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Daily printout: Dec. 2, 2024


Monday, December 2, 2024

A red Canada Post mail box along a street.
A strike at Canada Post has brought mail and package delivery in that country to a halt.

USPS halts mail and package delivery to Canada

Move comes after postal strike in that country

USPS has suspended acceptance of mail and packages bound for Canada as a result of an ongoing strike at Canada Post, that country’s designated postal operator.

Canada Post is no longer accepting inbound mail and there is no movement of mail within Canada because of the strike, which began Nov. 15.

USPS customers who have recently mailed items to Canada should expect delays.

More information is available on the Service Alerts page at usps.com.

The USPS next-generation delivery vehicle
This holiday season will mark the first use of the Postal Service’s next-generation delivery vehicles.

USPS is ready for the holidays

The organization provides an update on peak season preparations

The Postal Service is primed to deliver exceptional service during this year’s holiday rush, the organization’s executives said this week.

“Thanks to the substantial progress we have made under the Delivering for America plan, we are ready and confident to handle the holiday surge,” said Dr. Joshua Colin, the organization’s chief retail and delivery officer. “Our ability to move packages and mail throughout our network has never been stronger. USPS continues to be the most affordable and reliable way to ship packages and mail this holiday season and year-round.”

Colin and Steve Monteith, chief customer and marketing officer, spoke during a Nov. 25 briefing with the news media, where they noted the Postal Service has maintained strong service performance while working to transform its network. Because of the ongoing implementation of the Delivering for America strategic plan, 98 percent of the nation’s population currently receives their mail and packages in fewer than three days.

They also described the organization’s investments ahead of the peak delivery season, which include:

Using 83 revitalized sorting and delivery centers: In alignment with the Delivering for America plan, USPS is revamping its network of nearly 19,000 delivery units, which are the final stop for mail and packages before they are delivered by mail carriers.

Implementing 506 new package sorting machines: These new machines are strategic investments in the local community’s postal infrastructure, allowing USPS workers to sort and process packages of all sizes more quickly and reliably.

Since the previous peak season, 158 new sorting machines have been installed across the nation. This is part of the organization’s $40 billion investment in new technology and facilities under the Delivering for America plan.

Increasing daily package processing capacity to approximately 60 million: The higher capacity allows for packages to move through the postal network faster and eliminates the need for the leasing of temporary annexes.

Moving more than 95 percent of volume via more reliable ground transportation: USPS has adapted its transportation and logistics processes to handle the high mail and package volumes expected during the peak holiday season.

The Postal Service continues to move mail and package volume from expensive air transportation to its redesigned ground transportation network. Currently, almost 95 percent of First-Class Mail and more than 95 percent of packages are moved through the improved ground transportation system.

Hiring 7,500 seasonal employees: Because of its experienced and stable workforce, USPS anticipates the need to hire fewer seasonal employees than in past years.

Delivering with the new next-generation delivery vehicles: This holiday season will mark the first use of these battery electric vehicles, which will be on roads and routes in select communities this winter.

Additionally, there will be more than 27,000 new vehicles on the road, including more than 500 battery-electric vehicles.

In addition to these investments, USPS is simplifying the process and reducing customers’ cost to ship packages this holiday season.

The organization now offers USPS Ground Advantage, which provides a simple, reliable and more affordable way to ship packages in 2-5 business days across the contiguous United States.

Additionally, during peak season, Priority Mail offers a price that is on average 35 percent lower than similar competitor services.

“The United States Postal Service’s portfolio of shipping products make holiday shipping easy,” said Monteith. “Both USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Priority Mail are priced lower than competitors, meaning customers can save more this holiday season — so ship early and enjoy your holiday season.”

USPS Rural Carrier Associate Christopher Williams
Lewisburg, KY, Rural Carrier Associate Christopher Williams
Heroes

His pacemaker had malfunctioned

This carrier came to the aid of a man who was passed out in a driveway

Rural Carrier Associate Christopher Williams was recently delivering mail in Lewisburg, KY, when he saw an older man passed out in a driveway.

The customer’s pacemaker had malfunctioned, and his wife was in the house unaware of what had happened.

Williams revived the man and propped him up against a car.

The Postal Service employee then alerted the customer’s wife and called 911.

“Christopher is an all-around good guy and would do anything to help anyone,” said Dawn Ward, the local postmaster.

The customer spent six days in the hospital before returning home.

Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.

Two USPS Priority Mail packages sitting on a doorstep.
The Postal Service is prepared for this year’s holiday season, USPS executives said last week.
Week in Review

Here’s what Link covered Nov. 24-30

Holiday prep and customer service improvements made news

Last week, Link reported on the Postal Service’s preparations for this year’s holiday season.

During a briefing for the news media, Joshua Colin, the organization’s chief delivery officer, and Steve Monteith, the chief customer and marketing officer, discussed the holiday efforts, which include installing new package sorting machines in postal facilities and reducing customers’ shipping costs.

“Thanks to the substantial progress we have made under the Delivering for America plan, we are ready and confident to handle the holiday surge,” Colin said.

Link also told you about improvements to international express mail customer service and the Hallmark company’s plans for a Christmas Experience event, and we offered tips on this year’s open season benefits enrollment period, holiday spending and contributing to the Combined Federal Campaign.

Additionally, we reported on USPS temporarily suspending acceptance of mail bound for Canada as a result of a strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Finally, we introduced you to Christopher Williams, a Lewisburg, KY, rural carrier associate who came to the aid of a customer who passed out in a driveway after his pacemaker malfunctioned.

“Christopher is an all-around good guy and would do anything to help anyone,” said Dawn Ward, the local postmaster.

December 9, 2024
Datebook

PSHB CareFirst webinar

Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar to learn more about health, dental and vision plan options within the new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) Program.

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 “Blue Product Overview” webinar will be led by representatives from CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The session will be held Monday, Dec. 9, from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern.

To participate, employees must register on the webinar website.

Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must be off the clock or on authorized breaks.

Employees who have questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.

Brief

Employees can receive discounts from Ottawa University

Ottawa University is offering Postal Service employees a 25 percent tuition reduction on most bachelor’s degrees.

Employees are also eligible for a 12 percent tuition reduction on most graduate programs.

Ottawa University, based in Ottawa, KS, offers a variety of online programs.

The university’s website has more information.

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