More on the VERA
From the NAPS.org forum:
For those that are not aware there was a symposium in the Great Lakes area the last few days for Lead Plant Managers and PMs. During the symposium Mr. Donahoe and Mr. Ward made the announcement. The USPS has put a request in with the OPM for a VERA for all USPS employees with the exception of Electronic Technicians. The OPM should be able to notify the Postal Service by August. I was told to say to ALL who inquire that there will be NO INCENTIVES! I repeat No Incentives. The Postal Service will not make the same mistake that it made in 1992 with cash incentives. The number that we need to reach is 40,000 employees. I was told that under current conditions they will not reach the 40k goal. Our mail volume has dropped to the 2004 volume and our anticipated attrition is down 50% do to gas prices and the economy.
July 6th, 2008 12:10
No Incentive, No Exit! I’m 55 and have a total of 34 yrs combined, but I’ve got an all mounted route, (seniority baby!)and I won’t jump out of my $60k a year gig unless that golden parachute (ok, it’s the post office,I’ve gotta hope brass will float)appears.
I’ve got an idea! just give me back my Civil Service Retirement contributions (about 70k) and allow me to roll it to an IRA or just add it to my TSP. Anywhere I can protect it from taxes. Otherwise I’m here for at least another 6 years when my wife reaches minimum social security at 62. It doesn’t make sense to retire into a declining economy
when you watch the money you need to survive dwindle in “conservative” stock investments. I put every penny of that money into that fund and never recieved a dime in interest. I think this is just the first round and next time there will be a cherry on top, so don’t jump too fast. With FSS coming to the West coast in 2010, I can wait a couple years if I have to. NO SATCHEL IN SAN DIEGO
July 6th, 2008 23:19
I have 31 & plus years,an almost all mtd. route,but Iwill go early just so I keep some sanity. My wallet says no but my body and mind say yes. I’d rather work part time and be gone from this hell,then stay. No, I’m not a slug I do the very best each day,my customers really appreciate it, especially the businesses’. I never mind working hard,I just hate working stupid !
July 7th, 2008 19:44
I’m with Kendall no money no go, no way I’ll give up 60k with out an incentive pkg. I’ve got 25 years in and 4yrs till i’m 62 I have one of the two non L rts in our office all curb side no dismounts it’s gonna take a lot to get me to leave before i’m 66 No Go In Louisiana
July 7th, 2008 19:59
If there are no incentives, how is it an “early” out? I could go now, or wait about three years and hit 80%. Why wouldn’t I stay?
July 8th, 2008 08:35
Vera?? Isn’t that the traffic lady on CBS 2 news in LA? Vera Jimenez?
July 8th, 2008 13:57
let me see, I could still get the same health care coverage but retire from the micromanagement, save money on work clothes and mileage to work; and be in a less stressful place. What is so difficult to figure? I can always go get a part-time job or go into business for my self. The only incentive needed is to lose the stress. Money isn’t everything but my health is.
July 8th, 2008 18:29
Indeed the stress and incredible disrespect we recieve as postal employees is definatley an incentive to take an early out. To work in the private sector, most of us could run circles around the majority of civilian employees. The postal service will save money, but will also lose many valuable assets to this company. Money isn’t everything and you can’t take it with you. Just downsize and get a part time job where you’re appreciated. You only live once, I’ll feel like I’ve been let out on parole.
July 8th, 2008 18:48
This offer will be wonderful if I am included. The USPS that I hired in with has disappeared. We were at one time all about delivering the mail in the least amount of time. Now it takes 3 days to deliver a letter 60 miles from my office. Stress has taken all the FUN out of this job. I know… work is not supposed to be fun, but at one time this was a great job. I still love my job, but if I can live on what they offer me,(insurance included) then a younger person can have my job.
July 9th, 2008 08:51
THE ONE INCENTIVE THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN IS SICK LEAVE PAY BACK. WE HAVE EARNED AT LEAST THAT MUCH.
July 11th, 2008 19:37
Most of what i have read is nothing but GREED on the parts of these old farts. Take the money to the grave; you smart thinkers. You have made enough and now you stick it to the young folks. Don’t be affraid to live life for the short time you hav left.
July 12th, 2008 11:46
What a bunch of greedy overpaid bastards!! Look at the retirement that you’ll getting ech and every month. It’s not like you’ll be living on Social Security. You earn better than most people and still want more. You’re the reason the government and the economy is the way that it it.
July 12th, 2008 16:12
SHOW ME THE MONEY! The devil is in the details. Hopefully the unions can use their leverage. The way I see it, the USPS can pay me to sit home and some shmuck THEY think can take my place and still save money. They will not want the high 3 to reflect the huge COLA s and level increases. Those Novineas work.
July 13th, 2008 18:05
show me the $$$$$$$$
July 13th, 2008 18:11
31 years old 51 in jan 09 4 yrs penalty 8% no cash out the door no way i will stay so will many more also how about the people who can go now why would they leave with out some cash for the road dont do it ladies and gents hang in there they will sweeten the pot
July 13th, 2008 18:11
i meant no way to the offer ! I will stay
July 13th, 2008 18:48
Mike and One Foot In…how are they greedy overpaid workers? What they are saying actually makes sense. Why would you leave if you have the seniority to have an easy route. They put in the years to have that luxury. Not to mention, that most likely the early out will include you losing a percentage of your retirement for each year you are short on age or minimum years. The way prices are rising right now, most people unless they are independently wealthy, would be stupid to go.
July 14th, 2008 00:34
It is not much of an early-out offer without at least an exclusion for the lost percentages (2% for each year under age 55/56?). The only folks who will take this are those who’ve done a good job of managing their personal finances and haven’t had any family financial emergencies in the past few years.
At that stage of the game, leaving a stress-filled environment working for an organization that doesn’t care about quality in the work place is a good move.
This will result in SOME R-I-F, but not what the USPS hopes for. However, it isn’t hard to see that there is no $$ in the books for incentives to those seeking an early-out. At least not with current priorities as they are in DC. On the other hand, compared to other businesses, postal employees get paid as much for what they don’t do as what they DO do.
So… the good and the bad, the positive and the negative in all things. This WILL be good for some, and make no sense for others. Let the chips fall where they may.
July 14th, 2008 07:14
30 plus yrs , how in the heck can one not have the cushion to sleave and say , thank ou uncle sam for the past 31 yrs of pretty easy work. lets make sure we pass on the wealth and good work to those young folks and let them have a piece of the pie. remeber you cant have your cake and eat it too!
July 14th, 2008 17:01
I say again, why do they have to retire. They have a job and they want to do it. How can you hold that against them. I can’t say as much for alot of the younger carriers who work in my office. They could not care less about the job and most of them will tell you that they don’t care if they keep this job because it is not something they want to do. The service quality has fallen off in the past 6-8 years in conjuction with many of the CSRS carriers retiring. Does that tell you anything about the committment of alot of the newly hired carriers? If not, it should.
July 15th, 2008 07:48
frank you need to read the regulations. Under a vera you will not have any penalties. i think you are just one of the many greedy old farts that cant let go and move aside and spread give the opprotunity to the young folks
July 15th, 2008 09:30
My husband did retire (on his 55th birthday) in a declining economy after 31 years. After suffering quietly through back, knee, neck, arm problems, a torn achilles tendon and third bundles in his last ten years, along with unshoveled sidewalks, dog bites, and the summer’s debilitating heat — he is worn out. The USPS did not acknowledge his retirement with a certificate. The only acknowledgement was a pat on the back from his appreciative manager and the good wishes of his coworkers. The union sent him a check for $100.00 and a thank you which was much appreciated. After taxes and spousal deduction, he makes $22,000 per year for the rest of his life and yes — with COLAs. This man earned his pension, which was offered to him as part of the terms of his contract with the USPS in 1978 and he is legally entitled to every penny. You may not like your union, but the NALC helped my husband retire at 55 with a small pension. We’d rather live on soup than see him die young as a result of the physical toll this employment has taken on his bodyat a later age. The USPS will continue to push you thanklessly. Support your union and strive for benefits that will allow you to survive this grueling job.
July 16th, 2008 15:42
I will go when I want to go! Keep the money keep your VERA keep your offer! I started this job when it was the Post Office Department not the Postal Service. The way I see it will soon be the Post Office Department again back under the government were it belongs. This will save $ getting rid of the 1000 newly created jobs called board members, VP area to VP trash pickup, saving billion.
July 20th, 2008 11:15
Anyone that takes this offer is just stupid, you lose they win. The PO will save 1 million per person that takes this offer, and you will lose some percentage of your penison.
I have 33 yrs and 54yrs old with 11 month’s to 55, now why would I go without any incentive. Sure it’s a HELL hole to work at the PO but I’ve worked here this long I surley can make it for 11 more months and get my penison with no losses.
Hope you all say no until a better offer is made.
July 22nd, 2008 12:39
If U can wait till the next cola and/or raise and get a good paying PT or FT and have your health it depends, but the way things are going downhill and the eroding workplace environment like in Elmira and Ithaca NY and the lack of decent customer service it does not look good, at 56 under FERS a supplemental, look it over look at what is the final offer and then an individual decision.
July 27th, 2008 07:27
Heard a nasty rumor this week that OPM did NOT approve VERA for carriers.
Anyone hear anything?
August 6th, 2008 15:00
Some people are saying we old people shouldn’t be so greedy, but how much is my 62% going to cover my living expenses when I am 75 or 85 with the economy so questionable. Inflation may not last that long, but a lot of people are suggesting that globabl warming will start another round of economic hardship in the next ten years. No one knows. Better to have a cushion. Leaving the PO to work somewhere else isn’t practical. Other companies don’t want to hire old people in spite of age discrimination accusations. I’m entitled to stay. I’ve earned it. Also, if I quit; they abolish my job. They won’t repost it. No one gets it.
August 19th, 2008 22:00
The Devil is a liar. After 27 years and all the BS they put you through the least they can offer you is a cash incentive. No cash, 3 more years of suffering for me.
September 6th, 2008 00:28
I have only 22 years of USPS services, if I take this time early out.
I won’t have much. Without penalty, about $500/ month after health, survivor deduction. But I already make up my mind. I am ready to go. Enough is enough. Get out the hell.