Open season, the once-a-year opportunity for Postal Service employees to make changes to their health coverage or choose a new plan, is Nov. 9-Dec. 14 this year. Here’s what you should know: • You should review your coverage. The Postal Service wants you to evaluate your options to ensure you have the coverage you need […]
Rural Carrier Associate Christian Perry was recently delivering mail in Aliceville, AL, when she spotted an older customer in apparent distress outside his home during a rainstorm. The man, who had fallen in his driveway, was trying to climb into his truck parked there, and he was slumped over the driver’s seat when Perry saw […]
I love Link’s weekly “News Quiz.” It lets me test my postal knowledge on things I know and new things I’ve learned. […]
A retail associate’s conversations with two customers mailing packages for their company has led to more than $98,000 in new revenue for the Postal Service. Timothy Junghans was on duty at Downtown Station in Columbus, GA, when he noticed a regular customer who was mailing a few packages multiple times a week. The customer works […]
The Postal Service is offering customers tips for sending packages during the upcoming peak shipping season. By becoming familiar with the list of prohibited shipping items and size and weight requirements, customers can avoid having packages returned to sender. Here’s what customers should know: • Shipping restrictions: There are guidelines to keep certain hazardous, restricted […]
After reading “Doggie double take,” the article highlighting USPS dog costumes, I had one thought: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor lure of kibble stays these canines from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” […]
City Carrier Assistant Michelle Danner was recently delivering mail in a Newfane, NY, neighborhood when she smelled the odor of gas leaking at a residence. Because the customer did not appear to be at home, Danner alerted a neighbor, who called the gas company. Utility workers soon discovered and repaired a major leak. The customer […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees that new social distancing procedures have been implemented to help protect workers who deliver mail during the coronavirus pandemic. To reduce health risks, the organization has temporarily modified procedures for Mobile Delivery Devices (MDDs); Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt; Form 3849, We ReDeliver for You; and any hard-copy receipt […]
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the USPS leadership ranks: • Stefanie S. Cherry, Great Lakes Area’s operations industrial engineering field integration manager, was named acting business solutions network modeling manager. • Jeremy Merlo, facilities services manager based in Windsor, CT, was named acting facilities construction manager. • Teresa Pelina, lead operations support […]
To help mark Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, here are some things you may not have known. 1. Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, marking the first anniversary of World War I’s end. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday […]
Deer Isle, ME, Rural Carrier Associate Tiffany Limeburner was recently delivering mail to a 98-year-old customer in nearby Stonington when a serious mishap occurred: The woman fell, striking her head on the floor and scraping her arms. Limeburner safely helped her get up and into a kitchen chair, then alerted local Postmaster Stephanie Black, who […]
“Little boy blue,” the article about Philadelphia Letter Carrier Jody Forte and Julius Westfall, his 2-year-old pal, watered my eyes and warmed my heart. Thank you, Jody, for making Julius one happy little boy. […]
The Power of One, a campaign to raise revenue for the Postal Service through sales leads from employees, is underway. The Small Business Sales team is leading the initiative, which began Oct. 1 and will continue through the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2021. The team hopes the campaign will achieve […]
The Postal Service is continuing to remind employees of the rules surrounding political activity under the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act is a law that prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, while wearing a federal uniform or identification badge, while on federal property or while inside a federal vehicle. Under […]
The Postal Inspection Service has introduced a website that outlines the law enforcement agency’s efforts to protect the integrity of election-related mail. The website, located at uspis.gov/election-mail-security, provides overviews of mail security initiatives — including government partnerships, digital security measures and process improvements — as well as tips for voters. Like the USPS website for […]
Letter Carrier John Lavoie was delivering mail one day last December in Arlington, MA, when a customer driving by saw him parked alongside a road. The woman wanted to see if Lavoie had a package she was expecting. But when she pulled over, she made an unfortunate mistake: She put her car in reverse instead […]
It’s Halloween time, Americans are rallying around the Postal Service, people love their pets, and who couldn’t use a good chuckle right about now? Count those among the reasons you’re quite likely to see dogs dressed as letter carriers in your neighborhood and social media feed these days. The officially licensed USPS dog costume, introduced […]
The Postal Service is encouraging employees to get a flu shot, which will be more important than ever this season because of the coronavirus pandemic. Flu vaccines don’t prevent the coronavirus, but they help to reduce flu-related illnesses, missed work and school, hospitalizations, deaths and burdens on the health care system. This means more medical […]
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the USPS leadership ranks: • Anthony Gibson, Western Area’s sales director, was named acting national sales executive director. • Norris W. Hamm, the Fort Myers, FL, Processing and Distribution Center’s plant manager, was named the Manasota, FL, Processing and Distribution Center’s acting plant manager. • Jewelyn Harrington, […]
To mark Native American Heritage Month, which begins Nov. 1, here are five things you may not have known. 1. The United States is home to 6.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. By 2060, this number is projected to reach 10.1 million people — or about 2.5 percent of the population, according to U.S. […]
Postal Support Employee Kelly Jensen was on duty one day earlier this year in Niagara Falls, NY, when she made a surprising discovery in a collection box: three lost Panamanian passports for a woman and two children. Concerned that the owners would have difficulty traveling without the documents, Jensen tried unsuccessfully to contact the woman […]
Jason Johnson and Lloyd Keast were named the Postal Service’s National Engagement Leader of the Year Award recipients this week. Johnson is sales manager for Suncoast District, while Keast is Northern New England District’s senior Post Office operations manager. “Jason and Lloyd each consistently demonstrate that they are committed to fostering a more engaging postal […]
The Postal Service is offering employees another reminder about the rules for participating in political activities under the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act is a law that prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, while wearing a federal uniform or identification badge, while on federal property or while inside a federal […]
The Postal Service is asking customers to help employees stay safe during the upcoming holiday season by eliminating some common hazards found around homes during the winter months. “Safety is important no matter the time of year. But even the most safety-conscious person could forget simple, quick safety checks during the hustle and bustle that […]
Letter Carrier Anthony Watson was recently delivering mail to a duplex in Wilmington, NC, when he spotted a deck on fire. As flames quickly spread to the roof, Watson immediately called 911 and remained on the scene until emergency responders arrived to battle the blaze. Firefighters rescued an older resident who was inside the structure […]
The Postal Inspection Service wants to raise awareness of “brushing scams,” which occur when consumers receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts fake customer reviews online to boost sales. These fake reviews help to fraudulently boost or inflate the products’ ratings and sales numbers, which the seller hopes will result in an increase […]
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the USPS leadership ranks: • Carla Edmonds, Northeast Area’s senior operations support specialist, was named acting in-plant support manager at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. • Steve Hardin resumed his duties as Suncoast District’s manager following a detail assignment in South Florida District, where Tampa, FL, Postmaster […]
To help mark National Slip, Trip and Fall Prevention Week, here’s a list of the 15 cities where USPS recorded the most employee slips, trips and falls in 2019, along with the number of reported incidents in each location. Chicago (295) Philadelphia (187) Minneapolis (178) Denver (162) St. Louis (152) Baltimore (146) Detroit (142) Miami […]
Price changes. Temporary price increases for USPS commercial domestic parcel products took effect Oct. 18. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) approved the changes last month. The increases — which affect Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service and Commercial Parcel Select — will continue until Dec. 27 at 12 a.m. Central time. After that, […]
Letter Carrier Michael Haser was recently making deliveries in a Norwalk, CT, neighborhood when he grew concerned about an older customer whose mail was piling up. Haser knocked on the woman’s front door and heard her yell for help in response. The Postal Service employee opened the door and found that the customer was in […]