'19th Amendment: Women Vote' Stamp Debuts

A new Forever stamp, 19^th Amendment: Women Vote, will be issued on Saturday, August 22. The virtual stamp event, part of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park Equality Weekend, will be posted on the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Visit usps.com/19thamendment for details of the 11 a.m. EST virtual stamp dedication ceremony.

USPS Chief Commerce and Business Solutions Officer Jacqueline Krage Strako will be the dedicating official.

Inspired by historic photographs, the stamp art features a stylized illustration of suffragists marching in a parade or other public demonstration. The clothes they wear and the banners they bear display the official colors --- purple, white and gold ---of the National Woman’s Party.

More than 70 years in the making, the 19^th Amendment was added to the Constitution on August 26, 1920.

FSA Deadline to Make Changes is August 29

FSA Feds is allowing account changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, although participants don’t need to be directly affected by the virus to make adjustments.

The Postal Service is reminding employees that they can make changes to their flexible spending accounts (FSAs) through Aug. 29.

FSA Feds, the organization that administers FSAs, is allowing changes during a 60-day period that began July 1. Changes are being permitted due to the coronavirus pandemic, although participants don’t need to be directly affected by the coronavirus to make adjustments.

Additionally, participants don’t need to experience a qualifying life event — such as a marriage, divorce or birth — to make changes, and they aren’t required to provide documentation.

During the 60-day period, all participants who have enrolled in a 2020 health care flexible spending account (HCFSA), limited expense health care flexible spending account (LEX HCFSA) or dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) will be allowed to make a one-time change — an increase or a decrease — in the amount of their annual election in each FSA account in which they are enrolled.

Under IRS guidance, the election change is effective prospectively, which means it will take effect on the first pay period after approval by FSA Feds. Accordingly, participants cannot receive a refund of allotments they have already made to their FSA accounts year-to-date.

In addition, participants cannot decrease their election below the amount already allotted to the FSA account or the amount already reimbursed for eligible expenses, whichever is greater.

Employees who have questions or would like to make changes should go to www.fsafeds.com or call 877-372-3337.

Source: LINK

 Wellness Webinar

The August 20 webinar will focus on long-term care and retirement planning.

Postal employees can participate in an upcoming webinar on long-term care insurance and retirement planning. The session, “A Secure Future Begins With the Choices You Make Today,” will be held Thursday, August 20, at 2 p.m. EST.

The administrators of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) will conduct the webinar, which will explore the realities of long-term care, family caregiving and funding options such as Medicaid. The presentation will also include a thorough review of FLTCIP benefits and features, including costs.

Participants must register before the session on the webinar website. After signing up, directions will be emailed to each registrant. Participation is voluntary. Non-exempt employees may only participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.

To learn more about FLTCIP, go to LTCFeds.com or call 800-582-3337.  For more information, email the USPS Health and Wellness team at healthandwellness@usps.gov.

Source: LINK

 Have You Taken Your Postal Pulse Survey?

This year’s Postal Pulse Survey is open through September 4.

The Postal Pulse depends on every employee responding. Why? It’s how we gauge the strength of the workplace — our work team. And, it’s how we make improvements. For example, on the last survey, many of you said you were looking for our leaders to be more available and to communicate more. Because of that, we’ve begun having more one-on-one conversations, also called Next Level Connections, at all levels of the organization.

Likewise, we added a new question that will help us have this connection with every employee, so you have additional opportunities to be heard. The new question asks if your immediate supervisor has recently spent one-on-one time with you to discuss your workplace needs.

Also in the last survey, many of you used the comment box to say you would like more positivity in the workplace. To follow up, this year’s comment box asks about improvements you’ve seen. Your comments will be used to share these positive changes and help others make improvements as well.

USPS Requests Temporary Increase to Commercial Domestic Parcel Products 

USPS has notified the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) it plans to temporarily increase prices for commercial domestic parcel products, starting October 18.

Retail prices for parcel products are unaffected.

The planned commercial price increases for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service (FCPS) and Commercial Parcel Select will take effect October 18 at 12 a.m. Central time and continue until December 27 at 12 a.m. Central time. After that, prices would revert to 2020 prices.

The planned price increases were approved by the USPS Board of Governors on Aug. 6. The PRC will review the prices before they take effect.

Here are the current prices and planned price increases:

• Parcel Select Destination Entry DDU: starts at $3.19 (current), 24 cents (planned increase)
• Parcel Return Service: starts at $3.05 (current), 24 cents (planned increase)
• Parcel Select Lightweight: starts at $1.81 (current), 24 cents (planned increase)
• FCPS Commercial: starts at $2.74 (current), 25 cents (planned increase)
• Priority Mail Commercial: starts at $7.02 (current), 40 cents (planned increase)
• Parcel Select Ground: starts at $6.92 (current), 40 cents (planned increase)
• Parcel Select DSCF: starts at $4.37 (current), 40 cents (planned increase)
• Parcel Select DNDC: starts at $5.98 (current), 40 cents (planned increase)
• Priority Mail Express Commercial: starts at $22.75 (current), $1.50 (planned increase)

The planned temporary price adjustments are in response to heightened package volume due to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as expected increases in online shopping during the holidays.

The Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website has the price change tables.

De La Osa is West Palm Beach Postmaster 

Effective Saturday, August 15, Orlando De La Osa (above) will be the new Postmaster in West Palm Beach, FL.

As Postmaster, De La Osa will be fiscally responsible for an annual operating budget of $57 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 241,835 deliveries under his jurisdiction.

De La Osa has more than 35 years of postal service, starting in 1985 as a city letter carrier in Hialeah, FL. He has held the permanent positions of Supervisor; Superintendent; Manager, Customer Services; Postmaster, Hialeah, FL; and Area Manager, Customer Services in Fort Lauderdale and Miami Post Offices.

De La Osa earned an Associate in Arts and Science degree from Muscatine College in Iowa.

EAS Employees: 

Career Development is a Journey, Not a Destination

The HERO Career Conversation enables you to share your career interests and goals with your manager and formalize your individual career development. 

Send your manager an email asking to have a HERO Career Conversation.

Be ready to discuss what motivates you and to share short- and long-term career goals with your manager. 

This is your opportunity to talk about a development plan that will help you gain knowledge, skills and experience needed to reach your goals. 

Are you ready to start your journey?

New Forever Stamps Honor Pioneering Japanese American Artist Ruth Asawa

The U.S. Postal Service will dedicate stamps honoring pioneering Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926-2013), who is perhaps best known for her intricate abstract wire sculptures.

News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #RuthAsawaStamps.

U.S. Postal Service Vice President, Pricing and Costing Sharon Owens will be the dedicating official at the virtual presentation at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13. The virtual stamp event will be hosted on the U.S. Postal Service's Facebook and Twitter pages.

Inspired by natural elements such as plants, snail shells, spiderwebs, insect wings and water droplets, Asawa transformed industrial material into transparent and seemingly weightless works of art that challenged traditional definitions of sculpture. When shown together, her sculptures an evoke an undersea domain, a magical upside-down world or an environment all their own. A tireless advocate of community-based arts education, she also is acclaimed for her drawings, painting, prints, and large public projects. 

Nat'l Employee Emergency Hotline Reminder

The South Florida District Emergency Management Team reminds employees to add the National Employee Emergency Hotline number --- 888-363-7462 --- to their cell phone directory, if they have not already done so. This number also should be on a yellow sticker on the back of your employee ID badge. 

The National Employee Emergency Hotline (888-EMERGNC or 888-363-7462) is the official source of information for weather issues, work schedule changes, and facility status. 

When calling the National Employee Emergency Hotline, remember to enter the first three digits of the ZIP Code of your workplace location. In addition, if you evacuate and relocate due to an emergency, call the hotline number, and after entering your facility ZIP Code, select “Option 5.” 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. 

The simplest way to access the variety of Florida Relay services is to dial 7-1-1. 

Postal Pulse Survey Open Through Sept 4

Postal Pulse employee survey data helps shape other programs to foster engagement in USPS workplaces.

Although USPS relies on the Postal Pulse to help make workplace improvements, the survey isn’t the organization’s only tool.

What else is available?

Here’s what you should know:

• The Postal Pulse survey results help determine Certified Engaged Teams. This special form of recognition is given to groups that create positive workplace environments.

To achieve certification, teams must meet select criteria, including having at least 75 percent of their employees participate in the Postal Pulse survey.

Additionally, USPS wants the leadership of each qualifying team to incorporate the 12 principles of engagement — including strong communication and timely recognition — into their daily activities.

• The Postal Service also offers “next-level connections.” Like the survey, these conversations are designed to help managers and supervisors measure employees’ involvement, enthusiasm and commitment to their work.

The conversations also allow employees to share observations about their workplace environments.

•  Other recognition programs are available, too. These include Engagement Most Valuable Player, awards that recognize bargaining unit employees who foster engagement within their teams, and Engagement Leader of the Year, which honor leaders who foster engagement in their workplaces.

Source: LINK

Happy Anniversary Postal Reorganization Act

Six former Postmasters General and incumbent Postmaster General Winton M. Blount were present when President Nixon signed the Postal Reorganization Act in August 1970. The law created USPS in July 1971. From left are John A. Gronouski, J. Edward Day, James A. Farley, Nixon, Blount, Arthur E. Summerfield, Lawrence F. O’Brien and W. Marvin Watson.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the most comprehensive postal legislation since the founding of the republic — the law that transformed the Post Office Department into the Postal Service.

President Richard Nixon signed the Postal Reorganization Act on Aug. 12, 1970, but as Publication 100, the Postal Service’s official history book explains, the law’s origins can be traced to the previous decade.

In the mid-1960s, the Post Office Department struggled with outdated equipment, crowded facilities, underpaid workers and an ineffective management structure.

Postal officials knew the department needed to change, but Congress held the purse strings.

All important decisions — from buildings and equipment used, to how many employees could be hired and what they were paid — were made by Congress. This led to artificially low rates of postage, which were popular with constituents but led to a stagnant postal infrastructure.

When the Chicago Post Office became gridlocked with mail in 1966, it captured national headlines and ignited a movement for postal reform.

By early 1970, a presidential commission had recommended a departmental overhaul that was supported by Nixon but opposed by labor leaders. As Congress considered the recommendations, postal workers in cities across the nation went on strike — an eight-day ordeal that prompted Nixon to order the military to help sort the mail in New York City.

The strike helped shape the Postal Reorganization Act as it worked its way through Congress. The final bill that Nixon signed guaranteed retroactive pay increases and collective bargaining rights for postal workers, along with a more corporate structure for the new Postal Service.

Fifty years later, the nation’s evolving needs have prompted calls for additional changes.

Postal leaders are now working for legislative and regulatory reform that will allow the organization to transform its business model and effectively respond to ongoing volume declines and rapidly evolving market conditions.

Source: LINK

 USPS Announces New Holiday Stamps

The 2020 holiday season will be here before you know it. In that spirit, the U.S. Postal Service has revealed five new Forever holiday stamps. Details about the issue dates will be announced later. All images are preliminary and are subject to change prior to print.

Our Lady of Guapulo

This Christmas stamp features a detail of the painting, “Our Lady of Guapulo.” Painted in the 18^th century by an unknown artist in Cuzco, Peru,” “Our Lady of Guapulo” is from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Enrobed in a pyramidal gown speckled with jewels and holding a scepter woven with roses and leaves, a crowned Virgin Mary looks down at a similarly adorned Christ Child in her left arm. Art Director Greg Breeding designed the stamp.

Winter Scenes

Winter Scenes celebrates the beauty and serenity of seasonal sights amid snowy landscapes. The 10 different photographs featured in this booklet of 20 stamps showcase the special allure of winter, with iconic scenes from the northern United States. Art Director Derry Noyes designed the stamps with existing images taken by various photographers.

Holiday Delights

Celebrate the holidays with Holiday Delights. Inspired by folk art, but with a modern graphic vibe, these charming stamps will add a touch of whimsy to your holiday mailings. With a traditional palette or red, green and white, Illustrator Kirsten Ulve channeled her love of Christmas, vintage ornaments and Scandinavian folk art to create unique digital illustrations of four holidays icons: a prancing reindeer with antlers; an ornament tied with a bow and ready to hang; a tree topped with a star; and a stocking holding a teddy bear and a sprig of holly. Arit Director Antonio Alcala designed the stamps.

Hanukkah

This new stamp celebrates the joyous Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The stamp art’s colorful digital illustration shows the lighting of the nine-branch Hanukkah menorah on the last evening of the holiday. All eight of the Hanukkah candles have been lit, and the child is reaching up to replace the shamash, the helper candle used to light the others in the menorah. Art Director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with original art by Jing Jing Tsong.

 Kwanzaa

With this new stamp, the Postal Service continues its tradition of celebrating Kwanzaa. The annual Pan-African holiday, which takes place over seven days from December 26 to January 1, brings together family, community and culture for many African Americans. The stamp design features the face of a woman in profile with her eyes closed. Her contemplative demeanor signifies the ways in which observers of Kwanzaa reflect on the seven founding principles, the Nguzo Saba, and their role in everyday life. A kinara (candleholder) with the seven lit candles (mishumaa saba) sits in front of her. Cool tones evoke a sense of inner peace, and vibrant design elements give the artwork a celebratory feel. Art Director Antonio Alcala designed the stamp with original artwork by Andrea Pippins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking Your (Postal) Pulse

There are several ways to complete the Postal Pulse Survey. You're encouraged to take the survey at work, on the clock. 

If you have a postal email address, you should have received an email survey invitation on August 4. Paper surveys also were mailed August 4 and will begin arriving this week. 

And, there also is a link to the survey available on LiteBlue. You only need to fill out the survey once. If you do complete more than one survey, only the first one submitted will be recorded. 

Regardless of how you choose to complete the Postal Pulse Survey, the Postal Service wants your input --- your responses are 100 percent confidential. 

Taking the survey ensures that your voice is heard in how we go forward as a team, and for the Postal Service overall.

USPS Finances: Third Quarter Results

The coronavirus pandemic continues to have an unpredictable effect on the Postal Service, the organization’s latest financial report shows.

The results, released Aug. 7, show USPS reported total revenue of $17.6 billion for fiscal year 2020’s third quarter (April 1-June 30), up 3.2 percent compared with the same period one year earlier.

However, as a result of the pandemic — and to a lesser extent, ongoing mail declines — revenue from USPS mail services, the organization’s largest sales category, continued to significantly decline during the quarter.

Compared with the same quarter last year, First-Class Mail revenue decreased 6.4 percent, while volume declined 8.4 percent. Marketing Mail revenue fell 37.2 percent, while volume dropped 36.4 percent.

Meanwhile, shipping and packages revenue increased 53.6 percent and volume increased 49.9 percent compared with the same quarter one year earlier.

The shipping results, driven by the surge in online shopping due to quarantines and stay-at-home orders during the pandemic, were largely offset by higher expenses, given that packages represent the Postal Service’s most labor-intensive revenue stream.

In addition to increased labor costs to support this volume increase, transportation expenses were affected as logistics restrictions and limitations associated with the pandemic led to fewer modes of available transportation, especially air transportation.

The pandemic also significantly increased the Postal Service’s expenses for supplies and services, such as personal protective equipment, and also increased paid sick leave.

The organization’s total operating expenses were $19.8 billion, up 2.5 percent compared with the same quarter last year. The net loss for the quarter was $2.2 billion compared with a net loss of $2.3 billion for the same quarter one year earlier.

“Significant declines in our mail volumes as the result of the pandemic were largely offset by corresponding growth in our package business, but the reality remains that the Postal Service is in a financially unsustainable position absent significant fundamental change,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.

“As we work on a plan to ensure our future, we will continue to focus on efficiency and revenue growth opportunities while delivering vital services for the country, and our dedicated employees on the front line continue to provide trusted, safe and secure service. Despite our very significant challenges, I remain optimistic about the future of the Postal Service, but we need to get moving to effect change immediately.”

Source: LINK

 USPS Organizational Restructure

The new organizational structure is focused on three operating units: Retail and Delivery Operations, Logistics and Processing Operations, and Commerce and Business Solutions.

In an effort to operate in a more efficient and effective manner and better serve customers, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy today announced a modified organizational structure for the U.S. Postal Service.

The new organizational structure is focused on three operating units and their core missions:

• Retail and Delivery Operations — Accept and deliver mail and packages efficiently with a high level of customer satisfaction. This organization will be led by Kristin Seaver.
• Logistics and Processing Operations — Process and move mail and packages efficiently to the delivery units, meeting determined standards. This organization will be led by David Williams.
• Commerce and Business Solutions — Leverage infrastructure to enable growth. This organization will be led by Jakki Krage Strako.

“This organizational change will capture operating efficiencies by providing clarity and economies of scale that will allow us to reduce our cost base and capture new revenue,” said DeJoy. “It is crucial that we do what is within our control to help us successfully complete our mission to serve the American people and, through the universal service obligation, bind our nation together by maintaining and operating our unique, vital and resilient infrastructure.”

As part of the modified structure, logistics and mail processing operations will report into the new Logistics and Processing Operations organization separate from existing area and district reporting structures. This includes all mail processing facilities and local transportation networks offices. Splitting operations into the two organizations of Retail and Delivery Operations, and Logistics and Processing Operations, is designed to allow for improved focus and clear communication channels. The transition to this new organizational structure will take place over the next several weeks. Transition coordinators have been identified to assist in the process.

These organizational changes do not initiate a reduction in force, and there are no immediate impacts to USPS employees. However, to prepare for future changes, the Postal Service has implemented a management hiring freeze and will be requesting future Voluntary Early Retirement Authority from the Office of Personnel Management for non-bargaining employees.

Source: LINK

Postal Pulse: Fostering Engagement

Although USPS relies on the Postal Pulse to help make workplace improvements, the survey isn’t the organization’s only tool.

What else is available?

Here’s what you should know:

• The Postal Pulse survey results help determine Certified Engaged Teams. This special form of recognition is given to groups that create positive workplace environments.

To achieve certification, teams must meet select criteria, including having at least 75 percent of their employees participate in the Postal Pulse survey.

Additionally, USPS wants the leadership of each qualifying team to incorporate the 12 principles of engagement — including strong communication and timely recognition — into their daily activities.

• The Postal Service also offers “next-level connections.” Like the survey, these conversations are designed to help managers and supervisors measure employees’ involvement, enthusiasm and commitment to their work.

The conversations also allow employees to share observations about their workplace environments.

•  Other recognition programs are available, too. These include Engagement Most Valuable Player, awards that recognize bargaining unit employees who foster engagement within their teams, and Engagement Leader of the Year, which honor leaders who foster engagement in their workplaces.

Source: LINK

Boca Raton Letter Carrier Retires with Pride

On Friday, July 31, Boca Raton, FL, Letter Carrier Marc Seldman retired after 34 years of dedicated service to his customers. He worked at the Hempstead, NY, Post Office for nine years prior to his transfer to South Florida.

“I always enjoyed working for the Postal Service,” Seldman said.

Properly Handling Election Mail, Political Mail 

USPS wants employees to follow the proper procedures for handling Green Tag 191, for Election Mail, and Red Tag 57, for Political Mail.

The Postal Service wants employees to continue to be mindful of the differences between Political Mail and Election Mail tags when handling mail.

Red Tag 57, for Political Mail, should be used for any political campaign mailing by a registered candidate, campaign committee or committee of a political party.

This tag also can be used for a political message mailing by a political action committee (PAC), a super PAC or other organizations engaging in issue advocacy or voter mobilization.

Green Tag 191 should only be used to identify ballot mail addressed for domestic or international delivery.

If you handle mail, follow these tips to ensure Political Mail and Election Mail are properly processed and delivered:

• Use Tag 57 to properly identify, document and process Political Mail using your facility’s Political Mail log.

• Use Tag 191 to identify ballot mail, including sample ballots, and document this mail through your facility’s Election Mail log. All ballot mail is time-sensitive and should be processed and delivered within USPS standards for items with paid postage.

• If you encounter Political Mail or Election Mail that isn’t identified with a tag, enter the mail information into the appropriate log and report the problem to your local Election Mail or Political Mail coordinator as soon as possible.

The Election Mail and Political Mail Blue page has more information, including an interactive map of Political Mail and Election Mail coordinators and the 2020 Election Mail Kit.

Source: LINK

Postal Pulse: Getting Results

Gallup transforms Postal Pulse survey response data into guidance that USPS managers can use to promote positive and  productive team interactions. 

USPS wants all managers to share the results of each Postal Pulse survey with the employees who report to them.

Why is this important?

Here’s what you should know:

• Every manager has access to the survey results. If five or more team members from any work group responds to the survey, a team report will be available.

If fewer than five team members respond, then their team responses are included in the next level up in the organizational reporting structure.

For example, if four employees on a 10-person team submit completed surveys, the team’s results are included in the department’s overall results, as well as the facility, district and area results.

• Managers can use the results to guide their engagement efforts. By design, the Postal Pulse’s 12 questions offer a starting point to determine if employees’ needs are being met.

Gallup, the organization that administers the survey on the Postal Service’s behalf, transforms survey response data into usable patterns of strengths and opportunities that managers can use to promote positive and productive team interactions.

• The results show USPS is improving. Last year’s survey results showed 26 percent of respondents feel engaged, up from 17 percent during the first survey in 2015.

Source: LINK

Postal Pulse: Strictly Confidential 

All completed Postal Pulse surveys are sealed and mailed to Gallup, which tabulates the responses and provides USPS with an analysis of the results.

Since USPS introduced the Postal Pulse in 2015, the organization has described the employee survey as confidential.

What does this mean?

Here’s what you should know:

• The Postal Service doesn’t administer the survey. Although the Postal Pulse is a USPS survey, the organization doesn’t administer it.

Instead, the Postal Service relies on Gallup, one of the world’s best-known research firms, to take the lead.

Non-bargaining employees receive an email from Gallup that contains a link to a secure survey site, while bargaining employees receive the survey at work and at home.

This process is designed to give employees the confidence they need to give honest feedback on the survey without fear of reprisal.

• USPS doesn’t keep the completed surveys. Gallup takes the lead here, too.

All completed surveys are sealed and mailed to Gallup, which tabulates the responses and provides the Postal Service with an analysis of the results.

Only Gallup has access to individual responses — and the research firm doesn’t share those responses with USPS.

Again, by making the survey confidential, the Postal Service wants to ensure employees use the survey to offer their candid feedback.

Source: LINK

Pass the Word on Job Opportunities ... 

Postal Pulse Employee Survey Begins Today

 

According to research, employees who feel engaged deliver better customer service, have better attendance rates and work safer.

The Postal Pulse employee survey is a tool to help USPS become a better place to work.

How does the survey do this?

Here’s what you should know:

• The Postal Pulse measures employee engagement. This term refers to employees’ overall approach to their work, including their involvement, enthusiasm and commitment.

The Postal Service has made engagement a core strategy because research shows that employees who feel engaged deliver better customer service, have better attendance rates and work safer.

• The survey questions are designed to produce useful information. The Postal Pulse consists of 14 questions that aim to produce insightful data that USPS can use to make workplace changes and improvements.

The first 12 questions were designed by experts at Gallup, the research organization that conducts the survey on the Postal Service’s behalf.

USPS also asks a 13th question about overall job satisfaction, and in 2020, the organization will add a 14th question to determine how many employees are meeting one-on-one with their immediate supervisors to discuss their workplace needs.

The survey also has a comments box that allows you to provide feedback in your own words, in addition to measuring the level of engagement in your environment through your responses to the 14 questions.

• The Postal Pulse is more important than ever. The corona virus pandemic has affected how you work — and USPS wants to know what you need to feel supported and how to engage, equip and empower you.

Source: LINK