Washington Postal Scene by Bill McAllister
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, reinforcing his statement about the high overtime costs of the United States Postal Service, has stated that “changes must be made” in the agency’s operations.
In a statement issued on July 27, the new post general manager appeared to follow up on his previous directive to cut the agency’s overtime costs.
“The only way the Postal Service can continue to provide fast, reliable and affordable universal postal services for all Americans in the long term is by vigorously focusing on the efficiency of our operations,” it said in the statement.
DeJoy said the USPS “has experienced more than a decade of financial loss, with no end in sight, and we are facing an impending liquidity crisis.”
“To get started, we must better comply with our existing operational plans,” he said, noting a recent report from the agency’s inspector general saying that USPS spent $ 1.1 billion on mail processing overtime and another $ 2.9 billion on overtime delivery.
However, even with those added costs, DeJoy said the agency has not seen a “material improvement” in its mail delivery scores.
“Given our current situation, it is critical that the Postal Service review our operations and make any necessary adjustments,” he said.
His statement does not detail what those changes might be, but said the first steps would be a “refocusing on all elements under our control.”
Other changes that are not under the agency’s control will be proposed, he added.
DeJoy made his first moves in overtime in comments that were delivered to postal workers on July 10 by supervisors.
According to documents leaked to the media, the key steps are to reduce overtime and order workers to keep mail moving on scheduled departures.
“If he [mail-processing] the plants are late, they will keep the mail for the next day, “said a leaked document titled” New Expectations and PMG Plans. “
“Carriers must start on time, go outside on time and return on time,” according to the documents.
“We can see the mail that is left on the floor of the workroom or the docks,” DeJoy’s message said. That has sparked concerns from some senders that the delayed mail could be the result of the DeJoy order.
Michael Plunkett, president of the Postal Trade Association, expressed delight “because the USPS finally released a public statement from the PMG,” adding that he was behind schedule. “
Plunkett said it was unfortunate that DeJoy repeated the “USPS weary talking point” that its products face competition, and complained that the agency “has done nothing to support commercial commercials that have been severely affected by the pandemic. “
Stephen Kearney, executive director of the nonprofit Alliance of Post Brokers, said he was pleased to hear that the USPS would be looking for some cost-cutting ideas that had previously been proposed to the Postal Regulatory Commission and the Service’s inspector general Postcard.
Kearney also said: “Our members believe they adhere to the operational plans, following the advice of the OIG. [Office of Inspector General]Reducing more than $ 5 billion in overtime and eliminating excessive transportation make common sense. This is the kind of thing everyone has to do. “
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