It is Labor Day here in the USA, so I thought we'd talk about work!
1. Please tell us a little bit about your job. I am a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service.
2. Do you enjoy your job? Although my six day work week often gets me down, most of the time I enjoy my job. My co-workers are great people for the most part and so are my customers.
3. What would make your job more satisfying for you? A bigger paycheck would be nice...
4. Name one thing you don't like about your job. Bob Anderson, the single co-worker whom I cannot stand!
5. Do you feel you are compensated adequately for what you do? No, rural carriers are the only craft in the USPS not to be paid an hourly wage. We receive a salary based on a count of the mail which is done once a year for two to four weeks. We receive overtime compensation only for the three weeks prior to the Christmas holiday. Does that sound fair to you?
6. Any thoughts on social security and health benefits? With my six day work week, I only hope that I live long enough to collect, if there is anything left by then...
7. What are your thoughts on the current minimum wage? It is by far too low. Unfortunately, raising it would only cause more jobs to be lost, prices to rise, and no change for those working at a rate above the minimum. It's one of those catch 22 situations.
8. What kind of advice do you give your children regarding their future and their career choices? Chase your dreams. Don't let anyone, not me or anyone else, force you into doing something you really don't want to do. Don't make the same mistakes that I did.
9. What is your 'dream job?' Being a back-up vocalist for The Scorpions would be nice...
10. At what age will you be able to retire? I will be eligible for reduced retirement benefits from the US Postal service at the age of fifty-five. These would not provide me with enough income to live, so I'll most likely be working until I'm at least sixty-five, unless I hit it big on the lottery!
