Debra Brignac, Salt Lake City
“Skippy’s home” was a perfect ending to the truly heartwarming story of Skippy, the gravely ill Pomeranian mix rescued by Wilmington, DE, Letter Carrier Laura Domnick. […]
Mike Milligan
Posts by Mike Milligan
Show and tell
Did you read Link’s recent story about Edward Holloway, an East Durham, NC, rural carrier who marked 50 years of federal service? How about the “Heroes’ Corner” profile of Martha Olsen, the Jackson, MI, letter carrier who donated a kidney to an elementary school teacher from Texas? Were you moved by the piece about USPS […]
Kindness counts
Eric Abrams is proof positive that kindness counts. The Chicago letter carrier is known for his friendly smile, helpful attitude and unwavering dedication. “Hard work pays off and makes a good impression,” he says. The Postal Service wants all employees to follow Abrams’ lead. By delivering excellent service, the organization aims to boost customer loyalty […]
Stay connected
The Postal Service will offer employees a new method to stay up to date during this year’s open season: text messaging. Open season is the annual period when employees can change their health benefits or enroll in a new plan. This year’s open season runs from Nov. 11-Dec. 9. Employees can sign up to receive […]
Signature move
The Postal Service has added an electronic signature service to Informed Delivery that removes the need for customers to physically sign for eligible deliveries requiring a signature. The USPS Electronic Signature Online service allows Informed Delivery customers to use an electronic signature to sign for Priority Mail Express, Signature Confirmation and items insured for $500 […]
Spirit of the season
The Postal Service ushered in the season Oct. 25 during the dedication ceremony for the Holiday Wreaths stamps. “The wreath on the door may express the shared spirit of the holidays, of family and goodwill to others,” said Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan, who spoke at the event. “The wreath has played an enduring role […]
Wanda Hutcherson, Orlando, FL
My heart was touched by “Delivering delight,” the article about the young woman who is fond of getting mail. I applaud the USPS employees who sent her cards for her birthday. […]
‘Feels like home’
Kayla Dufrene clearly recalls the first time she mailed a letter. “I was in grammar school. I dropped a letter to my grandma in a mailbox. Back then, I thought that the letter carrier took my letter and gave it to my grammy’s mailman, who gave it to her,” she said with a laugh. Today, […]
‘Marriage’ and convenience
The Postal Service is conducting a market test for Plus One, a new product that will allow business mailers to add an additional piece to “marriage mail” at a lower price. Marriage mail, also called “shared mail,” is a form of direct mail that combines advertisements from multiple businesses into a single envelope sent by […]
Sales appointment
South Florida District Manager Timothy R. Costello has been named the Postal Service’s acting sales vice president. The appointment took effect Oct. 19. Costello previously served as district manager of Alabama and Dallas districts, delivery programs support manager for Eastern Area, and operations programs support manager for Atlanta and Mississippi districts. Sharon Owens, who has […]
It’s about time
A new video offers an overview of a soon-to-be-released application that will make it easier for Postal Service employees to see their time clock entries. The Virtual Timecard app will allow employees to use a smartphone, tablet or personal computer to see their clock rings and accumulated work hours, every day and anytime. “No more […]
Scanning snapshot
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.83 percent during the week ending Oct. 18, up from one week earlier. Eastern (97.94 percent) led the areas, while Dakotas (99.21 percent) topped the districts. Scanning allows customers to track their packages and mail, and it helps USPS improve efficiency and network management. To see […]
Gurcharan Sachdeva, Boston
The “On the Job” profile of Washington, DC, Postal Inspector Keith Nusbaum was very inspiring — especially the pride he demonstrates when discussing his grandfather, a postal employee for 38 years. […]
Unscheduled leave
Postal Service craft employees can now use the Enterprise Leave Request Application to request unscheduled leave. The application, also known as eLRA, is accessible through LiteBlue using a computer, smartphone or other mobile device. Non-craft employees have used eLRA for several years. Recent improvements to the system have made it available to craft employees. Employees can […]
‘Does not feel like work’
Edward Holloway was recently honored for achieving a significant milestone in his long postal career. Co-workers at East Durham Station in North Carolina paid tribute to the rural carrier’s 50 years of federal service. “I wake up every day and come to the Post Office to deliver mail, and I enjoy it so much that […]
Saving energy
Carolyn Cole wants to help Postal Service employees conserve energy. Cole, energy initiatives manager at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC, is working with her Office of Sustainability colleagues to promote conservation throughout October, which is Energy Awareness Month. The organization-wide educational effort is part of the Postal Service’s broader strategy to reduce its “energy footprint” […]
Ready to receive
The Postal Service is providing customers with tips to help ensure the safety of letter carriers and others during the holiday season. To help avoid injuries from slipping on snow and ice, USPS wants customers to shovel and salt their sidewalks and walkways, especially when expecting a mail delivery. The area around the mailbox should […]
Pod save retirement
If you have questions about the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), locating answers just became a little easier. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, the agency that administers the program, recently introduced “The Real TSP,” a podcast available on YouTube. The podcast is hosted by TSP educators who provide an in-depth look at retirement investing and […]
Phyllis Isaacs, Dallas
I genuinely love Link’s “Heroes’ Corner” stories. […]
Ready, willing and label
USPS is expanding its use of Label Broker, a service available to customers who have purchases to return to a merchant but no access to a printer or shipping labels. After introducing Label Broker last year in select markets, USPS will expand the service nationwide Monday, Oct. 21. Customers will be able to visit a […]
Behind the scenes
Wakefield, MI, Postmaster Drew Tikkanen’s two sons think their mom has a very cool job. The boys, Maximus and Justus, are fascinated by the Postal Service and recently got to experience what Tikkanen does at work when she gave them a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of the Wakefield office. “I think […]
Scanning snapshot
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.82 percent during the week ending Oct. 11, down from one week earlier. Western (97.96 percent) led the areas, while Dakotas (99.23 percent) topped the districts. Scanning allows customers to track their packages and mail, and it helps USPS improve efficiency and network management. To see […]
Daniel Kelly, Cincinnati
I was really inspired by “‘Amazed’ by Grace,” the article about how the Postal Service helped Grace Flannery, a woman with Down syndrome, achieve her dream of delivering mail and packages. […]
Healthy choice
A Southern California postal facility is making room for employees to get healthy. The Sierra Coastal District office, located in Santa Clarita, has opened a wellness center in a previously unused area in the cafeteria. The center was established by Julia Williams, who recently retired as an occupational health nurse administrator, and Rossana “Rose” Legaspi, […]
Attention to details
My name is Sharley Bell and I’m a field sales representative in Indianapolis. My job is to educate business customers about postal products and services. I contact potential customers to find out what their needs are in order to pair them with our products and services and to maximize their business efficiency. I research many […]
Going global
USPS wants employees to remember the Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler tool is available to help users schedule first-time passport application appointments online. Customers can use a computer or mobile device to go to usps.com/scheduler and schedule a first-time appointment for a passport book, a passport card or both. The tool, also known as the RCAS, […]
Hear them roar
USPS has released a video with highlights from the recent dedication ceremony for its Tyrannosaurus Rex stamps. “These stamps [are] 66 million years in the making,” Julius T. Csotonyi, a scientist and the stamp artist, says in the video. The 16-stamp pane features four designs of the dinosaur in growth stages from infancy to adulthood. Two stamps […]
Teresa Brockett, Sebasco Estates, ME
The “Heroes’ Corner” story about Terry Lowie, the Sycamore, IL, letter carrier who guided a blind man and his disoriented dog out of a dangerous street crossing, was wonderfully heartwarming. […]
New prices
The Postal Service has announced price changes to take effect next year. The USPS governors approved the proposed changes, which will be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) before they take effect Jan. 26. In a news release, the governors said these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency […]
Scanning snapshot
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.84 percent during the week ending Oct. 4, up from one week earlier. Western (98.06 percent) led the areas, while Dakotas (99.14 percent) topped the districts. Scanning allows customers to track their packages and mail, and it helps USPS improve efficiency and network management. To see […]