Thursday, November 12, 2026
Government Relations and Public Policy VP to retire
Peter R. Pastre helped get reforms and funding through Congress
Peter R. Pastre, Government Relations and Public Policy vice president, will retire Thursday, Dec. 31, after six years with the Postal Service.
He joined USPS in 2020 to work with leadership and Congress to pass the Postal Service Reform Act, or PRSA, which was enacted in 2022. The PRSA included long-sought financial reforms that provided nearly $50 billion in relief to USPS and brought the organization a step closer to achieving financial stability. That same year, Congress supported the organization’s delivery fleet replacement and its increased electrification with $3 billion in funds from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Pastre oversaw the opening of a legislative office on Capitol Hill and the launch of a USPS government relations website. These helped increase stakeholder transparency and engagement surrounding postal policy, as well as the organization’s 10-year transformation strategy and its cost-saving and revenue-promotion initiatives.
Before joining the Postal Service, Pastre worked in government relations for the American Council of Life Insurers and MetLife. Before that, he worked in California state politics followed by legislative work for U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming.
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Have a question about your benefits?
Here’s the contact information for each program
With multiple benefits programs and enrollment systems, it’s important to know which organization or support center handles specific questions and issues.
For questions on Postal Service Health Benefits Program plans — including claims, coverage issues or ID cards — employees and annuitants should contact their healthcare provider. Questions on PSHB enrollment, elections or eligibility may be directed to the Human Resources Shared Service Center at F3PMJ0@usps.gov.
For assistance with the Thrift Savings Plan — including loans, withdrawals or account access — employees and retirees should call 877-968-3778 (TTY 877-847-4385).
Those with questions about flexible spending accounts — including claims, reimbursements or eligible expenses — should contact Inspira Financial at 833-419-0305.
For assistance with dental and vision coverage under the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program — including enrollment and coverage questions — employees should visit Benefeds.gov or call 877-888-3337 (TTY 877-889-5680).
Questions about the Commuter Benefits Program should be directed to Edenred Benefits at 888-235-9223. Information may also be found on Edenred’s website.
Open season, the annual period when employees can enroll in or make changes to their benefits, began Monday, Nov. 9, and concludes Monday, Dec. 14.
Additional coverage can be found on Link’s Open Season 2026 page.
Help keep holiday mail free of hazardous materials
The Postal Service is reminding employees about packages with perfume and batteries
With the holiday season comes an increase in customers seeking to ship hazardous items, such as perfume and devices with batteries.
Under USPS rules, perfume may be shipped domestically using ground transportation, or by air if prior authorization has been obtained. It may not be shipped internationally or to military or diplomatic destinations.
A total of 16 ounces of perfume is permitted per package.
Customers are allowed to ship laptops, tablets or cellphones if they are new and in original packaging or certified by the manufacturer as refurbished.
Electronic skateboards and e-bikes with lithium batteries over 100 watt hours are prohibited in the postal network and cannot be shipped.
More information can be found in Publication 52 — Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail, on the Postal Explorer website.
Employees with questions should email the USPS retail team.
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Milestones
Appointments, awards and retirements
Here’s a look at recent USPS leadership announcements
The Postal Service recently made the following managerial and supervisory announcements:
• Postmaster Erica M. Hall was named Maryland District’s acting manager.
• Barbara J. Hudnall, strategic complement reassignment manager, was named Atlantic Area’s labor relations acting director.
• Postmaster Rose M. Spraggins was named Ohio 1 District’s acting manager.
• Postmaster Natasha L. Wesley has completed a detail assignment and resumed her regular duties.
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WestPac Area, Pennsylvania 1 on top in scanning
A snapshot of Postal Service scanning data shows the national rating was 97.58 percent during the week ending Nov. 6, down 0.31 percent from one week earlier.
The data was collected Nov. 12.
WestPac led the four areas with a rating of 97.65 percent, while Atlantic ranked last with a 97.38 percent rating.
Among the 50 districts, Pennsylvania 1, part of Atlantic Area, ranked first with a 98.58 percent rating, while New York 2, also part of Atlantic Area, ranked last with a 95.51 percent rating.
Scanning data allows customers to track their mail and packages, which helps USPS deliver excellent service, boost loyalty and drive revenue.
To see the latest data, go to the Informed Visibility website and select “Customer Experience,” followed by “DES 2 Scan Performance.” Postal Service employees must request Informed Visibility access through eAccess.
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What's included
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Government Relations and Public Policy VP to retire
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Have a question about your benefits?
Here’s the contact information for each program
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Help keep holiday mail free of hazardous materials
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Milestones
Appointments, awards and retirements
Here’s a look at recent USPS leadership announcements
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Brief
WestPac Area, Pennsylvania 1 on top in scanning