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April 28 — Issue 206

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MISSION CARES ABOUT ME COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

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BEST FRIEND EXPECTATIONS RECOGNITION

Berkeley, CA, Elmwood Station Letter Carrier Kerry Jones received more than 100 notes of appreciation from customers for his 24 years of dedicated service.

Binding the Nation

INSIDE STORIES:

New Face Covering Policy USPS Video Delivery Safety Tips Social Media Policy Reminder Latest USPS TV Commercial Gestures of Gratitude

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New face covering policy effective April 21

The Postal Service has distributed a stand-up talk for managers and supervisors to announce the new policy to employees, along with posters for retail lobbies. To combat the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures, such as standing six feet apart, are difficult to maintain. The Postal Service encourages all employees to follow CDC’s recommendation. Employees may request a face covering or a surgical mask from a supervisor, or they may bring personal cloth face coverings to work for use while on duty. Employees who cannot wear a face covering for health reasons are asked to contact their supervisor. Employees shouldn’t rely solely on cloth face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Employees should also adhere to social distancing guidelines whenever possible while on delivery routes, at retail counters and within postal workplaces, including plants, docks, lunch rooms and break rooms. The Postal Service also encourages employees to follow CDC’s other guidance, including proper handwashing and observing good personal hygiene. USPS will continue to provide updated safety guidance and recommendations to ensure employees and customers are informed during the coronavirus pandemic. Employees can also refer to the COVID-19 Blue and LiteBlue pages for additional updates.

In areas where local and state governments have ordered or directed people to wear face masks, Postal Service employees should comply. Additionally, any USPS employee who is unable to achieve social distancing in his or her workplace should wear a face covering. The new policy took effect April 21 and will remain in place until further notice.

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USPS video offers delivery safety tips

A Postal Service video offers customers guidance on helping letter carriers deliver mail and packages safely during the coronavirus pandemic. “COVID-19: Safety of Children and Pets” reminds customers to be aware of USPS vehicles and employees in their neighborhoods, especially when children and pets are outside. The animated video illustrates the distance customers should stand from mail carriers and delivery vehicles and ways to avoid accidents when walking pets. The video also shows areas where children shouldn’t play, such as behind parked cars or near mailboxes. The Postal Service is sharing the video on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media channels. USPS has also released videos that explain new safety procedures involving mail delivery and Post Offices.

Social media policy reminder during coronavirus pandemic

The Postal Service is reminding employees to avoid taking photos or videos of their workplace to share on social media, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. During this challenging time, employees may want to post images of the inside or outside of the facility where they work, and share workplace stories with friends and family.

However, workplace images may contain information that is not meant to be seen by the public. In addition, others in the facility have a right to privacy and must give consent to have their images posted on social media. The Postal Service’s Administrative Support Manual, Section 363, outlines the organization’s social media policy and what is — and what isn’t — allowed to be shared online, while AS-805 Information Security has guidance on photography and video. Employees with questions should speak to a manager or supervisor.

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New commercial highlights USPS commitment

The Postal Service is…

Customer-focused With more than 34,000 retail locations, more than 6 million daily visits on usps.com and deliveries to hundreds of millions of residences and businesses, the Postal Service is committed to providing a world-class customer experience.

Self-sufficient The Postal Service is an independent establishment of the executive branch. It receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. Since it is not funded by appropriations, it is not subject to requirements of the Office of Management and Budget, including government shutdowns.

A new commercial celebrates the commitment of the Postal Service’s 630,000 employees and thanks them for continuing to serve the American people during the coronavirus pandemic. Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan narrates the 30-second spot, titled “Certainty,” which shows USPS employees working hard to make deliveries happen.

“We live in uncertain times,” Brennan says. “However, there’s one thing you can be certain of: the men and women of the United States Postal Service. We’re here to deliver cards and packages from loved ones and also deliver the peace of mind of knowing that essentials like prescriptions are on their way. Every day, all across America. We deliver for you, and we always will.” The Postal Service is part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, delivering mail and packages to every home and business in the United States. USPS deliveries are lifelines, especially in rural areas and to senior citizens and those who are most vulnerable. The commercial, which uses footage shot before the pandemic, began airing April 20 on broadcast and cable networks. A Spanish-language version is also airing. The commercials are part of the Postal Service’s broader efforts to communicate with customers during the pandemic. The organization has also posted messages and videos on social media that explain new safety and social distancing procedures for mail delivery and Post Offices.

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Art gallery

Thank-you notes along with coloring pages are displayed at the Davenport, IA, Post Office.

Miami, FL, Mail Handler David Betz shows

off his daughter Kaitlyn’s coloring skills.

Graniteville, VT, Retail Associate Brandy Robbins stands proudly next to coloring pages from neighborhood children.

Artwork from local children is displayed at the East Gadsden, AL, Post Office.

Rachel Kauffman, daughter of Waterloo, IA, Customer Services Manager Greg Kauffman, filled out the coloring page.

Lockport, LA, Rural Carrier Angie Conner received tokens of appreciation from “young

artists” of all ages along her route.

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Gestures of gratitude

Shawnee, OK

Oklahoma City, OK

Spearfish, SD, Letter Carrier Shana Bibler

San Francisco, CA

Greenwood, MS, Letter Carrier Jearlean Hayes

Dayton, OH, Letter Carrier Tyler Savage

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April 29 Alicin Williams Business mail entry technician Cincinnati May 1 Mathew Wheeler Postmaster Keller, TX May 1 John Henderson Motor vehicle operator Cincinnati May 2 Chandra Jackson Retail associate Laird Hill, TX May 3 Cheryl Reko Administrative assistant Minneapolis May 4 Lindsey Stokley Retail associate Northfield, MA May 5 Donnita Fredenburg Manager, human resources Las Vegas May 5 Toroy Susor Manager, customer services Toledo, OH May 5 Wendy Nelson Mail flow coordinator Bell, CA May 5 Joni Payne LDD manager Las Vegas May 5 Carla Valentine Address management system technician Birmingham, AL May 5 Keith Bernard Labor relations clerk Ft. Lauderdale, FL May 5 Deanna Johnson Retail associate Coolville, OH May 6 Chad Schell Labor relations specialist Las Vegas May 9 Donna Maxwell Data collection technician Jackson, MS May 12 Jessie Anderson Customer care agent Aurora, IL May 12 Lisa Kimpel Lead retail associate Berea, OH May 12 Mark Jones Lead retail associate Heath, OH May 14 Shanina Johnson Retail associate Princeton, LA May 15 Lorisha Watkins Letter carrier Chicago May 16 Doug Anderson Postmaster Fairfield, MT May 18 Andrea Harvey Retail associate Tohatchi, NM May 21 Belinda Clark Postmaster Concord, VA May 23 Pierangelo Stanga Custodian Oskosh, WI May 24 Roger McLean Manager, distribution operations Tacoma, WA May 26 Tonya Cole Retail associate Toledo, OH May 26 Mary Bias Training technician Las Vegas May 26 Janet Blair Contract technician Kearny, NJ May 28 Debra Estrada Postmaster Luning, NV May 29 Brenda Tramble Supervisor, customer services Ozone Park, NY May 31 Karl Jones Mail handler Chicago May 31 Latoya Bryan Retail associate Coventry, CT

Kimberly and Shane Moore will celebrate their first wedding anniversary in May. Kimberly is a retail associate in Frostburg, MD. Stephen and Dawn Barton will celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary in May. Stephen is a maintenance mechanic in Tampa, FL.

Colleen and Kevin Morgan will celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary in May. Colleen is an

address management system technician and Kevin is a distribution clerk, both in Hartford, CT.

Karen and Elton Phillips will celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary in May. Karen is a personnel

security technician and Elton is a mail processing clerk, both in Memphis, TN.

BIRTHDAYS

WEDDINGS / ANNIVERSARIES

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Shannon and Shawn Bailey will celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary in May. Shannon is a

retail associate in White Lake, NY.

John and Jane Henderson will celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary in May. John is a motor

vehicle operator in Cincinnati.

Michael and Donna Denza will celebrate their 32nd wedding anniversary in May. Michael is a

retail associate in Taconic, CT.

Lisa and Jeff Becker will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in May. Lisa is a Postmaster

relief in Vulcan, MI.

5 years Latrice Holmes Mail handler Columbus, OH

5 years Amanda Broyles Retail associate Homeland, CA

5 years Baruch Wolkenfeld Custodian Trenton, FL 12 years Brenda Tramble Supervisor, customer services Ozone Park, NY 13 years Pamela Stalvey Rural carrier Lexington, SC 14 years Cheryl Reko Administrative assistant Minneapolis 24 years Barbara Council Executive Administrative assistant Washington 24 years Tawanda Carr Retail specialist Houston 25 years Carl Littlejohn Mail processing clerk Detroit 25 years Daisy Daniels Sales executive Sacramento, CA

25 years Marci Letourneau Operations programs specialist Hartford, CT 25 years John Wallenfang Maintenance support clerk Milwaukee 30 years Tina Dorsey Letter carrier Clarkston, GA 30 years Andrew Vollink Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN 32 years Keith Bernard Labor relations clerk Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33 years Linda Meyer Maintenance support clerk Springfield, MO 34 years Diane Woodruff Customer retention agent Philadelphia 34 years Gloria Nelson Retail associate La Plata, NM 34 years Janet Bonilla Human resource specialist Philadelphia 35 years Linda Loeber Postmaster Gibbstown, NJ 35 years Jacqueline Sidick Postmaster Verona, PA 35 years Brian Hageman Custodian Englewood, FL 35 years Mark Jones Lead retail associate Heath, OH 35 years Pamela Robinson Supervisor, transportation operations Duluth, GA 36 years Kathy Haaf Retail associate Jefferson City, MO 40 years Page Bonton Address management system technician Houston 40 years Peggy Weatherford Postmaster Wellborn, TX 40 years Michael Gavett Postmaster Pleasant Lake, MI 41 years Eric Rodney Supervisor, customer services Moreno Valley, CA 46 years Yvonne McAlpin Customer care agent Los Angeles

POSTAL ANNIVERSARIES

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Taylor and Shane Harrel welcomed Colt Mccoy on April 15, 2020. Taylor is a letter carrier in

Edenton, NC.

5 years of service Robert “Bob” Mullivan Computer systems operator Kansas City, MO

23 years of service Ronald Zayas Letter carrier Bayamon, PR

31 years of service Elsa Syndab Lead retail associate Georgetown, SC

34 years of service Mark Wolf Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN

Did you miss a previous engagement newsletter? Go to the Engage Weekly site on Blue or LiteBlue. Do you have a birthday, retirement, postal or wedding anniversary you would like to announce? Log on to LiteBlue and fill out the form. Or...

Go to USPS LiteBlue and log on with your employee ID and USPS self-service password. Under Hot Topics, select Employee Engagement.

In the left column, select Employee Celebration Submission, and fill in the online form.

Celebration Submissions

RETIREMENTS

BABY ANNOUNCEMENT

Austin, TX, Southeast Station Letter Carrier Rodger Jones retired after 49 years of service.

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