Miami Carrier Goes Back to School

Flagler Station Letter Carrier Anthony Johnson celebrated Career Day at La Prima Casa Montessori School in Miami. Students were fascinated by his scanning demonstration. Faculty members thanked Johnson for his visit, and all agreed that he was an "excellent postal ambassador!"  

 

Photos: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

Milam Dairy Branch SSA Earns Gold

Miami Milam Dairy Branch Sales and Services Associate Felix Hernandez achieved a 100 percent score on a Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction and earned a Gold Star Award. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

Miami ISC Employees are 'Engaged'

Plant Manager Sheldon Dixon (far left) poses with his “certified engagement” team at the Miami International Service Center --- where all employees are #PostalProud 24/7, 365 days a year.

The Miami ISC has earned “certified engaged team” status from USPS after demonstrating, through a Postal Pulse employee survey, their success in creating a positive workplace environment. The survey measures engagement, including whether team managers regularly conduct one-on-one meetings with employees to set expectations, recognize their performance and explain how each employee contributes to the team’s success.

The Postal Service is working to boost engagement, which is seen as a key driver of an organization’s success. Research shows engaged employees work safer, have better attendance rates and provide better customer experiences.

Have you taken YOUR Postal Pulse?   

The survey is underway and takes about five minutes to complete.  
Bargaining employees will receive the survey at their home and workplaces, while non-bargaining employees can complete the survey via email on a secure site run by Gallup, the organization that conducts the Postal Pulse. Additionally, all employees can take the survey on LiteBlue.  



From left, Tour 1 A/Manager, Distribution Operations Ray Taylor,  Tour 2 Supervisor, Distribution Operations Donna Fairley, A/Senior MDO Ben Jones, Employee Engagement Ambassador Dr. Sharon Johnson, Plant Manager Sheldon Dixon, Tour 2 SDO Eric Floyd, and Tour 2 Supervisor, Maintenance Operations Support Elizabeth Armstrong were instrumental in securing certified engagement recognition.

South Miami SSA Earns Gold Star

South Miami Branch Sales and Services Associate Carrie Dixon earned a Gold Star Award for a perfect score on a Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

Reaching a 40-Year Career Milestone

 

District Manager Tim Costello (left) presented Health and Resource Management Specialist Sherri Lundy-Stephens (right) with her 40-year Service Award and pin. Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

It's Gold for Milam Dairy Branch SSA

Sales and Services Associate Carlos Rodriguez achieved a perfect score on a Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction at the Milam Dairy Branch. He earned a Gold Star Award for providing outstanding service in Miami. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

 Arlington National Cemetery

Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, is a U.S. federal holiday for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is currently observed every year on the last Monday of May, will be held on May 28, 2018. The holiday was held on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day --- Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, whereas Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. 

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Monday, May 28, is Memorial Day, one of six days each year Postal Service facilities are required to fly the POW-MIA flag. The flag honors the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces held as Prisoners Of War or listed as Missing In Action.

Facilities that are open on the holiday must fly the U.S. flag at half-staff. The POW-MIA flag must fly below the U.S. flag.

The U.S. flag must be flown at half-staff from sunrise — or the hour when it’s raised — until noon. Then, hoist the flag to the peak of the staff, where it either must fly until the time of closing or no later than sunset (unless the flag is lighted).

Facilities that fly the flag at all times and are closed on Memorial Day should lower the flag to half-staff when the facility closes prior to the holiday. Return the flag to full staff when the facility opens Tuesday, May 29.

For additional information, please refer to the Postal Service’s guidelines on U.S. flag display and maintenance, as well as requirements for displaying the POW-MIA flag, in the Administrative Support Manual (ASM), Section 471 at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/manuals/asm/html/asmc4_019.htm. 

Miami Springs SSA Earns Gold Star

Miami Springs Finance Unit Sales and Services Associate Byeong Im earned a Gold Star Award for a perfect Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

Tamiami SSA Attains Gold Star Award

Tamiami Station Sales and Services Associate Ron Myers earned a Gold Star Award for providing outstanding service that resulted in a perfect score on a Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction in Miami. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

Preventing Heat Illness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heat waves and droughts have taken more lives than almost any other natural disaster in North American history. This fact should serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting yourself from the effects of excess heat this summer.
 
Avoiding direct sunlight will not necessarily save you from the ill effects of heat. It’s possible to suffer heatstroke even when the air temperature is moderate.
 
Excessive humidity can bring on overheating by interfering with the body’s natural perspiration-evaporation-cooling process, causing the body to sweat excessively and lose salt and water.

Here are some tips for avoiding heat illnesses this summer:

·  Take advantage of scheduled breaks to rest and cool off.
·  Drink water or fluid replacement liquids.
·  Eat light meals.
·  Take care when moving from a cool area to a hot one.
·  Dress in loose comfortable clothing made of light fabrics and in light colors.

If you or a co-worker experience early warning signs of heat illness, notify your supervisor or seek help immediately.  

Onody is New WPB Postmaster

Effective Saturday, May 26, Ernie Onody (right) will be the new Postmaster in West Palm Beach.

As Postmaster, Onody will be fiscally responsible for an annual operating budget of $49 million and administratively responsible for 653 employees across 16 postal installations in West Palm Beach City. There are 350 city, rural and highway routes with 242,695 deliveries under his jurisdiction. In Fiscal Year 2017, West Palm Beach City generated $22 million in revenue.

Onody has more than 23 years of postal service, starting in 1994 as a city letter carrier in Brooklyn, NY.  He has held the permanent positions of Supervisor, Customer Services, Manager, Customer Services, and Area Manager, Customer Services all in Triboro District. He also was Area Route Inspection and Adjustment Team Leader in the former New York Metro Area Office.

He moved to Florida in 2005 as Supervisor, Customer Services in the former Central Florida District.  Subsequently, he progressed through various Officer in Charge assignments including Deland, Kissimmee, Sarasota, Tampa and managerial assignments in the Central Florida and Suncoast Districts. In 2009, he became Manager, Operations Programs Support, Central Florida District and then Manager, Post Office Operations in Suncoast District.

In 2015, Ernie began a new chapter of his career as Manager, Customer Service Operations at  USPS Headquarters.  This position entailed overseeing all Function 4 operations nationwide.

Recently, Onody completed an executive detail as District Manager, Mid Carolinas District. He is a proud graduate of the U.S. Postal Service’s Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) and a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

“Ernie’s extensive postal knowledge and customer service experience are great assets to his Postmaster position,” said District Manager Tim Costello. “Please join me in wishing him continued success in his career.”

Honoring John Lennon on Stamps

The Postal Service has unveiled new artwork for its forthcoming Music Icons: John Lennon stamp.

The Music Icons stamp, to be released September 7, features a 1974 photograph of Lennon and will be available in panes of 16. The stamps are treated with different color gradations, going from yellow-orange on the top row to red and purple in the middle and blue on the bottom row.

The pane is designed to resemble a vintage 45-rpm record sleeve with an image of a record peeking out the top. The other side of the pane shows a black-and-white photograph of Lennon seated at a white piano with his signature and the Music Icons logo.

Celebrating 90 Years of Postal Service

District Manager Tim Costello (left in photos below) presented three employees with their 30-Year Service Awards and pins:

 

Human Resources Administrative Assistant Jennifer Thonus 

 

 

Address Management Systems Technician Lidia Silverio
 

 

Product Information Quality Analyst Nikki Rudershausen

 

Photos: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman 

More NALC Food Drive Photos

 

Kendall Carrier Annex Letter Carrier Ruben Fernandez (far left) got by with a little help from his friends --- volunteers from St. Louis Catholic Church in Pinecrest, collecting for St. Ann Mission in Homestead. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

 

Even after a long rainy day, Snapper Creek Branch Letter Carrier Nadeska Barreto is smiling and is proudly wearing her 26^th Annual "Stamp Out Hunger" tee-shirt. She gives a thumbs up for all the food drive collections on her route.  Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte 

Fort Lauderdale Main Office Carrier Annex Letter Carrier Emmanuel Saint-Preux is pleased with the generosity of customers on his route. Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

Snapper Creek Branch Letter Carrier Zulema Rincon sorts through all the canned goods to hand off to the volunteers collecting at her facility. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

 

 

Bridge to Hope Executive Director Reverend Vanessa Tinsley (left) collects canned donations from a customer who missed his letter carrier, but still wanted to contribute to such a great cause at Snapper Creek Branch. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

 

Lauderridge Annex Letter Carrier Gary Pierce participates in his last food drive. Pierce has 32 years on the job and plans to retire this year to explore the USA by recreational vehicle. “Hey, this is my last food drive, and I am going to miss it," Pierce said. Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

 

Stay tuned for more NALC Food Drive photos!

Aventura SSA Earns Gold Star Award

Aventura Finance Unit Sales and Services Associate Juana Curry proudly displays her Gold Star Award for a 100 percent Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction in Miami.

Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps Coming to a Post Offce Near You on June 20

The U.S. Postal Service’s first scratch-and-sniff stamps will add the sweet scent of summer to letters of love, friendship, party invitations and other mailings when the Postal Service introduces the Frozen Treats Forever stamps June 20 in Austin, TX.

The stamps feature illustrations of frosty, colorful, icy pops on a stick. Today, Americans love cool, refreshing ice pops on a hot summer day. The tasty, sweet confections come in a variety of shapes and flavors.

Ice pops are made by large manufacturers, home cooks and artisanal shops. In recent years, frozen treats containing fresh fruit such as kiwi, watermelon, blueberries, oranges and strawberries have become more common. In addition, flavors such as chocolate, root beer and cola are also popular.

WPB Employees Attend Orientation

West Palm Beach Acting Training Technician Jennifer Lewis (standing, left) talked to a group of new employees during an orientation class at the West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center.

 

The orientation class informed new employees about job expectations and the many opportunities available to them during their postal careers.

 

"This truly is the most exciting part of the training technician job," said Lewis. "I love the looks on the employees' faces when they walk into the classroom knowing that they are now postal employees."

 

Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Gayle Jones

 

North Miami Beach SSA Earns Gold

Congratulations to North Miami Beach Branch Sales and Services Associate Kim Brown who earned a Gold Star Award for a perfect Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction.

Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

Buy Sally Ride Forever Stamps Today

America’s first woman in space, Dr. Sally Ride (1951–2012) inspired the nation as a pioneering astronaut, brilliant scientist, and dedicated educator. Today Forever stamps in her honor are available at your local Post Office.

On June 18, 1983, Ride launched through Earth’s atmosphere aboard space shuttle Challenger, becoming the first American woman to reach space. For six days, she worked closely with her four male crewmates, proving to the world below that women were just as adept as their male counterparts in the final frontier.

Ride was the only person to sit on the investigative panels for both the Challenger and Columbia accidents. As a professor, she used her experience as an astronaut to explain complicated physics principles. In 2001, she cofounded a company devoted to fostering interest and skills in science, technology, engineering, and math among young people, particularly girls.

Through her love of science and determination to improve our world, Ride left
a lasting impact on generations of students and the future of American space exploration.

Aventura SSA Attains Gold Status

 

Congratulations to Miami Sales and Services Associate Marie Blaise of the Aventura Finance Unit. Blaise provided outstanding service to earn a 100 percent Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction and a Gold Star Award.

 

Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

30 Years and Counting in Boca Raton

Boca Raton Postmaster Ron Jarrell (right) and Manager, Customer Services Lori Cangemi (left) presented West Boca Carrier Annex Letter Carrier Steve Schnoll (center) with his 30-year Service Award and pin.

Communicating in Hurricane Season

The official start of the 2018 Hurricane Season is just around the corner. Now is a good opportunity to ensure that you have important information to stay connected with the Postal Service, should tropical weather impact South Florida.  

The National Employee Emergency Hotline (1-888-EMERGNC or 1-888-363-7462) is the official source of information for weather issues, work schedule changes, and facility status. For easy access, enter this phone number into your cell phone directory. 

When calling the National Employee Emergency Hotline, remember to enter the first three digits of the ZIP Code of your workplace location. Also, if you evacuate and relocate due to an emergency, call the hotline number, and then press “5” after entering your facility ZIP Code. You will be routed to an individual who can take your information and relay it to District and Area leadership whose priorities are your safety and well-being.

If you use Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), call a Florida TRS toll-free number, and the TRS operator will interact with the hotline application on your behalf. Through the use of highly-trained operators, calls can be made 24/7, 365 days a year, allowing Florida residents who are in need of services to connect and communicate with anyone at any time. The simplest way to access the variety of Florida Relay services available is to dial 7-1-1.  If the phone from which you are calling does not accept 7-1-1 calls, TRS has a list of dedicated toll-free numbers for each call-type that you can utilize: 

For TTY equipment users   800-955-8771    

For standard (voice) users who connect with a Relay user   800-955-8770    

ASCII (for computer users)  800-955-1339  
  
Voice Carry Over (VCO)  877-955-8260  
If you prefer to speak directly to a hearing person. The Relay Operator listens to a speaking person and types what is said to your TTY/VCO phone.

Speech to Speech   877-955-5334  
If you have a speech disability and prefer that a Relay Operator serve as your voice and repeat your responses to the called party.