Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe
In his latest State of the Business video, PMG Pat Donahoe addresses some of the mixed messages employees may be hearing regarding the future of USPS.
The PMG begins the video by focusing on the steps the Postal Service is taking to address the financial challenges created by declining First-Class Mail volumes.“We will continue with the necessary actions that we have to take — things that we can control,” says the PMG. These actions include network consolidations; the Post Plan; and discussions with Congress and stakeholders regarding the USPS plan for 6-day package, 5-day mail delivery.
“When all these things are done, that will be it for the big, major changes,” Donahoe says.
The PMG then clears up misinformation employees may hear on postal issues, such as fears that a move to six-day package, five-day mail delivery will result in massive layoffs. “We have made major changes in this organization without having to lay anyone off,” says Donahoe.
He also emphasizes that there are no plans to reduce mail delivery to fewer than five days a week, saying that doing so would be detrimental to the Postal Service’s business. He points out that five-day delivery is critical for commercial First-Class Mail.
The PMG closes by thanking employees for their hard work, noting that service levels remain at an all-time high, thanks to employee dedication.
http://youtu.be/-vB8UMHnSyM
PackMule,you mention that all agreements were either arbitrated or negotiated. Obviously! Unions negotiate in the best interests of it’s membership. If a contract was arbitrated, it’s because an agreement couldn’t be reached. An arbitrator asks each side for it’s last best offer, then renders a decision. Given the alleged financial situation The Postal Service claims to be in and the overall state of our economy, our most recent contract was as good as could be expected. Are you aware of USPS last best offer? If not for the right to collectively bargain, we would be paid at a far lesser rate, with much less in the way of benefits. Amongst other things, the elimination of collective bargaining rights were a part of USPS last best offer. I agree that TE’s got a raw deal. That was an arbitrator’s decision. Keep in mind that transitionals were hired with the understanding that they were temporary employees. At least CCA’s have a path to career employment. You mention that the Union doesn’t reach into it’s pockets. What do you think Colcpe is for? I don’t understand your last comment. The union has always looked at both sides of an issue. That’s the genesis of “they have a right to manage”. What exactly should have been taken care of 40 years ago? I defend everyones’s right to an opinion.But I find the notion that we would be better off without union representation preposterous at best.
What a – – oh well, guess this is an expert on what you put in crocks ?
Idk but when the pmg talked about 5 day at hearings a couple years ago, he had said the po good realize bigger savings by losing even another day. Don’t lose focus of the prefunding requirement. Fix that and see how it goes before allowing dismantling.
Not ganging up on your poor 204b packmule. Just pointing out some truths. When you decide to except what management is offering as theAPWU you decided not to fight. I for one appreciate what the union has done for us. Those that came before me and fought for better conditions and those who continue to fight to keep our benefits. Not sure what u mean about digging in their pockets but both sides have a burden in arbitration. I guess you would have been happier if we accepted management’s proposal. Everything is on the table at every contract negotiations so all benefits are up for grabs. You are one of the self serving people on this site that only cares about Saturday off.
For those of you who think ganging up on Sandy in the name of perpetuating union lies; ie: “if it was not for the union we would be working naked for less than minimum wage” Need to look at all the agreements. EVERY single one was either ARBITRATED or NEGOTIATED. The union did not dig into its’ pockets on its’ own accord to get us what we have today. case in point. The MASSIVE cut the TE/CCA workers just took. If we did not have them, what do you think the arbitrator would have done? I see the PO is rolling out a new method of harassing the carriers? Has ANYONE heard a peep from the union on this? Course not! They would rather spend our HARD EARNED dues on trying to fight giving carriers time off to rest. I for one want the union to stop fighting over stupid things, and START trying to show some cooperation in the hopes of making carrier/clerk life better. The PO cannot punish the unions so who do you think ends up getting all the “love”? Exactly. And yeah, the PO does some really stupid sh&t, but then again, and boy have I heard this a lot over the years: “They have the right to manage”. Should have taken care of THAT little sentence when they settled the strike 40 years ago, then maybe we would not be is this position today…..
Talk of layoffs and loss of jobs are tools of the unions using misinformation and fear to drive the status quo which only favors the union’s cushy existence. Fact is that Mon-Fri jobs will be generated to replace lost Sat/Sun jobs. Read your contracts!
mailman=stupid! All those benefits were won by Sombrotto and Biller years ago when they were fighting for the members and the current self serving APWUseless president Guffey wants to piss it all away for his boy Donahoe. No way any APWU craft member should be supporting a union run by management stooges!
I’m a letter carrier and this 5 day work week can’t get here soon enough. I wish we could eliminate Saturday delivery TODAY.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-19-postmaster–mail-delivery_n.htm read this and weep all you think i know it alls!!!!
my oh my. just saw the b-s from our postmaster. if you guys have been keeping up with this…a few years back this same ass clown told the USA paper that he can see one day we will be delivering 3 days a week. this is what he said in the paper..but now…..no way jose!!!! tsk,,tsk,,i agree,,,if his lips are moving,,,he be lying!!!!
I wish that dark side panda was PMG. He/she sees clearly. Just look at how the big money guys (Mitt Romney, anyone?) swallowed up companies, closed them up, fired the employees and raided the pension plans. That’s the game plan for USPS. It doesn’t have to happen but Congress is in the hip pockets of the money guys.
Sandy, why don’t you give back all the benefits the union has won for us. I would also add and get out of the union but I’m guessing your already a scab. Any chance your a 204b also?
Erob, they can tell you whatever they want, doesn’t make it happen. If you get killed with mail on Mondays, as we all do, you get done when you get done, simple as that.
Worst PMG we’ve ever had. Driven by numbers. Hell bent on destroying the Post office! We are told to deliver ALL mail on Monday and be back in 8 hrs.
Welcome to hell! Worst morale I’ve worked in 30+ yrs as a carrier.
Can’t wait to retire…..
Right-on, Retired Postal worker. I am sure Sandy would rather
Make 15 dollars an hour without benefits and a Union. She probably wouldn’t be still at the post office.
If Pat Donahoe`s “Lips” are moving, you know he`s lying. Like everything else that USPS management has uttered for the past 3 Decades, only two constants. Lies and Damn Lies. How much longer before he backs a covert deal with the NALC Union President and they (settle) on the NALC Health Plan as the (new-improved) Postal Health Insurance to cover (all) Postal Worker when the USPS pulls out of OPM and the FEHBP. All, except Postal Management which will still be able to opt (in) to FEHBP for themselves! Rolando was in discussions with the PM on the issue during their latest Contract discussions. Why not? Might as well get the Carriers Plan in place before either the APWU or Mailhandlers make a pitch for their bottom feeder Health Plans.
Dear Sandy,
Are you blind or just stupid. If not for the union, you would get minimum wages, no vacations (5 weeks for over 15 years), holidays, sick leave, overtime, penalty overtime, protection of your rights etc. Yes there are some f**ked up union leaders, but you’re not getting screwed by them, you’re getting screwed by management who are soul sucking nepotism corksuckers who love people like you ass kissing them for favors. Maybe you’re a 204B in disguise.
kimchipancakes says: – “who the hell r the stakeholders?”
The “stakeholders” are anyone who does business, works for, benefits from, or is otherwise affected by decisions made by the USPS.
In Donahoe’s opinion the “stakeholders” are Postal Management and the Big Mailers.
STEP DOWN , SCUMBAG!
The way to get Veterans hired is by offering early outs to the 280000 postal workers who are retirement eligible.1) Offer the FERS employees the same retirement as Congress gives themselves. 2) Offer the CSRS employees $500.00 for year served. The retirement account is over paid so the funds are available.3) Stop Saturday delivery except for parcel, priority mail, express mail and continue to pick-up and deliver to business. Stop the pre-funding health and retirement accounts at the current level. The VETs will come in at entry level a savings of Billions of dollars in labor cost. SO HIRE THE VETS OVER 280000. Help my Brother and Sisters.
U tell em Sandy…THE UNION IS JUST A BUNCH OF SELF SERVING FREELOADERS ON THE BACKS OF THE WORKERS……FOR GOD’S SAKE, WHAT UNION WOULD NOT WANT FULLY FUNDED BENEFITS……AT THE RATE HEALTH CARE IS INCREASING I WANT IT TO BE WELL FUNDED!!!!
As your standard, “if u dont like it then go work somewhere else,” unlike you I do care enough about this job to actually want it to get better and continue without being ripped apart by vultures. It’s the contrarians and lickspittles who tow the management water like yourself who do nothing but pontificate and slander the real workforce to curry the favor you need to maintain your cosey nests.
If, management should seriously think that the privately held companies that rip chunks out of the postal carcass are going to offer them fancy new positions, they should do a reality check. They don’t need all of you to begin with because unlike the PO not touching the mail isn’t going to be rewarded. If you can’t increase production without causing lawsuits and stealing inventory you’re done. The people on the workroom floor are going to take a hit but at least we understand the job while the “do nothings” who hold down a job because they know someone are going to get slaughtered.
So keep your little smug ideas of what you think it’s going to be like working for Pitney Bowes or UPS and then remember to compare them when you have to take 40% pay cut to find a job. Just ask yourself how many management types do you know who have left the PO and gone to work for our competition? Then ask yourself how many of the jettisoned bloated blow flies from our competition have landed a job at the PO?
When the postal service does go private, Congress is going to want to appear as if they care about working families, so those private companies are going to have to take on a certain percentage of current employees and that means the unions will follow. Those same companies are not going to be mandated to take on any management personnel.
it is all in front of you..in plain sight..
well i wont take a bailout..i am with the usps for 10 more years..that will make 38…it doesnt matter what you say..it will all happen in spite of it…i am not an idiot you asshole..i deal with facts and reality and have never been brainwashed by the union
Sandy, I’d rather be blind then you. Management can’t be paying you enough otherwise you would prepare some information that refutes all of the objections listed in these comments.
After reading what Sandy says..one comment…Sandy you are an idiot
The best thing that can happen for the senior carriers is a nice buyout and get the hell out! The CCA’s they are hireing in NYC are scary !! I wouldn’t open my door for them. But that’s the future. If u have 15 or 20 years on this job start looking elsewhere!! Get a 2nd job with chance to start new carrer or go back to school. There are tons of carriers who are past or near retire eligible and are fed up. Throw us a little cash (15k) and many will leave.
dark side..you are blind
i do not trust the union at all ..they are ruining this usps and if they continue no one will have a job…they do nothing for us at all
i will say it again..if u dont like it then go work somewhere else
Are you kidding me you belive the PMG and not the union? If it wasn’t for the unions we would be carring mail and on government subsidies. Yea I trust management. What a buffoon!
American History has shown when someone says “trust me” and “everything will be alright” its time to worry!
Sandy, MidWesterner, Maillady and anyone else who hasn’t really paid attention since 2006. The reason things look so bad starts with the 2006 congress when they heaped the pre-funding ball and chain around our collective necks. This one item alone knocked the legs out from under the PO then the recession kicked us in the face and we’ve been laid out bleeding on the sawdust covered floor ever since.
In the History of the Postal service what three years were the most profitable? 2004, 2005, and 2006 so clearly we were doing somethings right and the decline in first class mail truly isn’t as big an issue as some people try to portray it to be. Granted there is a decline but if we actually made big mailers pay their freight and used our market foot print to take advantage of our processing and distribution ability we would take a major share of the package delivery market. Do you see where the rub is now?
Have you seen how well this year is going so far even with the albatross FSS machines and the consolidation of our distribution network we are close to breaking even. So why are we not trying to control the package delivery market and make big mailers pay a fair price and provide cheaper services on express mail and priority mail compared to UPS… ET AL? Because we are a fated calf waiting for the slice to drain the blood out of the operation and carve up all the good parts while leaving the bad parts to feed the crows and rot.
Everyone outside of the PO unions and a few stalwart union politicians want us to be privatized so companies like Pitney Bowes can get their hands on the billions of dollars in the sorting side of the house while the UPS type companies divvy up the best delivery routes and all of the costly delivery routes will be left for the remnants of the postal service. Don’t forget the pension funds that will get juiced and the excess property that someone will sell off all of these Billions of dollars will go to private corporations.
So if you want to stop fighting for your future retirement that’s fine just don’t think by following this plan it will lead to anything else then our demise.
Good luck
Amen sister!
if u dont like it true then go work somewhere else
you r right pack..the union —–are not- on our side or the usps side..they are the ones that are shutting this down
my hero
Did you not hear what was said? savings are more than the physical delivery of mail, lost of other expenses involved, fuel, utilities, vehicle wear and tear… And there is the matter of a TRACK RECORD. He is right about NOT having had anyone laid off. And I hate to say this, but I believe him more than I do the union on this….
tsk tsk maillady….who you think they might layoff if they go to 5 day?? The close to retire high end making money carrier..or the just got my pay cut cca??? Be careful what you wish for!!!!!! And by the way, if the only savings of going to 5 day was cutting jobs, then he says we wont cut jobs, how he gonna save anything?? Dont drink the Koolaid!!!
I hope the 5 day delivery is a go. I am a career employee with several years before i can retire. I would hate to know that when the time comes for me to retire the PO as we know it is no longer because they saved so many non-career rural subs. Sooner or later we will be 5 days instead of 6. I for one would rather it sooner then later and maybe less people will be affected.
How about when he says run our own health plan? It was about 2 seconds and didn’t put it on screen the screen with the other bullets. Need an explination as to why he and VPs wouldn’t be part of his own plan.
Mailman says:
How can you tell when Donuthole is lying ?
He’s breathing…………
“We have made major changes in this organization without having to lay anyone off,” says Donahoe.
Unfortunately the no layoff clause does not pertain to non-career positions. Going to 5 day will decimate the rural carrier relief personnel.
How can you tell when Donuthole is lying ?
His lips are moving…………
so as of right now, do we know if we are going to five day delivery of mail in Aug?
who the hell r the stakeholders?