[bunnyhop]

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.

[Bonnevie]

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

[fred53]

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.

[justjim]

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.

[John_W]

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.

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.

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.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by bunnyhop

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.

Like I said .... Some people Tip.

Originally Posted by fred53

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.

Some find reasons not too.




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

[goodtimesintv]

This thread should be titled "Holiday Tipping for Postal Station Workers". They deserve a tip.

[goodtimesintv]

USPS - Contract Delivery Service

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

[John_W]

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.

[D&Lsunfun]

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.

[CassieInVa]

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.

[Cedwards38]

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.

[Bonnevie]

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.

[graciegirl]

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.