National Consumer Protection Week

 

For National Consumer Protection Week (March 3-9), Postal Inspectors will be in the Fort Lauderdale Main Post Office lobby, 1900 W Oakland Park Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Thursday, March 7, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., to share information on current frauds targeting veterans.

 

 

Royal Palm P&DC Wall of Fame

Manager, Distribution Operations Chris Birks posed in front of the Wall of Fame at the Royal Palm Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Opa-locka. For the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), employees posted their favorite charities on the wall to encourage others to participate and possibly support their CFC selections.

WPB Passport Fair Set for March 16

Does your vacation destination require a passport? Start your journey on Saturday, March 16, with a trip to the Passport Fair at the West Palm Beach Main Office, 3200 Summit Blvd. Sales and Services Associates will assist you in the passport process and will accept your applications between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Your participation must be off-the-clock.

U.S. citizens must present a valid Passport Book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and seaports of entry must present a Passport Book, Passport Card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.
 
How to Prepare for the Passport Application Process:
·  A completed application (form is available at usps.com/passport; but do not sign it until the passport clerk instructs you to do so).  
·  Remember that everyone, including newborn infants, is required to obtain a passport in his or her own name. For children under age 16, the consent of both parents/ guardians is required. 
·  Proof of identity (a valid permanent state driver’s license, a government ID or military ID, previous passport, Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization Certificate)
·  Proof of U.S. citizenship (previous passport, original or certified birth certificate issued from the state with a raised, embossed, impressed, or multi-colored seal and registrar’s signature and date of certificate filing)
· Two official passport photos (available at the Passport Fair for $15)
·  Social Security Number

The U.S. Department of State fees vary according to age and type. The fee(s) must be made by money order, check, bank draft, or cashier’s check made payable to the U.S. Department of State; debit and credit card payment is not available. The Passport Book fee for under age 16 is $80; for age 16 and older is $110. The Passport Card fee for under age 16 is $15, and for age 16 and older is $30. In addition, all acceptance agencies, including the Postal Service, charge a processing fee of $35 per application. A debit or credit card may be used in addition to cash, money order, or check made payable to the Postal Service.

'What Safety Means to Me!'

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Honoring Our Outstanding Employees

It's time to honor our outstanding craft and EAS employees in the South Florida Federal Executive Board’s 54th annual “Federal Employee of the Year” (FEOY) Awards Program/Luncheon. 

Craft and EAS employees may be nominated and/or submit their co-workers for recognition in the following award categories: Administrative, Clerical/Administrative Support, Innovation, Law Enforcement, Management (except Agency Head), Organizational Partnership, Professional, Scientific, Service to the Community, Technical/Information Technology, Trades and Crafts, and Valor.

Important Nomination Tips:

· Nominees must be career employees.

· Nominations must be based on demonstrated performance between Oct. 1, 2017 and Sept. 30, 2018. · All nomination packages must be typed.

· Nominees must submit a digital ready photograph of the nominee or team.

Each nomination package must include: 

 

· Nomination Form Cover Page (For team nominations, enter team name on the nomination form cover page and attach individual names on separate page.)

· Narrative (not to exceed one typewritten page -Time News Roman font no smaller than 10 point

· Summary (150 words or less) of the nomination on a separate sheet of paper

· Publicity Data Sheet/Privacy Act Notice (each nominee must sign)

A nomination package is posted on the Corporate Communications page of the district website at the following link:  

 

https://southeast.fws.usps.gov/sites/southflorida/Corporate%20Communications/Local%20NEWSBREAKS/default.aspx  

Although the nomination package lists March 20 as the deadline, please submit your completed nomination package(s) via email to Human Resources Administrative Assistant Jennifer Thonus at jennifer.j.thonus@usps.gov by Close of Business on Monday, March 11. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer via email or at 954-527-3235. 

The awards program/luncheon will be at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel on Friday, June 21. Details to follow in future blog postings.
 

Thanks for the Memories ...

 

It's official! Miami Postmaster Enrique (Rick) Suarez (above, left) has retired after 34 years of dedicated postal service.

 

Pictured above, South Florida District Manager Timothy Costello (right) presented the former Postmaster with his Retirement Certificate. Costello thanked Suarez for his many contributions to the district and to the Postal Service throughout his career.

 

 

Former Miami Postmaster Enrique (Rick) Suarez (above, center) thanked the District Leadership Team for all the memories and posed for a group photo one last time.

 

Photos: Carolina Wilson

A Tale of Two Postmasters

At a recent staff meeting, South Florida District Manager Timothy Costello presented official Postmaster Proclamations to Hollywood Postmaster Daniel Carleen and Pompano Beach Postmaster Michael Vecchitto. Costello thanked managers for their dedication and commitment to outstanding customer service and wished them continued success in their careers. 

 

 

South Florida District Manager Timothy Costello (left) and Hollywood Postmaster Daniel Carleen (right)

As Hollywood Postmaster, Carleen is administratively and operationally responsible for 535 employees who work in delivery and retail operations at Chapel Lakes Branch, Flamingo Branch, Hillcrest Postal Store, Hollywood Main Office, Miramar Branch, Pembroke Pines Branch, South Florida Retail Unit, University Postal Store, and West Hollywood Hills Station.
 
Carleen joined the U.S. Postal Service as a City Letter Carrier in Minneapolis, MN in 1987.

South Florida District Manager Timothy Costello (left) and Pompano Beach Postmaster Michael Vecchitto (right)

As Postmaster, Vecchitto is administratively responsible for 599 employees who work at six stations and two finance units in Pompano Beach and the surrounding area. He oversees an annual operating budget of $51 million and has overall responsibility for retail and delivery operations. There are 212,613 city and rural deliveries under his jurisdiction. 

Photos: Carolina Wilson

Royal Palm P&DC Tour 3 is All Heart

On February 1, Royal Palm Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) Tour 3 employees (above) participated in "National Wear Red Day" to promote heart disease prevention.

February is American Heart Month.

Today, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined.

Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions:

• Schedule a visit with a doctor to talk heart health
• Increase healthy eating
• Watch your weight
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
• Control cholesterol and blood pressure
• Take medication(s) as prescribed
• Reduce stress
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation
• Get active

'What Safety Means to Me!'

WPB Passport Fair is Sat, March 16

Planning a vacation and needing a passport? 

On Saturday, March 16, start your journey with a trip to the Passport Fair at the West Palm Beach Main Office, 3200 Summit Blvd. Sales and Services Associates will accept your applications from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Your participation must be off-the-clock. 

U.S. citizens must present a valid Passport Book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a Passport Book, Passport Card or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

How to Prepare for the Passport Application Process:

· A completed application (form is available at usps.com/passport; but do not sign it until the passport clerk instructs you to do so).  

· Remember that everyone, including newborn infants, is required to obtain a passport in his or her own name. For children under age 16, the consent of both parents/ guardians is required. 

· Proof of identity (a valid permanent state driver’s license, a government ID or military ID, previous passport, Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization Certificate)

· Proof of U.S. citizenship (previous passport, original or certified birth certificate issued from the state with a raised, embossed, impressed, or multi-colored seal and registrar’s signature and date of certificate filing)

· Two official passport photos (available at the Passport Fair for $15)

· Social Security Number

The U.S. Department of State fees vary according to age and type. The fee(s) must be made by money order, check, bank draft, or cashier’s check made payable to the U.S. Department of State; debit and credit card payment is not available. The Passport Book fee for under age 16 is $80; for age 16 and older is $110. The Passport Card fee for under age 16 is $15, and for age 16 and older is $30. In addition, all acceptance agencies, including the Postal Service, charge a processing fee of $35 per application. A debit or credit card may be used in addition to cash, money order, or check made payable to the Postal Service.

'What Safety Means to Me!'

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Celebrating the Lunar New Year

Manager, Marketing Juan Nadal (left) presented an enlargement of the Year of the Boar stamp to Chinese Cultural Foundation President Peter Liu (right) during festivities. Liu pointed at the "Forever” on the stamp and told the audience to “purchase them now, you can use them forever!” 

Story & Photos: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte
 
On February 17, the Chinese Cultural Foundation, Inc., celebrated its 31st Annual Chinese New Year Festival at the Miami Dade College Kendall Campus. Manager, Marketing Juan Nadal presented an enlargement of the 2019 Year of the Boar Forever stamp to Peter Liu, the organization's president.

This was the twelfth and final stamp in the “Celebrating Lunar New Year” series. Liu highlighted to the audience the “Forever” on the stamp in promoting sales at the USPS retail table. Town and Country Postal Store Sales and Services Associate Jerry Galindo promoted the new stamps to generate $1,075 revenue in four hours. That's an increase of almost $300 in sales from last year.

Over 6,000 people attend the festival every year. The festival begins with the Lion and Dragon dancing through all the vendors and food kiosks which is said to bring good luck for sales throughout the day. The public endured high temperatures and bright sun throughout the remainder of the shows that included, Imperial Warriors Dance, Music with the Traditional Chinese Instruments, A Musical of Yang Guifei Empress of Tang Dynasty and other performances.  By far the most popular one was the Matsuriza Taiko Drums who travel from Epcot in Orlando, FL, every year to participate in the festival.


Town and Country Postal Store Sales and Services Associate Jerry Galindo (left) was pleased with $1,075 in stamp sales revenue.

Wing Lung Tai Chi Kung Fu School students prepared for their Chinese New Year Festival Junior Lion Dance.

 

Wing Lung Tai Chi Kung Fu School students performed the Lion Dance at the 31st annual Chinese New Year Festival.

'What Safety Means to Me!'

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Need Duplicate W-2 or 1095-C Forms?

Do you need a duplicate copy of your W-2 or 1095-C federal forms? If so, you have two options:

• Go to PostalEASE, which you can access from Blue, LiteBlue and self-service kiosks at many Postal Service facilities.

You’ll need your employee identification number and password to log in. Once you have access, follow the prompts to obtain duplicate W-2 or 1095-C forms.

• Call the USPS employee self-service line at 877-477-3273 and request the duplicate forms.

These options are available only to current employees. Separated employees must submit their requests in writing to the following address: Financial Reporting Section — Finance Branch, Accounting Services, 2825 Lone Oak Pkwy, Eagan MN 55121-9617.

For more information, a Year End Tax Documents poster is available on Blue, while the Accounting Blue page has a Form 1095-C toolkit.

Source: LINK

Ludlam Branch SSA Achieves Gold

 

Miami Ludlam Branch Sales and Services Associate Dana Rembert smiled upon receipt of her Gold Star Award for a perfect Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction in Miami.

 

Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte 

'National Wear Red Day' at WPB Plant

From left, Manager, Maintenance Carl Powell; Clerk Rick Reiter; Mail Handler Erica Harrison; and Plant Manager June Martindale wore red to support heart disease prevention on "National Wear Red Day" on February 1.

 

Clerk Mona Williams also wore a red shirt in support of the cause.

 

 

From left, Mail Handler Ken Czwojdak; Clerk Sharonda Williams; and Manager, Maintenance Carl Powell took a moment to pose for this photo opportunity.

 

From left, Manager, Maintenance Carl Powell; Acting Supervisor, Maintenance Operations Josh Barker; and Plant Manager June Martindale sported red shirts for the observance. 

It's the CFC Final Countdown

Reminder: The 2018 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) season ends Friday, February 22, at midnight EST.

There’s still time to submit a paper pledge form to a CFC keyworker or to use the CFC online giving portal to pledge your money or volunteer hours to more than 8,000 member charities.

Federal contractors may also make a one-time or recurring donation to CFC charities, but not with a payroll deduction.

During the past 57 years, USPS and other federal employees have contributed more than $8.3 billion to help CFC member charities.

Last year, postal employees raised $6.1 million to support the campaign. The Postal Service’s goal this campaign cycle is to raise $6.4 million.

The CFC pages on Blue and LiteBlue pages have more information on the campaign.

Source: LINK

A Perfect RCE in North Palm Beach

 

West Palm Beach Postmaster Ernest Onody (above, left) presented a Certificate of Appreciation to North Palm Beach Station Sales and Services Associate Catherine Mitchell (above, right) who achieved a perfect Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction.

Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Gayle Jones

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Buena Vista Moves to New Home

The U.S. Postal Service’s Buena Vista Station in Miami moved a few blocks south to a new home over the Presidents Day holiday weekend.

Today, Tuesday, February 19, customers may begin conducting their postal transactions at the New Buena Vista Finance Unit at 3246 N Miami Ave, Suite A, Miami, FL 33127-3557. Gated parking is accessible during retail hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The finance unit will be closed on Sunday.

Customers will find more than 500 new Post Office Boxes and 46 parcel lockers in a spacious lobby. The Post Office Box area is accessible to customers between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Need to purchase stamps? Mail a package? The new facility has three retail terminals where employees provide outstanding service and help our customers match their mailing and shipping needs with postal products and services.

Customers who receive a peach-colored Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt (PS Form 3849) in their mailbox, contact the number listed or visit us online at https://redeliver.usps.com/redelivery/ to schedule a day when someone will be at home. There is no charge for redelivery. Or a customer may let us know that they would prefer to pick up a package or accountable items, such as Certified Mail and Registered Mail, at the New Buena Vista Finance Unit.

If a customer placed mail on hold and annotated pick it up upon their return from vacation, it will be waiting for them at the New Buena Vista Finance Unit.

A Promotion to Palm Beach Gardens

West Palm Beach Main Office Window Unit (MOWU) Lead Sales and Services Associate Kenneth Perry (above) has been promoted to Supervisor, Customer Services at the Palm Beach Gardens Station. Perry began his postal career in 1997 and had worked at the MOWU since 2015.

 

Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Gayle Jones