USPS offers up to $15K in early retirement buyouts to cut mail handler staffing

[QChawks]

The Postal Service is offering early retirement buyouts to mail handlers who work in the agency’s mail processing facilities.

USPS, in a memo obtained by Federal News Network, is offering lump-sum incentive payments worth up to $15,000 to eligible mail handlers who agree to a voluntary early retirement in the coming months.

The agency reached an agreement with the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, which represents 47,000 mail handlers nationwide. Federal News Network reached out to the union for comment.

It’s not clear how many mail handlers USPS expects to accept the offers, or whether agency leadership is looking at a specific headcount reduction.

LINK TO ARTICLE

 

[NDallasRuss]

If they're cutting people from the mail processing facilities, does that mean that their package delivery is going to get even worse/slower? As it is now, I've noticed a larger numbers of packages falling into a black hole and their "informed delivery" showing no updates, or "unknown delivery date", and instances where packages repeatedly bounce back and forth between facilities like a hot potato.

It's gotten to where any time I buy something and see the seller is sending it through USPS, I immediately re-calibrate my expectations and know not to expect it any time soon.

 

[theVoicefromtheTomb]

If they're cutting people from the mail processing facilities, does that mean that their package delivery is going to get even worse/slower? As it is now, I've noticed a larger numbers of packages falling into a black hole and their "informed delivery" showing no updates, or "unknown delivery date", and instances where packages repeatedly bounce back and forth between facilities like a hot potato.

It's gotten to where any time I buy something and see the seller is sending it through USPS, I immediately re-calibrate my expectations and know not to expect it any time soon.

There has been a significant decline in USPS service.

 

[NorthEndzoneCrew]

There has been a significant decline in USPS service.

Yes! Need to sell USPS off to FedEx/UPS/Amazon!

 

[millah_22]

$15k isn't that much.

 

[tigerhawk2015]

$15k isn't that much.

Exactly!! Unless you are already planning to retire 15k is not enough to incentivize anyone to retire early!!

 

[QChawks]

$15k isn't that much.

it really isn't

although google says the average mail sorter makes about $20 hr

 

[BioHawk]

I wouldn't take it and what is the purpose of this again? Is it because the USPS isn't "making money"? The purpose of the USPS isn't to turn a profit.

 

[Moral]

The USPS is already really understaffed. It's pretty clear what's actually going on here.

 

[millah_22]

I wouldn't take it and what is the purpose of this again? Is it because the USPS isn't "making money"? The purpose of the USPS isn't to turn a profit.

Prob cheaper than the severence/unemployment of laying off hundreds of people that have been there for 2-3 decades.

 

[ISUBryce]

If they're cutting people from the mail processing facilities, does that mean that their package delivery is going to get even worse/slower? As it is now, I've noticed a larger numbers of packages falling into a black hole and their "informed delivery" showing no updates, or "unknown delivery date", and instances where packages repeatedly bounce back and forth between facilities like a hot potato.

It's gotten to where any time I buy something and see the seller is sending it through USPS, I immediately re-calibrate my expectations and know not to expect it any time soon.

They really need to go 3 days a week delivery and Jack up the cost of mail marketing to lighten the load.

 

[SalAunese]

Jack up the cost of mail marketing to lighten the load.

I'm all for it; mail marketers are a parasitic drain on the system. The USPS was never designed for that purpose.

 

[joelbc1]

They are following the lead set by Bridgestone/Firestone I see.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Get out of package business.

Only deliver to homes 2-3 days a week.

$15k is a nice bonus for somebody that was about to retire anyway.

 

[SalAunese]

Get out of package business.

Only deliver to homes 2-3 days a week.

$15k is a nice bonus for somebody that was about to retire anyway.

They're definitely in the package biz and handle a lot of the final stage rural deliveries for UPS/FedEX.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

They're definitely in the package biz and handle a lot of the final stage rural deliveries for UPS/FedEX.

where would amazon/ups/fedex be without the taxpayer subsidizing them.

 

[Moral]

Get out of package business.

Only deliver to homes 2-3 days a week.

$15k is a nice bonus for somebody that was about to retire anyway.

They are the last leg on a huge amount of parcels for the other parcel companies. FedEx and UPS also pawn off a huge amount of parcels for rural onto USPS. Then you have cool services like certified mail, and media mail moving packages between libraries and such.

What would happen in short order of the USPS was privatized or taken out would be parcel prices would go up in price exponentially and service would be worse. Some corporations would make some profit, but regular people would be at a loss.

The USPS was also never intended to be a for profit juggernaut. It is a service. It would also be profitable if you removed some GW Bush law forcing the USPS to future fund employee healthcare 75 years into the future. I'm not sure any other business is forced to fund health care for employees not even born yet, but I would be surprised.

This has all been repeated ad nauseum here. I'm not sure if some of you have brain damage, terrible memory, or just like playing dumb because you are ideologues, but knock it off.

 

[RicoSuave102954]

Yes! Need to sell USPS off to FedEx/UPS/Amazon!

99% of the items I purchase from Amazon get delivered by the USPS.

I don't think FedEx, UPS, and Amazon combined have the financial means to purchase the USPS including, vehicles, buildings, etc.

 

[beanerhawk]

$15K? lol. that's going to get you real far!

 

[noStemsnoSTICKS]

They should close the USPS, but unfortunately it's protected by the constitution.

 

[NorthEndzoneCrew]

99% of the items I purchase from Amazon get delivered by the USPS.

I don't think FedEx, UPS, and Amazon combined have the financial means to purchase the USPS including, vehicles, buildings, etc.

You’re right, we should just disband the USPS and contract out its duties to those companies….we pay them vs they buy the usps.

That would be so much more efficient!! Run gov like a business!

 

[RicoSuave102954]

You’re right, we should just disband the USPS and contract out its duties to those companies….we pay them vs they buy the usps.

That would be so much more efficient!! Run gov like a business!

You should inquire about that.

We could then inquire about Disney taking over the National Park System and Lionel Corp taking over Amtrack.

I think you're on to something big.

 

[IAFB2021Champs]

The USPS is already really understaffed. It's pretty clear what's actually going on here.

And there is a reason it is always understaffed. Most people don’t want to work a job where it could be 1-5 years on average often times longer before they receive any sort of benefits. Not only that, you have no consistent schedule and will be working Saturdays and Sundays.

 

[TennNole17]

Wasn’t Nozzles bro (rodzilla) from tos a postmaster? He always had good insight /explanations for all things usps

 

[noleclone2]

Not one joke yet about being a male handler for a career? This place is sliding.

 

[mnole03]

They should close the USPS, but unfortunately it's protected by the constitution.

The Constitution allows Congress to establish a post office. There’s no requirement they do it or keep it running once established.

 

[sober_teacher]

99% of the items I purchase from Amazon get delivered by the USPS.

I don't think FedEx, UPS, and Amazon combined have the financial means to purchase the USPS including, vehicles, buildings, etc.

If mail delivery ever got privatized it would really suck for people in rural areas.

 

[noStemsnoSTICKS]

The Constitution allows Congress to establish a post office. There’s no requirement they do it or keep it running once established.

My bad. I thought it was.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

If mail delivery ever got privatized it would really suck for people in rural areas.

it would suck for every business. Businesses are generally built on the backs of the government (yes, sometimes in spite of it too). Imagine if amazon actually had to get every package from point a to b without the post office. bezos and musk are big ole welfare queens..

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

They should close the USPS, but unfortunately it's protected by the constitution.

Outsource to either UPS, FedEx, or FedUp.

 

[10kHawk]

Company I work at tried wary retirement with nice severance and additional vesting in pension and got modest response. They then added medical insurance until 65 and it was a stampede to the door. I saw something I dsicounted the other day but now hum, do companies not want national health care as people will leave / jump at will

 

[joelbc1]

And there is a reason it is always understaffed. Most people don’t want to work a job where it could be 1-5 years on average often times longer before they receive any sort of benefits. Not only that, you have no consistent schedule and will be working Saturdays and Sundays.

I worked Saturdays and Sybsats

it would suck for every business. Businesses are generally built on the backs of the government (yes, sometimes in spite of it too). Imagine if amazon actually had to get every package from point a to b without the post office. bezos and musk are big ole welfare queens..

IF mail service becomes “privatized”, the problems will just begin. Mail as a
Non-profit entity” is challenging enough…..put. A couple of kajillionaires in control of more communication…….gee, what could possibly go wrong?

 

[OILCHECKER]

$15k isn't that much.

Right.
Hard to imagine that would really move the needle much.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

$15K? lol. that's going to get you real far!

If you were going to retire anyway it’s a nice bonus.

 

[Colonoscopy]

There's a senile guy with an old mailman suit that regularly walks through my neighborhood. Sometimes he leaves stuff he finds in your mailbox. CSB

 

[millah_22]

If you were going to retire anyway it’s a nice bonus.

If I were going to retire within the next 2 weeks.

 

[bhawk24bob]

Company I work at tried wary retirement with nice severance and additional vesting in pension and got modest response. They then added medical insurance until 65 and it was a stampede to the door. I saw something I dsicounted the other day but now hum, do companies not want national health care as people will leave / jump at will

I’ve said that’s the reason we don’t have it for years. Imagine what this country would look like if they could tell their employers to eff off and not worry about their family’s healthcare as they find a new job

 

[ISUBryce]

I worked Saturdays and Sybsats

IF mail service becomes “privatized”, the problems will just begin. Mail as a
Non-profit entity” is challenging enough…..put. A couple of kajillionaires in control of more communication…….gee, what could possibly go wrong?

Honest question - when was the last time you got a piece of communication you actually needed or wanted in the mail?

 

[joelbc1]

Honest question - when was the last time you got a piece of communication you actually needed or wanted in the mail?

As a matter of fact, 3 pieces today needed for filing my taxes. I get several bills monthly that I need to make sure get paid in a timely manner.
I understand what you are saying here… but I get a little if necessary mailings in a month.

Plus, I am reminded almost daily how important my wife is to Viking cruise line. They kill a lot of trees for her!

 

[ICWestfan]

If you were going to retire anyway it’s a nice bonus.

I agree. If they said free insurance up to 65 I'd go for it.