Post Office Workers Claim Abuse on Job

Union Files Grievances for 19th Avenue and Ortega Street Site

By Lydia O'Connor

Postal workers led an informational picket line in response to management issues.

Postal workers from the Pacific Carrier Annex picketed at 1199 Ortega St. on June 20, from 4 to 7 p.m., in hopes of bringing to light what they consider unjust treatment on the part of managers and supervisors at the station.

"We're protesting what we regard as abusive behavior from supervisors and managers," National Association of Letter Carriers Bill Thornton said.

Picketers cited several examples of alleged abuse they endured or witnessed.

"We have a carrier here who's older," union representative Audrey Davis explained. "She went to the water fountain to take her medicine and was chastised and told she could only go to the water fountain during her break, which is only 10 minutes every four hours."

Other examples of abuse and harassment cited by picketers include employees allegedly losing their jobs after taking leaves of absence for health or family reasons, letters of warning being distributed to employees who encourage others to file grievances if harassed, requests to cancel doctor appointments during work days, and a general sense of disrespect in the workplace.

"Our contract says we are to be treated with respect and dignity, but we have just become numbers to them," shop steward Steve McCaffree said.

Aside from the underlying harassment issue, many employees feel their grievances are falling on deaf ears.

"The station manager just doesn't want to hear them," McCaffree said. "The grievance process is supposed to solve problems, but management flat out ignores our requests for information about the grievances and doesn't let the union defend us."

McCaffree blames the problem on management's desire to make more money and earn bonuses. He said the managers create a hostile working environment by rushing workers, requiring them to prove their illnesses, and distributing warnings when they call in sick.

Thornton said the ultimate goal of the picket line was to "get rid of a couple of supervisors" or modify their behavior.