Find Your Branch

November: A Time of Thanks

November—A Time of Thanks
By Chuck Mulidore
NAPS Executive Vice President

Fall has arrived—and the onset of peak season for postal employees. It is a time of joy in our hearts for the approach of Thanksgiving, but also a time of long hours, no days off, unrealistic expectations and, finally, exhaustion.

November has two federal holidays. By the time we recover from Veterans Day, we are heading into Thanksgiving, with volumes growing daily—especially parcel volumes. It is even more complicated by the fact the nation still is emerging from a world-wide pandemic. Also, we continue to hear a litany of bad news regarding the Postal Service:

1. Mail volume is down significantly; consequently, revenue is down.

2. There seems to be no legislative relief from Congress on the horizon.

3. The vehicle fleet is outdated.

4. Too many employees are “disengaged.”

5. COVID-19 has impacted service and staffing.

We know the Postal Service has problems—some of which were inflicted on the agency, but many self-inflected. Regardless, the bottom line is we just need the truth if we are to become truly engaged as employees and ensure the Postal Service remains the integral part of American life it is today.

Of course we cannot talk about November without remembering our veterans. On Nov. 11, we honor the lives of so many veterans who sacrificed so much for this great and wonderful country. Many are buried on distant shores; many are interred for eternity here at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and in countless cemeteries across the country. We honor their sacrifice and the sacrifice across generations of their families.

Where would this country be today without our veterans? Let’s honor them at gravesites across America on Nov. 11. Also, don’t forget to honor the brave young men and women serving today when we see them in grocery stores, on the train, at birthday parties, coffee shops or just walking down the street. We owe them a debt of thanks and gratitude.

And, finally, Thanksgiving will be celebrated this year on Nov. 25. It is a time to give thanks and offer your gift of time, food or help in any way to those less fortunate. Even in the midst of difficult days in our country and at the Postal Service, we truly are blessed to have a job that allows us to support our families, educate and clothe our children and offer us the opportunity for a secure retirement.

Please, never forget those who struggle with addiction, disease or poverty. We are blessed to work for the U.S. Postal Service. We must continue to do all we can to keep the organization strong and viable for the future.

My hope for you is to have a safe and blessed November and be healthy and strong for the challenges ahead. May God bless you and keep you in his heart at this time of year. Thank you for caring and thank you for all you do for NAPS, your families and for America.