]
The Postal Service will extend voluntary early retirement (VER) offers to eligible mail handlers and clerks, beginning Jan. 8. The offers will contain three retirement-effective dates from which eligible employees may choose: Jan. 31, Feb. 28 and March 31. While USPS has been taking aggressive steps to cut costs and increase efficiencies, additional operational changes […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Where will this year’s National Postal Forum be held? a) Baltimore b) Detroit c) San Antonio d) Washington, DC 2. When is the last day to donate to the […]
Chief Customer and Marketing Officer James P. Cochrane will retire next month after more than 43 years of USPS service. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan announced the retirement in a Jan. 2 memo, writing that Cochrane has had “a lasting impact” on the organization and the mailing and shipping industry. “In his recent roles as […]
Every picture tells a story, but some have more to say than others. Here’s a roundup of some of the best photos that appeared in Link this year. Some are amusing and others are sobering, but they’re all memorable. Click each thumbnail below to see a larger version of the image. The Link archive has more memorable […]
This week’s “News quiz” features 17 questions about Link stories that were published in 2017. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. How many pounds of food were collected during this year’s Stamp Out Hunger drive? a) 50 million b) 75 million c) 80 million d) 81 million 2. Which USPS executive dedicated the Delicioso […]
The Postal Service will process and deliver an estimated 15 billion cards, letters and packages this holiday season. This massive effort requires planning, coordination — and the skills of 640,000 USPS employees, all doing their part to get the job done. These are some of their stories. ‘It’s way busier than I thought’ This is […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Fill in the blank: In 2016, holiday greeting cards accounted for (blank) of households’ personal correspondence. a) 36.9 percent b) 37.9 percent c) 38.9 percent d) 39.9 percent 2. […]
The busiest week of the holiday season is here. The Postal Service expects to process and deliver almost 3 billion greeting cards and other First-Class Mail pieces this week, along with nearly 200 million packages. Altogether, USPS estimates it will deliver 15 billion total mailpieces between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Package deliveries are projected […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Fill in the blank: “CBS Sunday Morning” recently gave viewers a look at a classic (blank) with a U.S. Mail theme. a) Car b) Clock c) Lunchbox d) Toaster […]
USPS is helping customers meet their holiday needs, PMG Megan J. Brennan told radio listeners across the nation this week. During a series of interviews, the PMG said the organization will deliver 15 billion pieces of mail this holiday season, including 850 million packages. “The Postal Service is uniquely positioned to deliver the holidays — […]
The Postal Service is alerting employees to beware of a fraudulent LiteBlue site that recently appeared on the internet. LiteBlue is used by employees to enroll in health plans, change their benefits, report unscheduled leave and perform other employment-related activities. Hackers apparently launched the fake site to steal employees’ information. USPS has blocked access to the […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Since August, the Employee Assistance Program has completed more emergency on-site visits and team responses than it did during the past two years combined. a) True […]
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.66 percent during the week ending Nov. 17, down from one week earlier. Dakotas (99.16 percent) topped the districts, while Western (98.1 percent) led the areas. To see the latest results, go to the Enterprise Analytics site and select “Analytics Tools,” followed by “DES 2 — Scan Performance. […]
Postal Service employees who plan to take leave should use only the October 2017 version of PS Form 3971, Request for or Notification of Absence. All earlier versions of this form are outdated and should be recycled. This change took effect Nov. 1. The current PS Form 3971 forms included updated Hatch Act and Privacy […]
The Postal Service has reported its financial results for fiscal 2017 (Oct. 1, 2016-Sept. 30, 2017). Here are some highlights: • Total revenue. The organization reported total revenue of $69.6 billion, a decrease of $1.8 billion compared to the prior year. The lower revenues were driven largely by accelerated declines in First-Class Mail and Marketing […]
Veterans Day, a day to honor individuals who have served in the U.S. armed forces, is Saturday, Nov. 11. The holiday holds special significance for the Postal Service, one of the nation’s largest civilian employers of veterans. “On behalf of all 640,000 Postal Service employees, thank you, veterans, for all you have done in service […]
You’ve heard about Informed Delivery, but how much do you really know about it? The Postal Service offers multiple resources to help employees learn about the free feature that allows users to interact with incoming mail and manage packages. The resources include: • Websites. USPS offers Informed Delivery sites on Blue and LiteBlue. Additional information […]
The Postal Service has previewed the image that will be shown on the new Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp. The artwork shows a woman’s profile facing right with a hand on her shoulder and sunlight and clouds behind her. The illustration first appeared on the 2008 42-cent Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp with the woman facing left. PMG Megan […]
The History of Hockey stamps were dedicated Oct. 20 by USPS and Canada Post in Detroit. PMG Megan J. Brennan and Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra led the ceremony, which also featured Red Kelly, an eight-time Stanley Cup champion, and Dr. Murray Howe, son of iconic player Gordie Howe. “Hockey is the perfect […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. About how many artifacts does the National Museum of African American History and Culture have? a) 40,000 b) 42,000 c) 44,000 d) 48,000 2. Fill in the blank: Jax, […]
The Postal Service has announced price changes to take effect Jan. 21. The changes, if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), include a 1-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 49 cents to 50 cents. The changes include adjustments to other Mailing Services products, as well as Shipping Services […]
The Postal Service began the holiday season early by dedicating the Christmas Carols stamps Oct. 5 in New York City. The stamps feature images that illustrate the themes of four beloved holiday standards: “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night” and “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.” Brand Marketing Executive Director Chris Karpenko, who led the dedication, […]
The Postal Service dedicated The Snowy Day stamps Oct. 4 in New York City. The four stamps celebrate Ezra Jack Keats’ beloved 1962 children’s story, “The Snowy Day,” the first prominent 20th-century picture book featuring an African-American child. Each stamp showcases a different illustration of Peter, the main character, exploring his snow-covered neighborhood while wearing […]
Angela Goheen returned to her route this week to find the landscape has changed. “Some houses are totally gone,” said Goheen, a Marathon, FL, rural carrier. “There’s lot of flooding and devastation.” Throughout the southeastern coastal areas and the Caribbean, employees like Goheen are helping USPS restore service in Hurricane Irma’s aftermath. For letter carriers […]
Hurricane Irma was no match for the nation’s smallest Post Office. The Ochopee, FL, office survived the storm despite being in one of the hardest hit areas. At about 62 square feet, the office has been housed in a former toolshed since 1953. Retail Associate Shannon Mitchell sorts mail and provides retail services for the […]