
We’re thinking of you
USPS reissues special cancellation for September
The Postal Service recently reissued a special postmark cancellation to mark “Thinking of You” week.
The annual celebration — recognized this year from Sept. 21 to 27 — encourages people to put pen to paper to let their family and friends know they care.
USPS is working with the Greeting Card Association to promote the international campaign’s goal of sending and receiving handwritten notes, greeting cards and letters every day of the designated week.
The Thinking of You postmark is being applied in all processing plants to mail processed on automated canceling machines through September.
Thinking of You Week began in the United Kingdom in 2014 and has grown into an international observance. The U.S. website for the week features more information, toolkits and ideas for hosting “Thinking of You” events.
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The Hatch Act defines limits on political participation
This federal law applies to social media use, clothing and more
The Postal Service is reminding employees about the Hatch Act, a law that restricts the partisan political activity of the federal workforce — including USPS employees.
Partisan political activity is any action directed toward the success or failure of a political party, partisan political group or a current candidate for a partisan political office.
Postal Service employees cannot do the following while on duty, in uniform, wearing a USPS badge, in a postal vehicle or on USPS property:
• Distribute, share or display partisan political materials or campaign slogans;
• Wear clothing or accessories with messages or images for or against a political candidate, party or group;
• Post or engage with partisan political content on social media;
• Place a partisan bumper sticker on a USPS vehicle or a personal vehicle that is used to deliver mail; or
• Have conversations to sway others’ opinions regarding a partisan candidate, political party or partisan political group.
While off duty, employees cannot:
• Become a candidate in a partisan election;
• Solicit or accept political contributions for a partisan candidate or political party;
• Host or invite others to a political fundraiser; or
• Use their Postal Service title or position to influence or interfere with elections.
The Hatch Act does not prohibit employees from discussing current events or policy issues while on duty. And employees are allowed to display one standard-size, partisan bumper sticker per candidate on a privately owned vehicle when parked on USPS property.
Penalties for violating the Hatch Act include suspension, fines and being banned from federal employment.
The Office of Special Counsel’s FAQ website has additional information.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Ethics Office.

Appointments, awards and retirements
Here’s a look at recent USPS leadership announcements
The Postal Service recently made the following managerial and supervisory announcements:
• Robert “Paul” Birge Jr., South Carolina District manager, was named Alabama-Mississippi District’s acting manager.
• Frank S. Cetta, Mesa, AZ, postmaster, was named Tucson, AZ, acting postmaster.
• Postmaster Blake A. Denny was named South Carolina District’s acting manager.
• Le Gretta Y. Goodwin, Alabama-Mississippi District’s manager, was named Louisiana District’s acting manager.
• John P. McLucas was named Florida 3 District’s acting manager. He previously served as Texas 3 District’s manager.
• Wendy P. Monk was named Central Area’s field labor relations director. She previously served as Central Area’s labor relations manager.
The Postal Service recently recognized the following award:
• Dennis M. Chon, a cybersecurity fraud analyst in Glendale, CA, received the Inspection Service Award for Outstanding USPS Employee for his work in partnership with the law enforcement organization.
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Take The Eagle magazine’s reader survey by Sept. 25
The Postal Service is encouraging employees to take The Eagle magazine’s brief reader survey before it closes on Sept. 25.
The results will help the Postal Service optimize communication with employees about corporate strategies.
Employees can take the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/eagle-reader-survey or by scanning the QR code on the back of the July issue.
The Postal Service mails The Eagle to employees’ homes each quarter. It is also available on Newsroom, the USPS online news hub.