Poorly Paid Mail Station Workers
 

I just found out that the workers who distribute our mail at our Village Mail Stations are NOT well-paid USPS employees with benefits. The work they do is subcontracted out by the USPS. These hard-working employees are only paid minimum wage and have no benefits. Please keep this in mind when you're planning your Christmas list. Thank you.

just sent them a generous check. they do a great job.

You say minimum wage...please verify that by providing your source. I mean no offense it's just difficult to take a complete strangers word on that. Thank you.

OP, Iam not surprised that they are poorly paid. I have not discussed their salary with any of our mail people---just wonder have you? Other than catching them at the mail boxes, how do you suggest we get a "tip" to them. We are currently away for the Holidays and would like to do something for our mail person during this Christmas Season.

I understood that the USPS independent contractors bid on their jobs or routes and of course, the lowest bidder wins. Let's say your mail stop operator bids $75,000 and wins. Of course he pays his own gas and provides his own vehicle and if he has to hire part-time help, that's his expense as well. This would all be tax duductiable and would operate much like a Realtor. However, the mail workers are at least guaranteed a check as long as they do the job whereas a Realtor needs to sell houses. I believe this is the plan of the USPS to make all jobs contracted if possible. I agree their job is not easy.

Our first four years here we gave our mailman $20 every Christmas, he would drop a card in everybody's mail box. With about 1200 homes in Tamarind Grove where we live, he probably got a good deal of his income for the year from his Christmas cards. This year we got the card a couple of weeks ago and have already sent him a card, however last year we didn't get a card and I asked him about a week before Christmas if he had sent them out, and he said he was running behind and his wife was working on them. We never did get a card. I was thinking to myself, if it was me, I'd have those cards ready to go by July. Anyway, for those who are away, did you save a card from last year? Is there a neighbor that you communicate with by email or letter? They probably got a card. Worse case is when you get back and pick up your mail, your card will be there, better late than never.

Like I said .... Some people Tip. :wave:


Some find reasons not too. :rant-rave:




Does ANYONE think these workers are over paid? :confused: Merry Christmas to all.

USPS - Contract Delivery Service

https://about.usps.com/suppliers/bec...ry-service.htm

goodtimesintv, the first link is not that of a US Govt website, it's actually an employment agency. If you googled to find them, you would of noticed a yellow 'ad' next to the listing, indicating they paid to be placed first. Also, that whole website is nothing more than a come on, perspective job seekers will probably have to pay a fee and will be given the same application that anyone can get at a goverment office. The US Post Office Career Hiring Process | Postal Jobs Authority

The second link for govenment contract jobs, appears to not show any openings at this time. https://about.usps.com/suppliers/bec...ry-service.htm

Here's an actual USPS job information site. https://about.usps.com/careers/welcome.htm After punching in your section of the country and selecting what positions they offered. You would finally get to a page with some jobs listed like cust svc or rural delivery, and you would have to register and submit an application, and someday 3 years from now they would interview you and ask if you want a Christmas job that pays $11 an hour.

The postal service jobs are not that lucrative and not that plentiful. If someone wants to get a good paying job with the governement, they should find out all they can about becoming an Air Traffic Controller.

It's their job. If the pay is too low, get another job or add another job.
Our postal person (contractor)
gives cards out wishing a merry Christmas (and reaching out for a tip).
Actually, the don't drive from house to house, the weather conditions are favorable.
They provide a service and receive payment for it.
Does anyone tip the starters at the courses for saying, pull up to the white line.
Or the ambassadors for offering water and sand. What about the meter readers that need to walk up to each house.
Do your own thing!

I agree, D&Lsunfun. I found it very pushy the first time I received this 'xmas card/hey, give me a tip.' I don't even know the person. At least up North you knew who your mail carrier was. And yes, I am a very good tipper with waitresses, my hair stylist, etc.

Just yesterday we gave our hard working guy a tip. handed it to him as he unloaded mail from his car at the postal station. He did not expect it and was very grateful. I knew they were not government usps employees, but I didn't realize as contractors they were only getting minimum wage.

If, in fact, they are paid minimum wage, then the bigger issue for me is that we have good workers in America (not China or Bangladesh, etc) who work a forty hour week and still live in poverty. For me this is a strong argument to raise the minimum wage to $15.00. Please don't go political on this. It's not a Republican or Democrat issue. It's a "what's fair in the Land of Plenty" issue.

Even then, I do now and would continue to give the mail station employees a well deserved Christmas time tip.

I consider myself lucky to be in a position to tip these people. I admire that they are working to make a living. So many may prefer to live off welfare. I don't know their circumstances, but I appreciate what they do six days a week, week after week.

Miss Manners is looking it up.


Here it is. One never tells others whom and what to tip. One tastefully and kindly decides and keeps it to oneself.


If one tells others whom and what to tip, one runs the risk of ****ing others off.


We all know what we should and will do. AND posts can't pry kindness out of the unkind or instill reality into the Star Wars fans.


Be generous to those who you think need it. If you think you need to keep it in order not to outlive your cash, then keep it.


Be peaceful and happy.


Merry Christmas...and I really mean that part. The other part was just me exercising my fingers on this keyboard, trying to stave off impending arthritis.

Now seriously, the starter and ambassadors do their jobs because they want to, gives them play money, great discounts on golf and pro shop stuff. Their families aren't dependent on the income. Some even do it because they have difficulty adjusting to retirement.

Meter readers do not provide a service.

I do agree with do your own thing but hold out hope that the "thing" for most is to reach out to those that provide service to us and, in the spirit of the Holidays, give a hand up. If we live here, we can afford a few bucks.

MO

I hope all you judgmental givers are also just as generous with the store clerks, the fast food people and the "free" band members that are also toiling to make ends meet. And don't forget the people that plant all the beautiful flowers each quarter, risking their life along the streets. You tippers should really be ashamed of yourselves for not being more inclusive with your giving. In fact, you're acting elitist and superior thinking that these people need your help to live their life. And QUIT bragging about what and to who you give. It's rude.

Tipping is a offering for a service provided. We have tipped the: painters, landscapers, delivering men, cable person for extra service. But these people provided a service and didn't send out a card, not only to wish the resident a merry Christmas but to provide their
address for a return card or gift. I am a gift giver, but prefer not to be intimated about giving. As for the wages, if postal station is such a low paying job, then find another job.
The newspaper delivery people deserve a tip for driving to each house 7 days a week in the wee hours of the morning, every day. No holidays off. They pay to operate their vehicles: fuel, tires and repairs. Their wages are pennies for each paper delivered.
Someone sliding mail in a slot in a controlled temperature room is in a different category.

Our mail person did an outstanding job this year holding and forwarding mail as we were transitioning from our old home to TV and were receiving mail at both locations.

She deserved a Christmas tip and got one.

If you might have failed to noticed, my contract mail carrier when they left their address card it also included a postal card stamp rate on it meaning they made an investment in sending you that information for a tip. Its illegal to have anything left in your box postage free.

Our postal person mailed a card, yes it had a stamp, and she has personally delivered packages to our house on several occasions, saving us a trip to the "post office", and yes she is getting a tip. She has always been very pleasant, and has provided assistance for a lost package, and IMHO has gone out of her way to make sure medications got to us in a timely manner.

To tip, or not to tip, that is the
question. Whether it's nobler or not I don't care.
If it feels good, do it. If not, then don't.

1. Nobody has even confirmed that the subcontractors are paid just "minimum wage".

2. Nobody has confirmed that an employee of a subcontractor just might be earning much less than the subcontractor (contract holder), because that employee is not paying for in his own:
- background checking,
- fingerprinting,
- bonding insurance,
- all other business insurance,
- vehicle, gas, tires, repairs,
- lawyer services for contract and other government red tape involved,
- workers' compensation premiums
- payroll check services and tax withholding and payment to state and federal revenue depts; and
- required medical insurance if the person works more than 30 hours per week.

3. Does anybody know what business "overhead costs" are, and how this affects what an employer can pay a non-skilled person to do a relatively simple job not in the sun, while still having enough to pay the bills and have some take-home pay???

4. If their pay is indeed minimum wage, I suggest they clean houses for the going rate of $20 per hour, on their own schedule. Most of us have our houses pretty clean on a daily basis and they don't have to deal with filth or hoarders if they choose not to.

5. I don't think anybody should be leaving a card "hinting" at a tip except the newspaper delivery people.

6. Are we supposed to tip the mechanics at the local mom and pop car mechanic shop when they put on our new tires that cost $700, or when they change our oil, because mom & pop have to pay less than a big dealership?

I'm sick of sanctimonious people judging others for not tipping everybody. I tip heavily as a former server and I'm going to tip my mail people.

Nobody here is qualified to judge the rest of us.

Just love the tip mentality of reward for basically doing the job that is required for the pay. tip jars on store counters are the worst.

“ 1 'Be careful not to parade your uprightness in public to attract attention; otherwise you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven.
2 So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win human admiration. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward.
3 But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right is doing;
4 your almsgiving must be secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. “

Matthew 6:1-4

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Thanks be to God.

Direct from the US Postal Service Website: (Emphasis added)

Employee Tipping and Gift-Receiving Policy

All postal employees, including carriers, must comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Exec*utive Branch. Under these federal regulations, carriers are permitted to accept a gift worth $20 or less from a customer per occasion, such as Christmas. However, cash and cash equivalents, such as checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash, must never be accepted in any amount. Furthermore, no employee may accept more than $50 worth of gifts from any one customer in any one calendar year period.

Obviously this policy is broken all the time.

Not all employees in our area are contract employees. Hopefully those who are did their due diligence before bidding. I would guess their contract has a clause very similar to the policy above - and in general terms I think the above policy applies.

Excellent advice. We are all grown up. None of us need guidelines for our gifts. Well some MAY need them, but it isn't our place to give them. And who is anyone to say who needs what.


We have WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much time on our hands.


Remember those pesky Pharisees.


And the elves too. They are watching.

I know the guy who sorts my mail, know his name and he knows mine.
If you don't even know his name.........................that's your fault!

:bowdown: Could not have said it better!:beer3:

Our mail person has been included in our neighborhood Christmas party. And she gets a nice tip by all. The service they provide is invaluable.

Gee. Now. The rest of us who don't know their mail person are all feeling unfriendly and unnice. Y'all hang out at the mail drop a lot? Maybe taking your dogs to the potty? I bet that's it. Our cats don't go there. We just go, insert key, remove mail and return home.


I am NOT going to beat myself up over this.


Well...a little. I wouldn't know him or her if I fell over him/her.

wow, I just re-read the initial post and this thread has really gone off the rails. The OP just suggested they think about their carriers. I think it should have ended with Gracie's excellent post about giving if you can and want to and don't if you can't or choose not to. I choose to tip....but I don't pass any judgement on others who can't or chose not to.

I believe it is a violation of postal regulations to accept any cash or a gift worth over $20.00, and I'm sure that goes for postal contract workers.

To Tip or not
 

Bonnevie I agree with you. These people are "trying" and I suspect they don't make much money. They have my respect but those that don't "try" and just live off the Government I can be "hard nose"-----get a job---and if you do end up in a low end service job that doesn't pay a lot of money and you do a good job you got my "tip" and my respect. Most of us are very fortunate.

"To whom much is given, much is expected and Generosity can change everything.". :beer3:

Our mail person call us when necessary, delivers packages to our doors, and keeps out of town mail schedules on track. But maybe it's just our loop. BTW, nobody takes their dogs there. Here is a Christmas picture of my cat who doesn't go there either.

Attachment 56749

Agree. I never thought of my mail pickup as a meet and greet. Even if he--or they? --happens to be there, it never occurred to me to go inside and socialize with him/them. They are working. I guess I'm I unnice, too; although I did send a check upon receiving the card. Didn't really give It much thought. This thread is over the top. :confused:

I, too, would not recognize them if I fell over them. Guess I need to get a dog.

Bogie, I just gotta tellya, even though I know you could not care less.......

I have been reading your posts for a long time.

Sometimes you really tick me off.

And sometimes I really like you. (like now)

You are an enigma. :)


Boomer

Seems pretty simple.