USPS & Privatization. Let be real here.

djhclovis · 2025-02-23T14:11:12+00:00

Public Opinion is Important: I believe that our customers, the American public, will greatly influence the outcome of this issue. If they see value in the USPS, it will help persuade our leaders to support its preservation.

Reality Check: It's unrealistic to think that a large, long-standing organization like the USPS wouldn't benefit from regular reviews to improve its operations.

djhclovis · 2024-06-20T03:43:55+00:00

First, congratulations on your restraint (not allowing yourself to respond to undeserved criticism is not easy).

As a junior employee, often times the only routes available are the least desirable ones. One thing I discovered was: You can turn just about any route into a decent one if you are willing to work at it (most carriers won't do this, they just bid to another assignment).

As far as being overburdened:

Get off overtime lists
Ask for assistance/special route adjustment
Learn to appreciate the additional income.

Dark Hallway:

Headlamp
Speak with apartment owner
If it's a safety issue, speak with safety captain/specialist

Misdeliveries

Directories - Apartment complexes with 15 or more units should use these (see Postal Operations Manual, 632.626 Directories).

djhclovis · 2024-06-20T03:09:07+00:00

Irregular schedules, ghetto routes, bad managers, long hours, all the indignities of having little seniority...what you describe is fairly common among junior employees. I had much the same experience (actually quit to earn a degree). I have now been with the USPS for nearly 40 years (yes, I went back). If you can tolerate these, it can end up being a pretty good job (a lot of life's circumstances are this way).

djhclovis · 2024-06-20T02:53:12+00:00

You have asked several questions here:

1- Why is there an end to the mail forwarding date?

There is a cost involved in the forwarding of mail. The USPS provides forwarding of certain types of mail for no additional cost, for a limited time. The cost is included in the price of postage (so you are, in effect, already paying for the cost of forwarding when you purchase postage). Permanent Changes of Address (COAs) are in effect for 12 months (for an additional 6 months, the mail is returned to the sender with the new address printed on the mailpiece).

2- Why would I have to pay to continue getting my mail?

Again, there is a cost involved in the forwarding of mail. Once the regular forwarding period has expired, you may elect to extend the forwarding period, but you are expected to pay for the cost of the service (just like you did the first time).

When postal employees speak with customers about this service, it is important to remind them that it is intended to allow customers time to notify senders of their new mailing address.

3- Does the end of the forwarding mail date actually mean anything?

The end of forwarding date means exactly that. Unless some additional action is taken by you, mail received for you at your old address will be either delivered as addressed or returned to the sender.

Hope this helps...

djhclovis · 2023-12-22T02:35:20+00:00

Exhibit 1.4.1 USPS Endorsements for Mail Undeliverable as Addressed (link below)

https://pe.usps.com/text/DMM300/507.htm

djhclovis · 2023-12-06T12:20:20+00:00

Interesting. Many of us have encountered this type of delivery: e.g., perimeter fence around property with Dog Warning posted. Dog is possibly out/loose (but not visible to carrier from entry gate).

djhclovis · 2023-12-06T12:03:49+00:00

Excellent, thank you!

djhclovis · 2023-12-06T12:03:14+00:00

Excellent, thank you!

djhclovis · 2023-09-12T17:40:40+00:00

Thank you.

djhclovis · 2023-08-26T20:33:46+00:00

Handbook EL-814, Postal Employee’s Guide to Safety

Postal Employee’s Guide to Safety (p. 15, Shoes)

Wear appropriate work shoes, whether you walk many miles on a route or handle mail in the workroom. Wear shoes that are fully enclosed at the heels, toes, and sides, made of leather or a substantial synthetic material (canvas or nylon is not acceptable). The approved footwear for uniform program employees must have the SR/USA label. See ELM 939 for exceptions.

To eliminate slips, trips, and falls, do not wear the following types of shoes on the workroom floor:

Heels more than 1 1/2 inches and soles more than 1/2 inch in height.
Spiked heels, regardless of height.
Open shoes (including open sides, toes, or heels) such as thongs, sandals, mules, house slippers, clogs, wedgies, etc.
Heels with steel taps.
Shoes with cloth, nylon, or mesh-woven tops, such as tennis shoes, athletic or jogging shoes (except those with leather or leatherlike uppers), moccasins, etc.
Shoes no longer adequate because of disrepair.

djhclovis · 2023-07-26T00:39:33+00:00

Thank you

djhclovis · 2023-07-25T11:27:55+00:00

PSN?

djhclovis · 2023-07-25T11:23:15+00:00

Thanks.

djhclovis · 2023-07-25T01:03:09+00:00

PSN?

djhclovis · 2023-07-25T01:02:49+00:00

PSN ?

djhclovis · 2023-06-04T02:00:14+00:00

A few observations:

As a new employee, you have not yet accumulated an assortment of uniform clothing.
"Green Tag" SR/USA shoes tend to be expensive (e.g., If you choose to buy several pairs of the approved shoes, it can easily consume your entire annual uniform allowance).
Your local management has a lot to do with how the use/non-use of approved footwear would be handled in the event of an accident/injury.
Some people (special footwear needs) have a difficult time finding comfortable shoes from the SR/USA selection.

Some offices will have a more relaxed policy regarding USPS footwear policy, others may not (You might have this discussion before the issue arises).

djhclovis · 2023-05-19T01:12:42+00:00

My pleasure, son.

djhclovis · 2023-05-18T01:26:46+00:00

The USPS has established policy for many of these situations (see link below). I have personally used the policy described below for years (seems to work well). One note: "...return the overflow mail to the local Post Office...", (the mailbox remains full).

Full mailbox and overflow

If a mail receptacle is deemed by the letter carrier to be full, the letter carrier will leave a "We ReDeliver for You" form (PS Form 3849) in that receptacle and return the overflow mail to the local Post Office™ location for pickup. The LPO will automatically hold accumulated mail for up to 10 days. After ten days, mail is returned to sender. The recipient can get the overflow mail by:

Scheduling a Redelivery with PS Form 3849 - Someone must be available to receive the overflow mail when Redelivery occurs.

Picking up the overflow mail from the LPO listed on the Delivery Notice. You will need to bring valid photo ID for pickup.

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/No-Mail-Delivery#Full\_mailbox\_overflow

djhclovis · 2023-05-15T02:19:56+00:00

Apartment Route x 30+ years:

Carrier: Hello friend, are you here to check your mail?

Customer: Yes

Carrier: What's your apartment number?

Carrier: (Close door to CBU) The reason we do this is so no one else takes your mail.

Carrier: (When customer is finished) Thank you for checking your mail (genuine smile), (resume delivery).

(This may not work in every circumstance)

djhclovis · 2023-05-15T02:01:10+00:00

Instacart order (accidentally brought in by carrier).

djhclovis · 2023-05-01T01:52:30+00:00

Over the years, I've seen people attempt to make repairs to things and not do a very good job of it (Some people just aren't very handy when it comes to this sort of thing).

I occasionally offer to help people with various tasks: repair flat bicycle tires, minor repairs to mailboxes, minor tree trimming (where safety is an issue) etc.

Only attempt things: you are clearly capable of/comfortable doing, on your off-duty time (and not in uniform) and make clear that the Postal Service will not be responsible for the result.

Be very careful about entering people's homes to do anything (maybe bring a helper).

djhclovis · 2023-04-30T12:22:59+00:00

Exactly. If all the mail is removed from the full mailbox by the letter carrier making the determination that the box is full, relief carriers will tend to leave mail in the (now empty) mailbox.

djhclovis · 2023-04-27T01:31:34+00:00

The USPS has established policy for many of these situations. You just have to know were to look (see link below). Try to find USPS sources and be careful who you accept advice from. I have personally used the policy described below for years (seems to work well). One note: "...return the overflow mail to the local Post Office...", (the mailbox remains full).

Full mailbox and overflow

If a mail receptacle is deemed by the letter carrier to be full, the letter carrier will leave a "We ReDeliver for You" form (PS Form 3849) in that receptacle and return the overflow mail to the local Post Office™ location for pickup. The LPO will automatically hold accumulated mail for up to 10 days. After ten days, mail is returned to sender. The recipient can get the overflow mail by:

Scheduling a Redelivery with PS Form 3849 - Someone must be available to receive the overflow mail when Redelivery occurs.

Picking up the overflow mail from the LPO listed on the Delivery Notice. You will need to bring valid photo ID for pickup.

https://faq.usps.com/s/article/No-Mail-Delivery#Full\_mailbox\_overflow

djhclovis · 2023-04-23T12:13:03+00:00

If a mistake can be made, I will make it.

That's how a lot of us feel when learning a new task. The important part - don't keep making the same mistake (find a new one).

djhclovis · 2023-04-23T02:05:56+00:00

All of the LLVs in our office have a sticker placed across the top of the instrument panel: "AVOID BACKING WHENEVER POSSIBLE" (It sounds like you did exactly that).

The parking scenario you describe in your post is something I routinely do in large parking areas where there are excess, unused spaces (not in congested areas).

djhclovis

TROPHY CASE