A surprise guest joined a special dedication ceremony for the Lena Horne stamp in Los Angeles last week: Dionne Warwick. Warwick was being honored at Los Angeles City Hall, where local Postal Service leaders were holding the stamp ceremony. When Warwick learned about the dedication, she asked if she could join the event — a […]
Frankie Wright says knowledge is important to his job. The White Plains, NY, operations programs specialist provides administrative support for dozens of USPS systems in Northeast Area’s Westchester District. “There are always new tools and programs to improve USPS,” Wright says. “We’re the first in line to troubleshoot if anyone has a problem, so we […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees that the percentages used to tax supplemental wages differ from normal taxation percentages. Supplemental wages can include: Annual leave exchanges Awards Back-pay awards Prizes Severance pay Reimbursements for nondeductible moving expenses Supplemental wages are subject to a withholding rate of 22 percent. Congress and the IRS determine taxation percentages. […]
“Jeopardy!” alert. A stamp that celebrates a children’s author will be a clue on the “Jeopardy!” episode that is scheduled to air Thursday, Feb. 15. Think you know which stamp will be featured? Tune in to find out. The “Jeopardy!” site has broadcast times and stations. Holiday hours. The Postal Service is providing general operating […]
Thank you for the “Status symbols” article about the four postal insignias. The Mercury image was quite a surprise. […]
Amid the chaos that engulfed the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas last fall, Gilbert Segovia became one of the many victims wounded when a gunman opened fire on the crowd. Yet the Los Angeles letter carrier and former Marine also became one of the many heroes who put others first on that devastating […]
Samuel J. Mitchell made history last week. Mitchell — the last Postmaster appointed by a president — retired Jan. 31 after 52 years managing the Philo, OH, Post Office. “The Post Office has been a good living and treated me well,” he said. Mitchell became acting Postmaster in 1965 and was appointed Postmaster by President […]
Postal Service employees now have access to discounted pet insurance coverage through Trupanion. The coverage is available for domestic dogs and cats across the United States. Trupanion pays 90 percent of covered veterinary costs associated with sickness or injury. The company offers a variety of coverage and deductible options. The discount is available to employees […]
IdeaSMART, a new online platform that allows Postal Service employees to share ideas to help improve the organization, is now open. You can use IdeaSMART to respond to current business challenges that managers need help with or to share general ideas to improve USPS. Here’s how to participate: • Log in to IdeaSMART at https://ideasmart.ideascalegov.com. […]
The Postal Service wants employees to spread the word about its Affiliates Program, an initiative that helps business customers create Every Door Direct Mail campaigns. Through the program, service providers help small businesses with a variety of direct mailing needs, including design, printing, list services, mail preparation, online payment and measurement. USPS recently launched a […]
City Carrier Assistant Ashley Dalton was recently delivering mail to an older customer in Tarkio, MO. As she approached the man’s front door, Dalton detected a strong odor of natural gas, so she urged him to call 911 and stayed on the scene until emergency responders arrived. It was determined that there was a dangerous […]
Congratulations to James Balluff, the newly retired special delivery messenger profiled in the “Last messenger” story. […]
Alaska State Fair visitors may not know Chuck Pfeifer by name, but they know his “umiak,” one of the annual event’s most popular food items. Viewers of the Cooking Channel series “Carnival Eats” will soon know about the local favorite, too. The Palmer, AK, retail associate is slated to appear on the show’s Thursday, Feb. […]
Ralph Bello understands the importance of good customer service. The retail associate at Howard Beach Station in New York City strives to show each customer that he or she is valued. “I believe that customers want to feel important and relevant,” Bello says. Postal Service leaders say employees like Bello help improve customers’ experiences, one […]
Lena Horne is back in the spotlight, courtesy of the Postal Service. The organization will release a stamp this week honoring Horne (1917-2010), the iconic performer who also inspired millions of people as a civil rights activist. Horne will appear on the 41st Black Heritage stamp, which USPS will release Jan. 30. The stamp will […]
Training update. The Postal Service is reminding all non-bargaining unit employees that they must complete the Political Activity and the Hatch Act strategic training initiative by Monday, July 30. The course — available through the Learning Management System — can help employees learn about the rules and regulations established under the Hatch Act, a law […]
Thank you for the “Candid camera” article about Steven “J.R.” Reynolds, the Hot Springs, AR, letter carrier who demonstrated his respect for the U.S. flag. It’s nice to read good things about our organization. […]
Postal Service employees delivering mail in Pennsylvania and Washington recently responded to customers in distress. In Brownsville, PA, Letter Carrier Mark Seto was on a steep hill when he heard a man calling out for help. The customer’s truck was rolling backward and he was outside hanging on to the door, struggling to reach the […]
Read More… from Mark Seto, Brownsville, PA; Julie Dunlap, Enumclaw, WA
James Balluff was the last of his kind. Balluff retired this month after an almost 53-year career delivering mail — which he spent entirely at the Elmhurst, IL, Post Office. He was the office’s last employee to have the title “special delivery messenger.” The title was given to individuals who were hired for Special Delivery mail, […]
A new Postal Service video explains the price changes that took effect Jan. 21. The changes raised Mailing Services product prices approximately 1.9 percent, while most Shipping Services product prices increased an average of 3.9 percent. USPS released the 1-minute video this week. The Retail and Customer Service Operations Blue page has a 2018 price change kit for Postmasters. […]
The Postal Service has released its Meyer Lemons stamps. The 2-cent denominated stamp can be added to other stamps to meet the necessary postage for a given mailpiece. The stamps are available in coils of 10,000. For collectors, the stamp is also available in coils of 500. Thought to be a cross between a lemon […]
WasteWise award. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized two Postal Service areas for their increased efforts to reduce waste in 2017. Northeast and Great Lakes areas were recognized with EPA WasteWise Awards, primarily for their contributions to the National Recycling Operation, an initiative to expand and standardize postal recycling efforts. By properly identifying recyclable […]
After reading “Right on time,” I want to add my own thumbs up to USPS. I mailed last-minute holiday presents from St. Louis to relatives in Carrollton, TX, Dec. 22. The package arrived Christmas Day! Bravo to all the folks who help USPS exceed expectations. […]
Letter Carrier Karin Provance was delivering mail recently in Bremerton, WA, when she spotted smoke pouring out of a residence. Provance rushed to the front door and pounded on it until a woman answered. She said she and her baby had been sleeping, and they evacuated the house while the Postal Service employee called 911. […]
The Postal Service once again has the best job performance of any government agency, according to respondents in a new Gallup poll. The organization was ranked “excellent” or “good” by 74 percent of consumers surveyed, topping 13 other government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (66 percent) and the Secret Service (63 […]
A Kentucky Postal Service employee is starting the new year with a new look — courtesy of the “Today” show. Lori Marcum, who manages Liberty Road Station in Lexington, and some family members were vacationing in New York City during the holidays when they joined the crowd that gathers each morning outside the NBC program’s […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees to drive safely during the winter, a time of year that presents unique challenges. Here are some tips: • Allow yourself extra time to stop and turn. Slow down well in advance of traffic lights, traffic signs and intersections. • Leave extra space between your vehicle and other traffic. Reduce […]
Ewing, MO, Rural Carrier Rick Sharpe was concerned when he recently noticed that an older customer’s mail had piled up in her box over several days. Sharpe went to the woman’s front door to check on her but got no answer. He then spotted her through a window, collapsed on her living room floor. The […]
The 2018 stamps featured in the “Sneak preview” story are the best ever. I especially love the John Lennon and Lena Horne stamps. They are true works of art. […]
USPS will continue to focus on the customer experience, including providing efficient, reliable service; service performance; innovation; and other business strategies in 2018. “In the coming year, we can look forward to continued momentum in launching new products and services, improving the experience of our customers, and elevating our service performance,” PMG Megan J. Brennan […]