Discussions

If privatization of the Postal Service does not happen during the next two years of total Republican administation,I don't belive it will happen during our lifetime. Carriers that are members of the NALC should be concerned how privatization will be carried out and how the union will be transfered to the employ of a new company.There is no way that a new employer can deliver the mail with out such a transfer.

Privatizing the US postal Service is just another way for King George W, to pay back his big business supporters for his Pesidency. Not only does he want to privatize the Postal Service, but he also wants to farm out 850,0000 federal jobs to the private sector. Whats next?

Surprised - yep I was surprised to see another postal employee site supporting the efforts of PostalWatch.org - who 'seemingly' is in favor of making USPS either partly or wholly private...to quote PostalWatch "The inefficiencies and anticompetitive disruptive qualities inherent to the Postal Service's monopoly are further exacerbated by its governmental status and the oligopoly of labor groups controlling its workforce." Read their proposed 'Comments to the President's Commission on the United States Postal Service.' Here:

http://www.postalwatch.org/pw2003/2003_02_...ission_comments.htm

Supporting postal site? Look at the following page to find out who supports these efforts:

http://www.postalwatch.org/privacy.htm

Now - ask these employee sites why they would support efforts, whether large or small - significant or not - why would they support these PostalWatch efforts to dismantle USPS.

Yes, I was surprised - you should be also.

Hello, my name is Tom Wakefield of http://www.postalworkersonline.com. I don't usually post on Mr. Owens excellent site, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I (postalworkersonline.com) do not sponsor PostalWatch.com. We traded links, like a lot of postal (and other) sites do to increase their visibility and traffic. That is where PostalWatch put my link. (I placed PostalWatch in our advertising partners area). Moreover, I do not have a public viewpoint on what the Postal Service should do regarding privatization. I am open to all views at PWO and will print or post any well thought-out viewpoint from any postal employee. I have traded links with a number of postal sites that have many differing viewpoints.

Thanks,
Tom Wakefield
PostalMag.com/PostalWorkersOnline.com

Mr. Wakefield: I appreciate your visiting my message boards and your compliments on my site. In return, I compliment you on your site.

Let me just say this regarding NYmailmans comments - a few years ago I contacted Mr. Merritt of PostalWatch when he was so adamantly against the stance USPS took on the private mailbox industry - that is, businesses who run completely out of rented mailboxes at such locations as MailBoxes Etc. I conveyed my agreement with USPS on this issue since it is my belief that any customer has the right to know with whom he is doing business and should be able - if needed - to find this businesses physical location. He does not agree with this.

I also took issue with his unfavorable views of USPS since many of his views appear to make postal employees, and their unions, appear to be second class. We, the employees, ARE the postal service in my opinion and I totally disagree with almost, I repeat, almost all of his views on USPS. I think I find only his views regarding poor management judgement and improper spending of USPS funds as items that I agree with.

Since, in my opinion, he supports privatizing USPS or at least partly supports it, I would not desire my site to be a featured link on his site for any reason. If he chose to disagree with this and state that he does not support privatizing USPS, or any part thereof, and that he respects all postal employees and the jobs that they perform then I would be glad to rethink my opinion of his site.

If you have not already done so, please have a look at the petition to investigate the merger of the APWU and NPMHU.

http://www.petitiononline.com/npmhu/petition.html

The merger of these two large postal unions can result in increased strength, solidarity and organizational power within our changing and threatened work place. Reduction of infighting and grievance activity that currently takes place between the separate unions will eliminate the USPS management’s “divide and conquer” tactic, which successfully undermines all craft employees.

We the undersigned do hereby petition and request the leadership of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union and American Postal Workers Union to take all necessary steps to fully investigate a merger between said unions. This investigation shall fully explore all possible ramifications and legal obstacles of a merger that results in the formation of one union that represents all employees currently under the jurisdictions of these two unions.

The NPMHU and APWU shall begin the process of initiating this action and begin the investigation process within ninety, (90) days of receipt of this petition. The complete investigation should be final within one (1) year of beginning said process.

Upon completion of all investigations, all resulting information will be shared with all current union members of each union, APWU and NPMHU. After all information has been shared and sufficient time for feedback from each unions membership has elapsed, a vote shall be held whereas the full membership of both union will determine if the said merger shall take place.

Watch the Mad TV episode Saturday night on Fox and then write to all of the sponsors telling them that you are boycotting their products. This episode is an insult to all Postal employees!

Let's hit Fox and Mad TV where it hurts the most - in their wallets!

Just think how much economic power almost 800,000 Postal employees have!(not to mention family members and friends!)

The Mad TV thing is just not worth the effort to protest. Where is our sense of priority? We as postal workers are now experiencing the ramifications of the USPS's Transformation Plan, the President's Commission recommendations and, in 2004, congressional actions on 'Postal Reform.' Why would we even notice a late-night TV skit enough to protest en masse when we can't get even 4,000 people to sign a year-old petition to protest postal privatization — something that affects ALL of us?

I saw the skit and it went nowhere. The stereotype has been pretty much invalidated by widely published research anyway. Why give it renewed life by making a fuss?

Postal grammy and the rest of us need to forget skits who are viewed by relatively few and pony up some COPA money, write their congressional reps and support their locals to fight the true enemy.

I saw the Madd TV skit, and although it wasn't the best thing in the world, I must say, I had a good laugh, and I am a city carrier too. Granted, the guys carrying guns obviously was in good taste, but, remember, Madd TV is known for pushing the limit...and I thought it was so out of wack, so unreal to the naked eye, I think if you made a big stink about it, that would probably backfire in your own face. Just laugh with it, and get over it.

First of all the bill was started during the Clinton admin. Its not George W's idea. Once you Postal people get that straight you will be just fine.

To pwm:, First of all, you can stop with the name calling. Second, it sure the hell was George W's idea to table the reform bill..Clinton was all for it. George W. would rather leave things the way they are. I for one am afraid for my job as a carrier if something isn't done soon. Then YOU will be sorry that a $5.00/hr bumb gets to deliver your mail if he feels like it, as apposed to us who enjoy our benefits and job. Watch how you treat us!!

Edited by author 03-23-2005 10:42 PM
I do not work for the post office,but I did deal with them on a regular basis for the past 6 years.I notice some really funny things going on in the last 2-3 years.everytime I go in,I am bullied into using "PRIORITY"mail,and upsold stamps delivery conf,etc....with an implied threat tone and sing-songie "OHHHHH K?!",if I dont take it,almost implying"A you'll be sorry"tone.The priority pieces never get anywhere on time.It has taken 5 days in some cases on mine.so,why should I take it?parcel post stuff has dissapeared,delayed,or been severely damaged.the insured stuff always seems to make it miraculously unscathed.....A--N--D! every time I want to cash a money order,they dont have it in the drawer.....no matter what time of day it is.I was told that postal employees have thier end-of-the-day tape gone over with them and get questioned by some blow-hard 'why did'nt this guy take priority?""why didnt she?"and so on.I am starting to think this is not our country anymore,and that some kind of bizarre division is occupying a very familar,and once pleasant place......I also heard a rhumor that the big brains in DC want to sell the post office for money!!?? that would be absolutely stupid.....I'd like to know exactly what is going on!!!