What’s CET?
Critical Entry Time (CET) is the latest time committed mail can reach an operation’s planned clearance time. […]
Mike Milligan
Posts by Mike Milligan
John Purdy, Washington, DC
The recent anniversary of Hurricane Katrina led me to revisit Link’s coverage of the storm and recovery efforts. I encourage everyone to check out the Link archives, and remember the postal heroes — including many who lost their own homes — who worked to help victims get their lives back on track. Every employee can be […]
Baltimore District Safety Manager Shamelle Boyd
“Safety is important to everyone.” […]
Read More… from Baltimore District Safety Manager Shamelle Boyd
Cecilia Byrd, Walterboro, SC
Rural Carrier Cecilia Byrd was delivering mail recently in Walterboro, SC, when she witnessed a motorcycle accident. The driver lost control of his high-powered bike and was injured when he was thrown into a ditch. She called 911 and comforted the man until emergency responders arrived. He is recovering. […]
Ready to lead
Forty employees completed the New Supervisor Program recently, becoming the latest graduates of an initiative that is helping USPS cultivate its next generation of leaders. The program has produced more than 3,200 graduates since the Postal Service introduced it last year. The latest graduates, who work in Great Lakes Area’s Lakeland District, include customer service, […]
Green light
The Postal Service is showing that being environmentally responsible isn’t just the right thing to do —it’s also good for business, Chief Sustainability Officer Tom Day told government leaders last week. Day cited the National Recycling Operation, which uses postal vehicles to transport paper and other waste to USPS hubs for consolidation and recycling. The […]
Full mobility
Reminder: You can sign up to receive weekly emails from Link mobile, the mobile-friendly version of the USPS daily news service. Go to www.usps.link and provide a personal or work email address. Every Friday, you’ll receive an email that highlights recent stories and videos. The Postal Service introduced Link mobile this year for employees who don’t […]
Inside job
Hackers aren’t always unknown individuals from outside an organization. Sometimes, they’re fellow employees. Insider threats can be co-workers, former employees or anyone who works within an organization. Using access and knowledge of internal computer systems, these threats can compromise an organization’s online security. Even trusted employees could pose a threat. The CyberSafe at USPS team […]
Writing revival
Taking the time to write a letter by hand may sound antiquated in today’s fast-paced world, but the small act could leave a big impression. Such is the case for technology entrepreneur Lakshmi Pratury. In a motivational speech recently posted on NPR.org, Pratury reflects affectionately on the dozens of letters her father wrote during the last two […]
Robert Batley, Denver
The sight of a toddler wandering in traffic, clothed only in a diaper, caused a Denver letter carrier to do a double take while delivering mail earlier this year. “It was like a movie, but real,” said Robert Batley, who was the first driver to stop and retrieve the 2-year-old girl from the median of […]
Sandra Dawson, Clearlake Oaks, CA
“Mail by the pail” was an interesting story. I’m sure some of my customers would enjoy reading it. […]
Capital Metro Area Political Mail Coordinator Antonio Cuevas
“All eyes — postal and civilian — are on us to help us make this the most successful political mail season yet.” […]
Read More… from Capital Metro Area Political Mail Coordinator Antonio Cuevas
PO Box closed
The new eIWS OnLine Forms application replaces the manual completion and submission of Postal forms mailed to the Scanning and Imaging Center. Effective immediately, the forms should no longer be mailed to PO Box 5212, Janesville, WI, 53547-5212. […]
‘Always on my mind’
Where were you? It’s become a common question to ask those who remember the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Employees at the Church Street Station Post Office, across the street from the Twin Towers, were forever changed that day. “It’s always on my mind,” said Customer Services Supervisor Sandra Hecht. “When I meet new […]
Patriot Day
Sunday, Sept. 11, is Patriot Day, when the nation pauses to remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Postal Service facilities should fly the American flag at half-staff on this day. Patriot Day is also known as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. To fly the flag at half-staff, hoist the flag to the peak for an instant and […]
Survey says
USPS is gearing up for the next Postal Pulse survey, the organization’s twice-a-year tool to measure employee engagement. Engagement refers to employees’ involvement, enthusiasm and commitment to their organization. The survey measures engagement levels using a scale of 1 to 5. During the most recent survey, conducted earlier this year, USPS raised its grand mean […]
American dream
Eric Lan is feeling very patriotic these days. The reason: the Platte City, MO, rural carrier associate recently became a U.S. citizen. To celebrate the occasion, Platte City Post Office employees threw Lan a party — complete with a congratulatory cake and refreshments. “I have been in the United States almost 12 years,” said Lan, […]
Angela Smith, Enfield, NH
I love the positive messages in Link. As a new employee, I enjoy reading what is new and what other postal offices are doing across the nation. […]
James Stephenson, Hoxie, KS
James Stephenson’s drive to work took a dramatic detour recently. The Hoxie, KS, retail associate witnessed a two-car collision that left five people injured — including three children. Stephenson drew on his training as a former certified nursing assistant to assess the victims and move the children away from the vehicle. He also calmed their […]
Customer interactions
Customers remember their interactions with the Postal Service. Being knowledgeable about products, services and resources lets customers know USPS values their business. […]
Safety Harbor, FL, Officer in Charge Keith DeLucia
“Our retail associates give outstanding service to our customers. They are very knowledgeable about products and are dedicated to providing gold-star customer service.” […]
Read More… from Safety Harbor, FL, Officer in Charge Keith DeLucia
Boldly launched
The Postal Service released the Star Trek stamps Sept. 2, almost 50 years to the day the original TV series debuted. “The Postal Service is proud to commemorate ‘Star Trek’ on the eve of its 50th anniversary,” said PMG Megan J. Brennan. “‘Star Trek’s’ intricate futuristic setting, multicultural cast and story lines touched on social […]
Strike update
Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have reached tentative two-year contract agreements, subject to ratification. These tentative agreements are the result of negotiations that have been proceeding for several months. In a statement, Canada Post noted the outcome brings “much-needed certainty” as businesses and consumers prepare for the upcoming holiday shipping […]
Service success
Western New York District used teamwork and data analysis to improve its recent Priority Mail score, but employees also relied on the Lean Six Sigma improvement process. A team used Lean Six Sigma principles to analyze the NW Rochester Processing and Distribution Center’s Priority Mail procedures. The team identified ways to stagger the manual Priority […]
Showcasing sustainability
USPS is seeking nominations for the next round of Postmaster General Sustainability Excellence Awards. The awards will honor facilities, groups and individuals who helped the Postal Service become more sustainable during the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Nominations are sought in several categories: small facilities (1-49 employees), medium facilities (50-299 employees), large facilities […]
Weathering the storm
This summer brought serious flooding to Louisiana and West Virginia, major fires throughout the West and tornadoes in the Midwest, along with tropical storm and hurricane watches in other areas. USPS employees are on the front lines, adapting to conditions and always among the first to restore service and support to their communities. The Postal […]
Theresa Singer, Middleburg, VA
Backhauling is a great example of turning trash into treasure. […]
Wheaton, MD, Letter Carrier Yvonne Adams
“Safety should be a priority. I encourage my co-workers to always work safely and anticipate the unexpected.” […]
Completing courses
Skipping screens when taking Learning Management System courses could cause the system to indicate the course hasn’t been completed. To properly complete a course, listen to the narration on each screen before logging off. […]
Mary Beth Chavis, Lake View, SC
When she realized she’d been lured into a lottery scam, a 78-year-old woman recently turned to Lake View, SC, Postmaster Mary Beth Chavis for help. The customer contacted Chavis after sending nearly $5,000 in cash via Priority Mail Express. Before delivery, Chavis contacted the Post Office where the money was headed. Postal inspectors returned the […]