Are the USPS and Canada Post getting worse?

[progmatist]

It's extremely typical GOP:

Take a government sector that works reasonably well, sabotage it and say 'the free market will do it better' and then privatize it and get campaign contributions from that sector of big business that got to take it over.

With the added bonus of not having to pay generous public empoyee salaries, and generous public employee benefits.

[JKL2000]

You Know Who has taken all de joy out of shopping by mail.

[ronmac]

The 4 open Board of Governors seats will have to wait for all the other Senate confirmations, like Biden's cabinet picks.

There are actually three. Some of the reporting has stated four, which is incorrect. Biden actually nominated the three today.

[JKL2000]

There are actually three. Some of the reporting has stated four, which is incorrect. Biden actually nominated the three today.

MUSPSGA! (Make the USPS Great Again)

[Gruno]

Most of these postal issues reported here on PE seem to be in the eastern part of the U.S. Weather related? I rarely have issues with USPS on the other side of the U.S.

[progmatist]

^^ Same here. I ordered an item from eBay a week ago today. I received it Monday.

[moecurlythanu]

^ At a certain point, I think they decided to move the "new" mail and let the old mail sit. Then get to the old when they can.

[Steve F.]

^ At a certain point, I think they decided to move the "new" mail and let the old mail sit. Then get to the old when they can.

That's actually what I think as well. The new stuff isn't as delayed and they are dealing with the backlog problem as they can.

[JKL2000]

^ That’s what I guessed too.

[ronmac]

With the added bonus of not having to pay generous public empoyee salaries, and generous public employee benefits.

Except for the fact that Federal employees earn about 25% less than private sector employees.

[JKL2000]

Except for the fact that Federal employees earn about 25% less than private sector employees.

Do you think a Fresh Direct or Domino's delivery person gets paid more than a USPS mail carrier? Maybe, maybe not.

[ronmac]

Do you think a Fresh Direct or Domino's delivery person gets paid more than a USPS mail carrier? Maybe, maybe not.

Do you think apples taste like oranges?

[ronmac]

BTW, the average US mail carrier salary is $17.44 per hour.

[rdclark]

Many sources cite a higher hourly average. But in any case, these jobs come with benefits: Health insurance, paid leave, a retirement plan, etc. There is absolutely no comparing these excellent jobs with what gig workers like pizza delivery people make.

[Zeuhlmate]

I have no idea whats happening in the 'postage-business'.
I have ordered 2 CD's in Germany (I live next door in Denmark), but I should expect them to arrive 20 days after I ordered.

What my CD's are doing in the 17-18 days, they are not 'travelling' is a mystery.

[Plasmatopia]

Most of these postal issues reported here on PE seem to be in the eastern part of the U.S. Weather related? I rarely have issues with USPS on the other side of the U.S.

In the case of my missing CD from September 23rd, "weather related" would have to translate to something like "waiting for winter to end".

[JKL2000]

Do you think apples taste like oranges?

What kind of private sector jobs were you comparing USPS jobs to? And which USPS jobs? It's true there are a great variety of USPS jobs, so I was really only thinking of private sector jobs that might be comparable to USPS mail carrier jobs, but we could compare clerical jobs, etc. Give me an example of what you had in mind. I guess the people who drive around in Amazon trucks and make deliveries for Amazon should be compared to USPS mail carrier jobs (or UPS drivers) - I have no idea of what the Amazon or UPS drivers make though.

[Gruno]

In the case of my missing CD from September 23rd, "weather related" would have to translate to something like "waiting for winter to end".

Here is a package I am expecting any moment. This is usually how it is for me with packages coming from the east coast of the U.S.

Feb 23, 2021
3:38pm
USPS IN POSSESSION OF ITEM
NEW BALTIMORE, NY 12124

Feb 24, 2021
12:26am
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY
ALBANY, NY 12288

Feb 24, 2021
2:45am
PRE-SHIPMENT INFO SENT USPS AWAITS ITEM
HANNACROIX, NY 12087

Feb 25, 2021
6:23pm
PROCESSED THROUGH USPS FACILITY AZ

Feb 26, 2021
4:05am
ARRIVE USPS FACILITY AZ

Feb 26, 2021
6:48am
ARRIVAL AT UNIT AZ

Feb 26, 2021
6:59am
OUT FOR DELIVERY

[Plasmatopia]

Here is a package I am expecting any moment. This is usually how it is for me with packages coming from the east coast of the U.S.

That's normally what I would expect and I can't say I've had chronic issues recently. And it's rare that I'm in a hurry unless I specifically paid extra for faster shipping.

[progmatist]

Except for the fact that Federal employees earn about 25% less than private sector employees.

Professionals like lawyers, accountants, doctors...most definitely. Hourly workers like a letter carrier, not even. Then factor in the health and retirement benefits, which disappeared from most other jobs decades ago.

[ronmac]

Many sources cite a higher hourly average. But in any case, these jobs come with benefits: Health insurance, paid leave, a retirement plan, etc. There is absolutely no comparing these excellent jobs with what gig workers like pizza delivery people make.

I wasn't the one who compared them to pizza delivery guys. That was out Highly Evolved Orangutan friend who somehow made the leap to that.

To be clear, the comment I made was about salaries of comparable jobs. And the data shows that those in the public sector make about 25% less per hour compared to the private sector. That is indisputable.

[JKL2000]

I wasn't the one who compared them to pizza delivery guys. That was out Highly Evolved Orangutan friend who somehow made the leap to that.

To be clear, the comment I made was about salaries of comparable jobs. And the data shows that those in the public sector make about 25% less per hour compared to the private sector. That is indisputable.

I was responding to your statement (AND I QUOTE!): "Federal employees earn about 25% less than private sector employees."

You used the word "earn," Mr. McDonald, which ipso facto implies salary, not benefits. And I've already made it clear that I, too, was referring to comparable jobs. I rest my case.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Professionals like lawyers, accountants, doctors...most definitely. Hourly workers like a letter carrier, not even. Then factor in the health and retirement benefits, which disappeared from most other jobs decades ago.

of course, whatever ire people have towards government jobs having good benefits, shouldn't be directed at the government jobs, but the other industries that have been shitting on those things for decades.

[rdclark]

You used the word "earn," Mr. McDonald, which ipso facto implies salary, not benefits. And I've already made it clear that I, too, was referring to comparable jobs. I rest my case.

Without intending to arbitrate anything, I disagree with the assertion that benefits are not "earnings." Health insurance is worth money. Paid leave is worth money on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Life insurance is worth money. Disability insurance can save your life. Pension plans are worth money, as I know because it's why I'm living comfortably instead of hanging by a thread right now.

I've seen estimates that typical benefits with government jobs are worth 20-30% of the base salary.

[Vic2012]

Not sure if it's pandemic related but in the last few months some of my bills haven't been arriving on time. So, now I'm paying some of my utility bills electronically using an "app" which I prefer not using. I still write checks and use the postal service as much as possible. But I've thrown in the towel on the unreliable USPS. Otoh, the utilities are constantly hounding us about automatic pay/withdrawal to pay the bills. I resist autopay, I'll use the app when I'm ready to pay.