Karen Meehan, Washington, DC
“Curious, George” was a very interesting article on the history of Presidents Day. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
On the ‘Go’
The Postal Service launched a TV advertising campaign this week. The 30-second commercial, “We Go Everywhere,” shows real-life USPS employees delivering mail and packages in a variety of settings, set to the tune of Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere.” The commercial also features the organization’s next-generation delivery vehicle, which is slated to roll out in […]
Next-generation vehicles
The Postal Service has completed its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act process and evaluated the potential environmental effects of the organization’s program for next-generation delivery vehicles. USPS communicated its completion of the process in a record of decision filed with the Federal Register. The organization’s Feb. 23 news release has details. […]
Watch and learn
The Postal Service has created a DVD version of the new mandatory heat training course on HERO. Because not all employees have access to computers, and because the information is considered so vital, USPS put the training in the more widely accessible format, as well. The Postal Service’s Heat Illness Prevention Program, or HIPP, is […]
Fiona Machado, Washington, DC
“Delivering a dream” was a great story about how the Laguna Niguel, CA, Post Office fulfilled a young cancer survivor’s birthday wish. My niece is a survivor of childhood cancer, so this story was very special for me. […]
Ladder lady
Warren “Ed” McComas, a letter carrier in Ashland, KY, was recently delivering mail when he heard a customer screaming for help. The woman had gotten locked out of her home, and after attempting to use a ladder to access a second-story door, she found herself frozen in terror atop it, she would later tell Postmaster […]
Live and direct
The Postal Service is holding a series of online town hall meetings to help employees learn more about USPS Connect before its nationwide launch. USPS Connect is a set of four delivery solutions that leverage new equipment, new pricing, a reconfigured network and enhanced operational precision to meet evolving business needs. The hourlong town hall […]
National Update
The Postal Service has published National Update’s latest issue and mailed it to employees’ homes. The publication is a national edition of Area Update, the organization’s print newsletter for employees. Stories include a letter carrier who promoted mail on a recent episode of “Sesame Street,” post-hurricane cleanup efforts in Louisiana, the Postal Service’s connection to […]
Feeling burned out?
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar to learn what to do when you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, lose motivation and experience burnout. The session, “How to Overcome Burnout and Stay Motivated,” will be held Thursday, Feb. 24, at noon EST. Representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield […]
Kathleen O’Donohue, Newburgh, NY
“Delivering a dream” — the beautiful story about Jacob Hayward, a cancer survivor, and how the Laguna Niguel, CA, Post Office employees came together to fulfill his birthday wishes —brought tears to my eyes. […]
In the heights
Quentin Neal Sr., an acting transportation operations supervisor, was on duty one day last summer in a Kansas City, MO, neighborhood when he came upon a crisis: An apartment building was in flames, and residents were trapped while waiting for emergency responders to arrive. Upon hearing a man scream for help from an upper-floor window, […]
Postal reform
The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation this week to help the Postal Service achieve financial sustainability. The bill, which addresses a variety of operational and financial issues, was approved Feb. 8 in a 342-92 vote. To become law, the legislation must also win approval from the Senate and be signed by the president. […]
Cybersecurity training
Postal Service employees and contractors must complete two mandatory cybersecurity courses by April 11. Both courses provide instruction on how to protect critical Postal Service data from online threats. Here’s an overview: • CyberSafe Fundamentals. This course provides training needed to adhere to cybersecurity practices and policy for the protection of USPS electronic information. • […]
Deadline approaching
Postal Service facilities that store certain quantities of hazardous chemicals must complete and submit the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Tier II form by March 1 each year. Reporting requirements apply to any location that stores threshold quantities of EPCRA-regulated chemicals, such as sulfuric acid in lead-acid batteries, gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil […]
John Hyatt, San Diego
“Delivering a dream” was a wonderful story about how Laguna Niguel, CA, Letter Carrier Van Singletary helped young cancer survivor Jacob Hayward’s birthday wish to tour a Post Office come true. I love to see the connection USPS has to our local communities through acts of kindness like this. […]
Face coverings
The Postal Service is reminding employees and contractors to adhere to the organization’s current face covering policy during the coronavirus pandemic. Under the policy, all employees and contractors who interact with the public — regardless of vaccination status — must wear face coverings when there is a state, local or tribal directive in place that […]
Charged up
More than 500 Postal Service employees completed Arizona-New Mexico District’s third annual Tortoise and Hare Fitness Challenge in 2021 — a nearly 40 percent increase from 2020. The 36-week program offered community support, recognition, tips and prizes as participants sought to increase exercise, reach and maintain a healthy weight, improve blood pressure and more. The […]
Hot stuff
Hot enough for you? Maybe not yet, but it will be soon. This is why the Postal Service introduced a mandatory training course, Heat Stress Recognition and Prevention. All employees must complete the course in HERO by March 18. Knowing the signs of heat illness is important for everyone, but it is imperative for postal […]
Celebrate Diversity Month
The Postal Service will once again designate April as Celebrate Diversity Month, a time to explore different cultures and build bridges. “This will be an immersive, virtual experience that celebrates what makes us each unique,” said Jeryl A. Wilson, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion director. Additional details will be announced soon. To share feedback or ideas, […]
Turning the tide
Paul Marchese Jr., a carrier technician from Bowling Green, KY, was on vacation last summer in Panama City Beach, FL, when a crisis erupted: A swimmer in the Gulf of Mexico had become trapped in a riptide and was signaling desperately for help. Marchese, a trained emergency rescuer, sprang into action, safely retrieving the woman […]
Delivering a dream
A California letter carrier made a dream come true for a young cancer survivor who is also a Postal Service enthusiast. A few days before Christmas, Levan “Van” Singletary was delivering mail when he was approached by a customer, Jamie Hayward, who told him her son, Jacob, wanted one thing for his upcoming seventh birthday: […]
In the mail
Postmasters and customer services managers will soon receive a Business Connect kit that offers strategies for promoting USPS direct mail and Every Door Direct Mail services to small businesses. The kits, which will be mailed around Feb. 4, contain a Business Connect guide, reference material and information that can be left with customers. “These tools […]
Know your benefits
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar to learn about Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program with Blue Cross Blue Shield. The session, “Medicare, FEHB and Blue Cross Blue Shield,” will be held Thursday, Feb. 10, at noon EST. Christel Bull, a federal account manager for CareFirst Blue Cross Blue […]
Building brand love
The Postal Service has been ranked among the most admired and trusted brands in the nation, so it’s no surprise that businesses want to incorporate USPS images and logos into their products. “We’re always ready for the next cool idea and to work with great licensees to promote our brand and reach the public in […]
Pollinator posies
The Postal Service will release a set of nondenominated stamps that celebrate two flowers that are catnip for butterflies. The stamps, which will debut Feb. 1, are intended for use by authorized nonprofit organizations. The two blooms are scabiosa, sometimes called pincushion flower because of its resemblance to a pincushion loaded with pins, and cosmos, […]
African American History Month
The Postal Service will observe African American History Month in February. Traditionally, USPS commemorates the occasion with the release of the latest stamp in its Black Heritage series. This year the stamp honors Edmonia Lewis, a 19th-century neoclassical sculptor who left the United States as a young woman to pursue her art in Rome. The […]
Pain points
February is Ergonomics Awareness Month, a time for employees and managers to learn more about musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries in the workplace and how to prevent them. The injuries affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the bone structure of the body. Employees who perform jobs […]
Salva-tion
Rural Carrier Anthony Salva was delivering mail one day last spring in Cedarburg, WI, when he grew concerned about an older customer whose mail was piling up unusually. Salva alerted his supervisor, who asked authorities to check on the man. A sheriff’s deputy located the customer’s caregiver and they soon found him on the floor […]
New stamps
The Postal Service has announced the release dates for 12 stamps, along with the cities where they’ll be dedicated: • Title IX, March 3, Washington, DC • Mountain Flora, March 14, Alpine, WY • African Daisy (Global), March 14, Kansas City, MO • Sunflower Bouquet (2 ounce), March 24, Lawrence, KS • Tulips, March 24, […]
Beneficiary information
The Postal Service wants to remind all workers that it is important to complete or update beneficiary information as soon as possible. This simple task takes just a minute or two and can save a lot of heartache down the line. The Life Changes LiteBlue page, a one-stop shop for updating employee information, makes it […]