Nationwide Wage Uniformity

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Two figures one marked USPS and one marked private sector with an = between them with $ above and ? below

The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 included the goal of matching postal employees’ compensation with that of private sector workers. The recently enacted Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) did not alter that goal. However, such a comparison is virtually impossible since private sector compensation varies considerably by locale, whereas postal compensation does not. It is also difficult to decide what constitutes a comparable job, and how benefits should be considered. Given the Postal Service’s financial situation and calls for down-sizing, the issues surrounding this policy take on special meaning. Over the course of the next two weeks, we’d like to ask you about this policy in general, its applicability in the diverse labor market across the country, and what changes might be in order to facilitate the financial situation and the level of service afforded the public.

So, first of all, as a general matter and notwithstanding current contracts, does it make sense to attempt to match private sector compensation? Does the goal in the 1970 legislation still make sense today?

Which of the following statements best describes your opinion regarding the comparability of postal and private sector compensation?

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How should Postal Service pay be set? If private-sector comparability is used, what types of jobs are comparable to postal work?

This blog is hosted by the OIG’s Risk Analysis Research Center (RARC).

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Permalink | Comments (53) | Aug 31, 2009

 

 

53 Responses to “Nationwide Wage Uniformity”

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  1. 53
    Cheney Lyon Says:
    December 15th, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    I think what businesses need to understand is that when people everywhere in a community are being paid what they are worth and companies are not being too stingy with their salary levels, people within that community will spend more money within that community, and that’s what keeps a good economy in that communities towns going making businesses thrive within that community.

  2. 52
    Carol Says:
    October 11th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    I truly believe everyone is entitled to fair compensation, IF THEY EARN IT. Unfortunately, the USPS is run and hires people, who are not citizens, can not speak english and do not work. They are unfortuantely covered by a Union (I think Unions are good, if run as originally intended). The USPS is going bankrupt, but they continue to pay people, who sleep on the job and hide during their shifts, YET THEY ARE PROGECTED BY THE UNION. These lazy workers need to be eliminated, but can’t be because of the Union. The work habits have to stop. If the USPS is going to survive, the system has to get back to basics and hire responsible people, who qualify and willing to work.
    WHY DOES THE SYSTEM, SUPERVISORS AND UNION LEADERS THINK THAT THEIR WAY IS WORKING. THIS MUST STOP

  3. 51
    dbur Says:
    September 28th, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    After reading the posts on this blog I think the USPS should hire more people who graduate high school and can write understandable and mostly correct English.

    Also, wages plus benefits as a package should never exceed public sector compensation. Job security should count for a good chunk of that. As a private citizen subject to the whims of the market, I feel envious of your job security and benefits.

    Count your blessings postal workers.

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