Balance
I believe that the Postal Service’s future is “hanging in the balance”. It may not take too much to push it one way or the other. Some would say that we are in a decline because paper mail is being replaced by electronic (e-mail). Others would say we will adapt and have the ability to grow the business. Who is right?
As in all great changes that have occurred in the past there will be upheavals and displacement of workers. This was made evident when America switched from and agrarian society to and industrial workplace. The invention of electricity and light bulbs were also an upheaval. What happened to the candle makers? Finally, automobiles changed transportation and eliminated horse and “buggies” and Blacksmiths.
Perhaps in the future, automation and robotics will replace the laborer. Some machines are already repairing other machines. What is next? Who knows, maybe there will be a “robotic” letter carrier. Some managers would say “GREAT!” All they would have to do is program the robot what to do and “mission” accomplished. Unknown to that manager, however, is the fact that they will also not be necessary. A robotic manager will program the robotic letter carrier.
There would be no reason to authorize overtime, use sick or annual leave, provide rest breaks, safety talks, vehicle inspections, pay for health benefits, life insurance, pensions or even give them a paycheck. The Postal Service might be worth a small fortune. Legislation solutions would not be necessary and the pre-funding of retiree health benefits would cease. Robot letter carriers might not need a vehicle. Safety issues would only require their repairs and maintenance. Weather would also no longer be a factor. “Neither rain, nor snow or gloom of night (robots will have head lamps and infrared sensors) shall stay these robots from there appointed rounds”. There would also be no need for dignity and respect in the workplace!
This might be a future Post Office but it is far from what exists at the moment. Letter Carriers still need to be paid “a fair days wage for a fair days work.” They require payment of overtime after 8 hours or 40 hours in a week.
They need health insurance, life insurance, pension benefits, safety should still be a number one priority and not just talk. Letter Carriers must be treated with dignity and respect. We are not machines/or robots!
It has been reported that over the next 3 years, every Letter Carrier route in the country will be evaluated and adjusted. There will be no escape unless you are planning to retire, resign or leave the service. Now is the time for you to start being a professional Letter Carrier. What that means is you work by the book!
Working off the clock and not getting paid will add more time to your daily workload. Take an office rest break if you have one and STOP casing. You will only be showing management that you will do more work for no additional pay. You will also be harming your fellow letter carrier because they will be expected to do the same. You are not a robot. You are a human being. STOP working like a ROBOT!
Since 2013, real wages for letter carriers have dropped significantly. Career Carriers after 2013 are paid less and receive a proportional Cost-of-Living(COLA). This is based on your years of service. Does inflation factor in “your years of service” or does inflation affect everyone. It is not a true cost-of-living until you receive 100% payment. One could argue that not paying the carrier the full COLA is really helping subsidize those carriers pay raises.
City Carrier Assistants (CCAs) also start at low wages compared to what Transitional Employees (TEs) were paid. This last contract did start to show some improvement but there will probably be “Robot Letter Carriers” delivering mail before true parity is achieved between those carriers who have (before 2013) and those who do not (after 2013).
Management always tries to “divide and conquer” employees but it is the Union who should be fiercely advocating that we all do the same job and we should all get the same pay. Step increases are a payment for years of service but COLAs should not! Otherwise, the COLA is just a disguised “pay” raise at a lower rate. Very clever!
Unfortunately, CCAs come and go like the mail. Here today, gone tomorrow. To me the answer is simple. Pay good wages that are fair to all letter carriers. Provide good benefits and treat all employees with dignity and respect. The Union is supposed to balance the treatment of its members. CCAs are also being further divided by the “new” agreements that being negotiated. Those with 24 months of service are being provided an opportunity to be promoted to career status. Will they still have to work Amazon Sunday? (probably). Some CCAs will be full-time regulars (FTR) and most of the other CCAs will be part-time flexible (not guaranteed 40 hours). This is a grievance settlement and does not appear to be a permanent change. We will have to wait for negotiations to begin in June 2019. The NALC needs to strike a balance with management but it should not be at the further dividing of letter carriers. All letter carriers need to have a “balanced” living wage (pay, colas) and benefits.
Yours for the Union.
