Do you remember the days of postal cronyism? A time when postmasters and managers filled post offices with those who were connected . Getting a job wasn’t about your abilities, but about “who you knew.”

You don’t remember those times? Well, neither do I.  That’s because a long time ago, our union fought to abolish those unfair and unjust conditions. And they won! Because of our union, in their place a system of fair and equal procedures were established.  A system where seniority and qualifications was the new way to advance and operate in the Postal Service. Favoritism was gone and equality took its place.

But now, Postal Cronyism is back. And this time it is our Union’s fault.

In 2014, the APWU and the USPS signed a MOU regarding the filling of residual vacancies. Because of this new addition to our contract, offices are required to fill 5 out of every 6 career vacancies with PSEs, regardless of any career employees who want the position. That means that even if the 1 in 6 ratio has not been met and no PSE exists in the facility, a PSE must be hired and converted to a full time regular. This must continue time and time again, year in and year out, until the ratio is met. PSEs now have a fast track to Full Time Regular status. And because postmasters hire the PSEs, The Good Old Days Are Back.

Once again, friends, lovers and lovers’ friends are lining up for their new postal careers.

I’m sure this was not the Union’s intention but this is the environment it has created. This can not be allowed to continue. We can change it back to a level and fair playing field for all the hard working career employees who have put in years and decades of dedication to the PO and the APWU. They have paid their dues and deserve the fair shake the union originally fought for. Contact your union representatives – local, state, and national. Ask them to help us!

First Name: Dean
Last Name: Massey
Email: maloneymassey@gmail.com
Union/Local : APWU/Port Angeles WA