The Sanctity of the Mail
We all have been hired into an institution that has existed for many years. The times of today are dramatically different. Social media, e-mail, paying bills online and ordering online have dramatically changed the way we work. But the bottom line is the same, and I truly believe the bottom line has been lost in the translation in the past 10 years.
The bottom line is, we all have sworn to protect the sanctity of the mail. Here is what that means to me and here is what it should mean to every one of you whether you are a brand new CCA, a seasoned carrier with 10, 20, 30, 40 or more years, or whether you are 20 years old, or 75 years old. You should be proud to be delivering and safeguarding someone’s personal life. You should take seriously that every single piece of mail is a piece of someone’s life. You should consider every first, second and EDDM mailing as if it was an important item that you or your family was waiting for. And you should be protecting that customer’s personal item as if it were your own.
This is our job! This is what we should be proud to be doing! And this is what we should be fighting to protect for all the new employees! Seasoned carriers, give the new carriers your wisdom. New carriers, slow your lives down long enough to hear what we senior carriers can tell you. We all must work together to make sure that the Postal Service survives, not only for the time now, but for the future of us all.
Learn your rights. If you are going to be late fill out the 3996, do not make it a confrontation, it is your opinion of how much time you need. If management disagrees get the 1571, fill it out demonstrating how much mail you need to leave to maintain your schedule. You are guaranteed these two forms, they are your protection. If you already are late, when you are told that in management’s opinion you need less time, just clearly state that you will try your best. Call around 2PM and let them know you are doing your best but you will be late. They are the managers, put the decision in their court.
Don’t get caught up in unsavory conduct. If you can’t do it, tell them. Honor the sanctity of mail by delivering every piece you went out with or if instructed, bringing back the mail and filling out a 1571 showing why you curtailed the mail. Get a manager’s signature on it.
Learn your job and conduct yourself in a safe manner. Be proud of the job that you do. Don’t be concerned with what the carrier working next to you is doing; be proud of what you are doing. Come to work when healthy and don’t waste your leave, believe me you will need it in the future. Remember the oath you took to protect the mail. It is not only the mail that you are entrusted to protect, it is our very livelihood and future. And the oath I am talking about has nothing to do with the old “Neither rain nor snow etc.” It has to do with your commitment to the Postal Service, your country, your Postal customers and your family. BE PROUD TO SERVE!
Be safe and keep smiling.
