Turning the Page — 2026!

Turning the Page — 2026!
By Bobby Bock
NAPS Southeast Area Vice President

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. As we enter 2026, what can we expect? The Postal Service celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2025 — an incredible milestone! Just think about how far we have come; we once processed mail entirely by hand. Now, letters and packages move through high-speed sorters at remarkable speed and precision.

At the fall NAPS Executive Board Meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino. He spoke about the “Delivering for America” plan, which now is about halfway through its implementation. This initiative is transforming how we operate and reinventing our network and processes for a stronger, more efficient Postal Service.

The agency is moving full-speed ahead with the establishment of Sorting and Delivery Centers (S&DCs). I’m proud to share that one is coming online near my VMF; it will have over 250 routes.

Consolidating these many routes in one location allows for more efficient vehicle servicing by the VMF. Rather than traveling across several cities, we now can provide maintenance and support from a single hub — a major step forward in operational efficiency.

Tulino also discussed improving service and cutting costs. I raised the issue that many VMFs are in dire need of rollbacks to tow USPS vehicles. Currently, the VMF spends millions of dollars annually on contractors to transport our fleet across the country. Additionally, we must ensure that our spending with contractors — whether for vehicle movement or building maintenance — is managed wisely and we truly are getting the quality for which we pay.

Another important way to control costs is by ensuring our employees work safely — especially when they are behind the wheel. Unfortunately, accidents occur sometimes through no fault of our own. That’s when the unsung heroes of the Postal Service’s Torts Department step in.

This department works tirelessly to recover losses from third-party accidents. When the Torts Team reaches out, please cooperate fully and provide the information they need. Their efforts protect our resources and help maintain accountability.

When it comes to service, we must continue paying attention to detail — making sure mail is processed correctly the first time and dispatched on time. When I worked in the plant, we reviewed service scores every day and took pride in maintaining strong performance for our customers. Service is the backbone of our reputation; it’s something in which we all play a part protecting.

I also would like to give a special shout-out to Chief Retail and Delivery Officer Elvin Mercado for curtailing excessive Zoom meeting hours. I sincerely hope this decision pays off by giving delivery units the time they need to focus on getting carriers out on the street efficiently. For that, I thank you.

As we move forward, I truly believe 2026 will be a great year. We must stay focused, work safely and keep doing what we do best — delivering for America.

For 250 years, the Postal Service has stood as a symbol of trust and service. Let’s keep that tradition going strong into the future.