Federal Diary: Readers speak out on pay, mail delivery and hiring

The Federal Diary gets lots of mail; some of it is fit to print. From time to time, we give voice to readers by allowing them to speak out through their letters.

A recent column said job-to-job comparisons are a better way to look at wages for federal and private-sector workers than overall averages that don't account for the better-educated federal workforce and the lack of federal minimum-wage positions. That column drew these divergent views:

The job security government workers have versus private workers FAR outweighs any perceived pay discrepancy. In corporate America, your chances of getting laid off are much higher than in government, then you're relying on unemployment for a while and chances of getting a job with the same pay range as what you were making before are slim especially if you're>50. Federal workers do not need more money, they get paid well, have shorter workweeks than us in the private sector and have better job security. Why complain?

-- Eva Montgomery, Woodstock, Ill.

I'm glad that OPM will be working hard for higher pay for government workers. They deserve it.

But what about the retirees who finished their service? My husband, after 34 years in government service, retired in 2004, before the bad economy hit. Now, after an increase in health insurance premiums, he will see almost no increase in his annuity. I think he has earned better than that.

We are thankful for any pension and health insurance, but whole careers were built with the knowledge that those benefits would be there in the end. But we still have to pay the mortgage or rent, buy food, gas, and heat our homes. I imagine the administration doesn't think retired people spend money to help the economy grow. Would someone please tell them that in many families the "older" people have to help the younger people longer because there aren't enough jobs to go around.

-- Mary Evans, Arlington

An aside in a column about declining mail volume and Postal Service finances noted that I did not get mail delivery all last week, when we had a record snowfall. One writer was justifiably proud of the mail carriers she knows.

My husband is a rural letter carrier and we are living with the consequences of the decisions made by [Postmaster General] John Potter, the decreased mail volume, and the uncertainty that is the U.S. Postal Service. As a family member of a letter carrier, I was dismayed by your comment about not receiving mail last week. I did get my mail, and it was all junk; none of it was worth my carrier risking injury. Postal vehicles used for mail delivery are not all-wheel drive, in addition, the U.S. Postal Service does not provide chains to try to improve traction in snowy, icy conditions because of the cost. Carriers purchase chains from their family budget. My husband had to dig our car out of the snow to report to work at 7:00 a.m. during both snowstorms. My letter carrier broke his leg delivering mail during the December storm. If your mail is of vital importance, you could have gone to the Post Office to pick it up. A clerk was required to stay in the office during the storms, to keep a window open in case people wanted to come and get their mail.

-- Michelle Powell, Centreville

One column reported on the new version of the government's employment Web site, USAJobs.gov. That prompted a reader to tell a moving story of his frustrating attempts to get a federal job.

When I moved to Washington, I initially tried to secure a position in the Federal Government. The task was very cumbersome and I became frustrated and soon gave up. This last summer, I again tried. In July, I applied for over nine positions, and was informed by e-mail that I was qualified for most of them and that my application was being forwarded to the hiring manager. In most cases, I never received any further information concerning my application. I did get a response and interview from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, but the experience with this agency was very frustrating. In late September, I had an interview, which lasted over three hours. I thought that this was a good sign. I mailed a thank you letter expressing my interest in the position. When the interview ended, I was informed a selection would be made in the next six weeks. I waited, but heard nothing.

One evening, I checked that USAJobs web site and discovered that the Pensions Guaranty was advertising for three additional positions. I called to inquire about the status of the position that I interviewed for. I left my name, telephone number, and a brief message concerning the nature of my call. The voice mail said someone would get back to me in 24 hours. I waited all day and the next and did not receive a response. On the third day, I again called, got the message and left my name, telephone number and message again. Again no response.

This process had been very frustrating and has only verified my interpretation that the Federal Government is extremely dysfunctional.

-- David Velasco, Washington

You can speak out by writing to federaldiary@washpost.com