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 […]
“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 is the deadline to contribute to the Combined Federal Campaign’s special solicitation for charities affected by the coronavirus pandemic? a) June 30 b) July 1 c) July 15 d) July […]
Employees at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center recently sent some love to their counterparts at other Postal Service facilities. The employees shipped banners to processing plants in New York City, Chicago and Detroit. Each banner was printed with a special message — such as “LA is Blowing a Gust of Care Your Way” […]
The Postal Service wants to remind employees about the rules for working for an outside employer or seeking outside employment. Employees are prohibited from working for: Amazon, DHL, FedEx, UPS and other companies that deliver mailable matter, other than daily newspapers Commercial mail-receiving agencies Companies that makes uniforms or other products for the Postal Service […]
Wubit Yeshiwas recalls the day a customer’s dog pushed through the home’s screen door and charged at her. Her screams alerted the homeowner to come retrieve the pet. For the Alexandria, VA, letter carrier, the experience reinforced the importance of using USPS-recommended safety measures to prevent dog attacks. Yeshiwas, a 21-year Postal Service employee, carries […]
The Postal Service is continuing to limit business-related travel. The organization has extended restrictions that took effect in March, when USPS began limiting approved travel requests to “mission-critical” trips and trips and trips for meetings that require an employee’s physical presence and cannot be postponed. This policy will remain in place until at least Aug. […]
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar on preparing for retirement. The session, “Retirement 101,” will be held Thursday, June 18, at noon EDT and repeated Wednesday, July 29, also at noon EDT. Aetna will conduct the webinar, which will focus on Medicare, Medicaid, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), the Federal […]
The farewell message from retiring Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan was lovely. […]
City Carrier Assistant Michayla O’Dell was recently delivering mail in Helena, MT, when a sobbing girl around the age of 9 ran up to her to ask for help. The child explained she had been at a friend’s house after school, and she had lost her way as she walked home. O’Dell immediately called 911 […]
It took nearly three decades for Ken Rodin to get the tallest order of his postal career. And it came from his smallest customer: 4-year-old Maci Hopkins. The Bristol, CT, carrier technician recalls the little girl’s words one day recently when she ran outside to meet him: “Mr. Mailman, I have to give you a […]
The Postal Service will celebrate the many ways people appreciate the natural world when it releases its Enjoy the Great Outdoors stamps on Saturday, June 13. The stamps depict five different scenes of various outdoor activities — building a sandcastle, hiking, cross-country skiing, canoeing and biking. The hand-sketched and painted designs are by artist Gregory […]
The latest “Thank You for the Thank-You’s” video highlights more creative messages from customers who have expressed gratitude to USPS during the coronavirus pandemic. One sign on a board reads: “Thank you, Carol. Be safe. We appreciate you!” Other sentiments are expressed through handwritten notes and cheerful chalk drawings decorated with rainbows, stars and hearts. […]
“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 has set a goal of receiving (blank) sales leads from employees during #LEADtheWayBack Month in June. a) 2,000 b) 20,000 c) 200,000 d) 2 […]
Postal Service employees can participate in an upcoming webinar on a breathing technique that can help reduce stress. The session, “Diaphragmatic Breathing,” will be held Wednesday, June 10, at noon EDT. GEHA, a not-for-profit provider of health plans for federal employees, will conduct the webinar, which will show how the technique can be used during […]
Your cute, cuddly pet dog or cat might be unwittingly helping online hackers gain access to your personal data. Pet owners love to post images of their pets on social media. Cybercriminals know this, too. They also know that many pet owners include their pets’ names in passwords. Hackers often use phishing, smishing, vishing and […]