Street Supervision and Carrier Safety
The Union continues to receive a growing number of serious complaints regarding inappropriate and covert street supervision practices by management. On Long Island, supervisors have been reported hiding behind parked vehicles, bushes, trees, and other obstructions in order to secretly observe carriers. These tactics are clearly designed to “catch” carriers in an alleged violation rather than to promote safety or provide legitimate oversight. This type of spying is unacceptable, unprofessional, and a direct contractual violation. Management does have the right to conduct street supervision, but that right is limited. Observations must be conducted openly and in a transparent, above-board manner. Supervisors are required to make their presence known and may not use hidden surveillance, ambush tactics, or other covert methods. The USPS’s own rules are clear on this point. Under the M-39 Handbook, Section 134.22, street supervision must be visible and straightforward, not secretive or deceptive. Any discipline derived from covert surveillance is inherently flawed and will be aggressively challenged by the Union.
At the same time, letter carriers are reminded that they remain responsible for working safely and in full compliance with all traffic laws and USPS safety procedures at all times, whether or not management is present. This includes, but is not limited to, curbing the wheels when parked, setting the emergency brake, shutting off the engine, removing the key from the ignition, locking the vehicle, wearing seatbelts, and obeying all posted traffic regulations. Consistent adherence to these requirements protects carriers and remains the strongest defense against unjust or improper discipline.
The Union is particularly concerned about management’s use of covert surveillance given the heightened safety environment carriers are working in. Long Island carriers have faced an increase in robberies and assaults, and in several documented cases carriers were being followed prior to being robbed. Against this backdrop, supervisors hiding or lurking in the street environment is not only contractually improper but potentially dangerous. Carriers should never have to question whether someone watching them from behind a car, tree, or building is a criminal threat or a supervisor violating the contract.
While criminal activity on the street is a serious concern, the core issue here remains management conduct. Covert surveillance does nothing to improve safety, does nothing to build trust, and does nothing to support carriers in performing their duties. Instead, it creates fear, distraction, and unnecessary risk. If at any time a carrier feels unsafe or believes they are being followed, they should immediately remove themselves from danger and call 911. No instruction, observation, or delivery expectation overrides a carrier’s right to personal safety.
Carriers are strongly encouraged to document and report any instance of covert observation or spying by management, including dates, times, locations, and details of what occurred. This information should be provided promptly to a Union representative so appropriate contractual challenges can be filed. Management is permitted to observe, but not to spy, hide, or intimidate.
Finally, carriers should be aware that these issues are being addressed at the national level. The National Association of Letter Carriers has been aggressively pressing Congress to pass the Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (H.R. 1065 / S. 463) in response to the nationwide rise in assaults and robberies against letter carriers. Carriers already face enough real dangers on the street. Management’s decision to engage in covert surveillance only adds to those risks and will not be tolerated.
The Union’s message is clear and unwavering: observe openly, or don’t observe at all. Carriers deserve transparency, respect, and safety, not secret monitoring and intimidation.
