The Postal Service has named Bill Gicker Jr. director of Stamp Services, a department that produces more than 14 billion stamps and generates an estimated $4.5 billion in revenue each year. Gicker, who has served in the position on an acting basis since 2019, will lead all aspects of the USPS stamp program, including design, […]
The Postal Service has canceled the dedication ceremony for the Fruits and Vegetables stamps, originally scheduled for July 17 in Charleston, WV. The organization is following social distancing guidance during the coronavirus pandemic. The stamps will still be available for purchase at Post Offices and usps.com, beginning July 17. Fruits and Vegetables capture the classic […]
The latest “Thank You for the Thank-You’s” video showcases more messages of appreciation from customers during the coronavirus pandemic. One mailbox declares “Thank You!” written in chalk. Another handwritten note on cheerful stationery says, “Just a quick note and some cookies to say ‘Thank You’ for still working.” The 30-second video is the 12th installment […]
“Best Practices” is taking a break this week. The column that profiles Postal Service employees who demonstrate on-the-job excellence will resume soon. Until then, you can use the “Best Practices” archive to revisit past profiles, including stories about Kabirul Islam, a Merrifield, VA, retail associate who offered advice on keeping Post Office lobbies safe during […]
Rural Carrier Janet Medlin was recently delivering mail to a residence in Leola, AR, when she heard a customer yelling for help. Medlin immediately called 911 and rushed to assist the woman, who was struggling to free her adult son from a tire swing where he had attempted to harm himself. The Postal Service employee […]
Carlos Rodriguez’s commencement address, highlighted in “Class acts,” is simply inspiring. The Guaynabo, PR, letter carrier is a wonderful testimony to the dedication of USPS employees. His resilience, commitment, kindness and positive outlook inspires hope and pride. […]
The Postal Service’s Customer Connect program has surpassed $3 billion in total revenue since its creation in 2003, a milestone that is helping the organization move closer to its big sales target this year. Customer Connect, a partnership with the National Association of Letter Carriers, allows letter carriers to share sales leads with USPS. One […]
The Postal Service has a new system to help efficiently certify and retire equipment and other capital assets that are no longer needed. Solution for Enterprise Asset Management, also known as SEAM, is an online application used for inventory tracking and other purposes. The system has information on more than 137,000 capital assets in the […]
The Postal Service wants employees to stay safe during hot weather. You should hydrate before, during and after work, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Research shows you should drink at least 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes. Dressing appropriately for the weather is important, too. On warm days, wear light-colored, loose-fitting and breathable […]
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar on the connection between the body and mind. The session, “Guided Imagery Meditation,” will be held Thursday, July 9, at noon EDT. GEHA, a not-for-profit provider of health plans for federal employees, will conduct the webinar, which will explore the concept that your body and mind […]
Hip-hop was born in the streets of New York City during the 1970s, but it didn’t stay there. By the early ’80s, the music, art and dance movement — which the Postal Service will honor with new stamps this week — was gaining widespread popularity. In 1984, MTV showed its first rap video: Run-D.M.C.’s “Rock […]
Postal Service-issued mobile device users must complete a mandatory CyberSafe at USPS training course by July 30. The ISEC Mobile Device Security course provides employees and contractors with policy information, best practices and other tools to securely use their postal mobile devices. The training course is available now through HERO, the Postal Service’s online learning […]
Pamelin Williams knows her customers count on her every day. This is why the Madeira Beach, FL, letter carrier strives to deliver excellent service, especially to those customers who are staying home during the coronavirus pandemic and relying on USPS to deliver medicine and other essential supplies. “I take customer service to heart,” Williams says. […]
Postal Service customers can check the status of their money orders through a new interface on usps.com. The feature allows customers to see a near-real-time status of money orders they purchase at Post Offices, including if an order has been cashed. Additionally, customers can use the feature to check the status of a money order […]
Postal Service plants are using driverless robotic vehicles inside to help process mail faster. The automated guided vehicles, or AGVs, perform repetitious work such as hauling mail back and forth from docks to sorting machines. “AGVs enhance efficiency by doing stuff robots can do easily, while freeing up humans to do things only humans can […]
“In the stream,” the article about people who still rent DVDs from Netflix, was so interesting. […]
Letter Carrier Matthew King was recently delivering mail in Champaign, IL, when a spotted a house on fire. King rushed to the front door and alerted the occupants — two adults and three children — who were unaware they were in danger. The Postal Service employee led them to safety, called 911 and enlisted the […]
“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: Approximately (blank) Postal Service employees were attacked by dogs in 2019. a) 580 b) 5,800 c) 58,000 d) 580,000 2. Who administered the oath of office to […]
The Postal Service has made it easier to get timely processing and delivery data about ballots, voter guides, campaign brochures and other election year mailings as they move through the organization’s network. Mail Condition Visualization (MCV), a component of Informed Visibility, offers near-real-time information about Election Mail and Political Mail pieces, allowing users to identify […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees to continue to practice social distancing and to wear face coverings to protect themselves during the coronavirus pandemic. Employees must always maintain safe distancing of at least 6 feet apart from others when entering, exiting or working at any USPS facility, including Post Offices; processing plants; area and district […]
Netflix’s video streaming service is surging during the coronavirus pandemic as millions of homebound Americans binge on movies and TV shows, but the digital media giant is still in the mailstream, too. More than 2 million people received DVDs in the mail through Netflix’s rental service last year, according to the most recent data available. […]
The Postal Service will no longer offer the Return Receipt for Merchandise service in an effort to streamline return receipt and signature confirmation options for customers. Starting Wednesday, July 1, the organization will start deleting the service from all USPS systems, software applications, and publications, manuals and forms. Employees should direct mailers seeking Return Receipt […]
Tim Brubaker knows his customers are counting on him. Like his Postal Service colleagues across the nation, the Irvine, CA, letter carrier is delivering medicine, supplies and other essential items to people who are staying home to avoid getting the coronavirus. “I’ve been a letter carrier for 36 years, but never in my lifetime did […]
The latest issue of Postal Bulletin features its annual spotlight on the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The cover story, “Every Day, Heroes,” revisits the heroic actions of Miami Letter Carrier Donna Bratton, who was delivering mail one day at an apartment complex when a customer ran up to her, holding an infant, and exclaimed, “My […]
Thank you for “Banner days,” the article about the Postal Service’s show of appreciation for processing plant employees. Remembering others and their significant work in our organization lifts up everyone. […]
Edgewood, IA, Retail Associate Kimberly Goranson was recently taking mail to a remotely managed Post Office when she spotted a runner being attacked by two dogs alongside a highway. Goranson stopped, safely intervened and sheltered the woman in the postal vehicle. The runner, who was visiting her parents, asked Goranson to drive her to their […]
Joshua Davis usually spends each June delivering congratulatory cards to new high school graduates, but this year, things are a little different. Because so many graduation ceremonies have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic — including the ceremony for Davis’s own son — the Jackson, MI, letter carrier decided to write letters of encouragement […]
Father’s Day is this weekend, and what better way for Postal Service employees to mark the occasion than with some mail-themed dad jokes? Here are a few of our favorites: • What travels around the world but stays in one corner? A stamp. • What has more letters than the alphabet? A Post Office. • […]
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar on long-term care insurance and retirement planning. The session, “Making Long-Term Care Part of Your Retirement Planning,” will be held Thursday, June 25, at 2 p.m. EDT. The administrators of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) will conduct the webinar, which will explore the […]
The latest “Thank You for the Thank-You’s” video highlights more heartfelt messages from customers expressing gratitude to the Postal Service during the coronavirus pandemic. One handwritten note reads: “To Frank and all mail carriers, thank you for delivering our mail during this difficult time. We appreciate it very much!” Elsewhere, a childlike drawing of a […]