[lbo-talk] interesting essay by Moishe Adler on NYT trashing ofpostal workers

[Chuck Grimes]

I was reading up on some of the USPS earlier in the week. The postmaster
or whatever he is called, and the union head were giving testimony to some
oversight committee. At stake was saving somewhere near 220,000 threaten
jobs. The USPS needs some supplemental funds from Congress, plus tapping
into a an overpaid retirement fund. In order to cover the more of the gap, 
one
or the other wants to close some of the rural and suburban offices, stop 
delivery on Saturday. Some combination of these will save the labor force
and its benefits package.

I got a very suspicious form letter put out on USPS letterhead, but actually
from the IBM contractor to spy on my carrier and document times of delivery
and a bunch of other things. The basic idea was to rat out my postman.

Gave me the creeps. Moishe Adler needs to do some political journalism
on what's behind all this. It was very difficult to sort out who wants what.
It sounded like the union and the postmaster are at odds, and Congress is at
odds with both of them.

Most people have no idea what the post office does in terms of the variety 
of
services they provide. There are little items like stamps, various rates for 
bulk,
first class, second class, printed matter. I order a lot of books and most 
ship
by USPS. Also you can pick up tax forms, passport applications. You can also 
pick-up various shiping and packaging materials. I love the post office. The 
main Berkeley branch, the Farm Building which houses City Hall, the High 
School and main branch of the library were all built by the WPA.Also
the last year I paid taxes, I was late and the main branch had tables 
outside, stamping the returns until about 10:00pm.

I just got disgusted with the entire country and forgot about it.

CG