US Postal Workers Urged to Shun Employee Survey

The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) has urged its members to boycott the United States Postal Service (USPS) 'Voice of the Employee' surveys, to prevent management from 'manipulating the results' during forthcoming contract negotiations.

The USPS, which is running at a loss of $3.5bn for April-June this year, has confirmed that reducing working hours will form part of its strategy to reduce operating costs. Consequently the APWU says it is concerned that surveys will be used as a way to 'drive down working conditions and/or wages'.

USPS recently notified the union that it would conduct a two-part survey of employees and consumers 'to gain insight into the public's perception of the USPS brand'. The first survey took place between July 26 and August 6; and the second is scheduled to begin the week of September 20.

In response, the union said in a statement: 'We do not believe that it is a coincidence that this survey is being conducted just as contract negotiations are about to begin. In the past, the USPS has used these surveys to undermine the union in collective bargaining, and we have every reason to believe they will attempt the same trick again.'

Since 1998, the APWU has discouraged union members from taking part in employee surveys, and a motion by the National Executive Board adopted that year opposed 'the use of all surveys, focus groups, polls and audits as a means of interviewing employees and union officials to evaluate job-related and internal issues'.

APWU Director of Industrial Relations, Greg Bell claims that opinion surveys are often designed to elicit a specific response or result, and says that earlier this year, the USPS conducted a poll that compared eliminating Saturday delivery to other negative alternatives. Based on the results of that survey, the USPS announced that most Americans favour five-day delivery.

'We need continued support in boycotting the surveys,' Bell adds. 'Participation is voluntary, and members should refuse to take part.'

Web sites: www.apwu.org and www.usps.com .