Happy New Year! Usually, this time exemplifies a fresh start. But in the PO, it means business as usual. So, we must create our own realities. The world doesn’t stop because of a pandemic for us. In fact, postal management has moved on from safety and other agreements in the name of “that is just what they do.”
We still had all the COVID-19-related MOUs in effect until the end of December, but they had largely been ignored. Most offices walked around with no mask or respect for COVID-19. Yet many offices had reported new cases. One office reported 12 cases in one day. And although many carriers were vaccinated, others were not. But management must enforce policy.
An example of the attitude that “new management” has is this quote, said to a shop steward “The attendance at our office is bad because you don’t have the guts to tell carriers to show up for work.” According to him, if he would just not grieve these disciplines, the attendance would improve.
Imagine that! Now they want us to do their job and not fight their mistakes. So, you see, the job we do is endless and essential. Thanks to all the shop stewards.
Many of the senior carriers are looking forward to retirement. We will miss you. But while you are still here, please take time to pass down some of that knowledge and experience to the CCAs. Even if they don’t want to hear it, they need to hear it. As carriers we must hold onto our traditions and culture of excellence.
It’s our company. We can’t let management or new employees ruin what we have built. If your little brother or sister was walking away from school instead of to school, what would you do?
