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Postal Uniforms News |
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Finally: The Polo Shirt
Posted August 15, 2006
 "Several APWU
members made fashion statements at the Clerk Craft Conference,
modeling new polo shirts that window clerks will be able to wear
starting on Nov. 18.
The long- and
short-sleeved shirts have been the subject of long and short
discussions, tests, and reviews since 2003. Vendors will begin taking
orders on these shirts early in October. One of the last issues to be
resolved grants retail clerks the right to wear this style any day of
the week that the window is open.
They can be
purchased using the Sales and Service Associate uniform allowance. The
cost is expected to be in the $30-$35 range." (Source:
APWU) |
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Employee Comments About Postal Uniforms |
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Contact us to send your comments |
 "SUN
PROTECTION. I would like to see the uniforms have sun
protection, and be rated with a sun protection factor. I
have gotten a sunburn through the regular shirt. If I wear
an undershirt in very hot weather it gets soggy and
interferes with cooling which is dangerous. You can get
this with civilian clothes right now."
- Anonymous |
"I'd
love to see the carriers get a windbreaker type of pant to
wear. My ignorant postmaster has instructed us that WE
CANNOT wear our rain pants unless it is raining??!!
Hey
idiot, it's frigin 30 degrees out with a wind chill and you
want me to wear pants? And then they tell us to be safe
and not to abuse our sick leave? Uniforms need a drastic
research to allow us to wear what we need to keep us safe
and comfortable!!!!!!!!!"
- Anonymous |
"I'd
like to see the Postal Service offer a better selection of
uniform hats. There are plenty of nice ball caps that
cover the uniform criteria with the "UGLY" eagle and
"UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE" patch but they have to be
purchased with our own funds. Let's move into the 21st
century already."
- Anonymous |
"The
new postal clerk polos are disgusting. The proposed shirt
was solid burgundy in color. Probably not everyone's favorite
color but at least it would look neat and not look filthy after one
wearing. But when the actual shirts are offered they are light blue
with navy blue cuffs and collars. Ugly! You can't find a shirt like
this in any catalogue for the general public because no one would
buy it. Why light blue? Did the people who designed this ever walk
into a post office? Clerks sort newspapers and parcels as well as
work the window. Even if you are only working the window, you have
to lift parcels and do other functions. These shirts will never
stay clean and I'm sure that the stains won't come out during the
wash because the carrier polo shirts are the same color and they look
filthy all the time. So what really happened here? And where was our
union during this negotiation? All that hogwash about union
pride and they don't care that we stand before the public looking dorky
and dirty."
- CT Postal Clerk 26 years |
"The clerk window shirts look like pajama tops or shirts
issued to incarcerated prisoners. Window clerks look
ridiculous. I served on a panel which made suggestions to improve the
marketing posters used to sell postal services. Our
suggestions were implemented resulting in those very
effective posters. I do not understand why the Postal Service boosts about
the "Voice of the Employee" when it will not solicit input
from the employees on the front line. I am told the
Postal Service requires that I look professional, on the
window, while my manager dresses as though he just walked
off the golf course. If the Postal Service has funds to
invest in marketing research to improve sales, why will it
not invest funds to determine what will make clerks more
comfortable with clothes we can wear with pride. The way the Post Office is evolving, I do not doubt window
clerks will be required to wear funny hats and sell
breakfast tacos at the window very soon."
- Logo in Lago
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"The
Postal Service should offer a new selection of letter
carrier shorts, one with cargo pockets comes to mind. It
would be great for holding misc. items such as 3849s,
notepads, pens and even a scanner. The fit would be loose
enough to let air in and moisture out. Not to mention the
comfort factor. It's time for a uniform reform."
- Anonymous |
"Been doing this for 35 years. These are the worst uniforms
ever. Since we HAVE to offer other items in our sales pitch,
I ask if they want to "biggie size" a book of stamps to a
coil. It only feels right wearing a fast food outfit. I'll
never wear the gray pleated rags. I'm wearing thin on these
old blue pants. If they tear through I'll spend my own money
at Wal-Mart and buy some cheap blue throwaway stuff first.
Sorry, but try putting a crappy tie around your neck and
choking it tightly around your neck in the heat of summer,
while doing dispatch. Then while dripping like a pig, back
at the counter, happily ask for the next moron in line. I
wish I had the names of the idiots who thought up these
uniforms. The old shirts had some tapering to them... these
shirts were cut to be used as parachutes in a pinch. Notice
all the nice Post Office polo style shirts we can purchase
from Land's End and other places with our own funds, but
still can't wear on the window --- like "management" does?
Maybe I'll just not wash the shirts anymore... tell them my
wife will only wash polo shirts. Don't like it, change the
uniform."
- Anonymous |
"Whoever
designed our window clerk uniforms is probably still
laughing!"
- Anonymous |
"I've been a letter carrier for the past 2 1/2 years and
have refused to purchase and wear the regulated postal
shoes because every single one is made of leather! It is
against my religious and moral principles to wear leather
so I have to buy my own shoes and hope nobody in
management tries to use that "against me". I truly think
the postal service should include non leather shoes as an
alternative. Until they do, no green tabs on my shoes!"
- Jade |
"The shirts for window clerks should go to a polo style
shirt! So many window clerks also do distribution as
well. We handle boxes that are dirty and get ink from our
date stamps on our shirts. It is very difficult to keep
these shirts looking nice. We need shirts that stretch a
little and I think they still look professional. So many
other businesses have these shirts! Let's catch up!"
-
Iowa Window Clerk |
"I
have been waiting for the new clerk polo shirts like
everyone else. Has anyone tried to keep the neck scarf from
looking like a wet rag around your neck? And the eagle
button turns upside down. My supervisor yells when I wear
the men's tie, so that leaves nothing else. Can we get on
with the polo shirts please? It's so amazing we are
constantly told to get 100% & look alive and professional,
yet they can't give a little. Can't figure it out. By the
way... the polyester pants stink too!"
- Uncomfortable on Long Island |
"I've been a letter carrier for 17 years and would like to
see some changes in the uniform. First of all - the men's
pants and shorts are always being advertised with "flex" in
the waistband... gives up to 3 inches. Why not in the lady's
culottes and pants? Also - sleeveless shirts should be
available for wear in hot climates. Cotton would be a
preferable material for uniforms - NOT polyester. The
choice and comfort of shoes is pretty bad. They are so
overpriced and we are caught in a place where we HAVE to
spend outrageous amounts of money for shoes that do not last
and are uncomfortable (just to have the little black and
green tag on them). I think that the people deciding the
uniforms should have to wear them for a month straight - out
in the heat - and see how they change after that."
- Patti, Florida |
"I always
feel like I'm in my father's pajamas."
- Anonymous |
To the makers/designers of the letter carrier shirts... Why
not a dark blue shirt, whether it is a pullover, shirt jac,
whatever. Dark blue would match the stripe on the side of
the carrier's pants/shorts and the dark blue color would
show less dirt/stains!
- J.P. |
"Does
anyone know if any uniform vendor sells postal insulated
coveralls? If not, it would be a good idea. Make it a
little easier to stay warm without carrying around
additional clothes."
- G.M.
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"How about long sleeves for the shirt jacs? Our manager
doesn't allow us to wear a thermal shirt under our shirts."
- Sue, Carrier CA |
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"I
too would like to see the uniforms modernized. All of the
comments about the window clerk uniforms are true! The
shirts don't breathe, they are cut wrong for women, not to
mention the new sweater is an accident waiting to happen.
With all the sharp edges in our office, a new sweater
doesn't stay looking new very long. What happened to the
jumper for women? I've been looking for one because it would
be more comfortable sometimes than slacks. I won't even
purchase the slacks in that nasty polyester, there are SO
MANY new fabric technologies out there that come out of the
dryer looking like they were dry cleaned, why can't we have
some cotton blend slacks, skorts and jumpers?"
- SSA clerk in NC
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"Our uniforms are not the only
thing that is awful. I don't know about anyone else but the
shoes are a major problem. I have been a carrier in Kentucky
for 10 years. I would think that a company somewhere could
make a pair of shoes that fit, held up to the punishment we
go through everyday and you could afford. I have to buy new
shoes every 3 mo. Allowances don't go that far. I have
tried uniform stores and they are never consistent with size
and price. I can be reached at
debi67@vci.net" - Thanks, Debi
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"When I
became a PTF clerk in 1996, we wore street clothes all of the
time. No one seemed to care what we looked like on the window.
Now since the onset of the mystery shopper, it has become
imperative that we always be in uniform when we are on the
window. That would be fine except I am not in receipt of a
uniform allowance. Our management decided to buy some shirts
and ties and left the rest up to the PTF's to provide. Is it
me or is something amiss here? I am paying good money out of
my pocket to pay for a uniform that is required by management.
When I complained to the local union steward, he wasn't really
concerned. However, if you take all of the PTF's across the
country all springing for these uniforms, it becomes quite a
piece of change. When is the APWU going to stand up for its
members and put a stop to this practice? I'll be more than
happy to wear a uniform provided I'm not using my money to buy
it. This could be remedied by providing all of us with a
uniform allowance, and management will not do it."
- PTF Clerk
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"I agree! Our uniforms are
awful! We need something new. How about some fun ties like the
Disney ones that used to be permitted? How about some professional
looking shorts? Of course, we'll look goofy in shorts with a tie, so
where are those polos we were promised? And another thing......we
need an outlet where we can sell old uniforms. There are many reasons
why we may have some to get rid of......promotion, demotion, change of
craft, change of weight, etc etc. And those suckers are expensive!
Our yearly allotment doesn't even come close to buying a year's worth
of clothing. I tried listing some on eBay, but nothing that can
facilitate the impersonation of a postal employee can be sold on
there. If there are any large size ladies out there who need window
clerk shirts, email me!! I'll sell you mine.....CHEAP."
- Paula
postalpaula@yahoo.com |
"Can't you change the regular
shorts to cargo/carrier
shorts like the ones young men are wearing?"
- Sasha N.
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"Why are the vendors in the Postal Uniform program not required to ship
their Internet orders by USPS? It should be written into their
contracts. It makes no sense for postal vendors selling postal
clothing to postal employees to be shipping by any other carrier!"
- Jeff T., Saint Paul
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"Please, if anyone can help
me find a postal vendor who sells "cotton" postal pants. I am allergic
to polyester and besides, this material is dangerous as it doesn't
breathe and will melt into your skin if ignited. If I must, I will
make my own pants out of cotton and sew a stripe on the sides. But it
seems I shouldn't have to. This lack of material choice is ridiculous.
I am at TRASKIES@optonline.net
if anyone can help." - Thanks, Bob
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"I have been a window/distribution clerk a/k/a sales associate for 9 years. I
hate the new uniform shirt. It has no style to it and the color is awful. I
miss my nice, clean, crisp white shirt. I always felt very professional and
proud to wear that uniform. I also don't like the fact that grey, black or navy
pants are acceptable. I am all for relaxation in the workplace, but not to the
point where we start to lose our professionalism. You are what you dress. I
believe we should go back to the white shirts, navy pants and everyone look the
same. It gave me a feeling of pride and no one ever questioned, "do you work
for the railroad or McDonalds? GIVE ME BACK THE RED, WHITE & BLUE."
- Marie Trovitch, NY
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"Here is a web
site I would like your help with:
http://www.z-coil.com
I bought a pair but they have cloth in them so they aren't legal
footwear for the post office anyway but management is saying that they
are unsafe - no ifs, ands, or buts.
I know that with these shoes available across America and with 800,000
postal employees someone has to be wearing these shoes at work. I was
wondering if any of my fellow postal workers are wearing these and if
they are where they are located and what they did to have them approved.
I am going to challenge this all the way."
- Karen Stanford,
karenstanford1@comcast.net
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"I too am a Sales and Service Associate (window clerk) of 18 yrs. I do not
like the uniforms. Thank goodness I discovered that I didn't have to
tuck in the shirt. And to the lady inquiring about maternity,
they do make a maternity shirt. Just have to check around to the different
vendors who are licensed to sell. My office has a list that was sent out with
the
vendor's names. I think that whoever came up with this type of uniform shirt
is not a window clerk themselves. I too come from a small office and start my
day by sorting and then boxing mail and then to the window. It is a hot
shirt and pulls under the arms and is not cut for full figured women in mind.
That feels better. Just sharing these thoughts with others on a national level
feels great. Do you think anyone will ever listen to us?"
- Mona Franzen, MS
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"Does any vendor make window
clerk uniforms - at least just the shirt available in petite sizes for
women? I have to buy slacks on my own since the size, style, and
material are NOT suitable for my height and weight. Are the sweaters and
vests available in petite sizes?"
- Thanks, Sally sally@velocity.net |
"Hello, my name is Patty I have worked for the USPS for 17 years and now I am
having trouble buying a skirt to deliver mail in. I prefer not to wear pants and I
can't find anyone that makes them. Help anyone?"
- Thanks, Patty
jpcopley@bellsouth.net
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"I wish they would include a pocket on the leg of the pants/shorts for our
scanners. FedEx has one, along with a much more modern and colorful uniform. Also, why
not make our pants/shorts like baseball uniforms, with a little stretch in
the fabric. I've worked there 33 years and have yet to find a comfortable
uniform that fits."
- Patty
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"Yuck. I need to order a new Window Clerk vest and
I'm not impressed. I am a PTF who doesn't get an allowance for
my uniform so I order rarely. I have a hole in my vest (v neck
style no buttons) and wanted another one like it but I guess they are
extinct. I even looked on eBay. I am desperate for a vest so
I guess I'll have to order the new "old grandpa" vest. It is
totally wrong for a woman. What were they thinking? The only
good thing about our uniform is the button cover!"
- Thanks, Shelley |
"I think the uniform colors are very dull looking.
Everyone looks so dull and bored. Can't we have more uplifting colors
(bright colors) instead of navy, light blue, and ugly gray color
pants?"
- Anonymous
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"We need the polo shirts for work because it gets hot in
our post office in the summer and the carriers have one and it looks
great. The second beef is who keeps changing the uniforms?
The old blue pants were much more comfortable and wore a lot better.
The shirts with ties just make us look hopeless and the sweaters are
almost useless with that plunging neckline. We wear our vest and
sweater for a much better look as well as staying warm during the
winter with the penny pinchers energy saving. Lastly the latest
sweater is a joke and it is time for some definite feedback directly
to management about the logo sweaters."
- Anonymous
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"When are the polo shirts for window clerks going to be
available? It would be more appropriate in today's world!"
- 22960
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"What happened to the polo shirts that were approved for
window clerks? They were supposed to be offered this summer but I have
seen nothing about them since we first saw the new uniform displayed
last year. Was this just a joke from upper management? The new uniform
shirts and slacks that are supposed to be more comfortable are far from
that - no different from the old ones. Other businesses let their
employees wear the polo shirts and it looks very professional and neat.
Much better than what we are forced to wear!"
- Tired PM |
"I am a carrier in hot southern California. I have spoken
to a lot of our
carriers and we would like to have sleeveless shirts."
- Sandra
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"Hi I am a Sales Service Associate a.k.a (CLERK). I
would really like to meet the crew that came up with the design for
these gray pants. The color is ugly but it can be dealt with. However,
these pleats really need to go because they are not for everybody. For
small people they are OK, but for a lot of people like me who are a
little round in the middle these pants are really an insult to our
size. We need pants that don't have pleats like the old ones that we
had."
- Anonymous |
"Lady Letter Carrier Wear: A couple of ideas... Are
there any plans for skorts for us? Also, I occasionally wear a red
micro-fleece vest under my jacket. I have had many comments on this
from fellow lady carriers who would love to have such an item to
brighten their uniform choices. This also seems to make sense from a
visibility/safety angle."
- Thanks, Lisa |
"The new gray clerk pants that were recently
introduced are in need of a different material. My wife has to press
my pants, as they aren't wash and wear like the blue pants are. Is
anyone out there having the same problem I am? After a few hours
on the job, the pants look like I have slept in them. I know the
uniform allowance paid for them but I still feel ripped off."
- Anonymous
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"The clerks at my office consider our uniforms to
look like gas station
attendants. Our clerks do all functions of clerk activity - not just
working at the window. It is really frustrating to spend your morning
running CSBCS machines, throwing parcels, unloading trucks, etc, and
then be expected to put on a tie and look pro when it's time to go to
the window. These uniforms are not practical or comfortable. Somebody
needs to take a look at what we need to have to present a good
professional image."
- Anonymous |
"Hi. I am a window clerk in Reno. I would like to
see window clerks be able to wear slack-like shorts and polo shirts. I
think it would look better and nicer. The uniform we are wearing right
now reminds me of the people working at McDonalds. I work at a station
where a lot of college students and professors come in every day, and
it only seems right if we are able to wear clothes that make our
customers feel more comfortable with us."
- Thanks |
"I would like to suggest maternity shirts for
clerks to go with the maternity pants & skirts already offered. I can
find generic gray or blue pants. Wouldn't it have been more logical to
offer the shirts first? I've seen them in the preview catalog.
I've been told that I shouldn't have to wear the uniform shirt since
it's not offered in the maternity style, but my co-workers shouldn't
have to deal with lower mystery-shopper scores just because I'm
pregnant."
- Anonymous
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"I want to
suggest a new hat like a cowboy hat with the eagle on the front. This
way our ears and face would stay out of the sun."
- Thanks, 25 years
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"Hello, my name is Michael Klabisch and I am a letter
carrier in Round Lake, IL, a northern suburb of Chicago. I have been
talking with my fellow workers these past few days about returning the
American Flag to our uniforms. Everyone wants to show their support of
this great nation! What can I do about bringing the flag back to our
uniform?"
- Michael Klabisch |
"Hi folks, My supply of Five Star brand light blue
uniform work shirts has given out and I would like to find out where
to buy more but the Thomas Registry of Manufacturers doesn't have this
brand name for shirts. Does anyone know the company and how to
contact? Many thanks,"
- JBP
jbpatter@uag.com |
"My husband is a letter carrier for an office in the
Chicago suburbs. In the winter it gets really cold and sometimes wet
and cold. When he trudges through knee deep snow his postal pants get
soaking wet. I would like to see some winter pants designed for
carriers who walk through snow all day. Something that uses the latest
technology similar to what skiers and mountain climbers use. Something
light weight that stays warm and doesn't absorb water. There are a lot
of fabrics that are breathable, warm and lightweight that outdoor
enthusiasts have been using for years. Why isn't the postal service
using these same fabrics in their uniform clothing? It seems like this
would make for a happier and more comfortable work force."
- Jennifer Kewith
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"I would like to see dark blue shirts for letter
carriers. My light blue shirts get trashed pretty quickly, and
they look bad long before my yearly allotment rolls around so that I
can order new ones.
One more idea! I
would like letter carriers to have a more protective hat to wear.
I've already had skin cancer from too much sun exposure. A hat
with a broader brim would supply more protection. And besides,
let's face it, the current letter carrier helmets look very stupid."
- Doug
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"Dear Fellow Postal Workers:
Are there any window clerks out there who would like to see shorts
made available for male window clerks, now that skorts are available
for females? Skorts are really nothing more than shorts in
disguise. I certainly have nothing against females being given
the opportunity to wear skorts, I just think it is unfair to males
that we have not been given a similar uniform option. If anyone
agrees, please contact me."
- Thanks, Robert Woods
woodsong@turbonet.com
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"Who do I contact to make suggestions about new
letter carrier uniform items? I would like a winter watch cap
without a built in face mask (have never used and find irritating) and
I would like postal pants with zip off legs (they could be converted
to shorts in the spring or fall depending on the weather). Also, I'd
like to see "Polar Tech" incorporated into future jackets."
- Respectfully, Tony Donohue |
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"WHY DO THE LETTER CARRIER PANTS HAVE TO BE MADE OUT
OF MATERIAL THAT ITCHES AND IT DOEN'T BREATH? WHY CAN'T THERE BE PANTS
FOR SUMMER MADE OUT OF COTTON
SO THE MATERIAL CAN BREATH? ALSO WHY CANT WE HAVE A SPRING JACKET THAT
ISN'T SO SHORT. NOT ALL THE LADY LETTER CARRIERS ARE A SIZE 5. SOME OF
US LARGER
WOMEN LIKE A JACKET THAT IS LONGER AND COVERS SOME OF THE REAR END."
- AR |
