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Postal mgmt. says “Do as I say not as I do.”

This letter has not been edited

John R. Montoro of Arvada writes:

Published December 18, 2007 at 12:38 p.m.

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I would like to make a simple request. In relation to the following comments the request will be clarified. I'm sure these comments will strike a chord with many USPS letter carriers and clerks in the metro area.

Every year around the holiday season, a spokesman for the USPS (Al DeSarro), makes a statement on radio and television in regard to giving letter carriers or clerks a gratuity. Parameters are given concerning what, if anything you should give your clerk or carrier. From the perspective of the USPS the public is not intelligent or informed enough to make their own decision as to whether or not to give a gift for the holidays.

USPS upper management (supervisors) receives bonuses every year and the public has every right to know the amount of these bonuses. I feel it would be in the public interest to request a full disclosure of these bonuses. The public should have this information available when they make a decision to give (or not) a gift to their clerk or carrier.

Interestingly enough the average clerk or carrier should not take a voluntary gift for their services, while management receives an automatic gratuity for their services.

How can USPS management suppress an unsolicited voluntary gift to a clerk or carrier, while at the same time making a decision to line their own pockets?

Comments

  • December 18, 2007

    2:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Speedy_66 writes:

    John,

    My guess is that your question will go unanswered by USPS management. Although they are public servants, they are arrogant enough to forget that fact and do not feel they owe the public any explanation.

    Hopefully I will be proved wrong.

  • December 18, 2007

    3:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    benjamin writes:

    Why should we give a gratuity to a person who has a good wage and benefits? I tip the waitperson and hair cutter, because they generally do not have benefits in the form of health care, vacation time, and a pension plan. I don't get tips, why should the post person?

  • December 18, 2007

    11:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jgd writes:

    Don't you just love government run operations!!!!

  • December 19, 2007

    11:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spencer writes:

    I really don't have a lot of complaints about the USPS. Who else is going to deliver a letter for 40 cents?

  • December 19, 2007

    1:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Eli writes:

    Earl,
    There was an episode of Candid Camera where they put a tip jar out in a doctor's office, and had the secretary ask people as they were leaving if they'd care to leave something for the doctors. Absolutely hilarious stuff.

  • December 24, 2007

    8:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    phred writes:

    Unfortunately, Mr. Montoro has his facts wrong. Postal managers don't get Christmas bonuses. They also don't get the automatic salary increases and cost of living adjustments that non-management postal workers get.

    Instead, they get an annual increase based on their performance, and their unit's performance. Letter carriers and clerks don't get pay for performance increases because they don't want them- their unions prefer the automatic increases. If they wanted these so-called bonuses, they could have them.

    And while we're on the subject of full disclosure, how about revealing how much bargaining unit employees make? People might be surprised how many unskilled mail handlers, for example, will make 80-100 thousand dollars this year (far more than most supervisors). And that ain't from tips!