As I enjoyed another less than exemplary example of customer service at a local postal facility, I was reminded of the current conspiracy theories that seem to abound about the USPS. But then I took a minute and I thought about some other options. What came to me was a question. Or multiple questions.
What if the problem with the USPS is that they're stuck with an outdated business model, infrastructure, equipment, and personnel policy.
For example, I needed to buy stamps today and the one employee was busy and the one machine was also busy. My question became..."Wouldn't it make sense to consider providing multiple self service options for people who need simple things, while providing fewer "full service" options?
Another question that came to mind is... "Does the physical space in the building best accommodate how people interact with the USPS in 2020?"
And another..."Does the fact that the USPS is a hybrid, especially with it's civil service esque pay scale, allow them to spend money in places that promote the best customer service and efficient operation?"
In other words, I think that the simplistic "Orange Man wants to destroy the USPS on his way to establishing a dictatorship." crap going around isn't really conducive to a serious look at what is the best way to have an efficient, productive, and customer friendly postal service.
Disclaimer.
I'm not excusing Trump if it's demonstrated that he actually is trying to manipulate the election by damaging the USPS. Nor am I suggesting that the USPS should be eliminated. I'm simply throwing out some questions that occurred to me as I endured my encounter this morning.
14 comments:
I recently read of the new dude put in place over the USPS (the name of whom I don't feel like finding at the moment). While at work (I work for a contractor who delivers mail), a USPS mail handler who doesn't rationalize the poor USPS performance at this particular facility, made mention of this new top dog, said to be a friend of Trump. He was talking about how the guy is shaking things up, including getting rid of some people. What I read states that those he's removed have been replaced by other postal people, or simply moved to other positions. Not really the shake up I'd like to see, but it's a start. The dude has cut overtime, pushing to have the work done as it should easily be done within normal hours. I think the guy's in the early stages of correction, and I hope he does some real "damage" insofar as getting this important government service to be more efficient.
The USPS is just another operation which, like Dem states, wants a bail out without reforming how it does business. Trump seems to oppose doing that for anyone. That's a good thing and if the USPS suffers as a result, so be it. They cause a lot of suffering themselves. And of course, why would anyone want to trust their ballots with the USPS?
I agree that the USPS needs something to change.
I’m currently wondering about two aspects of that in terms of the overhead. Are they stuck with an untenable payroll situation since they don’t seem to be under the same pressures to not lose money as a private business? Are they stuck with a “business model” and infrastructure that are more suited for 1970 than 2020?
For example I see people freaking out over the removal of mail drop boxes. Yet it would seem like there’s a point (demographic shift) where the ideal box location from 50 years ago, isn’t ideal now. Or, is it worth servicing a box that gets 5 random letters per week? Do people not have mailboxes at their homes where they can send mail?
It’s an example of a discussion/reform that’s long overdue, but which is being politicized instead of driven by data.
Given the fact that the USPS has been the butt of jokes for poor delivery service for years, I’m not sure I’d trust regular mail delivery with my ballot.
" Are they stuck with an untenable payroll situation since they don’t seem to be under the same pressures to not lose money as a private business? Are they stuck with a “business model” and infrastructure that are more suited for 1970 than 2020?"
I think a case could easily be made for both. It's pretty clear that not having to worry about bottom lines in the same way private business must will have a negative effect on debt. All revenues are supposed to pay for all their debts, but with no concern for waste, laziness and other such problems, how can one keep up?
As to the second question, I read about a year ago or so their readying to upgrade their fleet of vehicles. The problem the article presented was their repeating what was done in the past in that regard, which left them with unique vehicles that could not be upgraded to suit changes in the way they operate. They became outdated long before they were supposed to and again, waste occurred in keeping them maintained to deal with changing times.
I know that the processing facility at which I work is not necessarily representative of all such facilities across the nation. I would greatly hope not. But I can't see that a whip-cracker at the highest level isn't necessary...indeed, essential...to make the USPS efficient and truly self-supporting.
I saw an excellent point made today. Everyone knows the USPS has been in trouble for years. Why is this one more thing not fixed by P-BO and Biden in their 8 years, or something addressed by Biden in his half century in government.
Signs this issue is mostly fake.
1 Uproar over devices installed on mailboxes to prevent theft of the mail, characterized as boxes being locked to prevent use.
2. Ignoring the 14,000 mailboxes removed during the P-BO and Biden administration.
It’s possible that boxes are removed/relocated regularly for reasons that don’t involve Trump stealing the ejection.
What's most hilarious about this is the fact that so many are simply assuming that Trump is personally directing these changes for nefarious ends without any actual proof of this claim. He seems pretty clear that he'd sign a clean bill to fund the USPS.
According to USPS IG “Nationally, the number of mail collection boxes declined by more than 12,000 in the past 5 years.” Before you scream @realDonaldTrump did it! That quote is from 2016, so all those mail boxes were removed when Obama and Biden were in office.
Yes. Boxes are being removed in because they're simply no longer needed, having fallen below a specific level of use for a specific period used to determine such things. They might be locking them because they're going to be removed for that purpose and the PO doesn't want people to continue using them before that happens. They're pretty fancy looking locks. I wonder how much they cost to produce and why they'd even be necessary. Just take out the mail, put the box on a truck and stop at the PO first to deliver the mail, then off to wherever they're taking the no longer needed boxes.
It sounds like the locking devices are designed to stop people from putting packages in the letter slot and from people stealing mail. So they have to use the more secure option on the other side.
It seems absurd that people expect that boxes should be available and be serviced daily when they have minimal use.
Not as absurd as suspending a cost reducing practice because some wish to say that practice is evidence Trump's trying to steal the election.
I agree, but also realize that in many cases it's more about perception than reality.
I reject those who stop at perception when they should be moving on to validating what they perceive.
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/08/18/fact-check-debunking-10-myths-about-the-us-postal-service/?utm_source=TDS_Email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBell&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTnpGaU1USXdOREptTWpneCIsInQiOiI1K29pMmhYZVVSbTZjRzN0Q3hKdjNXblhBRnFLZGNza2N4Y0FBYmxsY2Z1V21mdmZubDJFdWUzdTBkWUw2OTQ1MjUyaGFDN3doV01INXlnNDRxenZnUlpjMW5ZQzlrSzUwaGJqc2ZnMHprMUhVYnd0MEZ4Qjd4MkZZdUhxanY0UiJ9
I'm not suggesting that perception is right, I'm suggesting that people often act as if it is, and that sometimes it's more effective to put off the battle for another day.
In this case, whatever the cost savings are between now and November don't seem significant enough to give the conspiracy theory idiots the ammunition.
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