I read with interest (Was USPS Seeking Sympathy Vote?, April 26). As a letter carrier with 25 years of service in the organization, I can tell you that tactics used by the P.O. to hold down costs or to make profits have not changed much during that time frame.
If they have a surplus, they spend it on automation upgrades or reward the supervisors with bonuses. When contracts come due, [whether it be with mailers, or employees] the P.O. always states that it is in an “in the red” crisis situation, and has to tighten its belt if it is to survive.
As far as the advertising industry is concerned, I say that you people have valid points to make in your negotiations with them. Ad mail, as the P.O. now likes to call it makes up the majority of our workload. Take it away from them, and in no time at all, they would truly go broke.
My suggestion would be to find some other carrier, or means of delivery than the P.O. for a short period of time, until they come to their senses and make you an offer you can't refuse.
By then, I should have enough years in to retire, and it would also ease my physical burden of doing my job by not having to haul around all the tons of junk that they don't want to compensate me for anyway!
Good luck to both of us!
Mark S. Schneider
Tucson, AZ
