PostalReporter.com
USPS to Implement Pilot Program to 'Outsource' Injured On Duty Employees
The Postal Service has informed the National Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) of its intentions to implement an Outplacement Pilot Program in conjunction with the Department of Labor , Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The program is intended to develop work opportunities outside USPS for employees who have sustained job-related illness or injury (IOD). The program will be initiated in the Long Island (NY) District and later will include the other districts in the New York Metro Area and eventually nationwide.
It look like they have finally devised a plan to force injured employee's to take a medical retirement.
1. They say that due to declining mail volume they no longer have 40 hours a week, work for you.
2. They send you home, tell you to file with OWCP to get paid.
3. OWCP finds you a menial job and pays you the difference in your postal job and the new one.
4. USPS removes you from their roles when you find the job.
5. You then LOSE ALL BENEFITS....INCLUDING HEALTH INSURANCE....
6. You NEED HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR FAMILY...so you apply for an OPM disability retirement...take a MASSIVE PAY CUT....and OWCP GETS YOU OFF OF THEIR ROLES.
Sadly this is going to effect those that deserve the program. Too many have USED the program. Possibly we shall see some miracle medical recoverys too??? This was stated and is incorrect. The USPS is self-insured and the pay difference will be paid by the USPS NOT the taxpayer. Nice try but the fight deserves FACTS in order to remain credible.
This is long over due.
So I got injured on the job that was not my fault and I get the shaft from the postal service. This is not right!
and so it has begun.....
i told ya's!!!!!
burn your sick leave!!!!
I TOLD YA, I TOLD YA, I TOLD YA.
and this is just the tip of the iceburg.
shades of patco ????
OKay I get it! The overall scheme of the pilot program is to stop employees from getting hurt on the job. We all know its our fault in the first place. Now if something falls on your head and knocks you unconscious by the time you get back on your feet, out the door you go working at wal-mart or maybe one of the mailer groups .
Only in America.
Bring on the Early Out ,I missed the first one.
Too many lazy asses claim they were hurt on the job this will help to put their lazy asses back to work, if you call what they do work. Maybe they can 204b and really be lazy.
ChadGuy;
Why didn't you go into the field of medicine so that you could then give your "qualified" opinion or diagnosis. As it stands, you are only being judgemental about something you only percieve, but have no real knowledge about. Stick to your blue collar status, cuz you are no different than the rest of us, and I am sure you would not be able to diagnose the problem if you yourself were injured. Oh, shoot, forgive me, if you wre injured, you would probably work right up until your affected area fell off, eh? Wow, everybody look out for falling heads!!
Sounds like the Chad dude is a tad jealous, envious or any other descriptive adjective that one can think to apply.
Here is a question....for anyone....
If OWCP finds you a job in the private sector and the post office then removes you from their rolls...and BENEFITS (health insurance)....
If you were to apply for an OPM disability retirement within one year of your separation date.....and you were approved...
...would your health insurance be re-instated?
...what about the possible BREAK in coverage?
just been informed that since I was re employed as a "modified" mailhandler following my recovery from surgery for a cumulative trauma disorder am under consideration to be placed in this prograam even though I have been working as a regular mailhandler at regular duties because mangement refused to acomadate restricitons..
so the reaming continues....
Here's wrench I'm planning on throwing in their screwball wheel! I'm a "disabled-vet" as well; I have connections with the main headquarters in Washington, DC. Needless to say, I'm on the warpath and the little nitwit "chad that's still hanging"; well, hate to say it BUD, but, your butt will be the first to go - not me! Maybe you ought to get off your lazy little kahuna and do some work; and the rest of us won't be having to be pulling your dead weight?! I was having to do the work of two people when I was injured and what's bad about it - I recognized the ergonomic hazard of the job and supervision/management FAILED to do anything about it! So, CHOKE ON IT! Your a "spineless little wimp"! Tell you what, I'll glady give you the pins I have in my shoulder for a good one, hows' that.
Here's wrench I'm planning on throwing in their screwball wheel! I'm a "disabled-vet" as well; I have connections with the main headquarters in Washington, DC. Needless to say, I'm on the warpath and the little nitwit "chad that's still hanging"; well, hate to say it BUD, but, your butt will be the first to go - not me! Maybe you ought to get off your lazy little kahuna and do some work; and the rest of us won't be having to be pulling your dead weight?! I was having to do the work of two people when I was injured and what's bad about it - I recognized the ergonomic hazard of the job and supervision/management FAILED to do anything about it! So, CHOKE ON IT! Your a "spineless little wimp"! Tell you what, I'll glady give you the pins I have in my shoulder for a good one, hows' that.
We have an employee who's restrictions are no walking, no standing, no lifting and must sit in a special chair paid for by the PO. Everyday after work she goes to the gym to lift weights and attend a kick boxing class. If people like this were criminally charged the poor souls who are actually hurt would not have to suffer.
It's about time. Sadly, the people
that are really hurt will suffer.
A distribution clerk took advantage of the early out offer and retired effective Feb. 29, 2004. Now here's the kicker...
The clerk is an injured employee that opted to retire rather than return to the postal service.
However, the Dept. of Labor or OWCP sent a letter to the clerk with instructions to either submit medical documentation to OWCP supporting an inability to work or return to work at the post office immediately. If the clerk is unable to return to the post office, vocational rehabilitation training will be the next step. Now remember this is a retired clerk.
Truestory: OWCP probably does not know that she retired. She/he hasn't been gone long enough for anyone yet alone a hugh agency to know she is gone. I'm sure the letter that they sent was sent long before she retired. Needless to say she made the right choice.
I agree that those who are abusing must be made to pay since they make it hard on the real injured. However, I think it is everyone's job to report these people and if need be take pictures.
The PO needs to do something about these injured because I agree that most can get a doctor to put down exactly what they (the employee) wants. In some ways I fault the doctors that do this also. I know people who actually fill out their own and just have the doctor sign it and the doctor could care less - that is less for him to do but does not realize the impact that has on everyone.
This program needs to be more closely monitored and I think taking it away from postal management will see a big improvement in those people who are abusing the system.
If I may give everyone a wake-up call about USPS and workers' comp.
Does anyone remember anthrax-stricken postal employees currently on workers' comp? Do anyone remember articles over the previous two or three years from the employees on how USPS has treated them since their exposure to anthrax. .
The postal employees were exposed to anthrax on the job at the post office. But yet according to the news articles from various media sources, they are treated like parasites in the postal community instead of survivors/heroes of a terrorist attack.
If USP cannot treat anthrax-stricken postal employees on workers' comp who are survivors/heroes of a terrorist attack with dignity and respect, then why do the employees injured on the job in a non-anthrax attack situation expect to be treated any better.
Just a reality check.
Privatize the joint.
Karen:
None of those affected by the anthrax have returned to work , still on workmans comp, yet have managed to make the rounds on, CNN , 60 minutes , and in national magazines touting their "victory" over their expirence with anthrax.
Having to take up the slack for three injuried employees over the years, one worked out at the gym every day after the work , one bought and sold heavy farm machinery and parts and the other his own home operated business , all which involved the same physical labor they could not perform at the post office, I say BRING THE OUTSOURCE PROGRAM ON!
We have been complaining about this abuse for years, finally something is being done, but I do feel sorry for those who really are hurt on the job and for their families, it's just a shame a bunch of rotten apples again abuse the system. Good riddence and let them flip burgers.
How many class action and individual lawsuits will it take before the USPS learns that discrimination is illegal? Do they really believe that this age and disability related policy will survive a challenge in federal court? I guess they want to throw away a few hundred million more. Read about the Chandler Glover class action. The USPS will soon pay out over $100 million because they refused to promote rehabs. How much will this cost them? This crap is a scare tactic. When I get my letter I will file an EEO and call an attorney. Thanks to USPS mismanagement all rehabs that are sent home will have a new and very good reason to file a class action lawsuit. All you jerks in Wash. should be fired for being so stupid
I reported sexual harassment as a manager in 1993, just as I was trained, on a manager. This was happening to a very large amount of females being sexually harassed, when reported to me. All allegations were proven. The retaliation towards me was so bad I won two OWCP claims and 4 EEOC complaints in EEOC hearings base on reprisal of protective activity. OWCP has been sending me checks to this date, 11 plus years. {Costing (750.000.00 plus dollars)}
The Postal Service offered me a REHAB job but one of the retaliators rescinded it after my doctor and I accepted it. The heartless agency will pay again some other day in another EEOC hearing on that foul action, big mistake. After nearly 30 years service and 18 years in management I see the Postal Service as a tax payer burden. I say on 75 percent forever if that the way the Postal Service wants it to be, LOL.
Only in the U S Postal Service can it operate the wrong way most of the time.
If the managers would just find a way to get the mail out and leave the little things
go until the little things start to effect the operation, I know the working environment would have less working injuries, OWCP claims, less grievances and fewer EEO complaints. What an embarrassment the Postal Service has turned out to be as a company that so many outsiders believe it is a great job to have.
Yeah right! They flip hambergers till it gets to court. Then everybody gets their job back, back pay and thousands. If they have to pay them the difference in salary while there flipping burgers where is the savings? Twenty bucks an hour to flip burgers? And then they sue and win? We will go broke if this keeps up!
Some of you need to watch your negative remarks. I have a back injury and I am on limited duty. A coworker always teased me and called me "Easy Money" and would tell me to "get a job". A few weeks ago he was delivering his route and was attacked by a large dog. He received over 100 stitches to his face and is missing part of his right calf. He will never deliver mail again and will always walk with a limp. He is 27 years old. Should he go flip burgers?
I noticed that only twelve injured workers have been chosen for this program. That way management can test it in the courts without costing millions. Let's wait and see how far they will take it! It will blow up in their UGLY FACES!
To all bad mouthing the injured on duty the old adage applies here. 'Walk a mile in my shoes' Another to all foaming at the mouth about work related injuries. Hope you never get injured while in the employ of the USPS. To Injured on Duty and his fellow carrier friend. Good Luck and GOD Bless. From one who knows..
I believe there is very little fraud in the system. If you were injured you would understand. You are subjected to every type of examination possible. They send you to Dept. of Labor MD's and Postal doctors. You get xrays and MRI's performed. How many of you are capable of making an accurate diagnoses? Your just a bunch of whiners. I started delivering mail in 1972 and carried my route until 2001. Some day you will all be older and injured. Why don't you pick on healthy people? Some of you would probably spit on people with cancer. Do you think we are all frauds Someday you will be sick or injured. I won't make fun of you. GOD BLESS!
Let's get real. Nothing will happen to rehabs. It's the same old crap. Management by empty threats, intimidation and harassment. When rehabs start getting forced out they will claim stress. Guess who will pay for that. This latest gimmick is doomed to failure. The people in headquarters hope this policy MIGHT work IF nobody files a complaint.IF is a big 2 letter word. IF monkeys had wings they MIGHT fly outta my butt! If you have been with the postal service for years you know what I'm talking about.
Those hoping the PO survives and those that just care a little have much hope for this program to come to pass quickly. The injured do not get enough but the thieves have received 150% too much. Sadly, the managers working the system know how to work it best. I too am looking forward to the lawsuits as the system proposed has been going on in industry for decades.
once again the union lays down and the more clearer thinking folks in colorado know that they will never get any union representation .....
SO GET A LAWYER!!!!
BEEN WINNING BIG BUCKS HERE FOLKS.
WAKE THE !@#$%%$#@!@!@@##$$ UP.
HEY PAUL.....DO ME!!!!!!
I hope you all remember that we are derided as the highest paid group of semi skilled employees in the world>
I hope you realize that we have been identified as the enemy, the key stone, in the campaign to bring mailing costs in line.
I hope you realize that PMG Potter has still to present to the Executive Branch his proposed list of plant consolidations and rationalisation of facilities.
I hope you realize that the postal service is under a mandate to reduce its work force by 150,000.
So lets all get distracted from the big concept and be petulant about how our co worker is maybe getting something that we think or speculate that they are not entitled to.
The corporate world is calling for the in sourcing and out sourcing of our work and our jobs because we simply cost too much and when we are down costed they can begin reducing the labor costs of the other factions of the Mailing Industry.
Think it can't be done, look at the meat packing industry, look at the steel industry, look at the tool and die industry, look at the construction trades...
management.. never trust their smiling faces.. they are the first true scabs in the post office.....
Amen to that WOLF! Imagine being college educated in the field of Occupational Safety & Health. You are working in a job that requires repetitive lifting and you tell the idiot supervisor that the job is an ergonomic "nightmare". You ask him, "Do you want the job done safely or do you want it done fast?"; knowing full well what his response will be. Of course, he wants it done fast. So, you end up doing the job that should take 2 people to do (did I mention I had to make shuttle runs as well to the branch stations and then come back and get caught back up?!). After about a year of doing this, your driving into work and you have this pain shooting down your left arm - gut reaction is your having a "heart attack". 2 visit's to the emergency room and a stress test later, you get told you have a heart like a 16 year old. But, your arm still burns like fire....? Finally, you figure it out. Overstrectched tendons and ligaments in both arms, but, the left one was the worst. Total dislocation of the left shoulder. Required 2 operations and 11 pins and permanent limitations. Anyone wants to say I'm faking or abusing the system - they can kiss my ass.
Hmm.... the sick, lame, Lazy & phonies,are going by the wayside-It's about damn time!!!
Drift wood,is Driftwood!
Many of us have worked there many years.
While these Duds have week-ends off, don't work holidays, don't have to work Overtime, plus... have the softest jobs that the Post Can find for them.
So when a real contributing worker gets hurt,he/she is thrown in & viewed as a scammer like those who have created this view of phony injuries.
This by now means is directed to those whom legally have been hurt. The Post Office needs honest managers that can see the difference!
But there's a LOT of those whom haven't been hurt on the job,but come to the job with limitations or injuries.
But all of a sudden these injuries become a hinderance to work.
Or they whine & snivel Until the Management gives them there way, just to get them "out of their way".
Do you think any other industry in the USA would put up with this, Hell NO!
Your NO better than the panhandler on the streets, except you do yours in house!!!!!
where do you work were they give you a soft job. here limited duty jobs are the same work you had before, within restrictions, except only you are responsible for working within your restrictions, which usually results in discipline for disobeying a direct order. Where are all these so called soft jobs, where are all these so called accomodations?
In response to the comment about the workers exposed to Anthrax;could it be possible that management is parading them around to the various media outlets?
Postal Pete
If I'm not mistaken mostly all of the anthrax-stricken employees have breathing and respiratory problems which hampers their ability work in an environment full or part-time.
I am happy to see them on TV, newspapers or anywhere telling the world how USPS treats them.
I just wanted say,,,if you can get out of the postal service,,, do it.
Bravo for the Postal Service!!! No more LDC 69 carriers or mail handlers taking up space in the clerk craft.
I was given a rehab job on nights in CFS. I filed an EEO. It took 2 years to settle. I won $30,000 and was put back on days with weekends off. If they can't force me on nights how can they force me to flip burgers? GOOD LUCK POTTER!!! See ya in court. This time make it $300,000.
Au Contraire' Karen ,
They never make negative comments about the postal service, they chose
to highlight their personal courage and victory over anthrax instead, all the while collecting workman's comp!
USPS wants more $$$ to pay out in bonus is the reason why this is happening. We have able postal clerks
who are Supervisor's pet doing very
little since I started working here.
The bottom line here is folks....the company (Mafia like), taking responsibility for those who were injured while on the job. This pilot program is another way for this company we work for to reduce responsibility PERIOD.
If you are not an employee who has been injured at work and had to use the current system....you then have no business speaking or even a educated guess as to what this Company has done in the past and continues to do with regard to injured workers. Suffice to say; I hope that you "nay sayers" never have to go through what a TRULY INJURED WORKER must go through
Cont;
Thank your lucky stars you don't have to tell "little Billy" that he should eat the mashed potatoes on his plate and shut up about it since it's all you have to feed him. Or that if perhaps you need a new vehicle, yet, you filed Bankrupcy 3 short years ago, or your name is in the paper under "FORCLOSURE" of your home.
You folks who don't believe that there is such a thing as a injured worker are lucky...and again, unqualified to speak on behalf of the injured.
If you think that all injured workers are "faking it"....ask them about their Bankrupcy, impending Divorce, recent application for AFDC through the state.
Not ALL INJURED WORKERS (on the job) are "faking it" and you should be thankful it's not you in this system of criminal activity (OWCP and the Post Office). Sad is the day you must hire an Attorney to fight for what you were promised (as a insurance) if injured at work. What kindof company renigs on this.....THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.
A taxpaying, voting citizen who has worked since the age of 13 had a "accident" not a "on purpose" at work....and suddenly a "Fortune 500" company like the USPS who I've busted my ass for for almost 11 years...and I get injured at work...want's to throw me away like yesterday's news......Thank your God it isn't you!
Smiling LDC;
How long did it take for your whole EEO process to come to a conclusion? And did they ever pay you after your win?
Am in the process now.
Bandana: If what you are saying is true I think you would be one of the ones who would be protected under OWCP. If indeed you are honestly injured then why haven't you gotten what you should from OWCP? These cases need to be looked into and you should seek legal advice, yet all I see on the injured board is your complaining and being ugly to anyone who questions you. That puts up red flags to anyone who reads the boards. Get yourself some good legal advice and if you are correct in all your assumptions than take the USPS, OWCP and anyone else to the cleaners - you have my blessings.
Bandana,
From another injured worker to another; would like some help? I can offer you some legal wrangling if that will help and I do know quite a bit of medical, safety and occupational health matters to assist anyone (I do have a BS degree in Safety & Health; YES - I still got hurt with ALL I know!) As the story goes, working 6 days a week and one day off isn't enough down time for the body to "heal". My email address is available in this message.
yeah but the only reason any of these claims are allowed is that the claims have not been investigated enough.
which is why more money should be spent to build a system to investigate these claims to eliminate as many as possible. then there should be an extensive audit system put in to track any money spent on claimants.
an award system for the personnel administrating the claims who are able to knock down the scurrilious and trivial expenditures on the claimants should be instituted.
hundreds for investigation, pennies for claim payment.
They should offer early out for employees on light duty if age 50 with 20 years or 25 years any age. This would reduce the numbers.
Maybe they are targeting the wrong folks, but I can bet ya, there's gonna be a lotta healthy folks real quick. Seriously, maybe they are targeting the wrong folks and maybe they need to do more investigating. But the fact is, there are too many that take advantage of the situation knowing they'll get away with it. I've seen too many folks in this facility with non related work injuries as well as previous injuries from previous careers. They walk around the plant with a clipboard or a U-cart or sit and converse like this was the local social club. If some of you feel this is right, that's cool! The sad part is they not only hurt the USPS, they offend a lot of their fellow workers.
Message to Joe - there is difference between light duty and LIMITED DUTY! Light duty is when you have been injured AWAY from the job. Limited duty is when YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED ON THE JOB! AND the answer is FLAT OUT NO! Their should be NO EARLY OUT FOR ANY LIMITED DUTY PERSONNEL UNLESS IT IS WITH FULL DISABILTY!
joe, light-duty nor limited duty employees are excluded from the early outs. the catch, if an employee is receiving OWCP compensation, it will end with retirement.
a clerk was unloading a semi trailer at a station when the trailer slid forward on the ice. The driver was going to back up just as the clerk fell between the dock and the trailer. She was hurtand another clerk pulled her up before she would have been run over. Six months later comp had not send her a dime. her husband wrote a letter to George Bush and a few weeks later the post office sent her a check. I think that is shamefull. We are working for a bunch of sneaks, cheats and liars.
The EEO process can take over 2 years to get to the hearing stage. They will try to mediate a settlement if they think you have a case. You should have an attorney. If you prevail all reasonable attorney's fee are paid by the USPS. We negotiated a settlement just before we were due for a hearing. My attorney asked for $300,000. That is the limit for an individual EEO case. He told me to expect much less. I was made whole(back pay because I was reduced from level 6 to 4 pay) I also got $30,000 for stress and being forced to do work beyond my limitations. Hang in there! It's a long process but if the evidence is there you will make them regret messing with you. They kiss my butt now!
I also negotiated a job on days 7-3:30 weekends off. This is my permanet position. So I am not worried about this burger flipping crap. It will never work. If everyone forced out files a lawsuit or someone files a class action the USPS will go broke! So don't worry it more stupid propaganda! They want to scare frauds into returning to work. I hope that works. I believe there is some fraud but most have real injuries.
I have been off work for 3 months due to an on the job injury...3rd recurrence...I have NOT BEEN PAID A PENNY YET....
My injury was on the job..I have already had 2 surgeries...
People who make statements like, it sounds like you are really hurt...Im not talking about you...you should have no problems getting what you need....if you are really hurt on the job you have nothing to fear..
THEY HAVE NO IDEA!
They system (USPS, INJURY COMP, OWCP) is set up to SCREW ALL INJURED WORKERS....3 MONTHS NO PAY for me...SO FAR!!!
Its not like I dont complain and try to get paid...THEY WANT TO HURT YOU FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY!
And yes...just like with EVERYTHING in life...there are always a few bad apples....but the overwehlming majority of injured on the job employees are just that....INJURED ON THE JOB EMPLOYEES...
Over the years I had heard horror stories of the postal service screwing over injured employees, especially in the area of compensation. So when I got hurt a few years ago, I was ready with the information I needed to avoid the getting shafeted by the postal service giving. I was paid COP on time, I got my checks on time from OWCP within one week in LWOP status.
getsmart...I was ready too...and they still screwed me....they can lose things, not get things..play dumb,lie..oh, did I mention lie?
They did me ok the first time too, then I had a recurrence...things changed, and its not that they think Im not injured...they KNOW I am...they just want me to go away..
That is true. I recieved nothing for 8 months after my recurrence. Congressman's office made inquires and not long after got a check. Still waiting on the rest of the money.
Need a lawyer now, to tie it all into my stress claim because the recurrence would never have happened if they had not been so intent on continuing to harass me for three years til I got hit with the forklift.
Anyone know of a good lawyer in Jersey?
Retired;
I have gotten an Attorney for my OWCP. The reason I haven't gotten my OWCP yet is due to Physician errors which I had corrected and taped with a micro-recorder...One is from Japan and speaks horrible English...he admits on tape all that he did not write; but this of course came after the denial and my request for my file. When I saw what was in there I couldn't believe what he had wrote. Not only was it vague, but he put the wrong affected vertabrae in the report.
In the injury forum...if you will note; I only get "edgy" when I have been accused of being a idiot or a fake; neither of which am I. We have harassers at work and in the privacy of our own homes in these forums for injured workers which are designed to dispense information amongst ourselves...so, go check again Retired and see for yourself.
P.S. Retired;
I am so injured and not lying that I will pay for my own lie detector test once my Attorney gives me the "go ahead" to prove once and for all it happened on the job.
This is a "life changing" injury I have...I am merely a slip away from a wheel chair...the people who posted after me...you need to read why OWCP hasn't paid them for months either. You wouldn't know how they treat the injured Federal worker, mainly Postal Employees till you go through the system...and the worse the injury the worse they play the games. Problem is...on the outside what they do is illegal, yet they get away with it since they are the sole "Worker's Compensation Insurance Company" for the USPS.
Put 2 and 2 together........It will then make sense
If you are reading all the comments, then you can see that if you sre aware of the abuse of the "band-aid brigade", then what is stopping you from reporting to the Inspection service? This would probably help those of us that are legitimate! For someone who has suffered and still report and perform on the job, the other employees hurt us more then the Post Office ever will! I just hope that those that have pulled a muscle years ago are the ones that are outsourced and not us that have had fractures that have not healed properly and have caused endless surgeries! If you can help, do the right thing and turn the employees that are not "true disabed" in! Make the call to the Inspectors!
Call the inspectors?? You really dont get it! It doesnt matter that we may be realy injured, it doesnt matter that they are really out to mess with us...we call the inspectors, eveyone upstairs deney everything...and it comes back to bite us...THEY HAVE MANY WAYS OF SCREWOMG WITH US! this may sound, no... this DOES sound paranoid...but its true.
On behalf on all trial lawyers I would like to thank the people on this board. We will gladly take your money and fight a giant like USPS for years (on an hourly rate, of course) knowing full well that you don't have a prayer.
My wife would lke a new Mercedes, so she thanks you as well.
Listening
In my haste I mis-read your post, I thought you were telling us injured workers to call the inspectors to report all that has been done to us, by injury comp, by usps, by owcp AND BY FELLOW co-workers who in their ignorance harass us and yes...some do as you say...they call the inspectors....
In theory I agree with you, all fraud is BAD...and people committing fraud shoud be dealt with...
BUT...encouraging co-workers to call inspectors when they FEEL someone is not injured...IS PART OF THE PROBLEM WE FACE...neither YOU OR ANYONE ELSE we work with is qualified to make that determination...unless you also happen to be our Doctor....and simply making a call to the inspectors because YOU FEEL we are not hust...IS PART OF THE PROBLM!! ITS PART OF THE HARASSMENT WE FACE DAILY!!
Screw the worker. Reelect President Bush.
For the folks never injured on the job
You need to mind your own business and stop pretending to be doctors.
Injured workers are under enough stress from management without getting unnecessary crap from co-workers.
Abusedrehab: Why should postal workers mind their own business. It is there business when it affects them and their jobs.
We see day in and day out the abuse this system is. People who cannot even lift a phone yet get instantly better when off the clock. People have abused this system for years and years and it is about time to do something about it.
And anyway there is no business and I mean no business that would allow the injured to sit at work and do nothing. It is no only demoralizing for the injured but also affects the moral of the uninjured who have to not only carry their load but watch them sit around, draw hugh salary and do nothing.
I think all postal workers should be up in arms and think about their future and what this is doing to the postal service as a whole.
Our business you bet!
Who in the private sector will be willing to hire us and to take on our health cost?
retired04
I am injured and I have been screwed with alot! 24 years as a carrier, Ive been off for 2 months now...however...I agree with a lot of what you say...WE ALL DO HAVE A STAKE HERE...but, having a stake and trashing injured employees is NOT THE SAME THING..and Im NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU....but it happens all the time...I agree with you...we should not sit around and do nothing, however..some of us may not be able to do anything...what about them? Fire them?...come on...we have to take care of our injured employees who can not work, we have to take care of our injured employees who can work with limitations, we have to take care of our employees...period.
Everyone needs to understand, when you employ the sheer number of people we do...you will get some bad ones...bad carriers, clerks, and managers...and some of those bad ones get hurt also...thats how you get the bad injured ones....I really doubt you will find a really good employee who happens to get hurt...and then turns into a bad scamming injured employee...that is just not how it happens...
Please understand, a lot of us may think from time to time that someone who claims to be injured is scamming...but WE REALLY DONT KNOW THE ENTIRE SITUATION....there is usually more to it than it appears.
With that being said..if you look at the number of people we employ...SURE...there will always be some who abuse the system....
But when you or anyone else goes and puts all injured in the same boat as scammers...IT PISSES US OFF!!
You may ask why, and say if you are hurt Im not talking about you.
I say...LOOK, WE ARE ALL SICK AND TIRED OF BEING LUMPED ALL INTO ONE, WE ARE SICK OF THE HARASSMENT, THE LOOKS, THE WISPERING, THE NO PAY, THE LOST PAPER WORK WE TURN IN,
You have no idea what its like.... it really does suck!
So...if a person is truely unable to work...what do you think should happen...what if it was you? what if it was you kid?
I'm fed up with my fellow workers. Light duty has become a limited duty is just another entitlement scam. Sure there are some deserving employees, but the vast majority are milking it for all its worth. We have a guy here that had a torn cartligde in his knee. He had surgery and was walking within 2 days. But he's been on limited duty now for 12 years. Guess what his restrictions are? He can't lift more than 2 lbs and must sit at least 7 hours daily. Its a joke. He cuts hair during the day and comes to the old PO at night to sit at his little desk and handle damaged letters. By the way, he also has to have a chair with a back and arms so he can get assistance to stand. Now this is all for a lousy torn cartlidge. Imagine if he really was injured. By the way, you should see him on the way to lunch. He carries this big ass cooler that has to weigh 20 lbs??? Management tried to address this crap but between the union and EEO they have given up. No wonder USPS is trying to end this gravy train.
Fed Up: You nailed it right on the head. These are the people that most of us want seen gone not the legitimate ones that have been traumatically injured at work. There are those who are injured in the line of duty, accidents, dog bites- you know the ones. And then there are those who cry stress (whoe not stressed); allergies (who does not suffer from it); back hurts (whose doesn't in our line of work); sore shoulders and hands (yeh we all have that). It is these people who file injury reports while the rest of us suffering with the same afflictions do something about it. The ones that don't do anything to fix these afflictions they have wrong with them are the ones that want to continue to milk the system. And then they wonder why employees are fed up with them. Then they give you the story that you can't begin to know what is wrong with these people. Right - give me a break. Lets weed the abusers out once and for all.
Limited duty is no gravy train. We work as hard as everyone else. Were just not mules anymore.
The Postal Service is hoping that after they outsource jobs, either there won't be any MORE accidents, or that people won't report accidents in order to keep their job. Neither things will happen; therefore, outsourcing is useless.
Stop whinning, if you don't like the Post Office or it's policies, quit, or are you paid too much to do to little.
Maybe you should quit. Were not complaining about how badly you smell when you come back from carrying your route. You are overwork and underpaid. You are pathetic. You also take too much abuse from ignorant supervisors. Don't blame injured workers for all your problems.
There won't be any outsourcing. The USPS will loose too much money and get nothing in return. You all think they can make us flip burgers. RIGHT! If they find me a job at $6 an hr. OWCP must pay the difference-$15 per hr. Then I take them to court or file an EEO. They will be found guilty of disability discrimination and pay compensatory damages and my legal fees. If this happens to thousand of workers guess who willl lose money-YOU!! They will have less money for your next contract. They will complain that they are MILLIONS in DEBT!!! All you jerks are barking up the wrong tree. None of this stupid policy will ever be full implemented. It's a scare tactic to get frauds back to work. I am amazed at how stupid some of my co-workers are. You morons are no qualified to carry mail or distribute mail. Why don't you go flip burgers. YOUR MAMA!
Retired04;
Different injuries require diefferent types of healing and some require less exertion on the effected area. A knee ibnjury is nothing to scoff at. If it occurred at work, the repetitive motion required of us at work, which includes much bending and lifting could make a knee injury worse than it was. The repetitive motion will do this, so it is wrong of you to say otherwise. Your knee is a very important part of body fuction and you must conserve use of it for ALL areas of your life. My own knee injury came from an on the job accident which left me unable to lift my babay for a year. I am a mother and that to me is one of the worst things that can come about for a small child. I came to work so that I could provide a decent life for my kids, and that includes spending time doing things with them. Going to the grocery store became hazardous, trying to get her into a shopping cart was difficult and trying to push a shopping cart while holding her hand won't work. My cane and my daughter both go into the cart so that I can use the cart for support. Healing is taking time, it has been a year and the pain is just as bad. The child goes up and down stairs with both feet on one step, because she has to go slowly like me and we are constant companions. I feel like I am stunting her growth and learning process because of my injury. I know that I could not possibly do all the bedning and lifting that was required of me at work when I return and until my leg/knee has regained the strength to do so, limited duty is my only option if I am to still be as much the parent as I was before the accident to my kids. My kids deserve the same mother they always had. They did not injure me, my job did, through NO neglect on my part. My duty is to my family and then to my job. The job should not harm me to the point where I have to try to accomodate it instead of it accomodating me. If I have the extra wherewithal to care for my family as I should, there is only so much left for the job that broke me physically. My job as a Mom was, is and always will be a full time job. Taking a full time job anywhere is supplemental to my job as a Mom. It shoud not mean storing my energy reserves for the job, but for my family, especially when it was the job that made me like this. When i get better, I will work better. Til then, my baby gets the energy.
Bottom line here folks....none of us has the answer completely.
I only know what I was told I was entitled to during my orientation. I was also told what they required of me...I gave this (blood blisters to prove it) and more....
One of us "upheld" their end of the verbal agreement....the other (USPS)...well...don't get injured while at work.
I have threatened the District Manager that I would come in and give as safety speech....at the end of my speech...I would say, "work safely or you can expect somthing like this" As I would throw down a book of foodstamps. To have to even threaten such a thing shows a system which is flawed...severely flawed.
Still waiting to hear on lie detector test I asked for to prove my injury was on the job.....I would like to pass along a lie detector test to all in Management and District as well....will they come forward???????????????
Not an scare tactic if the 10 letter carriers got taken off the pay roll
in the Long Island PO. The lone
supervisor included in the first wave
is an message to other managers to take actions against the limit duty
clerks. USPS management are always
looking for ways to grab more money
for themselves. This what it is all about.
Just remember, when you are hurt on the job in the postal service,it is your fault. Had you not been at the location of the accident,you would not have been hurt.
Postal Pete, u said
"Au Contraire' Karen ,
They never make negative comments about the postal service, they chose
to highlight their personal courage and victory over anthrax instead, all the while collecting workman's comp!"
May I suggest you do an internet search on Leroy Richmond. He was the first anthrax-stricken victim to file a suit against the postal service for $100 million.
Judging from the posts on this board the one thing that all injured on duty claimants have in common is the inability to spell and use the English language.
attorney,
This is not an English class.
BTW, it's "grammar" not "language"
Attorney: P H!
and *******!
Attorney; wee are postal employees; not proofreederz, damnit!!
Wow! I never knew there was so much hostility between injured and non-injured employees. C'mon people injured employees are not the enemy.
here's a speeling variation of peacemaker just for attorney, --piecemaykerr--
Ya Right piece two all!
ROFLMAO!!!
thanks for the laughs! ROTFL
can someone in new york or near by give us some info please?????????
there's nothing going on. Just a bunch of postal nonsense.
Watch out Smiling LDC69...if they think you are any good at POSTAL NONSENSE...they might try and make you a supervisor! Have a good day and a geat Easter!!
heres the deal---I work for the people that I serve.. Postal Supervisors Postmasters work for the dark side. Its not a debate its a fact, They eat their own. Its all about control..it always has been. They seem to only pull their head out of their ass when it cost them money. Let the head pulling begin.
give your injured employees a break--you really dont know what they face daily in the form of persecution and retaliation.
the USPS------a dying dinosaur
oh I forgot, I would be in full favor of selling the USPS to UPS or Fed Ex --divide that by 800 thousand workers and call it good. Managenent gets no cut...but is allowed to work at Walmart--WELCOME TO WALMART!!!
just a thought
well its monday whats the story????????????
how is the situation doing in New York with the rehab employees??
anyone hear any news??
well these poor bastards have been given up as guinea pigs.
and in typical fashion the union has done nothing more then tell them to file a grievance. oh and lets not forget the letters to congress. now burrass wants his sheeple to give up more bucks to do less and start a media campaign?
i am most positive that washington gives a damn about it's poor postal workers. i can hear it now.....we must take care of this immediately!!! someone quickly ...find me a postalworker!!!
wake up folks NO ONE gives a !@#$%&****%%$$##@@! about anyone who works for the postal system. this place is like the hotel california, and ain't anyone the least bit interested in helping you out.
WELL IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE HISTORY.
THATS FOR ALL THE CONCERN....NOT!
No one has a comment about their newly oursourced job. I guess no one has been outsourced yet! Well, get ready to loose more than $250,000,000 this time USPS. Another class action is on the way for denial of overtime and the hostile work environment that is created and substained at USPS for injured employees. Let's see if wee can get some real cash before the service becomes insolvent. After all, we are self-insured.
My name is Essaquena Harris-Noy,I filed a case with eeo on these issues in 1997.the case was heard in 2003, I appealed the decision and the eeoc ruled unfavorable on the issues, 8/25/04. The eeoc told me I could file for reconsideration on the issues ruled upon unfavorably. I have a preponderance of evidence to prove the overtime issue. I am an injured on duty employee, that falls within the Rehabilitation Act,as far as the eeoc is concerned.
After reading all the posts above, there has been no mention about the outsourcing attempt of injured employees on the west coast several years ago. It seems the USPS feels they have fined tuned the process, and are giving it another go.
I took a medical retirement from the USPS over a year ago, and do not regret it. On top of my monthly retirement check I am able to work and make up to 80% of the pay my position now makes doing what I want to do not what I am ordered to do. No abuse, no L.O.W. simply no BS. And I am making more money than I was with the U.S.P.S. I am sure most will find the same. Take the leap, the water is refreshing. Leave the BS to the non injured. When all the injured are gone then, I can only guess they will turn on each other. Kinda brings a smile to my face. Lets Roll
I was injured on the job in 2000 and was on limited duty for almost 3 years. In May, 2003 I returned to full duty even though I suffer from extreme pain due to my back injury. Management continues to harass, provoke, and generally act abusive to me even though I function at 100%, little or no absences or tardies. I am now running my pain treatments through my private ins. but am still out deductibles and co-pays. So tell me, does the USPS inspire anyone to get better?? I think not.
Tell me something!
How many of you have Upper Respiratory Infections from the dust in the PO? Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Laryngitis, Pharyngitis, COPD, Sinus, Sinusitis and you just can’t see to get rid of a cold?
Check out: NWIAL.com, "Airborne Paper Fiber-Nuisance Dust or Killer?"
We have 700 "injured" employees in our district, 90 percent of whom are faking so they don't have to work in automation or carry mail. The managers tolerate it because they have relatives and girlfriends stashed away on one of these jobs somewhere. Now they want to put us in automation and let these thieving, lying lowlifes take our jobs.
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