It began back in July when I sold my home and moved into a rental home in Mather, CA (95655). Prior to moving we filed a change of address at the Elk Grove branch. As we were moving in I met the mail carrier for the rental in Mather, on July 31. We met at the ‘gang’ mailbox and asked which slot was for 4209 Aubergine Way. He opened the box and said we could either buy a new lock from the post office or exchange a lock that we purchased elsewhere. We did not have a lock at the time, so he locked and closed the slot. He said we may not see him again since many different carriers shared this route and delivered on a varied schedule. This is route #5 in Mather, CA.

No luck in catching a carrier even though I left a note. On August 6, I went to the Ranch Cordova branch on Olsen. Long line, longer wait. I spoke with three attendants and one supervisor and explained my predicament. All four offered me a slip to ‘fill-out’ and required a $50 fee to get me a lock and key. I refused and explained what the carrier had told me. I either wanted a key or for them to have the carrier open the box so I could install my replacement. I was told NO by the supervisor. The legal owner either had the keys or would have to appear, ‘in-person’, to get a ‘free’ replacement set. I left with no keys, no mail….

In speaking with the owner later that evening, my wife was told that he had NO keys (he purchased the home as a foreclosure) but would find the deed. The next day I encountered a different postman at our mailbox, but he would not allow me to exchange locks. But he did give me lots of mail either addressed to me our forwarded to me (incidentally, I was told the post office had no such mail; a lie???). His name was John and he told me to take the envelope with the USPS forwarding address to the post office and I should have no problem in getting the keys. Fat chance….

I spoke with the same supervisor as the previous day. I gave him the envelope with the forwarding address and asked for the keys. He said the carrier was again wrong and offered me that ‘yellow’ slip again. This time I said NO!!! Bring on the supervisor’s supervisor. He told me I didn’t own the property and was not going to get the keys. I went ballistic. No profanity, but I was loud. I left after he threatened to call the police on me….

I have never in my long life been treated like this. Poor customer service is a major reason the USPS is going bankrupt. Even yearly postage increases and, it seems, false advertising will not save this sinking ship. May the USPS RIP!!!

Sincerely,

Albert Hagemyer

Also in 1982, the Postal Service (through the approval of the Office of Personnel Management) began hiring new employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which drastically reduced pay and retirement benefits for its employees. The FERS retirement system is, essentially, a 401-K program for employees by any other name. Also in 1982, the health insurance benefits which had been offered to Civil Service postal workers were discontinued for new employees of USPS.

I understand that some in the public believe working for USPS brings with it enormous pay and health benefits with a massive, federal retirement. None of this is true. (This is not a criticism, please read on).

I began employment with USPS in the summer of 2001, and I can tell you that the pay and benefits are less than the pay and benefits I received for factory work while I was in college. (Again, not a criticism… please read on).

I make these points NOT to complain… I can honestly say that being a letter carrier is the most physically demanding, mind-racking work I have ever done in my life; AND I LOVE IT.

I say all this to point out that USPS, as far back as 1982, was planning diligently and working hard to be the most efficient, fastest, least-expensive postal entity in the world, truly “delivering” first class service. That legacy continues today. The United States Postal Service DOES operate as a business complete with financial reports, fiscal year budgets, retail business models and a significant customer focus. Believe me, if there are no sales of postage, there is no bailout or “gimme” program. The fuel which operates my CRV delivery vehicle is paid for with money from postage, as is everything else within USPS.

However, none of these efforts will matter at the end of the day if Congress does not allow USPS to function –completely– as a business. Universal service at competitive rates, six days a week, is possible. Believe me. But as long as Congress is holding the reigns as they now do, the Postal Service is on track to self-destruct under the weight of its own mandates.

It’s a lot like telling your dog to run faster, while you hold him in place with a leash. If our society wants this dog to run, Congress simply must make changes. They must stop using USPS as a cash cow (mail and package delivery is a huge business, folks) only to drain the coffers on September 30th of each year.

End the health care pre-funding mandate. Remove the mandate that USPS cannot make a profit. Allow the Service to enter into non-postal operations (such as banking and meter-reading services). -And watch that doggy run, and run, and run.

http://wh.gov/4mY

It will be an interesting political battle to see how to not spend federal money keeping those rural and small town outposts open while blaming the post office problems on the big city liberals.

I know that here in Central New York, they could easily combine the three post offices closest to our house into one and it would have virtually no impact on our life.

Mail delivery could be cut to 3 days a week, however, without loss. Most of the time there isn’t anything but junk anyways.

2. The post office and no other company should offer compensation in any form other than currency. That negates any need to estimate future liabilities. It also requires an employer to adequately compensate an employee to fund his own lifestyle.

3. Most of all the post office is mandated in the United States constitution. The governmental role is an enumerated power of the federal government. It is still and important part of our national infrastructure.

4. It must be run like a business and not like a teet being suckled by a non skilled class of employees. The over paid go postal.

I doubt that Congress would go back to actively funding a postal service, and I also doubt it will be able to trim its services enough to pay for itself. My guess is that Congress will wait until the last minute, then raise its ability to borrow. In other words, yes, kick the can down the road.

The prefunding of the pension is just an intragovernmental accounting matter. It doesn’t change the “competitive landscape” with FedEx or UPS because the USPS’ rates aren’t set competitively.

And what’s the benefit to having the post office get into other businesses? Is there some shortage of basic financial service providers? That doesn’t seem to be one of our major problems at the moment.