Posted by 3/06/10
The following article/opinion was submitted to Postal Employee Network anonymously and does not necessarily reflect our views or opinion.
I am a letter carrier and a shop steward for the NALC. I have some knowledge of the inner workings of the Postal Service and served on the MIARAP process both as a local office contact as well as on the District Evaluation and Adjustment Team to evaluate and consolidate routes in the **** District (distrtict name removed by PEN). I have been a letter carrier starting as a casual in 1992, a transitional in 1993 to a part time flexible to a full time regular.
Being that I have worked out of the district office for the better part of the last 8 months I have seen first hand what goes on. The level of oversight and managerial justification is obscene. The implementation of technical items like FSS (OIG report suggested that FSS be scrapped that the money will never be recouped) implementing GPS in postal vehicles with monitoring. MSP points, DOIS and all their other abbrevations. The Postal Service has become nothing more than management justifying their own jobs by adding more jobs to watch craft employees.
The management constantly violates the contract for self-imposed rules to meet bogus criteria. When grievances are filed they happily pay the penalty because it still means their criteria has been met. The postal service has what is known as a 5 O’Clock rule. They want all carriers to have their deliveries complete by 5 PM. To accomplish this they will pay a regular senior carrier double time to assist a transitional employee making $18 dollars an hour so that transitional will make 5 pm. Meaning that the postal service will pay $52.00 an hour to help the help because of a self imposed 5 O’Clock rule!! This happens constantly.
Management will spend 20 minutes arguing over a 5 minute deviation of schedule. Issue discipline on that 5 minutes costing time to the carrier, management, the shop steward as well as NALC rep and the DRT to settle it. This is not an exaggeration. The amount of money wasted on bogus discipline and managerial oversight must be close to a billion dollars a year.
Letter carriers are constantly harassed by unskilled improperly trained supervisors and managers that in many instances could not do the job, which is why they went into management. The ASP program was a futile effort in trying to improve management, unfortunately somehow it just got worse.
The amount of waste at the Headquarter level is mind boggling. There is even a speech writer!! The Postmaster General earns $265,000 General Counsel $153.000, Judicial Officer $163,000, Senior VP Customer relations $193,000, Senior VP Strategy & Transitions $187,000, President mailing & Shipping Services $232,500, Chief Human Resource Officer $230,000, Senior VP Operations $186,500, VP & Managing Director Global Business $164,312, VP Delivery and Post Office Operations $165,235, VP Facilities $181,400, VP Network Operations $175,000, VP of Engineering $163,446, VP Area Operations $189,500, VP of Corporate Communications $170,000, VP of Consumer Advocate $173,000, VP of Pricing $170,000, VP Retail Poducts and Services $164,312, VP Sales $180,400, VP Expedited Shipping $170,000, International Postal Affairs Specialist $107,190, Speech Writer $107,000, Capital Investment Specialist $97,296, VP Employee Resource Management $179,000, VP Development & Diversity $176,300, VP Labor Relations $177,000, VP Supply Management $181,000, VP Controller $174,250, VP Sustainability $175,000, Deputy Postmaster General $240,000.
These are actual salaries before bonuses and everyone of these positions received a bonus package. That brings just the top people at headquarters in Washington D.C to a staggering and ridiculous $5,294,641 in just salary, this does not include benefits for 30 employees. This is CIVIL SERVICE!! Let me not even start with the homes that are purchased for management relocation costs.
The waste and expense that management pays management is the cause of the downfall of the United States Postal Service, not union contracts or the employees that are giving 110% each and every day! Mr. Potter is not only dead wrong but is the cause!
This is employee is not deserve to be a mail carrier who makes$ 50,000. You have got this job becuase you were T.E. Post office gave the chance to take internal test and became PTF. Gave up your job for well qualified people outside waiting to get in.They will do your 8 hrs work in 4 hrs. And they dont cry.
This ought to be sent to each and every Congressman and Potter along with any other person considering ANY changes to streamline the USPS.
That is if they’re REALLY trying to cut costs and NOT middle class jobs.
This letter is spot on. I would refute everything George wrote, but i got a headache trying to read his post.
Well-spoken, Steward. We have ASP graduates who never should have graduated to become supervisors. They are bullies who think discipline is the only way to manage people. I have been fired by our office twice in four months, and I will be back again because these people can lie and cheat, but they don’t plan well. While they have spent their careers making enemies, I’ve spent mine making friends to back me up.
When I started in 1994, work at the Post Office seemed almost like goofing off. Our supervisors had spent years in the craft, and they acted as team leaders, not taskmasters. We all worked hard and got all the work done, even when swamped up to our eyebrows.
Now we have DOIS, MSPs and the 5 o’clock window to make our jobs miserable. Management can’t seem to get the work done, and their harassment makes people work that much slower. We’re here to deliver mail, not make their bonuseds.
I am not quite sure what George is talking about…..maybe even he does not know what he means. TE’s in the past were given the opportunity to take the test for career employment. Their time as a TE gave the supervisor an idea of what type of employee they would be. I really doubt that someone coming in off the street could do our job in 4 hours without breaking traffic and driving safety rules and misdelivering a lot of mail. So George, don’t assume that someone who the Postal Service placed in a career PTF position is not qualified for that job. He showed that he was qualified by earning the position.
George has not learned that like any good HO, you need to finish the job and swallow instead of spitting as you just did! It is so unbecuming to make the comments that you did when you haven`t had the decency to wipe your mouth!
I too am a shop steward, about to retire after 30 years. This guy hits it. Pretty much spot on. As for management, the ranks are growing, USPS is spending to create more micro managers, and justifying the supervision of the most minute of craft tasks to the point of eminimating local supervision. The USPS is
doing a bang up job of creating false data by creating endless reports from the field to construct the image that there is progress. GPS? why….more management positions, more data, more mindless BS Can’t wait to put these buffoons behind me. Good luck and sympathy to the craft employees. You are being led by losers thieves and incompetents.
HEY……George ……….YOU NEED TO GET A LIFE……YOU PATHETIC MORON!
George,
Stop drinking. You make no sense. This article was fact per each office I’ve seen. You must not been able to get hired at the Po. It don’t take much to get hired and you failed. Don’t bash the rest of us cause your dumb!
‘George’ is indeed out of touch with reality in the USPS and probably said what he/she said just to get a rise from everyone. What follows is the Straight Scoop.
I am a recently retired level 20 PM with close to 30 years in service from ptf clerk, ptf carrier, thru supervisor, and various level PM positions. Let me say that the individual who wrote this article is Spot On.
There are more pointy-headed folks sitting at their computers monitoring every insane detail of field ops than you can imagine. Worse, most of those doing it have a background that proved they couldn’t manage operations when they were out near the mail so they were “punished” for their failure by being promoted to District or Area (or even HQ)!
As a level 20 PM with one SCS and a DMU, I literally had to keep a check list to keep track of the checklists I had to keep. I had reporting requirements on a daily and/or weekly basis that were just ridiculous. Further, there is a new ‘flavor of the month’ every month be it a new computer gotcha program, another check list, etc. What would get you fired in one month no longer gets mentioned two months later because somebody figured out another ‘metric’ to justify their existence. This on top of the USPS upper mgt mindset that they can spend money justifying their existence, but we can only save the company by beating up your hard working clerks and carriers to eliminate 1 or 2 units of overtime.
Specifically, the writer’s point about the “5 O’clock Rule” is totally correct. As a PM I’ve had my disagreements with the NALC, but during the last three tortuous years I found myself more in agreement with them than my District and Area brass.
The Postal Service’s motto should be:
WE WILL ALWAYS TRIP OVER A DOLLAR TO PICK UP A PENNY…24/7
As Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us!”
Let me guess George, after reading your response and the confusion it brings you must have been a postmaster who got promoted to the position of the speech writer this article talks aboout.
Although the article was true, let’s NOT forget the unions fault in this postal mess also. Who gave management the ok to “adjust” the routes every 6 months?? The union just handed that over, did NOT even use it as a bargaining chip! The “higher ups” in the union only want to keep their “cushy” job-they have NO INTEREST in the common carrier anymore. Do you all know why the NALC president (Young) resigned???
About 10 years ago Eddie Gutin was found by the New York State Police, on the side of the Seaford Oyster Bay expressway, trying to hide mail belonging to citizensfrom his Brooklyn route, which was in the trunk of his car.
When USPS was informed by authorities, the Agency issued a Notice of Removal.
The NALC Shop Steward at Ryder Station put together a grievance on Ed’s behalf, even though there was no real excuse here. Ed had violated the trust of his employer, coworkers and patrons, and was found 25 miles away from the route with the stolen mail.
The grievance proceeded through steps 1, 2 and 3 of the grievance procedure, unsuccessfully. After the National Business Agent considered whether or not to take this case to arbitration, Branch 41 petitioned the NBA to do so, pointing out that this was a Union man worth saving.
I was assigned to be the advocate at the arbitration hearing. We brought in Eddie’s sister, where she and Ed tearfully testified under oath that his misconduct was due to concern for his mother, who was in poor health. I argued that this was an employee worth saving, who made one mistake, was remorseful and would be a worthwhile employee if given another chance.
Fortunately, the Arbitrator bought it. His job was restored and he earned benefits and salary through 2009, when he earned $53,684.
The hearing and related expenses cost well over $3,000. That cost was paid for with dues of many other members. Members that deliver the mail their whole career without incident.
Fast forward to 2010, and I’ve been informed that he has chosen to be a SCAB, blaming the loss of mail and subsequent route adjustments as reason to turn his back on his union brothers and sisters.
Let Ed know how you feel about this.
Thank you for all responses. Post master Jarhead is 100 percent right. There are lot of unnecessary reports and metric. I do take hat off for my fellow mail carriers.They are the few good workers in the post office. I was refering to the union rep who thinks whatever management do is wrong ,I meant everything.
As a craft employee if you come to work on time and do a AVERAGE work in the unit then you do’t need a union. Offcourse they dont agree to it. I have a perfect solution to USPS problem that it face right now. Privatize the Usps. I will guarentee that 70 percent of our work force will not survive one day in private sector. This is not just Usps problem but all govt agencies.
This article is direct, to the point, and most importantly 100% correct. If you don’t touch the mail, your job with the Postal Service should be up for review. THAT is where the cost cutting SHOULD start Mr. Potter!
I am a 20 year postal employee and I hate to have to say it, but the article is pretty true. I am proud to be a USPS employee and take great respect in my job, but sometimes I am embarassed by what is happening. Way too much management, way too much waste. I think the cuts need to start at the top instead of the bottom. We don’t have GPS (yet), nor are we online with the FSS. But we are always under the microscope, things that were never even an issue 20 years ago, they are trying to fire empolyees for doing. Missing MSP’s, forgetting to scan the Hot Case, and so on although those particular things weren’t around 20 years ago, you get the idea. There are plenty of managers to do that, but not enough craft to get the mail out. Something so wrong with this picture.
I was a postal worker for 32 years and recently retired after my craft position was eliminated due to again mismanagement at headquarters, area, district morons!!!!!!!! The money that is so wasted its pathetic. I’ve written to Mr. Potter, Congressman, Senators and got no where. Management lies so much its pathetic, really a disgrace.
They are destroying the postal service. They claim no money or this and that and we have to eliminate jobs make cuts. Are you kidding me start at the top L’Fant Plaza. Any supervisor /pm/district managers etc. when they get in trouble they move them to another office and promote them. Oh we sent them to school to help them with anger management are you kidding me.
Thank god I’m out of that nut place. I’ve me so many nice craft employees that are hard working and my heart goes out to them being left behind to deal with the inadaquate management that run the place. If you ever put them on a brain wave test complete straight line we are talking flat line.
Your ruining the Postal Service stop promoting nuts. You don’t need a supervisor to supv. 3 people. Its unreal to me the employees know what to do. The mail comes in the door and out the door bottom line. That is what we do move the mail the in between bull shit is totally uncalled for. The postal service is way to top heavy make cuts with the big guys huh wake up before its to late.
Big mailers are getting huge discounts now come on you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see that is not going to save the postal service and 5 day work week will not either. Voice of the employees oh that is a joke the min. you open your mouth your disciplined. Customer service gone right out the window.
So glad I’m out the best thing I ever did I’m enjoying every min. of it.
I feel bad for those of you left. With the economy so bad thats another thing they hold over your head!!! Hey your lucky you have your job to idiot without the craft how would the justify you? The craft is the ones who get you your raises morons. Zero tolerance is a joke the way they talk and treat the employees is disgusting. No respect for the employees at all. How can you look in the mirror day after day and say you have done an honest days work???????????????????????
Someone out there has to listen to the craft please help them before the postal service is destroyed by total mismanagement. Be accountable for god sake!
I agree with mostly everything, except for a few differences. True management mandates a 5 o’clock operational window. But in South Florida they have most of the letter carriers come into work anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes later. Management down south here violate Article 8 ( overtime) on ais. True they will argue 20 minutes with letter carriers who feel they need 15 to 30 minutes more than the time management allows them. Management uses a calculation called DOIS to determine the time needed to do the route. The problems that mainly occur are DOIS does not count parcels, accountable mail, or parcel pickups. Also weather, garbage days, and garage sales are not factored into the equation. To save the United States Postal Service management must listen to the Letter Carriers, Clerks, and Mail Handlers. If the 5 day delivery goes through then the U.S.P.S as we know it now will either dramatically change or disappear altogether. As far as George is concerned get off your big fat ass and throw away your doughnut and coffee, leave your cake job in management, and find a job that makes you all you can be, the new Chunkie Cheese mouse.
less we forget, our own union sold us out with the MIARAP.
George your some where out there and I can tell by what you wrote your either a manager or an ASP wanna be!!!
The pure arrogance that runs in the management ranks is disgusting. I’m the boss thats why and you can’t I’m the boss and I said so. You would never ever make it in any other company. Wake up before your out on the streets without a job yourself. Then what will you do? Try listening to the craft and maybe just maybe the postal service will survive. They are the back bone of what made the Postal Service.
I remember one time I was on the platform waiting for a truck to come in yes move the mail its called. Well a customer came in for a mailing and on the platform is this supv. eating a sub and in the other hand smoking a cigarette. The customer asked a question about his mailing. The supv. proceeds to talk with food coming out of his mouth sitting on a chair, with the butt hanging out of his other hand. He couldn’t even handle the question right. Talk about a total embarrassment!!! Now that is a nice image for a customer to come up on the platform to witness that site. Hey wonder if he was on a legitimate break or lunch guess what NOT! It was a pretty site with onions, oil , pickles hanging off of his already filthy shirt and tie.
Hats off to the steward from a Branch President. George sign off !!
You guys don’t get it George must be management!!!!
George?????What PO do you work in???? We have carriers that come in every day on time and bust their humps. Management still nickels and dimes us for everything they can. Carriers are bullied and demeaned in the PO on a daily basis. That’s WITH a union filing grievances for infractions. You think it will get better if there was no union to keep management in check? George, I’m worried about you. You need to see your doctor and get your meds checked. It’s painfully obvious that your overmedicating.
To anyone who claims that privatization is the solution to problems within government, ask yourself “would I really want to live in Haiti right now?”
The reason Chile was able to begin recovery from an 8.8 earthquake & Haiti is a disaster after a 6.6 is because Chile has a strong socialized federal government & Haiti auctioned all of its federal responsibilities off to the lowest bidder.
Spot on.. I appreciated the truthfulness of the PM’s comments. My PM knows DIOS is BS but he’s protecting his job. Our main supervisor deals with two 204B’s (one we just received who was accused of racism in two different stations and is being moved around) and just shakes his head because there’s not a damn thing he can do about the two of them. The one bitch “welcomes” us back to the office after our routes. “Welcome back, have you removed all rubber bands and mail from your trucks” “Yes” “Is your back door open” “Yes” “Here’s your card, swipe into ‘Office’”. Yeah whatever ok I know my job. All this while she sits in her chair with an opened book she’s busy reading. The other one is so fat and stupid she hides on the dock to eat because she was told not to do edit books with food/coffee in her hand. So… I firmly believe that PMG Potter is creating an environment for failure. Either that or he and his directors are the stupidest individuals to ever be entrusted with the viability of USPS. He’s using the same procedures that “white” collar corps.
do when they are preparing an organization for selling. He’s lining HQ with talking heads who say unions, and government have no place at USPS anymore. He then makes it impossible for USPS to make money. He sets himself up perfectly: bring in privitization, get investors, cut a deal, make tens of million when he “gracefully” steps down after the ashes have fallen. He turns USPS into a turn key operation – the new owners walk in – execs in place – nasty unions and government oversight gone – we’ve found the lost money!!! He takes his fat ass back to wherever he comes from… I’ve also told my union reps that I would like to see representation at Directors’ meetings. What do they actually do, or know, about craft people. They sit and read computer generated reports …. Open the pod, Hal. Hal: can’t do it. Fortunately, this is coming up at the next convention.
Really GEORGE…HORHEY …Wait till inspectors catch you doing wrong!!! I could do my route in 5 hour (street) if I broke all the rules and threw any lettter to anybody anywhere like our speedy Te”S do. I come off of a day off to a complete mess if my t-6 is off also….so don’t even go there. When you get hurt, lets see how much your stupidvisor loves you then???? You are nothing but a body that moves mail to them! You forgot to add that half of $50,000 goes to pay your taxes! I guess taht leaves me with $25,000 to live on in this world? I Speak to all: I should of kissed more butt along my long way…..instead of pissed em*
Wow!!! I don’t think any of the above people get it. Change is coming (already happening) within the USPS and it doesn’t matter if you like it or not. Everyone has an opinion and the law says that you are entitled to it. In my opinion it’s high time the Postal Service took a look at how it has been running for the last 100 years and stop splurging on employees who just want to get paid whether or not they do the job that they were hired to do or not. For years a lot of the craft employees and management took their jobs (note: I said a lot, not all) for granted. Not to mention most of the work could be done by a child, who wouldn’t even cry as much. Face it cry babies you now have to work in order to get paid. Eight hours of work for eight hours of pay. You are currently getting paid so much more then the private sector could imagine and now your shocked and appalled by the fact that you are now being forced to actually earn what you make. Face it………long gone are the days when if you were a carrier you could rush out of the building carry your route and then you had the rest of the day to do what you please as long as you didn’t stay out too long.
George you obviously have no idea how to carry, that stupid concept is what is known as “Running”. Management says ‘get it done’, and they hire some casual temporary employee who runs the hell out of the route, unsafely, and either gets injured, injures someone else or just delivers the mail very poorly (i.e. meet your neighbor day). It is not a cakewalk if done properly it is a tough job to do well.
so true, usps management is crazy crazy crazy. to much micro management. what is the purpose of the local management team. is it just to open the doors for the hourly employee? local managers and supervisors are not allowed to run the office as they think it should be run. to much money is thrown away due to managerial mistakes. some managers push paperwork down your throat, paperwork that they don’t even understand. FSS is a joke, it is just another tool that management has to rule your day. Carriers are not allowed to management their routes anymore, not with FSS in place. i work in a office that has Fss in place. recently we were told that they are changing our mode of delivery to park and loop. ha ha ha. this will not work, due to the size of the routes. they think it will work because you have fss. yes times are changing, management keeps pushing and the customers keep suffering. true, we don’t have enough carriers to do what we are suppose to do. how much overtime do we need on a daily basis in the office to justify hiring an additional letter carrier.
That’s way more clever than I was ecxpeitng. Thanks!