Future of the U.S. Postal Service

[Namliam]

I almost forgot......

I didn't vote in this poll. Put up an option to ease the burden on pre-funding retiree's benefits, and trim the fat in upper management, and I'd vote for that. PROBLEM SOLVED!

[notyou2]

Are you implying the union does not partake in collective bargaining?

[Namliam]

Are you implying the union does not partake in collective bargaining?

How did you get that from my post? The collective bargaining system is broken too though. Both parties fail to negotiate a fair contract, it goes to arbitration, and a contract is formed. Then management violates that very contract countless times resulting in grievances and payments to workers for not working. It's a mess!

We are currently negotiating a contract, so don't expect the USPS to take any steps to fix our current situation until the new contract is in place.

I should also add, there is a delicate balance between paying workers a "fair" wage for a challenging job, and actually finding enough workers to put up with the conditions for that wage. I challenge anyone to spend a week with me in January/February. Then form an opinion on what my hourly wage should be.

[BigBallinStalin]

Jeez, so hard to drive a truck in order to deliver mail in regular routes. Oh wait, USPS has a monopoly on running routine routes for American homes for delivering daily mail?

I say, "No, America." We need a system that allows markets to flourish. If mail becomes to expensive for some people in remote areas, then they shall seek substitutes--e.g. email.

Hey, do I enjoy paying the current gasoline prices? No. Therefore, I ride a bicycle for 95% of my transportation needs. This additional exercise reduces my burden upon the health care system, and it also gives me a +1 for environmentalism.

The issue is: do you want a tax-burdening USPS which will encourage lazy citizens who refuse to seek substitutes, or do you prefer a free market system, where Americans seek cheaper substitutes, are inclined to ride their bikes more often, and enjoy a lower tax rate?

The answer is obviously clear, America: if you want a healthy America, vote against the USPS.

[Namliam]

LOL! Ok BBS, I'll see you in February, on your bike. You obviously have no perspective on the challenges winter weather puts on my job. I walk about 7 miles a day, 5 days a week, in weather conditions that would make most quit in a week. (many new hires do) So don't tell me about my cushy truck driving job. I am very fit, and healthy. The average person couldn't keep up with me. Let me know how good grandma's cookies taste in the next email she sends. I consider myself a free market capitalist, as ironic as that may seem. But you can't call the USPS a tax-burdening entity unless you are talking about the "pre-postal reform days". The only tax payer money congress gives the USPS is dollars to compensate for programs mandated by congress like the "Free matter for the blind and handicapped". Nice try though.

[BigBallinStalin]

In all fairness, Namliam, my more serious posts are found here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=172659&view=unread#p3771407 and following that, expect for the post to which you recently responded.

If grandma's cookies are the issue, then there's plenty of package delivery services which on average will deliver these cookies at a lower price than the USPS--assuming of course, federal regulations do not prohibit the interstate delivery of food products which they deem as unsafe for the American people. Terrorist cookies, god damnit! More National Security NOW!!


To be more relevant to your qualms with USPS, I agree with your position against the bloated management model and the ridiculous future benefits package (e.g. "pre-fund retiree health benefits 100%, 75 years into the future"). This is the problem with a bureaucracy and with authority being delegated to the legislative. Without profit and loss incentives and with political and bureaucratic decision-making, in my opinion the problems which you rail against are unavoidable. These problems are generally outcomes which are inherent with state-owned, or severely state-controlled or state-regulated, enterprises.


P.S. "I consider myself a free market capitalist"? Good for you. You have chosen wisely, my Internet friend.

P.S.S. "But you can't call the USPS a tax-burdening entity unless you are talking about the "pre-postal reform days" Again, assuming that such a scenario enabled the USPS to be profitable, then there's still the inevitable problem which the above already discusses. Not only that, but granting the USPS a state-mandated monopoly on running regular mail routes in the cities is fundamentally against free markets. Of course, the USPS is doing great with their monopoly and with state-mandated prices, but compared to the potential that the market can deliver, I fail to see the USPS (per-problematic days) as being an acceptable alternative.

[Namliam]

We provide a valuable service. Most still find it valuable anyway. Try mailing a letter from one side of Europe to the other, for 45 cents. It doesn't happen. That's like mailing a letter from Iowa to North Dakota. I walk the same neighborhood everyday, 5 days a week. I bring lost dogs home, I help elderly customers daily. I know my customers on a first name basis. As I see it, I work for a "quasi-government agency" with congressional mandates, and a top heavy management system. But regardless, I clock in everyday and provide the best service possible in spite of regulations and mandates! Call for an end to the USPS if you wish, but I just walked 7 miles carrying a load, and stopped to help a customer reign in a lost dog, or unload the trunk of their car, or helped move furniture. And I look after their home when they are on vacation. Service is still a part of the USPS. Even if management policies try to remove it!

[BigBallinStalin]

You're an exceptional employee of the USPS. Too bad they don't provide more incentives for employees to behave more like you.

$0.45? It's more than that because our taxes also go into this figure. Not only that, there's the unseen cost of taxation. That money could've been in the hands of people, who would spend that money voluntarily on whatever else.

It isn't true that you're only paying $0.45. Besides, email is essentially $0.00. Can't beat that competitive price!

[Woodruff]

You're an exceptional employee of the USPS. Too bad they don't provide more incentives for employees to behave more like you.

I must agree here - it made me proud reading it, and I don't have anything to do with the USPS.

[GreecePwns]

Too many issues in America are of conflicts between those that want to attack corporations and those that want to attack government. I propose a compromise: fight both!

If you want to walk one step closer to a workers' utopia, vote for the transfer of ownership of the USPS and its assets to a workers' cooperative, which is owned by all of the current workers of the USPS!

[BigBallinStalin]

Too many issues in America are of conflicts between those that want to attack corporations and those that want to attack government. I propose a compromise: fight both!

If you want to walk one step closer to a workers' utopia, vote for the transfer of ownership of the USPS and its assets to a workers' cooperative, which is owned by all of the current workers of the USPS!

I accept that proposal, but only if the USPS loses its monopoly privileges, and if it can no longer rely on the state to force people to pay for USPS services.

[GreecePwns]

Of course it would. If the government doesn't own it or fund it, its just another employee-owned corporation.

[BigBallinStalin]

Workers' Utopia, HERE WE COME!!!


(assuming free competition won't render it unprofitable...)

[Namliam]

$0.45? It's more than that because our taxes also go into this figure.

I'm not following what you mean by this. A stamp is $0.45, that is all. The only "tax dollars" that go to the USPS are dollars to cover services like the free matter for the blind and handicapped. (as mandated by Congress)

Thanks for the kind words all. I figure, if I'm going to be out there doing a job, I may as well do it well. I'm sure we all feel the same about that concept.

[Phatscotty]

Too many issues in America are of conflicts between those that want to attack corporations and those that want to attack government. I propose a compromise: fight both!

If you want to walk one step closer to a workers' utopia, vote for the transfer of ownership of the USPS and its assets to a workers' cooperative, which is owned by all of the current workers of the USPS!

I think there is plenty of room for "those who want to fight the corporations that are in bed with the government" and "those who want to fight the government from getting in bed with corporations"

[GreecePwns]

Namliam, how would you like it if you were to become part owner of privatized USPS with all your fellow employees, with the government leaving entirely?

What changes would you make to the service?

[Namliam]

That's a very complicated issue. Things are just fine as they are now, as long as the market is the driving force. I don't think privatizing the USPS is a solution that is viable. As I've said before, the pre-funding issue is sucking us dry right now. Ease that burden a bit, and the USPS is in the black even in a rough economy. It's not rocket science!