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Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:27:04 -0000

You are so defensive (obviously over your job) it is impossible to have any sensible debate with you. This is evident in your repeated & childish "Ouch" remarks as if I am making a personal attack. You must have an incredible amount of low self esteem. As stated previously, I am not angry or disgruntled nor do I, or have I ever, wished anything negative upon anyone here. I do not wish to see anyone lose what they have worked for or to see their families suffer financially. Unfortunately, you are such a bitter individual over this topic that you construe any criticism of the USPS & its employees as hatred or some form of personal attack. "Come out of your hole" simply means to see the light of other points of view. The fact that you assumed this as a "disparaging remark" simply reinforces the fact of how bitter you are and that you let your emotions control you. Anyone who thinks that what I said is a "disparaging" remark most likely does not know the true definition of the word and/or has never truly been subjected to verbal taunts, ridicule, or abuse.

Say all you want but you can't deny that the USPS has serious financial issues and that there needs to be serious change. Solely making accusations against management over their raisies (yes..many are out of line) but then to expect your continued raises & colas & benefits is seen by many as hypocritical. Is it not true that the APWU workers are set to get another raise? Yes... I know it is because of a contract but then there should be no future contracts guaranteeing raises when there is a massive deficit...that simple. Of course you don't want to hear that but from an economic standpoint it makes the most sense. I mean what private sector company gives broad company raises when they are in debt to the tune of $7 Billion?

Now the USPS wants to try to eliminate some costs by closing unprofitable post offices. But here again comes the unions to say this won't help and that the USPS is trying to "cut services" to the people. Thats false and everyone knows it. The union is only spitting propaganda to protect the jobs of its dues paying members even though the decision to close those offices is a sound one.

I don't hate unions..but yours is defying logic. They want everything and wish to give nothing. So why don't you guys come up with some solutions then to fix the issues. And some real solutions besides the same ones of going after management pay and raising rates to your business & direct mailers. The reason the direct mailers get a good discount is that they mail such large quantities...many nationwide. So why should they not get a respectable discount. Instead you want to charge them more...the only people who are keeping the USPS afloat. If mailers don't get good rates, then they will spend much more of their advertising budgets on other mediums like newspapers, radio, internet & tv. We already know the return on direct mail is one of the lowest in the industry BUT because the pricing is cost effective it continues to be used. Over charge and the direct mail will really start to dry up like the first class mail and then you will really have problems.

I will make this my last post as to debate any longer with an individual like you on this forum is pointless. You are here for one reason only and that is to inflict blows and false accusations on anyone who has a differing opinion or who challenges what you think should be so. But you never actually debate any of the issues or provide any alternatives...you just supply heated, biased emotion.

Some here have made some truly contributive remarks and they have made me rethink my position on a particular item. Thanks to those for the information good luck.

Good luck to you too Patty...although you may want to consider "going out on stress" and using your govt health benefits to seek some anger management counseling.

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:26:54 -0000

Some here have made some truly contributive remarks and they have made me rethink my position on a particular item. Thanks to those for the information good luck.

Good luck to you too Patty...although you may want to consider "going out on stress" and using your govt health benefits to seek some anger management counseling.

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:16:14 -0000

I do not know what your "ouch and double ouch" nonsense is? I am not disgruntled or angry and the only reason you would be assuming this is that you are automatically on the defensive over the issues. Simply stated, the USPS is a dinosaur and its hemorrhaging money on a massive scale...and this goes FAR beyond the retiree account funding. Yes..agreed...the management is atrocious (it wastes massive amounts of money on useless projects and positions) but so is the entire antiquated system. Combine this with the total lack of any customer service (no wonder everyone ships UPS now), decline in mail volume (especially 1st class), inability to adjust wage & benefit levels, inability to lay-off employees, lack of marketplace ingenuity & maintaining negative return post offices is there any wonder there is..what...$7 BILLION in debt now? And what do you mean by "short term relief?" You can't actually believe these are only short term issues for the Postal Service!!

To be honest, I think you are just repeating the union drag that you are fed from the Postal Record. Which makes me wonder...does the NALC get a nice big discount to mail those too like the other mailers? If you don't like the discounts, then the NALC should then maybe spearhead the way and start paying full rate to mail all its "junk."

Ok..now why do you think the word "ACCOUNTABILITY" is in the title of the act. Humm..I think most smart people would take this to mean that there were some issues in the USPS as far as financial management is concerned. The purpose of the act was to ensure the USPS would be "Accountable" for funding the retirees instead of throwing the money away as they usually do. So if you are a Postal employee, you should be thankful for the bill as it ensures your retirement. But now you want it taken away because you say it is unfair to the USPS....but I bet you would be singing a different tune if you were a retired employee:)

Additionally, you need to do a bit more basic research about the postal service. It is NOT a government agency like the others...which is part of the reason the others do not have to pre-fund their retirement account. On one hand you guys say you are NOT a govt agency then on the other you want to say you ARE as a reason not to fund the retiree accounts ("no other govt agency has to do this"). Which do you want to be? Who else has their hand up for PRIVATIZATION?

I've really tried to say things as clearly as possible but I understand we will not all agree. Again, there is no animosity or ill-will meant to anyone here...I am sorry you can't feel the same. My point was merely to make clear that there are many issues in the "mess" that is the current USPS and you need to come out of your hole and see the light. But I think some here are too emotional and defensive to think clearly and simply will defend their jobs at all costs and against all logic. Ultimately, you can't truly think everyone will believe that the problems simply stem from pre-funding retiree accounts and the recent economic losses. The USPS has been a ticking disaster for a long time and there is no quick fix short of privatization...like it or not.

I bet he USPS is the only organization in the world that can't make a profit...hell, or even break even...while running a govt sanctioned MONOPOLY!!! That about sums it up..

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:16:05 -0000

I bet he USPS is the only organization in the world that can't make a profit...hell, or even break even...while running a govt sanctioned MONOPOLY!!! That about sums it up..

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:56:01 -0000

Mine are...but somehow you are convinced that the ONLY reason the post office is BILLIONS in debt is because of the payments to the retiree health plan...please?

You need to re-read my above post and do some research...outside what the union tells you that is. Tell me more about my facts in a few years after you or your retirees are bailed out.

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:52:55 -0000

Oh sure...everybody except the union & craft employees are the problem. You guys don't have any baggage?

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:50:51 -0000

You just don't get it....no one is trying to "bring you down." I wouldn't care if you made $40 an hour if the organization you worked for could support itself and stay out of the red. Somehow you justify everyone making all this money but always fail to state where it should come from...except to blast management and direct mailers. Sorry but its the typical union mantra. The money doesn't grow on a tree so where its all supposed to come from to "give" to the working class I don't know. But possibly you could enlighten the rest of us.
I think everyone in the working class SHOULD make more money...that the wages should be kept in line with the inflation rate so people can afford to live decently. But when the economy tanks, it just is not going to happen....thats how economics works. As long as the USPS can't be allowed to correct itself, then it will always be in the red. When it is free from the union drag and the ridiculous govt. strings, it will may be able to be turned around. But it just really needs to be privatized like so many other national postal systems. Free market competition is what is needed...PERIOD.

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:53:28 -0000

Suffered...really? The reason so many jobs have been cut is because the volume fell through the floor. Combine this fact with automation and that is why the jobs have been eliminated...and they SHOULD HAVE. There is no argument about management padding their ranks, but that is not the heart of the issue.

You argue that management never does anything but here they did the right thing. Stop complaining because jobs were cut....it was the right thing to be done. It happens everywhere when business recedes & automation comes in. But I guess you think that no one in the USPS should lose their jobs. How do you really justify that????

And how really are you sacrificing?? Is the "18 & 8" standard still in effect. That is so damn slow!!! And the only time a carrier throws 18 & 8 is when they are being walked. Just face the fact that most postal employees (craft & mgmt) could perform their jobs to a higher degree if they wanted too. But they don't have to because they are govt/union. Sacrifice??? Please?

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:21:58 -0000

Oh...and it IS a bailout. The reason the USPS has had to make the contributions to the retiree health program (deposits slated to discontinue in 2016) was to fully fund all the liabilities for the program. Now that the govt has allowed the USPS to not make the full payment, the USPS has essentially "borrowed" from the retirees health care program. The belief is that the USPS will be in better financial shape in a few years and will be able to then fully fund those liabilities for the retiree health care at a later date. But we ALL know that is a slim chance...so the taxpayers will the have to BAILOUT the USPS retirees health fund later on down the road. And the reason the USPS was being required to make those billions in payments is because their financial track record has been abyssmal. They wanted to ensure that the postal workers got their retirement...so how the hell can you complain about that!

Re: Mailers Fear New USPS Reform May be Needed

roja — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:09:50 -0000

Sorry but USPS employees don't deserve over $20 an hour plus benefits if the organization can't cover their own costs. How do you justify employees making those kinds of wages when you need to go to Congress and the taxpayer and ask for a bailout. Its understood so many problems are from mismanagement, but that does not solve the issue. When times are tough, pay & benefits should be cut and employees should be laid off. Thats how organizations survive...there should be no guaranteed jobs. If the USPS could cover its own costs, no one would have an issue with the wages. And it makes no sense to compare USPS wages to UPS wages because UPS is a SUCCESSFUL publicly traded company than can afford to pay those wages.

Yes, the mailers are out for their own interests but that is because it is THEIR livelihood. How can you complain about the mailers when if it was not for them, you really would have no organization at all. BBM & other "Junk" mail is over 50% of the USPS volume. If you don't like them, then support a national "Do Not Mail" list. But that won't happen because that would mean the end of the USPS as its now know. So every Jane & Joe has to let you deliver garbage in our mailboxes every day just to support your grossly over inflated wages & benefits.

The USPS is an antiquity that will now have to be on taxpayer life support. real solution will is the privatization of the postal service. Then the postal service will be able to weed out the deadbeats, properly manage it's fianances, provide TRUE customer service & actually turn a profit.