Local Postal Hero Loses Job

21 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

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  Howard_Martinson on February 10 at 9:06 a.m.

  Yes, of course the Post Office should show a little common sense and compassion here.

  These past two winters have been tough on all of us.

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  wheels on February 10 at 9:14 a.m.

  Another typical gov’t ‘SNAFU’.

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  hjlimbaugh on February 10 at 9:25 a.m.

  Somethings we don’t know …. was the driver going to fast? Maybe the mailbox was set in concrete on a steel post and therefore not damaged. The window was “shattered” … Maybe …. just maybe …. driving on icy roads is not in the best interest of this particular driver or the Post Office. I’m not a particular fan of the P.O, but sometimes, “rules is rules”

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  Stickman on February 10 at 10:30 a.m.

  Lately I have just been reading and have been content with that. Every once in awhile I feel the urge to write something but don’t. Maybe I am too sensitive for many subjects and the banter back and forth that ensues. In this case, I am outraged and sickened in a sense as I know this young man and feel something must be done. Whether the results change anything is to be determined, but I am sure going to say my piece, especially to the Postmaster of Coeur d’ Alene and the Postmaster General of the U.S. I feel the need to speak out on his behalf. He is the nicest young man you would ever want to meet, reminds me of my son in a way. He has been by with his wife and both have gotten sticks and I like him very much. He works very hard as a temp and as the Press story states, is a hero for his actions one day. He is losing his job because his vehicle skidded on some ice and hit a mailbox and broke a window in his vehicle. Cut and dry, that’s the rule of the Post Office. It stinks. In these days when many are losing their jobs, this should never happen to this young man. If you have ever met him you would understand. I hope some of you write to the Press or to the Postmaster if you have any feelings in this case, I sure will. Thanks for listening.

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  Sisyphus on February 10 at 10:40 a.m.

  The Stickman speaketh. Nothing could be more powerful.

  I agree my friend. I’ve never been a big fan of establishing policies since the intended purpose in providing guidance in all circumstances fails often. Kinda like mandatory minimum sentences, a situation is sure to arise where the consequence for violating the policy may be to extreme given the circumstances. Things should be judged on a case by case basis with a heavy dose of common sense.

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  thawtfulreader on February 10 at 11:06 a.m.

  The key to management/employee success in any enterprise is to balance the obligation to be fair and provide equal treatment to all employees, with the obligation to recognize that people are indeed different, and respond positively to differing kinds of motivational encouragement, i.e. rewards and punishments, among other things.

  In the case at hand, the “letter of the law”, USPS policy has apparently trumped common sense and rational response to this individual’s specific circumstances, and would I argue the decision that was made is detrimental to both USPS’s interests, and the employee’s.

  Lose-lose.

  Dumb.

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  Digger on February 10 at 1:09 p.m.

  Since when has the USPS been smart about anything? Seriously - the postal service has to be the worst run operation on the face of the earth.

  Perhaps its time we changed the management at the USPS to see if something else can be done to provide more efficent service (1 teller at 12PM at the Pullman Post Office? Seriously? With a line out the door?)

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  Charlie on February 10 at 1:58 p.m.

  Common sense and government policy. These terms seem to be an oxymoron. This young man should be promoted.

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  bondgirl on February 10 at 4:02 p.m.

  I feel sorry for this guy- he was a hero and then things were taken away- I also agree with Digger- maybe we need to look into finding new managment due to the fact even Post Falls at times has only one person at the counter and a long line of people waiting- what is next no one at the counters???

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  BusyBody on February 10 at 6:28 p.m.

  The USPS is losing billions of dollars a year and will raise a first class stamp to .44 in May. Maybe they should work at being more efficient and people would use the regular mail more. In Post Falls there are counters for up to five clerks to wait on customers and even in the busiest of the holiday season rarely were there more than 2 or 3 working at peak times like first opening in the morning, lunch hour and at the end of the day. This quasi governmental agency needs to be privatized.

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  TruthTalk on February 13 at 6:13 p.m.

  Here are some facts:
  Postal employees are subject to discipline and/or dismissal for ANY accident. Almost all accidents are deemed preventable. The after-the-fact investigation nearly always comes to this conclusion. If a dog gets loose and bites a carrier, it is deemed his fault and discipline follows. The same is true with slips, trips, and falls! Vehicle accidents are a slam-dunk! Virtually always blamed on the Postal employee, even when the other driver is at fault. “You could have used evasive maneuvers.” “You should have anticipated the other drivers actions.” etc. etc. Isaac was a great employee who was dedicated to service and professionalism. This did not protect him from this “gotcha” system.
  The management reps claimed that his position was no longer needed, but they plan to hire two more TE’s in the CDA office, with one to begin next week. They offered him a new job, solely because of the publicity that this case has garnered. Never mind, that it is a serious demotion.

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