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IBD Editorials ^ | November 12, 2008

Posted on 11/12/2008 5:47:19 PM PST by Kaslin

Competition: For the first time in its history, the U.S. Postal Service is considering layoffs. Imagine that — a unionized work force passing into obsolescence.


After 233 years of managing a government-protected monopoly, reality has struck the post office. The Federal Times is reporting that "Postmaster General John Potter told union leaders that as many as 16,000 employees" could be laid off.

A Postal Service spokesperson said layoffs are not imminent. But that's only because the union contract makes layoffs difficult. An absence of urgency should not be taken as a sign of health.

"We lost $2 billion and, like any other business, we have to stay afloat," said Lavelle Pepper, a post office representative from Shreveport, La., putting the problems of the USPS, which has recorded even worse losses in the past, in clear perspective.

The Postal Service employs 685,000 workers who are handling a diminishing volume of mail as domestic industry leaders such as FedEx and United Parcel Service provide better services and do it with less. While the USPS squanders 80% of its revenue on payroll, UPS spends roughly 55% of its income and FedEx about 40% on wages and salaries.

(Excerpt) Read more at ibdeditorials.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial
KEYWORDS: maildelivery; postal; postoffice; usps
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1 posted on 11/12/2008 5:47:20 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

My wife, who works for the Post Office, claims they could save billions if they canned all the managers.


2 posted on 11/12/2008 5:51:44 PM PST by realcleanguy
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To: Kaslin
The Postal Service employs 685,000 workers who are handling a diminishing volume of maii

Fire them all. Like what is happening to the private sector..Fire them all.

3 posted on 11/12/2008 5:51:48 PM PST by dragnet2
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To: Kaslin

Next in line for a bailout.


4 posted on 11/12/2008 5:51:54 PM PST by frogjerk (Welcome|Goodbye to|from Free|Fairness Doctrine Republic!)
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To: Kaslin

The PO deserves it. Lousy service, terrible delivery schedules and attitudes that really suck...

Fire them all!!


5 posted on 11/12/2008 5:54:54 PM PST by dragnet2
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To: Kaslin

Personally I’ve never had a big problem with the postal service. It’s still one of the best and cheapest in the world. FEDEX and UPS have made the postal system better by relieving much of the pressure.


6 posted on 11/12/2008 5:55:37 PM PST by cripplecreek (The poor bastards have us surrounded.)
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To: Kaslin

So the Dims are going to save the auto workers and turn their backs on the postal workers... That’s rich


7 posted on 11/12/2008 5:55:37 PM PST by tubebender (Retirement...The art and science of Killing time before it Kills you...)
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To: realcleanguy

She’s right. The guys and gals who walk the route are the most hardworking people in the country.

The bosses who sit on their butts are the real dead weight.


8 posted on 11/12/2008 5:55:57 PM PST by Palladin (Obama on Ayers: "He's just a guy in my neighborhood." LIAR!!!)
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To: Kaslin

If the USPS were to go to alternate-day delivery instead of every-day delivery, it would almost cut by half the number of vehicles required and fuel consumed. A hiring freeze for sure. And NEVER another postage stamp hike.


9 posted on 11/12/2008 5:55:57 PM PST by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: realcleanguy

That would be racist.


10 posted on 11/12/2008 5:56:29 PM PST by P3_Acoustic
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To: Kaslin

Oh, and this can only help with the endless shit mail that none of us want.

Fire them all!


11 posted on 11/12/2008 5:57:23 PM PST by dragnet2
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To: Kaslin
Pension obligations are higher for the post office than UPS or fedex. What the postal gods don't include in their mea culpa is that their mission is to be the least common denominator - not a free-market enterprise.

If they reject junk mail - who will take it? The post office has been put into a bad position - mandatory congressional oversight, a mandatory mission to be the least common denominator and no funding from congress. Since fedex and ups are self-sustaining, the postal gods are determined to compete and win that game.

Unionization of postal carriers serves to discourage a non-union workforce - the first to be laid off will be non-union employees since they are the low hanging fruit....

This is another dinosaur death watch.

12 posted on 11/12/2008 5:58:17 PM PST by x_plus_one (Muhammed and Allah = 2 memes destined for the ashheap of history.....)
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To: x_plus_one

Fire them all!


13 posted on 11/12/2008 5:59:11 PM PST by dragnet2
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To: dragnet2

Not all managers need to be eliminated. Someone needs to coordinate mail schedules, mail count and run the shop.


14 posted on 11/12/2008 6:00:42 PM PST by x_plus_one (Muhammed and Allah = 2 memes destined for the ashheap of history.....)
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To: realcleanguy

They can probably do that through attrition. Also, I can suggest some post office closures. Starting with one near my house.


15 posted on 11/12/2008 6:04:20 PM PST by nufsed
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To: Kaslin

Fire them All!


16 posted on 11/12/2008 6:04:29 PM PST by hoosierreactionary
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To: Kaslin
In all honesty, I have few complaints about the USPS. While they do have quite a bit of overhead that can be trimmed, I really think the service itself is pretty good.

Anyone else reminded of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer tried to cancel his mail delivery?

17 posted on 11/12/2008 6:06:02 PM PST by pnh102 (Save America - Ban Ethanol Now!)
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To: x_plus_one

Gut the PO....Just like they have done to the private sector.

Fire them all. lousy service....Fire them all!


18 posted on 11/12/2008 6:06:03 PM PST by dragnet2
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To: Kaslin

So the unions are going to do what storm and rain and gloom of night could not do ...


19 posted on 11/12/2008 6:06:28 PM PST by IronJack (=)
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To: Kaslin
Email, electronic book delivery (like the Amazon Kindle), electronic video delivery (Netflix, Amazon, etc.) all serve to lower the amount of email needed. Also you can by using a web browser pay many typical businesses like your phone bill, cell phone bill, gas bill, electric bill.

Oh yeah, putting the price up and up on the first class mail stamp, maybe wasn't a good idea either.

20 posted on 11/12/2008 6:07:36 PM PST by ikka (Brother, you asked for it!)
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