Normally this information would be listed in our member only section of the web site. However, due to the extreme importance of the substance in this article, we are offering it on the main home page so that the maximum number of people will benefit.
We, the employees of the Postal Service, are losing thousands of work hours and a like amount of full-time positions simply by not taking the time to properly record transactions into the POS system.
The POS system is the business tool utilized by the Postal Service to control labor cost. Staffing on the Windows is decided by computer driven data from the POS terminal that most window clerks use everyday to conduct the retail transactions for the USPS. The POS only sees the information that a clerk enters in as a transaction, and every transaction is alloted a time value. At the end of the day, POS will compile the transactions and credit the earned time. Then, the earned time is compared to the actual work hours that employees were assigned to the window. If the earned time from the transactions exceeds the actual time it indicates that there is a need for more window clerks. HOWEVER, if the actual time exceeds the earned time it indicates that there are too many window clerks.
Transactions become the driving force in determining staffing for a particular window operation. If the transactions are not being recorded correctly, even though you might have long waiting lines, the system will indicate you are overstaffed!
Each transaction is given an earned time value. This is done by figuring out the time it takes to process a transaction. For example the POS allows 45 seconds for a book of stamps. Every time you scan a book of stamps you get earned time of 45 seconds. HERE IS THE CATCH: If a customer asks for five books of stamps and the clerk pushes the quantity button, the POS system only recognizes this as ONE TRANSACTION. If the clerk scans in each book individually, the POS enters each scan as a separate 45 second transaction.
Window clerks need to stay away from the quantity key when performing stamp sales. More transactions generate more time. The more earned time equals more staffing and conversely, if the transactions are not recorded, less earned time is credited and the POS will provide data that will show less window hours are needed.
All retail sales and service associates need to ensure that they operate the POS system correctly. SCAN as many books and sheets of stamps as you can, RECORD all the non-financial transactions, SELL the special services and make sure you are on the operation number when you are working the window. At the end of the night when you finish with your last transaction with a customer, PUNCH OFF operation 355 and on to operation 742.
Quick Reminders:
1. Clock in on the correct operation and clock over to whatever operations you are currently working on.
2. Scan EVERY PRODUCT into the system. If you sell multiple items, scan them in individually, not as one. Remember: You get time credit for each item scanned into POS.
3. If you are not busy, hit the stand-by and go clock onto some other operation. Every time you hit onto a window operation it is tracked in blocks of 30 minutes. By hitting standby and clocking onto another operation you've shown you were not engaged in window activity.
4. Don't let supervisors do your job.
Note: The OPWU would like to thank Todd Elkerton of St. Paul, MN and Rocky Sprowles of the Kentucky Postal Workers Union for contributing to this article.
