The National Association of Postal Supervisors has fired back at President Barack Obama for dragging the U.S. Postal Service further into the health care debate. In an Aug. 14 letter, NAPS President Ted Keating accused Obama of using the Postal Service as a “scapegoat” and unfairly painting it as “an example of inefficiency” during a health care town hall meeting last week. Obama told a crowd in Portsmouth, N.H., Aug. 11 that private health care insurance providers should be able to compete with a government-run public option because “UPS and FedEx are doing just fine. … It’s the Post Office that’s always having problems.”
Keating pointed out that UPS and FedEx revenues are falling faster than Postal Service revenues, and reiterated the overtime, management and work hour reductions the Postal Service has made over the last year:
With all of these efforts underway within the Postal Service community, it was a kick to the chest to have you take a shot at a group of federal employees who are working hard every day to support this country.
Employees of the Postal Service are largely represented by unions and management associations, all of whom strongly supported your candidacy last year. For our support we do not expect any special consideration. However, we would like to be treated fairly and not have our current situation misrepresented, especially by the Commander-in-Chief.
What Obama also ignored last week was that the Postal Service isn’t on the same playing field as FedEx or UPS. The Postal Service has to contend with unions, lawmakers and the Postal Regulatory Commission and as a result, can’t raise prices or close facilities on a whim the way its private-sector counterparts can when mail volume plunges.
26 Comments
Hey Stevie…nice post
I’m in full agreement, but how about at the next stand up desk meeting with the carriers, instead of nickle and diming the carriers, you can inform us just what you did after we hit the street, to increase revenue for the postal service. I hear it’s supposed to be a joint venture.
NAPS has failed to mention that it is the performance of the same group of employees that supported Obama’s candidacy that is hastening the financial collapse of the USPS. Seemingly not too many of the managers are schooled in successful business practices and even fewer remember that they are employed by a Service organization. I believe the OIG expressed concern over USPS “numbers”. Audits would probably reveal that many of the workhour reductions are sleight of hand and that reductions in overtime have also resulted in deterioration of service due to inefficient performance and procedures. The recognition of the USPS as an example of how efficiently the government can manage a business is dead on.
“The Postal Service has to contend with unions, lawmakers and the Postal Regulatory Commission and as a result, can’t raise prices or close facilities on a whim the way its private-sector counterparts can when mail volume plunges.”
Actually, the Postal Service has made it a crime for any other carrier to charge less than they do for the same service. Private firms can only dream of this.
Actually I like the post office I have the estamps program here at the house. Its like a mini post office right here at home. Also they always get my mail delivered to the right person every time. I have never had a letter lost in the mail. This is just the stooge saying stupid things as usual
It seems that Mr. Obama is saying that he recognizes that the public option has failed and that the private option works…………….
I have been running a small mail-order business for several year and use the USPS exclusively as my carrier. I have nothing but the highest regard for the workers of the Postal Service, who have delivered top quality at prices far less expensive than private carriers. (Whoever devised the Media Mail rate is a genius!)
I offer special thanks to the hard-working staff of the Grand Blanc (MI) post office, who are among the best people on the planet.
I can’t believe the president’s recent statements — why did he disparage a federal service that works?????
“What Obama also ignored last week was that the Postal Service isn’t on the same playing field as FedEx or UPS. The Postal Service has to contend with unions, lawmakers and the Postal Regulatory Commission and as a result, can’t raise prices or close facilities on a whim the way its private-sector counterparts can when mail volume plunges.”
While that may excuse the postal employees, to a certain extent, from whatever problems the Post Office is having, it’s a powerful argument to NOT increase Federal involvement in other areas (e.g., health care).
“all of whom strongly supported your candidacy last year.”
Isn’t that wonderful! I hope they didn’t do that on the job. That’s what they get for supporting an empty suit who only cares for himself. It’s amazing that anyone couldn’t see through him. By his 1000th day in office, only the ignorant and arrogant of those who voted for him will not be either sorry or ashamed they did.
Many are upset that Obama used the postal srevice as a comparison in his town meeting as a scapegoat. I have to disagree, the postal service is one of the most inefficent and wasteful branches of the goverment. In stead of listening to all the complaints that the internet is killing the post office, the goverment should be looking for new top exucitives. The Internet is not new. This has been coming for a long time and plans should have been formulated five to six years ago. Now everyone is in a panic that is the possible begining of the end. Between the unions and the top exucitives the postal system has become like the rail road industry, drained of money and every year begins with hands out looking for financing to just stay a live.
The waste factor is out of control and should be addressed with stern measures put inplace to save money. Here when you ask for a pen you get 2 boxes. We print reports on 1/2 of a sheet of paper one side then store them in the basement for years. We have the capability of storing these reports electronictly yet everyone still wants that piece of paper. There is so much more oen could go on forever.
So don’t take offence instead take a real good look at people not managing and supervisors not supervising as well as employees who disappear and reture just in time to punch out for the day.
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Everyone loves to hate the USPS, but as a collector/seller I ship small, fragile, expensive items frequently. I’ve had UPS and FedEx lose and damage stuff, but guess who has never done me wrong? Yep, the Post Office.
They aren’t perfect, but I’m a fan.
Actually, Congress has made it a crime for anyone else to deliver a letter. FedEx and UPS are restricted to packages.
The post office was a horrible choice for President Obama’s comparison, because it reinforces American’s greatest fear about government involvement in healthcare (not by anything the postal workers have done, but by Congress’ actions).
Obama is right about the Post Office. The US Postal Service is a waste of taxpayer dollars and only stays in business due to its monopoly status. Let’s put these tax feeding parasites to work in the private sector.
> …it was a kick to the chest to have you take a shot at a group of federal employees who are working hard every day…
Good one! Got any others?
> …we do not expect any special consideration…
Gold! Sure wish Saturday Night Live still had writing like that.
> The Postal Service has to contend with unions, lawmakers and the Postal Regulatory Commission and as a result, can’t raise prices or close facilities on a whim the way its private-sector counterparts can when mail volume plunges.
Hey, that’s pretty good too! Maybe if they could, they wouldn’t be so bloated and useless. But, as has been pointed out, they have received very powerful support from government, so they don’t have to be responsible.
But, of course, that’s just another argument against government involvement in health care, which Barry is too dim to understand, even though he made the point himself….
One thing I’ve noticed about the PO is they’re re-active rather than pro-active in every aspect of operation. But I’ll bet EVERY one of those supervisors voted for Obama; in the words of Alanis Morisette “isn’t it ironic – don’t you think?”
first: fair discloture, I have a family member who works for the post office. This person works very hard and puts up with a lot of c–p from management and from the general public. However, it is viewed as just a part of the job that one does when working for the Federal Government.
second: I, personally, have received good service from the post office.
third: It is borderline criminal for a union representing a federal entity to support a political party or individual. But then I don’t believe any individual paid with my tax money should even have access to union membership. If it’s a problem for the individual they can quit and find another job.
Final: An alliance between a union and a federal agency is evil!
To productive american…NO tax dollars have ever been used for the PO – it pays its’ own way by postage revenue. Ignorance is bliss, and your self important title says it all. I’m proud to serve John Public, and I’m damned productive. STFU and have another beer.
Government run healthcare would be run by employees with Civil Service protection. Admit to yourselves how much time and money … unbelievable amounts of time and BIG money … is wasted on USPS and other civil service job actions … You hate me so you make up something I did to get rid of me … I’m removed from the position so I file an EEO … my friend is mad that you did it to me so she files a stress claim she had been thinking about … the office morale is toast because half side with me and half with you … there are many other job actions as a result … your boss promotes you because she likes you … you’re incompetant and unable to do the next level job … the post office loses money “because” you’re so inept in that position … you weren’t even competant enough to do the other job if the truth be told – but you get the same “higher” payroll at the next job you’re demoted to … I lost my EEO case but appealed it up two or three levels over several years … I eventually won the case – got my job back and a cash settlement … so the point is you did what you did – and started this whole chain reaction for nothing … it cost $2 million to the USPS in salaries of lawyers – wasted time – ruined careers … and while it was happening postal rates went up a nickel a first class letter.
It all started because you hated me.
postal management is getting what they deserve. I’ve worked for them a zillion years (I’m a no talent), and I’ve never seen a bigger bunch of lazy, arrogant, and many times downright stupid bunch of supervisors and managers. You can’t mock and mistreat your employees and expect a good outcome. The passive aggression in this outfit is chronic and widespread. Any TEAM will beat the USPS in the long run. It’s time to end the government charity jobs!
I can honestly say there are just as many lazy, arrogant and many times downright stupid clerks, carriers and mailhandlers. You can’t constantly call in sick, never step up to the plate to help and beg for overtime when you only have four hours of work for which you will be paid for eight. There, tag your it. Duh!
They have been saving money for twenty years by screening out the veterans that needed treatment and those that don’t.
Sam Nicholson of Nicholson Revell LLP and James Allen of Nece Allen LLP were successful in getting a nationwide class action certified against the United States Postal Service based upon a violation of the Rehabilitation Act. The Postal Service engaged in a pattern of discriminatory activity against disabled veterans by requiring them to produce their medical records prior to a conditional offer of employment. The class consists of potentially over 79,000 disabled veterans throughout the entire United States and Puerto Rico, who made application for employment with the postal service beginning on March 19, 2004 until the present. In the order dated September 20, 2007 certifying the class, an administrative judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has directed the Postal Service to provide notice to all class member within 30 days of the date of the order. If you believe you are a member of this class please contact our office by calling toll-free (866)302-1322.
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IF the Postal Service had some decent directionand balls and charged those bulk rate customers who want their ads delivered to every freakin’ house on the route, they’d charge double the going rate of the bulk mail in order to make a profit. For those companies that don’t want to pay double, their ads and circulars don’t get delivered – plain and simple. Lessen the amount of workload on the carriers regarding the unstrapping, unwrapping, casing, pulling down, and delivery of bulk rate unless double the rate is received. Throw the rest in the BBM. Reduce the amount of OT used to deal with bulk rate thus cutting overall costs and even making a profit. It’s so simple even a blind man could see it.
Been with the post office for 32 1/2 years and 3 years in the Marines. Carriers know what many of the problems in the post office are, but is management way or the highway .. Carriers are not allow to take short cuts to save time. We are not allow to do our jobs the most efficient way. People that never carry the mail–or- are too lazy to work as a mail carrier are the ones running the postal service. You can walk in the postal service and in one year or less can be supervisor.. Supervisors should be picked from the top of the seniority list. To be a supervisor ? a person should have at list 10 years of mail carrying experience before becoming a supervisor. Any lazy person can walk in the postal service and in one year be a supervisor.
To all the old timers out there, the postal service want all of the old timers out. They want them to retired now or face harasment and persicution is happening already.. They are going after you for any reason they can come up with. Sick leave use–late for work-office and street time. Miss scanned bar codes.. They are going to try to force you out anyway they can. I’m a U.S. Marine vet, i get treated like a second class citizen, bad. They have no respect for anyone including vets. Is sad that we have to put up with the abuse and harassment by fat lazy people that can’t cut it on the street for one day. Don’t let them force you out, retired when you are ready.
I’m removed from the positioning so I report an EEO … my good friend is upset that you achieved it to me therefore she files a anxiety claim she had been thinking of … the office spirits are toast because half affiliate with me and half together with you … there are many some other job steps as a result … your boss promotes an individual because the girl likes you … you’re incompetant and also unable to carry out the next level task … the tn post office loses cash “because” you’re so inefficient in that position … you weren’t also competant enough to accomplish the other job if the in all honesty – however you get the same “higher” payroll on the next work you’re demoted to … I lost my own EEO case yet appealed up two or three levels over several years … I eventually won the case – experienced my job rear and a income settlement … so the point is basically that you did whatever you did : and began this whole chain reaction for nothing