Daily printout: Sept. 3

Labor Day, the federal holiday that recognizes the contributions of workers, will be observed on Monday, Sept. 7.

The first Labor Day observance was organized by the Central Labor Union and took place on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. Many states and localities followed suit in the proceeding years, and it became a federal holiday in 1894 when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law.

The 1880s were a time of progress for the labor movement, and letter carriers were at the vanguard. In 1884, Congress granted carriers 15 days of leave a year, and in 1888, it awarded them an eight-hour workday. The National Association of Letter Carriers union was formed in Milwaukee the next year.

The Postal Service employs more than 624,000 workers.

The American labor movement “has raised the nation’s standard of living and brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy,” the U.S. Labor Department notes in its online history of the holiday.

“It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom and leadership — the American worker.”

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September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the USPS Employee Assistance Program is using this time to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and to remind employees that help is available.

The program, also known as EAP, seeks to create an environment where those who are struggling feel less alone and more apt to seek help.

“Creating a culture where employees feel supported and understood helps reduce stigma and encourages individuals to seek assistance when they need it,” EAP Administrator Susan Wozniak said.

Recognizing changes in behavior, checking in with a co-worker, and reaching out when someone appears to be struggling can all make a difference.

Campaign materials are available for download throughout September on the monthly focus page and year-round on the suicide prevention page of the EAP website.

Additional information and support are available by phone at 800-327-4968 (800-EAP-4YOU) or TTY at 711 and online from EAP service provider Lucet Health.

The latest episode of “Mailin’ It!,” the USPS podcast, tells the story of a sprawling identity theft and fraud operation involving stolen mail, postal keys and more than $2.1 million in losses.

The guest is Postal Inspector Stefan Hinds.

The 25-minute episode was released Sept. 1 and is available on Link and other postal websites, as well as most podcast platforms.

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