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I read your article on Sexual Harassment (July/August 1997) with anguished interest. Not because I was sexually harassed, but as a result of being a ìvictimî of a false sexual harassment complaint. My life will never be the same. Nor will my commitment, faith in senior management or sense of fairness and justice. The complaint was light years from the truth, and even though the facts eventually came out, the stain of the accusation has affected my career and my personal life forever. No one has the right to change a personís life with impunity, but the way the system works today, these people can and do.
Charles Patterson
We all know certain individuals who are motivated mainly by money. It has become very easy for an employee to claim harassment for vague reasons as ìa harassing look.î I know of one such case which was a scheme on the part of the supposed victim. The postmaster was the real victim. His suffering has not been considered.
Kathy Osborne
In August 1995, a female casual employee accused me of harassment. Her story has so many holes it was unbelievable, but management decided to make an example of me as a message to other supervisors. I was fired for 17 weeks before the truth came out and my innocence proven. I almost lost my marriage, family, house and most of my sanity. I lost a step increase, vacation, sick leave and retirement money for my family. Because of someoneís lies, I have a big hole in my career and there is no way to fix that.
Scott Rodriguez
T3 Airport Mail Facility Clerk
Twin Cities, MN
We are just completing the program "Strategic Focus" all carer employees must attend. It reminds me of the late Senator William Proxmire who had his annual "Golden Fleece Award" for agencies wasting the msot amount of money the previous year. Surely this would win hands down.
Ronald R. Smith
Rural Letter Carrier
Palm City, FL
The Postal Service bombards us daily with slogans like CustomerPerfect, every piece every day and do it right the first time. Then comes delivery point sequencing (DPS) to our station and we have later deliveries, customer complaints and delayed DPS mail. Since management says the system is working, these problems must be the carriersí fault.
Right now, things remind me of Saddam Hussein. When everything you try fails and you are thoroughly defeated, simply silence dissent, declare victory and keep moving forward.
Jim Lawson
Letter Carrier
San Diego, CA
Iíd like to tell you about Robert Alcala, the best kept secret in the Maintenance Division at the Container Repair Center in Oakland. He is never late or sick and has won lots of awards, but above all, he is a role model for everyone ó he gets the job done and works well with all employees. I guess you could say he is like the Energizer Bunny; he just keeps going and going and going.
Vincent Martinez
Maintenance Mechanic
Oakland, CA
Regarding your article, ìGoing postal: myth or reality?î (Cover, January/February 1997), I mean no disrespect to the people quoted in the story, but I believe the wool has been pulled so far over their eyes that they will never see the light. The article said managers and supervisors had received training in empowerment and conflict resolution. Who should I complain to about the fact that managers and supervisors from Indianapolis were not invited to these instructive symposiums? If they were invited, why didnít they attend? If they attended, who is responsible for their actions ignoring what they learned? When is someone going to take real action?
Wayne Mocas
Branch 39 (NALC OR APWU)
Indianapolis, IN
Bugs Bunny Stamps (Cover, May/June 1997); what a wonderful birthday gift for my grandson. When I saw that mischievious look on Bugs Bunny's face (even through my 70-ywar-old-eyes) I couldn't resist and bought the sheet of 10 stamps for my grandson (and one set for me). I could actually hear him munching on that carrot saying, "What's up Doc?" I told the clerk, "My grandson wil go 'bugs' over this!"
Irene Jaskier
Postal Customer
Depew, NY
Evaluations should be written on managers who travel to other postal facilities to improve conditions. They are given assignments to perform, but who really knows what has been done except for those who work directly with them...the clerks.
Donna Roberts
Custodian
Clarkston, GA
Iím concerned about the ìsense of pride and communityî that seems to be lacking in postal management. In my first 15 years, we had a local postmaster who couldnít walk to the coffee shop without knowing every person he passed on the sidewalk. I was trained under this great type of supervision. His theory was to delivery all mail possible regardless of the address...incomplete or wrong. During the next 15 years, weíve had out-of-town postmasters and supervision. That sense or pride, community and providing full, quality service has gone down hill with this change. Letís get back to local people running local post offices. I understand the rule that postmasters have to live in the area they serve, but it is often ignored.
Marvin Voss
Letter Carrier
Allegan, MI
The title of the article ìEnglish as a 2nd Languageî (July/August 1997) is outrageous. Shame on you. It is a perfect example of the political correctness and cultural diversity run amok. Any mentally competent resident of the United States should be able to speak and understand simple English and the Postal Service should not pander to those who choose not to communicate in English. The English language is one of the primary bonds that unites us as Americans. The Postal Service should promote the similarities that unite us and not seek to accentuate the differences between us. The former Yugoslavia is an extreme example but the logical consequence of the latter policy.
Richard Bishop
Postal Police Officer
San Francisco, CA
M. Burgess
Burbank, CA
The Presidentís recent summit on Volunteerism was a monumental event. So many great leaders together promoting a valuable concept. The Postal Service has a long history of being a good citizen, but now the changes are in the hands of individuals -- postal and nonpostal people alike, People like us can solve the problems of our country. We have the tools and the resources ó ourselves ó necessary. We must volunteer in our communities. It is essential to the preservation and the future of our planet and the welfare of our children.
Matt Di Domizio
Letter Carrier
Cromwell, CT
I want to thank all those employees who take the time to share and contribute their experiences in Postal Life. I appreciate the connection. So, to Paul Mammano (check SP) of Apple Valley, CA, I too have experienced the changes every time a new postmaster comes around. It does seem to hold true that the latest one undoes the previous oneís ìrules.î
And to Frank Mongiello of Holmdel, NJ, I agree it is difficult to take pride in your job when supervisors seem indifferent. I survive usually with a cheery disposition by reminding myself that my family, friends and neighbors are counting on me to give them quality help. So I do the little things that I know my supervisors arenít aware of but am happy because I know made a difference.
Marisol Pirro
Dist./Window Clerk
Port Chester, NY
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