LETTERS
07/05/00 16:10:46 GMT
Name: Jeff Thomas UK Plymouth
Comments:
What a cool web site! Very funny content. Glad to see homer here too our site features
homer etc Anti Hero Come and visit us at www.cwuplymouth.eurobell.co.uk/ 2,500 Postal &
Telecom Trade Union members part of the CWU ( Communication Workers Union ) UK.
Submit a story of US Postal life in "Strange but true" and don;t forget to sign the guestbook.
Jeff Thomas
THIS WAS CUTE
BEEN THERE SENCE 1983 KNOW WHERE YOUR COMING FROM!!!!!!!!
GOOD JOB !!!!!!!!
Shag597@aol.com
Hi -
I'm writing a story feature on web pages for disgruntled workers for an
Australian magazine. If you have a minute a few quotes would really help
(and I'll mention the URL).
- What do you think people get out of the site?
- Why did you start the site?
- Do you think that in someway people are turning to the web because of the
decline of institutions like unions, employee associations where they could
share experiences, let off steam etc?
- A few of these sites seem to get a kick out of the fact that people are
viewing the sites on company time, how important is the syncronisity between
bored workers and the internet??
It's really help if you could find time to send me a few answers.
Thanks
David Browne
Dear David,
Here is my initial response to your questions. Please feel free to contact me
if any others come to mind. I appreciate the opportunity and, if possible, I would like to
have a copy of the article when it appears in print.
Sincerely,
"JAWS"
What do you think people get out of the site?
A humorous insight into the everyday complaints and frustrations associated
with being a US government worker. It helps to inform the worldwide readership
on the web why we seem so disgruntled. Why, although gainfully employed,
we complain and whine, ad infinitum. Maybe even why we shoot each other
on occasion.
Why did you start the site?
The title of my Website is Disgruntled Postal Worker but my URL B4UgoPostal
is even more appropriate than the Disgruntled Postal Worker.
I created my website as an channel to express the frustrations and creative
energies of fellow employees who felt a strong desire to do so.
There is no true, official outlet for uncensored expression in the Postal Service.
Company newsletters are little more than "infomercials" espousing the glories of
Government employment. Union papers allow more freedom but rarely allow anything
that is critical of unions or their leadership.
We exist in a workplace that assigns little or no value to the creative efforts of it's
employees. Obviously then those employees must look elsewhere for that opportunity.
If that opportunity doesn't exist it must be created.
End result?
Disgruntled websites!
Do you think that in someway people are turning to the web because of the decline
of institutions like unions, employee associations where they could share experiences,
let off steam etc?
Without question.
Obviously I can't speak for every national or every local chapter of every union but my
experience has been that power at any level, by necessity, guards itself jealously. Contrary
viewpoints are often dismissed or belittled. Those who openly voice opposition to the status
quo are labeled "trouble makers" and that title remains until those "trouble makers" assume
power themselves.
The beauty of the World Wide Web is it's relative anonymity. You can speak your mind and
still have lunch with the boss or steward who's viewpoint you just "trashed" on your website
the day before.
It gives you real freedom to agree to disagree on important issues.
You cannot assign too great a value on that kind of opportunity.
A few of these sites seem to get a kick out of the fact that people are viewing the sites on
company time, how important is the syncronisity between bored workers and the internet??
Interestingly the only folks that have admitted that to me are some of my friends in
management! However I feel that a workplace which does not challenge it's employees,
whether labor or management, must expect that those employees will seek whatever
it takes to make their valuable time on this planet interesting.
While publicly encouraging it, in reality, the US Postal Service allows for such little freedom
of thought and so strongly discourages initiative that I can't help but believe that websites
like mine must offer a refreshing change of perspective.
I know for a fact that a large number of supervisors agree with much of what is written in our
columns. And although I am unable to name names, the USPS shouldn't be surprised to
discover that some of our most scathing articles could have been written or suggested
by management!
Dear Editor,
Congrats on a great issue of The Disg.PW.
As regards MDO’s, I had a recent conversation with Bernardo, my coworker
who is an apologist for our MDO’s. He also thought they were doing an
okay job. He based that on the fact that at the end of our nightly tour
the mail (or most of it) was gone. My response was to ask exactly what the
MDO’s (or their subordinates) did to cause the mail to leave.
Bernardo did not know.
As regards MDO’s, I had a recent conversation with Bernardo, my coworker who
is an apologist for our MDO’s. He also thought they were doing an okay job.
He based that on the fact that at the end of our nightly tour the mail
(or most of it) was gone. My response was to ask exactly what the MDO’s
(or their subordinates) did to cause the mail to leave.
Bernardo did not know.
My own observation is that MDO’s and their minions practice “stare management”.
On normal nights or when certain attractive women are in the work area, only one
MDO will stand and stare. However when mail volume increases or delays are encountered
more supervisors are called up to stare at the work area. On one bad night two MDO’s
four Supervisors and two Acting Supervisors were required to stare arms crossed at
the strapping area and later four Supervisors had to stare down First Class Break – Up.
Without this staring I doubt that the mail would have gotten out that night.
When new operations or systems are put into place even outside management is brought in
to stare. Every pair of eyes helps!
When Charley stares every other Supervisor stares except for the “Explainer”.
This Supervisor explains why the blame is on the “Other Tour”
Bernardo asked me what I expected of an MDO. Hmmmm. Well I expected an MDO to
coordinate the efforts and energy of all his Supervisors. I expect an MDO to keep
their Supervisors informed and in concert with others. I expect them to foster
communication and examine how each area can work with other areas on the Tour by
listening to his Supervisors.
I expect an MDO to ensure that Supervisors have all the equipment and expertise and
manpower to accomplish their job.
Mostly I expect MDOs to work with and through their Supervisors and stay away
from employees, at least on the clock.
Zorro
Yo Dude,
You expect way too much. Like maybe they might actually communicate
verbal like? Yea, maybe they could even coordinate the tray take away
system. Yea and Clinton will say to a naked playboy bunny but my wife
would never understand, so no thanks.
Sure. It's fun When they load the system those who unload the three areas
take a break in the order in which their line would load the system so that
what should take an hour takes three.
This makes perfect sense to me, huh?
Oh well I'll figure out management when I figure out women their logic is simpler.
Now they say I have to go back to my room and take my thorizine.
See ya at the letter aisle
Ackmed
Dear Digruntled Postal Worker,
Good going!
It looks like we have us a bona fide newsletter here at the sjp&dc!
Keep your eyes peeled for another possible submission.
About your EMail address...are there Disgruntled Postal Workers
1 through 7 also?
Regards,
Swampboodle
Dear "Swampboodle",
I'm not concerned so much about whether there are seven more "Disgruntled
Postal Workers, I have to assume there are,
I just want to know if theyr'e armed!
Sincerely
JAWS
Email: disgruntled8@juno.com
