Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Heroes
Where there’s a Will, there’s a way
This employee swooped in to help a man after he tumbled into traffic
Tractor Trailer Operator Todd Will was driving recently near the Phoenix Processing and Distribution Center during the morning rush hour when he saw a man fall while crossing a busy street.
The man was unable to lift himself up to get out of the middle of the road as cars passed him.
The Postal Service employee parked his vehicle, called 911 and then helped the man move to a nearby sidewalk.
Will stayed with him until paramedics arrived.
They credited Will’s quick action with helping the man avoid serious injury or death.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
On the Job
Switching gears
This driving safety instructor took a few turns in his career
My name is Erik Eicholtz and I’m a driving safety instructor for Kentucky-West Virginia District.
I joined the Postal Service in 1986 as a distribution clerk on the midnight shift in Paducah, KY. I’ve been playing drums professionally for 30 years and would literally come out from behind my drum kit, still sweaty from playing for four hours, and go to work.
Some people can do it, but it was very difficult for me to work the midnight shift. I felt I could serve the American people better on a full night’s sleep, so I became a letter carrier in 1993.
I did that for 30 years before becoming a full-time driving safety instructor in 2023. Previously, I helped train drivers on an ad hoc basis for 12 years.
As many people as I’ve trained, it’s amazing how different every human is behind the wheel.
I consider myself a coach and mentor. My aim is to get people to drive as safely as possible and to save lives, time and money.
Primarily, I train new hires who need to be qualified on right-hand-drive vehicles, but also left-hand-drive 2-ton trucks and the ProMaster van, as well as forklifts, pallet jacks and Lift-A-Lofts.
In addition, I teach a defensive driving course every two weeks on HERO, initiate refresher training after collisions and conduct street observations.
My father, Jerry Eicholtz, was a postal employee from 1965 until he retired in 1999, and his job provided well for us. I’m honored to follow him.
Outside of work, I’m usually playing drums. I’m in a blues band called Lew Jetton and 61 South, and I play for my church.
I could not keep up with my very busy schedule without my lovely wife, Julie, and I’m a proud father of three.
Going to work is not a difficult thing to do when you like what you’re doing. I feel blessed to serve the American people in the Postal Service.
“On the Job,” a column on individual employees and their contributions to the Postal Service, appears regularly in Link.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered May 19-25
A recycling program, labor talks and pen pals made news last week
Last week, Link told you about a pallet recycling program that is helping the Postal Service turn trash into cash.
The initiative, which fits with a Delivering for America goal to divert more waste from landfills, allows USPS facilities to recycle wooden pallets that are left behind by business customers dropping off large volumes of mail.
“We’re looking forward to working with Postal Service facilities across the nation to increase participation in the program and help turn waste into revenue through landfill diversion,” said Sam Rogers, the Postal Service’s asset accountability manager.
Link also provided updates on the Postal Service’s modernization efforts and negotiations with the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association on a new labor contract, and we reported release dates and dedication ceremony locations for the next batch of stamps.
Our “Heroes” column introduced you to Todd Will, a USPS tractor trailer operator who swooped in to help a man after he tumbled into traffic, while our “People” feature turned a spotlight on Tina Ramirez, who recently retired as a postmaster for Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Additionally, we published histories of Memorial Day and the Cold War-era postal civil defense plan, which was released May 27, 1955.
Finally, we introduced you to Kris Feeney and Ned Felder, a student and a soldier who became pen pals during the Vietnam War and recently met for the first time.
The duo, whose story has been chronicled by The Washington Post and other media outlets, are once again exchanging letters.
“We will stay in touch. I will make sure I continue to write him,” said Feeney.
June 4, 2024
Datebook
PSHB virtual seminar
USPS employees may participate in an upcoming virtual seminar on the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.
The session will be held Tuesday, June 4, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
PSHB — which takes effect in 2025 — is a new, separate program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and will be administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
USPS employees, annuitants, and eligible family members are required to enroll in this new program.
The MyHR website has more information, including the Zoom links and passcodes to participate.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees can also receive updates by texting “PSHBP” to 39369.
Project Safe Delivery update
An Inspection Service video highlights a recent Chicago surge
The Postal Inspection Service has released its latest video update on Project Safe Delivery, the agency’s initiative with USPS to combat mail-related crime.
The 30-second video highlights a recent law enforcement surge in the Chicago area, where postal inspectors made arrests for mail theft and robberies.
The operation is one of several that have taken place during the past year, along with efforts in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Ohio.
Each operation involves personnel from across the nation who prevent incidents and enforce the laws protecting letter carriers and the mailstream.
The video, which the Inspection Service has posted on its social media channels, includes the agency’s hotline — 877-876-2455 — for reporting tips.
June 4, 2024
Datebook
‘You Can Prevent Diabetes’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on the risk factors for diabetes and how simple lifestyle changes can prevent it.
The session, “You Can Prevent Diabetes,” will be held Tuesday, June 4, at noon Eastern.
Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the Benefits and Wellness team.
June 2, 2024
Datebook
National Postal Forum
The National Postal Forum, the mailing and shipping industry’s largest annual conference, will begin Sunday, June 2, and conclude Wednesday, June 5.
Highlights will include a keynote address by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and sessions with USPS leaders.
The event will be held at the Indiana Convention Center, located at 100 S. Capitol Ave. in Indianapolis.
The forum’s website has more information.
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Printout details
What's included
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Heroes
Where there’s a Will, there’s a way
This employee swooped in to help a man after he tumbled into traffic
-
On the Job
Switching gears
This driving safety instructor took a few turns in his career
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered May 19-25
A recycling program, labor talks and pen pals made news last week
-
June4Datebook
PSHB virtual seminar
-
Project Safe Delivery update
An Inspection Service video highlights a recent Chicago surge
-
June4Datebook
‘You Can Prevent Diabetes’
-
June2Datebook
National Postal Forum