The following guest editorial was submitted by an employee of the United States Postal Service. We have been permitted to publish the worker’s opinions only on the condition of anonymity.
With the election less than a month away, and National Voter Registration Day behind us, postal carriers within Brookline as well as nationwide are gearing up to not only deliver packages, letters, and cards for the upcoming holiday season but also to ensure that our right to vote is fully upheld this November. One employee of the United States Postal Service (USPS), who has served the Brookline community for many years, sat down to discuss how their profession has molded their lives thus far and gave their opinion on the recent controversies surrounding the USPS.
For the amount of time this courier has worked with the USPS, it was imperative to understand where the passion for postal service came from. This courier had begun their work as a clerk within the office and decided to make a switch to the mail delivery position, “For me, it was a somewhat steady process, as I had begun working as a package filer in the office and it was not enjoyable. I had always been one who appreciated the outdoors, and delivering mail, enabled me to do just that. Be outdoors.” The most important part of this courier’s work was doing something where “I could meet and interact with people on a personal level.” They reiterated, “Being behind the counter did not give me that opportunity.”
While serving in Brookline, the courier has developed a fond knowledge of multiple generations of people who have grown up in the community. This courier has been there for generations of holiday postcards, birthday wishes, and monthly subscriptions. They created bonds with the individuals who inhabited the places where their route took them every day.
When asked about the perceived volume of mail received since the pandemic came to be this year, the courier responded with, “At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a noticeable increase in the packages that I was delivering. However I felt, it honestly wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.” As it turns out, the courier themselves had not yet received an influx in the amount of mail they had to deliver daily.
The courier made sure to emphasize, “the easiest way to ensure your vote is considered is to get your ballot sent out as soon as possible.” They added, “it will make the process significantly smoother not simply for the USPS, but also for the individuals dedicating their time this year to count the votes.” It is invaluable that every voter ensures all aspects of their ballot are filled out to the best of their ability. The courier also remarked that each of us should “dot our I’s and cross our T’s; it’ll really make a difference.” With the Brookline community gearing up to add its volume of votes to drop boxes and postal offices around town, the courier ended with, “The USPS has and will always specialize in the delivery of letters and mail, that isn’t going to change anytime soon.”