But when is MY holiday?

Most of us who work for the U.S. Postal Service don't have a typical 8-5, Monday-through-Friday schedule. We work afternoons, nights, week-ends, and holidays. Because of this, sometimes it's difficult to figure out the day of our designated holiday.

Maybe this will help:


ELM 434.411.b. applies to:
Part Time Regular (D/A 3X-X)
Full Time Regular and Full Time Flexible employees (D/A 0X-X and D/A 1X-X).
Full Time Regular NTFT and Full Time Flexible NTFT employees (D/A 2X-X)


ELM 434.411.b.:
Variations in schedule for holiday observance are as follows:
(1) If a holiday falls on an eligible employee’s regular scheduled workday, including Saturday or Sunday, the employee observes the holiday on that day.
(2) If a holiday falls on an eligible employee’s scheduled nonworkday, the first scheduled day preceding the holiday is designated as the employee’s holiday except as provided in 434.411b3 and 434.421.
(3) If a holiday falls on a Sunday that is a nonscheduled workday for an eligible employee, Monday is designated as the employee’s holiday. However, if Monday is also a nonscheduled workday, then Saturday is designated as the employee’s holiday. For postal police officers, see the USPS-PPO Agreement.


Sunday Holiday - examples
Examples for employees with 2 NS days:
SDOs                  Designated Holiday
Saturday-Sunday          Monday
Saturday-Monday         Sunday
Saturday-Tuesday         Sunday
Saturday-Wednesday Sunday
Saturday-Thursday        Sunday
Saturday-Friday            Sunday
Sunday-Monday Saturday
Sunday-Tuesday Monday
Sunday-Wednesday      Monday
Sunday-Thursday          Monday
Sunday-Friday             Monday
Monday-Tuesday Sunday
Monday-Wednesday Sunday
Monday-Thursday        Sunday
Monday-Friday Sunday
Tuesday-Wednesday Sunday
Tuesday-Thursday        Sunday
Tuesday-Friday Sunday
Wednesday-Thursday Sunday
Wednesday-Friday      Sunday
Thursday-Friday          Sunday


Examples for NTFT (2X-X) with 3 or 4 NS days:


NS = Sat-Sun-Mon
Designated Holiday would be Friday of the preceding week


NS = Sun-Mon-Tue
Designated Holiday would be Saturday.


NS = Sat-Sun-Fri
Designated Holiday would be Monday.


NS = Sat-Sun-Mon-Fri
Designated Holiday would be Thursday of preceding week


NS = Sat-Sun-Mon-Tue
Designated Holiday would be Friday of the preceding week


NS = Sat-Sun-Tue-Wed
Designated Holiday would be Monday

A Cyber Monday word to the wise

Something to remember and tell your loved ones: The United States Postal Service never emails customers about attempted or intercepted package delivery. 

After all, we ARE the Postal Service. If someone working for the USPS needs to contact you about your package, it is going to be done VIA THE MAIL. 

The reason that we are bringing this up today is that there is a very dangerous email making the rounds that appears to be from the USPS. 

One of the emails looks like this: 

From: U.S. Postal Service [mailto:u.s.postal.service@usps.net]
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011
To: postmarksala@gmail.com
Subject: USPS Delivery Failure Notification

Hello!

Unfortunately we failed to deliver the postal package you have sent on the 19th of September in time because the recipient’s address is erroneous.

Please print out the shipment label attached and collect the package at our office.

United States Postal Service

The email requests that you click on a link that contains a virus. DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK!!!

The link contains a computer virus that could, without you knowing about it, hand over your personal information, financial data, account numbers, user names, passwords, whatever info that is stored on your computer to a thief who would like nothing better than to assume your identity, at least until the bills start rolling in. 

If something like this rolls into your inbox, the best thing that you can do is to delete it without even opening the email. 

If you want to check on the status of package deliveries, you can safely do safely do so by going to the U.S. Postal Service's Track and Confirm feature or call 1-800-ASK-USPS. 

Eastbrook tops in Breast Cancer Awareness sales for FY12 contest

In October, post offices across Alabama competed to determine which office and which clerks could sell the most Breast Cancer Awareness stamps during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

The results are in: Eastbrook Station in Montgomery is the winner. Eastbrook SSA Jacqueline Wells took home the individual prize for first place: 

she sold $8, 370.45! worth of stamps. 

Here are the Alabama BCA results: 

Retail Associate winners of a $250.00 gift card: 

1. Jacqueline Wells, Eastbrook, winner in the Level 22 and above offices: sold $8, 370.45

2. Rodrigo Mays, Fairfield, winner in the Level 18-21 offices: sold $4351.05

3. Patricia Barnard, Magnolia Springs, winner in the Level 16 and below offices: sold $1786.40

Top 5 offices in Alabama:

1. Eastbrook:                        $14, 635.50

2. Hartselle:                           $14, 530.45 (so close!)

3. GMF Montgomery:           $13,384.25

4. Orange Beach                   $8,571.20

5. Eufaula                              $6316.75

Trophy-winning offices:

1. Eastbrook, winner Level 22 and above: $14, 635.50

2. Hartselle, winner Level 18-21: $14,530.45

3. Magnolia Springs, winner Level 16 and below: $1984.40

Last week, Area 3 MPOO Reginald Capers dropped by Eastbrook to congratulate the office and to present Jacqueline Wells with her gift card. 

In honor of their achievement, Capers donned a pinkly painted coiffure. 

Pictured above are Lagoon Park Manager Julius Williams, MPOO3 Reginald Capers, Lagoon Park Supervisor Candy Stettler, Montgomery Postmaster Donnie Snipes, Eastbrook SSA Jessica King, Eastbrook  SSA Jacqueline Wells, and Eastbrook SSA Tammy Sager. 

Reginald Capers recognized Jacqueline Wells as being the #1 seller in Alabama of Breast Cancer Awareness stamps in October and presented her with a $250 gift certificate. 

Congratulations to all of the winners. Let us know when the trophies and gift cards come your way so that we can post your pictures here, too. 

Thanks also to Eve Golden for sending the pictures of Eastbrook. 

Delmar Post Offices closes its doors for the final time

 In addition to being the OIC at the Delmar Post Office, P.J. Gossett is also a historian for Winston County, Alabama and is the creator of the richly informative website Winston County, Alabama: An Historical Online Database.

So when P.J. asked if we would be interested in having him document the closing of Delmar, we jumped at the chance to have him tell the story from the historical and personal perspective that he knows more about than anyone.

He was also kind enough to send us the following pictures and their accompanying captions, along with postcards stamped with the Delmar postmark. We have five of them available; if you would like one sent your way, drop us an email. The first 5 people to contact us will each get one. After that, they're gone.

From PJ Gossett, OIC at the Delmar Post Office on its last day: 

In September 2011, the Delmar Post Office received word that it will be discontinued and consolidated with the Haleyville Post Office.  

In a recent postal magazine, an article stated that when a flag is lowered for the last time at a post office that is closing, the community loses its soul.  After 124 years of continuous service, the Delmar office lowered its flag and closed its doors for the last time at 3:00 P.M. on November 18, 2011.

Delmar is the third post office to close in Winston County in a timespan of nearly sixty years.  Falls City closed in 1953, and Grayson closed in 1983.  

Delmar opened on September 1, 1887 with Newton L. Powell as the first postmaster.  Peter J. Gossett was the last person to run the office, being officer-in-charge.

Larry Stephen Robinson buys his last stamps and envelopes at Delmar.

 Bobby Canida gets his mail for the last time at Delmar.

 L-R: Jo Grissett (Cottondale Post Office), Rebecca Pilliod (last customer at Delmar), and Delmar OIC Peter J. Gossett

OIC P.J. Gossett mails the last letter at Delmar.

OIC P.J. Gossett takes down the flag for the last time at Delmar.

 Truck driver Anthony Harbin picks up the last dispatch at Delmar.

 Hamilton Postmaster Sharon Burnett helps close the office.

Cottondale Postmaster Jo Grissett helps close the office.

Thank you, P.J, for sharing your last day at Delmar with us, and we wish you all of the best at your new assignment.

Anniston NSC Award of Honor recipients

For the past few months, we have been  bringing you this year's Alabama winners of the National Safety Council's Award of Honor, which is presented to USPS employees who drive as an integral part of their regular duties and who have achieved at least 10 years or 100,000 miles without an at-fault accident.

Out of about 9,000 USPS employees in Alabama, only 52 received the Award of Honor in 2011, which is less than one percent.

The last group that we have to show you this year works out of the Anniston Post Office. All six of them have over 20 years of accident-free driving.

OIC Sheila Laney (above, second from the left) arranged to have their pictures taken and sent them to us because she is very proud of her staff. "It is an honor for me to be able to work with such dedicated and safety-conscious people," Laney said. 

One at a time, presenting the Anniston award winners, along with their years of accident-free driving for the Postal Service: 

City Carrier Barry Brannan: 35 years

City Carrier Bruce Tankersley: 21 years

City Carrier Don Wilson: 20 years

Rural Carrier Noma Meeker: 27 years

City Carrier Scott McElroy: 25 years

Rural Carrier Sherry Jeffers: 21 years

Congratulations to all of the safe Anniston carriers! What a nice way to wrap up this year's Award of Honor winners. 

If we have omitted anyone, please don't hesitate to let us know. 

Thanks again to Sheila Laney for sending us the pics of her staff. 

EAP's Dr. Patricia Hamilton: Could it be depression?

In the world today, many individuals may find themselves depressed because of  the many changes that are occurring in our economy.  These issues are taking a toll on everyone and are affecting almost every family with problems, such as the loss of a home, unemployment, family problems, marital issues, drastic changes within the workplace, and different illnesses.

 Depression may be characterized by a persistent state of sadness and despair, and may interfere with a person’s daily life and may cause pain for both the individual and those who care about that person. 

The symptoms of depression may be manifested in different ways, such as the feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness; sadness, crying, tearfulness; difficulty in concentrating or making decisions; loss of interest in participating in pleasurable activities; anger or emptiness; fatigue, sleeping too much or too little. 

Experiencing brief periods of depression is normal, but the symptoms may vary in severity and duration, and are part of almost every person’s life. 

Maybe you are not sure if you are suffering from depression or just a case of the blues.  Here are some simple steps that you can take to help you to overcome these symptoms:  

•         Be around positive people.  Their enthusiasm will energize you and lift your spirits.
•         Keep a regular schedule of sleeping and waking.  Irregular or interrupted sleep adds to fatigue and depression.
•         Avoid alcohol or drugs.  These substances can cause or worsen depression.
•        Maintain a healthy diet.  Limit your sugar and caffeine intake.
•        Exercise regularly.  Do something physical daily, even if it’s just walking around the block.
•        Do something new.  Walk or drive to a new place, try a new restaurant.
•        Express yourself.  Get to the heart of your feelings through writing, painting, etc.  Enjoy doing something creative. 
•        Be good to yourself.  Practice relaxation exercises, visualize pleasant scenes, take a warm bath, and listen to soft music, read a good book.  

Dance Class at Huntsville PEDC on Thursday

Thursday: Decatur Native American Awareness Session

November gift card sales contest

Satsuma Post Office Breast Cancer Awareness drawing winner

Submitted by Satsuma Postmaster Kathy English:

To increase Breast Cancer stamp sales, we had a grand-prize drawing on November 1. Each customer who purchased a book of 20 Breast Cancer Awareness stamps during the month of October was automatically entered into the drawing.

Above is a photo of our winner, Ms. Marilyn Williams (l), receiving the grand prize from Postmaster Kathy English.

The grand-prize contained a set of Vera Bradley Breast Cancer note-cards, a Vera notebook, a Tiger candle, and a book of Breast Cancer stamps.

Oxford Post Office NSC Awards of Honor

Every year, the National Safety Council's Award of Honor is bestowed upon USPS employees who drive as a part of their daily duties without having been involved in an at-fault accident for at least 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Only half of 1 percent of Alabama employees are able to achieve this status, but the Oxford Post Office is lucky enough to have three dedicated employees who each have more than double the minimum requirement.

OIC Sheila Laney is proud of the Oxford staff. "It is an honor to work with people who are so dedicated to safety," she said.

Joe Caulder, Sheila Laney, and Keith Haywood

Brian Owens: 30 years of accident-free driving.

Joe Caulder: 24 years of safe driving on the job.

Keith Haywood: 21 years without an accident.

Congratulations to the Joe, Brian, and Keith, and thanks to Sheila Laney for sending us their pictures. 



Long list of Veterans Day freebies and discounts

Since the United States Postal Service employs over 120,000 veterans, we want to make sure that everybody gets a chance to view this long list of free meals and discounts that is published on the website The Military Wallet:

Veterans Day is soon approaching and there are many restaurants and companies who want to thank our veterans by providing them with discounts or a free meal. To those companies offering veterans a free meal or discount, the military community gives a collective thanks!


Our goal is to share as many of these free meals and discounts with our military veterans and we will update this page as soon as new information becomes available.

2011 Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts
Two notes before jumping in:

Proof of Military Service. First, most companies require some form of military ID – including a U.S. Uniform Services ID Card (active/reserve/retired), Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Photograph in uniform, be wearing uniform (if your service permits), Veterans Organization Card (e.g., American Legion and VFW), DD214, discharge paperwork, or other form of identification. Other restaurants and companies may only require a photo of you in uniform, or go by the honor system.


Participation. Second, always call ahead to verify locations, times, and participation. Many of the listed companies are franchises and may have different policies. We will do our best to keep this page updated as we find new info.

To view the list, click here.

CFC bake sale results, final push towards goal

From the Combined Federal Campaign Team:

Thanks to those that donated items and purchased baked goods for the November 2nd Bake Sale - we raised $560 that was pledged to the Postal Employees Relief Fund. We raised $130.00 on the silent auction.

During the bake sale, the Loan Executive, Phyllis White, got a call that the campaign date was extended to Tuesday, November 15th.


As of Thursday, November 3rd, we are at $306, 529.08, with a balance of $103, 470.92 to reach our goal. We have reached out to each of you to give a "FINAL PUSH" and we need you to continue this effort for the last days of the campaign.

CFC drive at the Meadowbrook Post Office

We received pledges this week from an office that obviously encouraged everyone to GIVE SOMETHING and we are most appreciative of this effort. We received 37 pledge cards from this office; 37 more pledges to add to our balance because SOMEONE took the time to MAKE A DIFFERENCE by encouraging everyone to GIVE!


Can we ALL follow this example? If EACH office were to inspire EVERY employee to GIVE SOMETHING, we could make our goal!

What service can you be to humanity? How much love can you give? How good a friend can you be? The rewards you will gain by becoming a GIVER will reap for you true peace and a feeling of beautiful wholeness.

~ Thomas D. Willhite~

We thank you for putting forth that "extra effort" as we strive to reach our goal. Making OUR GOAL means we can help more people with various health, financial, education, and pure survival needs.


Pledges can be mailed to CFC, P O Box 10328, Birmingham, AL 35202-0328.


Thanks for MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

Eutaw Post Office honors Veteran staff

Submitted by Eutaw Postmaster Sandra Cross:

The Eutaw Post Office held a ceremony honoring the Veterans who so willingly served our great country. It is with pride that we should recognize all of our Veterans throughout the world, not only on Veterans Day, but each day of the year.

Thank you to all service men and women for our freedom.

Pictured above are Eutaw employees Terry Dyer (Navy),  Larry Magee (Navy), and Henry Dent (Air Force).

Standing strong behind one of our own in Fairfield

Fairfield City Carrier Brenda Johnson, a 25-year Postal employee, recently achieved an even more important milestone: a breast cancer survivor, Brenda has now been cancer free for 4 years.

Brenda attributes her recovery and current clean bill of health to the love and support of her family, as well as from a close friend named Gwen Jackson, who encouraged her and got her involved in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which she completed last month.

To commemorate Brenda's lasting good health, fellow employee Jacqueline Washington came up with the idea to create a breast cancer survivors' board for her at the Fairfield Post Office. The board is behind Brenda and Jacqueline (r) in the picture above.

The Fairfield staff celebrates Brenda's healthy status and asks us to join them in wishing Brenda and all survivors of breast cancer continued success in remaining cancer free.

Greensboro's Wayne Rinehart, a model employee

Greensboro's Wayne Rinehart is Alabama District's latest edition to an exclusive club of employees: winners of the National Safety Council's Award of Honor. Nominees for the award must, at the very minimum, have driven as a part of their regular Postal duties for 10 years or 100,000 miles without being involved in an at-fault accident.

Only half of one percent are able to achieve this status.

Greensboro Postmaster Vicki Thomas says that Wayne's conduct of excellence extends far beyond the realm of safety.  "If all employees were like Wayne, you would not need supervisors," she said. "He arrives to work before clock-in time, has never been late and has never called in sick, except for when he had heart attack and was hospitalized for heart surgery. "

"We never receive complaints from people on his route. In fact, if he takes annual leave, his customers will call the post office to make sure that Wayne is okay."

After talking with Wayne, it was obvious that his spotless safety record is no accident. "I remind myself daily to put safety first," he said.

"You always have to be aware on the road. It just takes a minute for a lapse in judgement to occur."

Congratulations to Wayne, and thanks to Vicki Thomas for telling us about him and sending the picture.

CFC silent auction and bake sale in Birmingham tomorrow