Let's Meet the New PMG

Let’s Meet the New PMG
By Dan Mooney
North Central Area Vice President

I wrote this column in mid-July, the first week David Steiner became the new postmaster general. I watched the first video he sent out to USPS employees.

When someone comes in new from the outside, they should not be prejudged—good or bad. They stand on their own; that’s exactly what we should do in this case.

Steiner was not responsible for the multi-billion-dollar yearly losses sustained by the USPS in recent years. He is not responsible for the record-low service scores of the past few years. I credit him for taking a job not many folks wanted with record financial losses and low service scores, an administration breathing hard down the back of the Postal Service and America waiting to see what’s next.

However, the reality of the job sets in quickly; the heavy lifting starts from day one. Steiner knows what he is getting into. He has run large companies and knows the current status of the agency. Here are my takeaways from Steiner’s first video:

  • It was refreshing to hear him first say he doesn’t believe the Postal Service should be privatized. None of us think that!
  • His goal is to meet the financial and service expectations of the Postal Service’s structure.
  • We can do this and, together, we will. (Time will tell what the definition of “together” actually means.)
  • He will ask for our help and our thoughts. (Isn’t that what we want? Let’s hope it’s true.)
  • He thinks we can improve, but he knows you know how we can improve so he wants to hear from you as he travels the country. (Don’t be shy. Be professional and let him know your thoughts if you are given the chance.)
  • Meeting our operational goals will bring strong revenue (badly needed revenue).
  • We will tackle complex challenges together. (Again, time will tell what the definition of “together” means.)
  • He has the perspective of the USPS from a competitor’s point of view.
  • He is 100% Postal Blue.
  • He will be engaging with the unions and management associations. (NAPS wants both sides to truly be engaged.)
  • He looks forward to “collective efforts.” (I look forward to seeing what that looks like!)

By the time you read this column, some of my questions and yours already may have been answered. But I truly hope what Steiner said in his first couple days comes true. I truly hope his leadership skills are a perfect fit for the USPS to succeed.

We cannot afford as a company to take any steps backwards. It’s time for all of us, together, to take giant steps forward and bring the Postal Service back to the revered organization it should be!

I look forward to positively engaging with PMG Steiner at the fall board meeting and for years to come. Stay on the high road; the view and the company are much better!