Israel Lopez is thankful for the help his family received from a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity eight years ago. In 2010, Lopez’s 6-week-old son, Alex, developed a viral infection that led to a week-long stay at the Cleveland Clinic. Lopez, a Cleveland letter carrier, and his wife, Leeanna, didn’t want to leave the hospital, […]
USPS passport facilities can continue to provide services to customers as normal during the federal government shutdown. The U.S. State Department is still processing passport applications, the agency announced last week. Processing times remain 4-6 weeks for routine service and 2-3 weeks for expedited service. The Postal Service is encouraging employees to provide passport acceptance […]
If you have a travel card through the Postal Service, you can register the card on the CitiManager site. This will allow you to view your account information, view statements and balances, update your alerts and perform other self-service tasks. To register, you’ll need your card number, account name and address. The account name, address […]
The Postal Service will dedicate Hearts Blossom, this year’s Love stamp, in Puerto Rico on Thursday, Jan. 10. Here are some facts about the island. 1. Puerto Rico has a rich history. Christopher Columbus claimed the Caribbean island on Spain’s behalf in 1493. At the time, the island was inhabited by Taíno Indians. Spanish explorers […]
Link is very interesting and informative. I particularly appreciate the background stories about stamp releases. I use the information as selling points for customers, which has helped increase my stamp sales. […]
Rural Carrier Zene Vanleeuwen recently responded to two emergencies she encountered while delivering mail in West Point, GA. One day in October, Vanleeuwen heard an older customer screaming for help. She soon discovered that the woman had been stranded outside for several hours after falling and breaking her arm while taking out trash. Vanleeuwen alerted […]
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Failure to comply with Surface Visibility scanning procedures will undermine data provided by the new Mail Condition Visualization (MCV) module. a) True b) False 2. Which […]
The Postal Service wants employees to drive safely during the winter, a time of year that presents unique challenges. Here are some tips: • Allow yourself extra time to stop and turn. Slow down well in advance of traffic lights, traffic signs and intersections. • Leave extra space between your vehicle and other traffic. Reduce speed and increase […]
Time is running out to make a charitable donation to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) before the Friday, Jan. 11, deadline. Postal Service employees across the nation are working to raise awareness of CFC member charities and encourage co-workers to make donations and help USPS “finish strong,” the theme of the final push. “Through your […]
Want a copy of the Postal Service’s 2019 payroll schedule? The calendar images that accompany this article show the 26 paycheck dates for USPS employees. Every month this year has two pay dates, except for May and November, which have three each. To print the calendars, click each image below, then select “Download” under the […]
Retail Associate Crystal Flynn was at work recently in Chicago when she grew worried about an older colleague who had not reported to work as scheduled. After making several attempts to reach the woman by phone, Flynn consulted with a supervisor, contacted local police and asked someone to check on the co-worker. Officers found Flynn’s […]
Link is a great source of information that all Postal Service employees can read and share. It lets you start your day with positive, engaging news. […]
Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan was joined by a host of Postal Service employees to help ring the closing bell at the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York City Dec. 27. The group included employees who performed acts of heroism this year, including Chicopee, MA, Letter Carrier Todd Bettgenhauser, who detected a gas leak; and […]
The Postal Service wants employees to understand the importance of accurate scanning to Mail Condition Visualization (MCV), an Informed Visibility module that will provide near-real-time conditions of mail and packages in processing facilities. The data delivered by MCV is closely linked to the manual scan “events” captured through Surface Visibility (SV). This means failure to […]
Passwords are so 2018. The CyberSafe at USPS team is recommending employees kick start 2019 by using online passphrases, which are more secure than passwords. A passphrase is a memorable set of words that serve as your password, making it more difficult for cyberintruders to access your account. Passphrases are difficult for hackers to guess […]
The 116th U.S. Congress, which convenes this week, is expected to have 131 women members — a record. Here’s a look at the four female members of Congress who have appeared on stamps. 1. Sen. Hattie Caraway. Caraway, a Democrat, was appointed to represent Arkansas in the Senate after the death of her husband, Sen. […]
This year brought many stories of Postal Service employees who were there for each other in difficult moments. Phoenix Mail Processing Clerk Corrine Slater; Nashville, TN, Maintenance Mechanic Christopher Scott; and Clarkston, MI, Retail Associate Ebony Turonek were among those who performed the Heimlich maneuver on colleagues who were choking. Worcester, MA, Mail Processing Clerk […]
Although she says otherwise, Westland, MI, Retail Associate Nina Jones fits the definition of a hero. She’s a hero to the 87-year-old customer who she prevented from being scammed. […]
Postal Service employees demonstrated their dedication to their customers as 2018 drew to a close. In October, employees marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month by promoting the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp and participating in events at USPS facilities across the nation. Employees also delivered millions of ballots, voter registration cards, polling place information and campaign […]
This was another year of moving images in Link. Here’s a roundup of some of the best photos, including shots from delivery routes, postal plants, stamp dedication ceremonies and mailing industry events. Select each thumbnail to see a larger version of the image. […]
Postal Service employees discussed their contributions to the organization through Link’s “On the job” series this year. Judy Huelsing, a custodian in St. Louis, talked about the pride she takes in keeping her workplace neat and orderly. “I believe having a really clean facility promotes a good work environment and positively affects employees’ attitudes. It […]
Young people highlighted the mail’s ability to build relationships, uplift spirits and even right wrongs this year. Dallas third-graders formed special pen-pal relationships after turning to a local retirement community for help with cursive writing lessons. Meanwhile, students at a Foxborough, MA, charter school continued their efforts to collect postage stamps to honor Holocaust victims. […]
Thank you for the “Proceed with caution” article. It was a very helpful explanation of the Postal Service’s rules on exchanging gifts in the workplace. […]
Kids in distress were able to rely on Postal Service employees for kindness and caring in 2018. Cottage Grove, WI, Rural Carrier Becky Illgen helped a scared child at the wrong school bus stop. In Wells, MI, Retail Associate Jenny Mileski came to the aid of a girl stranded on a snowy day, telling her: […]
The first three months of 2018 brought major snowstorms to many parts of the United States, but the Postal Service’s dedication to its customers never wavered. The streak began in January with rare snow in the South and bone-chilling temperatures in the Midwest. The wild weather continued in March, when the Northeast was hit with […]
Postal Service employees and retirees served their communities throughout 2018. Melvin White, a retired St. Louis letter carrier, honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by revitalizing streets named after him, while Melvin McCoy, a Memphis, TN, auto technician, honored his late father, who participated in a 1968 strike to improve conditions for African-American […]
USPS employees shared peer-to-peer wisdom through Link’s “Best practices” column this year. Here’s a look at some of their tips: • Take it outside: Apple Valley, CA, Postmaster Bobby Kimball delivers stand-up talks in his Post Office’s parking lot, where employees are required to stand in a circle so everyone faces each other. “It’s great […]
Link tells stories about great Postal Service employees every day. Here are 10 favorites from 2018. 1. Good service. Los Angeles Mail Handler Willie Clemmons, 91, marked 68 years as a postal employee in August — and said he has no plans to retire anytime soon. 2. End of an era. Samuel Mitchell made history in January when […]
Thank you for the inspiring “Heroes’ corner” story about the Western New York District Human Resources team members who saved the life of Marie McDonnell, a co-worker who suffered a medical emergency. […]
Marine City, MI, Rural Carrier Catherine Blair was recently delivering mail when she saw an oncoming vehicle moving erratically before striking a guardrail and flipping over into a ditch. Blair stopped, called 911 and rushed to aid the driver, who was alone in the car. The Postal Service employee freed the woman from the vehicle […]