PostalReporter News Blog

Confessions of a Former Station Manager: Letter to President Barack Obama, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Elton Gallegly

US Postal Service and The National Assocation of Letter Carriers

1. It has become clear that a wide chasm is being formed between the workers and the rulers in America. This is true, also, in the US Postal Service. We’re told to save as much time as we can each day “Ten Minutes a Route” while upper level executives are getting away with outlandish white collar ethics violations and potential criminal exploits. Our OIG does nothing to collar them. The Inspection Service does nothing to enforce the laws these few executives are breaking. Both agencies report to the executive branch of our agency which shelters those who need to be placed under investigation. The NALC, or National Association of Letter Carriers, is the only group dedicated to policing the activities of those in charge. They are, even now, meeting at a convention in our home state to discuss things such as this. What are you doing about Ethics and possible Criminal Activities by Executives in the US Postal Service?

2. I realize everyone has a motivation for doing what they do. When people want to deny days of service, local post offices, and safe mail delivery to the American Public, I wonder what their motivation is. Are they intent on helping America have affordable mail service 6 days a week? Are they setting themselves up for rewarding jobs in private agencies after they destroy the US Postal Service? Are they sending accurate and correct information to the representatives of the American People? I feel you should do your part to investigate. What have YOU done in this area?

Read Full Letter

Letter sent to President Barack Obama, Senators Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer and Congressman Elton Gallegly by Guy Nohrenberg, Simi Valley,CA

How is it that the US Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) cannot get Robert F. Bernstock prosecuted? The OIG has gathered enough evidence on this Postal Official to send it to the District Attorney and yet the case was turned down? Why?

What in the world is going on here? I know of front line supervisors fired for doing route inspection paperwork with their postmaster, carriers who were fired for letting their child sit in daddy’s jeep, and clerks who have been investigated for having Government pens at their homes. Yet this guy, Robert F. Bernstock isn’t even prosecuted? If I were an OIG Agent, I’d be pissed and embarrassed. The OIG cannot get Robert F. Bernstock to court? There are some big dogs stealing and wasting millions for their own personal gain. The boys and girls in the OIG set out instead to chase a few craft employees for pennies.

Read full text of letter via Congress.org

Oakland APWU President Fred Jacobs urges other locals to follow suit in requesting an investigation.

Dear Chairman, Representative and Senators:

We, the undersigned Oakland Local 78 APWU members, Oakland Post Office P&DC bid cluster Postal Service employees, union officials, customers, concerned citizens, and constituents of the 9th Congressional District, over the years have stood by helplessly and dismayed as the Postal Service deteriorated. The methodical decline of the Postal Service has been primarily caused by a conspiracy involving special interest groups, Postal Service Headquarters, and some members of Congress, with the objective of privatizing the Postal Service. We have watched as Postal Service Headquarters pandered to large mailers to the detriment of the public, small businesses, non profit organizations, Postal Service employees, and the Postal Service itself.

For years, management has falsified figures regarding the volume of mail processed and delivered at the Oakland Post Office P&DC bid cluster (1675- 7th Street, Oakland, CA 94615); understaffed postal operations based on falsified figures; discriminated against injured employees; and used inept managers to run these operations using outdated equipment that is in serious disrepair. These practices have caused delayed mail delivery, the closure of facilities, hiring freezes, unsafe working conditions, blatant violations of Federal laws and the employees’ Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the loss of numerous Postal Service jobs.

It is time for the new leadership in Congress and the new administration to take a serious and sincere look at the Postal Service’s business practices. We urge Congress to conduct a comprehensive and thorough investigation of the Oakland Post Office P&DC bid cluster, that will include interviews with craft employees and visits to all facilities.

Privatizing the Postal Service would give private industry a responsibility that it cannot handle adequately and mail would not be under the protection of Federal law. People living in remote areas would be denied mail service or it would become very expensive for mail because of delivery cost and volume. Moreover, many jobs would be lost.

Yes, it is true, the Postal Service has its problems just as other businesses do; however, the United States Postal Service moves more mail more cheaply and efficiently than any other government or private systems in the world.

The Postal Service is a vital public service. It connects citizens like nothing else. You can be at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, in prison, or even homeless, yet you still get your mail. Now it’s time to revive the Postal Service for the common good and to protect a service that citizens need and deserve. The Postal Service a place where jobs can be saved! If you have any questions, contact:

Fredric Jacobs, Oakland Local APWU President, Robert Jeffrey, Executive Vice President, Oakland Local APWU, or James Perry, Business Agent A, Oakland Local APWU at (510) 635-0897

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