Scott Walton, Raleigh, NC
The “Heroes’ Corner” articles are so inspiring. They demonstrate the immense value our postal carriers bring to the lives of Americans every day. I never knew these heroic events were happening until now. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
Labor deal ratified
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) membership has ratified a new 44-month labor contract with the Postal Service. The contract covers approximately 206,000 employees represented by the union. Highlights of the agreement include annual general wage increases, a reduction in the employer share of health premiums, increased flexibility to use noncareer city carrier assistant […]
U.S. male
It might just be the hippest USPS homage yet: “U.S. Mail,” a single by indie rock musician Kevin Morby. The 32-year-old singer-songwriter released the standalone track in the fall as a follow-up to his latest album, “Sundowner.” Morby, who has weathered the coronavirus pandemic from his home in Kansas City, KS, hoped to include “U.S. […]
Central Area switch
Central Area Vice President Krista Finazzo was named to a special assignment for Chief Retail and Delivery Officer Kristin Seaver, beginning March 1. In her new role, Finazzo will focus on retail and delivery strategic initiatives, particularly those related to new Postal Service employees. Elvin Mercado will serve as Central Area’s acting vice president while […]
Don’t discard used batteries
USPS is reminding employees to recycle depleted batteries instead of putting them in the trash. For example, Mobile Delivery Devices and other scanners use batteries that contain hazardous components. Employees must follow standard recycling procedures to properly discard batteries, in accordance with the Postal Service’s sustainability objectives. Depleted batteries can be recycled through Cleanlites Recycling […]
Flitting image
The Postal Service will float the eighth stamp in its butterfly series, Colorado Hairstreak, on March 9. Colorado’s state insect lives, feeds and reproduces on the scrub oaks of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. A hairstreak may spend its entire life cycle within a few yards of its birth. The 75-cent stamps in […]
Earth angel
Letter Carrier Dave Stephenson was recently delivering mail in a Monmouth, IL, neighborhood when he smelled the odor of leaking gas at a multifamily residence. Stephenson immediately called 911 and alerted occupants to the danger until firefighters arrived and completed the evacuation. Twin sisters, their roommate and her 3-year-old daughter were at home in one […]
Street wise
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. When are the Postal Service’s next-generation delivery vehicles expected to appear on carrier routes? a) 2021 b) 2022 c) 2023 d) 2024 2. True or false: The Postal Service’s flex-fuel vehicles […]
On display
In order to comply with federal requirements, Postal Service facility managers must complete and display a work-related injuries and illness form for calendar year 2020. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires USPS facilities to complete OSHA Form 300A, Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, in accordance with the Employee and Labor Relations […]
Bear necessities
Amanda Rose is enjoying ridiculously big success — with a little help from the Postal Service. Rose is the author of “Half My Size With the Ridiculously Big Salad,” a weight-loss book that has become a sensation online, where Rose also operates Eat Like a Bear!, a companion website and Facebook group with 85,000 members. […]
National Kidney Month
March is National Kidney Month, a time to learn more about the pair of organs known as the body’s “chemical factories.” The kidneys filter waste, keep bones healthy and perform essential functions that control blood pressure and red blood cell production. One in three U.S. adults is at risk for kidney disease, which occurs when […]
Know someone special?
Are you a USPS bargaining unit employee who knows someone at work who always has a positive attitude? Someone who is involved, committed and enthusiastic? Someone who always goes the extra mile? If so, the Postal Service wants to hear from you. The organization is seeking nominations for Engagement Most Valuable Player, one of several […]
Mules ain’t cool
National Consumer Protection Week (Feb. 28-March 6) is underway, and this year, the Postal Inspection Service is spreading the word about money mules. Money mules are people who receive and transfer money that has been fraudulently obtained. Some mules are willing recruits, while others become unwitting accomplices without realizing their actions are supporting illegal activity. […]
Don’t miss a paycheck
The Postal Service has a message for employees who don’t use direct deposit to receive their paycheck: You might want to reconsider your choice. Taking advantage of the direct deposit option can help you avoid potential delivery delays caused by bad weather and other factors. If you currently receive hard copy paychecks, switching to direct […]
Sabrina Todd, Grand Rapids, MI
I love the Mahogany greeting cards highlighted in the “Uplifted and empowered” article. I received my free pack of cards yesterday. I’m glad the Postal Service is being more inclusive with its selection of greeting cards. […]
Apartments ablaze
Letter Carrier David Schickler was delivering mail one afternoon last spring in a Brockport, NY, neighborhood when a crisis interrupted his routine: He spotted a fire at the rear of an apartment house on Main Street. Schickler immediately called 911 and safely entered the building to knock on doors and make residents aware of the […]
Sound body
When Omar Mohammed worked as a letter carrier, he avoided carrying his satchel on the same shoulder. “I would switch it from left to right, to balance out my shoulders,” he said. By making these and other small adjustments, Mohammed — who now works as a business development specialist for Connecticut Valley District — avoided […]
Stock up
The Postal Service has surplus quantities of hand sanitizer — widely used to prevent transmission of the coronavirus — available to ship to facilities for employees’ use. Supply Management has temporarily removed internal catalog quantity limitations and streamlined the ordering of this product. Facilities can order cases of 8-ounce Purell Gel Instant Pump or 16-ounce […]
Winter heat
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. According to the Postal Service’s new heat safety materials, which is considered the most severe heat-related illness? a) Heat exhaustion b) Heat stroke c) Heat cramps d) Heat rash 2. Fill […]
Who’s your pick?
You have a few more days to submit nominations for the annual Engagement Leader of the Year Awards. The awards honor leaders who are involved, enthusiastic and committed to improving their workplace environments. Leaders — such as Postmasters, supervisors and managers — will be recognized at all levels of the organization, culminating with national honorees. […]
Striking posies
These charmers are ready for their close-up. Garden Beauty, stamps that feature up-close-and-personal photos of 10 flowers in glorious bloom, will be released by the Postal Service on Feb. 23. The featured flowers are an allium; a dahlia; a sacred lotus; an American lotus; an Asiatic lily; a flowering dogwood; two tulips, one pink and […]
Please keep off the gas
The Postal Service is reminding its employees who drive for the organization that flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are required by law to operate on alternative fuel rather than gasoline. Almost all FFVs in the postal fleet are E85s. How do you know if you’re driving one? • Check the gas cap. Most alternative-fuel vehicles have yellow […]
Super Bowl MVP
A Postal Service employee was one of the most valuable players at this year’s Super Bowl. Richard Henderson, a Canton, OH, letter carrier and 22-year USPS employee, was featured in a video tribute to workers who provide essential services during the coronavirus pandemic. “I was happy to be able to take part and show the […]
Perilous plunge
Letter Carrier Julio Dominguez was making deliveries one day last spring at an apartment complex in San Antonio when he spotted something alarming: An unconscious woman was lying in the fetal position in the middle of a street. Dominguez hurriedly checked on her, and as she started to come to, he noticed she had a […]
A debt to collecting
Dallas Mavericks owner and “Shark Tank” regular Mark Cuban credits youthful stamp collecting with helping him to better understand the wilder corners of today’s digital market. Cuban explained in a recent blog post that, as a teen, he noticed that a certain stamp might be sold by multiple vendors at the same philatelic show for […]
Online security
Starting Feb. 19, the Postal Service will begin blocking all emails that contain credit or debit card data sent to external recipients, to further protect customer and employee information from potential cyberthreats. This will include emails with #sensitive# in the subject line. Postal Inspection Service emails containing credit and debit card data for investigatory purposes […]
Raising revenue
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Fill in the blank: The Postal Service’s total revenue increased (blank) during the three-month period that ended Dec. 31 compared with the same period one year earlier. a) 5.3 percent b) […]
Caring carrier
Rural Carrier Robyn Blanton was on duty in Tuscola, IL, one day last spring when she and the local Postmaster grew concerned about a reliable colleague who had not reported for work as scheduled. Following unsuccessful attempts to make contact by phone, Blanton volunteered to go to her co-worker’s home. There she found that her […]
Richard Ripke, Bethpage, NY
West Seneca, NY, Letter Carrier Peter Farrell did a great job rescuing a distressed, injured woman from an armed man. […]
Atomic advancer
The Postal Service dedicated its Chien-Shiung Wu stamp Feb. 11, honoring a one of the most influential nuclear physicists of the 20th century and a determined advocate for women in science. The virtual ceremony, which was streamed on the USPS Facebook and Twitter pages, occurred on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. “It is […]