"I Don’t Have
TimE"
I DON’T HAVE TIME! That statement must be one
of the most pathetic excuses I hear Letter Carriers use to explain why they do not perform all their duties
or conduct themselves in a safe manner.
I DON’T HAVE TIME! Time to check my vehicle
thoroughly or to write up a repair tag; time to update my pink cards or add new changes or write up 3 ways
or MLNA’s; time to return accountable mail to the clearance cage when I receive street assistance; time to
request and fill out 3996’s when I request and/or receive street assistance or overtime; time to fill out my
1571’s when I am instructed to curtail “ANY” mail for that day; time to check for special orders; time to
honor those requests.
I DON”T HAVE TIME! To attempt delivery on a
parcel; time to leave notice when a person is not home to receive a parcel or accountable item (takes less
time to leave the article unprotected, unsigned, or to bring it back and try tomorrow); time to look for
another hamper or to make two trips to load the vehicle (takes less time to overload a hamper and push it
down the ramp).
I DON”T HAVE TIME! Time to finger my mail
before delivering to catch any mistakes (takes less time to pick up my error tomorrow); time to use the
sidewalk or an obvious shortcut (takes less
time to go through bushes, over fences, jump off porches, walk through flower beds and
gardens).
I DON”T HAVE TIME! Time to hang up my coat
(takes less time to throw it on the floor and create a hazard for others); time to close the vehicle door or
fasten my seatbelt; time to shut off the vehicle or use the parking brake upon dismount deliveries; time to
report hazardous conditions on the route; time to report and write up a dog problem; time to pick up a
customer’s mail or time to walk a half a block to deliver one letter.
I DON”T HAVE TIME! To read the M-41, the
National Agreement, the LMOU, the POSTAL RECORD, to read the bulletin board, or to check out the union
website whether it be the NALC (www.nalc.org) or the local website (www.nalc212.com); time to request a steward when my rights have been
violated; time to ask a supervisor to explain an order or anything else I don’t understand; time to ATTEND
the union meetings or Branch 212 functions; time to attend any safety training; time to donate to COLCPE;
TIME TO BE A PROFESSIONAL LETTER CARRIER!!!
WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE THE TIME?? When you are sitting at home
fighting a suspension, or a removal for failure to perform your duties as a Letter Carrier, or to conducting
yourself in a SAFE MANNER!!
There is more to being a
professional Letter Carrier than casing mail and delivering mail as FAST as you can. The M-41 lists
office/street duties and responsibilities that you are going to be held accountable for. The National
agreement, LMOU and other policies/manuals give you your rights at work and limits management in what they
can do. When are you going to take time to know and understand your responsibilities and rights?
When are you going to become a
Professional Letter Carrier?
But those of you who
need the help the most will never know it or seek it, why?
BECAUSE YOU JUST DON’T HAVE THE
TIME!!!!!
